Tuesday 26 April 2022

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Today is Tuesday the 26th of April, in the second week of Easter.

Luke Parker sings, ‘Sweet Surrender’. Is there anything you would like to offer the Lord in surrender as you enter into prayer today?

In my weakness You are strong

You hold my hand and hold my heart

I give it away now, I am on my knees

Offering all I am for You to see

I am thirsty for Your presence Lord

Sweet surrender is all I can give

Sweet surrender to You my offering

Jesus, You're all I'm living for

Holding on to You my Friend, my all

In Your fullness I am free

Help me Jesus to receive

In the secret place I'm on my knees

Reaching the deepest parts for You to see

Oh, I am thirsty for Your presence Lord

Sweet surrender is all I can give

Sweet surrender to You my offering

Jesus, You're all I'm living for

Holding on to You my Friend, my all

There is nothing more

There is nothing more I have

There is nothing more

There is nothing more I can give

There is nothing more

There is nothing more I have

There is nothing more I have to give

Sweet surrender is all I can give

Sweet surrender to You my offering

Jesus, You're all I'm living for

Holding on to You my Friend, my all

Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 4:32-37

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Many Christian churches in these weeks after Easter read through Acts of the Apostles. This remarkable document paints a wonderful picture of what the early Church looked like. As you listened to this passage, what most struck you about it?

An “apostle” is someone who is sent. What are the apostles in this reading being “sent” to do?

What do you think Christians of our time could learn from this passage?

Now listen as the passage is read again. You will notice that there are many words used in it; which in your view is the most important word in the passage?

Now bring this session to an end by gathering all the thoughts and feelings in your heart, and turning them into a prayer to God.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.