Tag: Start the Day

Friday 9th January 2026

“Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord. 5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. 6 Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”” Genesis 13:1-10 NKJV

Father God,

Yes they were doing really well and prospering in the land You God promised them. But success caused strife between the two families. Even in the best families there can be a little strife! But You have led them to a spacious place and there is enough room to expand, they did not need to fall out. How as churches we need to understand this and pray with and for each other.

Abraham has learned that You, God are worthy of his trust. You called him to move (Genesis 12:1-3). You kept him safe in famine in Egypt (Genesis 12:10). You protected his wife even though he lied about her to Pharaoh ( Genesis 12:17-20). You led him back to the place between Bethel and Ai when the famine was over to a good land (Genesis 13:1-4). So how does He cope with the strife? In peace. He talks with his nephew Lot. He looks at what there is in dispute and is generous. He gives Lot the first choice. He does not try to influence him because he knows he can trust You, God and Your promises.

Which ever Lot chooses, Abram knows he will be blessed. It is Lot who has not yet learned to choose Your way God. Help us to know that we can be generous and let others be blessed. We will not miss out. We can be generous because Your generosity Lord is endless and boundless towards us for good.

In Jesus name we give thanks, Amen.

Worship Friday 9th January 2026

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

All my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

Chorus

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
My life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after,
It’s running after me (oh)

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
My life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after
It keeps running after me

Chorus: Twice

Lyrics: Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding, Jenn Johnson.

Thursday 8th January 2026

“Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”” Genesis 11:1-4 NKJV

Father God,

The writer has hit the nail on the head to use an analogy! Men were and are always trying to build or make something to their own glory. To reach heaven! Not to point to You, the maker of heaven and earth. Not to remind them that they are mere mortals but to liken themselves to creators.

Today many build, create or make things to their own glory while others receive Your glory for making things of benefit to mankind. Yes, money comes into it sometimes. Money is needed to research and money is needed to enable trials and tests. Money can be used for good.

We are not a random group of people. We are Yours God. Your children and heirs. Help us build on Your foundation with what we have from You and what will stand the test of fire (1 Corinthians 3:11-13). Help us build with Your people in acts of love and leading others to You. We may be scattered but never away from You. We may speak different languages but are family in Christ.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 8th January 2026


 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”

Lyrics: attributed to K or R Keen, or George Keith.

Wednesday 7th January 2026

“Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. 5And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. 6 So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. 7 Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. 8He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. 9 But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. 10 And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. 11 Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. 12 So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore.” Genesis 8:4-12 NKJV

God of the rolling seas,

Noah’s Ark was launched in the second month on the seventeenth. So it was afloat at least 5 months (Genesis 7:11). Their faith must have been sorely tested. Then the waters started going down and they maybe had a little hope – but no mountain tops till the tenth month!

Noah sent out a raven and heard nothing. Perhaps he feared his family would begin to loose hope or perhaps he had a wobble and so sent out a dove. She came back and that must have been exciting she came back and then depressing – no where to land? He gave the dove a rest and seven days later sent her again and she returned with a leaf. One green leaf giving hope and faith, or faith and hope.

We talk about having wilderness times in our faith. But sometimes we are just floating along safe and yet scared Lord. Sometimes we do not seem to here or see what next. Sometimes we need like Noah to just go on going on and wait, We are safe in Your care. Faith keeping us watertight not letting lies or doubts drown us. New beginnings do come but more often than not it is service as we sail. But no service is normal if it is for You Lord. Let us never become despondent, as we serve You, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And Father we thank you for the encouragement You send.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 7th January 2026

I will worship (I will worship)
With all of my heart (with all of my heart)
I will praise You (I will praise You)
With all of my strength (with all of my strength)
I will seek You (I will seek You)
All of my days (all of my days)
I will follow (I will follow)
All of Your ways (all Your ways)

I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise

I will bow down (I will bow down)
And hail You as King (hail You as King)
I will serve You (I will serve You)
I’ll give You everything (give You everything)
I will lift up (I will lift up)
My eyes to Your throne (my eyes to Your throne)
I will trust You (I will trust You)
I’ll trust You alone (trust in You alone)

I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise

Songwriter: David Francis Ruis