Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
In The Salvation Army we have what is known as ‘Commitment Sunday’. A Sunday when we are asked to dedicate/rededicate our life’s to Christ.
Of course commitment Sunday isn’t the only time you can give your life to Christ, it can happen anytime you wish provided you let him in. The words of an old chorus come to mind:
Behold me standing at the door,
And hear me pleading evermore:
Say, weary heart, oppressed with sin,
May I come in? May I come in?
I leave you with The Chelmsford Citadel Songsters as they sing ‘I Dedicate myself to Thee’. I hope it gives you much blessing.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
What can I say about Resolutions, some of us choose to live a healthier lifestyle (cut down/out cigarettes our even alcohol), others choose to diet after the festive period because of the amount of food we have eaten not just on Christmas Day but at our work’s Christmas party and any other parties we attend in this period.
On a personal note I don’t do resolutions basically because a couple of days into it and I literally crash.
As it says in today’s reading It is important hat we forget what was behind us and move forward toward the goal of the call of God.
The tune in this video is called ‘Let there be peace on Earth’
1 In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone: snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
2 Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign: in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
3 Enough for him whom cherubim worship night and day, a breastful of milk and a mangerful of hay: enough for him whom angels fall down before, the ox and ass and camel which adore.
4 Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air, but only his mother, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the Beloved with a kiss.
5 What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb, if I were a wise man I would do my part, yet what I can I give him, give my heart.
These heartfelt lyrics offer a profound reflection on the essence of Christianity and leading people to Christ. As Christians, we often contemplate what we can offer, especially when faced with challanges and limitations. Just like the shepherds and the wise men who presented their humble gifts, we too, can find purpose in giving our hearts as leaders. This means leading with genuine care, empathy and selflessness, providing with the best of ourselves and guiding with commitment.
Prayer
Father, as we meditate on these words we recognise the significance of giving our hearts as Christians. Help us to lead with care, empathy & selflessness. May we offer our time, attention and support to help others flourish and succeed. Lord, may our heartfelt dedication inspire trust & loyalty among those around us. Guide us to lead with humility & gracereflecting your love and compassion. Amen
Nations will come to your light, and Kings to the brightness of your dawn.
The prophecy of Isaiah speaks of nations coming to the light of God’s glory. As Christians, we should strive to bring light and hope to those around us, inspiring them to reach their fullest potential. Like the wise men who followed the star, we can be guiding lights, leading with vision and purpose and pointing others toward God’s truth and grace.
Prayer
Gracious God, we thank you for the promise that your glory will be a light that draws people from all nations. As Christians ,help us to be guiding lights, inspiring and empowering those around us to reach their fullest potential. May we lead with vision and purpose, always pointing others towards your truth and grace. Guide our Christian journey, O Lord, and use us to bring hope and positive change to the lives of those we serve. Amen.
11 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The prophecy of the shoot from Jesse’s stump speaks of the emergence og new and unexpected leadership. Just as the seemingly lifeless stump produced new growth, God has the ability to raise Christians from unexpected places. As Christians, we should be open we should be open to recognising and empowering emerging members of our church fellowship. By nurturing and empoweringthem we participate in God’s transformitive work in the world.
Prayer
Father, We acknowledge that you are the one who raises up Christians from unexpected places. Help us to nurture the potential in those around us. May they grow and flourish with your guidance. Use us, O Lord, to be instruments of your work in the lives of others. Amen
Christmas reminds us that greatness can emerge from the most unexpected places, just like the humble town of Bethlehem. In our pursuit of leadership excellence, we may focus on prominent positions or grand achievements, but the birth of Jesus in a lowly manger reminds us that significance is not determined by status or wealth. God chooses to use the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary, teaching us to value humility and simplicity in our Christian approach
Prayer
Almighty God, we praise you for your ability to bring greatness out of unexpected places. Help us, as Christians, to recognise the value and potential in every individual, irrespective of their background or status. May we create an inclusive and empowering environment where all can thrive and contribute their unique gifts. Keep us humble, O Lord, and remind us that our significance lies in serving others and glorifying your name. Amen.
10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.2 They were all baptised into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.3 They all ate the same spiritual food4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a]8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.9 We should not test Christ,[b] as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Refrain:
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
2 Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in rev’rence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through. [Refrain]
3 To him that o’ercometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through. [Refrain]
A song of Testimony, and what a testimony we have in verse three. Tis true when we overcome sin we are rewarded by God and it is by faith we conquer that sin. Yes we as humans get knocked back from time to time, but it is through our strength and belief in God that as long as we look to Jesus he will carry us through
God, what kind of a world is this that the adult people are going to leave us for children?
There is fighting everywhere and they tell us we live in a time of peace.
You are the only one who can help us.
Lord, give us a new world in which we can be happy in which we can have friends and work together for a good future.
A world in which there will not be any cruel people who seek to destroy us and our world in so many ways. Amen
1 Peace in our time, O Lord, To all the peoples—peace! Peace surely based upon thy will And built in righteousness. Thy power alone can break The fetters that enchain The sorely stricken soul of life, And make it live again.
2 Too long mistrust and fear Have held our souls in thrall; Sweep through the earth, keen Breath of Heaven, And sound a nobler call! Come, as thou didst of old, In love so great that men Shall cast aside all other gods And turn to thee again.
3 O shall we never learn The truth all time has taught, That without God as architect Our building comes to naught? Lord, help us, and inspire Our hearts and lives that we May build, with all thy wondrous gifts, A Kingdom meet for thee.
4 Peace in our time, O Lord, To all the peoples-peace! Peace that shall build a glad new world, And make for life’s increase. O, living Christ, who still Dost all our burdens share, Come now and dwell within the hearts Of all men everywhere.
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Recently we were told at my church that the building was ‘not fit for purpose’ for a number of reasons. This obviously means looking for new premises or a plot of land to build on. We as a church also have to be seen to raise funds to help this to happen, but money isn’t the only aspect involed of course , a lot of prayer has to go into what is happening as well.
For I’m building a people of power And I’m making a people of praise That will move through this land by My Spirit And will glorify My precious name
Build Your church, Lord Make us strong, Lord Join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son Make us one, Lord In Your Body In the kingdom of Your Son
Christian Devotions, Health and General issues of the day 