Tag: Start the Day

Sunday 13th September 2026

“All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. 2 Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants.” 1 Chronicles 9:1-2 NKJV

“But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. 27 They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning. 28 Some of them were in charge of the articles used in the temple service; they counted them when they were brought in and when they were taken out. 29 Others were assigned to take care of the furnishings and all the other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the special flour and wine, and the olive oil, incense and spices.” 1 Chronicles 9:26-29 NKJV

Lord God,

You are the God of nations, families and individuals. When we get to passages of the Bible, as now, we are faced with 9 chapters of genealogies, we struggle. Yes it is easy to scan read the many names and move on to get through to more interesting bits. Well I do sometimes Lord. To get through the Bible in a Year we cannot linger here. But – I want o pause here Lord with the gatekeepers. Named, known and remembered.

It began in the wilderness camping by the tent openings of the moveable Tabernacle. And the responsibility of ensuring all was done properly.Then moved on to the Temple when it was originally built and duties extended to ensuring their we the necessary ingredients for worship. So when they came back to Jerusalem in Ezra, Haggai and Zechariah’s time they were again needed. The took up their duties. We do not read anywhere, as for as I know, that they left their post or did not fulfill their obligations. hey are worthy of being remembered.

And what about all those faithful servants who open up our churches, see to the heating, buy the milk and coffee. Prepare and check communion is prepared for. Father, named and known by You for eternity. We give thanks for all those down the years who have served thus. All those who do so now, some in difficult situations or amidst persecution. And we also turn a thought to those who will take over and ensure all still goes well in the future . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 13th September 2026
“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10b NKJV Doorkeepers first in . . .

How lovely is Your dwelling place
Oh Lord Almighty
My soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied
Within’ Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings

Better is one day in Your courts, Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts, Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts, Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts, Than thousands elsewhere

One thing I ask, and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
Your glory dwells

Chorus

My heart and flesh cry out
For You, the Living God
Your Spirit’s water for my soul (My soul)
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You

Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Matt Redman

Saturday 12th September 2026

“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”” Daniel 6:3-5 NKJV

“Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:21-23 NKJV

God of miracles,

The New King James version places this event at this time in history. When Daniel is older and has progressed in his management responsibilities in Baylon. It is difficult to date because no one is sure who Darius the Mede is or when he lived. But here is a good time to step aside from Jerusalem, he return and the Temple being rebuilt and see what was happening in Babylon. Just as You do not focus on one area at a time, Lord God, but see all.

Jealousy. Pure and simple. The satraps are jealous of Daniels abilities. Perhaps he shows up their inadequacies or he knows where they take advantage of their positions. Or perhaps it is just because he is not one of them. Jealousy harms the holder from within. We see later they also get their comeuppance.

James in 3:14-16 warns us that where envy and self seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Some of us have experienced it first hand and sometimes those jealous do not seem to get their comeuppance. But it is subtle Lord and we need Your Holy Spirit to red flag any we may have!

I was also reminded that sometimes I read over the miraculous. But I was reminded last Sunday how Jesus calmed a storm with a word. A miracle not just a sea story. You Lord, stopped the mouths of the lions. A miracle. Today so much dampens our belief in miracles. You are not a dead God, an afar God or a God who is not involved in our lives. Because You don’t always send miracles, when we ask, does not mean they do not occur. . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 12th September 2026
Shake off my unbelief

They say this mountain can’t be moved
They say these say these chains will never break
But they don’t know You like we do
There is power in Your name

We’ve heard that there is no way through
We’ve heard the tide will never change
They haven’t seen what You can do
There is power in Your name
So much power in Your name

Move the immovable, Break the unbreakable
God we believe, God we believe for it
From the impossible, we’ll see a miracle
God we believe, God we believe for it.

We know that hope is never lost
Oh, for there is still an empty grave
God we believe no matter what
There is power in Your name
So much power in Your name

Move the immovable, Break the unbreakable
God we believe, God we believe for it
From the impossible, we’ll see a miracle
God we believe, God we believe for it.

You are the way when there seems to be no way
We trust in You God You have the final say
You are the way when there seems to be no way
We trust in You God You have the final say

Move the immovable, Break the unbreakable
God we believe, God we believe for it
From the impossible, we’ll see a miracle
God we believe, God we believe for it.

Lyrics: CeCe Winans, Dwan Hill, Kyle Lee, and Mitch Wong

Friday 11th September 2026

“Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 And at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus: 3 In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, 4 with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury. 5 Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God.” Ezra 6:1-5 NKJV

God of Righteousness,

I love this bit of history. Restoration on the Temple resumed and again opposition arose. They wrote to King Darius so the ruling powers would again sop the the rebuilding. But no. This time a thorough search was made and in some obscure place a scroll was found. Tattenai Governor of the region beyond the river, along with his cohorts, had not only to back off but to help and provide and even feed the Israelite builders!How humiliating. And if they did not do it, their own houses would be torn down and made a refuse heap.

So the Temple building is finally resumed. It was completed and dedicated. (Not the walls). The priests were purified and then slaughtered the passover lambs and passover was celebrated with great joy (Ezra 6:13-22).

Some opposition can be stopped by standing firm, sometimes it needs legalities. As with the documents here. But the timing -was yours Lord God. You were dealing with the hearts of Your people (and their enemies). To have faith in You God, not to be afraid to want to build. You give a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We do not always like to walt for Your timing Lord but we learn that sometimes it is the only thing we can do (Psalm 27:14). Thank You that the wicked do not always get their own way this side of heaven.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 11th September 2026
This hymns always reminds me we are part of God’s Kingdom – His people. The enemy seeks to isolate us so we should stick together in prayer and fellowship.

Sound the battle cry!
See, the foe is nigh,
Raise the Standard high
For the Lord.
Gird your armour on;
Stand firm every one;
Rest your cause upon
His holy word.

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner!
Ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud hosanna!
Christ is captain of the mighty throng.

Strong to meet the foe,
Marching on we go,
While our cause we know
Must prevail.
Shield and banner bright,
Gleaming in the light,
Battling for the right,
We ne’er can fail.

Chorus

O thou God of all,
Hear us when we call,
Help us one and all
By thy grace!
When the battle’s done,
And the victory won,
May we wear the crown
Before thy face.

Chorus

Lyrics: William F Sherwin