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)

Sunday 6th September 2026

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: 2 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” Job 38:1-7 NKJV

Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:2-6 NKJV

Lord of All,

Chapters 38-41 are amazing. They fill our mind and inner vision with colour, movement, creation, sights and even remembered smells like sea and sand . . . You are amazing God. And amidst these reminders that You truly are God and we are merely little bits of Your creation – Job humbles himself in Your presence. It is always a good place to start a conversation with God. Praising Him for who He is and then for all He has made and His mercy over judgement for us.

Job ends well and his health returns. His visitors return to ask forgiveness and he is gracious and does so. It ends well and we are relieved for him. But it does not answer all the questions we have about suffering – but it shows us how Job got through and his trust in You never failed him. You God did not fail him. It has reminded me again how awesome You are. What You have made, created is just a small part of Who You are. Your mercy and grave is just a small part of You. Yet You give Job Your attention. Each one of us matters to You. I am reassured I can trust and amazed.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 6th September 2026

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
You are amazing, God

Chorus . . . .

Lyrics: Laura Mixon Story





Saturday 5th September 2026

“Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: 2 “Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated? 3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you? 4 For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.’ 5 But oh, that God would speak, and open His lips against you.” Job 8:1-5 NKJV

“I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all! 3 Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? 4 I also could speak as you do, if your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you; 5 but I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.” Job 16:1-5 NKJV

“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. 12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:10-12 NKJV

Father God,

So Zophar joins Bildad and Eliphaz in condemning Job. He calls Job to repent. Job has had enough of his miserable comforters! I agree. Job has long discourses where he states what he knows about God and works through what he believes. He is searching for truth. His visitors just judge. Job hopes there is a redeemer who will speak up and clear his name in the future. We do not know if it is a prophecy about Jesus or hoping one of his family will clear his name, a kinsman-redeemer? But these conversations he has with God show us we can question and search for Your truth to correct and direct us.

I just love verse 12. Do I treasure Your Word more than my necessary food (NKJV) more than my daily bread (NIV)? I know I enjoy, and like thinking about food and often think about what I will have for my next meal! Do I see Your teaching Lord as the commandment of Your lips (NKJV) or just something to aspire to on occasions? Not that I can ever excel! Paul speaks about the human dichotomy in Romans 7:20-25. I can only do my my best. Thank You God for Jesus Christ. We do our best with Your Spirit’s help and Jesus redeems the rest. We can question when we don’t understand life and whatever comes and however others speak we will endeavour to trust.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 5th September 2026
The chorus is my come to mind when I cannot see the way forward. It then reminds me of God’s Word. Comfort eating is false comfort?

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
‘Til our faith is turned to sight
When he comes at last

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast

Repeat chorus . . .

Lyrics: Ada R Habershon (1906) Robert Harkness (Tune)
New verses: Matt Merker New Tune: Keith and Kristyn Getty (2013)