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.”
“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal Peor; for the Lord your God has destroyed from among you all the men who followed Baal of Peor. 4 But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you. 5“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. 6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ Deuteronomy 4:1-6 NKJV
Father God,
The Book of Deuteronomy begins with Moses giving them a potted history of their last 40 years. How God has got them to where they are, despite themselves. God, You were faithful even though Moses himself will not be going to the promised land.. The baton of leadership has been passed to Joshua who certainly has been well mentored for the role, by You and Moses. (Deuteronomy 3:23-29).
Moses knows this people well and still loves them. He has know them all since birth. So what does he say? He uses the opportunity to say what they most need to hear. Not about the privilege of leading them. Not how difficult they were. Not how he loved his family. He reminds them to obey You God.
To obey You, their God, for their own good and the future good of their nation. Not to change anything. Not to pick and choose what to obey.
Obey, is not a popular word now. Often dropped from wedding vows but let’s not get into that Lord. Children do not like to obey. Some parents and some teachers have difficulty with discipline because of this. What is the perfect example of obedience? Jesus. He said he had not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17). He called us to obedience to You, not keeping rules, rules, rules but living as He showed and taught us.
It is not easy and it is not always black and white Lord. Thank you that the law is not a stick to punish our failure but to point to a way to walk in love to keep us safe from evil and our own weakness. Help us to obey You. Not to chaff against the Yoke (Matthew 11:29) but keep in step with You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 23rd February 2026
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies But His smile quickly drives it away Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear Can abide while we trust and obey
Chorus
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet Or we’ll walk by His side in the way What He says we will do, where He sends we will go Never fear, only trust and obey
Chorus Twice
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus Just to take Him at His Word Just to rest upon His promise Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more
Lord oh, for grace to trust You more
Lyrics: John H Sammis (Trust and obey). Louisa M R Stead (‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus).
“And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying: 2 “Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities. 3 They shall have the cities to dwell in; and their common-land shall be for their cattle, for their herds, and for all their animals. 4 The common-land of the cities which you will give the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around. 5 And you shall measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, on the south side two thousand cubits, on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits. The city shall be in the middle. This shall belong to them as common-land for the cities.” Numbers 35:1-5 NKJV
God our refuge,
You are the God of refuge and You know that accidents do happen. You even gave Moses plans for dealing with protection for those who did. You included 12 cities of refuge. So they would be spaced among each tribes land and a distance anyone could reach within a day? You did not cover over accidents and loss of control and murder. You provided places of refuge. Places of justice. It would also stop those seeking vengeance from becoming murderers themselves.
Later a Psalmist would pen the Words “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).
Thank goodness today we do not have to run cross country to reach You. You are right here, where and when we need You. Always! (Matthew 28:20). But sometimes we are more aware than others? David sang, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. (2 Samuel 22:2,3). Recognising Your hand in saving him from Saul and his enemies.
We praise You because You are our refuge, a place of safety. No longer condemned for our sin and safe in the knowledge a place is prepared for us with You in heaven (John 14:1-4). And today if we need to take refuge from life, comfort, assurance, forgiveness or direction, You are here.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 22nd February 2026 You may recognise the tune depending on age . . . from the Dambusters movie.
God is our strength and refuge, our present help in trouble, and we therefore will not fear, though the earth should change! Though mountains shake and tremble, though swirling floods are raging, God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
There is a flowing river within God’s holy city; God is in the midst of her- she shall not be moved! God’s help is swiftly given, thrones vanish at his presence- God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
Come, see the works of our maker, learn of his deeds all-powerful: wars will cease across the world when he shatters the spear! Be still and know your creator, uplift him in the nations- God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
“Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock, 2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, 3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4 the country which the Lord defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.” 5 Therefore they said,“If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan.”” Numbers 32:1-5 NKJV
Omniscient God,
All knowing. You knew the hearts of this people wandered and yet You kept Your covenant. The land looked good. So the tribes descended from Reuben (Leah and Jacob’s first born Genesis 29:31), Gad (son of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah Genesis 30:4-6) and the half tribe descended from Manassah (the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath (Genesis 41:50–52) opted to go no further.
We can only presume the half tribe of Manasseh opted to stay as well perhaps they decided later but decide they did. Moses negotiated an agreement for the men to travel on with them and help take the promised land and then return to their families. They agreed. I wonder if it was that easy?
They were prepared to settle for the first good pasture they found. Without even seeing a glimpse of what was ahead. And they knew the difference between where they had come from and where they were. Did they really believe You could provide nothing better?
I can see looking back that I have grown in You. Other people can see the changes in us better than we can. Simply stopping swearing was immediately noticed! But the growth becomes subtler. We are all given the choice daily once we know Jesus whether we want to stay as we are or grow further.
Some settle for knowing Jesus and are satisfied not wanting to go too deep. Some go very slowly and are not really committed to a deep relationship with You – more a friendship for if they need You. And there I must stop because it is easy to begin judging people. What should concern me is me. Do I settle sometimes and stop growing? Help me to hunger for more of You..
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 21st February 2026 Does seem that growth comes with challenges . . .
I asked the Lord that I might grow In faith and love and ev’ry grace, Might more of His salvation know, And seek more earnestly His face. ‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray, And He, I trust, has answered prayer, But it has been in such a way As almost drove me to despair. I hoped that in some favored hour At once He’d answer my request And, by His love’s constraining pow’r, Subdue my sins and give me rest. Instead of this, He made me feel The hidden evils of my heart And let the angry pow’rs of hell Assault my soul in ev’ry part. Yea, more with His own hand He seemed Intent to aggravate my woe, Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, Humbled my heart and laid me low. “Lord, why is this,” I trembling cried; “Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?” “’Tis in this way,” the Lord replied, “I answer prayer for grace and faith.” “These inward trials I employ From self and pride to set thee free And break thy schemes of earthly joy That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”
And break thy schemes of earthly joy That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”
