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 the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. 4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the South. 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126 NKJV
“The other thanksgiving choir went the opposite way, and I was behind them with half of the people on the wall, going past the Tower of the Ovens as far as the Broad Wall, 39 and above the Gate of Ephraim, above the Old Gate, above the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate; and they stopped by the Gate of the Prison. So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me; 41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Minjamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director.” Nehemiah 12:38-42 NKJV
Lord God of freedom,
This song of ascents, Psalm 126, really does say what they must have felt when they saw the rebuilt Temple and walls. And knowing they were now free to live there and not Babylon or foreign lands. But it also includes a prayer that God will not forget them but do more. They are not completely free of the rule of Babylon and they still have to reclaim the land for agriculture and manage their livestock and trade for the things they need and do not have. So many thousands of people returning need regular provisions. But what a song this would have been for the left hand side choir to sing. And even when the two choirs united! Nehemiah and Ezra meeting and combining.The spiritual leader and the organisational leader meeting together. What a brilliant mix. Not forgetting the choir members, and all those who actually did the building work and sentry duty!
You took this team work skills further in the church when You appointed some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Ephesians 4:11). Gifts of leadership were to benefit others, without who, the church would not exist. It takes everyone together to build the Kingdom of God and Jesus made it clear that servanthood is the highest calling – one He lived out (John 13:12-17). Whatever I do help me see how it benefits others or show me the error of my ways.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 24th September 2026
From Heaven, You came helpless babe Entered our world, your glory veiled Not to be served but to serve And give Your life that we might live
This is our God, The Servant King He calls us now to follow Him To bring our lives as a daily offering Of worship to The Servant King
There in the garden of tears My heavy load he chose to bear His heart with sorrow was torn “Yet not My will but Yours”, He said
Chorus . . .
Come see His hands and His feet The scars that speak of sacrifice Hands that flung stars into space To cruel nails surrendered
Chorus . . .
So let us learn how to serve And in our lives enthrone Him Each other’s needs to prefer For it is Christ we’re serving
“So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. One went to the right hand on the wall toward the Refuse Gate. 32 After them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah . . . and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them.” Nehemiah 12:31-36
“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” 2 Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, 4 where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to the Testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 For thrones are set there for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.” 8 For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” 9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.” Psalm 122 NKJV
Father God,
Creation has never been silent. From the first sounds of water and oceans, the patter of raindrops and the whistling of the wind. The myriad of bird songs and calls of the wild. I wonder when singing began. It is an emotional response, music touches us and moves us.
So naturally it became a part of worship. Psalms were written to enable what was being felt to be said and sung. Psalm 122 was a song of ascents – for when going up to the Temple mound to give You thanks God or make atonement for sin. I wonder if it was sung by the choir who went to the right around the completed walls of Jerusalem and the up to the Temple? Meeting up with those who had gone to the left. It would be fitting, to pray for peace while dedicating the newly completed city walls.
Are we always glad when we go to the House of the Lord? For Sunday worship, midweek meetings or evening groups? It is helpful to have worship that reminds us what a privilege it is to gather together with like minded believers and You our Lord and Saviour. Sometimes God we do not emotionally feel glad. But help us know thanksgiving in our hearts and not take worship or our brothers and sisters in Christ for granted.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 23rd September 2026
Leona Pearl was born in Stinking Creek (I wonder if it did?), Tennessee in 1923. After living in Detroit briefly during World War II, she moved to Long Beach, California. She met and married Robert Von Brethorst. She was an active member of Bethany Chapel, wrote songs, organized an outreach that fed the homeless, and made quilts for anyone in need. She died in 2010.
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart; I will enter His courts with praise. I will say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad. He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad. He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad.
Repeat above . . .
Hallelujah, He has made me glad Hallelujah, He has made me glad Hallelujah, He has made me glad Hallelujah, he has made me . . .
He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad. He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad.
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart; I will enter His courts with praise. I will say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad. He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad. He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad.
Repeat above . . .
Hallelujah, He has made me glad Hallelujah, He has made me glad Hallelujah, He has made me glad Hallelujah, he has made me . . .
He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad. He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad.
He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad. He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice for He has made me glad. I will rejoice for He has made me glad.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample under foot.
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. 16 with long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”” Psalm 91 NKJV
Father God,
Here we indulge in Words the singers returning to Jerusalem in Nehemiah and Ezra’s time may have learned as new Psalms. Those returning singers, one of them may have written it and another developed a tune! It is one of the few Psalms believed to have written later perhaps at that time.
Many of the terrible things that could befall like warfare, sickness, robbery or death could be thought of as gods by the pagan nations around them. Things they would fear and had no control over. This Psalm meditates on the power, ability and willingness of You, the Lord and only God to keep them safe.
It also reassures them that as they trust and give their love to You – because You give so much more in return. It is the same today. We give Your Son Jesus Christ our sin and receive life in return. Deliverance from sin, Your presence night and day, and salvation which includes a very long life that never ends. So we sing the Psalms of our day the worship we want to give You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Tuesday 22nd September 2026
A true favourite. I only have to hear the opening chords and my heart is warmed and stirred to worship.
Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve Pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change Washes away the stains that once covered me
And all that I have I lay at the feet Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me
Wonderful love that held in the face of death Breathed in its final breath forgiveness for me Wonderful love whose power can break every chain Giving us life again setting us free
And all that I have I lay at the feet Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me
