“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3 NKJV
“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” John 21:25 NKJV
God,
Our creator, the Word and Spirit, One God.
John’s gospel starts very similar to Genesis, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth). But John takes us much further in our understanding. John allows us to see that You speak and things happen. Your Word is all powerful and creative. The Word was always with You. You, Your Word became flesh. Jesus was always there. Your plan for Jesus birth and death on the cross was always there. It was not a whim, a last minute solution, one of several possible outcomes. You knew what You would have to do, and what to sacrifice and cost to Yourself would be to save us.
Free will for us, at the cost of Your Son. To become vulnerable, subject to human frailty, be totally rejected and die horrifically. Knowing many would still reject Your priceless gift of salvation. But some, some like us would choose life.
John’s gospel ends with the reminder that we have Your Word and the stories of Jesus. Thank You for Your Word, Jesus and Your written Word, the Bible.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
O God,
For our close family, todays and future needs. Practical and spiritual needs.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship to grow and prosper.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). World rulers and governments.
For the NHS and successful plan for its future. Those being called to study and work in medicine.
For Ukraine. An to end war.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for peace.
For Myanmar Your church people. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For the ongoing Olympic games. All those taking part, organising and attending.
For those translating the Bible. Those taking them to persecuted churches and where needed.
For those who teach the stories of Jesus to young people.
For us today to enjoy reading Your Word. Remember how we first heard stories of Jesus and give thanks.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 11th August 2024
It is said that as a child, Fanny Crosby, who was blind, learned the Bible from her grandmother who read to her. Fanny could repeat from memory the Pentateuch, the book of Ruth, many of the Psalms, the books of Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and much of the New Testament! She knew the stories of Jesus. She used the medium of her day and her gift in poetry, specifically hymn-writing, to tell the story of Jesus.
Fanny Crosby at age 90: “My love for the Holy Bible and its sacred truth is stronger and more precious to me at ninety than at nineteen.”
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past,
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labour,
Tell of the sorrow He bore;
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.
Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see;
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
“Love paid the ransom for me.”
Tell how He’s gone back to heaven,
Up to the right hand of God:
How He is there interceding
While on this earth we must trod.
Tell of the sweet Holy Spirit
He has poured out from above;
Tell how He’s coming in glory
For all the saints of His love.
Lyrics: Fanny Crosby