Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).

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Opening

Speak these words out loud:

By his power God raised Jesus from the dead,
and he will raise us also.

1 Corinthians 6.14 (NIV)

Today’s Proverb

Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.

Proverbs 22.8

Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes I think we can underestimate how much we are all connected to and depend on each other. There is a curious thing with modern technology which at once brings us closer together – has communication ever been easier than it is now? – but also further apart – we no longer have to see people face-to-face. The past twelve months of lockdowns and social distancing has shown me at least how much I value being physically present with other human beings! WhatsApp and Zoom just don’t cut it.

What does all that have to do with this Proverb? The irony of more communication but at a greater distance separates us from the consequences of our actions. For example, if someone upsets you, it’s much easier to send a terse / passive aggressive / downright rude message, than to speak to them directly. The distance enables us to upset people back much more easily.

This Proverb teaches us that our actions do have consequences, and that there is wisdom in being aware of that. When Jesus taught us to do to others what we would have them do to us, he taught the same lesson. We are all like mirrors – cracked and broken maybe, but mirrors nonetheless. We reflect back the treatment we receive.

Only God can help us break the cycle of creating and reflecting pain and hurt. Do you have the humility to admit you need his help, ask for it, and begin to change in his strength?

So what do we do? We can’t escape money, we can’t live in society without it. Do we give it all away and go to live in a desert? Probably not – although if that’s what God calls you to do, go for it!

The answer is simple: deliberately put Jesus at the centre of all you do, and all your decisions. Be aware of the dangers of money, and inoculate yourself against it by making Jesus your number one.

Prayers

Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.

Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders. Today we are praying for:

Roger Myring, JoAnne Griffin, Joyce Madeley

Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.

We also pray for: Knit & Natter

Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves.

Church Family Prayer

Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

Closing Prayer

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.

Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6

May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.