Wednesday 9th September 2026

3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”” Haggai 1:3 NKJV

In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? 4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. 5 ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ Haggai 2:1-5 NKJV

Lord , Our Lord,

Haggai speaks some 16 years after work has stopped on the Temple foundations. He joins Ezra in calling God’s people to get on with building. Reminding them they were not afraid to build their own houses! He does not just speak just to the King as past great prophets have done but addresses all those in spiritual leadership and includes the general populous.

He speaks of their having little because of their little respect for You Lord and the Covenant made. But then You build them up, encourage them with Your reassurance of success. You do not break Your side of the covenant. None of us like to start out without a negative view of success. So You make it plain You, God are with them, for them and Your spirit brings faith not fear.

It is such a rich theme throughout the Bible, man’s sin and Your forgiveness. Our fear and Your gift of faith. And the giving of Yourself by Your Spirit to live with us, build with us, and encourage and enable us. Your Spirit not just speaking to a King or leaders but all people. Calling us to join the family, be adopted through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5). You speak to us with love, God of the Universe, even tough we sin. You give us Your Spirit, calm our fears, it is a miracle of grace. So speak to us what we need to build, the fears we need to give to You and strengthen us by Your Spirit.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 9th September 2026
I could sing this every day . . .
Written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty in 2005 to represent a growing and pressing need for the people of God to return to solid Bible preaching and teaching and to turn away from that which does not satisfy the soul.

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
to receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
that the light of Christ might be seen today
in our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us,
all Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
in the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail,
let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
that will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises,
and by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your Church is built
and the earth is filled with Your glory.

Lyrics: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend

Tuesday 8th September 2026

“Now these are the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his own city. . . ” Ezzra 2:1 NKJV

“4 Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, 5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.” Ezra 4:4-5 NKJV

“Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease. 24 Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” Ezra 4:23-24 NKJV

Lord God,

Seems when things go well and progress is being made sometimes there is opposition. We know from personal experience. Sometimes others are jealous or are concerned someone might think themselves more suitable . . .

Here, those around Jerusalem do not want to see the Temple restored and its walls rebuilt. That would give power to those living there! So they write letters to the King of Persia who is now King Artaxerxes and also threaten those doing the building. So the work that had started on the Temple stops for now. Ezra has not gone away or gone silent but others join in giving Your Word of encouragement to build. And there are other things to deal with to see all You were doing.

Perhaps we need a little opposition sometimes to remind us everything is not dependent on us. We need to return to our source, You Lord. And we live in a fallen world where things do go wrong. Here it looks like it has failed and work has stopped – but it has not ended. We too need to understand sometimes things stop but have not ended. You are the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), in You we hope and trust for the future (Psalm 130:5). Let opposition be a pause while we seek You for the when and way forward.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 8th September 2026
Time for a traditional hymn that has encouraged so many over the years . . .

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high His royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
His army shall He lead,
till every foe is vanquished,
and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this His glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in His strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armour,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor’s song.
To him who overcometh
a crown of life shall be;
he with the King of Glory
shall reign eternally.

Lyrics: George Duffield

Monday 7th September 2026

“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4 NKJV

Sovereign Lord,

Now we return after Job’s book to the children of Israel in Exile in Babylon. Amazing news! A letter decreeing that King Darius of Persia, as prophesied earlier (Isaiah 45:13), would give them freedom to return to Jerusalem. He had conquered the Babylonians, their captors, and he commanded that they also must be given all they need to return and rebuild the House of the Lord. Money, goods, livestock. A miracle.

You are Sovereign over all creation, all nations,all history. Even those that do not speak Your name or have faith in You. It reassures us that You are not manipulated by the events of men. You direct the course of history no matter how far man may go. Your Word is the key to the future, our future. The book of Revelation may be difficult to comprehend but its vision of the future, is clearly Yours God.

And You are so much more gracious than we deserve. Your people Israel do not deserve or merit their freedom or provision or blessings but they get them. We get grace we do not deserve! What a friend we have in Jesus, yes, but we must not forget You are Lord of the past, the present and the future (Hebrews 13:8). Father help me keep a sense of awe and respect along with the intimacy of a friend in my relationship with You. And never forget it is because of Your grace – nothing I have done or deserve. And there is hope for the world . . . remembering You created, are upholding and moving all history to Your conclusion not mans.

In Jesus name wee pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 7th September 2026

I have just found this hymn and I liked it from the start.

City Alight is a music ministry from St. Pauls church in Sydney, Australia. Their vision is to write songs with biblically rich lyrics and simple melodies for the Christian church to sing. They pray that the lyrics and melodies of their songs will fix eyes, hearts, and minds on Jesus . . . And they rejoice that one day the only name left standing will be the name of Jesus, as it should be.

Though the nations rage
Kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King
Reigning over all
So I will not fear for this truth remains:
That my God is the Ancient of Days

None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is the Ancient of Days

Though the dread of night
Overwhelms my soul
He is here with me
I am not alone
O His love is sure and He knows my name
For my God is the Ancient of Days

Chorus

Though I may not see
What the future brings
I will watch and wait
For the Saviour King
Then my joy complete standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days

Chorus

Lyrics: Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Michael Farren, Jesse Reeves (City Alight)