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The light of the world

We have had some bright, light, sunny days this week.  The evenings are drawing out.  I know which I prefer the brighter, lighter days and evenings.  I hear many people say “These brighter days are making me feel much happier”.  I certainly agree with them as they have uplifted my spirit also.

For me the theme of Light has come my way from three directions this week.  

In my personal bible study I have been listening to a reading of Genesis via an audio bible. In the story of creation in Genesis chapter one God commanded “Let there be light” and light appeared.  God was pleased with what he saw.  I have enjoyed listening by audio.  I can relax and let the words sink in.  I can even chill out lying upon my bed with a nice cup of coffee in my hand and enjoy God’s word!

I prepared a church service for some clients in a care home.  The theme I selected after praying for help was Jesus is the light of the world.  This is how Jesus described himself in John 8 v 12.  “I am the light of the world.”

To help me chat about this in the service I googled what light represented in the Bible.  The answer was light has always been a symbol of holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope and God’s revelation.  I have found these qualities in Jesus.

He was holy without sin and became the sacrificial lamb upon the cross for my sins.  I have accepted Jesus as saviour in my heart by saying a simple prayer acknowledging that I have sinned and that he died for me.  He did it so I may be forgiven my sins and adopted as a child of his Father, God.  I now shall not perish when I die but have eternal life.  John 3 v 16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus has knowledge and wisdom.  He once met a Samaritan lady at a well and she was amazed that he knew how many husbands she had been married to.  She went back into the town and said “Come and see the man who told me everything I had ever done.”  

Jesus knows more about me than I know about myself.  He knows how many hairs are on my head which is a fact I have no idea about myself. Luke 12 v 7.  Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid you are worth more than many sparrows.

There have been times when I haven’t understood myself.  Do you know the feeling? I have acted in a stupid way and then thought after “Why have I done that. I wish I hadn’t”  That is when I find comfort in knowing Jesus knows all about the emotional baggage I carry from my past and can understand my actions even though he may not condone them.  I can pray to him knowing he fully understands my thoughts plus ways.  No one else understands me as well as this.  I am so glad I have him to turn to for comfort and support. 

In Jesus I have hope.  Hope that my life will not be a long disappointment of frustration and failure.  Hope that with his help I can overcome the challenges in my life.  Philippians 4 v 18 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I have called upon Jesus’ strength many times – strength to endure lockdown plus separation from families and friends.  Strength to eat healthily so that my health would improve by losing weight.  Strength to forgive people when they hurt me.  Strength to be brave enough to start a new job.  The list is endless of how I have been helped by Jesus.

Sometimes when you are in a jam you hope that your loved ones will come to your aid but quite often you are let down.  I am so grateful I can put my hope in Jesus who will never let me down.  Hebrews 13 v 5.  “Never will I leave you or forsake you”.   When I am lonely or afraid Jesus is always with me.  His name is Immanuel.  “God is with us”.

Jesus revealed to us here on Earth the very nature of his Father.  All we have to do is look at Jesus, listen to what he said and look at how he served the people to see the love and provision of his Father.  In John 14 v 9 Jesus explains that if anyone has seen him, he has seen the Father.

I am reassured that God is a provider by the miracles of Jesus.  When Jesus provided there was always more than enough, like when He fed the crowd of 5000, there were 12 basketfuls left over.

I know when I need provision that Jesus will provide.  Once when I was bringing up my family I needed a new dining room table as my current one was a bit old and wonky.  I went in a charity shop and I saw a table and set of four chairs I liked but couldn’t afford to buy it.  I prayed to God to help me get a table.  Shortly after that a friend up the road called me.  She explained that she had purchased a table but now realised it wasn’t right for her home.  As I walked up the road I began thinking that the table was going to be the one I couldn’t afford in the charity shop and lo and behold it was.  I was so surprised but instead of charging me the sixty pounds she had paid for it, she sold it to me for twenty!! That was a lesson to me just how much God cared about my needs.

