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Friday 17th January 2025

“Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace. 3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.” Genesis 45:1-5 NLT 

Father God,

After reading all the comings and goings, till Joseph got all the brothers to come to Egypt, I still shed a tear of joy at the reunion. And that Joseph is so overwhelmed with love and affection after all he has been through. To be able to now serve them and see His Father again. No malice at all.

I know sometimes I allow my earthly feelings to dampen my love for others. We are made weak and helpless sometimes by our emotions. And it is no use denying them! Father we are easily distracted and offended. Help us to put our feelings aside, like Joseph put the unnecessary people out of the room. The just confused and interfered with the reunion.

Help us come to You today and on Sunday’s to communion and worship with a heart to love and forgive as we remember Your shed blood and broken body. You know the things we need to forgive. It is not as easy to remove the memories. Help us to gently search and then allow You to cleanse our hearts (Psalm 51:10) and renew our minds (Romans 12:2). And praise You, God, from whom all blessings flow. Unforgiveness just eats away and harms us. You will be their judge and ours.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 17th January 2024
There is a musical introduction – just let it settle you to pray this worship . . .


Holy Spirit, living breath of God
Breathe new life into my willing soul
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole
Cause Your Word to come alive in me
Give me faith for what I cannot see
Give me passion for Your purity
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me

Holy Spirit, come abide within
May Your joy be seen in all I do
Love enough to cover every sin
In each thought and deed and attitude
Kindness to the greatest and the least
Gentleness that sows the path of peace
Turn my strivings into works of grace
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do

Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth
Giving life to all that God has made
Show Your power once again on earth
Cause Your church to hunger for your ways
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see

Lyrics: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Thursday 16th January 2025

“Pharaoh’s birthday came three days later, and he prepared a banquet for all his officials and staff. He summoned his chief cup-bearer and chief baker to join the other officials. 21 He then restored the chief cup-bearer to his former position, so he could again hand Pharaoh his cup. 22 But Pharaoh impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had predicted when he interpreted his dream. 23 Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.” Genesis 40:20-23 NLT

“Finally, the king’s chief cup-bearer spoke up. “Today I have been reminded of my failure,” he told Pharaoh. 10 “Some time ago, you were angry with the chief baker and me, and you imprisoned us in the palace of the captain of the guard. 11 One night the chief baker and I each had a dream, and each dream had its own meaning. 12 There was a young Hebrew man with us in the prison who was a slave of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he told us what each of our dreams meant. 13 And everything happened just as he had predicted. I was restored to my position as cup-bearer, and the chief baker was executed and impaled on a pole.” Genesis 41:9-13

God of eternity,

Two years later (Genesis 41:1) is the ‘some time ago’ the cup bearer talks about! Joseph went on doing his best in the prison for 2 years, that is 730 days! It must have seemed like an eternity and have been a daily disappointment waiting and hoping. And the cup bearer was not relieved enough to remember Joseph or was he so relieved he didn’t want to risk mentioning another prisoner . . .

Joseph when he is remembered, not only gets all Pharaohs wise men and magicians off the hook, he is placed where he can fulfill his own calling. Lord we pray You would speak to us as clearly through dreams, through Your Word and by Your Spirit. So we can be where we can do good and serve You. Be patient in mundane times. Assure us as You did Joseph that You are with us even as we go through difficult times. Keep us patient when we seem to be going nowhere. And if all is quiet then like Joseph perhaps we are where we are meant to be for a couple of years! Thank You for being our guide and our redeemer.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Thursday 16th January 2025
John Bunyan experienced a profound conversion in his early adult years, which gave him a deep desire to preach the Gospel. Because he preached without a license from the Church of England, he spent 12 years in prison. Where he wrote Pilgrims Progress and this hymn. (12 years not 2!)

He who would val­iant be ’gainst all dis­as­ter,
Let him in con­stan­cy fol­low the Mas­ter.
There’s no dis­cour­age­ment shall make him once re­lent
His first avowed intent to be a pil­grim.

Who so be­set him round with dis­mal sto­ries
Do but them­selves con­found—his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might; though he with gi­ants fight,
He will make good his right to be a pil­grim.

Since, Lord, Thou dost de­fend us with Thy Spir­it,
We know we at the end, shall life in­herit.
Then fan­cies flee away! I’ll fear not what men say,
I’ll la­bour night and day to be a pil­grim.

Lyrics: John Bunyan (Original)
alternate lyrics, modified by Percy Dearmer in 1906

 

Wednesday 15th January 2025

“When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.  The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant.” Genesis 39:1-4 NLT

“Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favourite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything.” Genesis 39:19-23

Our Father,

Joseph prospered on his arrival in Egypt as a slave. But then had to make a choice between his values and the requests of his masters wife. He chose righteousness and suffered. Now a criminal, and judged unjustly guilty, what does he do? His best. And You, Father watch over and bless him.

It reminds me of a verse in Colossians someone gave me as I helped do menial chores somewhat begrudgingly, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23,24)

What more is there to say. Except to ask for Your help Lord to have the same attitude as Christ. Who did not think equality with God as something to cling to. Who gave up his divine privileges and took the humble position of a slave. Help us do everything as if for You as Jesus did.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 15th January 2025
Love this more joyful upbeat arrangement of a well known hymn.

Take my life and let it be consecrated to Thee
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee
Filled with messages from thee.

Take my love, my Lord I pour at Your feet, it’s treasure store
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee
Ever only all for Thee.
Ever only all for Thee . . .

Take my will and make it Thine it shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my heart it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal Throne.

Lyrics: Francis Havergal
Arrangement by Hymn Charts.