Tag: Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

Saturday 14th December 2024

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”” Matthew 1:18-21 NIV

Father God,

From the beginning Matthew’s biography of Jesus shows us clearly that Jesus comes from the nation promised to Abraham and Sarah. You, God fulfilled all Your prophesies of a great nation through their son Isaac. You fulfilled all Your promises of a Kingdom for us through Jesus. Jesus on of those descendants, one of the countless grains of sand promised to Abraham. But Matthew does what writers do, he flashes back in time to set the scene, give the details needed. To exactly 9 months earlier. when Jesus was conceived into the family by the Holy Ghost, to be born as a man.

Joseph must have been shocked that Mary was pregnant. He had an angelic dream he fully remembered! It is a step of faith, believing in the virgin birth, Your Son born to die for us and yet. . . when we do believe, Your Holy Spirit gives us such blessed assurance. When we look back we can see You at work in us and our lives. Thank You for the gift of faith that enabled Joseph to be the best husband and father he could be. Thank You for the gift of faith You give us to be the best we can be and then forgiven for our weakness and failures.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
Thank You for the precious people who enrich our lives.
For our Christian family. Christmas events planned for worship an to welcome new people to.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government, the Commons, the house of Lords, the civil servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For Sudan, the Middle East for peace and the best outcomes for all.
For those organising shelters and meals for Christmas. For help to extend beyond this season.
For all those who find this time of year stressful for whatever reason. Hope, comfort and joy.
For children in orphanages around the world to know loved and security and Your love.
For us to enjoy today and even the mundane that must be done and responsibilities carried out.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 14th December 2024
Story of the author is below the lyrics and the two verses not in the video.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus says the Lord.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.

I’m so glad I learned to trust You
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Lyrics: Louisa M R Stead

“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” harkens to the joy that can be found having faith in God! Although its author, Louisa M. R. Stead, experienced the terrible loss of her husband she found resolution in her relationship with God. Through the creation of this hymn, she helped many people deal with similar tragedy in their own life by encouraging them to trust in Jesus.

These are the two verses not included in the video.

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.




Friday 26th July 2024

“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.” Mark 10:48-52 NLT

Father God,

Yesterday I considered that the best prayer I have prayed in the past has been “Help Lord”. I have known You heard and responded countless times. Patiently, faithfully, amazingly even powerfully.

As I read again Bartimaeus’s story, I love how You treated Him. You stopped, quietly changed the crowds negativity, passed a non threatening message on to him to come forward and then asked what he wanted. He did not treat him like a beggar, a nuisance or a person of less worth. And Bartimaeus could have asked for food, help, money. Perhaps You wanted to know if he wanted his life changing or just had the hope of a free lunch.

Growing up I was taught that there is no such thing as a free lunch. This story has taught me that with Jesus is never about a free lunch. You give us sight and life in all its fulness (John 10:10) but Jesus paid the price. We can never pay You back. We have to accept the gift. Accept. We may spend our life giving thanks and worshipping and thanking You. But like Bartimaeus had to accept the gift of sight we too must just accept the gift of eternal life in Jesus. And like Bartimaeus follow.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For our family, extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church Ministers, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, fellow worshippers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal family. Continued healing.
New Prime Minister and government, commons and Lords.
For Gaza, Middle East, solutions for peace for all. Break down hatred.
For Ukraine. Send a miracle, an end to war.
For Myanmar freedom from military control. Your people.
For Paris, the athletes, coaches and Olympian teams. Opening ceremony, safety..
For beggars in countries with no social services. For homeless people and in temporary housing,
For grandparents, guardians, carers, play schemes caring for children in school holidays.
For our day strength to do what we must, moments to make us smile and a straight road to follow.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 26th July 2024

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Saturday 19th August 2023

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. 14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.” Proverbs 15:13-15

Father God,

We worship You because we are not a people oppressed by an angry God. We are not a people oppressed by a demanding God and we are not a people slavishly trying to be good and please our God. Yes, you are angry at sin, yes you are worthy of worship and yes you demand holiness. But in our weakness Your strength provided all we need in love through Jesus. We stand in Him in His sinlessness and holiness and give You are worship. After all everything else is Yours. And everything we have is Yours to use, we merely have it on loan.

We do like to give as the first church gave. To provide for the fellowship and those in need. So help us have a cheerful heart in Your presence as we continually feast on Your faith, hope and love. And all the other things we need as they arise and You provide. We feast on Your love as surely as we feast on our favourite food! Surely that must make our hearts cheerful.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

It is not always right to be cheerful especially when others are sad or coping with responsibilities. Help us to be sympathetic and empathetic when and where we can be. But help us to spread good cheer where we can. We pray for those members of our family who are worriers that You would give them relief. We pray you will give those who have been disappointed and always see the worst a glimpse of cheerful hope.

We pray for our church that it would be a cheerful place for new people to enter and welcoming and will take care of those who can no longer make it to services and those in homes and hospital.

We pray for Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Hawaii, Greece. Today we add Argentina as they go to the vote for a new President. Lord raise someone up who would stand against poverty, inflation and corruption.

Thank you for all we have today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 19th August 2023

 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking
life and rest, and joy and peace.

Lyrics: Louisa M R Stead