In this world so many people seem to have darkness in their hearts.  Selfish, greedy, angry, uncaring, proud etc.  In the bible it says that God shines his light into our hearts.  This scripture was read in our service today 2 Corinthians 4 v 6 – And the God who said “Out of the darkness, the light shall shine!” is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us to the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Jesus.

I am so glad that God’s light has shone in my heart.  It lit up the ignorant darkness that believed that life was all about me and what I wanted. God’s light revealed life is for loving Jesus the light of the world and following him.  The light shone upon my heart making it warm and loving to God and those around me. I still have a lot to learn but if I ask for help The Lord will shine his light and guide me on the right path.  Psalm 119 v 105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light on my path.

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A word from the Lord

During the service on Sunday Feb 14th. Steve read this word the Lord had given him.

The Lord says Earth is but a speck of dust, but Heaven has no borders. No limits.
It is so beautiful that you can’t imagine.
There are more mansions, than you can understand.
Be excited in this, that I share with you.
Be excited in your spirit, that when I send for you this will give you no fear.
Only joy at the thought of heaven.

Heaven has only one gate and it will be open for you.

I will share eternity with you.

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SUNDAY SERVICE ON ZOOM- FEBRUARY 14TH

Geoff began the service by saying that today is Valentine’s Day. A celebration of love. He reflected on God’s love for us.

John 3 v 16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God’s love meant that he was willing to give his one and only son so we can have everlasting life.

God loved us first before we loved him

God’s love meant that he sent his son to save us not to condemn us.

God’s love will not die or change no matter what.

When Geoff was a school boy he sang this song. 
“Jesus love is very wonderful. Jesus love is very wonderful. Jesus love is very wonderful. Oh wonderful love.  So high, you can’t get over it, so low you can’t get under it, so wide you can’t get around it, oh wonderful love”.

God loves us more than we can comprehend.

Psalm 27 v 4 was shared.

One thing I ask of the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his temple.

The Lord is beautiful and when he reveals his beauty to us, we are lifted up.

God created us to look at beauty. 

Take your mind off the ugly negativity of the world and look up to the Lord’s beauty.  

Focus on good things.

Prayers were said saying that God deserved our praise and to be honoured by us for what he has done for us.

For his truth to be a reality in our lives by willingly making the Lord a guest in our hearts and lives.

The Lord was thanked because we can confidentially rest in assurance that we belong to him and he belongs to us.

We thanked God for the freedom we have to gather to worship him without the fear that we are breaking the law.

A member of the church shared that he had read in the book of Revelation that we must be careful not to be deceived and Geoff said that to prevent this it was important to know the word of God.

The Sermon

In Ecclesiastes 3 it says there is a season for everything.  God works in seasons. In the natural world and in God there are seasons for a reason.  

What is the current season?

In the natural it is a season of despair, frustration and depression.  It would be nice to get rid of this virus but God is with us in this season.

During this present season God wants us to press deeper into him to be ready for the next season.

At the moment there are bare trees and dismal gardens.  Underground dormant seeds are coming alive.  The daffodils are appearing.

Ephesians 3 v 14 to 20 was shared.

Verses 16 to 19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the Lord’s holy people to grasp, how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know his love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure with all the fullness of God.

God has a plan for each one of us.  God is the creator of everything.  God’s plan is greater and better than we can comprehend in our minds.  God has unlimited resources.  God’s warehouse will never run empty.  We cannot outdo what God has for us.  The Holy Spirit is the most important partner for us to receive what God has for us.  

This is a season for building up.  So God’s ways and love will be rooted into our lives to blossom for others to be blessed.

Deep roots are sustaining the plants during this winter time.  Being deeply rooted in God will sustain us.

The more we meditate on God’s word, praise plus worship him the more authority and power God will give us.

When God wants us to step out and do things for him our roots will be firmly established in him.

Have you got a dream of what you would like God to do?  To accomplish these dreams you have to have a deeper understanding of God.

