Start The Day

Friday 7th February 2025

“The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!” ³⁴So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. ³⁵The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. ³⁶The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.” Exodus 12:35,36 NIV

“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.” Exodus 13:17,18 NIV

Father God,

Change can be a challenge even when we know it has to come or we want it to come. To hit the road and live hand to mouth, not even having time to add yeast and make bread! And they left family homes where they had put down roots even if they had been worked hard. Places where loved ones had been born and died. That’s change alright! But the Lord blessed them and Egyptian neighbours provided them with wealth and clothes! How often You bless us amid difficulties with exactly what we will need. We don’t always see it at the time.

And as they went – following Moses. Those who knew the layout of the land from grazing the sheep and goats, may have wondered why they were going on a roundabout route. God knew what was ahead and knew sometimes detours are the best. Not really detours at all. And even though it says the Israelites went out ready for battle, God knew they were not. And the long way may have looked like a watery dead end but it was not to You, God. You made a way. Thank you that we can see You in our own lives. In the detours and making a way where none seems possible. We are learning to trust Your leading even when we do not see the sense of it!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 7th February 2025.
Absolutely had to be this song.

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

Repeat Chorus

By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me
Rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Yes, he will, he will make a way for you

Lyrics: Don Moen

Thursday 6th February 2025

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. ¹³Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.¹⁴‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.'” Exodus 12:12-14 NKJV

God of plagues and miracles,

Blood has been at the centre of our relationship with you. You had to kill animals to cover Adam and Eve when they sinned and knew they were naked. Here much blood was spilled before Pharaohs heart softened and he let Moses people go, Even the blood of his own grown up first born son. Many, many animals were also slaughtered in the days to come to atone for sin until Jesus. Then the most precious blood was shed, On the cross. Your first born. And no more was necessary.

They were to remember this night not just for its own sake but in order to understand the next Passover which was for the whole world. Fulfilling the promise that through Abraham all nations would be blessed. It is not just a memorial to them gaining their freedom from slavery and their journey to the promised land but that blood had to be shed and was used to mark who would be protected.

We cannot prettify Easter. It is about Your Son shedding his blood for us. And His blood is the only thing that protects us from sin and death. Thank you for the gift of Your Son, and His shed blood, His obedience on the cross and our life through Him.

In Jesus name we pray ,Amen.

Worship Thursday 6th February 2025

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving-kindness as the flood;
When the Prince of Life, my ransom,
Shed for me his precious blood.
Who his love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing his praise?
He shall never be forgotten,
Through Heav’n’s everlasting days

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide,
Through the flood-gates of God’s mercy,
Flowed the vast and gracious tide;
Grace and love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above,
And God’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Repeat both verses . . .

Grace and love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above,
And God’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Lyrics: William Rees
Translator: William Edwards (From Welsh)

Wednesday 5th February 2025

“Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. ⁹But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.” ¹⁰Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” ¹¹The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹²Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” ¹³But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Exodus 4:8-13 NIV

Lord God,

You have just turned Moses staff into a snake and back again and his hand to have leprosy and then be healed! But he is more afraid of his own failure that what you can do. But then Moses did not yet fully know You were trustworthy. We have hindsight! Verse 14 says you were angry but you generously offered Moses a way forward. His brother to speak for him.

Aaron speaks to the Israelites for Moses in Exodus 4:30. But when they speak to Pharaoh it says “they” said in Exodus 5:1-3. Then in Exodus 6:9 Moses is speaking for himself. So Aaron makes the plagues happen and Moses speaks.(Exodus8:9). Moses needed to gain his confidence in You and himself, God. And You led him every step of the way.

Thank You that sometimes when You know we can do something and are fearful you send us help and support. Not just by Your Spirit but in the flesh because we are weak. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) And You help us find and stand on our own two feet. Thank You for mentors, encouragers and those who have stood and stand by our side.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 5th February 2025

I come before You today
And there’s just one thing that I want to say
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord
For all You’ve given to me
For all the blessings I can not see
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord

With a grateful heart
With a song of praise
With an outstretched arm
I will bless Your name
Thank You Lord
I just wanna thank You Lord
Thank You Lord
I just wanna thank You Lord
Thank You Lord

For all You’ve done in my life
You took my darkness and gave me your light
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord
You took my sin and my shame
You took my sickness and healed all my pain
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord

Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Don Moen