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Wednesday 16th august 2023

“For just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same function, 5 so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another. 6 And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith.7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; 8 if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:5-8 NET

God of mercy,

Showing mercy with cheerfulness. Words not too popular in todays language. Mercy and cheerfulness and certainly I do not hear them said together very often. But thinking about it, it makes sense. Kindness without making someone feel indebted?

Mercy: the compassionate treatment of those in distress, especially when it is within one’s power to punish or harm them. With cheerfulness!

The gift of showing mercy? Help us see where we can do this naturally and by making an effort. Help us be patient with people’s quirks. Help anyone around us who is hurting. Give people a second chance. Do good to those who hurt us? (Do we have to? I find that hard sometimes if I am honest). And I know what the answer is Lord. Be kind to those who offend us. Help those in need or distress.

It sometimes surprises me about how cheerful I feel when I have helped someone or given a donation where there is need. Help me make cheerfulness part of my giving.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of mercy,

We would that all our friends, family and neighbours would be cheerful today. Would know something of Your mercy and provision. Work out Your purposes in their lives and bless them with Your cheer.

We pray for the many places in distress around the world. For the people trying to live and just survive under oppressive regimes. For the girls and their families in Afghanistan. We pray You would move in the Government and religious rulers to allow them to be free to reach their potential.

We pray for those areas suffering from poverty and without the ability to change their circumstances. Areas like Papua New Guinea, that we rarely hear about, but who need mercy and much provision. Even to have the basics of clean water and shoes to keep them from the terrible foot infections.

Help us give thanks and be cheerful because we have much.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 16th August 2023
Now often improved by singing Brother, sister, let me serve you.

Brother, let me be your servant;
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I might have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey;
We are family on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the miles and bear the load.

I will weep when you are weeping;
When you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joys and sorrows
Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in Heaven
We shall find such harmony,
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, let me be your servant;
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I might have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.

Lyrics: Richard Gillard (1978)



Tuesday 15th August 2023

 “These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord. 18 And the word of the Lord of hosts came unto me, saying, 19 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.” Zechariah 8:16-19 KJV

God of cheerful feasts,

Father, Your people had so many fasts and feasts in order that they should remember what You had done. Some You had ordained some but they had added their own and many were about abstaining from cheerfulness and pleasure. To remind them of their sin.

But here in Zechariah’s book, which points to the future and the promise of good to come. He says cheerfulness should now be part of the feast days. Why? I suppose it is the same for us today. We can look back and see what sinful man has done and what we have done and repent. But we cannot live looking in the rear mirror.

We need to look forward with cheerfulness because of Your constant provision. In the Old Testament You constantly provided even when Your people sinned. You were faithful. They worshiped a golden calf, causing Moses to smash the tablets of stone and rebelled every step of the way out of Egypt. But their children inherited the promised land. They refused to take the land when 10 of the 12 spies said there were giants they could not beat. But the next generation did.

We do not need dates in the diary to remember You. Though we do have Easter, Pentecost and Christmas. You are alive and cheerfully living in us every day by Your Holy Spirit. Lift our spirits by Yours Lord that we may smile and be cheerful on the inside and the outside.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God,

We do smile when we think of those in our family and those we are friends with and those we are part of a congregation with. Thank You. For those we cannot think cheerfully about where there has been disagreement or separation, we pray You will change the situation for good. We do not always know the depth of others family pain but we can ask You to step in and bring healing.

We continue to pray without ceasing for Ukraine and a turning from war by Russia. We continue to pray for those affected by fires in Hawaii and Greece and those fearing more trouble from the extremes of the weather.

Bless our churches with cheerfulness so they become attractive places drawing new people in. Places where they are welcome, whoever they are, whatever their background.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 15th August 2023
God running to give us HIs goodness – how can we not smile. He has never let me down, people have but bless them.. Try it. Does the chorus make You smile?

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful (oh)
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Repeat

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Lyrics: Jason Ingram / Brian Johnson / Ed Cash / Ben Fielding / Jenn Johnson

Monday 14th August 2023

“You give him blessings forever; you cheer him with joy in your presence. For the king relies on the Lord; through the faithful love of the Most High he is not shaken.” Psalm 21:6,7 Christian Standard Bible

“For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.” Psalm 21:6,7 NKJV

God of cheer,

The worship chorus from Sunday (yesterday) really made me smile Lord. Challenging us to cheer up!

Cheer up, ye saints of God.
There’s nothing to worry about.
Nothing to make you feel afraid,
Nothing to make you doubt.
Remember, Jesus never fails,
So why not trust Him and shout,
You’ll be sorry you worried at all tomorrow morning!

Who loves a miserable Christian? Psalm 21 was written by King David a man who shouldered much responsibility for religious life, civil life, foreign relations and sometimes war! He also had many wives and, I will say no more in case it is politically incorrect. The Psalm tells us he was cheered by joy in your presence. Some versions use exceedingly glad in place of cheer. Cheer can be a shout of joy, praise or encouragement or to give comfort, optimism or support to.

Because we can know Your presence with us we can receive Your cheer. I like to think of you cheering me on in the dark times and shouting encouragement when I get something right. Thank You that none of us is overlooked or less in Your eyes. You do not show favouritism (Romans 2:11).. We rely on You just as much as David did. We cannot always be cheerful and on top of the world. Life has its disappointments and challenges. Help us not be shaken by them and be able to receive and hear Your cheer.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of cheer,

We pray that those we love and know will know You as the God who gives good cheer this week. That they will find much to smile about and be encouraged by. Lift them to see Your presence even in the tough times. Carry those who are sick and touch them with Your healing. Draw those we are worried about into Your care. Bless our churches, inisters and all those who love ansd serve the Lord, where ever they are.

We pray for all those who have mental health problems and cannot hear Your cheer or feel cheerful. We pray You will be the lifter of their heads so they can find rest and light and hope in You and at some time soon Your cheer too. We pray for those who live along side them. Grant them patience and to know what to say and when to listen.

We pray for the NHS which deals with mental health and pray the right people will be called to work and serve there. We pray You will grant then insight in how to best help and discernment to know how to go about it. For those going through a challenging period in their life we pray You will be there strength and stay and gently cheer them through it.

We pray for peace in Ukraine and help for the people affected by the fires in Hawaii.

Thank You for the times You have cheered us and made us smile again.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 15th August 2023

Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before You,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Your works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav’n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around You,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee!

Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are thine,
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love joins man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.

Lyric: Henry Van Dyke