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.”
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 18 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, who offers his sacrifice for any of his vows or for any of his freewill offerings, which they offer to the Lord as a burnt offering— 19 you shall offer of your own free will a male without blemish from the cattle, from the sheep, or from the goats. 20 Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf. 21 And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, to fulfil his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it. 22 Those that are blind or broken or maimed, or have an ulcer or eczema or scabs, you shall not offer to the Lord, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to the Lord. 23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any limb too long or too short you may offer as a freewill offering, but for a vow it shall not be accepted. 24 ‘You shall not offer to the Lord what is bruised or crushed, or torn or cut; nor shall you make any offering of them in your land. 25 Nor from a foreigner’s hand shall you offer any of these as the bread of your God, because their corruption is in them, and defects are in them. They shall not be accepted on your behalf.’ ” Leviticus 22:17-25 NKJV
Father God,
You made everything, (John 1:1-3), you own everything (Psalm 50:10-11), everything is in Your time and hands even eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11). You have given me more than I can proclaim in words through Your Son Jesus. How could I give You God less than my best?
The Israelites had been given protection from plagues. They had been given their freedom and seen their enemy destroyed before their eyes. They did not have to life a finger to help. They received daily bread in the wilderness and the water of life from rock. They received direction for their lives and the promise of a beautiful land to settle in. And You expected gratitude and thanksgiving. Yet You had to explain that any old thing is not really gratitude it is perfunctory. (What a lovely word) Carried out without real interest, feeling, or effort.
So do You need to tell us how to show our gratitude? It is no longer set down in writing what we should give but Jesus surely set us an example, It was not always about how much or when but about doing Your will and giving and looking after each other. Your Holy Spirit helps us to know when You are calling us to give and how. Where to invest time and where finances can make a difference. And help us to give our best not grudgingly or boastfully. Sometimes I miss Your prompts, forgive me and help me.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen,
Worship Friday 6th February 2026 Its an old hymn not sung much now . . . but one of those hymns that always leads me to the throne room for a conversation.
Lord, Thou art questioning, “Lovest thou Me?” Yea, Lord, Thou knowest, my answer must be; But since love’s value is proved by love’s test, Jesus, I’ll give Thee the dearest and best.
All in my heart, Lord, Thou canst read; Master, Thou knowest I love Thee indeed. Ask what Thou wilt my devotion to test: I will surrender the dearest and best.
How couldst Thou smile on me if, in my heart, I were unwilling from treasures to part? Since my redemption cost Thee such a price, Utmost surrender alone will suffice.
Down at Thy feet all my fears I let go; Back on Thy strength all my weakness I throw; Lord, in my life Thou shalt have Thine own way; Speak but the word, and Thy child will obey
All in my heart, Lord, Thou canst read; Master, Thou knowest I love Thee indeed. Ask what Thou wilt my devotion to test: I will surrender the dearest and best.
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Again, you shall say to the children of Israel: Whoever of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who gives any of his descendants to Molech, he shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3 I will set My face against that man, and will cut him off from his people, because he has given some of his descendants to Molech, to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name. 4 And if the people of the land should in any way hide their eyes from the man, when he gives some of his descendants to Molech, and they do not kill him, 5 then I will set My face against that man and against his family; and I will cut him off from his people, and all who prostitute themselves with him to commit harlotry with Molech. 6 ‘And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. 7 Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord Your God. 8 And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” Leviticus 20:1-8 NKJV
Lord and Father,
It would be easy to skip over the passages we think that are not relevant to us or not as apt for today. But then the enemy is subtle, wily and disguises himself as good. You do not mince Your words here and we may think that it sounds very final. But there were no prisons, and they were either a community under Covenant to You, a God who delivered them or they were on their own. You God wanted the very best for them.
Our society, no longer believes that it is good to sacrifice their children to appease a god, although we still hear of those who are cruel and kill them. But it surprises me when I hear of quite sensible people putting their faith in crystals or horoscopes or cards. And they need take no responsibility for their behaviour. They can accept the bits they want to hear. These are offensive to You.
With You Lord God we have boundaries for our own good. We need to know what You have said no to for our benefit. We should have learned that lesson in the garden with one simple piece of fruit that did indeed look good but was forbidden. Keep on reminding us of what not to do, not to get involved with and warn us of the consequences. Lest we be deceived.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 5th February 2026
I love You, Lord Oh, Your mercy never failed me And all my days, I’ve been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
All my life You have been faithful All my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice You have led me through the fire In darkest night You are close like no other I’ve known You as a Father I’ve known You as a Friend Oh, I have lived in the goodness of God,
Chorus
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now I give You everything Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now I give You everything Your goodness is running, it keeps running after me
Chorus twice
Songwriters: Jason David Ingram / Brian Johnson / Edmond Martin Cash / Benjamin David Fielding / Jenn Johnson
“‘You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying. 27 You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. 8 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord. 29 ‘Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry, and the land become full of wickedness. 30 ‘You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord. 31 ‘Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. 32 ‘You shall rise before the grey headed and honour the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord. 33 ‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. 34 The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. 35 ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. 36 You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 37 ‘Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the Lord.’ ”Leviticus 19:26-37 NKJV
Lord Gd and Father,
It must have seemed like You God were giving the children of Israel endless rules to remember and keep as well as leading them through a dessert without means to keep themselves. And yet we look and see You shaping Your people into family. A community, which could live together in peace and harmony and stand against any who sought to attack its values. And making them responsible for their place in it. When we read, in hindsight, we can see the value of not taking on the behaviour of other surrounding communities as well as keeping Your Godly values.. Being honest with each other and keeping the shared values of belonging to You, a holy and yet providing, guiding God.
English law has deep historical roots in Christianity and the Old Testament, influencing the development of common law, moral principles, and statutes. A key area being the Ten Commandments, which shaped laws against murder, theft, and perjury. How sad that many laws now do not honour You.
But as a church we too are more than a community we are family. The Israelites were literally all related to each other from Abraham’s family. We are adopted in Christ (Ephesians 1:5). We seek to live as Jesus taught us, applying His call to our generation and witnessing to society that we are a family. A community (those who have accepted Christ) with Your shared values, set apart for You, God and yet available to share Your love. Both as individual fellowships and the rich and diverse Christian church around the world who hold Christ at their centre.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
WorshipWednesday4th February 2026 Church should feel like family and care . . . its not easy . . . God never said it would be. I love this song.
Welcome to the family, We are glad that you have come To share your life with us, As we grow in love, And may we always be to you What God would have us be, A family always there, To be strong and to lean on.
May we learn to love each other More with each new day, May words of love be on our lips, In ev’ry thing we say. May the Spirit melt our hearts, And teach us how to pray, That we might be a true family.
