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Wednesday 26th November 2025

  “ A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.“ Acts 16:22-24 NLT

“But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.” Acts 17:13-15 NLT

“When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.” Acts 17:32-18:3 NLT

God of the resurrection of the dead,

In Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned. But God shook the Jail, and the Jailer and all his family believed in Christ. And they gained their freedom. Acts chapter 16 vividly recounts what happened. In Berea, trouble was being stirred up and Paul hastened on to Athens and Silas and Timothy catching him up a little later. There were those in Athens who laughed with contempt but Dionysius and Damaris and some others believed. They Paul moved on to Corinth and earned his living using his trade, tentmaking.

They experienced trouble every step of the way but yet some believed. Oppressive trouble, physical trouble, scary trouble! And yet they kept on and were encouraged! Even if it meant moving to a new area. Seeds were sown and they trusted You to water them. Your Word was constantly on their lips. They may have had to move on, but did so to speak where they would be heard. Evangelism is not easy, but to God it is about individuals and here we even read the names and occupations of those first believers. And churches grew out of the few. Help us see Your joy in the individuals we see finding Christ. We would love a revival Lord, but see how faithfully Paul and Silas kept on personally sharing the gospel..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 26th November 2025
No, you have probably never heard this and it was written for a Salvation Army musical in the 1980’s. But I remember hearing it at a large event and being tremendously moved to stay true.

If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly
To be the servant of my Servant Lord,
If darkness falls around the path of duty,
And men despise the Saviour I’ve adored:

I’ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;
I’m called to live to love and save the lost.
I’ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;
I’m called to live to love and save the lost.

If doors should close, then other doors will open;
The Word of God can never be contained.
His love cannot be finally frustrated,
By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.

Chorus

If tears should fall, if I am called to suffer,
If all I love men should deface, defame,
I’ll not deny the One that I have followed,
Nor be ashamed to bear my Master’s name.

Chorus

Lyrics: John Gowans





Tuesday 25th November 2025

 “After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41 Then he travelled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.” Acts 15:36-41

“Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, 3 so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.6 Next Paul and Silas travelled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.” Acts 6:1-6 NLT

 “Paul and Silas then travelled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people” Acts 7:1-2 NLT

Lord God,

I am worn out thinking of the miles Paul travelled. I can understand them travelling in two’s. For fellowship, for safety and for encouragement! There is no covering up events in Luke’s travelogue here either. The reason Paul took Silas and split from Barnabas was a sharp disagreement. These were men, just human normal people, trying to make the best decisions, and disagreeing. But it was a disagreement between them and it did not stop them both continuing the work You, God gave them. The enemy could not stop them with disagreements. It was Pauls second missionary journey and he was seeing and hearing that the churches were growing.

The Holy Spirit prevented them going to Asia. Sometimes we come up against a brick wall and we just need to change our direction. Where a door opens to go through it. Sometimes it is not all bells and whistles and the light of revelation pointing the way. Paul and Silas simply accepted they were not meant to go yet, even though they wanted to. So they ended up in Thessalonica and we have two wonderful letters as a result of His having been there. You are a good God and a loving Father , in hindsight we see where You have stopped us going and led us Your way. We may not have acknowledged it at the time. And the ability to disagree and yet continue working for You is a blessing.

In Your name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 25th November 2025
Sometimes it is not about being right or wrong but being able to hear each other and agree to disagree. Then serve on together for You God with our differences.

‘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 knew:
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.

Lyrics: Rosamond Herklots

Monday 24th November 2025

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:16-24 NLT

Lord Saviour and Father,

The letter to the Galatians does not just give Jewish believers freedom from the Law and gentiles the freedom not to learn it. It shows them the fulfilled law which comes by Your Holy Spirit showing them how to live. Paul does not mince his words. Immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties are out. And we know that all these start with a small step from the narrow way that Jesus talked about (Matthew 7:13-14). A second look. Feeding anger. Not being contented . . . they could not and we cannot say we have not been warned.

But judgement comes with generosity and the help to live right. Paul makes sure they know what takes the place of sin if they keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law to limit these to where and when! And we should not become conceited that we have You and Your Spirit – rather we should desire that others have Your Spirit and the fruit too (Galatians 6:1-10). If I have nailed my passions and desires to the cross – why do I desire to take them back? Yet on occasions I know I do in a moment of selfishness . . . We each have different temptations and weaknesses to keep us humble and on our knees. Help us to help each other too.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 24th November 2025
No apologies this worship has been included more than any other this year.

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

Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” New American standard Bible.

Lyrics: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.