Day 13

THIN SPACE

This is Holy Week. Over the next 7 days we’re going to wander to the cross and wander to the empty tomb with Jesus.

Read - John 13: 1-38

 Worship

What words describe Jesus in these verses?

Turn those words into prayer, into songs, into worship

 

Songs to help you worship

When I look at the blood

What a beautiful name

You’re beautiful

Imitate

Looking at these verses – what does Jesus expect of you?

Turn those words into promises to serve, to love, to be courageous

 Coronavirus Prayer

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet”.

Pray for those in the NHS, in Lidl, in refuge collection, in schools, in farming, in factories, in prisons, in the police, in public transport, in government, in petrol stations, in TV, in laboratories who are ‘washing our feet’.  

Day 12

THIN SPACE

Into the deep

 What do you feel God is asking of you at this time?
When Peter was still called Simon, Jesus came to him requesting his boat, his time, and his future.

  It tells us in Luke 5:4 - When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Jesus wants to meet us where we’re at and asks “What are you prepared to change and give up for me? Are you ready to go deeper?

So much of our lives have been affected over the last few weeks. There is a lot that has changed and a lot we don’t understand, but one thing is certain - God is speaking.

What is He saying to you?

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not yet known.”

Day 11

THIN SPACE

A Psalm of PRAISE

Verses from psalm 145:  Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All your works praise you, Lord. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.  The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfils the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

Let’s take time out from focusing on Covid-19 and fix our eyes upon Jesus.  The Name above all names. The name that brings peace, healing, comfort, hope, security, guidance, wisdom, freedom etc. etc.  The Name that stands for faithfulness, love, mercy and compassion.  Don’t rush over praise, revel in it – give Him a standing ovation – He deserves it!

THANKS

Remember the new life that is springing up – the blossom, spring flowers, bees, butterflies, bird song, growing friendships and community, greater awareness and thanks for the simpler things in life, appreciation for the help and kindness given, for those who have been unwell but are coming through ….  This is the season of hope and our greatest hope is in Him.   Give thanks for all those who are helping the people of this nation in so many ways.  Pray blessing, provision and protection over them.

HOME ALONE

Let us pray for those who are alone, unwell or isolating – no one to speak with, to smile at, feeling a lack of contact and touch, no-one to share with.   Let us pray for all those in this place that God would reveal Himself to them and draw them to Himself.  Let us continue to ask God to put peoples’ names on our hearts that we may be their salt and light during this time – inside and outside PBC. To pray for their health and wellbeing and that they would have peace rather than anxiety, hope rather than despair. Let us ask God’s forgiveness for our past self-centredness and complacency for others needs and ask that He would give us eyes to see those He wants us to befriend.

FULL HOUSE

Let us remember the millions who are in homes, flats or rooms with family, perhaps without green space or places to let off steam.  For the lack of space and the lack of peace.  For the worries about the future, and the fears of the present.  For the tensions and stresses that arise and erupt.  For the boredom because every day seems the same.   Lord we ask for all those who are finding life at home stressful, fearful and difficult.  We pray for patience in the family environment and for those who are anxious and worried about their jobs, their finances, their futures that they will be able to access help and advice. We pray for parents/single parents struggling to work and care for their children.  Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

THE GRIEVING

Let us pray for all those who have lost loved ones.

STAFFING

That there will be sufficient staff for the new hospitals that are being set up.

TESTING KITS & PPE 

That there will be a rapid increase in the number of key workers who are being tested. That all GPs, nurses and other front line workers will receive the PPE that they urgently require.

Praise God that He can do so much more than we hope or imagine.

PHIL 4:6-7  Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Day 10

THIN SPACE

CRY OUT
What one thing do you want to CRY OUT to God right now?
 
The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 
Exodus 3:7
 
What one thing do you want to CRY OUT to God right now?
 
“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me! 
Matthew 14: 29-30
 
What one thing do you want to CRY OUT to God right now?
 
“When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:47
 
What one thing do you want to CRY OUT to God right now?
 
Join us on Facebook Live as we CRY OUT to God concerning the Coronavirus crisis.

Day 9

THIN SPACE

Lament is what happens when people ask, “Why?” and don’t get an answer.

Yesterday was a struggle. I was struggling to believe that this self-isolation has only lasted one week (not one year!) I was struggling to imagine, what with the rising death-count, this all being over soon. I was struggling with the long distance between myself and my fiancé, not seeing my friends. But mostly I was struggling to remember where I found motivation and hope before this pandemic filled my life. 

The problem was my fears and complaints, selfish and selfless ones, were festering in my head and struggling to escape. 

Thankfully I was reminded this morning that God also struggles when he sees his children trapped, sick and lonely. God is grieved to his heart. I also believe he desperately wants us to join with him, crying over the brokeness, pleading for relief and rescue, rather than keeping it locked up, or even trying to explain what’s happening and why. 

