Tag: Start the Day

Tuesday 11th November 2025

“Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.” Luke 22:54-56 NIV

“Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.” Mark 15:1-5 NIV

“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” Mark 15:15 NIV

“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.” Matthew 27:27-31 NIV

Father,

Reading through the Bible, I have reached Jesus arrest, betrayal, abandonment and suffering on the day we give thanks and remember all those who died in two world wars and on active service. They changed history fighting on land, sea and in the air. And I am grateful and thankful to You that You helped them. But Jesus changed history. We celebrate Easter all nice and happy and family. Do we Celebrate false trial, torture and termination.? Better to pass over quickly the gory parts and celebrate the resurrection.

We do sing in lots of songs about your death but we prefer to put an ‘l’ in it and change the gory to glory. Not glory in the gruesomeness but glory in Your victory for us. That is not wrong. Bit it is to our shame that man put You to death and You had to suffer horrendously before it came.

You do know our suffering. Not being able to end the pain of those who loved You, standing around the cross. Your earthly family and friends. While undergoing such physical pain. You know what it is to hope those left behind will be faithful and find hope and a future. What it is to not be able to solve everything in the here and now.

It is good to pause and see what happened between the garden of Gethsemane and the crucifixion. Jesus character, revealing You, our God. A God who would suffer for our sin, Remain silent in the face of lies, Knowing the truth was not believed. Willing to suffer on our behalf when even His own disciples deserted Him.

We know by the news of today that mankind has not changed. War, cruelty and greed. And yet, and yet neither have You. You still seek out the sinner wanting a Saviour. You still accept back those who have denied You. You still forgive the dying thief who asks You to remember him. And You still love me just as I am. It is a wonder, amazing and overwhelming.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Tuesday 11th November 2024
For me the traditional melody fits the words perfectly. It does not rush or go to slow and the words and harmonies touch the heart as they should. With a resounding last verse . . .

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count as loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ my God:
the very things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down:
when did such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all!

Lyrics: Isaac Watts


Monday 10th November 2025

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”” Luke 22:39-53 NIV

God of sacrifice,

You gave the sacrifice, You were the sacrifice and You redeemed the lost. And yet the tired disciples could not sacrifice one hour for prayer in the garden. We have all known those times when fear, stress and tiredness have just enveloped us and we have slept. You are right Father, sometimes when are tired or weary the enemy uses that time to tempt us. He does not trip us up when we are looking where we are going! Help us when we are vulnerable. Thank You that you forgive us when we slip.

I love Luke’s narration of events because they contain those compassionate little extras that show us Your character. I was so relieved, when I read Luke’s account, to see the servant of the high priests ear was healed. Jesus was never too occupied to notice his need. He put right the harm that Peter did. You were true to who You are in every situation. Sometimes You have to mop up after us, go back and repair damage we may have caused even unwittingly. And we are eternally grateful that You accept us warts and all (as Oliver Cromwell said to the portrait artist). We cannot imagine what You went through – but You did it for us, undeserving as we are. How can we thank you?

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 10th November 2025
The original version video is below at the bottom. I like the new and the old.

My life flows on in endless song
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear that music ringing
It finds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?

While though my joys and comforts die
I know my Savior liveth
While though the darkness gather round
Songs in the night He giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge, clinging
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes, the cloud grows thin
I see the blue above it
And day by day, this pathway smooths
Since first I learned to love it
The peace of Christ makes fresh, my heart
A fountain ever springing
All things are mine, since I am His
How can I keep from singing?

The peace of Christ makes fresh, my heart
A fountain ever springing
All things are mine, since I am His
How can I keep from singing?

Lyrics: Original Hymn unknown
New words and arrangement: Fionan De Barra and Keith Getty

Sunday 9th November 2025

 ““If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” 22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”” John 14:15-27 NLT

Faithful Father God,

Jesus farewell speech? It reads like one. And for those of us who know what came next we hear it with understanding. But the disciples? Judas asks a question and Jesus does not get distracted, he continues, knowing all will be clear later. How comforting this should have been if they understood it and how empowering it is for those of us hearing it on the resurrection side of the crucifixion.

How many times I have reminded myself I am not isolated and alone – Your Holy Spirit, (You God) are with me. Your truth and powerful peace upholding me. How amazed I am when I think that You, God are Creator, upholding the ever expanding Cosmos, and yet my Saviour risen from the dead. And You choose to be my ever present help and counsellor. I do nothing to deserve such love.

Most translations and versions say, “Peace I leave with You”. I love that this modern translation, taken from the Greek, says, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of heart and mind.” Not to be worked for, earned, searched for, worked at – but received, a gift. This going away speech prepared the disciples even if they did not understand it all till later. It may take me a lifetime to live it. I am so grateful, beyond words, that You show us what we need to know and can have if we come with open hearts and minds.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 9th November 2025

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.

It is enough; earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
and Jesus, call to heav’n’s perfect peace.

Lyrics: Edward Henry Bickersteth