Colossians 2 v 6 to 7

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving.  Be deep rooted in God so when the time comes you will overflow to those around you.  

We are moving into a new season but there is a reason for this season.  Use this season wisely to prepare for the next.

Keep praying for all those on the church prayer list.

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SUNDAY SERVICE ON ZOOM 7TH FEBRUARY 2021

Geoff read Psalm 37 v 4 – Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

He also read Ephesians 2 v 4 – 5.  But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.

Geoff prayed praising God saying that He is high above all things, problems, situations and worries.

“We exalt you because you alone are high above the earth”.

Geoff chatted about God is longing to have communion with us, that we can all see each other’s faces on Zoom but God looks into our hearts. God is looking at us all the time.  He sees us when we are not on Zoom. He loves us and wants the best for us.

On the first Sunday of the month Frome Christian Fellowship partakes of Holy Communion during the service.

Geoff asked us to examine ourselves. To come before his table in the right manner and attitude. To be calm and be in line with God.  He urged us to give God our disappointments. Confess our sins to allow God to cleanse us from unrighteousness. 

We were reminded to remember what God had done for us. To be grateful and thank God for what he has done.

A member read a verse from a hymn called “Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face” by Horatius Bonar.

“Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness; 
Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood.
Here is my robe, my refuge and my peace.  
Thy blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord my God.”

Geoff’s sermon was about the Holy Spirit.   The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity.  It feels like he has a small part but He is equal with the Son and the Father. In the first two verses of Genesis it tells us that when the earth was formless and empty.  There was darkness over the surface of the deep but the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  The Holy Spirit has always been involved in the Earth and still is.  We often think that the Holy Spirit is a ghost but He is a person in his own right.

In the bible it tells us that the Holy Spirit teaches us, helps our memory, brings to recognition scriptures, and guides us into all truth.  The Holy Spirit is an essential part of who we are as Christians.

We must respect the Holy Spirit.  All sins can be forgiven except blaspheming Him.

We receive power from the Holy Spirit.  At the start of Jesus three year ministry the Holy Spirit came upon him as a dove. In the book of Acts the Holy Spirit came down upon the early church believers.

The Holy Spirit gives us all the gifts we need to live for Christ and to do his work. There are four things which are good not to do.

Do not blaspheme the Holy Spirit.  Blaspheme means to insult the Holy Spirit and take his name in vain.  In Mark 3 v 29 it tells us that this will never be forgiven and it is an eternal sin.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.  Grieving means to bring hurt, sorrow or sadness. 

We don’t realise we can do this by what we think, say or do. The Holy Spirit is as gentle as a dove and can be easily frightened away because of our actions.

Do not resist the Holy Spirit.  We resist him by going against what he is doing. This may be through ignorance or by being awkward because we do not like what he is doing. Acts 7 v 51 “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears.  You are just like your fathers; you always resist the Holy Spirit”.

Do not quench the Holy Spirit.  To quench means to dampen and to extinguish.  The Holy Spirit comes to help and encourage us.  Allow Him to have the reign in our lives.  We need to understand what God is saying to us in this day and age.  Allow him to have full range in your life.  Be encouraged if God is for us who can be against us – Romans 8 v 31.

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SUNDAY SERVICE ON ZOOM 31ST JANUARY 2021

The service was vibrant in the fact that many of the congregation had inspiring scriptures to share to encourage us all.

Geoff began by asking us to give thanks to the Lord for He is worthy of praise, from our heart for what He has done and what He is going to do for us.

Psalm 7 v 17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the most high.

A member of the church read Psalm 27. In Verse 4 it is written One thing I ask of the Lord this is what I seek, that I will dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek Him in the temple. Verse 8 My heart says of you, “Seek His face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Members shared that they have a desire to seek His face through worship. That Satan tempted Jesus to worship him. Worship is the sound of heaven. “Looking into the face of God is looking at His goodness”. If we start to look at the faces of the world then our spirits will become discouraged.

