You’re the Word of God the Father

Wednesday 21st August 2024

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,for all things in heaven and on earth were created in him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him.” Colossians 1:15-17 NET

Invisible God,

Paul writes to the churches in Colossae. He has never been there, but a man called Epaphras (1:7), a believer, has, and carried news to Paul. So before Paul launches into teaching he takes 14 verses to greet, give honour and encourage them. So they get to know him a little first. How like You Lord God. Showing us how much You love us by sending Your Son so we could know what You were like. Before You led us to the cross and repentance.

What a letter! Lifting Jesus up to equality with You, God. We now call and know You as a Trinity. Father Son and Holy Ghost. Paul was teaching them not to see You and Jesus as anything but coequal. Jesus was there with You at creation, all things were created through Him and for Him.

What a letter! Gentle Jesus meek and mild is also the King of creation. The one who stilled the storm actually made the seas, organised the science of oceanic currents and tides and set the weather systems in motion. Created the molecules that enabled a substance to be liquid, solid or gas. Made man in Your image. He still holds all things together with You and by Your Holy Spirit.

Yes Jesus loves us, He is our friend and comforter, our good Shepherd. But also due respect and honour. We now fellowship with You Father, Your Son and Your Holy Spirit. Help us to always let You have the last word.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Invisible God,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). World kings, dictators, leaders and rulers.
For Ukraine. Please end war, soon.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for long term peace.
For our emergency services, the people who serve here and in war zones
For the family of those drowned in the Yacht in Sicily and those who survived the trauma.
For those who speak on behalf of others, advocates, carers and parents.
For those who use their power to do good, Christian charities, overseas missions.
For us to give thanks for creation, its beauty and knowing Jesus our creator.
For us to give thanks for daybreak and breaking our fast. For evenings, night, sleep and rest. For the little things we sometimes take for granted.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 21st August 2024

You’re the Author of creation,
You’re the Lord of every man;
And Your cry of love rings out
Across the lands.

Yet You left the gaze of angels,
Came to seek and save the lost,
And exchanged the joy of heaven
For the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer You fed the hungry,
With a word You stilled the sea.
Yet how silently You suffered
That the guilty may go free.

With a shout You rose victorious,
Wresting victory from the grave,
And ascended into heaven
Leading captives in Your wake.
Now You stand before the Father
Interceding for Your own.
From each tribe and tongue and nation
You are leading sinners home.

Lyrics: Stuart Townend

Tuesday 2nd July 2024

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, Let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore you
Hope of a life spent with you

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
So highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly you came to the earth you created
All for love’s sake became poor

I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

Tim Hughes
CD: Small Group Worship, Kingsway

“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. ¹⁸The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:16-19 New English Translation.

God of love,

An intimate view of why, God. Your why. How it was in the beginning and the consequences. You were together in the beginning. You sent Jesus and He willingly agreed to come. To give His all and get sorrow and suffering, and give us a hope and a future..

We recognise the dangers of not sticking with You. The Bible clearly talks about the choices, not options! So today we remind ourselves to turn away from self reliance, greed and selfishness which we see all around us in society and the world. We look to You and Your everlasting, all inspiring, upholding, comforting holy love. We seek Your light, beamed into our hearts and our lives through hope. And, “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:5,6

Today is a day not be anxious about life, clothes and what to eat. (Matthew 6:26) a day to be confident in You. To worship. To Bow down. To thank you for a million blessings – and for Jesus. To thank You for being You, our generous God and wonderful Saviour.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Loving God,

For our family, friends, neighbours. Personal needs and to see You at work in their lives.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Inspiration and assurance.
We pray for kings and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Charles family. Princess Anne.
For the general election, smooth voting day and the best for the present and the future.
For the NHS, the countries finances, education and employment.
For Paris and athletes preparing for the 2024 Olympics.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Peace and the best future for all.
For Ukraine, an end to war. Help and support for those in war zones and having to fight.
For schools, teachers as they try to fit everything in before the end of term.
For all those who will care for children during the long school holiday.
For our justice system, prisons, Christian Prison Chaplains and Christian release support agencies.
For us a day that runs smoothly, makes us smile and give our worries to you whatever faces us.

In Jesus wonderful name we pray, Amen

Worship Tuesday 2nd July 2024

You’re the Author of creation,
You’re the Lord of every man;
And Your cry of love rings out
Across the lands.

Lyrics: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Wednesday 30th August 2023

“Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. ²⁷But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” ²⁸They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” ²⁹Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”” John 6:26-29 NLT

God our Father,

I find it embarrassing sometimes when I do something for someone they want to give a gift or do something back, whether from good motives, pride or not wanting to feel indebted. But then I also feel the same when people do something for me. Many of these people had been fed by Jesus by the 5 loaves and 2 fish. Rather than wanting to do something for Him they wanted another miracle! Jesus read their hearts and knew it was not a real desire to do Your work.

You certainly have done something for us! We are indebted to You for feeding us the bread of life in Jesus. We could never match that and that is not what You desire. You want us to accept Your giving, freely, humbly. We discover we could never match Your giving because everything we have is Yours anyway. Even our breath. And so begins faith. To believe who Jesus is, Your Son. Without belief there can be no understanding. Jesus did not come just to show us how to be good and do good. He came to introduce us to the source of Good. By the Holy Spirit delivering love and forgiveness personally. Where would I be without You? You changed my life for good for ever. Thank You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God our Father,

Bless our friends, family, neighbours, colleagues, fellow worshippers with your presence and goodness. For those who do not know or acknowledge You, we pray You will lead them to a place of decision and remove doubt. Remove the barriers to their sight and the hardness of their hearts, one step at a time.

We pray for a new believers and the growing churches in Iran, China, Latin America, Africa and Asia. We pray they will hold fast to You and be able to have their own Bible and find a good fellowship. We pray for those who have become disillusioned because of other believers behaviour or because of their church. We pray that You will strengthen and redirect their steps (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Grant an end to war, and particularly with Ukraine and Russia. You alone can put and end to the stubbornness and hard heartedness of man.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 30th August 2023

You’re the Word of God the Father,
From before the world began;
Every star and every planet
Has been fashioned by Your hand.
All creation holds together
By the power of Your voice:
Let the skies declare Your glory,
Let the land and seas rejoice!

You’re the Author of creation,
You’re the Lord of every man;
And Your cry of love rings out
Across the lands.

Yet You left the gaze of angels,
Came to seek and save the lost,
And exchanged the joy of heaven
For the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer You fed the hungry,
With a word You stilled the sea.
Yet how silently You suffered
That the guilty may go free.

With a shout You rose victorious,
Wresting victory from the grave,
And ascended into heaven
Leading captives in Your wake.
Now You stand before the Father
Interceding for Your own.
From each tribe and tongue and nation
You are leading sinners home.

Lyrics: Stuart Townend and Keith Getty