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.”
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ 8 So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they [c]complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”Matthew 20:1-16 NKJV
Father God,
We love to sing about Your faithfulness, Your answer to prayer, Your overwhelming generosity. Your willingness to forgive. When I first became a Christian it was interspersed with apologies for my bad language till I got rid of the habit. I still lapse mostly if I slip trip or hurt myself. There were no lightening bolts and You knew my weaknesses and the things I still struggle with. I am overwhelmingly grateful for Jesus and the gift of grace and forgiveness to me and It is the one thing I want to give t others.
someone once asked me if it was fair that a murderer should find Christ and get to heaven on his deathbed? Why should the last be first and the first last? I remembered what Jesus said to Simon about the two debtors. The one who had been forgiven more being more grateful. (Luke 7:47). If we truly know what it is to be a child of God we would not need to push to the front. What joy to see You do not leave anyone out, you invite them in. Salvation is not measured it is full for all. Our years of service are not what saves us. And God knows the repentant heart.
How much more joy over one sinner who repents, even in heaven (Luke 15:7), even at the last minute. I cannot hold jealousy or resentment in my heart because it pushes You out. So help me be generous. Joy in hearing others come to You whoever they are, where ever they are and whatever they have done. Some may have to prove they are truly changed, trustworthy, and are being transformed. We need to be safe and church needs to be a safe place in these troubled times.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 7th November 2026
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives. We don’t have to earn it, pay for it or be a good person to receive it. Thank God, I believed and He took me as I was.
To God be the glory, great things He hath done, so loved He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
2 O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to ev’ry believer the promise of God; the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3 Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; but purer, and higher, and greater will be our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Mark 10:17-22 NKJV
Generous God,
Some people inherit much and some are born into poverty. Ganted fortunes do change but not everyone has the same opportunities. But here I do not think You are addressing politics, social backgrounds or wealth. As always You are speaking to the state of heart of a person. You knew this man had tried being good and tried very hard to keep all the laws and yet did not feel he had made peace with You. And he was right. Being good and trying hard does not lead to salvation.
I used to get ‘could try harder’ at school and I resented it. I could never be good enough. Jesus was at peace and he did not spend every minute of every day doing a good deed, or healing someone. He directed us to His source – You, Good Father (Mark 10:18). As a new Christian I had thought this passage meant I should give my all literally and I struggled with that as I had responsibilities and family. Then I took up a new hobby and it was all encompassing and I realised how easily something could become the centre of my life, and push You to one side Lord. Anything can become more important than You. Jesus saw that this man worshiped his wealth. I have known very wealthy people manage their wealth for You Father.
We all have to pay bills, provide for family, support our local church, prepare for the future. But then we have the joy of giving. The pleasure of regular support and seeing how it changes lives. The pleasure of giving when You God touch our hearts to help. Sometimes we are the ones who have been helped by a gift and recognised Your hand in it Lord God. Thank you. Teach us how to hand all we have over to You and learn how to use it wisely for Your glory.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 6th November 2026
I was about to skip over this and then was distracted for a moment as it started. I started to follow the words. It held me to the very end. Sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone! You, are the centre of our life and direction, and the Lord of our pound, dollar, Euro . . . ?
If this life has anything to gain at all I’ll count it loss if I can’t hear you, feel you, cause I need you Can’t walk this earth alone I recognize I’m not my own, so before I fall I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone
With every breath I take, with every heart beat Sunrise and the moon lights in the dark street Every glance, every dance, every note of a song It’s all a gift undeserved that I shouldn’t have known Every day that I lie, every moment I covet I’m deserving to die, I’m just earning your judgment I, without the cross there’s only condemnation If Jesus wasn’t executed there’s no celebration So in times that are good, in times that are bad For any times that I’ve had it all I will be glad And I will boast in the cross, I’ll boast in my pains I will boast in the sunshine, boast in his reign What’s my life if it’s not praising you? Another dollar in my bank account of vain pursuit I do not count my life as any value or precious at all Let me finish my race, let me answer my call
If this life has anything to gain at all I’ll count it loss if I can’t hear you, feel you, cause I need you Can’t walk this earth alone I recognize I’m not my own, so before I fall I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone
Tomorrow’s never promised, but it is we swear Think we holding our own, just a fist full of air God has never been obligated to give us life If we fought for our rights, we’d be in hell tonight Mere sinners owed nothing but a fierce hand We never loved him, we pushed away his pierced hands I rejected his love, grace, kindness, and mercy Dying of thirst, yet, willing to die thirsty Eternally worthy, how could I live for less? Patiently you turned my heart away from selfishness I volunteer for your sanctifying surgery I know the Spirit’s purging me of everything that’s hurting me Remove the veil from my darkened eyes So now every morning I open your word and see the Son rise I hope in nothin, boast in nothin, only in your suffering I live to show your glory, dying to tell your story
If this life has anything to gain at all I’ll count it loss if I can’t hear you, feel you, cause I need you Can’t walk this earth alone I recognize I’m not my own, so before I fall I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone
Glory was solely meant for you Doing what no one else could do With all I have to give (with all I have to give) I’ll use my life, I’ll use my lips (my lips yeaaah) I’ll only glory in your Word What gift to me I don’t deserve I’ll live in such a way that it reflects to you, my praise
If this life has anything to gain at all (if I have anything to gain at all) I’ll count it loss if I can’t hear you, feel you, cause I need you Can’t walk this earth alone (I need You) I recognise I’m not my own, so before I fall (I’m not my own) I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone
Songwriters: John Williams, Le Crae Moore, Christopher Cobbins
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”” Luke 18:1-5 NKJV
“Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”” Luke 18:9-14
Father in Heaven,
Jesus spoke and taught about prayer. He spoke from experience. He often went aside to rest and pray. Father if he needed to pray about everything surely we do too? And yet, prayer meetings, unless in a time of revival, are the poorest attended? And how often do we worry first or try to plan first before seeking Your wisdom? I am guilty. of that.
Jesus teaches about Your nature. You are not an unwilling judge who needs to be persistently bothered, You love to answer prayer. A friend, Luke tells us in chapter 11, will answer the call of a friend in his need even if it is inconvenient. You say it is never inconvenient, just knock, seek and ask and I will answer.
And Jesus tells us how to come to You. Not with reasons why we deserve an answer. There is no need to bargain, no promises to be better or try harder are needed. Like the publican we just need to come as we are, undeserving but justified in Christ. So teach us how to live simply each day in prayer and communication with You naturally, as breathing. Help us enjoy getting together with others to seek You and find Your way to build Your Kingdom Lord. And we cannot thank, praise and worship You enough for being a loving God who hears and answers prayer. As James Montgomery wrote in his hymn, “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath”. Teach me to breath prayer.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 5th November 2026
Written 181 years ago. Perhaps there were less distractions – no tv, radio, social media? But work hours, sleeping and just doing daily living took every hour they had. So perhaps it is just making time and doing it . . . the regular, the organised the spasmodic . . .
1 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! that calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father’s throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! the joys I feel, the bliss I share of those whose anxious spirits burn with strong desires for thy return! With such I hasten to the place where God my Savior shows his face, and gladly take my station there, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! thy wings shall my petition bear to him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless. And since he bids me seek his face, believe his word, and trust his grace, I’ll cast on him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
