“In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king over Judah. 10 And he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother’s name was Maachah the granddaughter of Abishalom. 11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David. 12 And he banished the perverted persons from the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. 13 Also he removed Maachah his grandmother from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. And Asa cut down her obscene image and burned it by the Brook Kidron. 14 But the high places were not removed. Nevertheless Asa’s heart was loyal to the Lord all his days. 15 He also brought into the house of the Lord the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which he himself had dedicated: silver and gold and utensils.” 1 Kings 15:9-15 NKJV
Father God,
At last, a king of David’s line who did good. And it cannot have been easy going. Standing against his mother. Showing her up before the whole nation. Cleansing the land of the physical places of idolatry and also cleansing the land of the perverted people. He may not have been perfect but he was known by You as doing what was right. You didn’t leave them without a witness. Just as ou never leave our world without witnesses.
Today we remember the one who was perfect ‘good’ who ensured everyone of us could know Him. Not just the people who saw Him when he walked the earth as Jesus. But everyone, at the same time and yet personally . . . By ascending to You so He could send Your Holy Spirit. He is the One who is You with us. He speaks, He leads, He guides (John 16:13) and He corrects and forgives (1 Timothy 6:20). When we pray, we sometimes pray to You, Our Father. Or we call on Jesus or we ask the Holy Spirit to help us. How wonderful that You are One and hear us. We do not have to explain ourselves again because You are in perfect unity. It just helps us understand how You are everywhere, all the time and know everything. You have a plan for mankind. And yet . . . You are committed to us personally, individually – to love, forgive, and give us a way home.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 24th May 2026
On Pentecost Sunday – an indulgence, a hymn from the Scottish revival. Details below the lyrics.
They were gathered in an upper chamber,
As commanded by the risen Lord,
And the promise of the Father
There they sought with one accord
When the Holy Ghost from heav’n descended
Like a rushing wind and tongues of fire:
So dear Lord, we seek Thy blessing,
Come with glory now our hearts inspire.
Chorus
Let the fire fall, let the fire fall
Let the fire from heaven fall;
We are waiting and expecting
Now in faith dear Lord we call;
Let the fire fall, let the fire fall
On Thy promise we depend;
From the glory of Thy presence
Let the Pentecostal fire descend.
As Elijah we would raise the altar
For our testimony clear and true
Christ the Saviour, loving Healer,
Coming Lord Baptizer too
Ever flowing grace and full salvation
For a ruined race Thy love has planned
For this blessed revelation
For Thy written Word we dare to stand
Chorus
‘Tis the covenanted promise given
To as many as the Lord shall call,
To the fathers and their children,
To the people, one and all;
So rejoicing in Thy word unfailing,
We draw nigh in faith Thy power to know
Come, O come, Thy burning Spirit
Set our hearts with heavenly fire aglow.
Chorus
With a living coal from off Thy altar,
Touch our lips to swell Thy wondrous praise
To extol Thee; bless, adore Thee
And our songs of worship raise;
Let the cloud of glory now descending
Fill our hearts with holy ecstacy,
Come in all Thy glorious fullness
Blessed Holy Spirit have Thy way.
Chorus
Lyrics: Harry Tee
The test of true revival is that the fruit will be seen in individual lives which will then have a marked effect upon the community. One such true revival was that in Kilsyth, Scotland, beginning in 1908 where the writer of this hymn, Harry Tee, was the leading elder of the church from 1922 until his death in 1959. Harry and the church there in Kilsyth, experienced a true ‘upper chamber’ revival. For 9 months . . .
. . . True to real revival, hundreds of lives were radically changed and signs followed. Some of the worst characters in the community were saved. One infamous man who had had to be restrained with rope, held by no less than FIVE policemen, was transformed instantly when he was born-again and filled with the Spirit. A lady who was ill with diphtheria and had lost her hearing and speech, was instantly healed when hands were laid on her. The town which was built mostly on mining was filled with rough, hard-working men whose hearts were touched and changed. This then affected the homes and children, and it was not uncommon to hear and see children earnestly seeking the Lord, speaking in tongues and even being used of God to bring sobering prophecies. Beyond the little Scottish town of Kilsyth, this outpouring affected nations and continents as, as with any true revival, a missionary zeal burned in hearts. When Harry Tee wrote the words and music to this revival hymn, he was both describing what happened in the Book of Acts as well as what happened in Kilsyth.
From Limerick City Church blog.