Geoff shared in the scriptures it says “Ascribe greatness to our God” which is found in Deuteronomy 32 v 2 to 4. He asked us if we are making God bigger than our problems.

Geoff’s sermon was on the subject of ‘What have we learnt in the past year of lockdown?’ He had found he is not as in control as he thought he was. Things that we thought were set in stone and had taken for granted, for instance our liberty, had been taken from us albeit for good reasons. He has learnt God hasn’t changed. God knew what was going to happen. We can trust God because He knows what He is doing. Our trust has to be more in God than ourselves. “Let go and let God”.

We have learnt we can’t do it ourselves. God says “Trust me”. It can be hard to trust God. In the message Bible Matthew 16 v 24 to 26 it says “God is in the driving seat”. Who is driving our car? Are we a back seat driver? We try to influence God in what He is doing. We don’t allow God to do what He plans for us. Jeremiah 29 v 11 “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”.

Proverbs 3 v 5 to 6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

The passage of scripture entitled Do not worry, was read. Matthew 6 v 25 to 34. Anxiety equals taking away control from God and putting it on ourselves. Anxiety leads to stress. Stress leads to depression. Overcome stress by giving it to God. God has got a way for us.

In 1 Peter 5 v 1 to 9 it explains to us that we should cast our anxieties upon Him because He cares for us. To have a sober mind. Watch what we are thinking as Satan is trying to put negativity into our thoughts.

It’s time to trust God, not what we think. James 5 v 15 Instead, you ought to say “If it is the Lords will, we will live and do this or that”. Involve God in all you say and do. Recognise that we can’t do it but God can.

How often do we tell God that we love Him? How often do we tell God He is in control and we are not? Give thanks for everything that is good and it will lift our spirits.

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Sunday 24th January 2021 Highlights

Geoff began our church service on zoom with a prayer thanking God for his presence with us. That his eye was upon us. That he was listening to our prayers. The prayer was based on the truth of God’s word in 1 Peter 3 v 12. We lifted up all who need healing within the fellowship, our loved ones’ plus all the requests that we have received. We are committed to pray for them until we see a breakthrough. We asked in faith that God will send supernatural healing. That we will see healing miracles.

It was a pleasure to hear Ken’s encouraging sermon on the subject of “Stepping out in faith”.The account of Jesus walking on the water and of Peter stepping out of the water to join him was read. Matthew 14 v 22 to 32. We identified with Ken as he talked about stepping out of our comfort zone is, difficult and scary. God is calling us to step out and trust in him. As Peter stepped out he was trusting in and had faith in Jesus. Then Peter saw problems. In his case, it was the wind. He was afraid and began to sink. Jesus immediately caught his hand and made him stable. Ken advised that things are likely to get hard when we step out but when they do, not to lose faith. “When God asks us to move, we must trust God to provide for us. He will answer our prayers in unimaginable ways. Just get out of the boat and face your fears. Focus on God’s word to still your mind”Ken shared that the message he was giving had been his own personal experience when answering God’s call to share a word with the church. Ken presented a slide show about how church was before lockdown. What it is like during lockdown. It was interesting to see that the church has grown and progressed in ways that we would never have imagined. The last part was how the church may take advantages of opportunities in the future.

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Frome Christian Fellowship service 17th January 2021

Our service on Zoom today was thought provoking in a positive way especially the sermon preached by Geoff our pastor.

In the notices we were reminded that we are gathering together on Zoom, this Friday 22nd January at 7 p.m. in answer to the call for one million to pray for our nation on this day.  

Our Pastors comment that “God hasn’t stopped working because we are in lockdown” was confirmed by a member of the church who shared the encouraging news that the Church of England’s congregation has gone up by half a million during lockdown.

A lady at the service shared her thoughts that God had ordained that we live in these days and that we should count on him to be present with us in them.

