2026 will again be through the Bible chronologically selecting verses which attract my attention or questions or encourage me on the day. I pray it blesses whoever reads . . . My theological background is Salvation Army College and now Church of England. I love all Christian denominations.
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Forgive me and help me turn from everything I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay the price and set me free from my sin. Please come into my life, fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.”
“Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. 11 And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. 12 Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.3 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” 14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” 15 Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.” Joshua 5:10-15 NKJV
Lord God,
They celebrate passover which brings the community together. The manna came to an end before they prepared to move forward into the promised land. Joshua is out taking a look at what was to come, is confronted by an imposing figure with sword drawn! Joshua does not seem to be overly threatened, and asks if the man is foe or friend. Joshua’s nature is not to kill first and ask later! Strangely the man says no. He is neither? But he is commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua fell down and worshiped – what an immediate response and he does not ask about the battle to come, or about the future or for help.
He asks the Lord what He would have his servant Joshua do. Joshua is a leader, he is a warrior and he is confident. But in the presence of God he immediately becomes an obedient servant. You God do not have to tell him to humble himself, but just to take of his shoes as he is on holy ground, Just as You asked Moses to remove his at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5). Stepping away from the dust of his life to Your holy ground God.
Lord, I know You loathe death and murder and killing. And yet You know that this world is fallen and evil men and women do evil things. No one can make You take sides. You see above and over what we understand. But we do look to You to help us fight the evil that drives men and women to do their worst. Paul says we also fight against principalities and powers,rulers of the darkness of this age, the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). I don’t fully understand but am comforted by an image, a theophany (a visible manifestation) of You God with sword drawn who is not against us but because of Jesus is for us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Friday 6th March 2026 Sometimes like Joshua we sense His presence and feel we are on Holy ground.
We are standing on holy ground And I know there are angels all around Let us praise Jesus now We are standing in His presence on holy ground
“4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” 8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the Lord had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.” Joshua 4:1-9 NKJV
God who remeembers,
You know how fickle we are and how quickly we forget the many things You have done for us or we do not even notices. In rereading this passage I noticed something I had read many before and not really thought about. The 12 stone collectors, representing their 12 tribes, were told to walk before the ark of the covenant to find the stones. They really had to trust! They may have prevented the ark carriers from tripping too! So the stones were ready for when every one had passed over. They did not have to wait but saw the pile of stones winessing safe arrival. A memorial.
Sometimes I wish I had kept a diary – not one that listed the necessary actions for the day – one which noted what You were doing Lord, and the wonderful events I witnessed and the blessings I received. Interestingly I do have pebbles from prayer trips. Memorials of a kind.
Those 12 original stones have long gone but the truth they were there remains. The greatest memorials I have Lord are an empty cross and an empty grave. The cross is long gone and the stone that was rolled away who knows where.. But the truth still stands that they were there.. Joshua has long gone – but Jesus? You are with us always.
In Jesus name we give praise, Amen.
Worship Thursday 5th March 2026 Another rousing hymn to lift our souls to praise as we approach the Easter memorial time.
Crown Him with many crowns the Lamb upon the throne. Hark How the heav’nly anthems drowns all music but its own! Awake, my soul And sing of Him Who died for thee and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity
Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side, those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified; no angel in the sky can fully bear that sight, but downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.
Crown Him the Lord of peace, Whose power a sceptre sways from pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise. His reign shall know no end, and round His pierced feet fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.
Crown him the Lord of years, the potentate of time, creator of the rolling spheres in majesty sublime: all hail, Redeemer, hail, for Thou hast died for me; Thy praise shall never, never fail through out eternity!
“Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.” Joshua 3:1-4 NKJV
Father of new mornings,
Thank you that every morning is new with fresh hope and love and Your mercy. Even though here we are again with the children of Israel paused at a river wondering how they would get across. Perhaps they remembered the story their parents told them about crossing another different river when they left Egypt? Only two people would actually remember that – Caleb and Joshua.
But You do not need to do things the same way Lord. You are creative and show Your power though another water parting miracle! With Moses the staff represented Your command through Moses for the water to part. Here the ark of the covenant – the symbol of Your presence with them went first And the water itself drew back before You God.. They were to follow a little behind. How symbolic. Following You carefully not trying to rush ahead or assume the way. They had to wait, look and follow. Then they had their own testimony of Your miraculous power and provision of a dry crossing..
I can think of no better lesson Lord. Whatever life throws at us, whatever deep water is to be passed through, or mountain climbed,. We should look for You, wait upon You and follow where You lead. We too will see and have our own miracles to attest to Your provision and way forward. Thank You that You are with us always as we too have not passed this way before.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 4th March 2026 I limit this hymn to about once a year – but sometimes a rousing familiar hymn is needed to lift us to praise.
Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but you are mighty; hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more, feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing waters flow. Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through. Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, be Thou still my strength and shield, be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside. Death of death, and hell’s Destruction, land me safe on Canaan’s side. Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever give to Thee, I will ever give to Thee.
Lyrics: William Williams translated by Peter Williams
