Previous Reflections

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

Jesus said “You are the light of the world, like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden …. Let your light shine out before all people ….

Matt 5:14

Gracious God, thank you for Jesus, the Light of the World. Thank you for the life, love and peace we have through him.

Wherever we go, whatever we do today, may we step out in confidence, trusting that Jesus, the Light of the World walks with us by his Spirit.

We trust that a smile, a listening ear, a word, or a thoughtful act, make a world of difference in your kingdom of light and love.

Amen

Ruth Rushworth

The Lord’s faithful love does not cease; his compassion does not fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lam 3:22-23 NHEB

The day stretches out before us,
We know not what it holds,
Fill it with your love Lord,
With blessings manifold.

May it flow with kindness,
Thoughtfulness and care,
With a concern for others,
And their best welfare.

Loving God, we lay before you,
At the start of this new day,
The places we will travel to,
And the people we meet on the way.

May our lives reflect your love,
Your goodness, kindness and peace,
Trusting in the grace of Jesus,
In praise and thankfulness.

Gracious God we thank you for this new day. May we walk on the path you have laid out for us and stay close to Jesus, our loving and faithful companion and guide.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said ” What shall we say the kingdom of God is like?  It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that birds can perch in its shade.”

Mark 4:30-32 NIV

Gracious God, we come to You, God of provision, God of rest, God of peace.  We come to the life, the shelter and shade of your love in Jesus ….

We take a moment to be still, to look at the photo, to think of the birds coming and going and safely nesting in the protection of the tree. We look at the vast foliage, the strong trunk and the solid, supporting, intertwining branches.

Gracious God, as we consider the words of Jesus, we thank You for the life, the provision, the peace, and the security of your everlasting kingdom.

Help us to consider how we can embrace your love more fully in our lives and branch out to share your love with other people.  May your kingdom come, may your will be done. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.

Ps 36: 5 NIV

Gracious God, we lift our gaze to the majestic peaks of the mountains and thank You that You surround us on every side with your love.  Lift our gaze to the strength and beauty of your love and presence in our lives.

We notice the colours of the rainbow and thank You for your love and faithfulness and the assurance that You will always love and care for us. We reflect that Jesus said ” I am with you always”.*

As we look at the clear, still water, we thank you that, as Jesus calmed the storm with a word, your presence brings calm, stillness and peace as we face the difficulties of life.

As we reflect on your mighty strength, your steadfast love and perfect peace we pray for anyone You have placed on our heart. We place our hand in the hand of Jesus and ask You to lead us safely through this day.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

* Matt 28:20

Lord our God how majestic is your name in all the earth 

Ps 8:9 NIV

Every morning lean your arm awhile
Upon the window sill of heaven
And gaze upon your God.
And with this vision in your heart
Turn strong to face the day.
Anon

Loving God, we take a moment to be still, to quieten our minds and linger in the stillness, peace and calm of your presence…

We thank you for our world that reflects your majesty and power, your light and radiance, your peace and calm, your goodness and your infinite love for us in Jesus.

Loving God, sometimes, your voice gets lost among the clamour and demands of the day, the tasks, the deadlines, the expectations or the difficulties and worries of our lives.  If today is a difficult day, may we pray in the words of the psalmist “be strong, take heart and wait on the Lord.” (Ps 27:14)

As we sit with you today, may your transforming love draw us closer to you and may the features and clarity of your infinite love be reflected in our lives, for Jesus sake. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Text Box

He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield….
Ps 91:4 NIV

Gracious God, we reflect on this picture of a robin, perched on a fence, on a snowy day, it’s feathers ruffled as a protection against the winter cold.  We thank you for this reminder in nature of your faithful love, provision, care and protection for your creation and for every one of us.

Loving God, today and every day, in all circumstances and whatever challenges, worries or concerns we face, help us look to You and to trust in Jesus, our refuge, strength and our shield.  We pray that we may rest in the warmth of your love, the sufficiency of your provision and the assurance of your presence with us.  We pray for anyone who is suffering this winter, thinking especially any person or situation You have placed on our hearts, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth