I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of the wonderful things You have done. 

Ps 9:1 GNT

You are my God
And I will praise you, 
I thank you 
For mountains 
And valleys,
For birds, trees 
And flowers,
For sunshine
And showers.

You are my God 
And I will praise you,
I thank you 
For goodness 
And kindness,
For life 
In all fullness,
For forgiveness 
And gentleness,
For hope, peace
And promise.

You are my God 
And I will praise You,
I thank you 
For the shoes 
On our feet,
For the food 
That we eat,
For the clothes 
On our back,
For the shelter 
We have.

You are my God 
And I will praise You,
I thank you 
For each 
Brand new day,
For work
Rest and play,
For family 
And friends,
For love
That never ends…

Gracious God, thank You that you are a God of love and goodness; everything we have comes from You.  Thank You for the beauty of your creation all around us.  Thank you for the love that surrounds us and for your blessings today and every day.

Loving God, as we reflect on your blessings may we go out today with loving and thankful hearts.  May our lives reflect the generosity and kindness of the love of Jesus.

Image: courtesy of Rachael Towersey

Ruth Rushworth

Transforming Love 

Out of love He came,
He walked, He talked, he healed,
the blind, the sick, the lame.

Out of love He came,
He listened, he cared, He healed,
Those, who didn’t know his name.

Out of love He came,
To forgive, to restore, to heal,
A world, that didn’t know his name.

Out of love He came,
To bring love, life and hope,
Jesus, God with us, is his claim.

Out of love He came,
We look, we listen, we believe,
We are changed, made new, no longer the same.

Out of love He came,
And by the Spirit of God,
Forever, with us, he will remain.

Transforming God, thank you for the love of Jesus, the love that came to this earth, to walk and talk among us, to bring forgiveness healing, love and life, joy and peace; to bring the fullness of the kingdom of God to this earth.

Gracious God, may we open our hearts to know and share the transforming love of Jesus in our lives, in all our circumstances.  We turn to you and pray for our world and all that is on our hearts, in Jesus name. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus appears to two friends 
walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus
Luke 24: 13-25

We walked along the dusty road
Confusion in the air,
Puzzling over recent events –
The tomb is empty, Jesus isn’t there!

Jesus was left on the cross to die,
Nails pierced his hands and feet,
Blood and water gushed from his side,
He said it is finished, complete!

His body was laid in an empty cave,
With a boulder it was tightly secured,
Who moved it and where did they take him?
This mystery just cannot be endured.

Why are you distraught? a stranger asked,
As we journeyed on our way.
Haven’t you heard about Jesus? we replied,
His body has disappeared this very day.

The stranger walked along with us,
He opened our eyes and ears,
He explained the meaning of scriptures,
He spoke of Jesus, calmed our worries and fears.

The time passed quickly and all to soon,
We arrived at Emmaus our destination,
Come, stay, eat with us we implored,
Your words point the way to salvation.

As we shared bread realisation dawned,
With joy, we recognised Jesus, our Lord,
He had been alongside us all the way,
On that dry and dusty Emmaus road.

Loving God, thank You that you raised Jesus to life on Easter Sunday.  Be with us and walk with us in our times of doubt and confusion. Open our eyes, our ears and our hearts, to fully receive the message of new life, of love, forgiveness, hope, joy and peace.  Jesus is alive and with us today by his Spirit!

Dear Lord, may we know the assurance that Jesus walks alongside us today and every day.  May we walk and talk with each other each, especially in times of difficulty,  with the love, hope and understanding of Jesus.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said He would. Come and see the place where he lay.

Matt 28:6

Death is defeated,
The barriers are down,
The cross is empty,
The King wears the crown.

The stone is rolled back,
Love is alive,
And living among us,
New hope has arrived.

Jesus is alive!
Joy to the world!
Christ our conqueror!
God’s living, true Word!

Jesus is here,
In our hearts and our lives,
By the love of the Spirit,
With the power to surprise.

We are glad, we rejoice,
In Jesus our peace,
Our King and our Lord,
Whose love will not cease.

Hallelujah! we sing!
Hallelujah! we praise!
To Jesus, our Saviour
Hallelujahs we raise!

God of life, love and power, may we come and see and believe, Jesus is alive!

Help us to know and share the joy, hope, peace and new life of Easter in our hearts, homes and communities, for Jesus sake. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son …listen to Him.”
Luke 9:35 NIV

Jesus removed the barrier,
Threw open the door,
Heaven and earth,
Are separate no more.

He flooded the world,
With love and light,
The colours of heaven,
Shining bright.

A love of justice,
Of peace of truth,
Acceptance, forgiveness,
Under one roof.

United in Jesus,
Lord, may we share,
His love, his life,
His light and his care.

God of love and light, of mountains and valleys, of sunshine, clouds and rain, we praise You for Jesus, your Son. Thank you that He came to restore our broken relationship with You, and to unite us with You under the roof of your eternal love.

