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Saturday 12th April 2025

“Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. 3 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. 4 Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. 5 For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” 6 So the woman came and told her husband, saying, “A Man of God came to me, and His countenance was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome; but I did not ask Him where He was from, and He did not tell me His name. 7 And He said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now drink no wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’ ”” Judges 13:2-7
“So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. 25 And the Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.” Judges 13:24

Father God,

This passage always reminds me of your announcement to Zechariah father to be of John the Baptist. On both occasions the child was chosen to serve You before it was born and both parents were given instructions about keeping to the Naderite lifestyle.

But there the similarity ends. Both boys were born as promised, raised as requested but one chose to follow Your will and way when He was old enough to make his own decisions. The other followed the desires of his own will and caused himself, his parents and numerous others endless trouble. Yet Samson is a popular Bible character and I cannot but wonder what he might have achieved had he left the ladies alone? But then You knew him before He was in his mothers womb (Psalm 139)? Sometimes my questions just give rise to more questions. But we all have our own particular weaknesses.

Samson’s lust (for something other than God) and pride was deadly. You did give him a last chance and he used it. You, God continually give us opportunities. We cannot get everything perfectly right all the time, but we have Jesus who continually forgives and repurposes us as we go. Thank You God. We do not deserve Your grace, we cannot earn Your grace and are not good enough to warrant Your grace. It is a gift. Help us to grow in Your grace.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Who breaks the power, of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of Glory
The King above all kings
(Oh-oh-oh, oh, oh)

This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
And leaves us breathless, in awe and wonder?
The King of Glory
The King above all kings

Chorus

Lyrics: Josh Farro, Jeremy Riddle, Phil Wickham


Friday 11th April 2025

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead; and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced toward the people of Ammon. 30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, 31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” 32 So Jephthah advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them, and the Lord delivered them into his hands. 33 And he defeated them from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim, with a very great slaughter. Thus the people of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.” Judges 11:29-33

Lord God,

The Spirit of the Lord, Your Spirit had come upon Jephthah regardless that he was the son of a prostitute’s liaison with Gilead and rejected by his brothers. You chose to use Him and allow him to know by Your Spirit You were with him. He was able to sent a clear historical argument against war to the King of the Ammonites. You also enabled him to raise an Army.

So why did he need to make a rash vow such as this. Surely he knew his family would rush out of the door to greet him. A wife a child . . . Did he feel the need to give an offering? Pay for Your support in some way?

It is like us when we try to barter with God. It is ridiculous. As if we could match his giving or give him anything that is not already his. Jephthah maybe did not really know You, God that well. But we do. We have seen and heard and known You through Jesus, Your Holy Spirit and Your written word. You would not want us to keep a vow that meant breaking the ten commandments. Perhaps the ‘and’ was an ‘or’ missed out of verse 31. His daughter mourned her virginity and not her death later on in the chapter. That would fit with her being given to serve You, God for the rest of her life rather than killed. Keep us from rash vows and trying to barter with You. We knowing You want our best, can answer prayers that are according to Your will, and will not answer ones that would do us harm.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 11th April 2025

Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King reigning over all
So I will not fear, for this truth remains
That my God is the Ancient of Days

None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne, it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is the Ancient of Days

Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul
He is here with me, I am not alone
Oh, His love is sure, and He knows my name
For my God is the Ancient of Days

Chorus

Though I may not see what the future brings
I will watch and wait for the Saviour King
Then my joy complete, standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days

Chorus

Lyrics: Jesse Reeves / Michael Farren / Rich Thompson / Jonny Robinson (Cityalight)








Thursday 10th April 2025

“One day Gideon’s son Abimelech went to Shechem to visit his uncles—his mother’s brothers. He said to them and to the rest of his mother’s family, “Ask the leading citizens of Shechem whether they want to be ruled by all seventy of Gideon’s sons or by one man. And remember that I am your own flesh and blood!” Judges 9:1-3
“After Abimelech died, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo, was the next person to rescue Israel. He was from the tribe of Issachar but lived in the town of Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. 2 He judged Israel for twenty-three years. When he died, he was buried in Shamir.” Judges 10:1-2
“After Tola died, Jair from Gilead judged Israel for twenty-two years. 4 His thirty sons rode around on thirty donkeys, and they owned thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which are still called the Towns of Jair.” Judges 10:3-4

God our Judge,

Judges is so named because it relates the history when the children of Israel had to look for someone to rule them when trouble arose. They did not seem to seek You, God or get together. It makes interesting reading that they go along happily and are only bothered when trouble comes to call on You and look to You to raise up another leader to save them.

You kept Your promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and You never left them or deserted them in their time of need. And the long term promise to bless all nations through them which we celebrate this coming Easter. The birth of the Saviour and the only true Judge. The one who defeated death (Revelation 1:17-18) and brings us forgiveness of sin (Ephesians 1:7) and peace with You the Almighty God (Romans 5:1).

Keep us worshiping, praising, thanking and from being people who only pray when we have a need. Thank you that we can come when we do because You are faithful.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 10th April 2025

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone I’ve been set free
My God my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love amazing Grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Chorus

The Earth shall soon
Dissolve like snow
The Sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine.

Chorus

Lyrics: Isaac Newton and new chorus and verse Chris Tomlin.