Tag: It was on a starry night

Monday 14th April 2025

“So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest.” Ruth 1:22 NLT
“So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. 14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” 16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.” Ruth 4:11-17 NLT

Father God and Lord,

How wonderful to get a break from all that sin and warfare in the book of Judges. Here in Ruth we find a book that shows how You bring Your plan to pass and how not even grief, trouble, and famine can stop it. Rather You work miraculously through them to bring Your future to pass.

So Naomi and Ruth end up back in Bethlehem. So that Boaz would marry Ruth and have baby Obed. Nami would be blessed with a grandchild. Then Obed would have a son Jesse. And Jesse would have at least eight sons. Samuel would then anoint David as King much to the surprise of Jessie and everyone as he was the youngest son. All these births at Bethlehem.

So when Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire everyone had to return to their own ancestral town to register. So Joseph and his espoused wife had to go to Bethlehem as he was a descendant of King David. (Luke 2). This then fulfilled the prophesy from Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel

It took a widow, a Moabite woman and a barley growing bachelor, and generations later a Roman Emperor, to bring about the birth of the Saviour of the World at Bethlehem. You are the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Help us to play our part, in our time, in this incredible history.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 14th April 2025
His birth, death and resurrection are not confined to set seasons . . .

It was on a starry night
When the hills were bright
Earth lay sleeping, sleeping calm and still
Then in a cattle shed
In a manger bed
A boy was born, King of all the world

And all the angels sang for Him
The bells of heaven rang for Him
For a boy was born, King of all the world
And all the angels sang for Him
The bells of heaven rang for Him
For a boy was born, King of all the world

Soon the shepherds came that way
Where the baby lay
And were kneeling, kneeling by His side
And their hearts believed again
For the peace of men
For a boy was born, King of all the world

And all the angels sang for Him
The bells of heaven rang for Him
For a boy was born, King of all the world
And all the angels sang for Him
The bells of heaven rang for Him
For a boy was born, King of all the world

Lyrics: Major Joy Webb

Thursday 10th August 2023

“As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah—from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past. 3 So the Lord will hand the people of Israel over to their enemies until the time when the woman in labour gives birth. Then the rest of the king’s countrymen will return to be reunited with the people of Israel. 4 He will assume his post and shepherd the people by the Lord’s strength, by the sovereign authority of the Lord his God. They will live securely, for at that time he will be honoured even in the distant regions of the earth. 5 He will give us peace.” Micah 5:2-5 NET

Sovereign Lord God,

Yes, the shopping channels (I merely scrolled past them on the TV guide!) have been doing Christmas in July and are having Christmas again in August. The world needs reminding we have to spend to make it more wonderful than last year and to be happier???? For those of us who know Christ we never cease to wonder that You came has a defenceless helpless baby to become the Saviour of the world.

Scholars think Micah was written 600 to 700 years before Christ and yet here is a promise of his coming. Bethlehem. Ephrathah is a biblically referenced former name of Bethlehem, meaning “fruitful”. It is also a personal name. The special place of no significance to man where You planned Your Son would be born. As Micah foretold, He certainly assumed His post even if His own disciples could not always understand or see it.

He was a good Shepherd to those who would follow and still is (v4) . By Your strength (v4) as He only did what He saw You doing (John 5:19). He is honoured even in the distant regions of the world, because 12 men and some women spread the gospel by the power of Your Holy Spirit. You give us peace. One day, and You knows when, You will give us a beautiful, joyful, life filled peace in heaven. Thank You for the promises that have been fulfilled and those we are looking forward to in our future.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Sovereign Lord God,

Bless, keep and shepherd our friends and family into good places and good health and into Your safe keeping. Open the eyes of those who cannot yet see who You truly are. We pray for our ministers and those who keep our churches open and based on Your Word. We pray for Bishops, Superintendents, Senior Pastors and the heads of the Pentecostal denominations. We pray they will lead the church forward and even where there is disagreement find a way forward in peace keeping the gospel central.

We pray for those who buy lights and try to buy happiness at Christmas. Break into their lives now so they can know the wonder, the life changing difference Your Son made when He came to Bethlehem, Ephrathah that little insignificant yet fruitful personal birth place.

We pray that there will be a change for Ukraine before Christmas. Send the message of peace and goodwill to all men and women involved in decisions in these days. So another way forward can be found.

We do not want to get caught up in all the endless political discussions but we do want to pray for our Parliament. That You would bless it, root out lies and sham for what they are and enhance the truth and good when it is spoken.

Bless our homes and thank you for all who visit this week. Bless each house on our street. Some have many needs and some are dark. Visit them with Your light and hope and health.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 10th August 2023
No apologies – I just wanted this today, because we too can sing for and to Him.

It was on a starry night
When the hills were bright,
Earth lay sleeping, sleeping calm and still.
Then in a cattle shed, in a manger bed
A Boy was born, King of all the world.

And all the angels sang for Him,
The bells of Heaven rang for Him,
For a Boy was born, King of all the world.

Soon the shepherds came that way
Where the Baby lay,
And were kneeling, kneeling by His side;
And their hearts believed again
For the peace of men,
For a Boy was born, King of all the world.

Lyrics: Joy Webb