Week beginning 30th October

 Reading: Genesis chapter 1: verses 1 to 5

Song: Thou whose almighty word

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJuqdIVH8VY

Prayer :

Creator God, from the moment your spirit hovered over the waters of this earth,
we were part of a vision held lovingly within your heart.
From the moment you spoke and separated darkness from light,
you created space where we might one day walk.
From the moment your joy spilled out into green and living things,

your beauty was revealed for us to taste and see.

Creator God, for this world, beauty and majesty, passion and artistry, a green and pleasant place, we praise your mighty name. Amen

Kirsten Holmberg writes In my daughter’s earliest days, I often named for her the things she encountered. I’d identify objects or allow her to touch something unfamiliar and say the word for her, bringing understanding—and vocabulary—to the vast world she was exploring. Though my husband and I might naturally have expected (or hoped) her first word would be Mummy or Daddy, she surprised us with an entirely different first word: her small mouth murmured dight one day—a sweet, mispronounced echo of the word light I’d just shared with her.

Light is one of God’s first words recorded for us in the Bible. As the Spirit of God hovered over a dark, formless, and empty Earth,

Taken from “Our daily bread 01/05 /22”

There are lots of famous and less famous people that have given us quotes on light.

Here is a few of them

“To secure one’s freedom the Christian must experience God’s light which is God’s truth.”  Watchman Nee

“Though the light shines on things unclean, yet it is not thereby defiled.”

Augustine

Christ is the true light of the world; it is through him alone that true wisdom is imparted to the mind.”

Jonathan Edwards“

To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust him in the dark—that is faith.”

Charles Spurgeon

“With Christ, darkness cannot succeed. Darkness will not gain victory over the light of Christ.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Sin turns ugly and is subject to defeat only when seen in the light of Christ’s beauty.”

Sam Storms

 “In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.”

Blaise Pascal

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.”

Dwight L. Moody

“The way, like the cross, is spiritual: that is an inward submission of the soul to the will of God, as it is manifested by the light of Christ in the consciences of men, though it be contrary to their own inclinations.”

William Penn

“Glory in Christ and you can bask in His light forever.”

Woodrow Kroll

“We cannot believe that the church of God is already possessed of all that light which God intends to give it; nor that all Satan’s lurking places have already been found out.”

Jonathan Edwards

“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone's life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.” 

Roy T. Bennett

“It is the Gospel that can translate you from darkness into light.”

Benson Andrew Idahos

“If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.”

 Thomas S. Monson 

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

Desmond Tutu

Song: Jesus the light of the world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vb3UccwVns

Drawing close to the light

Have you ever wondered why many great men of God such as St Peter, & St Paul, had a great revelation of their sinfulness?

It is because when you start seeking the face of God you get closer to the light. When you start getting closer to the light you start to see more sin than ever before.

Some Christians are not that close to the light.

They stay at a distance so the light doesn’t shine on their great sinfulness. When Jane first became a Christian she didn’t truly understand how sinful she was. As she started to grow and sought to know God and be alone with Him, the light shined brighter and brighter and it showed her different areas in her life where she felt she fell short.

If Jesus Christ did not die for our sins, then we have no hope. The light makes the cross of Jesus Christ even more glorious. Jesus is our only claim. This is why as believers we walk in the light we continually confess our sins. We must get closer to the light. 1^st letter of John chapter 1: verses 7 to 9 says “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves   and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” In the letter to the Romans, chapter 7: verses 24 to 25 Paul writes “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?  Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”

The transforming light of Christ

When you repent and put your trust in Christ alone for salvation you will be a light. Not only do you see everything more clearly, but the light will come to live inside of you. The light of Christ will transform you.

2^nd letter to the Corinthians, chapter 4: verses1 to 6 says “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 5: verses 1to11

Living in the light

Peter’s life was being changed even if did not realise it.

What does your life say? Have you been changed by the Jesus or are you still living in darkness? Has the light so touched you that you seek to walk in it? Are you light? Examine yourself. Are you being fruit? If you are still living in a lifestyle of sin You are still in the darkness. Now is the time to repent. To stop walk in a new direction and put your trust in Christ.

Prayer Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient to your will. We have let you down, we have taken praise that we should have given to you. We have not loved our neighbours, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. We only shine your light dimly if at all. Forgive us, we are sorry. Father God fill us with the Light of your son, through the power of your holy spirit take away our sins and give us your peace Amen

Let us say together the Lords prayer

The letter to the Ephesians, chapter 5: verses 8 to 9 says “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)”

Song: Shine Jesus Shine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaTwx0ehbvM

Reading: Book of Acts, chapter 26: verses 1 to 20

God did not give upon Saul Jesus came to Saul he came in to him through the power of the holy spirit so Saul became Paul he went go out and shine the light of Christ.

God speaks light in your darkness.

God is faithful even when we are not. He does not want a believer to give up in the hard times. Sometimes even a believer will try to turn their backs on God, but they will not be able to escape the great light. God’s light breaks through the darkness. We have hope in the Lord.

