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Thursday 21st August 2025

The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. 13 And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends. 14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. 15 He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened. 16 Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant. 17 Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. 18 He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon. 19 That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. 20 He said,

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you
and revealed to us what the king demanded.” Daniel 2:12-23 NLT

God of our ancestors,

Sometimes we have to be in a very tight corner before we pray and ask others to pray as if our lives depended on it! Daniel did not care who got the answer because otherwise they would all die! And he was open to God speaking. Because of his willingness he was able to approach the king and settle the perilous situation. And he takes none of the glory for himself. He shakes it off by bursting into praise for You, God who saved them..

When we cannot see the way forward, drive us to our knees for an answer and to not be worried about how or who it will come through. Then keep us ready to sing Your praises, so eyes are directed to You we do not take any of Your glory.

Thank You for those who have gone to other countries, not as captives, but willingly to witness to You and live Godly lives to show Your wisdom and strength through their witness. Watch over them and give them revelation and the understanding for their own situations. Not forgetting those of us called to reveal You in our own country. We need Your wisdom, revelation and understanding for our own times.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday August 21st 2025
We had this in March perhaps this is why it came instantly to mind as I read Daniel.

Surely our God is the God of gods
And the Lord of kings
The revealer of mysteries
Surely our God is the God of gods
And the Lord of kings
The revealer of mysteries

Repeat chorus . . .

He changes the times and the seasons
He gives rhythm to the tides
He knows what is hidden
In the darkest of places
Brings the shadows in to His light

Chorus

I will praise You always my Father
You are Lord of heaven and earth
You hide Your secrets
From the wise and the learned
And reveal them to this Your child

Chorus

Music interlude . . .

Thank You for sending Your only Son
We may know the mystery of God –
He opens the treasures
Of wisdom and knowledge
To the humble not to the proud

Lyrics: David L and Liz Morris

Wednesday 20th August 2025

“During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god.”
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. 4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. 6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.

8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 10 But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.” 11 Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 12 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. 13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.”
Daniel 1:1-13 NLT

Lord God,

These young men were indeed wise. Knowing they had no choice, they made the best of it but kept their identities even though their names were changed. Many use this passage to promote becoming vegetarians or abstaining from alcohol. On pondering this Lord I tried to stand in Daniels shoes for a moment.

Daniel wanted to show they were followers of You, Yahweh, without seeming rebellious or self righteous. So they declined to eat meat which had been offered to Babylonian idols and not slaughtered as You God demanded. The drink may have also been dedicated to one of their idols or false gods. They showed that You, God were able to keep them healthy. And they could control their appetites and flourished.

There are times when You ask us to control our appetite (not just for food). And sin has no great and small, just bigger consequences? Thank You that you care enough to strive with us for good. The verse in Hebrews 5:8 says that Jesus Your Son, learned obedience from the things he suffered.  He never sinned. If he needed to learn how much more do I.

As You God say, “My child, don’t make light of My discipline, and don’t give up when I, the Lord correct you. For I discipline those I love, and I punishes each one I accepts as My child.” (Hebrews 5:5b-6)

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 20th August 2025
Two choices. One from 1909 and one from 1997. Both challenge me . . .



Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.

2 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.

3 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

4 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

Lyrics: Adelaide A Pollard (1909)

Lyrics: Darlene Zschech

Tuesday 19th August 2025

“After the king burned the scroll containing the words that Baruch had written at Jeremiah’s dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 28 “Take another scroll and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll, which Jehoiakim king of Judah burned up. 29 Also tell Jehoiakim king of Judah, ‘This is what the Lord says: You burned that scroll and said, “Why did you write on it that the king of Babylon would certainly come and destroy this land and wipe from it both man and beast?” 30 Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night. 31 I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster I pronounced against them, because they have not listened.’” 32 So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote on it all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them.” Jeremiah 36:27-32

Lord and Father,

Baruch was not one who heard prophesies like Jeremiah. He was not sought for counsel by the king or officials or anyone of any position. But he had a skill. He could write down dictation word for word.. But more than the he had gained the trust of Jeremiah to faithfully do what was asked in difficult circumstance. He could have been thrown in prison as easily as the scroll was in the fire.

Later Baruch says he is worn out with groaning and can find no rest. (Jeremiah 45:3) But You, Lord promised him that amidst more trouble to come, he should not seek great things for himself, but wherever he goes he will escape with his life. (Jeremiah 45:4-5) What an assurance!

Jeremiah could not have managed without him. He served. They did not listen to Your message, through Jeremiah and Barak saw no victories. He kept going. You told him it would get worse. He kept going. And You, the God of the universe took time personally to reassure Baruk.

Sometimes we feel we are doing our best and seeing no fruit from it. We remember that You, God of the universe took the time to come and tell us personally not to seek great things for ourselves (Philippians 2:3. And because of Jesus wherever we go we will have life (John 11:25,26). And Your Holy Spirit to help us (John 14:26) Thank you a million times.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 19th August 2025

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul, worship His holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy Name.

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger,
Your Name is great and Your heart is kind;
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing,
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Chorus

And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near and my time has come;
Still my soul sings Your praise unending,
Ten thousand years and then forevermore.

Chorus

Lyrics: Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin