Saturday 5th July
When we start our morning with God, we’re handing over the rest of the day to him. God in the driving seat. We can talk through our plans, listen to his wisdom and hand over our worries. With Gods hand guiding us we will enter each day with his Grace and Mercy for whatever the day brings.
One thing should characterise our lives as Christians, we should make a difference. A word here, an action there and the effects could be remarkable. We don’t expect big changes but our faith should make a difference somewhere.
In what ways does your faith effect the way you live?
In what ways does it influence your dealing with the people around you ?
We take time for prayer and worship, read and study the bible but fail to go out into the world and make real there, the truth of what we believe.
Forgive us and help us to minister in Christs name, bringing peace, hope, help and healing, sharing love.
Loving God, make a difference to me so that I may make a difference to others. Give us all Grace to act upon your call. Lord we do believe, help our unbelief!
God of the Margins
We pray for those living on the edge, the poor, the lonely, the alienated.
The strangers in our midst, those isolated by mental or physical illness, by bereavement or family breakdown. Those who have crossed frontiers or missed out on education, those who slip through the net of social caring, whose voices are unheard, who are not quite respectable( though worthy of respect).
We pray for ourselves, that we may learn from our sisters and brothers, about resilience and hope against the odds, about celebration and sharing, that we may never make assumptions. Or make the church exclusive, when Gods love includes all. We pray in the name of Christ at the heart of all, Amen.
In church ,the body of believers is made up of people of all temperaments, backgrounds, shapes and sizes. If they appreciate the gifts God has given each individual and they work together as one body, mighty things can happen.
Given a jigsaw, we found that 1 piece was missing, on a leaflet within the box it said the pieces were so uniquely cut it couldn’t be replaced, we would have to get a replacement jigsaw. I likened this to people in church, we have good listeners, creative, prayerful, encouraging, pastoral visitors etc. We are ALL needed, to work together in the church family.
Another jigsaw had 4 pieces missing so we gave up on it but God never gives up on us.
Lynne Graham – Newcastle District
Photo by Hans-Peter Gauster on Unsplash
