” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, ” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jer 29:11 NIV
Grace reaches out
To our unformed state,
No work is too hard,
No timing too late.
Seeing all
that we will become,
Transforming, changing,
No work left undone.
Beauty and goodness
Flow from his face,
Life and love are held,
In his embrace.
Gentle and tender
Vulnerable yet strong
In the open-hearted love
Of Christ we belong.
Gracious God, thank You for beauty and wonder of nature, for the change we see as a moth is transformed into a butterfly.
Thank you gracious God for the love of Jesus, the love that calls us friends, the love that works for good in every situation, the love that never gives up on us, the love that never fails.
Gracious God, we pray for all who are waiting for change, opportunity or a breakthrough. In their time of waiting, may your love support and sustain and bring your hope and peace. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Ruth Rushworth
Previous Reflections
Proverbs 2:6 GNT
“…I chose you and appointed you so that you might go out and bear fruit – fruit that will last…”
John 15:16 NIV
Loving God, we worship you, we praise you. We thank you for your loving kindness shown to us in Christ Jesus. We quieten our minds as we prepare to spend time with you…
We praise you for the harvest. We thank you for the nourishment and sustenance it will bring to people close to home and throughout the world. We thank you for those who share and distribute food and supplies to those in need. We pray that no-one may go hungry.
We thank you too for your word in the bible, written to nourish us, to encourage and inspire us, to give us hope and a future, and to know you loving God, through Jesus.
We reflect on your words of love written in the book of Jeremiah…
Before I formed you in the womb
I knew you…
I called you…
I appointed you…
Do not be afraid…
I will be with you…
I will rescue you….
(From Jeremiah 1: 4-6)
Loving God, as we come to you this day, we ask that, by your grace, you would work out your loving purpose in us. Even though we may never see nor know the fruit you produce through us, may we have a willing and obedient spirit to trust and follow you. For Jesus sake. Amen.
Ruth Rushworth
‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.
Phil 4:13 NKJV
The secret of being content
In every situation,
Whether in need, or replete,
Is knowing Jesus,
In him we are complete.
He gives the strength to face
Each new day ahead.
To know that we need not fear,
Succumb to worry or dread.
He heals the broken hearted,
And binds up all our wounds.
He gives a hope and a future,
And shares the good news.
He assures us that God loves us,
Our future is secure.
He will never leave us,
No matter where we are.
In Jesus we find peace,
In him we praise and rejoice.
In him we dwell on all that is good,
With one heart, one mind, one voice.
So let us commit to God
All we think and do.
God’s plans are good and perfect,
His mercy is faithful and true.
Gracious God, we praise you and thank you for this new day. Thank you that we do not face it alone, but in the knowledge of your presence with us, your love for us in Jesus, and in the power of your Holy Spirit.
We thank you, gracious God, that time spent with you is time well spent. Help us to leave our anxieties with you. Enable and strengthen us for the day ahead. May we, and all those you place on our hearts, know your peace and the love of Jesus our Saviour. Amen.
Ruth Rushworth
….use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace…
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Gracious God, we praise you for the beauty in nature. We praise you that you are the tender and loving gardener who works for good in all things, bringing life, colour, fragrance and harmony into our world and our lives.
Thank you for the gifts you have so graciously given us.
Thank you that you inspire us when we get together and share thoughts and ideas.
Thank you that you enable us and open doors, in ways we might never have imagined, as we work together prayerfully, bringing our different gifts, skills and talents into your service.
Gracious God, help us to discover and use our gifts just as you wish us. May we grow together, in love and unity and be resourceful as we consider ways of serving you and others, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Ruth Rushworth
| “So do not not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV Gracious God, we praise you for the love and strength of Jesus with us and among us. Help us to be good and faithful friends, that we may see the needs of others and extend the hand of love and friendship. We thank you for the medical expertise, care and practical skills that restore health and bring wholeness. We thank you for the NHS, for charities, relief agencies, organisations and individuals who recognise a need and respond with helping and healing hands; bringing hope, life and a future for others. We thank you for their vocation and dedication and pray for your blessing on their work and lives. Gracious God, we bring before you anyone in need of your loving touch today. May they know the presence and peace of Jesus. Amen. Ruth Rushworth |
| ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’. Romans 10:13 NIV Gracious God, we continue to reflect on Jesus’ time on earth, the depth of his love for all mankind and his relationship with you: Jesus often withdrew to pray. He resisted temptation. He sought the will of God. He fully understood his purpose on earth and was obedient in all things. Jesus was revealed as the son of God at his baptism. During his life he referred to himself The Way, the Truth and the Life, the Good Shepherd, the Gate, the Light of the World, The true Vine, The Resurrection and The Life, and our friend. He longed to draw all people to himself as a hen drawn her chicks under her wing. He showed the depths of his love for us when he suffered rejection, humiliation, pain and death on a cross. He willingly took our sin and suffering on himself and sacrificed his life for us, so that we might receive eternal life through him. He rose from the dead on Easter morning and, over a period of time, appeared to over 500 people. He ascended and is enthroned in heaven. He lives intercede for us as our Lord and our King. Gracious God, we praise you that when we turn to Jesus in repentance and faith and invite him into our lives, we are assured that we are forgiven and receive new and eternal life through the Holy Spirit. We praise and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your redemptive love. Help us to keep current in our relationship with Jesus and may we grow in love, humility and grace as we reflect on him and spend time with him in adoration, praise and prayer. Amen Ruth Rushworth |
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9 NIV
Loving God, we praise you for the love of Jesus. As we sit quietly before you, we reflect on aspects of his life as he walked on this earth:
Jesus willingly left the realms of heaven, to be born in a stable, to give his life for us.
