Details of the event from Friday 24th May at 9pm -  https://apps.facebook.com/stpixels

Psalm 40:1-3.
I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Question:
Take time to think about the words…He set my feet on a rock… What does that mean to you?

Never again!                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Have you seen those bits of paddling pool material they sell as water slides for in the garden? You hose them down with water, launch yourself and whiz from one end to the other. Brilliant fun! One Sunday afternoon last summer we went to a barbeque to celebrate a family birthday. It was a lovely, baking hot day and one auntie brought one of the a fore mentioned watersides along.  First one then another of the younger members of the family had a go.

The sun was hot and as I looked on longingly I thought “The water will be lovely and cooling…..I’ll show ‘em!”  As I stepped up the cameras came out. Hubby, I later found out, nudged the person next to him and said, under his breath “She’ll pay for it later on!”  Daughter in law told granddaughter how lucky she was to have such an adventurous grandma, as not many grandmas would dare to have a go.  I should have realised. Why didn’t someone warn me?

I only whizzed twice but my arms, legs and shoulders ached for days afterwards. Worst of all I couldn’t laugh, sneeze, cough or manage other functions I don’t care to share here about because of my aching ribs………….never ever again!

One of my character traits is that I’m impulsive. I often act before stopping to think through what I’m about to do. It’s a trait I’ve been working on ……for quite some time. Do you have a character trait you’d rather not have? Or perhaps there’s one you wish you did have?

Hymn: The King of love my Shepherd is.

The King of love my shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never. I nothing lack if I AM His AND He IS MINE FOREVER.
Where streams of living water flow, MY RANSOMED SOUL HE LEADETH, and where the verdant pastures grow with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, BUT YET IN LOVE HE SOUGHT ME and on His shoulder gently laid and home rejoicing brought me.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with thee, dear Lord, beside me. THY ROD AND STAFF COMFORT STILL, thy cross before to guide me.      THOU SPREADEST A TABLE IN MY SIGHT. Thy unction grace bestoweth and Oh what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise WITHIN THY HOUSE FOREVER.

People who mess up.                                                                                                                                                                                                Sometimes I ask myself how God can use such an impulsive, foot in mouth, person. But it’s when we feel inadequate and rely on Him that He goes to work and the glory goes to Him! So we can’t ever discount ourselves. If you too feel inadequate join the gang because you qualify perfectly to do God’s work. We can take great encouragement when we look in the bible because there are lots of people who felt inadequate humanly speaking. People who messed up.

Peter too was impulsive…..lots of times. Noah got drunk, Moses stuttered, Sarah was impatient, Thomas doubted, Abraham thought he was too old and Gideon complained he was too young. David was a murderer, Rehab was a harlot and Lazarus …….well he was dead! But God chooses to use imperfect people who make mistakes to establish His Kingdom. When we think about it He simply has to choice because we all mess up and are imperfect.

There was only one who was different, the exception to the rule. The Lord Jesus Christ. What’s truly in credible is that when we turn and make a decision to follow Him, staying on that path, there’s a future for us when on day we’ll be made perfect like Him! It’s reassuring that in Romans we learn that neither death not life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, or anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Take time to consider that God knows our imperfections and inadequacies. Yet despite our failings He loves us and works with us to establish His eternal kingdom.

Images by seedresorces.com, morguefile.com.

Did you miss the quiz last night?  It’s a fun social evening for us all.  I wonder if you would have been able to answer these quesions?

1. May 1st is the feast of St Joseph in the Roman Catholic Calendar. Which of the following is he NOT the patron saint for? Carpenters, Lawyers, Pregnant women, Labourers and Working poeple, Bald men

 
2. The first Saturday in May is the date of the Kentucky Derby in the United States? How long is this famous horse race? Is it 1km, 2km, or 3km?

3. May 12th is International Nurses Day. Who was born on this day in 1820? She is considered to be the founder of modern nursing.

4. ‘Towel Day’ is celebrated on the 25th of May each year, as a tribute to which author, who wrote ‘The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’?

5. Memorial Day, is an American holiday, which occurs on the final Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated to commemorate the soldiers who had died in which war?

6. Which is May’s birthstone?  Emerald, Ruby, or Pearl?

7. The tallest maypole is said to have been errected in London on the Strand in 1661. How tall did it stand? 96 feet, 128 feet, or 143 feet?

8. Oak Apple Day was a formal public holiday celebrated on May 29th in England, to commemorate the restoration of the English Monarchy, in May 1660. It has been known by many different names. Which of these have I made up?
Shick Shack Day,  Nettle Day,  Pinch a Bum Day,  Dandelion Day?