The devil will not claim us.  God will never let us go. What is stronger than the light of the Almighty God? You might go through darkness and pain, but the light of the Lord will always come through in times of despair. Call on the name of Jesus. Seek the light.

The psalmist says (Psalm 18:28) “For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.” Paul would have known the psalms. The words may have become a light bulb moment for him. I love light bulb moments don’t you? Where you struggle with some thing then you suddenly get it Jonathan and I went to the ministers and pastors fellowship in Nuneaton. We had booked in to a b&B and the man said he would leave the light on for on for us but after the meal we were late getting back and the sign was out, what a difference that made but we knew where we were heading to. God’s spirit is always shining. The psalmist says Psalm 139:7-12 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”

John, Jesus’ disciple and evangelist talked about Gods light and also quoted Jesus these are some of his words

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

he also says John 3: 16 – 21  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Reading: John’s gospel, chapter 12: verses 20 to 47

As you have just read “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.” But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God. It is so easy to take the praise, God gave me the gift of healing hands, it would be so easy to take the credit, It is God’s gift Just as Jesus to go to the temple, I was mocked for the gift but by Gods love be He turned the mocking into believing as they saw a miracle in front of them. They had their darkness turned into the light. Then Jesus cried out, ‘Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.  The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Prayer of Intercession

Father God, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice how you're at work through our lives. Give all leaders of nations wisdom to make the best choices, fill them with a desire to seek and work for peace. Be with all people who are victims of conflict. Be with all those who are seeking to do you will Let your Spirit and power guide them. We Pray for all in need of warmth and food. We thank you for the generosity of others. Be with the giver's and receivers. We see Your Holy spirit in action. We worship and praise you holy name.

We pray for those who feel lost, fill them with your presence and lead them in to your peace. We Thank you that your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, Warm our hearts that we may shine with its glow. Amen

Song: THE SPIRIT LIVES TO SET US FREE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CumpuwbWv4

Being light of the world

We are the light of the Lord in a world full of darkness. You will be a light to others. Your light shines so bright that is why people look at Christians so carefully. This does not mean to act like something you are not or try to appear righteous to others. Glorify God not yourself. It means to be who you are. You are a light. Even a little light makes a huge difference. Light a small candle in a house with no electricity at night. You will see that though the candle is small it still allows you to see in the darkness. You might be the only light someone ever sees. Some people are going to be able to see Christ through your light. People appreciate the little things because most of the time people don’t go the extra mile. One time I helped a cleaner clear up a mess. She was surprised and so thankful. “No one offers help”. Without me telling her she said “you are religious aren’t you.” I replied that I was Christian. We started to talk about Christ. Being a beacon of light is the work of God You can’t try to be the light. It’s either you are light or you are not light. You can’t try to be Christian. you are Christian or you are not.

Matthew 5:14-16 writes “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own

possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”

The world hates the light

People don’t like the light. Why do you think that Jesus was hated? He Shined His light on their sins and they are were determined to get rid of him

John 3:19-21 says “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” Job writes in chapter 24 verse 16

“In the dark, thieves break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light.”

And Paul wrote to the Ephesians 5:13“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible–and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 

So when we have light we have hope.

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?

Acts 13:47 Luke writes “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

John 8:12 John quotes these words “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Prayer for the world

Lord God fill your world with your peace be with those who are caught in conflict,

(silence for you own prayer …..)

be with all world leaders, Their governments, May they work for the good all people. Forgive their foolish ways, re clothe them in rightful minds, may they live to serve all people in love. And may they seek to shine your light of peace.

(silence for your own prayer ……..)

Lord hear my prayer in Jesus’ name Amen

Song: We’ll walk the land

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkZLTLmJaWU

Please watch then sing, Then play again and sing along words below

We'll walk the land, With hearts on fire, And every step will be a prayer.
Hope is rising, New day dawning, Sound of singing Fills the air.

Two thousand years, And still the flame, Is burning bright Across the land.
Hearts are waiting, Longing, aching, For awakening Once again.

Let the flame burn brighter, In the heart of the darkness,
Turning night to glorious day.
Let the song grow louder, As our love grows stronger,
Let it shine, let it shine.

We'll walk for truth, Speak out for love, In Jesus' name,
We shall be strong, To lift the fallen, To save the children,
To fill the nation With your song.

Let the flame burn brighter, In the heart of the darkness,
Turning night to glorious day.
Let the song grow louder, As our love grows stronger.
Let it shine,

Let the flame burn brighter, In the heart of the darkness,
Turning night to glorious day, Let the song grow louder, As our love grows stronger,
Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine,  

MusixmatchSongwriters: Graham A. Kendrick Let the Flame Burn Brighter lyrics © Make Way Music

God of created light, lighten our darkness and fill us with your love

Jesus light of the world, lighten our darkness, fill us with your peace

Holy Spirit, shine through us that we may live as children of light.

Amen.

God bless you.

Susannah