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.”
“After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man. 4 And he said to him, “Why are you, the king’s son, becoming thinner day after day? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” 5 So Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill.” 2 Samuel 13:1-5 NKJV
“And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go now, lest we be a burden to you.” Then he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him. 26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.” 2 Samuel 13:23-29 NKJV
Father,
Families precious and poisonous? David is remembered for being a great King after Your own heart and reuniting the Israelites with You as their God. But even he had not just naughty sons but wicked ones. The Bible does not cover up the shameful. Amnon (eldest son: mother Ahinoam, father David) was half brother to Absalom and Tamar (mother Maacah, father David). He listened to his friend (and cousin) Jonadab who showed him a way to take advantage, to abuse Tamar. He heard encouragement from Jonadab, it swelled his pride in himself and justified his desire.
Two years later, Absalom found a way to get revenge and ordered the murder of his half brother. Did he think he would get away with it? Because he knew about Davids past? What trauma David had to deal with in his close family. Not long after Absalom shows disrespect for David and seeks to undermine his governance. (2 Samuel 15).
When we find ourselves resentful, or carrying unforgiveness it always pops up when we pray. Help us to come and lay it all before You, honestly. So there is nothing that can fester for years, months or weeks. I know I have had to keep returning to forgiving someone in my heart because all situations are not resolvable. We live will them. It is an ongoing letting go till I can remove vengeance and harm from my heart. It does not take away judgement – it lets You, God take over. Not carrying it does not keep it alive. Dead to sin but alive in Christ (Romans 11:6). And it is so tiring carrying unforgiveness. Keep me from it.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 11th April 2026 Beautiful lyrics
Lord, forgive us for our pride When our faith becomes a show Dressed in righteous deeds To hide all the stains below We have judged Your sons and daughters For the sin that is our own May we now forgive each other And lay down our stones
Forgiven, forgiven Through the blood of Christ We are forgiven
Lord, forgive us for our love Of the things we wish to own We forsake the feast above For all the crumbs below Though You’ve made us sons and daughters We do not the world disown May we find our greatest treasure Is in You alone
Forgiven, forgiven Through the blood of Christ We are forgiven
Lord, forgive us for our shame When we can’t release the past When we’re quick to take the blame But forget we’re free at last We avoid Your sons and daughters For the fear we don’t belong Give us eyes to see each other Through Your only Son
Forgiven, forgiven Through the blood of Christ We are forgiven Repeat
Lyrics: Kate Degraide, Rebecca Elliott, Brittany Kauflin
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight— that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. 18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering;then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.” Psalm 51 NKJV
Lord of Lords, My Father,
I have always loved this Psalm, the humble prayer of a King. When I read that tradition believes that David wrote it after Nathan came to convict him of sin, it gained authenticity. It is real and full of repentance, not I have been caught out. David was not just feeling bad he was knew his guilt.
It is a heart rending cry to You God. Not just an 0wning up – but a desire to get back to a right relationship with You and never go back there again. The Bible does not skirt round situations it speaks as loudly today. Society sometimes just plays them down. Your Word Lord is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Judgement and mercy. You know the heart of man.
Today, as I read this Psalm I have something David did not have. I have the cross fresh in my mind and the risen Lord Jesus hearing my prayers. But without Jesus David had a very real relationship with You, his God and we both have discovered the depth of You love, forgiveness and faithfulness. You are amazing my Lord and God. Sometimes the joy of our salvation takes us by surprise again and we thank You for those moments.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 10th April 2026
Create in me a clean heart, oh God And renew a right spirit within me Create in me a clean heart, oh God And renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation And renew a right spirit within me
“It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. 5 And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”” 2 Samuel 11:1-5
God of Holiness,
David had wives (2 Samuel 3:2-5 ) and children. He was blessed with family. He we see how easy it is to look and linger too long . . . That could have ended there but then he let it begin to dwell on his mind. And he moved form looking, thinking to doing. How do we know? He involved others by asking about her. He could have stopped at any moment and nothing would have come of it.
We may think that this is not something we would do and perhaps see this as a bigger sin. Well yes it had more consequences. The organised murder of Bathsheba’s husband and the death of the baby conceived. But remind me Lord that to You sin is sin and I should not think I’m not so bad or I don’t do big sins. I should not just trust Your Holy Spirit to warn me when I start to have any wrong thoughts. I should learn to recognise and deal with them.
Paul says we should actively not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. So we will be able to test and approve what is Your will God. Your good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) It’s part of our maturity as Christians, so we stop the thoughts that are not godly before they move to consideration or actions. And we see You were still faithful to Your promises to David. What a faithful God You are but that does not give us licence . . . .
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 9th April 2026
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art – thou my best thought, in the day or the night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word; I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord; thou my great Father, and I thy true son; thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Be thou my battle shield sword for the fight; be thou my dignity, thou my delight, thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower; raise thou me Heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise; thou mine inheritance, now and always: thou, and thou only, be first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of Heaven, after victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun, heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my Vision, O ruler of all.
First verse repeat
Lyrics: Based on a Middle Irish poem most attributed to Dallán Forgaill, an early Christian Irish poet born in 530AD.
