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 children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves. 8 Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years. 9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 0 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim. 11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.” Judges 3:7-11 NKJV
Lord God,
The children of Israel may have forgotten You and be doing whatever they liked in the groves . . . but You could not forget them. And where do they call in times of trouble? To the only one who could help them?
Othniel was mentioned in chapter 1:13, Caleb’s younger brother and from the tribe of Judah. He already has proven leadership and battle success. And we read under him there was 40 years rest. Till he died. Ah well. But the most important verse for me is , “And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Your Spirit Lord. You generously provided for his need as a leader and he was able to judge, lead and know when to war.
It was Your generosity in giving of Yourself that enabled 40 years rest for the children of Israel. Today it is not just one man, one leader who can know Your presence by Your Spirit – but You have poured out Your Spirit upon all Your children, all those who are Yours in Jesus. Giving us gifts and guidance and reassurance and rest.
We pray at this time that leaders of churches would be led by You and that Your Spirit would speak peace into world leaders too. And that we may walk in step with Your Spirit and find rest in the mess.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 13th March 2026
Spirit of the living God Spirit of the living God We only want to hear Your voice We’re hanging on every word
Spirit of the living God Spirit of the living God We want to know You more and more We’re hanging on every word
‘Cause when You speak, and when You move When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek When You come in the room When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek You’re changing everything
Spirit of the living God Spirit of the living God We’re leaning in to all You are Everything else can wait
Spirit of the living God Spirit of the living God Come now and breathe upon our hearts Come now and have Your way
‘Cause when You speak, and when You move When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek When You come in the room When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek You’re changing everything
When You move, You move all our fears When You move, You move us to tears When You move, You move all our fears (yes, You do) When You move, You move us to tears
When You fall, we fall on our knees When You fall, we fall at Your feet When You fall, we fall on our knees When You fall, we fall at Your feet
‘Cause when You speak, when You move When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek When You come in the room When You do what only You can do It changes us It changes what we see and what we seek You’re changing everything
“So the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He had done for Israel. 8 Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died when he was one hundred and ten years old. 9 And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath Heres, in the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash. 10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. 11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger.” Judges 2:7-12 NKJV
“16 Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” Judges 2:16 NKJV
Lord who judges,
It really looks bleak. Another generation who turn away from their parents faith and commitment. And even though their whole culture was bedded into worshipping You, the festivals the language, they chose to dismiss it all. Their history.And the other worship was probably more fun and less full of rules? But Your festivals were fun, community and sociable. Mankind has never stopped wanting that thing You tell us not to have anything to do with.
Nevertheless. What a word we have in the King James and the new King James Versions. Meaning: in spite of that, notwithstanding, all the same. I am not sure it is in the original Hebrew but even if the actual word is not there it is implied. Regardless of their behaviour, nevertheless You delivered them. Not fully but perhaps they had not learned their lesson, but you provided enough to ensure they would survive and continue.
Nevertheless, You still sent Jesus. Not to judge but to save (John 3:17). Not just to enable us to survive and continue. But to be saved and returned to that blissfully wonderful sinless state with hope and a future fulfilling what Jeremiah promised (29:11).
The Israelites are in for a troubled time but were never forsaken by You. You have never changed. Those who love You ad follow You will never be forsaken (Hebrews 13:5).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 12th March 2026
From the breaking of the dawn To the setting of the sun, I will stand on every promise of Your word. Words of power, strong to save, That will never pass away, I will stand on every promise of Your word. For Your covenant is sure, And on this I am secure, I can stand on every promise of Your word.
When I stumble and I sin, Condemnation pressing in, I will stand on every promise of Your word. You are faithful to forgive, That in freedom I might live, So I stand on every promise of Your word. Guilt to innocence restored: You remember sins no more! So I’ll stand on every promise of Your word.
When I’m faced with anguished choice, I will listen for Your voice, And I’ll stand on every promise of Your word. Through this dark and troubled land You will guide me with your hand As I stand on every promise of Your word. And you’ve promised to complete Every work begun in me, So I’ll stand on every promise of Your word.
Hope that lifts me from despair, Love that casts out every fear, As I stand on every promise of Your word. Not forsaken, not alone, For the Comforter has come, And I stand on every promise of Your word. Grace sufficient, grace for me, Grace for all who will believe,
“Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?” 2 And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.” 3 So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” And Simeon went with him. 4 Then Judah went up, and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand; and they killed ten thousand men at Bezek. 5 And they found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek, and fought against him; and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites.” Judges 1:1-5 NKJV
God of Unity,
I wonder if this book would have been called 12 tribes to one nation under God if the tribes had not sinned? They start well and good and seek You first. They also seek to work to help each other. But it is called judges. Because they constantly got into hot water and needed someone to get them out. Judges is a terrible saga of trouble, oppression, defeat and survival. It is not a book I like to read for encouragement. The Judges leave me wondering. Samson is not exactly a figure to be held up as a model for small children is he Lord? Interestingly Lord God there were twelve! Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, Samson. Some we know almost nothing about.
But it is a book which shows Your patience, promise keeping and provision. The strength of You purposes and that You are the one who truly holds the future. Or Jesus would never have been born as You promised. Help us to see what we need to see as we wade through Judges and know You as the solid Rock on which we can stand amidst any situation (Matthew 7:24-27).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 11th March 2026
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, his covenant, his blood, support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found: dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
