Author: admin

Monday 30th June 2025

“Then Elijah said to him (Elisha), “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. 13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.” 2 Kings 2:6-14 NKJV

Father God,

There is so much in these events to take in and consider. Elisha used his cloak rather than a staff and parted the water. Elisha was hungry to serve You Lord and no doubt worried about following in Elijah’s footsteps. Elijah was fearless he had stood up to several murderous Kings and an evil Kings wife, troops of 100 soldiers, in fear of his life! Big shoes to follow.

In the New Testament a man called Simon wanted to buy the ability to lay on hands and give the Holy Spirit. His heart was thinking profit even if it was from doing good. Elisha asks because he wants to stay with Elijah and learn and be prepared for when the responsibility fell on him. To know You God were with him. He could not do anything without You.

It is a great privilege to be with someone in their last moments. I have never seen fiery chariots. I may never be able to part water. But I pray You will enable me to serve You with the living and the dying. Whether it be the end of this earthly life or with someone who does not have Your life in them yet. Keep my heart pure, zealous and dependent on You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 30th June 2025
For me today it had to be this old Salvation Army hymn, maybe the words are a bit Army bias but the meaning it glorious.

Sunday 29th June 2025

“After Ahab’s death, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.”3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” So Elijah went.” 2 Kings 1:1-4 NIV

“Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’” 10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. 11 At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, “Man of God, this is what the king says, ‘Come down at once!’” 12 “If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men. 13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!” 15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.” 2 Kings 1:9-15 NIV

God of all creation,

On reading these narrations of history in Kings I see what one mans turning from you to idol worship can cost. It costs the lives of 2 captains and 100 men. Thankfully the third captain fears the God of Elijah and pleads for mercy. His life and the men he has influence over are saved. Could You spell it out any clearer Lord. You are the mercy giver.

Not only can we find life in You through Jesus but we can save the lives of those around us. Those who would also turn to You for mercy. The outlook for anyone worshiping another God or no God is bleak. Perhaps we don’t like to think of it as that black and white. Your Word says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

It is like an early early picture of Jesus our captain (Hebrews 2:10 NKJV) pleading on our behalf for mercy (Hebrews 7:25). “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

The first time we turned to Him he interceded for us and we were saved. And every moment since he has done the same. The first person to find mercy at the cross was the thief crucified next to Jesus (Luke 23:42-43). Thank you that You give last opportunities to know You, and opportunity to know everlasting life every moment as He intercedes.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Sunday 29th June 2025

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in Heav’n he stands
No power can force me to depart,
No power can force me to depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God the just is satisfied
To look on him and pardon me,
To look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, sinless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with my Lord I cannot die;
My soul is purchased with his blood.
My life is safe with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God.

One with my Lord I cannot die;
My soul is purchased with his blood.
My life is safe with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Smith

Saturday 28th June 2025

“So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.” 1 Kings 19:19-21 NLT

God who chooses,

Elisha was not part of a school of prophets (2 Kings 2:3 Bethel, 2:15 Jericho, 2Kings 4:38 Gilgal). He is a farmer using 12 yoke of oxen. So perhaps a well off family? He takes Elijah seriously. I wonder if Elijah thought his family would persuade him not to go? Elijah does not try to persuade him but asks a question, “What have I done to you?” Was that because he wanted Elisha to know it was You God that led him there that day not his own good idea?

Elisha returned to Elijah after burning his bridges behind him. 12 yoke of oxen. He didn’t need to do that but it showed he was not going to return to the plough. He knew what Elijah had done. Simply relayed God’s call.

You call us to holy living and sometimes to particular service. But that does not make us more special. We do not all have to burn our employment bridges behind us. But we do have to burn our self reliance our let me do it my way! We turn away from sin. Sometimes, someone else can see what Your calling on our life is but it is up to us to consider and decide if what we hear is in agreement. You know we sometimes need to hear several times to be sure. Elisha hears and obeys. Help us know clearly when You want us to do something specific and help us to put our hands to what is in front of us. Where we are called to help others to do it willingly as if for You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 28th June 2025


From Heaven, You came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live

This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King

There in the garden of tears
My heavy load he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
“Yet not My will but Yours”, He said

Chorus . . .

Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered

Chorus . . .

So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone Him
Each other’s needs to prefer
For it is Christ we’re serving

Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick, Chris Llewellyn, Gareth Gilkeson