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Friday 18th April 2025

“After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.” So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God. When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake! “What’s going on?” the Philistines asked. “What’s all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?” When they were told it was because the Ark of the Lord had arrived, they panicked. “The gods have come into their camp!” they cried. “This is a disaster! We have never had to face anything like this before! Help! Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness. Fight as never before, Philistines! If you don’t, we will become the Hebrews’ slaves just as they have been ours! Stand up like men and fight!” 10 So the Philistines fought desperately and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. 11 The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed.” 1 Samuel 4:3-11 NLT

God beyond the symbols and buildings,

Before I met You, Lord, I think I did believe a little in lucky charms, St Christopher’s and touching wood . . . but now I see they are just things and it is a lie of the enemy to turn us away from You, the source of all help.

It is sad that even believers sometimes put there trust in the rituals or the symbols or the church building and altar. Of course You are in the building, You are omnipresent. The only place You are absent is the place we call hades or hell, the outer darkness (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Here in 1 Samuel the children of Israel are trusting in the Ark which represented the presence of You God with them. And when they saw it they raised an almighty shout of joy that made the ground shake. But it is a little like a man dying for a drink trusting in the bottle and not the water within it!

It does us good to meet together to worship, your Spirit speaks to us often when we are turned to You in services or taking communion. But it is You, the living God who we have a relationship with not bricks or bread and wine. The holy Ark was captured but not You, God. They had to learn over and over again where to put their trust. Keep our faith from wandering from You the source of all we need, all we have and all that is to come. We will raise our praises and hallelujahs to You alone.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 18th April 2025
I raise a hallelujah to the Lord. I will put my faith and hope Him.

I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the king is alive!


I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me
I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee
I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery
I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!

Chorus . . .

Sing a little louder (in the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (my weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder (in the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (my weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder!

Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Jake Stevens, Jonathan David Helser, Melissa Helser, Molly Skaggs 2019

Thursday 17th April 2025

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”” 1 Samuel 3:1-10 NIV

Lord who calls,

A young boy given to serve in the Temple by his mother with the agreement of his father . . . awoken in the night . . . runs to the one he serves and obediently says, “Here I am.” waiting for instructions. Would I have done that? Or would I have groaned and muttered under my breath about needing sleep! And when I was small, I was a little afraid of the dark.

But there have been times when I have wanted to really hear You speak as Samuel did. And wished You would write directions down so I could be sure of following properly. Samuel learned to be open to hearing You. Eli told him how to respond. When we need to hear You God, we need to let You know we are listening. Not for Your sake – because even before a word is on our tongue you already know it. (Psalm 139:4). But for ourselves to turn ourselves to listening mode and give You time and opportunity to get through to us.

The other morning I awoke and said out loud, ‘do not worry or be afraid’. And later I understood why You reminded me in advance to keep me calm. You seem to delight in finding new ways to speak to us. It is not always after hours of silence or meditation or prayer time. But we do need to have openness to You and open our spiritual senses and rest our mouths. Speak Lord Your servants are listening . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 17th April 2025
A new song to me but I find the prayer in its lyrics just right for today.

When You speak, confusion fades
Just a word and suddenly I’m not afraid
‘Cause You speak and freedom reigns
There is hope in every single word You say

I don’t wanna miss one word You speak
‘Cause everything You say is life to me
I don’t wanna miss one word You speak
Quiet my heart, I’m listening


When sorrows roar and troubles rage
You whisper peace
When I don’t have the words to say
I won’t lose hope
When storms won’t break
You keep Your word
Oh, and Your promises will keep me safe

Chorus . . .

Your ways are higher, You know just what I need
I trust You, Jesus, You see what I cannot see
Your ways are higher, You know just what I need
I trust You, Jesus, You see what I cannot see

Chorus . . . Repeat . . .

Lyrics: Benji Cowart, Chris Mcclarney, Josh Thomas Bronleewe.

Wednesday 16th April 2025

“As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 18 She said, “May your servant find favour in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” 1 Samuel 1:12-18 NIV

God of life,

The priest thought she was drunk. How embarrassing. But she did receive the answer to her prayer, though she did not have the experience of family life with him. Help us understand that answers to prayer are not always what we expect. Anna (Luke 2:36) was a widow in the Temple. I wonder how many times, when he was alive she prayed for a child? Yet she used her life to good and was rewarded with seeing Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus in the Temple.

Help us to hand over all our desires to You even with tears and then leave them there. Not wear them on our face and in our manner. And leave You to answer in the way that is best. thank you for the many answered prayers. Thank you that one day we will be able to ask You why some deep desires were not granted . . . or perhaps we will know and not need to . . .

Father Your compassion is unending and You do know what it is like to stand in our shoes. Help us with the deep things, the unanswerable things, the questions that have no answers. And help us to look to You and not be downcast but trust.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 16th April 2025
I don’t always understand but I can always sing of the goodness of God.

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

Cos all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God


I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

Chorus

‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me (oh)
Repeat

Chorus x 2

Lyrics:  Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding and Jenn Johnson