Author: admin

Wednesday 18th March 2026

“Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah. 2 Gilead’s wife bore sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out, and said to him, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.” 3 Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob; and worthless men banded together with Jephthah and went out raiding with him.4 It came to pass after a time that the people of Ammon made war against Israel. 5 And so it was, when the people of Ammon made war against Israel, that the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 Then they said to Jephthah, “Come and be our commander, that we may fight against the people of Ammon.” 7 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me, and expel me from my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?” Judges 11:1-7 NKJV

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead; and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced toward the people of Ammon. 30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, 31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”” Judges 11:29-31 NKJV

Lord of the Victory,

These men only forgive their brother, who has battle and raiding skills, when they need him. And they judged him because of his mother. He rightly asks them why they are wanting his help now. An agreement is reached and he goes forth. There is posturing and messages back and forth and when Jephthah finally faces his enemies he gets a last minute wobble and makes a vow – if You do this Lord I will give You . . . He did not have to bargain or make treaties or try to make You obligated to him. When You do something according to Your will it is because You are God. It is who You are. The battle was already won. You are obligated to no-one.

I find it hard to believe Jephthah would kill his daughter knowing it was forbidden to sacrifice a child. His vow was “whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and (or) I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” Dedicate to the Lord or sacrifice? There is not a word for and/or in the original. Dedicating her to the Lord would explain why she mourned her virginity and knew no man as she served only You, Lord for the rest of her life.

We do not need to try to obligate You to helping us. Jesus showed us the full extent of Your generosity, grace and forgiveness. He showed us Your willingness to answer prayer and the security we have in following You as our King and judge. Keep us humble, secure in our faith and certain in our trust. Not making unnecessary rash vows.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 18th March 2026
You can read this hymn and change the pronouns . . .

Your love has no limits, Your grace has no measure,
Your power no boundary known unto men;
For out of Your infinite riches in Jesus
You giveth, and giveth, and giveth again . . .

  1. He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
    He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
    To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
    To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

    His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
    His power no boundary known unto men;
    For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
    He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

    When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
    When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
    When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
    Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

    His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
    His power no boundary known unto men;
    For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
    He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

    Lyrics: Annie J Fint

Tuesday 17th March 2026

“Then Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, 2 “Please speak in the hearing of all the men of Shechem: ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one reign over you?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.”” Judges 9:1,2 NKJV

“After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in the mountains of Ephraim. 2 He judged Israel twenty-three years; and he died and was buried in Shamir.3 After him arose Jair, a Gileadite; and he judged Israel twenty-two years. 4 Now he had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys; they also had thirty towns, which are called “Havoth Jair” to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. 5 And Jair died and was buried in Camon.” Judges 10:1-5 NKJV

Faithful God,

This chapter in Judges shows what happens when a man puts himself forward for his own gain rather than being called by God. In the midst of men raise up by God is a man who is a self appointed king. Abimelech. He murders so no one can oppose him from his family and comes to a terrible end. Those who aided and abetted him from Sechem also paid the price. It is a stark warning that true disciples follow.

But then we have Tola from the tribe of Issachar for twenty three years who must have been successful because there is no mention of trouble. Then another called Jair who was from the tribe of Manasseh and was a big family man. He had 30 sons who all rode donkeys the symbols of coming in peace.

Perhaps we do not arrive by donkey these days as a visible sign of our coming to make peace, be at peace keep the peace . . . but our body language sometimes gives us away! Perhaps we need to slow down at times. Dismount from our charger and find our own peace first. Not jump to conclusions, allow others to wind us up or just get on our high horse so to speak. Help me take a deep breath and remember what the proverb writer says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”(15:1)

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 17th March 2026
There is an introduction to the hymn and the singing starts about half way through. I would that my tongue always has a heavenly theme . . .


Begin, my tongue, some heav’nly theme
And speak some boundless thing
The mighty works, or mightier name
Of our eternal King

Tell of His wondrous faithfulness
And sound His pow’r abroad
Sing the sweet promise of His grace
And our redeeming God

His very word of grace is strong
As that which built the skies
The voice that rolls the stars along
Speaks all the promises

O might I hear Thy heav’nly tongue
But whisper, “Thou art Mine”
Those gentle words should raise my song
To notes almost divine
 
Lyrics: Isaac Watts.

Monday 16th March 2026

“Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,” Judges 6:1 NKJV

“Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” 13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” 14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”” Judges 6:1,11-14 NKJV

Father God,

Usually the sight of an angel would cause a falling down or bring silence. But Gideon must have been brave because he discusses and challenges Your Angel with questions about You! This young man, son of Joash of the tribe of Abiezrites, a tiny clan within Manassah.

Gideon is afraid he has seen You Lord face to face and will die – but You assure him absolutely not. You do not bring fear – but shalom, peace. And Gideon calls You YHWH Shalom the Lord is peace. Your presence always brings peace to chaos, stillness to confusion and faith to fear. The story of Gideon is amazing. The transformation of confused young man hiding from his enemies, to the Israelites judge and saviour. Perhaps many linger on his putting a fleece out twice or reducing the army from 22,000 to just 300 men. Or get side tracked y his over hearing his enemies dreams and arming his men with pitchers, torchers ready to shout!

But then it was Your Word made flesh (John 1:14) that won the victory, He was the light of the world (John 8:12) and He broke open the door to heaven. What an amazing God You are. Raise up the Gideons (male and female) that we need today to bring and share peace. Help us come out of hiding and speak for You our awesome Saviour.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 16th March 2026
They sing it with such power and purpose. A wonderful blending of scriptures. I will not apologise for repeating this worship.

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord

Lyrics: Michael Ledner