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Friday 12th December 2025

“29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. 39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.” Acts 27:29-44

Father God,

There is no “peace be still” command to the storm here as on Galilee. One thing I have noticed during my life Lord is that You are more than creative and You do not do things the same way. Here there were 276 people and all heard that You, Paul’s God would save them. Even the ones who could not swim! And You did.

This is a wonderful chapter because if You ask anyone who knows about sailing ships especially the historic ones of Pauls time, they will tell you it is absolutely correct. It really is an eye witness account. The Bible is full of stories but they are not myths they are testimonies and biographies. Luke faithfully records it because he was there. He is writing using the pronoun ‘we’ all the way through and I wonder if he could swim or came ashore on a piece of the ship.

It reassures me about the truth of the Bible. It is so personally written it makes it real to me. It assures me that You God are always on my watch, day and night, ensuring I will be saved.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 12th December 2025
Had to be I love this hymn.

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!

Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rage, and the wild winds blow,
shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow?

Will your eyes behold through the morning light
the city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
when life’s storms are past for evermore?

They do not sing this verse but it is worth adding here
Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
while your anchor holds within the veil.

Lyrics: Priscilla Jane Owens

Thursday 11th December 2025

“Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, 10 “ Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbour was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbour in Crete facing both southwest and northwest. 13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” Acts 27:9-20 NIV

Lord of Heaven and earth,

The majority, decided with the pilot and ship owner, they should sail on. Why take the advice of a landlubber and prisoner? Reading this passage i can almost hear the wind and waves. The ship was driven along, OK lets go with it. Lifeboat on side not safe brought aboard. Might be useful. better not lost. OK good idea. Danger of sandbars, so the crew passed ropes under the ship to hold it together. Not easy to do in a storm! Bit worrying. An anchor was thrown out at back to stop the ship broadsiding the waves and being swamped. That’s a worry. Then the cargo is being thrown overboard. That means even the pilot is worried. Storm still raging and it is as dark as night after many days. Now it is said. They gave up hope of being saved. Sometimes we can think we are trusting in You till we really get out of our depth.

I am not good in rough seas and I remember being on an Isle of Man ferry which could not dock because the sea was too rough. We were hours and almost everyone suffering nausea and sickness. I did not think we would sink but it went through my mind and I did consider however fleetingly how I would feel if this was my last day on this earth. But it was not the end of the story for Paul either. You allowed him to finish what he started and give his testimony and peach in Rome.

Do we still have things we want to achieve for You God, whatever our age or circumstance? Or are there no storms as we are just drifting along in our faith not being on active service? Give us meaning, purpose and direction. And hold off on the storms please.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 11th December 2025

Your eye is on the sparrow
And Your hand, it comforts me
From the ends of the Earth to the depth of my heart
Let Your mercy and strength be seen

You call me to Your purpose
As angels understand
For Your glory, may You draw all men
As Your love and grace demand

Chorus:
And I will run to You, to Your words of truth
Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God
Yes, I will run the race, ’till I see Your face
Oh let me live in the glory of Your grace.

You call me to Your purpose
As angels understand
For Your glory, may You draw all men
As Your love and grace demand

Chorus Repeat . . .

Lyrics:  Darlene Zschech

Wednesday 10th December 2025

 “About eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in. 7 When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn’t prove. 8 Paul denied the charges. “I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said. 9 Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?” 10 But Paul replied, “No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. 11 If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!”” Acts 25:6-12 NLT

Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. 31 As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.” Acts 25:30-32 NLT

Father in Heaven,

When we read through these full chapters we see that the courts were more about stopping trouble before it started than letting the innocent go free. The Jewish religious leaders were just as persistent with Paul as they had been trying to silence Jesus.

And Paul speaks in his letters about being ready to die, “the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” ( 2 Timothy 4:6-8). Scholars believe he was eventually executed by beheading (as he was a Roman citizen). And certainly he stops writing, after his second letter to Timothy, which I doubt he would have done otherwise.

He acknowledges the journey – a battle, a race and nothing has taken away his faith. Frightening, strenuous and stubborn faith? We know it has been because we are following his journeys and difficulties. I’m glad he does not gloss it over. You, God have not always answered his prayers and we are shortly to see how he nearly drowned, got bitten by a snake and had to live and earn his keep while awaiting trial in Rome. (Acts 27:42, Acts 28:3, Acts 28:30).

So perhaps I should not be surprised when it feels like a battle, or an endurance race. And I know how that feels having done marathons . . . It is past tiredness. I pray that I will stand on, lean on, rely on my faith. Which I cannot boast is from me but is the faith that You give me day by day as I need. And faithfulness is the fruit of Your Holy Spirt should I choose to feed it and let it grow (Ephesians 5:22). Thank You for Your great faithfulness O Lord.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Wednesday 10th December 2025


Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.

Lyrics: Thomas O Chisholm