Welcome

Thursday 24th April 2025

“Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” 2 But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” “Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.” 4 So Samuel did as the Lord instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?” 5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too.” 1 Samuel 16:1-5 NLT

Lord God,

Samuel is still disappointed in Saul. Grieving about what could have been. He is also afraid of Saul and rightly so as we read about his murderous moods later on in this chapter and in chapter 19. He was also afraid of public opinion and their distrust of him. Quickly telling them he came in peace. Samuel was disappointed, afraid and felt isolated. And the Lord spoke into his situation. Though he did not know at the time it would mean a good appointment, hope and being able to serve You again.

Psalm 3:3-4 says, “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.” Samuel could not have put it better! In times of disappointment, fear and isolation we need to allow the Lord to come and lift our head to see who holds us. Appoints us, can cast out fear and brings us into His embrace. The embrace of the Father Son and Holy Spirit (Romans 8:39). The enemy tells us we are alone and it is a lie.

Lift our heads to see when we are cast down, disappointed or feeling low. Re direct us as you did Samuel to see a different future not through King David but through the King of Kings Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 24th April 2025
A thoughtful worship . . .

O spread Your wings of mercy over me
And guard my heart with true humility
No shadow of the darkness pressing in
Only the holy overshadowing
Underneath Your wings, overshadowing

No refuge will I seek but God alone
No hiding place save only at Your throne
Only the cross, the blood to wash my sin
Only the holy overshadowing
Underneath Your wings, overshadowing

You are my shield, and my glory
You are the lifter of my head
And though the storms may rage around me
I’ll be safe within
Beneath the holy overshadowing

No burden on my back too hard to bear
Only the easy load You bid me wear
Until these troubles pass, my heart will sing
Praise for the holy overshadowing
Underneath Your wings, overshadowing

Chorus

Underneath Your wings
Overshadowing, overshadowing

Lyrics and music: Ben Trigg & Graham Kendrick

Wednesday 23rd April 2025

“I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night. 12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.” 13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!” 14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded. 15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted.

“But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.” 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night!” “What did he tell you?” Saul asked. 17 And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. 18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?” 20 

“But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 1 Samuel 15:11-21 NLT

Lord God,

Samuel asked, !”What is this bleating of sheep and goats and lowing of cattle?” Saul made no attempt to hide what can clearly be heard and therefore found and seen . . . so he justifies it.

But they are only the best and we kept them for the Lord your God.
But I did obey, I destroyed everything except those you can hear which are for your God.

But, but, but, I was once reminded that God has no goats in the Bible only sheep! But but but. It means we are trying to push ourselves out of a situation rather than repenting and changing to direction to obey You God. I wonder if Saul really meant to sacrifice them? I wonder too why Saul says he was going to sacrifice them to Samuels God? Saul did not say to my God.

Help me to be quick to accept my failings and come to You who can forgive me and justify me. Just as if I had never sinned. And show me if there are any buts in my life trying to justify wrong thoughts or behaviour.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Sometimes familiar words and melodies enable us to worship and be comforted. This hymn and version does that for me.

The Lord’s my Shepherd I’ll not want
He makes me lie in pastures green
He leads me by the still still waters
His goodness restores my soul

And I will trust in You alone (I will trust, I will trust in you)
And I will trust in You alone (I will trust, I will trust in you)
For Your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home

He guides my ways in righteousness
And He anoints my head with oil
And my cup it overflows with joy
I feast on His pure delights

Chorus

And though I walk the darkest path
I will not fear the evil one
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know

Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Original hymn by Francis Rous – contemporary version by Keith and Melody Green

Tuesday 22nd April 2025

“Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. 8 Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. 9 So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself.10 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, 11 but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. 12 So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”” 1 Samuel 13:7b-12 NLT

Lord of all,

What have You done? What’s worse than doing something wrong? Being caught out? Here we hear Saul’s response. I only did it because you never came when you said you would. We couldn’t wait another day . . . the men were afraid I did it for them. I wanted to make sure God was on our side . . . I did a peace offering and a burnt offering as was planned . . . I felt compelled by your lateness to step in . . . Not taking any responsibility for anything.

Panic or fear or both? Very powerful but not signposts! Sometimes we don’t even realise we just need to step back, stop and trust. You are our Shepherd and we should know Your voice (John 10:27). When we hear nothing it is not a time to panic and fill the void. You promised, “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21). Samuel was only hours away arriving just as Saul finished. Lord, You lead us, help us recognise when it is the enemy giving us a push or two.

Help us to wait for You. Till we can hear and see clearly again. Help us to allow Your perfect love to cast our fear (1 John 4:18). Even when or if the worst happens You will always show up, already be there and be our help and strength (Psalm 46:1-3).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 22nd April 2025
Have to slide this in every year as it is my go to chorus for life’s challenges. Chill out for 2 minutes.

You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7).
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You (Psalm 56:3)..
Let the weak say, I am strong (Joel 3:10b)


You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
I will trust in You.

Lyrics and music: Michael Ledner

Michael Ledner, composed “You Are My Hiding Place” at the age of 27 when he was going through a painful period in his life, a period of separation from his wife. He shared the song with several friends, made a recording of it, and set it aside. Nine months later he shared the song with a group while they were serving at a kibbutz (communal settlement) in Israel. These friends took the song back with them to California, and after it was sung there, Michael was contacted by Maranatha Music who asked if they could record it.