Sunday 17th August 2025

“And the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father. 2 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. 3 The king of Egypt dethroned him in Jerusalem and imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 4 The king of Egypt made Eliakim, a brother of Jehoahaz, king over Judah and Jerusalem and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Necho took Eliakim’s brother Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt.” 2 Chronicles 36:1-4

“This is what the Lord says: “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and proclaim this message there: 2 ‘Hear the word of the Lord to you, king of Judah, you who sit on David’s throne—you, your officials and your people who come through these gates. 3 This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if you are careful to carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David’s throne will come through the gates of this palace, riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by their officials and their people. 5 But if you do not obey these commands, declares the Lord, I swear by myself that this palace will become a ruin.’” Jeremiah 22:1-5 NLT

“Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God.” 2 Chronicles 36:5 NLT

Lord of Righteousness,

Jeremiah spoke Your truth and gave a clear specific warning. They either did not take him seriously, were defiant in not wanting to live Your way or they just thought You, God would still help them anyway. They did not heed the word of a man of God. Jeremiah had it tough he was disbelieved, he was openly opposed and later suffered for his words of truth.

We can learn much from Him heavenly Father about longsuffering, steadfastness and obedience. Even though he did complained to You, God privately long and loud (Jeremiah 20:7-18).

Jesus too suffered for speaking the truth and He privately asked You, God ‘to take the cup from him’ when praying on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:42). All the disciples had fallen asleep.

Sometimes it is amazing to be one of Your children and singing Your praises. Other times it can be a long lonely walk. And no-one can truly know what we are going through but You, God by Your Holy Spirit. Help us when we complain and doubt and get fed up. Jeremiah said I wish I had never been born (Jeremiah 20:17). Jeremiah looked to You and went on to serve mightily His weakness became strength in You. Help us to look up to You and serve on this Sabbath day and this week and always. And perhaps humanly speaking Lord God not so much of the suffering and complaining?

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 17th August 2025

Holy Spirit, living breath of God
Breathe new life into my willing soul
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole
Cause Your Word to come alive in me
Give me faith for what I cannot see
Give me passion for Your purity
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me

Holy Spirit, come abide within
May Your joy be seen in all I do
Love enough to cover every sin
In each thought and deed and attitude
Kindness to the greatest and the least
Gentleness that sows the path of peace
Turn my strivings into works of grace
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do

Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth
Giving life to all that God has made
Show Your power once again on earth
Cause Your church to hunger for your ways
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see

Lyrics: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Saturday 16th August 2025

 After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. 21 But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message: “What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”22 But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. 23 But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him. He cried out to his men, “Take me from the battle, for I am badly wounded!” 24 So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. 25 The prophet Jeremiah composed funeral songs for Josiah, and to this day choirs still sing these sad songs about his death. 2 Chronicles 35:20-27 New Living Translation

God who speaks,

Josiah the young king who grew up, rediscovered the written books of the Law and reinstated Temple worship and Godly living across his kingdom. This same Josiah went out to meet with King Neco. Perhaps rightly worried he was coming to fight for Jerusalem? But King Neco does not wax political he simple tells Josiah not to worry. He is off to fight another nation.

I would have gone home and been grateful, no war. Josiah instead goes out to fight a war that he has not asked You about or Your prophets. Fighting what was another man’s war! And God through Neco had told him not to.

For me this is a good word of advice. Before getting myself involved with things going on around me I should seek Your wisdom and advice. Sometimes we should get involved to help or protect. But other times it may be none of our business and something You God are doing not involving us. And when we interfere where we should not – no good ever comes of it and maybe even harm? Why do we always think we must find a solution for everything? Keep my nose out of what does not concern it and help me hear Your sound advice.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 16th August 2025
Written in old English but it still has something to say . . .

Teach me, my God and King,
in all things Thee to see,
and what I do in anything,
to do it as for Thee.

A man that looks on glass,
On it may stay his eye;
Or if he pleases, through it pass,
And then the heaven espy.

All may of Thee partake;
Nothing can be so mean,
Which, with this tincture ‘for Thy sake’
Will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine,
Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws,
Makes that and the action fine.

This is the famous stone
That turneth all to gold,
For that which God doth touch and own
Cannot for less be told.

Lyrics: George Herbert

Friday 15th August 2025

“The word of the Lord which came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

“I will utterly consume everything From the face of the land,” Says the Lord; 3 “I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, the fish of the sea, and the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land,” Says the Lord. 4 “I will stretch out My hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, the names of the idolatrous priests with the pagan priests—5 those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; those who worship and swear oaths by the Lord, but who also swear by Milcom; 6 those who have turned back from following the Lord, and have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him.” 7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord God; for the day of the Lord is at hand, for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests.” Zephaniah 1:1-7 NKJV

Lord God of the future,

Another clear voice reminding Judah and Jerusalem that they will not get away with idolatry and ignoring worship of their own true God. He warns them that a great day will come when nothing can be hidden or covered over.

Yes. You, Lord had prepared a sacrifice. Since before time began,  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind . . . The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. (John 1:1-4,9) Jesus.

Jesus spoke in a parable about giving invitations to a feast and that many would give excuses and not come. But His servants would go out to the highways and byways inviting others to come. (Luke 14:15-24). What a beautiful picture of the church going out to the streets around them inviting people to come and feast with You. Zephaniah was speaking to his present and our present and our future. God’s message is truly timeless. There is still to come a day of the Lord. When Jesus returns coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. (Revelation 1:7).

So we humbly bow before You our God and Saviour and look to that awesome terrible day when You will come again. And we need not be afraid to see You face to face.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 15th August 2025
We had this just a month ago – but it bears repeating endlessly.

Lo! he comes with clouds descending,
Once for favored sinners slain!
Thousand, thousand saints attending,
Swell the triumph of his train.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
God appears on Earth to reign.

Ev’ry eye shall now behold him,
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold him,
Pierced and nailed him to a tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.

The dear tokens of his passion
Still his dazzling body bears,
Cause of endless exultation
To his ransomed worshipers;
With what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars.

Yea! Amen! let all adore thee
High on thine eternal throne!
Savior, take the pow’r and glory,
Claim the kingdom for thine own.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Everlasting God come down.

Lyrics: Charles Wesley