9. The summit of Everest was first reached on May 29th, by Edmund Hillory, and Tenzing Norgay in which year?

10. On 20th May 1927 Charles Lindbergh set off from New York to fly non-stop to Paris, in which plane?

I’ll give you the answers after the weekend!

This Sunday, the fiftieth day after Easter, we celebrated Pentecost. The name coming from the Greek ‘pentekoste’ meaning fiftieth. Pentecost is regarded as the birthday of The Christian Church, and the start of the church’s mission to the world.

‘Forty-nine days to celebrate Easter? That’s seven weeks. We’ll never make the easter Eggs last that long! And then Pente- what??’
Pilate stamps the file ‘case closed’ He thinks that is it. A distasteful business, but Jesus the Galilean isn’t the first troublemaker he’s been called to get rid of, nor will he be the last. Crucifixion tends to sort them out. Full Stop. Ciaphas adjusts his conscience and puts on his vestments. With a sigh of relief he gets back to the serious business of running the temple. He thinks that is it. Tricky for a while, but the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Full Stop.

…

And then the rumours start. ‘Jesus is alive..’ ‘We have seen him..’ ‘He ate with us..’

…

And then, just when it had all gone quiet, Pentecost.

…

Good Friday – Easter – Pentecost. New start. New management. God in charge and available to everyone. Ours for the asking.
…

The resurrection of Jesus was the start of something huge. The resurrection isn’t just for Easter. It’s for Life.

God of pentecost, of new beginnings, revival and re-birth, Forgive our luke-warmness in sharing Good News. Forgive our reluctance to speak out though our hearts condemn us. Blow through the cobwebs. Sweep away all that might hamper us. And by Your Spirit, this Pentecost, Revive us!

(Fiftieth Day by M. Mason.  Prayer by John Birch.  Full versions used in Facebook events. Both taken from www.seedresources.com Image by Ann Divine)

Acts 2: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites: residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappodocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and parts of Libya near Cyrene, visitors from Rome both Jews and converts to Judaism;  Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’ Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd.

Hymn: Breath on me breath of God.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly thine, till all this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, so I shall never die, but live with thee the perfect life.

Acts 2: Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd. ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you. Listen carefully to what I say.

These people are not drunk,  as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoke of by the prophet Joel. ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,  your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in heavens above and signs on the earth below,  blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of our Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did amongst you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;  you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep it’s hold on him.’ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.’ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Take time now to consider this bible reading and the incredible events described. Using words of your own choosing thank God for His amazing timing. Also that He sent His Holy Spirit to empower, steer and guide us for everyday living as His followers.

The Upper Room picture  is by kind permission of Gillian Lambourne.

Pebble face picture by Ange.

1 Peter 1.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trails. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Wallpaper.

A decorator friend looked sideways at our new wallpaper, with a puzzled look on his face, when he and his wife came to dinner. We wondered what he was doing and then all became clear as he explained that the wallpaper, with it’s fleur de lyes pattern, was on the wall upside down! It became a talking point whenever friends came to have a meal with us. We’d ask them if they noticed anything about the room and their opinion about the wall paper. There was no way we were going to decorate all over again. So the wallpaper stayed just where it was on the wall and may still be there for all we know!  Mistakes happen. Bad decisions, inconveniences, difficulties and even real trails. They’re all part of life. Unexpected stuff happens and no one is immune.

Hymn: Thine be the Glory.

Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son. ENDLESS IS THE VICTORY thou o’er death has won.

Angels in bright raiment ROLLED THE STONE AWAY, kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay. THINE BE THE GLORY, risen, conquering Son. Endless is the victory thou o’er death has won.

Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb. Lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom. Let the church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing. For her Lord now liveth, DEATH HAS LOST IT’S STING. Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son. ENDLESS IS THE VICTORY thou o’er death has won.

No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life. Life is naught without Thee AID US IN OUR STRIFE. Make us more than conquerors, through Thy deathless love. Bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above. Thine be the glory, risen, CONQUERING SON. Endless is the victory thou o’er death has won.

Question:
The words of the hymn say that Jesus has the victory over sin death and because of that death has lost it’s sting. Type in words to outline what that means to you ?

Trials.

We all go through trials and when we get through one there’ll be another around the corner. That’s why James didn’t say if but when you encounter trials (James 1:2)  Trials come in all shapes and sizes: Loss of employment or redundancy. Ill health or problems that affect us emotionally. Financial or relational problems. Difficulties in relationships or conflict in church. Some cut deeper, like the loss of a dear one. Others are more drawn out like a divorce or a long painful illness. Watching our children and go through them is hard too. Some play out in public while others happen in private.