Our church has been asked to pray for several sick people and we were all in agreement with Geoff’s comments that “it is a privilege to pray for them”.  He encouraged us to be vigilant in our prayers for them as the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well – James 15 v 5.

A couple of weeks ago Geoff asked us all to consider what it means to “seek the Lord’s face.”

A member of the congregation read Psalm 27 v 4 – One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his temple.

Another scripture shared was Deuteronomy 4 v 29 – But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

There was a discussion about it is our responsibility to seek him.  Not to put him in box expecting him to do things the way we see him doing them but to come to him with an open mind plus open view with what he is going to do.

Sermon

Ephesians 6 v 1 – 17.  This passage is about the Armour of God and verse 17 states God’s word is a sword.  

During the sermon we reflected upon how powerful God word is.  That it is a mighty divine weapon. We can use to demolish strongholds as revealed in 2 Corinthians 4 v 4 – 5. 

Hebrews 4 v 12 – For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Geoff encouraged us to SPEAK OUT WHAT GOD HAS FOR US, SPEAK OUT WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT US, SPEAK OUT HIS WORDS OVER OUR CHALLENGES, FAMILLIES, AND OUR NATION.

God’s word prayed is more powerful than just our own words thought or  prayed.

A verse in the sermon Jeremiah 33 v 3 – Call on me and I will answer you and I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Believe God is going to do something mighty and great.

When his words go out it will achieve what it was sent to do.

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Why is singing hymns/worship songs so important?

Singing hymns and worship songs gives the opportunity for all the congregation of a church to be active participants of any sort of church gathering.

Singing together blows away differences and produces a feeling of unity and harmony.

In these trying times because of the pandemic when we are often prevented from meeting each other in the flesh, we can still feel that oneness as we are led by a worship team on an online service.

As we spend time with God at home during our personal devotions, these spiritual songs can bring us into his presence even enhancing our prayer life as they focus our minds on the Lord.

The apostle Paul said in Colossians 3 v 16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing each other in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
Singing with grace in your heart to the lord.

Hymn/worship song singing teaches us and encourages us to follow the bibles teaching as they are very often based on bible verses and acts as a mirror measuring our faith and actions.  

Hence when we sing them we are constantly reminding ourselves of Gods teachings and to know whether we having been walking on the correct path God wants us to tread.

They are just like sermons accompanied to music.

It has been found that people can only remember about twenty per cent of what they hear in a spoken sermon but hymns/worship song as they have a melody with words stick in the memory, especially as we have sung them many times in our lives and certain lyrics of hymns we can relate to our own lives, experiences and memories.

Singing them is also an act of thanks giving to God which is very important as God is just like us He likes us to express appreciation for acts of kindness and provision. 

The book of Psalms is full of thanksgiving for example Psalm 69 v 30 
I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 147 v 1 
Praise the Lord.  How good it is to sing praises to our God, and pleasant and fitting to praise Him.

God isn’t interested in whether we have a tuneful beautiful voice but is interested in whether we are singing from the heart.

 Also in Ephesians 5 v 19- singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

It is also a well-known fact that singing is good for us- it releases a feel good chemical to our brain called endorphins, it lifts depression and makes us feel brighter.

Let us consider some hymns/worship songs and see if we can link their lyrics to the Word of God.

One very popular song is Way maker. I was extremely moved when in March I saw on a you tube video, a group of medics standing socially distanced upon the roof of their hospital singing way maker in faith as a prayer.

Let us link the lyrics of Way maker scripture

Lyric -You are here moving in our midst

Zephaniah 3 v 17 
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save, He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you by His love, He will exult over you with loud singing.

Lyric – You are here working in this place, you never stop working, even when I don’t see it your working.

John 5 v 17
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working”

Lyric – You are way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper

Isaiah 43 v 16 
Thus says the Lord who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters.

John 14 v 6 
Jesus said to him “I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except by me”.

Acts 19 v 11 
And God was doing extraordinary miracles, through the hands of Paul

Titus 1 v 2
In hope of eternal life, which God who never lies, promised before the ages began.

