2026 will again be through the Bible chronologically selecting verses which attract my attention or questions or encourage me on the day. I pray it blesses whoever reads . . . My theological background is Salvation Army College and now Church of England. I love all Christian denominations.
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Forgive me and help me turn from everything I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay the price and set me free from my sin. Please come into my life, fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.”
“Now it came to pass after many days that the Lord said to me, “Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from there the sash which I commanded you to hide there.” 7 Then I went to the Euphrates and dug, and I took the sash from the place where I had hidden it; and there was the sash, ruined. It was profitable for nothing. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 “Thus says the Lord: ‘In this manner I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing. 11 For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,’ says the Lord, ‘that they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear.’” Jeremiah 13:6-13 NKJV
Our God and Lord,
We all learn in different ways and You, God always ensure Your message is clear and understood by all. So You often use both visual illustrations along with words spoken and written.
A linen sash not actually a necessary piece of clothing, but it illustrated that You God chose Your people, not for what they could do for You, not because You needed them, but because You loved them and wanted them close to You. I know You did not open my eyes to see Jesus because of my abilities or anything I can for You. You did it because You love me.
So the sash symbolised the relationship that You wanted God, the close intimacy. Juday had ruined it because they did not value being close to You as much as their own way. And perhaps pride prevented them from admitting it and returning.
Then Jeremiah mentions bottles of wine in verses 12 and 13. They thought, blow the sash, You God have blessed us with wine. No problem. Yes, says Jeremiah but too much of a good thing . . . will bring You down . . . they were happy with blessings, forgetting You, the One who blessed them.
We need the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14). Not just to have knowledge but to put it into practice (James 1:22). Blessings are precious, we are grateful for all Your provision but it is You who we worship and want to be with.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 11th July 2026 (Psalm 84:10)
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. For my soul longs and even faints for you. For here my heart is satisfied, within your presence. I sing beneath the shadow of your wings.
Better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere. Better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere, than thousands elsewhere.
One thing I ask and I would seek: to see your beauty, to find you in the place your glory dwells. One thing I ask and I would seek: to see your beauty, To find you in the place your glory dwells.
Choros
Bridge: My heart and flesh cry out for you, the living god; your Spirit’s water to my soul. I’ve tasted and I’ve seen, come once again to me; I will draw near to you, I will draw near to you.
“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? 6 For even your brothers, the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yes, they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, even though they speak smooth words to you. 7 “I have forsaken My house, I have left My heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of My soul into the hand of her enemies. 8 My heritage is to Me like a lion in the forest; it cries out against Me; therefore I have hated it. My heritage is to Me like a speckled vulture; the vultures all around are against her. Come, assemble all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour!”” Jeremiah 12:5-9 NKJV
Father and King,
You never said to any of Your people that it would be easy keeping Your law – just that it would be good and for their best future. You never said our life in Christ would be easy. You told us that we would have to be soldiers and fight sin and evil with all our armour on (Ephesians 6:10-18). That sin would seek to beset us in the race marked out for us (Hebrews 112:1). And here is Jeremiah asking You God why can’t You sort Your people out and make his life easier. (Jeremiah 12:1-4). I totally understand his request.
What an answer! If you think it has been tough it will get tougher. And I have forsaken them. So there is no promise of a happy ending of repentance, restoration and a return to an easier life. No. Things will get much worse. But only so far as to let his chosen people get to a place where they have another opportunity to turn back to Him. It does seen that getting worse does open some eyes. And perhaps when we are moaning to the Lord we should not be surprised if He says it may get worse. We cannot see the end of the bigger problems in our world. Sometimes our difficulties seem to drown out the worlds. But beyond it all, like Jeremiah I find the only place to be is with You. Trying to see things Your way, trusting You when I do not. Calling for help when things seem to be worse and looking for Your peace and comfort. And praising You when I see light dawning and in seasons of rejoicing.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Friday 10th July 2026
He who would valiant be ’gainst all disaster, let him in constancy follow the Master. There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent his first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.
Who so beset him round with dismal stories do but themselves confound – his strength the more is. No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight, he will make good his right to be a pilgrim.
Since, Lord, thou dost defend us with thy Spirit, we know we at the end, shall life inherit. Then fancies flee away! I’ll fear not what men say, I’ll labour night and day to be a pilgrim.
” In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord, saying, 2 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word. 3 Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.’” Jeremiah 26:1-3 NKJV
“So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. 8 Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You will surely die! 9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without an inhabitant’?” And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.” Jeremiah 26:7-9 NKJV
Father God,
While Habakkuk was standing looking out over Judah and waiting for Your answers Jeremiah was letting Judah know exactly what had offended God and aroused his judgement. And it looks like the end of Jeremiah is nigh because they would rather not hear it but just go on with their lives as is.
But Jeremiah challenges them. He says that he has only spoken the truth and yes, they should perhaps kill him then they would add the death of an innocent man to their sins! Sadly another prophet called Urijah was put to death (Jeremiah 26:20-23). But You kept Jeremiah safe to continue to speak out to a people who would not listen or hear.
There is nothing sadder than someone who is harming themselves by their behaviour who will not listen or cannot hear what harm they are doing to themselves. There is so much other noise that they allow to drown out Your voice Lord God. But Jeremiah does not give up, not stay silent, but continues even in the face of adversity and defiance. Perhaps amidst a generation who try to drown out Your voice, we need be as determined as Jeremiah. To call them to hear Your voice, the voice of the Shepherd, the Saviour, the Redeemer for themselves.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 9th July 2026 This inspires me to remember who saved me, who He is and why others need Him. How can I keep him to myself!
There is a truth, older than the ages There is a promise, of things yet to come There is One, born for our salvation Jesus
There is a light, that overwhelms the darkness There is a kingdom, that forever reigns There is freedom, from the chains that bind us Jesus, Jesus
Who walks on the waters Who speaks to the sea Who stands in the fire beside me He roars like a lion He bled as the lamb He carries my healing in His hands Jesus
There is a name, I call in times of trouble There is a song, that comforts in the night There is a voice, that calms the storm that rages He is Jesus, Jesus
