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.”
“So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.” Luke 2:41-47 NKJV
Father God,
As only a few people had witnessed to Jesus being someone special from You, God, it it not surprising that there is little known about Your Son’s childhood. And we read that Mary his mother pondered things in her heart (Luke 2:19), she did not talk about it. Who would have believed her except her husband and some shepherds she probably never met again! Sometimes giving our testimony seems unbelievable. Saying we too have met Jesus, experienced Him in our lives and asked Him to live in us. But now we have Your Holy Spirit with us, helping to convince our hearers of Your truth.
Jesus went to the Temple at about 12 years old. The age of a boy becoming a man for the Israelites. We are given a brief insight, a small cameo, displaying what was most important to Jesus. Over everything He took His relationship with You as the most important centre of His life. He took it seriously and at the cusp of adulthood chose the way he would continue to go. In hindsight we know it would not be easy, trouble or pain free. As he went he called others to follow Him and they too would have trouble. But the rewards are beyond all we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 13th October 2026
Joy to the world; the Lord is come; Let Earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heav’n and nature sing.
Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns; Our mortal songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy.
Joy, unspeakable joy, an overflowing well, no tongue can tell Joy, unspeakable joy, Rises in my soul never lets me go
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love.
Joy, unspeakable joy, an overflowing well, no tongue can tell Joy, unspeakable joy, Rises in my soul never lets me go
Lyrics: Isaac Watts 1719 Additional chorus: Chris Tomlin Ed Cash (2009)
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-6 NKJV
“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:14-15 NKJV
“Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.” Luke 2:22-24 KJV
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11 NKJV
“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”” Matthew 2:13 NKJV
Father God,
As John explains it, Your Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was born. It looked like the world was unprepared. Not even a spare room to be rented. Your choir only got to perform to a few random shepherds on a hillside (Luke 2:14-15 ). It looked like only one man, Simeon and one elderly lady, Anna spotted baby Jesus in the Temple at his purification ceremony (Luke 2:25-38). And it looked like the new star only appeared to be a sign to three wise men (Matthew 2:10-11).
You knew the dangers facing Jesus while he was so vulnerable so You kept Him incognito and safe and provided for him and Joseph and Mary. So they could flee to Egypt and have funds to live. And we see that it is not just the wise you would draw to yourself or just the elderly and religious, or the working population but all men and women, no-one excluded..
His early years were planned just as surely as His arrival and even though difficult, certainly for Mary and Joseph in a foreign land, we see Jesus surviving and thriving. Just as he wants us to see His hand on our lives enabling us to thrive.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 12th October 2026
There were moments filled with questions When I could not see the way Every dream felt far before me Like the night would never break But Your hand was always leading Even when I could not tell Through the valleys and the mountains You were working all things well You know tomorrow before it comes Your love is guiding me
God’s plan is always best Even through the storms I face When my heart is tired and broken I still trust Your endless grace
You are faithful through the seasons You are with me every step God’s plan is always best And Your love will never end
When the road becomes uncertain And my strength begins to fade You remind me You are near me And I do not have to fear Every tear that falls in silence Every prayer I softly pray You are turning pain to purpose And bringing light into my days You hold my future in Your hands Your promises remain
God’s plan is always best Even through the storms I face When my heart is tired and broken I still trust Your endless grace
“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”” Luke 1:13-17
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”” Matthew 1:18-21
Holy God,
Silence for so many years . . . and then suddenly there is the angel Gabriel busy appearing and forthtelling and speaking on Your behalf, God. It seems Zacharias and Joseph needed a little more heavenly reassurance than just hearing it from their wives, Mary and Elizabeth. Preparation is not left to chance. Mary had an angelic visitation to prepare her (Luke 1:26-38). And You Lord chose Your servants well. They all obey even down to John the baptist childhood lifestyle..
And You did fill John the Baptist with Your Holy Spirit while he was still in the womb (Luke 1:41). A promise realized early. And Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit and fulfilled prophecy from (Isaiah 7:14 quoted in Matthew 1:22-23). And dad, Zechariah prophesied into the life of his unborn child (Luke 1:67-80).
And Matthew gives us the genealogy so we can see that Mary’s child though conceived by the Holy Spirit is born into the family of Joseph who is a descendant of Abraham and King David (Matthew 1:1-16). Expectations were very high if only for a small group of people n the know.
Do we have high expectations of what You can do and will do through us if we are willing? Do we simply go through the motions sometimes and not expect anything? Lift our eyes to You, Your hopes and our expectations. Even if we are only a few. Show us what You desire, and can bring to pass, in our time.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 11th October 2026 Let me never forget He is always here with me.
Just like You promised, You’ve come; Just like You told us, You’re here; And my desire is that You know I love You, I worship You, I welcome You here
Just like You promised, You’ve come; Just like You told us, You’re here; And our desire is that You know We love You, We worship You, We welcome You here
And our desire is that You know We love You we worship You We welcome You here We love You we worship You We welcome You here
And my desire is that You know I love You I worship You I welcome You here
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Oh Jesus, We worship Jesus Oh Jesus . . .
