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.”
“Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.” 2 Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” 3 But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” 4 Then David inquired of the Lord once again. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 5 And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, struck them with a mighty blow, and took away their livestock. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.” 1 Samuel 23:1-5 NKJV
Then David said, “O Lord God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. 11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” 12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will deliver you.” 13 So David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go.” 1 Samuel 23:10-13 NKJV
Our King eternal, immortal, all knowing,
Why do we so often neglect to ask You first for wisdom and neglect to wait as if You should answer us right now! David sought the priests and asked you about a situation that had arisen. He was in danger and needed to know about the people of Keilah that he had rescued. I wonder if he had a feeling they would not reciprocate and help him? He really did have a terrible time for many years hiding and running from Saul.
This week we are also reading and remembering what a terrible time Jesus had. One minute amongst palm waving crowds the next being rejected and betrayed by one of his own for cash. He followed Your will trough it all, just for us.
We do not always see danger or who may not be what we think. But You know, and so we need to follow YOur lead after asking Your. David avoided trouble and possible defeat. We pray we will not be double minded like the people of Keilah and with Your help avoid those who are. And help us not to prejudge but ask also be like the good Samaritan and help (Luke 10:25-37).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Thursday 2nd April 2026 Time for a hymn that has stood the test of time . . . just right for preparation for Easter.
I can hear my Saviour calling, I can hear my Saviour calling, I can hear my Saviour calling, “Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”
I’ll go with Him through the garden, I’ll go with Him through the garden, I’ll go with Him through the garden, I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.
I’ll go with Him through the judgment, I’ll go with Him through the judgment, I’ll go with Him through the judgment, I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.
He will give me grace and glory, He will give me grace and glory, He will give me grace and glory, and go with me, with me all the way.
Where He leads me I will follow, where He leads me I will follow, where He leads me I will follow, I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.
“Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” 12 Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands,scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? 15 Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”” 1 Samuel 21:10-15 NKJV
God of wisdom,
We have a saying about person , he or she is nobody’s fool. Meaning a clever, perceptive person who cannot be easily tricked, manipulated, or taken advantage of by anyone. It indicates someone is street-smart, discerning, and not naive.
David is learning to be wise, when to run and hide and when to confront,as he does with Saul in the cave (1 Samuel 24:8-15). But here he actually pretends to be a fool, a mad man. And so well that they believe him and he was able to bo on to the caves of Adullam.
He kept himself and his men safe for another day. He was not afraid to look foolish or be called names. He did not worry abut his reputation. That would be restored if Your will Lord. And You knew he was of good heart. It is hard not to be upset when people misrepresent us or we hear have said unkind things or do not thank us. It may hurt our pride but You fill our heart and see and know all. Help us rise above pettiness and self sympathy! And help us just look forward to what is next. David did and he was still in troubled times.
n Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 1st April 2026 Based on Psalm 37 a Psalm of David. The Temple had not been built in David’s day, he was talking about Your presence. Another new song (2022?).
I fix my eyes on You The author of my faith Casting aside Every sin and every weight I fix my eyes on You I lay my burdens down Letting the cares Of this world now fade away
One thing I ask This one thing I seek That I may dwell in Your house O Lord my King All the days of my life I want to gaze upon Your beauty And seek You in this holy place
“Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul. 35 And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.” 1 Samuel 15:34-35 NKJV
“Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.” 1 Samuel 16:10-16 NKJV
Almighty and Everlasting God,
And yet you take and interest in the youngest and least likely to be a fearless king of the Israelites. David. Here we see David anointed but going back to every day duties. Not treated any differently perhaps they did not know it was a kingly anointing?
Then we see David placed or seeking all sorts of situations which are dangerous, possibly deadly and certainly worrying. He plays harp for a mentally unhinged king, faces a giant warrior no one else dare even call out to (1 Samuel 17). Having to escape to the hills to hide from the national Army headed by Saul. Learning to lead a group of renegades (1 Samuel 22)? Was this the training You used to shape the future king Lord? It was hard training under Saul, who became his enemy. It certainly did prepare him and yet his heart remained good (1 Samuel 16:7).
As we approach Easter we see another’s walk. But You are not training Him. He is for You and of You and does not need to learn or be taught anything. He is revealing Himself so we can see YOu. Know You have walked in our shoes and yet Your heart remained pure. Jesus was already King and yet died as an outlaw in our place. He did what David could not do. He conquered life and death so we do not have to. Thank you that David showed us how to persist and learn and trust. Thank you that we do not have to go it alone – we have Jesus.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 31st March 2026 This has an advert on the end for a Christian film – a true story I believe – The Firing Squad. The hymn was written in 1922 but used for this recent movie (2024) I love this song it always touches my heart.. My friends have Prime channel . . .
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin’s dread sway. I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame. I’d rather be true to His holy name
Chorus
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom’ He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb; He’s all that my hungering spirit needs. I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead
