Author: admin

Wednesday 21st May 2025

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. 2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. 3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. 5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. 6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Interlude

7 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle.

9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
10 Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—he is the King of glory. Interlude” Psalm 24

Glorious King of Kings,

This is a little Psalm with BIG concepts! Was written for when David returned the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? (2 Samuel 6:15) After Your anger God because they did not obeying the way Your Ark should be respected and moved. (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

David notes that You, the God who is the King of glory and mighty in battle is willing and open to sinful man. It doesn’t diminish Your glory or might it shows us Your heart and character. David calls out for the gates of Jerusalem to open and let them in. He then repeats the request for emphasis. Even a King had to ask for entrance.

What a picture this is for when Your Son Jesus came and was open to mankind even though they could not keep their own hands and hearts clean. He too wanted to enter into our hearts so they could be cleansed, healed, washed and loved. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.”

Now we can know we have pure hands and hearts when we open our hearts gates to You, the King of Glory. You seek us and knock and if we respond we can find You and worship in Your presence. Lord of Heavens Armies protect and keep our hearts open to You all the days of our life and protenct us from the enemy.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 21st May 2025

The King of Glory reigns
Over all the world
His mighty hand sustains
The heavens and the earth.
Who may come to Him
And seek His holy face?

He calls the pure in heart
All whose hands are clean
And those who love His name
Above all other things
Humbly I will bow
And Jesus’ Name confess

He reigns, He reigns
Jesus the Lord
He reigns, He reigns
Forevermore

Swing wide you ancient gates
Let the King come in
His glory never fades
Our hearts delight in Him
Every knee will bow
Every tongue confess

Chorus twice . . .

Who is this King of glory
The Lord strong and mighty
He bore the cross of shame
Sing Hosanna

Repeat the above twice

Chorus twice . . .

Lyrics: Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty

Tuesday 20th May 2025

 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Psalm 23 KJV

“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath
 and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. Psalm 23 Message

God our eternal Shepherd,

It is good to read the most well know Psalm in different versions. Here one is a traditional translation and one a paraphrase. It stops us being too familiar even complacent thinking we know it and not letting You speak afresh to us through it. Even if I prefer one above the other it makes me consider what Your Word says and how it applies to my life. It makes me look at it again with fresh eyes.

This Psalm can become over familiar, often sung, being I think the most well known of all David’s Psalms by believers and those not sure. David could never have known how renowned his little verses would be. Written, many believe, at a very difficult time in his life when he was fleeing from his own son Absalom. He had family problems, was a refugee, had a loss of income and been rejected by all those who once supported him.

Life sometimes is not good. But . . . we can sit and dine on a rich banquet of Your love, Your provision and Your hope even when things look bleak or black. I love the thought that even when I am afraid or in flight mode Your love chases me to ensure I know I am loved and You are sticking with me. You are my Good Shepherd and the safest place to be is with You. I love You Lord.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 20th May 2025
When I first heard this worship I wondered over the words about God’s goodness running after me. Now I see that they beautifully echo David’s words in Psalm 23:6!

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

‘Cos and all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

Chorus

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after,
It’s running after me (oh)

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It keeps running after me

Chorus
I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing

Chorus
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Lyrics: Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding, Jenn Johnson.

Monday 19th May 2025

“1Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
3 As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips.
5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.
7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will  rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16

My God and my Lord,

This is one of many Psalms it is worth lingering over. Reading through and then going back and giving each verse some personal attention. David is reminding himself that You, the Lord of Lords is Lord of him. And how grateful he is for the delight of knowing there are others round the world who believe in You too.

I am grateful I do not have to rely on myself. I rely on You. I am so grateful for other believers who have prayed for me, encouraged me, and who are serving You in their part of the Kingdom. Who love Jesus as I do.

I should find time and be grateful for where You have placed me. Not complain. To be secure that You are at my right hand, that You are my source of power and strength. Even when I am personally deplete. Knowing You are with me always should bring that deep joy. That inner joy that is not passing happiness or just contentment, but fullness of joy.

And there in verse 10 we see David speaking of One to come. Your Son who You would not allow to see corruption but who would show us the path to life. All through the Old Testament You give signposts to Jesus. How wonderful. The joy bringer Himself (John 15:11). Thank You for this Psalm, help me be glad and rejoice in who I am, where I am and and be full of the joy of Your presence and the delight in knowing others who worship You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 19th May 2025
This hymn is definitely not just for Christmas. I joyfully love this version.

Joy to the world! Joy to the world! Oh, whoa

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King (oh-whoa)
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing And heaven, and heaven and nature sing

Oh-oh-oh, Joy to the world! Joy to the world! Oh

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Joy to the world then we sing
Let the earth receive her King!
Joy to the world then we sing
Let the angel voices ring

Joy to the world then we sing
Let the men their songs employ
Joy to the world then we sing
And repeat the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
And glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love

Joy to the world then we sing
Let the earth receive her King
Joy to the world then we sing
Let the angel voices ring

Lyrics: Original Isaac Watts
Re arrangement: Lowell Mason