I'm reminded of this passage from The Magician's Nephew (C.S. Lewis):

Digory - But please, please - won't you - can't you give me something that will cure Mother?'

Up till then he had been looking at the Lion's great feet and the huge claws on them; now, in his despair, he looked up at its face. What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life. For the tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion's eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory's own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.

'My son, my son,' said Aslan. 'I know. Grief is great.'

I often remind myself that God carries our burdens with us, and I earnestly believe that they are not too heavy for him. But I often forget that he is filled with compassion and in his mercy he grieves over our hardships with us! 

Let's bring our struggles and lamentations to God today. Remembering he is the 'Grieved Father', the 'Son who wept' and the 'Holy Spirit who groans within us'. 

Psalm 13:
How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. 
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 
I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.

The article I read is found here: https://time.com/5808495/coronavirus-christianity/

God Bless, 

Joel 

Day 8

THIN SPACE

There is power in the name of Jesus


“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 
Philippians 2: 9-11

There is power in the name of Jesus
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” 
Acts 4:12

There is power in the name of Jesus
“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” 
John 14:14

There is power in the name of Jesus
 In the Bible, Jesus is called by more than 200 different names including:
 

Almighty One
“…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev. 1:8

Alpha and Omega
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Rev. 22:13

Advocate
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1

Author and Perfecter of Our Faith
 “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2

Bread of Life 
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35

Beloved Son of God
“And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17

Bridegroom
 “And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matt. 9:15

Chief Cornerstone
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.” Ps. 118:22

Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Great High Priest
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Heb. 4:14

Head of the Church
 “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.” Eph. 1:22

I Am
“Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

Immanuel
“…She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means 'God with us.’” Is. 7:14

Indescribable Gift
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:15

Judge
“…he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” Acts 10:42

King of Kings
 “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” Rev. 17:14

Lamb of God
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Light of the World
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Mediator
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 2:5

Messiah
“We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).” John 1:41

Mighty One
 “Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Saviour, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” Is. 60:16

Our Hope
 “…Christ Jesus our hope.” 1 Tim. 1:1

Peace
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,” Eph. 2:14

Redeemer
“And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” Job 19:25

Rock
“For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” 1 Cor. 10:4

Saviour
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Son of Man
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

Son of the Most High
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32

Supreme Creator Over All
 “By Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.…” Col. 1:16-17

Resurrection and the Life
 “Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25

The Door
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

The Way
“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

The Word
 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

True Vine
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

PRAY

Pray the name of Jesus over:

The Coronavirus Crisis
Spain, Italy, Iran, Brazil, France, United States, United Kingdom…
NHS workers, supermarket workers, refuge collectors, pharmacists, lorry drivers, teachers, community volunteers
Your family
Your street

Day 7

THIN SPACE

God's Promises

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
 Lamentations 3:23

The Bible is the word of God and is powerful and life changing. It is full of God's promises and is a reminder that He is faithful. While everything seems to be changing right now there is one thing we can rely on in all situations, Gods promises.

Today I encourage you to spend time meditating, writing down, praying through many of God's promises. I have made a list of some of the many things God has promised. Use these to teach you more about His incredible character and claim them for yourself.

Why not get a pad and a pen, write each one down and spend time praying them over your friends, family and yourself. 

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14
 

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 
Isaiah 40:29 
 

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
 

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
 

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord. 
Isaiah 54:17
 

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 
Mark 11:24


Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
 

And call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
Psalms 50:15
 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 
1 Chronicles 16:34 


The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. 
Deuteronomy 31:8


The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who
seek the Lord lack no good thing. 
Psalm 34:10 


Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.' 
John 11:25 

Day 6

THIN SPACE

Thankfulness

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 
 

Are you thankful no matter what? Perhaps you have been self isolating and you are going stir crazy. Or your job or business is on the line, something you have worked hard at for many years. Maybe you are sick or know of people who are suffering because of Coronavirus. We are living through such a challenging season but we are called to being thankful in all circumstances. 

The Apostle Paul had been imprisoned in Rome, chained up, all alone and never knew the moment the guards would take him for execution. If ever a person had a right to complain, it was this man. But instead of complaints, he spoke of praise and thanksgiving! Paul wrote, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:19-20, NIV

I encourage you to spend today reminding yourself of all the things we need to thank God for. Below is a few things to help you get started.

Our NHS
Give thanks for God’s generous provision of the NHS, wise medical advice and government care.

Technology 
We are able to stay connected in amazing ways due to technology. Just imagine if this had happened even 20 years ago, the smart phone wasn’t even invented then never mind live-streaming. 

God is still our Father 
Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

The People in our lives
We all have friends and family that we should be thankful for. 

God is Sovereign over all things 
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16–17

God’s Love
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1