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.”
“The word of the Lord came again to me, saying: 2 “Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother. 3 They committed harlotry in Egypt, they committed harlotry in their youth; their breasts were there embraced, their virgin bosom was there pressed. 4 Their names: Oholah the elder and Oholibah her sister; they were Mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem is Oholibah.” Ezekiel 23:1 NKJV
“Oholah played the harlot even though she was Mine; and she lusted for her lovers, the neighboring Assyrians,” Ezekiel 23:5 NKJV
““Now although her sister Oholibah saw this, she became more corrupt in her lust than she, and in her harlotry more corrupt than her sister’s harlotry. 12 “She lusted for the neighboring Assyrians, Captains and rulers, clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men. 13 Then I saw that she was defiled; both took the same way. 14 But she increased her harlotry; she looked at men portrayed on the wall, images of Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion,” Ezekiel 23:11-14 NKJV
Father God,
We read this condemnation of Samaria and Judah and perhaps we do not see it as judgemental as it is because of the age we live in. Harlotry, unfaithfulness in particular ,was punishable by death (Deuteronomy 22:21). And You Father were in covenant with both Samaria and Judah. They were unfaithful to You with other gods..
Today perhaps we are less judgemental of breakdown in relationships. We try to be understanding and accept people make mistakes. But here we are talking about a relationship that has been entered into willingly, fully and for eternity. Now being thrust back in Your holy face.
Samaria is Oholah (her own tabernacle) , and Jerusalem is Oholibah (My tabernacle is within her), You were stressing that even though Jerusalem had Your Temple within her she was worse. Ezekiel tells us they sacrificed their children to idols and then entered the house of the Lord (Ezekiel 23:39). We shudder at the thought.
But do we sometimes touch wood or walk round a ladder and then praise God. What can the wood do? I do not read my horoscope but I know those who do even if they say it is for fun. Do I cherish the relationship I have with You God? Enough to avoid putting my trust and worshipping anything else? Is there anything or anyone demanding more attention that You, or that I had not noticed was demanding worship?
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 6th August 2026 I bought the CD Hungry many years ago before downloads. I still enjoy listening to it.
There’s no one like our God, no one at all He gave His Son for us, Jesus the Lord Who can love us like He does, no one at all Oh how we love You Lord
You are high above all nations Your glory shines above the heavens Humbled Yourself to love and save us Be praised through endless generations
Chorus
You lift the needy from the ashes And seat them high up with the princes You give the barren woman healing Shell dance with joy like the mother of children
“The word of the Lord came again to me, saying: 13 “Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. 14 Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 14:12-14 NKJV
“It came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and sat before me. 2 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Have you come to inquire of Me? As I live,” says the Lord God, “I will not be inquired of by you.” ’ ” Ezekiel 20:11-3
Our heavenly Father,
How we long to finish reading through the Old Testament and reach the New Testament and good news. But perhaps we have to have the deep deep dark to see and appreciate the birth of light.
Ezekiel like Jeremiah continues to prophecy. Jeremiah does so with elegant speech whereas I love the way Ezekiel often uses street drama and symbolic actions. You God reassure him that even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in Jerusalem only they would be saved. (Reminds me of Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin). What a statement to Ezekiel about how extreme the situation was.
Often prophets made their living from people coming to them for a word from You. They would charge for their service. The elders come to Ezekiel and he lets them know he cannot be bought. They cannot buy a word from You God or ensure it will be a blessing. He will only speak after You God have given Him a word to share. And then it is not just for them. Keep us open to hearing Your word of correction. It is for our good. Keep us open to Your Word of direction it is for our good.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 5th August 2026
Prepare my mind, prepare my soul Prepare my heart and make me whole Prepare me for the awesomeness of you Renew in me a spirit strong Remind me Lord of all that’s wrong Create in me complete desire for you
Make me holy, Lord Make me holy, Lord Make me holy, Lord Make me holy, Lord Like you
Consume my mind, consume my soul Consume my heart and make me whole Consume me with the awesomeness of you Destroy the pride, destroy the hate Destroy the things that separate And keep me from returning back to you
“Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by the Kebar River. 16 When the cherubim moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the cherubim spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not leave their side. 17 When the cherubim stood still, they also stood still; and when the cherubim rose, they rose with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in them. 18 Then the glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim. 19 While I watched, the cherubim spread their wings and rose from the ground, and as they went, the wheels went with them. They stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. 20 These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim. 21 Each had four faces and four wings, and under their wings was what looked like human hands. 22 Their faces had the same appearance as those I had seen by the Kebar River. Each one went straight ahead.” Ezekiel 10:15-22 NKJV
Father God,
This chapter when read at one sitting is both mind boggling in its description and frightening in its consequences. Trying to explain the vision of the moving throne of God which he saw earlier in chapter 1. But this time he sees only the bottom part and this time as it leaves the Temple the glory of the Lord leaves with it.
To be exiled, to be in servitude to a foreign nation – but for You, God to visibly remove Your presence from among them. Was Ezekiel shocked, dumbfounded, afraid or was he not surprised knowing how offended You were with Your rebellious, faithless people?
We understand that You do not leave pockets of space where YOu are not present we need to get our heads round Your omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-12. But You do remove Your protection and blessing as You did with Zedekiah and Judah. Why did they remain so stubborn?
Imagine if You, God removed Your presence and blessings from Your people today? Do we take You for granted? Are we compartmentalising faith to fit into our lives? Is there any part of our worship which is becoming ritual and not relational? And rather than judging others I ask this of myself first Lord.
Help me and Your church appreciate absolutely who You are. Keep You as our God (Exodus 20:3). Jesus as our cornerstone (Matthew 21:42) and Your Spirit as our teacher (John 14:26). So Your glory can remain in us, with us and for us. Do we really appreciate all we have with You Lord God.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 4th August 2026
Jesus is the name we honour; Jesus is the name we praise. Majestic name above all other names; the highest heaven and earth proclaim that Jesus is our God.
We will glorify, we will lift him high, we will give him honour and praise. We will glorify, we will lift him high, we will give him honour and praise.
Jesus is the name we worship; Jesus is the name we trust. He is the King above all other kings; let all creation stand and sing that Jesus is our God. Chorus
Jesus is the Father’s splendour; Jesus is the Father’s joy. He will return to reign in majesty and every eye at last shall see that Jesus is our God.
