Author: admin

Monday 30th March 2026

“Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” 14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” 15 And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.” 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak on.” 17 So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel? 18 Now the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the Lord?” 20 And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 1 Samuel 15:14-21 NKJV

God who is worthy,

You are worthy,O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:11). True, fact, statement, law and more than that – something we desire to give You God praise and glory, honour and worship..

Saul does not honour You. First he says, but I have performed the commandment (v 13). Then he adds, the bleating is only from the best that we kept to sacrifice (v15). thirdly, but I obeyed and utterly destroyed the Amalekites (v20). We are going to sacrifice those we kept in Gilgal (v21). You have to give it to him, he’s persistent in justifying himself. He could just not say sorry and then offer to put it right.

Better to confess than have to admit. Help us not to try to justify what we know is not right. Even if it is not particularly evil in itself. Sometimes what is no problem for one person is difficult for another. You know our weaknesses. Help us just to come as we are, honestly needing Your holiness, forgiveness, help and guidance. And You are so generous and kind.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 30th March 2026

Worthy o worthy are You Lord
Worthy to be thanked and praised and worshiped and adored
Worthy o worthy are You Lord
Worthy to be thanked and praised and worshiped and adored

Singing hallelujah
Lamb upon the throne
We worship and adore You
Make Your glory known
Hallelujah Glory to the King
You’re more than a conqueror
You’re Lord of everything

Lyrics: Mark S. Kinzer (written 1976)

Sunday 29th March 2026

“After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying. 6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you. 8 You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.” 1 Samuel 10:5-8

“And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. 21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 Therefore they inquired of the Lord further, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord answered, “There he is, hidden among the equipment.”” 1 Samuel 10:20-23 NKJV

Lord God,

Two men by Rachels tomb with news of the donkeys. Then by the terebinth tree of Tabor three men carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. Who will give Saul two loaves of bread. Then as they come to the city a musical group that Saul will prophesy with! How many exact signs you give Saul to know this is God’s will and provision?!

And yet when Samuel comes, Saul is hiding. Scared, unwilling, doubtful? Perhaps looking for lost donkeys was the only responsibility this good looking young man wanted (1 Samuel 9:2).

Father, You do not often give us that many signs when we feel You are asking us, calling us to take up some task or responsibility. But Saul could not deny Your call. Help us not to be found hiding when You are calling us to a task, pretending we have not heard or making excuses. You do provide and teach and enable us. And help us to bide Your time not rush and panic like Saul, and push to do something before time (1 Samuel 13:11,12) . Even if we have lost an hour with the clock going forward!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 29th March 2026
Only a month since we had this hymn but it is worth repeating. Who would guess it was written 120 years ago!

 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Saviour divine!

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

Lyrics: Adelaide A Pollard

Saturday 28th March 2026

“Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.” 1 Samuel 8:1-8 NKJV 

Father,

I have empathy for Samuel. To bring up children that do not want to know or walk with You, Lord. So many parents praying for their prodigals. And there are those children who are praying fervently for their parents! But You gave us free choice.

And Israel do not ask Samuel to find other good men, perhaps priests who he knows or others he can recommend. No, like small children having done a survey of one other nation, they claim everyone else around them has a king so they want one (v5). A good idea but not a God idea. They is nothing wrong with good ideas but we need to hear Your view in case it is a good idea that leads astray.

How lovely that You, God says to Samuel not to take the rejection personally. They rejected You God first, so You understand his pain. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Now we too have Your Son, our Saviour who fully understands us. He walked in our shoes and knows exactly how we feel and what we need.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 28th March 2026
A flash from the past and there it is in this hymn- the sympathising Jesus. And I love the chorus.

 The great Physician now is near,
the sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
oh! hear the voice of Jesus.

Sweetest note in seraph song,
sweetest name on mortal tongue;
sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.

All glory to the dying Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Savior’s name,
I love the name of Jesus.

Chorus

His name dispels my guilt and fear,
no other name but Jesus;
oh! how my soul delights to hear
the charming name of Jesus.

Chorus

And when He comes to bring the crown
The crown of life and glory;
Then by His side we will sit down
And tell redemptions story.

Chorus

Lyrics: William Hunter