Morning
Reading : Jeremiah 18 vs 1-17
Meditation : consider being clay in the Master Potter’s hands
and Pray to be pliable and useful to Him
Soften my heart, my mind, my will, Lord Jesus
And make me useful
Even to You.
Amen we pray together this new day.
Midday
Pray for a longing to know God more…and more
Evening
Reading : Jeremiah 18 v 4
Reflect on God’s shaping of your life
And then Pray to Him in response.
A couple of months ago I wrote about how our generation is more open to exploring the ‘spiritual’ side of life than the generation before us, while at the same time we are not slow in asking questions and voicing doubts. I also said that doubt is not a bad thing. It forces us to go focus on why we believe something, and why it is important to us. It forces us to keep an open mind, and not get too set in our ways. It keeps us on our toes and keeps our faith alive.
For the past six weeks, with the help of Tim Keller’s book – ‘The reason for God’, we have been giving people the chance to explore some of their doubts at our SIX30 service on Sunday evenings. What has been on offer has been a safe place where, within the context of Christian worship, people can still voice their concerns and discuss things that puzzle them. These occasions seem to have hit the right note, as they have been well attended by Christians and non-Christians alike, and, as the weeks have passed, I think there has been a shared recognition that, whatever our doubts are, belief in God is still not an unreasonable thing to hold to.
But once someone is open to the possibility of spiritual belief, where do they start? How do they find their way through the myriad possibilities and worldviews that are out there? As a Christian, my response would be that the best place to start is with Jesus. Being a Christian is like being on a journey, where you may not know all that lies ahead, but you’ve found a guide you can trust.
For the next six weeks we plan to flip things round. Instead of exploring faith and doubt at our SIX30 service, we will now be exploring the second half of Tim Keller’s book, which is about doubt and faith. Having spent some time exploring barriers to belief, we are now going to be looking at the stepping stones which might help us on our way.
For example…
• What clues are there that help us to believe?
• Is it possible to truly know God?
• Why is sin such a problem anyway?
• How does ‘religion’ compare with the Gospel?
• Why do Jesus’ death and resurrection matter?
• What is the ‘dance of God’?
Once again, you can aim for 6.30pm, or you can come early. Everyone is welcome, and there will be plenty of time for discussion. The series begins on Sunday 8th November.
Hope to see you soon.
Much love
John
Morning
Reading : Jeremiah 17 vs 9+10
Meditation : consider how these two verses speak to you
Pray in response
O God who knows me
Help me to let You search my heart anew I pray
And help me put right what You show me is not pleasing to You
Amen – we pray together.
Midday
Say nothing – take time to listen for God to speak with you
even for a few moments in the middle of the day.
Evening
Reading : Jeremiah 17 v 10
Reflect……
And then humbly Pray in response.
Morning
Reading : Jeremiah 17 vs 5-8
Meditation : consider why trusting in God is best
Pray to do so…. more and more
(Pray your own words to the LORD God
In praise and confession
For yourself, for others.)
O LORD, receive our praise and hear our prayers.
Amen.
Midday
Pray for those using the Upper Room today
Evening
Reading : Jeremiah 17 vs 7+8
Reflect on what these verses say to you
And then Pray in response to God, who knows you so well
Morning
Reading : Jeremiah 14 vs 10-16
Meditation : consider God’s strong words here– about His own people
pray for understanding
O LORD our God,
We read these verses this morning.
Teach us their meaning
For my life,
For our lives as Your people.
Help us to trust and obey afresh.
Amen and amen!
Midday
Pray for someone outside of the church family you know
Evening
Reading : Jeremiah 14 v 10
Reflect on this verse
and pray in response not to wander from God
Morning
Reading : Psalm 95
Meditation : take time and consider Psalm 95 – consider God, the LORD,
the great God, the Rock of our salvation –
Pray in response to these verses – pray a blessing on our Kirk
LORD God
As we open our hearts to You this morning
Help us to see You – glorious and majestic!
Help us to rejoice and be glad in You
And to fear You aright in our faith
That You might bless us anew – even today!
Amen and amen we pray together.
Midday
Pray a blessing on someone who has hurt you
Evening
Reading : Psalm 95 vs 6+7
Reflect on how God has blessed you this day and pray to Him in worship and thanks!
LORD God, our great God,
For all of today I thank You.
As I put my trust and hope in You alone,
Even for those things that cause me fear and concern at the end of this day
Help me to rest in knowing who You are – my Rock, my King, my God, my Maker.
You are great indeed and I bow before You at the end of my day.
In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.
