“And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.” Deuteronomy 4:1-2 NLT
Father God,
Moses starts Deuteronomy by going over the last 40 years history and how God has got them to where they are, despite their rebellion and behaviour. Even confessing his own weakness, accepting Gods will and passing on the baton to Joshua. There is no bitterness and no jealousy.
And here he has the last opportunity to call them to obey their God for their own good and the good of their nation. Not to pick and choose what to obey. What would our last words of advice be to those we love and know? To get to know, follow and obey Your Son Jesus?
Some family would challenge the word obey because they have encountered extreme right wing Christians. Some because they knw they cannot be good all the time. But Jesus himself said he had not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17). He showed us that the Law was not rules, rules, rules but living His way with faith, hope and love. The law is not a stick to punish our failure but a living love to keep us safe from evil and our own weakness. Help us to obey in gentleness and strength, righteousness and kindness, forgiveness and hope.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 15th March 2025
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies But His smile quickly drives it away Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear Can abide while we trust and obey
Chorus
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet Or we’ll walk by His side in the way What He says we will do, where He sends we will go Never fear, only trust and obey
Chorus Twice
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus Just to take Him at His Word Just to rest upon His promise Just 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
Lord oh, for grace to trust You more
Lyrics: John H Sammis (Trust and obey). Louisa M R Stead (‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.“ Proverbs 3:5,6 NET
Father God,
Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus. I love the hymn for its simple truth and yet it is not something we find easy to do. Obey. And it is certainly not fashionable as a concept or in practice! And it is not easy to explain to nonbelievers how we hear You and how we know what to do!
To explain to someone that we trust You, God for help and hope both today and our eternal future. To say that we listen to the Holy Spirits guidance and Your written word . . .. Well, some think we are foolish, outdated and others think us downright dangerous. And perhaps in some cases of extreme religious fanatics they may be right Lord?
Help us learn to live in Jesus His way and therefore Your way, and that it is the very best for us. We know Your love. I have learned by experience Your guiding and protection. You are my source of our life and hope. What other word could we use but obey? With You it has to be all or nothing because You gave Your all for our sinful nothing.
And when we obey? You do make our paths straight – to Your provision in all circumstances. Not always out but through. We bow our hearts and minds before You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Father God,
For our close family. For our extended family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for. For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. Local councillors For Ukraine and Russia. End war. Disrupt missiles, disrupt Putin’s desires for possession. For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Our hope is in You Lord. For our criminal justice system, overcrowded prisons. Prison chaplains. For our young offenders to find faith in You and helped to change practically. Help this nation to value the Christian faith, the church and Your values for a good life. For those who have lost sight of goodness, kindness, hope . . . restore and touch them with love. For us to remember have not let us down in the past and will not do in the future. Bless today.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 24th October 2024
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies But His smile quickly drives it away Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear Can abide while we trust and obey
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet Or we’ll walk by His side in the way What He says we will do, where He sends we will go Never fear, only trust and obey
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
Oh, Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
And ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus Just to take Him at His Word Just to rest upon His promise Just 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
Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my lords! 19 Indeed now, your servant has found favour in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. 20 See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.” 21 And he said to him, “See, I have favoured you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. 22 Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 23 The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:18-26 NKJV
Lord God,
Salt, while we are on the subject. Lot’s wife, known for becoming a pillar of the white stuff. Even Jesus used her as a warning in Luke 17:32 not to look back! Her history in Genesis reads like a horror movie. Just when we think , happy ending . . .
So what are You saying to me? Did Lot and his two daughters run looking forward together encouraging each other? Did she lag behind and temptation whisper in her ear? Do we need to keep in the company of those who encourage us to look to You?
Was it punishment for her looking back or was it that she lagged behind while looking and was caught up in the destruction? Perhaps we do not have the threat of being turned into salt today but we do not always listen when Your still small voice Holy Spirit corrects or directs us . . . . Help us to trust and obey.
She became salt! I think that is much more of a statement than the newer versions which say she changed into a pillar of salt. They scattered salt to ruin the land. She became part of the dead land of Sodom and Gomorrah. A stark warning to keep our eyes on Jesus. To grow and have Your life in all its fulness, forever more (Hebrews 12:2).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
An outline of prayer to get you started on those things you need to pray for today:-
Lord God,
Today we pray for family, friends, neighbours, neighbourhood, city and our church family. For Putin and the end of war in Ukraine. For countries where there is no justice and equality. For help, relief and comfort for those affected by natural disasters such as Libya and Morocco. For the many murders in the news. For Your justice and comfort for those who have lost a loved one through violence and murder. For our Government and the King for all they need to lead this country and set and example of commitment, honesty and dedicated service. To reveal those who have their own agenda. For those projects our church prays for and supports, that much good would result. For those on missions overseas that they would see miracles and be blessed themselves. For the things we are involved in and long to see flourish. For strength for today.
Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 7th October 2023 Two hymns! These words are just as relevant today.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey
Chorus Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies But His smile quickly drives it away Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear Can abide while we trust and obey
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet Or we’ll walk by His side in the way What He says we will do, where He sends we will go Never fear, only trust and obey
And ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus Just to take Him at His Word Just to rest upon His promise Just 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
Lord oh, for grace to trust You more
Lyrics: John H Sammis Tune: Daniel B Towner Lyrics: Louisa M R Stead
Trust and obey was inspired in 1886 when Daniel B. Towner, was the music leader during one of Dwight L. Moody’s famous revivals. Daniel says, “Mr. Moody was conducting a series of meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts, and I had the pleasure of singing for him there. One night a young man rose in a testimony meeting and said, ‘I am not quite sure—but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.’ I just jotted that sentence down, and sent it with a little story to the Rev. J. H. Sammis, a Presbyterian minister. He wrote the hymn, and the tune was born.” Sammis is said to have composed the lines of the refrain upon receiving the letter: “Trust and obey—for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
The song ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus was inspired by Louisa M.R. Stead’s personal tragedy of losing her husband in a drowning accident. She found solace in trusting Jesus and wrote the hymn’s lyrics, which were later set to music by William J. Kirkpatrick. The song was published in 1882 and remains popular for its message of hope and comfort during life’s challenges.
