Devotionals – Start The Day

Saturday 1st June 2024

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:22-26 New English Translation

God, Three in One,

God, last Sunday was Trinity Sunday. We are in awe when we consider the all works of Your hands. We are humbled when we think of Your Son giving His life for us. W try to understand how the Holy Spirit can come with flames of power and yet gentle as a dove. All You. Your Holy Spirit comes not just to teach us how to live but with gifts and fruits to grow. No longer an unapproachable holy God, no longer limited by humanity only able to be in one place. No longer apart due to our sin. But You, Gd by Your Spirit able to live in us, with us, because of Jesus.

Help us acknowledge Your Spirit and grow Your fruit, which You will not force upon us. Why would we not want joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? We are not more holy or better than others. We all need Your help. And it is a battle sometimes! The enemy tries too get us to worry, be thoughtless, plain selfish or get rattled. (1 Peter 5:8).

Help us to welcome Your Holy Spirit at the start of the day., and spend it with Him.

Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God, Three in One,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Holy Spirit work in their lives for good..
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Empower them to do Your will with joy.
For the royal family. Help them by Your Spirit to do all they need to do and be a family.
For our nation and Government at this time. Spirit of truth and goodness speak in them.
For Ukraine, show Your power for peace and disassemble this war. Holy Spirit move in power.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. We despair but turn our hope to You for peace.
For the church in Myanmar amidst the continuing difficult military situation.
For the overseas missions we support to prosper and grow. Holy Spirit lead, guide, provide.
For isolated and persecuted Christians to know Your presence and help by Your Spirit.
For those who teach in school, university, trainees, apprentices, church, family. Patience.
For us to live today, whether at home, work or away, with Your fruits ruling our lives.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 1st June 2024
The addition of a chorus just refreshes and brightens up this traditional hymn.

Come, Thou Almighty King,
help us Thy name to sing;
help us to praise:
Father, all glorious,
o’er all victorious,
come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.

Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
gird on Thy mighty sword,
our prayer attend:
come, and Thy people bless,
and give Thy Word success:
Spirit of holiness,
on us descend.

All glory be to the Father
All glory be to the Son
All glory be to the Spirit
The blessed three in One.

Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour:
Thou who almighty art,
now rule in every heart,
and ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of pow’r.

To Thee, great One in Three,
eternal praises be
hence, evermore.
His sovereign majesty
may we in glory see,
and to eternity
love and adore!

Lyrics: Anonymous
Chorus: Keith and Kristyn Getty

Tuesday 20st February 2024

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2 NKJV

God our Father,

Beloved. Yes, we are Your beloved children. Sometimes it is hard to take in especially if we are not sure our earthly father loved us. From the moment we accept Christ into our lives we were adopted. We did not have to wait till we meet You face to face. Or pass a test. Or be good enough. You signed the agreement in Your Son’s blood. Done deed. But being adopted we do not have all the family likeness yet.

Here in the first letter of John, You remind us that we are not what we shall be. Saved believers are not perfect, are we? I can say that from personal experience but only about myself, we are not here to judge others!

We would love to be more and more like Christ. Hank You that You do not expect an immediate change to perfection overnight. Or to try so hard all the time we burn out! Your love patient, kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Help us and forgive us as we go, learning and hopefully improving along the way. Oh that we would not be stubborn or have to keep learning the same lessons over again! One day, yes one day when Jesus is revealed (John thought it would be soon), or we meet You at the end of our lives, we shall become like Christ. What a day of rejoicing that will be.

Keep us, heavenly Father, one step at a time, one day at a time, as Your beloved children, in Your love becoming more like Your Son.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God our Father,

For family, friends, neighbours, be with them and steer them the right, good and blessed way.
For our church family, ministers and all who serve, that they have good health: body, mind, soul.
For all the Royal family. Charles ongoing treatment. Kates full recovery.
For our local councillors and those who will be up for election.
For our government and MPs and their families. Raise up and bring down the right people.
For those who need healing in their bodies and from fear, trauma, bad memories.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Change Russia to end their attack.
For Gaza an end to killing. Bombard them with Your peace and a way to negotiation..
For changes in Yemen, Myanmar, North Korea, Chine, Sudan, Syria and other countries where there is war, aggression, oppression, dictatorship, slavery.
For those who are in need of a vision of heaven and the life to come.
For schools trying to fit in all the education planned before the Easter break.
For us fresh eyes to see You and all the good things You have given us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 20st February 2024
I could not decide so here is my dilemma. The first is an updated version of the original hymn which is below. Both lead me to worship. The first more thoughtful and the second lively and victorious. I pray one of them blesses you.

One day You’ll make everything new, Jesus
One day You will bind every wound
The former things shall all pass away
No more tears
One day You’ll make sense of it all, Jesus
One day every question resolved
Every anxious thought left behind
No more fear

When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We’ll sing and shout the victory

One day we will see face to face, Jesus
Is there a greater vision of grace
And in a moment, we shall be changed
On that day
And one day we’ll be free, free indeed, Jesus
One day all this struggle will cease
And we will see Your glory revealed
On that day

And when we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We’ll sing and shout the victory

Yes, one day we will see face to face, Jesus
Is there a greater vision of grace?
And in a moment, we shall be changed
Yes, in a moment, we shall be changed
In a moment, we shall be changed
On that day

When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We’ll sing and shout the victory
We’ll sing and shout the victory

Slightly different words spoken not sung on video . . .

We will weep no more
No more tears, no more shame
No more struggle, no more
Walking through the valley of the shadow
No cancer, no depression
Just the brightness of Your glory
Just the wonder of Your grace
Everything as it was meant to be
All of this will change
When we see You face to face
Jesus, face to face

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus
Sing His mercy and His grace
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place

When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We’ll sing and shout the victory

While we walk the pilgrim pathway
Clouds will overspread the sky
But when traveling days are over
Not a shadow, not a sigh

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.

Wednesday 13th Sept 2023

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.” Luke 15:26-28 NIV

Generous God,

I think I have always pictured myself as the lost child returning to You, Father. But I am not immune to jealousy! Such a small thing that creeps in unexpectedly. So simple a thing like someone else’s piece f cake being bigger than mine! We all have our own little petty jealousies if we are honest. Its hard when it is something like thinking a parent loves a sibling more than the others!

This jealous son had misunderstood his position. He didn’t need to wait for his Father to give him a feast – his Father had given him everything already he could just have one whenever he wanted! He was so busy being good he forgot to be happy. I suspect he was not a jolly person to be around – but this is a parable not a biography.

Help us to rejoice in others joy, bring joy to others and find joy in Your presence. As You relate in the parable, “My child, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Generous God,

Answer the prayers of those we love and care for in a way that will bless them and give You the glory. Help us be patient with the prodigals who do not want to know You and persevere to open their eyes and soften their hearts. Bless our church fellowships and all that happens in the buildings during the week. And the people who make those things happen!

Bless Ukraine and Russia and end conflict and war. Grant a miracle.

There are so many natural disasters in the world in these days and we are not sure where to start. Be the God of provision, help and comfort. But we also ask that You would breathe Your peace over our world and into the weather systems, and very rocks and ground.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 13th Sept 2023

My Jesus, my Savior
Lord there is none like you
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love
My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of your hands
Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have
In You.

Lyrics: Darlene Zschech