Author: admin

Thursday 15th May 2025

“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
2 I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.
3 My enemies retreated; they staggered and died when you appeared.
4 For you have judged in my favor; from your throne you have judged with fairness.”

“The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.
18 But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.
19 Arise, O Lord! Do not let mere mortals defy you! Judge the nations!
20 Make them tremble in fear, O Lord. Let the nations know they are merely human.”
Psalm 9:1-4 and 17-20 NLT

God of time and eternity,

It is good to linger a while and consider some of the many Psalms that David gave us. Even though he was a King and long ago his words often say what we want to say to You Lord today.. And they also reassure us that we can ask questions and not always understand Your ways. David starts this Psalm with praise and thanksgiving and gratitude. But he ends talking about those who are getting away with ignoring You! He is frustrated for the needy and poor.

We praise You and are filled with gratitude. You have broken into the past and even our lives and changed things for good. With the VE Day celebrations we are reminded of how Europe was led to victory. We remember the days of prayer across the nation and the godly men and women who shared their faith in trenches and bomb shelters. But we too see the poor and needy still needing You Lord today. Psalm 9 could have been written for today. Thank You for Your Word and it’s timeless truth which speaks to every situation. Break into those places today where there is war, famine, abuse and greed.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 15th May 2025

Peace in our time, O Lord,
To all the peoples – peace!
Peace surely based upon thy will
And built in righteousness.
Thy power alone can break
The fetters that enchain
The sorely stricken soul of life,
And make it live again.

Too long mistrust and fear
Have held our souls in thrall;
Sweep through the earth,
keen Breath of Heaven,
And sound a nobler call!
Come, as thou didst of old,
In love so great that men
Shall cast aside all other gods
And turn to thee again.

O shall we never learn
The truth all time has taught,
That without God as architect
Our building comes to naught?
Lord, help us, and inspire
Our hearts and lives that we
May build, with all thy wondrous gifts,
A Kingdom meet for thee.

Peace in our time,
O Lord, To all the peoples – peace!
Peace that shall build a glad new world,
And make for life’s increase.
O living Christ, who still
Dost all our burdens share,
Come now and dwell within the hearts
Of all men everywhere

Lyrics: John Oxenham (1852-1941)

Wednesday 14th May 2025

“So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. 11 The period that David reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years. 12 Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.” 1 Kings 2:10-12 NKJV

“Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 And the period that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and thirty-three years he reigned in Jerusalem. 28 So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honour; and Solomon his son reigned in his place” 1 Chronicles 29:26-28 NKJV

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue. 3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.’ 2 Samuel 23:2-4 NKJV

Father,

David died and his last words are written in 2 Samuel 23. He reflects on his life. Not about his possessions. Not with a list of his great achievements. He has prepared materials for the building of the Temple, but left it for His Son to achieve. He speaks of his relationship with You. He sees the moments when he obeyed and it was like light dawning. When he made good decisions it was like a cloudless day and where rain had fallen and brought forth much growth.

How we pray that our lives would be full of Your light and refreshing rain and growth. Speak to us by Your Spirit, through Your Son, so we too can live to serve You, not get hung up with possessions. So we can be just and kind with a healthy fear of sinning. And when we look back over our lives we see the mistakes we made and our regrets – but in the light of Your forgiveness. Not a guilty cloud in sight and Your refreshing rain, the water of life, which has quenched our thirst for love and acceptance. You are an amazing God.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 14th May 2025

Morning has broken
like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken
like the first bird.
Praise for the singing!
Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing
fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain’s new fall
sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall
on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness
where God’s feet pass.

Morning has broken
Like the first dawn
Sing Hallelujah
A new day is born

Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning
born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
praise every morning,
God’s recreation
of the new day!

Morning has broken
Like the first dawn
Sing Hallelujah
A new day is born

Lyrics: Eleanor Farjeon

Tuesday 13th May 2025

“Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. 6 (His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)” 1 Kings 1:5,6 NIV

“Then King David answered and said, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 And the king took an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, 30 just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.”” 1 Kings 1:29,30 NKJV

Father God,

David was old and nearing the end of his life. And another son thinks he will take the opportunity to grab power and the throne! Another handsome son like Absalom and we know what happened to him when he did the same! (2 Samuel 18:9-15).

Ambition can be a good thing. But ambition to have what is someone else’s is a different thing. But You God were there and Your plan prevailed even amidst mans rebellion and sin and greed. And You still sent Jesus! Sometimes for our own comfort and reassurance we want to hear Your plans so we can join in and help rather than stumble along.? We pray for all Christian church leaders and all those involved in Christian work to have a blueprint of direction from You. You did not make us automatons and you give us so much room to be creative. But we need direction and then You can pick us up when we trip, flip or fail and we are not off the way!

Thank you for the times things seem to be out of our hands, but are never out of Yours. As the writer of Proverbs experienced, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (16:9). We place ourselves into Your care and trust Your Holy Spirit to inspire, guide and accompany us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday13th May 2025
Yes a moving new version of the Salvation Army hymn I’m in His hands.

Phil Laeger writes: “When Commissioner Stanley Ditmer, the author, was close to his promotion to glory, I got a phone call from my friend Bernie Dake. He asked if I would do a new arrangement of the song. He sang it over the phone. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it. Commissioner Ditmer had written it when he was young. It meant a lot to my parents’ generation and was a great source of comfort to them. It’s really cool I got asked to put new music to it.”

I will not fear, though the darkened clouds may gather round me
I trust the One who whispers, “Peace”
Although the winds and waves would threaten to confound me
He walked upon the ancient seas
He still can calm the storm in me

I cannot see in the night that lies before me
But I hold the Hand that made the stars
My faith is firm in the One Who watches over me
His steadfast love will be my guard
He will forever hold my heart

I’m in His hands, I’m in His hands
Whatever the future holds, I’m in His hands
The days I cannot see have all been planned for me
His way is best… You see… I’m in His hands

In days gone by, You have always been my portion
When I have yielded to Your love
So here I stand, alive in You, and available for You to use me
Take all my life
For Your glory, Jesus Christ

I’m in Your hands, I’m in Your hands
Whatever the future holds, I’m in Your hands
The days I cannot see have all been planned for me
Your way is best… I know… I’m in Your hands

Lyrics: Phil Laeger