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.”
“When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim. 3 And the children of Israel cried out to the Lord; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he had harshly oppressed the children of Israel.4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5 And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; 7 and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand’?” 8 And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!” Judges 4:1-8 NKJV
Father God,
Judge number 4 is Deborah, who delivered the message as a prophet, and then had to deliver the deed herself. Otherwise Barak would be the main name here. But I cannot condemn him because he is honest and he is obedient even if he needed the support of a woman of God. I can never feel condemnation for someone who asks for support in doing Your will.
When a gripping narration Judges 4 and 5 are. So Barak did indeed defeat Sisera’s men in battle Even though he asked for the moral support of Deborah. Then totally unrelated, a woman called Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite killed Sisera with a tent peg! Kenites were nomadic neighbours, possibly descended from Jethro, Moses father-in-law. A trinity brough the victory.
Your Word Lord God, the Bible, tells us we should listen to prophecy but test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). And it helps when the Holy Spirit confirms to us what we are hearing. We need trustworthy Deborah’s in our life when we need a prompt to hear or prayer. Let us be careful in speaking into someone else’s life though. And may we not be afraid to ask for help and share the glory.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 15th March 2026 The tune is a bit dour. Is that the expression? But the hymn is heartfelt.
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear, and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.
When we are sunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord. 13 Then he gathered to himself the people of Ammon and Amalek, went and defeated Israel, and took possession of the City of Palms. 14 So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years. But when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16 Now Ehud made himself a dagger (it was double-edged and a cubit in length) and fastened it under his clothes on his right thigh. 17 So he brought the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. (Now Eglon was a very fat man.) 18 And when he had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who had carried the tribute. 19 But he himself turned back from the stone images that were at Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” Judges 3:12-19 NKJV
“30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for eighty years.31 After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel.” Judges 3:30-31 NKJV
God who keeps his promises,
18 years the Israelites served the King of Moab before they turned to ask You, Lord for help again. Servitude. It is a great story about Ehud if read from beginning to end. Judges 3:12-29. Amusing too if it was not for the murder and many deaths. A man so fat the dagger was hidden in the belly folds. No wonder Ehud played to the King of Moab’s greed. Then 80 years rest for the land. This shows that You grant time for Your children to have children and turn back to You. But no, there was need for the third judge. The almost unknown, Shamgar son of Anath. He was renowned because he struck down 600 Philistines which is impressive. Not with a machine gun but with an oxgoad! This is the first time the Philistines appear so perhaps Shamgar caught them exploring the land and stopped an invasion as well, helping keep the peace for those 80 years.
Shamgar son of Anath, Anath is a female name, his mother? Reminds me of another mother whose Son was a Saviour and was sent by You to save not a nation, but all mankind. He took the full punishment of the enemy upon Himself too. Judges is bloodthirsty and a different time in history but it foreshadows the greatest battle to come. Which thank goodness was won at the cross and does not need another Saviour ever, Jesus did it all. So we can battle on through Judges Lord and in our time and give thanks for our wonderful Saviour.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 14th March 2026
You’re The Lion Of Judah, the Lamb who was slain You ascended to heaven and evermore will reign; At the end of the age when the earth You reclaim, You will gather the nations before You And the eyes of all men will be fixed on the Lamb who was crucified, For with wisdom and mercy and justice He reigns at the Father’s side.
And the angels will cry, “Hail the Lamb who was slain for the world, rule in power!” And the earth will reply, “You shall reign as the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords.”
There’s a shield in our hand and a sword at our side; There’s a fire in our spirit that cannot be denied; As the Father has told us: for these You have died, For the nations that gather before You. And the ears of all men need to hear of the Lamb who was crucified, Who descended to hell yet was raised up to reign at the Father’s side.
“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves. 8 Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years. 9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 0 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim. 11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.” Judges 3:7-11 NKJV
Lord God,
The children of Israel may have forgotten You and be doing whatever they liked in the groves . . . but You could not forget them. And where do they call in times of trouble? To the only one who could help them?
Othniel was mentioned in chapter 1:13, Caleb’s younger brother and from the tribe of Judah. He already has proven leadership and battle success. And we read under him there was 40 years rest. Till he died. Ah well. But the most important verse for me is , “And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Your Spirit Lord. You generously provided for his need as a leader and he was able to judge, lead and know when to war.
It was Your generosity in giving of Yourself that enabled 40 years rest for the children of Israel. Today it is not just one man, one leader who can know Your presence by Your Spirit – but You have poured out Your Spirit upon all Your children, all those who are Yours in Jesus. Giving us gifts and guidance and reassurance and rest.
We pray at this time that leaders of churches would be led by You and that Your Spirit would speak peace into world leaders too. And that we may walk in step with Your Spirit and find rest in the mess.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 13th March 2026
Spirit of the living God Spirit of the living God We only want to hear Your voice We’re hanging on every word
Spirit of the living God Spirit of the living God We want to know You more and more We’re hanging on every word
‘Cause when You speak, and when You move When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek When You come in the room When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek You’re changing everything
Spirit of the living God Spirit of the living God We’re leaning in to all You are Everything else can wait
Spirit of the living God Spirit of the living God Come now and breathe upon our hearts Come now and have Your way
‘Cause when You speak, and when You move When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek When You come in the room When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek You’re changing everything
When You move, You move all our fears When You move, You move us to tears When You move, You move all our fears (yes, You do) When You move, You move us to tears
When You fall, we fall on our knees When You fall, we fall at Your feet When You fall, we fall on our knees When You fall, we fall at Your feet
‘Cause when You speak, when You move When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek When You come in the room When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek You’re changing everything
