Prayerfully
In 2025 I aim to pray my way chronologically (as it happened) through the Bible and listen for God.
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.”
“So on January 15, during the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon led his entire army against Jerusalem. They surrounded the city and built siege ramps against its walls. 2 Jerusalem was kept under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah’s reign. 3 By July 18 in the eleventh year of Zedekiah’s reign, the famine in the city had become very severe, and the last of the food was entirely gone. 4 Then a section of the city wall was broken down. Since the city was surrounded by the Babylonians, the soldiers waited for nightfall and escaped through the gate between the two walls behind the king’s garden. Then they headed toward the Jordan Valley. 5 But the Babylonian troops chased the king and overtook him on the plains of Jericho, for his men had all deserted him and scattered. 6 They captured the king and took him to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment upon Zedekiah. 7 They made Zedekiah watch as they slaughtered his sons. Then they gouged out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon.
8 On August 14 of that year, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard and an official of the Babylonian king, arrived in Jerusalem. 9 He burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. He destroyed all the important buildings in the city. 10 Then he supervised the entire Babylonian army as they tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side. 11 Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took as exiles the rest of the people who remained in the city, the defectors who had declared their allegiance to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the population. 12 But the captain of the guard allowed some of the poorest people to stay behind to care for the vineyards and fields.” 2 Kings 25:1-12
Lord God,
You were true to Your word, God and all that Jeremiah and Ezekiel had told them happened. After the second attack of the Babylonians Jerusalem was taken. And it was the worst it could have been.
Everything they put their faith in. The Temple, the City of Jerusalem, their King and his army failed them and there was nothing they could do. They had forgotten the God who gave them all of this and their relationship with him.
It was one of those moments when they realised how fragile life is and how out of our their own control it all was. They had nothing to put their faith in. At moments such as these through the years people have prayed, “If you are there God, help!” And You have answered their prayers. Miracles have happened.
But for the people of Judah and Jerusalem they did not pray, did not turn to You and were taken. Bad things do happen. We still live in a fallen world until Jesus comes again and there is a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1-4). Whatever happens we can turn to You for help.
Whatever comes. Keep us. Keep us faithful and true. Keep us following You. And we trust You to see us through.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 3rd September 2025
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
The Lord of hosts his name,
from age to age the same;
and He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!
Lyrics: Martin Luther
“The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people. 3 “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people. 4 During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile. 5 While they watch, dig through the wall and take your belongings out through it. 6 Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.”” Ezekiel 12:1-6 NIV
“The word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, tremble as you eat your food, and shudder in fear as you drink your water. 19 Say to the people of the land: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there. 20 The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”” Ezekiel 12:17-20 NIV
Lord of the Word,
Father God, in my minds eye I can see Ezekiel acting out his own version of Exile Street with a very serious message. Then I wonder if they laughed at first when he ate and trembled and spilled things and I wonder if the tone changed when he drank and shuddered in terror. You, Father, you faithfully and continually reminded them of Your judgement but then continually gave them opportunities to recognise and turn to You for help. In the past when they have turned back to You, You have always rescued them They would know the stories of their ancestor’s through the Psalms like Psalm 114. Used as part of the passover ceremony. But they had stopped practicing that.
It reminds me Father that You do not change You cannot tolerate sin and disobedience. You will judge us all (2 Corinthians 5:10). But You provide us with clemency in Jesus and an ongoing relationship. Like a loving Father and child and not Judge and jury. At great cost to yourself and through this rebellious people we are reading about! Jesus. Surely if Ezekiel could go to such lengths to give his message to those who would not listen, we can share the gospel to those around us. Ezekiel didn’t choose nicer people or people already living good lives. He told anyone who would listen. I recall William Booth (Salvation Army founder said, “Go straight for souls, and go for the worst.” He left the outcome with You. Just as we need to sow and let You miraculously bring the harvest.(1 Corinthians 3:6).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Some one once said to me as a new Christian – the only thing you can take into heaven with you is other people by introducing them to Jesus. Good time for a traditional harvest hymn.
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping—
we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
by and by the harvest and the labor ended—
we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Chorus
Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
when our weeping’s over He will bid us welcome—
we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Chorus . . .
Lyrics: Knowles Shaw
“In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign Lord came on me there. 2 I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal. 3 He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head.
The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood. 4 And there before me was the glory of the God of Israel, as in the vision I had seen in the plain. 5 Then he said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy. 6 And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing—the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable.”
7 Then he brought me to the entrance to the court. I looked, and I saw a hole in the wall. 8 He said to me, “Son of man, now dig into the wall.” So I dug into the wall and saw a doorway there. 9 And he said to me, “Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here.” ” Ezekiel 8:1-8 NIV
Father God,
Did Ezekiel see Jesus? Who lifted Him up by the hair of his head when Your Spirit then took him to Jerusalem where he saw idolatry at the gates of the Temple and 70 leaders performing acts of wickedness right inside the Temple.
And we sit in judgement on them for a moment. But who are we to judge? Jesus speaks about not condemning others in Matthew 7:1 . The Greek word used for judgment is krino, which can mean both “to discern” and “to condemn.” Jesus by teaching that we’ll be judged by the same standard we use to judge others encourages us to seek truth and to forgive. Compassion over condemnation. So perhaps we need to look at ourselves? He does not say we should allow murderers to run free though! Justice must be found.
John, in his gospel, teaches us to test everything because prophets do get it wrong and there are false prophets (1 John 4:1). Paul tells us not to treat prophecies with contempt but test them all. To hold on to what is good but reject every kind of evil (Thessalonians 5:19-22). Jesus in all his teachings leads us to to choose what is right in Your sight Lord God.
Perhaps we need to ensure as church (God’s people) that we learn to discern between what and who is good. And not to jump to conclusions but to be able to uncover wolves in sheeps clothing (Matthew 7:15). And as a church remove them.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 1sy September 2025
I heard this and went passed it because it seemed staid and plodding. But worship is not always about loving the tune . . . . and the first verse struck me as so true. Every age needs the discernment to be Spirit led.
The Church of Christ, in every age,
Beset by change, but Spirit led,
Must claim and test its heritage
And keep on rising from the dead.
Across the world, across the street,
The victims of injustice cry
For shelter and for bread to eat,
And never live until they die.
Then let the servant Church arise,
A caring Church that longs to be
A partner in Christ’s sacrifice,
And clothed in Christ’s humanity.
For he alone, whose blood was shed,
Can cure the fever in our blood
And teach us how to share our bread
And feed the starving multitude.
We have no mission but to serve
In full obedience to our Lord:
To care for all, without reserve,
And spread his liberating Word.
Lyrics: F. Pratt Green {1903 – 2000)