Tuesday 2nd September 2025

“The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people. 3 “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people. 4 During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile. 5 While they watch, dig through the wall and take your belongings out through it. 6 Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.”” Ezekiel 12:1-6 NIV

“The word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, tremble as you eat your food, and shudder in fear as you drink your water. 19 Say to the people of the land: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there. 20 The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”” Ezekiel 12:17-20 NIV

Lord of the Word,

Father God, in my minds eye I can see Ezekiel acting out his own version of Exile Street with a very serious message. Then I wonder if they laughed at first when he ate and trembled and spilled things and I wonder if the tone changed when he drank and shuddered in terror. You, Father, you faithfully and continually reminded them of Your judgement but then continually gave them opportunities to recognise and turn to You for help. In the past when they have turned back to You, You have always rescued them They would know the stories of their ancestor’s through the Psalms like Psalm 114. Used as part of the passover ceremony. But they had stopped practicing that.

It reminds me Father that You do not change You cannot tolerate sin and disobedience. You will judge us all (2 Corinthians 5:10). But You provide us with clemency in Jesus and an ongoing relationship. Like a loving Father and child and not Judge and jury. At great cost to yourself and through this rebellious people we are reading about! Jesus. Surely if Ezekiel could go to such lengths to give his message to those who would not listen, we can share the gospel to those around us. Ezekiel didn’t choose nicer people or people already living good lives. He told anyone who would listen. I recall William Booth (Salvation Army founder said, “Go straight for souls, and go for the worst.” He left the outcome with You. Just as we need to sow and let You miraculously bring the harvest.(1 Corinthians 3:6).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Some one once said to me as a new Christian – the only thing you can take into heaven with you is other people by introducing them to Jesus. Good time for a traditional harvest hymn.

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping—
we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
by and by the harvest and the labor ended—
we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Chorus

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
when our weeping’s over He will bid us welcome—
we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Knowles Shaw

Monday 1st September 2025

“In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign Lord came on me there. 2 I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal. 3 He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head.

The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood. 4 And there before me was the glory of the God of Israel, as in the vision I had seen in the plain. 5 Then he said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy. 6 And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing—the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable.”

7 Then he brought me to the entrance to the court. I looked, and I saw a hole in the wall. 8 He said to me, “Son of man, now dig into the wall.” So I dug into the wall and saw a doorway there. 9 And he said to me, “Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here.” ” Ezekiel 8:1-8 NIV

Father God,

Did Ezekiel see Jesus? Who lifted Him up by the hair of his head when Your Spirit then took him to Jerusalem where he saw idolatry at the gates of the Temple and 70 leaders performing acts of wickedness right inside the Temple.

And we sit in judgement on them for a moment. But who are we to judge? Jesus speaks about not condemning others in Matthew 7:1 . The Greek word used for judgment is krino, which can mean both “to discern” and “to condemn.” Jesus by teaching that we’ll be judged by the same standard we use to judge others encourages us to seek truth and to forgive. Compassion over condemnation. So perhaps we need to look at ourselves? He does not say we should allow murderers to run free though! Justice must be found.

John, in his gospel, teaches us to test everything because prophets do get it wrong and there are false prophets (1 John 4:1). Paul tells us not to treat prophecies with contempt but test them all. To hold on to what is good but reject every kind of evil (Thessalonians 5:19-22). Jesus in all his teachings leads us to to choose what is right in Your sight Lord God.

Perhaps we need to ensure as church (God’s people) that we learn to discern between what and who is good. And not to jump to conclusions but to be able to uncover wolves in sheeps clothing (Matthew 7:15). And as a church remove them.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 1sy September 2025
I heard this and went passed it because it seemed staid and plodding. But worship is not always about loving the tune . . . . and the first verse struck me as so true. Every age needs the discernment to be Spirit led.

The Church of Christ, in every age,
Beset by change, but Spirit led,
Must claim and test its heritage
And keep on rising from the dead.

Across the world, across the street,
The victims of injustice cry
For shelter and for bread to eat,
And never live until they die.

Then let the servant Church arise,
A caring Church that longs to be
A partner in Christ’s sacrifice,
And clothed in Christ’s humanity.

For he alone, whose blood was shed,
Can cure the fever in our blood
And teach us how to share our bread
And feed the starving multitude.

We have no mission but to serve
In full obedience to our Lord:
To care for all, without reserve,
And spread his liberating Word.

Lyrics: F. Pratt Green {1903 – 2000)

Sunday 31st August 2025

“Now, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor to shave your head and your beard. Then take a set of scales and divide up the hair. 2 When the days of your siege come to an end, burn a third of the hair inside the city. Take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city. And scatter a third to the wind. For I will pursue them with drawn sword. 3 But take a few hairs and tuck them away in the folds of your garment. 4 Again, take a few of these and throw them into the fire and burn them up. A fire will spread from there to all Israel.” Ezekiel 5:1-4 NIV

Father of all mankind,

What a drama to watch for those who sought Ezekiel out to see what he would do next. To shave in public not just his beard but also his head. Ezekiel was a priest and as such there were rules and laws about not cutting hair and shaving!  “Priests must not shave their heads or shave off the edges of their beards or cut their bodies.” Leviticus 21:5. And shockingly You told Ezekiel to use a sharp sword, not a shaving tool, an implement of violence and war. 

You, Lord did not flower over or dilute Your words of warning, judgement and consequences. You, God have not changed. But here in just 15 words You show compassion, faithfulness and salvation.  But take a few hairs and tuck them away in the folds of your garment.

Hope for the listeners and a whisper of what was to come, “ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ” Colossians 3:1-3. We are in Christ like those few shaved hairs. Tucked in close to Your heart. Enabled by a cross, another weapon of man, not a sword. Safe from Your judgement Lord because Christ has covered us with His holiness.

Actions speak louder than words. still many ignored Ezekiel’s drama. We thank you God that we are safe from judgement. That thousands, nay millions round the word heeded Jesus action on the cross and cling to You. We earnestly pray Father, You will draw many, many more to Yourself in Christ.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Sunday 31st August 2025

Thank you for saving me, what can I say?
You are my everything, I will sing your praise.
You shed your blood for me, what can I say?
You took my sin and shame,
a sinner called by name.

Great is the Lord,
Great is the Lord,
For we know your truth has set us free,
You’ve set your hope in me.

Mercy and grace are mine, forgiven is my sin,
Jesus my only hope, the Saviour of the world.
“Great is the Lord” we cry,
God let your kingdom come,
Your word has let me see,
thank you for saving me!

Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Martin Smith