Sunday 31st May 2026

“Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken. 3 Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. 5 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6 And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah. 7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. 8 And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9 So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. 10 And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.” 2 Chronicles 17:1-10 NKJV

Lord God,

Jehoshaphat. He wisely used his military leadership to strategically place garrisons to protect Judah from Israel. He set an example of spiritual leadership by walking in Your commandments. He removed the temptation of the high places and destroyed wooden images of idolatry. He dispatched teams made up of leaders, Levites and priests to educate those in the cities about the Law of the Lord.

All great things. Did he do it to plan for peace? To plan for a well ordered nation together in faith? To remove the double mindedness of professing faith in God and having idols scattered across the land? To score points with You God?

The Chroniclers tell us that his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord. He delighted in pleasing You God. I can think of nothing better than to think about that. Does my heart and my actions show delight in Your ways?

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 31st May 2026

This is my desire to honour You
Lord, with all my heart I worship You
All I have within me I give You praise
All that I adore is in You

Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul I live for you alone
Every breath that I take every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me

This is my desire to honour You
Lord, with all my heart I worship You
All I have within me I give You praise
All that I adore Is in You

Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul I live for you alone
Every breath that I take every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me

Repeat Chorus twice . . .

Lyrics: Reuben Timothy Morgan

Saturday 30th May 2026

“And it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.” 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”4 So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food. 5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, “Why is your spirit so sullen that you eat no food?” 6 He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ” 7 Then Jezebel his wife said to him, “You now exercise authority over Israel! Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”” 1 Kings 21:1-5 NKJV

God of truth,

A fair offer for real estate but a valid reason for refusal. But the offer was underwritten with covetousness and followed by rejection which brought on profound self pity and a sulk. So Ahab’s wife not wanting to put up with his sulk and who felt he was above the law decided to be his sinful backbone. Perhaps he knew she would sort it for her? So whose was the greater sin? His manipulation of her if it was that? Or hers for organising a murder to rid him of his sulk. Wrong question!

It all started because Ahab coveted. Was jealous of a small vineyard near his home and could not get over it. The tenth of God’s commandments and after murder and stealing and lying. But it can quickly lead to the others.

Covetousness in all forms is ugly and You, Lord God, counter it with the command to love our neighbour. And who is our neighbour? The person with a better allotment, the one who has a newer car, an attractive spouse? A smaller nose, a closer family, better health or more holidays? Who knows what catches us unawares. Help me count my blessings till there is no room for anything else. I will still need or want – but I can ask You and leave my requests with You, where they will not lead me into temptation.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 29th May 2026
More beautiful worship from Rend Collective. New take on count your blessings.

I was blind, now I’m seeing in color
I was dead, now I’m living forever
I had failed, but You were my Redeemer
I’ve been blessed beyond all measure

I was lost, now I’m found by the Father
I’ve been changed from a ruin to treasure
I’ve been given a hope and a future
I’ve been blessed beyond all measure

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Letting go and trusting when I cannot see
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Surely every season You are good to me

Oh oh oh oh, You are good to me
Oh oh oh oh, You are good to me

You were there in the valley of shadows
You were there in the depth of my sorrows
You’re my strength, my hope for tomorrow
I’ve been blessed beyond all measure

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Letting go and trusting when I cannot see
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Surely every season You are good to me

Surely Your goodness pursues me
Surely Your heart is still for me
I will remember Your mercies all my days
Through every storm and gale

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Letting go and trusting when I cannot see
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Surely every season You are good to me

Oh oh oh oh, You are good to me
Oh oh oh oh, You are good to me

Lyrics: Songwriters: Chris Llewellyn and Gareth Gilkeson

Friday 29th May 2026

“So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.”” 1 Kings 18:20-24 NKJV

“And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”” 1 Kings 18:36-39 NKJV

Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel,

We just have to visit this event on the journey through 1 Kings.. Elijah, reinforcing the truth that You, God, are still God of Israel as well as Judah. You are still their provider and their judge! You do not disappear because they ignore You. Elijah shows the Prophets of Baal up for what they are – shams. He then allows them lots of time to show themselves up and Baal as powerless.

You made Israel and Judah wait for a long time and many judgements till You sent the perfect sacrifice, on the altar of the cross, for their and our sin. Till Your time was right. (Romans 5:6). Just as Elijah gave You all the glory, Jesus shared His glory with You, His Father. He was the image of You in human form (Colossians 1:15). No matter how much water is poured on the message of the gospel, how much it is dampened down, Jesus Spirit still burns true, finding new hearts to heal and set on fire.

Just as the foolish trusted in Baal to send the fire, today many trust in all sorts of things to help them. Yes, we are sometimes still considered foolish by the world to trust in the message of Your cross. But we believe it is foolishness to those who are perishing, and to us who are being saved it is Your power, God, which strengthens us ( 1 Corinthians 1:18).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 29th May 2026
We are not waiting any more – we are living in Jesus now. This is one of the songs of the last decade which has stuck with me and I still like.

You are here moving in our midst
I worship you, I worship you
You are here working in this place
I worship you, I worship you

You are here moving in our midst
I worship you, I worship you
You are here working in this place
I worship you, I worship you

You are, Way maker, Miracle worker, Promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God. That is who you are
You are, Way maker, Miracle worker, Promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God. That is who you are.

You are here turning lives around
I worship you, I worship you
You are here healing every heart
I worship you, I worship you

Chorus: You are, Way Maker . . .
Twice

Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop

Chorus: You are Way Maker

Lyrics: Michael Anthony Oluwole, Okoro Osinachi Kalu