Some are due to our own or other people’s mistakes. Others have nothing whatever to do with human decisions.  We can’t always choose what happens to us but we can choose how we react. Trials put our faith to the test and bring us back to the basics of prayer and dependence on God, relying on Him, because sometimes that’s all we can do. 1 Peter 4:12  has … don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

The disciples weren’t immune and after one particular hard time in John 6 we read: His disciples, when they heard this said, ” This is a hard teaching” …From that time on many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.  Then Jesus said to the twelve, Do you also want to go away? But Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ…

Jesus is the Christ weather we walk with Him on the mountain top or in valley, in the bad times or in the good. Trials are a refining process that mature us. When we are going through them we want the quick way out. But trials make us complete and we come out the other side stronger. We can choose to view our trials as working for us, deepening our faith and our reliance on God. That we way we can have victory over them. One thing is for sure until we get to eternity they will always be with us. Jesus himself wasn’t immune to suffering and difficulties. In fact without that which He went through we would be without hope.

But the good news is that Jesus triumphed over His trials and had the victory over sin and death. So we can turn, follow him and look forward to an eternity the likes of which we can only imagine.  Not only that but Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us by the power of His Holy Spirit and says He will be with us to the very end of the age.

Images by seedresorces.com.

No guilt in life is a phrase from one of my favourite hymns. We all do things that we are sorry for. I know that there are things that I have done which I wish I hadn’t, and things which I wish I had done that I didn’t do, similarly to the apostle Paul: “What I do is not the good deed which I desire, but the evil deed I do not desire”. (Romans 7:19) Is as relevant now as it was then.

I grew up in a church that emphasized a personal relationship with God and being saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus died for our sins even though He was sinless. ‘Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and that He was buried, that He rose on the third day; in accordance with the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 )

Knowing that Jesus was guiltless and died, yet I who was guilty went free makes me sad and glad at the same time. Sad that it had to happen yet glad that my debt was paid; so I went through life feeling guilty that Jesus died for me. If a crime is carried out, the accused is tried in court and then can be found guilty, then a punishment has to be paid. If we have sinned then, do we need to be punished? The prodigal son said, ‘Father I have sinned against God and against you.’ Should our response be the same? Maybe, but don’t forget….Jesus chose to die for us, to bear our punishment.

As I was growing up I heard phrases such as ‘We are guilty and Jesus paid our debt’  and ‘We are worthless of such a sacrifice’. I often wonder, now, whether this can affect the young people in our Church Services today. How much does this affect their self-esteem.  We cannot be complacent thinking that low self-esteem does not affect the youth in our Churches. Well when I hear people say ‘We are worthless’ and I think ‘You might be-I am not. I am unworthy.’ and being unworthy is poles apart from being worthless.

I am not worthless to God. To Him I am precious. He died to redeem me. I am the lost sheep that he went looking for ‘Rejoice with me for I have found the sheep that was lost.’ Luke 15:6. I am the lost coin. ‘Rejoice with me I have found the piece which I had lost’ Luke 15: 9.  I am the son, (or daughter) who ran to meet his father who saw him and had compassion, and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20. Only recently have I fully realised this: I am loved by God and I am precious in His sight. I have no need to feel guilty as Jesus paid the price.

If you feel guilty about something, then tell God about it. He knows about it anyway, but wants to hear from you. If you’ve done something wrong, then confess your sin. If it’s appropriate, appologise to the person concerned, if this is something you wish to do. Then get on with your life and forget about it.  Learn from any mistakes you may have made. You have confessed it, you’ve been forgiven. As Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery ‘Go, and from this time do not sin any more.’ John 8:11. No need to confess it again and again. God will not remember it; ‘ As far as the East is from the West, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.’ (Psalm 103:12 )

So, as we leave this place, go through life, following Jesus, trying to be Christ-like, remember:- ‘No guilt in Life’

Hymn:  I will sing of my Redeemer and His wondrous love to me. On the cruel cross He suffered, from the curse to set me free. Sing oh sing of my Redeemer, With His blood He purchased me, on the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt and set me free.

I will tell the wondrous story. How my lost estate to save, In His boundless love and mercy, He the ransom freely gave. Sing oh sing of my Redeemer, With His blood He purchased me. On the cross He sealed my pardon, Paid the debt and set me free.

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I’ll tell. How the victory He giveth over sin and death and hell. Sing oh sing of my Redeemer, with His blood He purchased me. On the cross He sealed my pardon, Paid the debt and set me free.

I will sing of my Redeemer, and His heavenly love to me; He from death to life hath brought me, Son of God with Him to be. Sing oh sing of my Redeemer, With His blood He purchased me. On the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt and set me free.

