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:
Jesus said, ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.’
Acts 1.8 (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.
Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. (NIV)
Show me someone who does a good job, and I will show you someone who is better than most and worthy of the company of kings. (GNB)
Proverbs 22.29
Last year Jess and I discovered the BBC TV programme The Repair Shop, thanks to a tip from my Mum. Thanks Mum!
I love it. The combination of skill, knowledge, care, dedication, attention to detail – it’s amazing to watch. If you haven’t seen it, give it a go! It is truly wholesome TV, unlike so much which seeks to thrill and tittivate, there is no violence, swearing, sex, intrigue, or tension. (It’s a separate issue but I think we need to be more mindful of what we watch and fill our brains with.)
I think one of the reasons I love it – and one of the reasons this saying commends skilled workers – are the years of practice and dedication that come before the programme. Some of them have literally decades of experience working in their specialist area. Such commitment is to be commended.
If we’re honest, who doesn’t like a shortcut in life? ‘Life hacks’ they’re called on the web – things that get what you want with the minimum (or no) effort.
The truth is, true satisfaction comes from the journey rather than the end result – why? Because overcoming adversity and difficulty, putting effort into something, really trying hard – they are the things that bring satisfaction. Is it more satisfying to eat a carrot from Morrisons, or from your garden? Same result; different journey.
The lie of the modern world is that ‘having’ things brings satisfaction, but it doesn’t, it simply makes us want more.
What do you put time and effort into?
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:
Jean Austin, Joshi Family (Alan, Jess, Paul)
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: Local Secondary Schools & Colleges
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.