Author: admin

Saturday 3rd May 2025

“Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. 2 He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. 3 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart 4 that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. 5 David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. 6 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7 Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this.” 2 Samuel 6:1-6 NLT

“Then David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (also called Kiriath-jearim) to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord who is enthroned between the cherubim. 7 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart. 8 David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. 9 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark. 10 Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark.” 1 Chronicles 13:6-10 NLT

God of history,

Here we see history through the eyes of Samuel, well up to the point he dies and then other prophets continue. We also see the same history written by those getting history down in Chronicles. And we see the one getting the spiritual points down clearly and the other more concerned with the order and details of events. Sometimes they are almost identical but Samuel notes the position and name of all those he would be very familiar with.

A new cart, praise and worship, godly men. Well meaning, trying to do the right thing. But they had long forgotten that there were poles and pole holes for the Ark. Ignorance did not get Uzzah forgiveness. The law was that no-one should touch or look in the Ark. Their obedience and reverence did not go far enough.

I know that we can go to You through Jesus for forgiveness when we have done something wrong out of ignorance. We can even come to You when we know we are guilty and confess and receive mercy. But do we need to also embrace reverence? Not just a token bow but a wholehearted, holy respect for who You are? Not in false humility but acknowledging that You are the great I AM. We are called to follow You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Saturday 3rd May 2025

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creations revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All powerful, untameable
Awestruck, we fall to our knees
As we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go?
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light?
Yet, conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Chorus Twice

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing, God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart
And You love me the same
You are amazing, God

You are amazing, God

Lyrics: Laura Mixon Story

Friday 2nd May 2025

 “In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. 2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah.” 2 Samuel 2:1-4 NKJV

“Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. 9 He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.” 2 Samuel 2:8-9 NKJV

King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Our God,

First of all your people wanted a king rather than being led by You and now they are divided by having 2 Kings. One anointed by Samuel to be king and one descended from the first king, also anointed, Saul. North and South. Israel and Judah. And we can just sense the trouble that is to come when they not only have enemies without but animosity within. And we know, that the promised king who would not only reunite their kingdoms but the world’s tribes, would not be born for 2000 years. He would not be recognised by many as Your Son and the King of Kings. The thief on the cross next to Jesus was one of the first (Luke 23\;42) and the Roman centurion on guard duty at the cross a close second saying “Surely this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).

Help us find the things that unite us believers and not be tripped up by the trivia we may disagree on. Help us to be able to disagree, share our views and agree to differ than split. Help us to appreciate where other people are coming from and keep the main thing the main thing. We all belong to Jesus. The King of Kings. We have our feet on the same rock and do not need to be aggressively defensive. There will come a time when You will sort the sheep from the goats and it is not our job. Ours is to build the Kingdom Your Kingdom, share Your love and fight sin and evil. One King! Lead us forward in unity in Jesus. One in Christ.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Friday 2nd May 2025|
Pray for churches around the world, church leaders, the next generation of believers and those not yet born . . .

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
see his banner go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before!

At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise!

Chorus

Like a mighty army
moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
one in charity.

Chorus

Onward, then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
in the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
unto Christ the King;
This thro’ countless ages
men and angels sing.

Lyrics: S Baring-Gould

Thursday 1st May 2025

“Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills!
    Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen!
20 Don’t announce the news in Gath,
    don’t proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon,
or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice
    and the pagans will laugh in triumph.
21 O mountains of Gilboa,
    let there be no dew or rain upon you,
    nor fruitful fields producing offerings of grain.
For there the shield of the mighty heroes was defiled;
    the shield of Saul will no longer be anointed with oil.
22 The bow of Jonathan was powerful,
    and the sword of Saul did its mighty work.
They shed the blood of their enemies
    and pierced the bodies of mighty heroes.” 2 Samuel 1:19-22 NLT

Our Lord and God,

David’s whole life went from being a hunted victim to freedom and yet he did not gloat. He found it in his heart to remember Saul had been chosen by You even if he had wandered from living Your way. Johnathon had stayed loyal to his father even though he was torn between seeing the future would not be victorious for him. David uses only words reflecting the good they had done. Not just for Jonathon because he was a close friend but for the man who had tried to kill him, but was an anointed king.

Sometimes You call us to be bigger than the situations we find ourselves in. We do not need to gloat and can afford be generous in our riches in Jesus. We do not need to put others down to be raised up as we are children of a King. We do not need to repeat what people already know. And we remember that we too make mistakes and are glad You do not publicise them but forgive them and remember them no more (Hebrews 8:12).

Thank you for Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 1st May 2025

Come, people of the Risen King
Who delight to bring Him praise
Come all and tune your hearts to sing
To the Morning Star of grace
From the shifting shadows of the earth
We will lift our eyes to Him
Where steady arms of mercy reach
To gather children in

Rejoice, Rejoice
Let every tongue rejoice
One heart, one voice
O Church of Christ, rejoice

Come, those whose joy is morning sun
And those weeping through the night
Come, those who tell of battles won
And those struggling in the fight
For His perfect love will never change
And His mercies never cease
But follow us through all our days
With the certain hope of peace

Chorus

Come, young and old from every land
Men and women of the faith
Come, those with full or empty hands
Find the riches of His grace
Over all the world, His people sing
Shore to shore we hear them call
The Truth that cries through every age
“Our God is all in all”

Lyrics: Keith Getty, Kristyn Lennox Getty,Stuart Townend