Start The Day

Friday 19th September 2025

“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, “²Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. ³Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. ⁴And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4 NKJV

God of the resurrection,

Here we read of those who felt called to return to Jerusalem and help build the Temple which lay in ruins. 42,360 returned with 7,337 servants and 200 singers. The singers were as important as the Levites and the priests. Praise was important. It was a part of worship.

The exiles were given the choice to go to Jerusalem or stay where they had settled. Those who were nudged by You, God returned and no where is it described as going back. They did not go back returned to build a new beginning. Another opportunity to return to God. How often we read that You called people to serve You even after they had failed. Like Moses (send Aaron), Jonah (ran the opposite direction) . . .

Today You still call to those who would turn to You and find You, to help build the church of today. The church, the people who love You. You do ask us to answer Your call and surrender all even if You do not intend us to leave where we are settled. We are not always called to mission somewhere else. Your call is individual. It is learning to hold all we have ready to be used by You and You do not call us to bankrupt ourselves or compare ourselves to others.

Help us to volunteer, just as those pioneers did heading back to Jerusalem, not knowing what lay ahead of them. Trusting.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 19th September 2025

All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Thee I freely give
I will ever love and trust You
In Your presence daily live

I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus, I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Your love and power
Let Your blessing fall on me

I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
O the joy of full salvation
Glory, glory, to Your name

I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Saviour
I surrender all.

Lyrics:

Thursday 18th September 2025

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans ²in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. ³Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. ⁴And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, ⁵we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. ⁶Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land..” Daniel 9:1-6

“¹⁶O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us. ¹⁷Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate.” Daniel 9:16-17

Father God, Lord Almighty,

Daniel read about Jeremiah’s prophesy of 70 years and he believed it (Jeremiah 29:10). He read holy scriptures before the Bible was put together! He believed, he prayed, it happened. Not quite as easily or as quickly as that but it happened because You Lord promised it and enabled it. You Gog stirred the heart of the King of Babylon, Cyrus of Persia. Sadly Jeremiah had probably died of old age by the time the 70 years had passed. Now I can understand why Simeon was so overwhelmed when he held the Baby Jesus in the Temple. He held, he saw prophesy alive in his hands. He saw Jesus, You God in the flesh. No wonder he was so moved. (Luke 2:25-37). These are nor stories they are events.

And the Israelites were allowed to return to their beloved Temple. They must have been overjoyed and yet in trepidation of what needed be done and what it would cost. Today, we became a Temple when we asked Jesus into our life (1 Corinthians 3:16). We too are overjoyed by the presence of Your Spirit within us. But also in wonder at how You can rebuild our lives and change us to be Your holy Temple. That You want to because You love us – its too amazing to comprehend.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 18th September 2025
This I believe is a Salvation Army Song.
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. What a humble, generous, faithful God. How intimate is that.

I serve a risen Saviour
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.

Chorus

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.

Lyrics: Alfred Henry Ackley

Wednesday 17th September 2025

¹⁸The king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night. ¹⁹Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. ²⁰When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” ²¹Daniel answered, “Long live the king! ²²My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” ²³The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God. ²⁴Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den. ²⁵Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! ²⁶“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.” ²⁷He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” ²⁸So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” Daniel 6: 18-28 NLT

Father God,

I am amazed and I read this I believe it happened. I read the New Testament and believe the miracles Jesus did. And yet I sometimes hear a doubt in my head that You can or will do miracles today. I know it is the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead that dwells is us. (Romans 8:11). And that You and the Holy Spirit are One.

Perhaps it is that I see so much negativity around me in the world. Wars that have been going on for years. Men who are in leadership and seem to be able to defy goodness. Father we long to see You move in power in our day. We long for hearts to be changed as in days of revival. We long to see evil vanquished where many are dying.

And then Lord I do see You at work and the miracles of lives changed. And I do hear of You working through Your church for good. Daniel was put through a terrifying ordeal but the result was that not just him but his people had the support of the King. The King even enabled the miracle of the chance to return to Jerusalem. Lord give us faith to pray for and expect miracles. You will answer in Your way, the right way the best way. Chase negativity from our hearts and help us to see miracles Your business and will happen according to Your will. Teach us how to pray . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 17th September 2025

When did I start to forget
All of the great things You did?
When did I throw away faith for the impossible?
How did I start to believe
You weren’t sufficient for me?
Why do I talk myself out of seeing miracles?

You are more than able
You are more than able
You are, you are
You are more than able
You’ll see that
You are more than able
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?
It’s easy for you

Now I see all that I have
Oh, I’ve got my confidence back
I’ll put my trust in the One who still does miracles
You do miracles

You are more than able
You are more than able
You are more than able
We’ve seen it, we’ve seen it, we’ve seen it
You are more than able
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?

And can you imagine with all the faith in the room
What the Lord can do, what the Lord can do
It’s gonna happen, just let the Way Maker through
He’s gonna move, He’s gonna move
Can you imagine with all the faith in the room
What the Lord can do, what the Lord can do
It’s gonna happen, just let the Way Maker through
He’s gonna move, He’s gonna move

Anything is possible (singing, oh)
Anything is possible
Anything is possible (c’mon)
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?

Say anything
Anything is possible
Anything is possible
Anything is possible
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?

You are more than able
You are more than able
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?

Lyrics: Ben Fielding, Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, Steven Furtick (Elevation Music)