Prayer:  Lord! We do thank you for your great gift of forgiveness. It is difficult for us to take in. When we think of Your great goodness and purity it is easy to feel worthless and hopeless. But You have said that all that is needed is for us to accept Your gift and we are free to enjoy enternity with You. There is no sin is so bad that it it cannot be cleansed with Jesus’ blood! We are all….SAVED! Amen

Images:  Wendy Talbot and James Flowers.

……..You’ve got to come with me now! You can’t miss this opportunity. You’ve got to meet him for yourself. No. Let me slow down. You’re only getting half the story. Let me just take a few moments to catch my breath. Then it will make more sense. Then it will all fall into place for you. Then you’ll understand what it is I’m trying to tell you.
It all started as a normal day when I got up this morning. I had the chores to do, the food to prepare, all the usual sort of thing. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Soon it was noon and I could go out to the well and draw water. There’d be no-one else there then. But there was. And that’s where I met him. He asked me to give him a drink of water. He simply came up to me in my ordinary, everyday activity and he spoke to me.

When I turned to look at him I couldn’t believe my eyes. He was a Jew. Can you believe that? One of those ultra clean people asking me a ‘filthy Samaritan’ for a drink?……

Excerpt from Come and See This Man! By Marjory Dobson of seedresrces.com. Read by Ange.

Images by morguefile.com

Hymn: I need Thee every hour. Author: Annie S. Hawks in 1872.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine can peace afford. I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby; Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh. I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain; Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain. I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will; And Thy rich promises in me fulfill. I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

lord I Need You. A prayer.

My Lord I need you. Without you I cannot learn your way. I need you to show me your love, and call me to a relationship with you and my neighbours. I need you to produce fruit within me so I may share it with all.

My Lord I need you. Without you I cannot be righteous. I need you to restore my soul, and remove my sins and bitterness, from years of unbelief. I need you to lead me out of darkness into your glorious light.

My Lord I need you. Without you I cannot do justice. I need you to maintain balance. And to set my heart to seek you first, and not do my own thing. I need you to guide moment by moment, day by day in every way.

My Lord I need you. Without you I cannot give mercy. I need you to help me forgive. And take away my burden of guilt And set me free from sin. I need you to make me be a blessing to others I meet each day.

My Lord I won’t live on without you. Your goodness leads me to believe. Your Holy Spirit does the work in me. You transform me to do your will. And you make me part of your family. Only you can resurrect and give me eternal life. Thank you Lord – in Jesus’ name Amen.

Images: morguefile.com.

Genesis 22

Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. he took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. he said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”. “Yes, my son?”, Abraham replied. “The fire and the wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he said.”Do not lay a hand on the boy,” He said. “Do not do anything to him. Now that I know you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and not withheld your only son,  I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

A Question to consider and discuss:
In the passage we have just listened to God promises Abraham that through his offspring all nations on earth wouls blessed, because he had been obedient. What would you say this meant. What was the fulfillment of this promise?

Hymn: All People That On Earth Do Dwell.

All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell; Come ye before Him and rejoice. The Lord, ye know, is God indeed; Without our aid He did us make. We are His folk.  He doth us feed and for His sheep He doth us take.

Oh enter then His gates with praise;  Approach with joy His courts unto praise, laud, and bless His name always. For it is seemly so to do. For why? The Lord our God is good. His mercy is for ever sure. His truth at all times firmly stood and shall from age to age endure. To Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The God Whom heaven and earth adore. From men and from the angel host be praise and glory evermore.
A Question to consider and discuss:
The hymn writer says of God that His truth at all times firmly stands and shall from age to age endure. What truth is he talking about do you think?

Images by Ange (Angela Horsfall).  morguefile.com for additional images.

As Jesus entered the village of Capernaum, a Roman captain came up on a panic and said, “Master, my servant is sick. He can’t walk. He’s in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I’ll come and heal him.”

“Oh, no,” said the captain. “I don’t want to put you to all that trouble. Just give the order and my servant will be fine. I’m a man who takes orders and gives orders. I tell one soldier, “Go,” and he goes; to another, “Come,” and he comes; to my slaves, “Do this,” and he does it.”

Taken aback, Jesus said, “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know all about God and how he works. This man is the vanguard of many outsiders who will soon be coming from all directions-streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God’s kingdom banquet alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, “Go. What you believed could happen has happened.” At that moment his servant became well.

It would behoove us to take time to thank God for all He has done for us: the big things and the small, the things we have asked for and the things we haven’t.

• Do you have something to thank God for today? 
• Do you have something to ask from God?

Feel free to add any prayers to this thread. Simply login top right (it will use your Facebook id) then click the thread title to get a comment box.