He taught about the kingdom of God, a kingdom of righteous, justice and peace. He spoke the truth, honestly and directly. He challenged beliefs and behaviour.
He was to be found with those who were rejected and cast aside by society. He accepted everyone who turned to him. He forgave, he healed, he restored.
Jesus never minded interruptions to his schedule. He showed unequalled love, mercy and compassion as he changed his path or plans to bless or heal those who were sick, in pain or in need.
He shared meals, celebrated and mourned with his friends.
He calmed storms, he fed people and urged them not to worry and to trust in the provision of God. He assured them of the everlasting love and peace of the kingdom of God.
Thank you that he sacrificed his life for us that, when we turn to him in repentance and faith, we receive eternal life through him.
Loving God, as we read about and reflect on the life of Jesus, who turned the world upside down, we ask you to shed new light on familiar stories, to reveal more of Jesus to us and deepen our relationship with him. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen
Ruth Rushworth
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:2 NIV
Loving God, we come to you with open hearts and thank you for this new day. We praise you for your love, your forgiveness, your guidance and your presence with us.
We thank you for the special gift of friendship:-
Gracious God we praise you,
For friendships old and new,
For those you place around us,
Faithful and true.
For friends who lend an ear,
And listen with great care,
Speak words of godly wisdom,
Offer a thought, a word, a prayer.
For friends who inspire,
And share our hopes and dreams,
Encourage and support us,
To fully extend our wings.
For friends who are with us,
When we’re feeling sad or down,
Bring a smile to lift and cheer
And replace a heavy frown.
For friends who help us keep account,
Of things we’ve said and done,
Who continue to surround us,
With love, joy and fun.
For friends who have a loving heart,
And help keep us on track,
To display our true colours,
And deal with any flack,
Thank you for our friends Lord,
And all that we share,
Where 2 or 3 are gathered,
You assure us that Jesus is there.
We ask you to bless our friends today. We thank you for all that you achieve through us as we pray and work together. We pray for anyone in need of a friend and we ask that you would help us be a good and true friend to others.
We praise you for Jesus, our Lord and Saviour who calls us his friends (John 15:15). He is the best friend we could ever have. Help us to spend time with Jesus in prayer and read about him in the Bible, so that we may deepen our friendship with him in love, gratitude, praise and service. Amen.
Ruth Rushworth
.. God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit…
Romans 5:5 ESV
Gracious God, we take a moment to be still, to quieten our minds, relax our bodies and become aware of the rhythm of our breathing. We praise you, gracious God, for your presence with us.
We praise you for your love given to us through Jesus. We praise you for the breath of your Holy Spirit in us. We praise you for a love that is with us in our joys and sorrows, in our pleasures and in our pains; a love that overcomes; a love that forgives; a love that guides; a love that restores; a love that enables; a love that whispers to us to come – just as we are….
In the beginning,
At the start,
Of each new day
And fresh chapter,
God’s love is in our heart.
In the midst
Of every battle,
At every twist and turn,
Through every joy, hope and promise,
God’s love remains the same.
At rest,
At reflection,
In the coolness of the hour,
God’s love radiates
Eternal peace, grace and power.
Gracious God, we thank you that nothing can separate us from your love. You know our deepest needs. As we reflect, help us to listen out for your voice in our hearts. We thank you that you are with us this day and every day.
Ruth Rushworth
Image: MP McKellar – used with permission
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Loving gracious God, we praise you for the wonder and beauty of your creation, We praise you for your mighty power and strength, we praise you for great compassion and mercy, we praise you for your protection, we praise you for your bountiful provision. We praise you for your love in Jesus our Saviour and the life and promises that become ours as we believe and trust in him. We praise you for guidance of your Holy Spirit. We join our voices with all creation in praise, almighty, loving and gracious God.
We thank you loving God, our helper and provider, that there is no difficulty, no problem, no situation that is too big for you to handle. When we cannot see a solution, help us to lay aside our fears and anxieties and trust in your eternal perspective and loving purpose, that you will make a way. As we lift our hearts and voices to you in praise, may our confidence, security and peace be firmly placed in Jesus our Saviour. Amen.
Ruth Rushworth
Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Ps 119:105 NLT
Gracious God, we praise for your Word in the bible and for Jesus your living, true Word. Thank you that your Word is true and relevant and speaks to us today.
Help us to understand and apply your Word and your promises in our lives, that the words in our vocabulary may be filled with truth, love compassion and grace.
Once a word is spoken it cannot be unsaid. May your Holy Spirit help us us to choose our words wisely and well to bring light to others. May we know when to speak, when to be silent and when to simply pray.
Sometimes words come easy,
sometimes they are hard.
They speak of the deepest truths,
And matters of the heart
They bring life and fulness,
Or darkness and despair.
They bring hope and promise,
Or hurt and lack of care
So let us be so careful,
To think before we speak.
Or type a message, press send,
and see the word “receipt”
Holy spirit guide us,
Gently as a dove.
That the words we speak, send and share,
resound with truth and love.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and redeemer. (Ps 19:14 ESV)
Ruth Rushworth