Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve – Page 2

“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” ⁵⁹He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” ⁶²Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”” Luke 9:57-62 NIV

Sovereign Lord,

Jesus on His way to Jerusalem for the last time. And he met many other travellers who had heard His teaching. Luke considers it important enough to record almost like eavesdropping, Like we were there. Like today some had excuses and see Jesus transparent honesty. So we too can learn to trust You. You do not make everything look rosy. You do not enlist disciples under false pretences. Jesus had it tough and nowhere to lay his head. It may not be easy, there is a battle against evil and a race to be run.

The important thing Jesus stresses is to start and continue. We may not have to travel overseas, give up home and family but we can faithfully follow here. It is our response to what You have given us freely, full salvation. Your grace, Heaven and Your glory to come. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.”

But not just now, but I’m busy, but I’m already caring for people . . . You call us to follow not as goats with there but, but, buts. Rather as sheep who hear Your voice (John 10:27-28). Keep us focused and following You, our great and generous God and Saviour. No buts . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Sovereign Lord,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their many individual needs and You would guide their steps today for good.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches. Make them beacons of hope in the darkness of winter and world conflict.
For our Government, that You would be in the midst of it reforming it for the nations good.
For our King and Queen and their family and all the charities they represent.
For those in Iceland and the ongoing concerns and those not able to go home.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle, a strong, long pause leading to a new peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An miraculous end to this war, conflict and bloodshed, starting now.
For those in the midst of conflict, to have hope and a future and hear of Your love.
For all those who are considering Jesus, beginning to hear about Him to take that step from knowing about to knowing You personally.
For all those who need to know they are loved today.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Thank You for the day we met You and knew Your love. Refresh our hearts and cause us to praise today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 24th November 2023
Yes it will continue to crop up because this as almost my favourite hymn of all time. It says it like it is, allows me to recommit and the melody is just wonderfully simple.

Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve
Pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free
Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change
Washes away the stain that once covered me

And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me

Wonderful love that held in the face of death
Breathed in it’s final breath forgiveness for me
Wonderful love whose power can break every chain
Giving us life again setting us free

And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me

John Pantry
CD: The Gifts of God Series, Grace, Mission Worship

“And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work ” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NET

Lord God,

Saturday, the end of the week. A day to give you our worship and adoration for being such a faithful God, unchanging in your generosity and unfaltering in your love. Even at the end of a busy week. When we are sometimes frustrated at what we have not got done!

Lord as I sip my cup of tea and consider, you have always provided me with what I needed and often abundantly more than I realised at the time. Your grace is more than sufficient to meet my needs now and in the future. Thank you for reminding me.

Jesus spent His life here doing and giving to others. There were days aside to rest and be alone with You. and He spent time with the disciples, and with the crowds. But whenever the need arose He was there meeting it. Whether a blind man, a woman ill for many years or a centurion’s servant.

Help us to do good where the opportunity presents itself. Not because we have to but because we want to and it makes us feelgood doing good. Doing to others as you would like them to do to you as Jesus told us to. (Luke 6:31)

Help us to know when we need time with You. When patience or kind thoughts are disappearing. When anxiety is growing or we feel things are out of our control. Remind us we cannot earn your grace – we have it because of Jesus. And He supplies us in abundance when we ask.

In Jesus name Amen.

God of grace,

Bless and meet the deep needs of those we pray for today. Those we have lost touch with and those who we have strained relationships with. And thank You for all those we have good fellowship and spend time with. Give us grace to be kind whether we are at work, at home or just out and busy. Grace to be kind to ourselves and with others.

We pray for Ukraine and Russia and that You would change the intentions, the actions, the plans and the driving forces of war to the beginning of a different future of living as neighbours.

We pray for China in the deluge of rain and the damage it is and has done. Send human help and give those who have suffered, Your deep eternal comfort in their distress.

For those travelling to see family or gong on holiday we pray that all will be smooth and safe. And they will be refreshed. For those of us at home we thank You for all we have and the moments to be refreshed among the familiar.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 5th August 2023
One of those songs I would have every week! Gives me focus and fills me with worship.

Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve,
pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free.
Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change,
washes away the stains that once covered me.

And all that I have I lay at the feet
of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.

Wonderful love that held in the face of death,
breathed in its final breath forgiveness for me.
Wonderful love whose power can break every chain
giving us life again setting us free.

And all that I have I lay at the feet
of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.
Repeat Chorus

Lyrics: John Pantry