Author: admin

Friday 9th May 2025

“And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued. 5 And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam. 6 And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot and he also was the son of the giant. 7 But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him. 8 These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.” 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 KJV

“And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saiph, which was of the sons of the giant. 19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. 21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David slew him.22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.” 2 Samuel 21:15-22 KJV

God Almighty,

Now we read that Goliath had four brothers. Did you give David prior knowledge that he would need 5 stones for 5 Goliaths? I wonder if he kept the other four or thought about them? David was growing old when the time for slaying giants rose again. His soldiers were now his smooth stones, and following David’s example of trusting You.

Sometimes we pick up something or we hear a small voice prompting us to be prepared. When we do it is wonderful to find we have just what we need to help someone later. Or to pop in and see someone. The times I have though to pick up something and thought no that’s silly. And then later realised it was you prompting me to be prepared. Help us to hear that small voice, that inner prompting of Your Spirit so we can be an answer to prayer. And please continue to speak to us even when we don’t seem to hear. Sometimes we are not too good at listening. Help us to be at the right place at the right time. Nudge us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 9th May 2025

Make my life a prayer to You
I wanna do what You want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers, no compromise
I wanna shine the light You gave
Through Your Son You sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know You’re really there

Well, I wanna thank You now
For being patient with me
Oh, it’s so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I’ll have to trust
And just believe what You say
Oh, You’re coming again
Coming to take me away

I wanna die and let You give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope You gave to me
The love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there
You’re not some fable or fairy tale
That I’ve made up inside my head
You’re God the Son, You’ve risen from the dead

Oh, I wanna thank You now
For being patient with me (With me)
Oh, it’s so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I’ll have to trust
And just believe what You say
Oh, You’re coming again (Coming again)
Coming to take me away

Guitar solo

I wanna die and let You give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope You gave to me
I wanna share the love that set me free

Lyrics: Keith Green

Thursday 8th May 2025


“And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead. 21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran. 22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? 23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi. 24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. 25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. 27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.” 2 Samuel 18:20-27 KJV

God of Good News,

Two runners, one carrying bad, sad news and the other running as one known for carrying good news. How wonderful to be known as someone who carries good news. Ahimaaz had been told by Joab that the kings son was dead but he chose not to say anything to David, rather that there had been a lot of commotion. The other runner blurted out the bad news. David mourned for his Son till he was reminded that along with the dab news there had been a victory and his troops needed to know the good news and the bad. (2 Samuel 19:1-4).

We also run with two very different messages. We carry the news that God’s Son died on a cross, and was buried. Be we also carry the good news. That he rose victorious from the dead and was seen by his disciples and many others (1 Corinthians 15:6). How wonderful to be known as someone who always looks like they have good news. Not gossip, not negativity but full of the goodness of God to share when and where possible.

As Paul encourages us, as God’s troops, help us to be willing to have our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:10).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Thursday 8th May 2025

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him
Who brings good news, Good news
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness
Our God reigns, our God reigns.

Our God reigns, our God reigns
Our God reigns, our God reigns

You watchmen lift your voices joyfully as one
Shout for your King, your King
See eye to eye the Lord restoring Zion
Your God reigns, your God reigns

Chorus

Waste places of Jerusalem break forth with joy
We are redeemed, redeemed
The Lord has saved and comforted His people
Your God reigns, your God reigns!

Chorus . . .

Ends of the earth, see the salvation of your God
Jesus is Lord, is Lord
Before the nations He has bared His holy arm
Your God reigns, Your God reigns!

Chorus . . . repeat . . .

Lyrics: Leonard E Smith (1974)

Wednesday 7th May 2025

“So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom. 15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiatha the priests, “Thus and so Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so I have advised. 16 Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’” 2 Samuel 17:14-16 NKJV

Lord and Father,

It does seem sometimes that evil men know what to do and when and we long for the day when sin, pain, death will be no more (Revelation 21:4). But here we see that You had purposed to defeat the good advise the priest gave Absalom so that he could not hurt David your anointed king. As the New Living Translation clearly puts it, “For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom!”

Sometimes Lord and Father God we need to step back and just look at a verse and see it in terms of eternity. You Lord are determined to defeat evil council, which seems the better plan, but so You can bring about Your eternal plan. For us You did not send Hushai, who in 1 Chronicles 27:33 is called Hushai the Archite and king David’s companion, but You sent Your Son. To show us the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). You are determined and though we do not understand how, we know You will finally defeat evil as You defeated death at the cross (1 Corinthians 15:56)

When we are in two minds help us to clearly hear Your Holy Spirit. Help us in our decisions, Thank you for the wise Hushai’s in our lives. Thank you for You Holy Spirit who is our life giving companion. Hand us to find HIs joy today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 7th May 2024
Back to a traditional hymn. The end gives the name of the choir and where they are from. It reminds me of 1 Chronicles and the listing of the children of Israel. God knows every one of us and by name.

 God is working his purpose out,
as year succeeds to year:
God is working his purpose out,
and the time is drawing near:
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God,
as the waters cover the sea.

From utmost east to utmost west,
wherever man’s foot has trod,
by the mouth of many messengers
goes forth the voice of God:
give ear to me you continents,
you islands give ear to me,
that the earth may be filled
with the glory of God,
as the waters cover the sea.

What can we do to work God’s work
to prosper and increase,
the brotherhood of all mankind,
the reign of the Prince of Peace?
What can we do to hasten the time,
the time that shall surely be,
that the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God,
as the waters cover the sea.

March we forth in the strength of God
with the banner of Christ unfurled,
that the light of the glorious gospel of truth
may shine throughout the world;
fight we the fight with sorrow and sin
to set their captives free,
that the earth may be filled
with the glory of God,
as the waters cover the sea.

All we can do is nothing worth
unless God blesses the deed;
vainly we hope for the harvest-tide
till God gives life to the seed:
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God,
as the waters cover the sea.

Musical interlude . . . listing members of the choir

Lyrics: Origin lyrics by Arthur C Ainger (1841 – 1919)