Lyric – Light in the darkness, My God that is who you are.

John 12 v 46
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me will not remain in darkness.

Lyric -You are here touching every heart

Ezekiel 36 v 26
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh.

Psalm 73 v 26
My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Lyric – You are here mending every heart, his name is above depression

Psalm 147 v 3
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.

Lyric – You are here turning lives around.

2 Corinthians 5 v 17
If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has passed away, behold the new has come.

Lyric – even when I don’t see it you’re working

Genesis 50 v 20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many lives may be kept alive, as they are today.

Proverbs 3 v 5 – 6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight.

Lyric – His name is above loneliness

John 14 v 18
“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you”.

Proverbs 18 v 24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Revelation 3 v 20
Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and eat with him and he with me.

Lyric – His name is above cancer

Psalm 41 v 3 
The Lord sustains him on his sickbed, in his illness you restore him to full health.

Psalm 107 v 20
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

Lyric – His name is above all names

Philippians 2 v 9 – 10
Therefore God has exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.  So at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and earth and under the earth.

I must say as I have been researching how the song way maker would link into bible verses I never realised I would find so many.  It will make me enjoy singing the song even more and bring me closer to God as I sing it.

Philippians 2 v 9 – 10 reminds me of my school assemblies where I would enjoy the hymn At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue confess him King of glory now, ‘tis the Fathers pleasure we should call him Lord who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

Although at that young and tender age I had no idea that this hymn I was singing was based upon words in the bible.  

A popular hymn is Great is thy faithfulness which was written by Thomas Chisholm and he wrote it basing it on Lamentations 3 v 22 – 23. 

It is of the Lords mercies, we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not, they are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness

Lyrics

Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see, 

I hope that this article will bless you. I have learnt a lot of new scriptures as I have written it and I think that I may again look into some other of my favourite worship songs and see what scriptures link to them. I feel that I will be singing them with a bit more gusto from now on!!!

Dear Lord

Thank you for all the things you do for us.

Thank you for all the lovely hymns and worship songs that have been written over the years. We thank you for those who have written them, for bringing your words to our lips.  As we sing them please use the words to encourage us in walking closer to you and following your ways and may the words remind us of all your goodness to us, plus please also may they lift our spirits so we have joy in our hearts.

We ask this in your name Lord Jesus

Amen.

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Thank God it’s Christmas

My husband Steve and I really love the Christmas hit – thank God it’s Christmas – by Queen. The song is by Queen but it is actually about the King of Kings. I very rarely hear it played on the radio or on the music channels on tv.

Is this because the word God is mentioned in the song I wonder- and many in the world do not want to consider the true meaning behind the celebration of Christmas?

Two lines of the song, that through the years have really resonated with Steve and me are ”my love it’s been a long hard year”- for many years Steve and I worked full time at a boarding school.  I was in the laundry and Steve in the catering department.  Our annual leave allowance was 28 days which included bank holidays.  The Michaelmas term was the longest four months and very busy with extra chores for both the departments due to all the Christmas parties that were held in the school. By the time we got to mid-December we were feeling pretty jaded and counting the days off to Christmas Eve when we would break up.

The good thing though was that both departments closed for the Christmas holidays so it was a break that we could really enjoy with our friends and families.  We had many get togethers and parties. 

The other line that spoke to us is ”my love we’ve lived in troubled times.”  Well every year that comes along has its fair share of challenges and troubles on a personal level, a national level plus also on a worldwide level and as we sang that line we would often reflect on the truth of the statement. 

This year has for the majority of us been one of the most challenging we have ever experienced but for Steve and I, our testimony is with God’s help we have managed to endure and keep our spirits up. In both lock downs I asked God to help me get through it and He did.  Philippians 4 v 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Until the day arrives that we get our vaccinations I will stand on his promise for the strength to keep going.

