My Journal

Fathr, when the going gets tough I know that sometimes I respond inappropriately. I try to plan and work my way out of the difficulty. I ask this morning that you would develop a faith in me like that of Hezikiah, that no matter how much under pressure or threatened he felt, completely trusted you, help me do the same I pray.

Father, from both my reading this morning and circumstances of late I am again reminded that life is not straight forward or simple, but complex and often difficult. For me it is in these difficult times that I mmost depend upon you and seek your will. Lord I pray this morning for those people who continually live with uncertainty, Lord watch over and guide them.

Thank you Father for the example of Hezekiah who has a cleare understanding of true worship than many of his contemporaries. Lord I know that worship is a lifestyle and I ask that you would therefore continue to examine my life and show me any attitudes or behaviours, wholesome as they may be, that in fact distract me from truly serving and knowing you.

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

I bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

Father God I am appalled to think that I am an idol worshipper, yet as I have read today's passage I feel challenged. Lord help me to see the things in my life that for me become idols and draw mt attention away from them and towards you instead.

THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD, I’ll not want.
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
His goodness restores my soul.

And I will trust in You alone.
And I will trust in You alone,
For Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.

(Descant)
I will trust, I will trust in You.
I will trust, I will trust in You.
Endless mercy follows me,
Goodness will lead me home.

He guides my ways in righteousness,
And He anoints my head with oil,
And my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights.

And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know.

'And I will trust in you alone', help me do that Father, to trust in you alone, not in myself, or church members, work colleagues or family members, help me demostrate to all the trust I have in you.

Father I thank you for all scripture - it is the account of your dealings with us as humans through the generations. Although we have arranged the words into old and new testaments, I guess you do not see the divide as open as I do. Lord Jesus you have been involved right from the start. Help me to grasp and love the whole of your word.

Father, help me avoid becoming so entangled in tradition that I lose sight of what true worship, the worship you desire, is all about. Would you always help me to remember my focus should be upon you, bringing you pleasure and not necessarily what brings me or anyone else plesaure.

Father I ask that you would always help me give glory to you. Help me avoid taking the credit and glory myself. Lord would you take away the urge I sometimes get to promote myself and give me only a desire to see you and your name lifted high.

I thank you Father that life is never straight forward and that the road often twists and turns. Father I thank you that this for me is a good thing as it keeps me focused and trusting in you. Thank you that you have given me all I need to do what you want. I trust you.

Father I thank you for the many positive influences a number of Christians have had upon my life. I am reminded today however that they are only human and at the end of the day it is your influence that counts most. Help me to know your will, follow the example of Jesus and welcome the encouragement of Holt Spirit to be influenced by you. Help me Father today to be a doer of your word.

Lord, the people that have really inspired me through my walk with you are those who clearly have a close personal relationship with you. Lord help us develop that closeness of relationship that I may know you more and more and be changed by Holy spirit to live a more effective kingdom life.

Father God I thank you that your are always consistent. Your love for me never changes nor does the upset my sin causes. Help me Father to realise your presence with me in each and every situation I find myself in this week, through Family, Church, Cornerstone and Work may you help me be the man of God you have called me to be.

Father I thank you that because of Easter I am no longer a slave to sin. I ask that you would continue to help me realise this. Day by day, slowly a little at a time I ask that you would chnage me so that I know that my sinful nature has died with Christ and now I have risen to a new, sin free life. Help this truth to become my expereince I pray.

Lord Jesus I thank you that you are in the restoration business. Lord it certainly is true that I need restoring continualyy. Lord help me avoid denial or wallowing in self pity and help me to accept your forgiveness and get on with the work you have called me to.

Lord Jesus I thank you for the routine you have helped me develop over the past year and a bit. I have always known quietness and stillness in your presence is a fundamental spiritual discipline, I thank you that I am now benefiting from this and pray that you would continue to speak to me through it.

Father God I want to thank you this morning for the account regarding Thomas. He was clearly a disciple, a follower of you, but struggled to believe. I thank you for the record of his honesty about his unbelief and I thank you too that you reassured him. Help me Father to be honest with you and help me to believe in you completely for all situations and circumstances.

Lord Jesus, in the midst of your disciples confusion over your resurrection you apear and say 'peace be with you'. I hear this as a blessing not as a rebuke. I pray Lord that I may hear these words too and feel your arm across my shoulders as I walk with you, that your peace and your presemce may rest with me in every circumstance.

More than once in my Christian faith I have identified with Peter, in my reading today, it happened once more. Lord I do tend to rush in when, on occasion, being a little more contemplative would help. Lord I ask that you would develop in me the ability to reflect more so that I can see clearly what you would have me do.

"He is risen indeed - Hallelujah"
Lord Jesus I thank you today for the hope you have given me through your resurrection that one day I will be raised too. Thank you also for the glorious inheritance you have promised me, an evelassting life with you and Father God. Hallelujah.

Father, for Jesus first disciples, this first Easter Saturday was a very dark time. I imagine thy couldn't beleive thier closest friend had died on the cross. I guess they could not have imagined it working out like this from the events of last Sunday. For me, as one who lives post Easter Sunday (and knows Jesus is alive and ruling with you) I ask that you would help me fully realise the transforming power of your resurrection.

"It is finished" Jesus I thank you that these words you utered on the corss at Calvery speak of victory, not defeat. You have accomplished the plan of salvation. Lord Jesus I confess I allow society's success to shape my thinking. Help me today to look at success through the lens of your crcifixion.

Father when I think about the variety of reactions from the crowd at your crucifixion I know I am guilty of most of them. Father I ask that you would help me not be spiteful, defieant, indifferent or overwhelmed by sorrow but compassionate just as Jesus was.

Father God I hope that I will never be put in a position of having to choose whether someone lives or dies, I do realise however I do have tough decisions to make and I ask that you would guide me to make the right choice and then give me the courage to follow through.

Lord Jesus I thank you today for the openness you always displayed. Even before Pilate who had the power to free you, you remained completely open and true to your cause. I know now this is because it is you and you alone that gives freedom. Help me to adopt this scary attitude to life even further. Help me to become completely open and honest about my faith in you.

Thank you Jesus that you ask me to be a witness more than a defender. Lord I know that I will face many circumstances where I will have the choice to give you glory through witnessing rather than trying to protect you through defending - Lord I ask for wisdom and couragethat I may always act appropriately on your behalf.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. You are the eternal ruler of this world and all that is in it. You are an all powerfull, all seeinng, all knowing God. You are full of compassion, yet justice is high on your agenda too. You are majestic, magnificent and yet through Jesus your love shows itself in humility. I worship you.

Father thank you so much for the hope that v25 of Isiah 19 brings to me. That one day nation will cease to war against nation and all will live in harmony. You will open roads, break down barriers and call all peoples to yourdelf. I realise your timing is perfect, but Father I ask that you would allow me to play my part now.

Father I pray again for the society and world in which I live. As I read the book of NahumI am all to easily reminded of the current state of affairs today. Lord in the midst of these difficult times I ask that you would build faith in me and in your people across your world that we may cling to you and your truth.

Father God, i a decayng world with society on a course to complete destruction, I thank you that you are in complete control.

Father you are a loving God. You are both jealous for your people (you will not let them be snatched from you) and avenging (you will see justice done). You are great in power and can change situations at the drop of a hat. Have your way with this your world and \i ask that you will use me in your work.