Loving God, as we reflect, we thank you that knowing Jesus makes a difference in our every day lives.  May we embrace his light and love and rest secure in him.

As we prepare for Easter, may your Spirit help us to hear his voice and share his love in our families, neighbourhoods and communities, that all may be united and cared for in your loving family.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

The Lord is my shepherd I have everything I need

Psalm 23:1 GNT

Gracious God, as we reflect with You, we praise You and thank you for Jesus, our Good Shepherd:

* the shepherd who know us by name, loves and cares for us;

* the shepherd who calls out and searches for each one of us

to bring us safely into the fold and onto new pastures;

* the shepherd who gives us rest, refreshment and new strength;

* the shepherd who gave his life for us on a cross, only to take it up again after 3 days;
* the shepherd who has prepared a place for each of us in our eternal heavenly home.

Loving God, we thank you for Jesus our Good Shepherd, who knows each of us by name and freely gave his life for us. Help us to listen out for and follow his guiding, assuring voice.  May we reflect Jesus in the way we care for and treat others, so that all may know his gracious love. We pray in his loving name.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said … “Come, let’s take a break and find a secluded place where you can rest a while.”

Mark 6.:31 TPT

Loving God, we come to a quiet place to sit with You. As we rest with You and reflect on Psalm 23, may you guide our own thoughts and prayers …

“The Lord is my shepherd …”
Lord, you are our protector, watching over us and caring for us. You know our needs before we even ask.

“He leads me to quiet, restful places …” “He restores…”
Loving God, you know our need for rest and for quiet time with You.  Your presence equips us for life’s journey and brings, replenishment, peace and healing to our souls.

“He guides me along the right paths …”
Gracious God, you lead us in ways that are true and right. Keep our gaze fixed on You.

“He walks alongside me …”
Lord, You are here and ready to help in any situation. Keep us walking close to You. We need not fear, for You are always with us.

“His rod and staff comfort me …”
Mighty God, your strength and compassion direct, comfort and sustain us.

“You have prepared a banquet for me …”
Loving God, You rejoice in us.  You are a God of provision in all seasons of our lives.  We praise You and rejoice in You.

“You anoint me, my cup overflows …”
We are precious to you. Thank you for the countless number of heavenly blessings available us through Jesus.

“Your goodness and mercy will follow me …”
Lord, your goodness, kindness, love and mercy pursues us all of our days.  You are gracious and forgiving and will never turn your back on us.

“I will dwell with You now and forever….”
Gracious God, we are welcomed into your family through Jesus. You love and accept us just as we are.  You are always with us and assure us that your heavenly home is our eternal home. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said “I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love.”

John 15:9 NLT

Loving God, we reflect that throughout his life, Jesus withdrew to solitary and quiet places to spend time with You.  In your loving presence, Jesus gained his strength, his spiritual food, his direction, his wisdom and understanding of his unique role as Saviour of the world.

Gracious God, we reflect on how, where and  when we spend time with You. Thank You that your Holy Spirit reveals your love and informs and guides us in the ways you have planned and prepared for us.  Help us to follow Jesus more closely and hold his love, presence and peace in our hearts. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

We are more than conquerors through Jesus. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 37-39 (in part)

Into the wilderness
Jesus was led
By the Spirit of God
Who knew the way ahead

He was tempted
He was tested and tried
But in obedient trust
He overcame, he survived

He relied on the knowledge
And truth of God’s word
He kept his mind focused
On the promise and plan prepared

At the end of this journey
Of forty days and nights
Jesus was ministered to
By angels of light

Gracious God, we thank you for the love of Jesus that helps, overcomes and sustains us in all circumstances. Thank you that nothing, nothing at all, can separate us from his love.
As we journey through Lent, help us to make time to reflect on our own walk with Jesus.

In testing and difficult times, help us to keep our focus on Jesus. Remind us of your promises in the Bible and strengthen us with your love. Help us to show the same love, kindness, generosity and compassion to each other as Jesus shows to us; for your love is kind, gracious, forgiving and compassionate. (*1). In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

(*1) Ps 145:8-9 NIV

In repentance and rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your strength.

Isaiah 30:15 NIV

Loving God, we reflect and thank you that your love is all around us. Thank you that You are in us and with us by your Holy Spirit (*1).  Thank you that Jesus promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us. (*2)

And so, as we start of Lent this week, we thank you for your beautiful and faithful promises.
Help us to make time to draw alongside You and rest in You. Help us to consider how we walk and talk with You, how we speak about You, and how we love others as You love us.

Gracious God, thank you for this beautiful gift of love in Jesus. Help us draw closer to You this Lent in preparation for the celebration of Easter, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

(*1) (Jesus said) I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. John 14:16 CEV

(*2) Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 NIV