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.”
“Thus the Lord God showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the beginning of the late crop; indeed it was the late crop after the king’s mowings. 2 And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said: “O Lord God, forgive, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, For he is small!” 3 So the Lord relented concerning this. “It shall not be,” said the Lord. 4 Thus the Lord God showed me: Behold, the Lord God called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory. 5 Then I said: “O Lord God, cease, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!” So the Lord relented concerning this. “This also shall not be,” said the Lord God. 7 Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. 8 And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore. 9 The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.”” Amos 7:1-9 NKJV
“Though they go into captivity before their enemies, from there I will command the sword, and it shall slay them. I will set My eyes on them for harm and not for good.” Amos 9:4 NKJV
God of eternity,
Amaziah the priest of Bethel, sent to Jeroboam the king of Israel, decrying Amos’s words and saying they could not stand to hear him. No response to the call to repent, (chapter 5) to seek You, God and live. It may have been 20 to 30 years for Amos to be proved right – but he was.
Interesting questions You ask Amos. As punishment which is prefered? Starvation, fire or to be measured against perfection and laid waste? It is a relevant today to those who refuse to hear You. Starve from not eating the bread of life, fire of hell from refusing Jesus or being measured against God’s goodness and found wanting? Trusting in luck or themselves or their good deeds.
Amos is the beginning of the end of the story for Israel. There is nothing to do about it but learn from history. Families divided by power struggles = all suffer. Rebelling against God and selfish desires never make us richer or happier. Not listening to Your chasteing can lead us deeper into trouble. But. There is always a way to return to You God. You are always welcoming to the prodigal and the faithful jealous son (Luke 15:11–32) into Your arms. There is always forgiveness for those who repent (Ephesians 1:7). Your love does not run out or bypass us. We may not feel loveable but we are loved (Jeremiah 31:3). Confirm it to our hearts and our heads Father God.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 6th June 2026 Worth a repeat this year as it is such wonderful worship, an exchange of love through Jesus.
Overwhelmed by love Deeper than oceans High as the heavens Ever living God Your love has rescued me
All my sin was laid On Your dear son Your precious one All my debt He paid Great is Your love for me
No-one could ever earn Your love Your grace and mercy is free Lord these words are true So is my love for You
“The words of Amos, who was among the sheep breeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. 2 And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.”For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment . . . ” Amos 1:1-3 NKJV
“But I will send a fire . . . ” Amos 1:4,7,10,14 and 2:2,5 NKJV
God who speaks,
Amos is given credibility as a prophet. He said you would speak and his listeners noted that there was an earthquake. They would have believed that that was You God getting their attention. Amos says that Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah and Israel are all to be judged. A large circle of all the nations surrounding Israel and lastly Israel, the one in the centre, who should have known better. It is as if they have been weighed in scales and when it got to three sins they teetered in the balance but the forth was just to much and tipped them over into Your judgement God.
And then each one is promised fire that will burn away all their security and life as they know it. But with Israel, You speak of more terrible things to come upon them. It has to be read to be believed. Then, when we think it cannot get any worse, not fire but to be taken into captivity. To lose everything land, security, identity, freedom.
Jesus does not give us room to sin 4 times. The early church sold indulgences but Martin Luther countered it with scripture, that grace could not be sold. We still face judgement for sin and then fire. Jesus warned us (Matthew 18:9). To cut ourselves off from the cause of sin. Not to actually cut of parts of us!. I’d have nothing left! Thank You, we did not get Amos but Jesus who brought not just condemnation but the answer. Not captivity or fire, but the choice of freedom in His Kingdom and a secure future (Galatians 5:1).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 5th June 2026
Jesus we celebrate Your victory Jesus we revel in Your love Jesus we rejoice You’ve set us free Jesus Your death has brought us life
It was for freedom that Christ has set us free No longer to be subject to a yoke of slavery So we’re rejoicing in God’s victory Our hearts responding to His love
His Spirit in us releases us from fear The way to Him is open, with boldness we draw near And in His presence our problems disappear Our hearts responding to His love
“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” 4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened,when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”” Jonah 4:1-9 NKJV
Lord God and Father,
How gently You deal with Your prophet who is in a rage and angry. With You. Not angry that You had a whale swallow him. Not angry that You had him go to a huge pagan city alone and preach judgement and repentance. But that they repented. He knew You were a generous, kind God and he was angry You just forgave such pagaan, sinful people! He was angry at Your kindness?
Then when he found a place to sulk and shade from the sun. At last there was something for Him. Shady leaves. Then the plant died and he wishes he was dead. Well. Here was something to complain about again. Disappointment and anger in his heart. Sometimes it just overtakes us. We don’t realise that we have complained more than we have thanked You Lord.
We don’t see our attitude. We see some people and judge them. We do not want to speak of your love to them as we dont like them. Are we ever angry, jealous of Your kindness to others?
Do You need to make things smell a little fishy to get my attention and stop me complaining? Or when I see plants eaten by the slugs, need to ensure my growth is not being nibbled away by negativity, even anger. You have been nothing but kindness to me.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 4th June 2026 A new arrangement of John Newton’s beautiful hymn, begone unbelief. Reminding us that the Christian life can be tough and a challenge but that is no excuse to become a seasoned complainer . . .
Begone unbelief, My Savior is near, And for my relief Will surely appear: By faith let me wrestle, with God in the storm And help me my Savior, the faith to adorn And help me my Savior, the faith to adorn
Though dark be my way, Since he is my guide, ‘Tis mine to obey, and His to provide; Though cisterns be broken, And creatures all fail, The word he has spoken will surely prevail. The word he has spoken will surely prevail.Chorus
Chorus: Begone unbelief, The Saviour is here (3x) Though cisterns be broken And creatures all fail The word he has spoken will surely prevail The word he has spoken will surely prevail
Why should I complain, Of want or distress Temptation or pain? He told me no less The heirs of salvation, I know from his word Through much tribulation Must follow their Lord Through much tribulation Must follow their Lord
Since all that I meet will work for my good, The bitter is sweet, The medicine food; Though painful at present, will cease before long, And then, O! how glorious, The conqueror’s song! And then, O! how glorious, The conqueror’s song!