Also God promises that He works for the good in all things – Romans 8 v 28 and that He has good plans for us, plans to prosper us and give us a good future; Jeremiah 29:11 gave me hope that all would be well and the ability to focus on the good around me rather than the bad.

I also found the promise of God’s protection in Psalm 91 v 5 – 6  reassuring- you will not fear the terror of the night, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Somehow thank God it’s Christmas used to really express how we felt, it had been a long hard year of working and we had experienced challenges but now thank God it was Christmas. Yay time to chill and time to enjoy home. Definitely the song to sing on Christmas eve at the start of the holiday. 

So let’s spend a moment to ask ourselves- why should we thank God it’s Christmas?

I am grateful that God creator of the universe chose to leave the beauty, peace and tranquillity of heaven to come down to earth to live amongst us in a frail human body.  He suffered all the trails and joys that we face.  

He was born to a mother, He was acquainted with physical pain, He enjoyed a good party, He was rejected by friends, unfairly accused, He loved stories, He reluctantly paid taxes, He sang, He was turned off by greedy religion, He felt sorry for the lonely, He was unappreciated by His siblings, He wept at the death of a friend, He stood up for the underdog, He was kept awake at night by concerns, He dozed off in the midst of trips, He was accused of being too rowdy, and He was afraid of death.

And although He was without sin, He became sin and died on the cross for me so I may be forgiven by our Father God and be adopted into His family. 

What good news- God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3 v 16.

Thank you God that you came on that first Christmas time. That you dedicated your life to showing us the glory of Your father, healing the sick and bringing news of hope for the future so thank you God it’s Christmas time. Amen.

Here are the lyrics of thank God it’s Christmas

Oh my love, we’ve had our share of tears,
Oh my love we’ve had our hopes and fears,
Oh my friends it’s been a long hard year
But now it’s Christmas, yes it’s Christmas, thank God it’s Christmas
Oh my love, we’ve lived in troubled days,
Oh my friend we have the strangest ways,
All my friends, on this one day of days,
Thank God it’s Christmas,
Let it be Christmas every day.

One last thought many people who are dreading Christmas and feel they have nothing to thank God for – those whom have lost loved ones, those who will spend Christmas alone, those who are anxious about losing their jobs or homes.

Please lift them up in prayer that they will feel the comfort and strength of God at this time.

God bless you all – merry Christmas.

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Pray without ceasing

Gosh it sounds hard work doesn’t it – the instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5 v 16-18, to pray without ceasing.

After all we have so much to do- go to work, look after the kids, get the shopping done, cook the meals, see family and friends, attend church services which quite often during these present times take place on zoom.  Well the list is endless!!!

We are all different as to the times we feel it is best to get our daily prayer and bible study done.

I myself like to do it in the morning but quite often it means it can be a bit of a rush if I need to get out before lunch or I have to go to work. 

Do you have a list of people that you are praying for? I have quite a long list of family, friends, work colleagues, neighbours, brothers and sisters in Christ, let alone praying for the church to grow or for wisdom for the leaders of our land. 

My list is in a journal which has a great title on the cover “let your dreams blossom”.

I didn’t plan for this book to be my prayer list and jot book for Bible verses that I wish to remember and pray about. It was a gift from a friend but what a great title for a prayer list book-“let your dreams blossom”. 

 It makes me think of the verse Psalm 37 v 4 – take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

I think praying is delighting in the Lord because as you are praying you are talking to him, thanking him for all the good things in your life- telling him your troubles and thanking him that he is going to help you to sort out your problems plus help your friends and family.  

Part of the delighting in Him is to be quiet and hear Him speak to you through the Holy Spirit – a word of encouragement perhaps from a Bible verse or a reminder of what He has done for you already, to make faith rise in your heart that He will help you again.

Now back to my long list of people to pray for, I shouldn’t really say it but now and again it can feel like a chore to work through a list of names but on the other hand I think God also likes disciplined routines in our lives as well.

I came across an article the other day about how to pray without ceasing and it gives some excellent tips on how we can fit prayer into our busy everyday lives.

