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Tuesday 14th January 2025

“Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colours. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” Genesis 37:1-8 NKJV

Father God,

Jacob and all his family are now back living in in Canaan and he has reconciled with his brother. All is well? Jacob did not learn from his father that favouritism can lead to trouble. It may not have been so bad had he not indulged Joseph so everyone knew.

So Joseph told on his brothers. One translation puts it another way, “Joseph reported to his father the bad things his brothers were doing.” New Living Translation. So was he merely telling what he saw? Were his brothers a bad lot? And he was not afraid to tell his dreams even though it made his brothers more angry. Was he naïve? He seemed to have an easier life than them and better clothes!

Was it his behaviour that made his brothers sell him into slavery. Or was it that they really were a bad lot. The consequences were dire for all of them. Joseph, a slave. Jacob grieved for his son and the brothers had to see their fathers grief every day and carry the guilt. Consequences.

Father thank You for your forgiveness but help us with the consequences that arise from our actions or others towards us sometimes. Help us put them right where we can and not make the same mistakes again. Heal our hearts and help us remember You remove sin not just cover it.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 14th January 2025
Its a haunting melody but I love the words.

‘Forgive our sins as we forgive’,
you taught us, Lord, to pray;
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.

How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?

In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly know:
what trivial debts are owed to us,
how great our debt to you!

Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls
and bid resentment cease;
then, bound to all in bonds of love,
our lives will spread your peace.

Repeat first verse . . .

Lyrics: Rosamond Herklots 1905-87

Pray for those around You, your family and friends
King and Parliament
Los Angeles
Ukraine . . .

Monday 13th January 2025

“ Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” 16 Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. 18 Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.” 19 And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.” Genesis 29:15-20 NKJV

Father God,

The schemer Jacob was outmanoeuvred or rather out scammed here! Leah was given to him in the dark after the revelling and then he had to promise to do another 7 years hard labour for Rachel even though she was given in marriage the next week. And he agreed. I wonder how he would have reacted before he encountered You, God who promised him a future? Perhaps he saw the bigger picture and perhaps You had worked on his heart so he could accepted their customs, the marriage to Leah and 7 more years labour.

One thing we learn early in life, is that we cannot always have our own way. And things can go wrong regardless. Knowing You, Lord, we learn that our thoughts are not always Your thoughts. Or rather as You say through Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” You know best. Jacob learned to be patient for 14 years while preparing for the next move. Father, praying for patience is a long hard lesson!

But we do pray, that like Jacob, when we are disappointed, misled or have the unexpected happen, that You will give us the peace of mind to seek You first. And be able to get on with whatever needs to be done in the best way possible. And trust You even if we have to be patient.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Monday 13th January 2025

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

Chorus

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When he comes at last

Lyrics: Matthew Sherman Merker
From the hymn by: Ada R Habershon

Continue to pray for Los Angeles
Ukraine
Middle East
Our family, friends, church and neighbourhood.

Sunday 12th January 2025

 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” Genesis 28:10-17 New King James Version

Lord God,

An encounter with You. Many of us we can relate an encounter or experience that led us to know You. For some it may have been in Sunday School, with a friend, at a Christian rally, alone in our bedroom! He knows what we need. For Jacob, He needed to see that the God of his Father was not a tame God who blessed and comforted and provided but a mighty God of creation and His future. And he saw and was afraid.

Not a bad place to start – in awesome fear. We are told fear is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One, understanding.(Proverbs 9:10). Not only did he discover he was not the centre of the universe, able to rely on himself, but he had a God to worship and had a purpose and a future.

Thank you that our life is not dependant on us. We too have You with us whatever season of life we are in. We have a purpose and a future. Help us look for those encounter moments when reading Your Word, in dreams or through something that happens in the day. And see that even a schemer, is loved by You and needs to hear the gospel.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Sunday 11th January 2025

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares can destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Lyrics: Jan Struther

Pray for your family, friends, neighbours, church family to have rich encounters with God throughout the day.
Pray for Putin’s heart to be changed.
Pray for a blessed encounter today.