I would like to share them with you.

  1. Begin with gratitude- Psalm 100 v 4 says – Enter His gates with thanksgiving and courts with praise, give thanks to Him and praise His name.   Prayer doesn’t have to be asking for something, it can be thanking Him for something he has already done.
  2. We don’t need to make our prayers stiff and formal like we are speaking with our headmaster!!  Prayer is simply a conversation. Talk to Him like you would a friend.  Sit down with a cup of coffee and just let the words pour out, casually, simply.  Just be real.
  3. Let your everyday chores become an act of worship for example as you fold your laundry pray for every member of your house as you fold their item of clothing or as you iron them.  As you dust photos of your friends and family lift them up in prayer.  Well I’m sure you can think of many chores where you could fit in a prayer or two whilst you are doing them. How about the washing up? Thank God for the food He has provided for you – pray for those who are in want.
  4. Tell Him what he already knows.  When my child was first in kindergarten, I realised that although I had a pretty good idea of what she did at school, I didn’t need to know the details.  But when she told me how she and Jacob had played at recess, or laughed as she tried to tell me the story that her teacher had read to her that day, it deepened the connection with my daughter.  I got to see her life through her eyes and I revelled in her unique perspective.  Of course God already knows what is in our hearts, but when we offer our thoughts to Him, it turns what may be a solitary life into a richer more meaningful relationship.  And I think God delights in this. 
  5. Pray while you wait.  A quick online research reveals that we each average two years of our lives waiting in line, and the average commuter spends 38 hours a year in traffic. Turn your car into a prayer closet – on the funny side better to be praying than swearing and cursing the folks in the car in front!!!! Or whisper prayers to God as you wait in the long line at the supermarket checkout instead of huffing and puffing about there aren’t enough tills open or someone with a trolley stacked high with groceries got ahead of you when you only have one or two items!!!
  6. Sing a song of praise- James 5 v 16 – Is anyone among you in trouble? Then let him pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.  Often we think of prayer as something to do when we want God to fix something, or when we are unhappy.  But the Bible encourages us to pray at all times.  Remember the idea of praying being like a radio playing in the background at all times? Make that literal by listening to worship music.  As you sing along offer it to God as your prayer. Recently we had prayer for the nation. We enjoyed singing the words of ‘Heal our nation’ as a prayer- Lord heal our nation – pour out Your Spirit on this land. Nobody is listening except Him so don’t worry if you’re out of tune!!
  7. When you mess up, admit it.  I don’t know about you but I could spend most of my praying without ceasing time bringing up all my failures.  Luckily when we confess, God forgives us so we don’t need to dwell there. Another reason to praise Him. 
  8. Give up worrying.  Philippians 4 v 6 says – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Next time something weighs heavily on your heart, envisage yourself extending it up to God and letting Him hold it for you.  Ask Him what your role is and if there is something you need to do. If so do it; but don’t take back the weight of the worry.  Then start thanking God for who He is and what He has already done for you and you will feel the weight lifting up as the words come.  
  9. Stop talking once in a while and just listen.  Matthew 6 v 7 – and when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  The number or quality of the words you use does not matter, because prayer is about God not us.  Allow yourself to feel the nearness of God.  Trust that He is your constant companion.  Don’t monopolise the dialogue, but just spend your time at His feet listening to him and enjoying His company. The best conversations are two sided but you won’t hear anything if you don’t stop to listen.

In 1968 Aretha Franklin had a hit record with the song “I say a little prayer for you”.

Aretha definitely had got the idea of how to fit prayer into her busy day. I will leave you with the lyrics of her song.

The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup, I say a little prayer for you.
While combing my hair now and wondering what dress to wear now, I say a little prayer for you.
I run for the bus dear, while riding I think of us dear, I say a little prayer for you.
At work I just take time and all through my coffee break time, I say a little prayer for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

 My wish is that this article will bless you.

 Have a good day.