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.”
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.” Isaiah 14:12-15
God Almighty,
This is one of those passages where I can see both sides of the suggested meanings. Lucifer could be translated as sining one or Day star and refer to the King of Babylon who sees himself in his own glory. Or it could be a reference to Lucifer who we read of in Revelation 12:9 and was hurled down with all his angels. It does come in Isaiah’s chapter on the fall of the King of Babylon. But with all prophetic scripture, sometimes they captured more than they know about the far future. Isaiah has many passages pointing so clearly to the birth of the Saviour.
So perhaps this is where I need to hold the two truths at the same time. Historically and futuristic. There is always more to Your word Lord God than we first realise. How often I have found a verse that speaks to me in my time as if You were saying it personally now Lord God. And I am so grateful that You gave us not a novel or a history book but Your Word inspired by Your Holy Spirit. When I open the Bible. please inspire me with its truth and, with what I need to know for today. You do bring down evil in Your time Lord. And Lucifer is just a fallen angel, angry, evil but not in control. Keep our eyes on You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 19th August 2026 Well I had to look it up as I like to know wha I am singing! A bulwark is a defensive wall, rampart, or any strong person, thing, or idea that provides protection, safety, or support against danger, loss, or harm. Wow.
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 does 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. You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth 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 1529 Translator: Frederic Henry Hedge 1852
“Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison. 32 And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 33 SoJehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life. 34 And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king of Babylon, a portion for each day until the day of his death, all the days of his life.” Jeremiah 52:31-34 NKJV
Father of grace and mercy,
The thirty seventh year of captivity! An evil King of Babylon, Merodach. We sort of expect it to get worse. But no Merodach decides to bring the King of Judah, Jehoiachin out of prison to live and dine with him and his rulers for the rest of his life . And the Chronicler lists that he had sons “And the sons of Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) were Assir, Shealtiel his son, and Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.” (1 Chronicles 3:17-18).
The line of David survived. You God kept Your promise that a Saviour would come through David’s line. We will never know why the “evil” king of Babylon showed such kindness. Some Bible scholars think it may have been to annoy his family! But it served God’s purposes and certainly made a difference to Jehoiachin! Prison to pretty good lifestyle.
Father God we see that You work out Your purposes despite men or because of them or both? Sometimes it is impossible for us to see till hindsight appears. But would You be God if man could predict You or know Your mind and plans? We look to You for our survival. You are the Good King who takes us out of prison and death to freedom and life even if we spend time dining with You here on earth till we get there.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Tuesday 18th August 2026
Father of kindness You have poured out of grace You brought me out of darkness You have filled me with peace Giver of mercy You’re my help in time of need Lord I can’t help but sing
Faithful You are Faithful forever You will be Faithful You are All Your promises are yes and Amen All Your promises are yes and Amen
Beautiful Savior You have brought me near You pulled me from the ashes You have broken every curse Blessed redeemer You have set this captive free Lord I can’t help but sing
Chorusx 3
I will rest in Your promises My confidence is Your faithfulness I will rest in Your promises My confidence is Your faithfulness I will rest in Your promises My confidence is Your faithfulness I will rest in Your promises My confidence is Your faithfulness
Chorus
Lyrics: Christopher Andrew Mcclarney, Nate Moore, Tony Brown
“In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was captured, on the very same day the hand of the Lord was upon me; and He took me there. 2 In the visions of God He took me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south was something like the structure of a city. 3 He took me there, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze. He had a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway.” Ezekiel 40:1-3 NKJV
“Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east. 2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory. 3 It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw—like the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city. The visions were like the vision which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. 4 And the glory of the Lord came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east. 5 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” Ezekiel 43:1-5
Glorious Lord God of Israel,
There is so much in the book of Ezekiel but we need to move on in our quest to cover the Bible’s history in a year. Ezekiel ends his book with an amazingly detailed vision of a land, a city (40:2) and a Temple within the city (43:5). Is this literally the Temple to be rebuilt or a vision of the Temple in Your new earth? (Revelation 21:1).
This year it was verse 43:4 that caused me to stop and wonder. Ezekiel has talked about the glory leaving the Temple earlier (10:18). An overwhelming life stopping vision showing You God removing Your presence from them. It took the depths of their depravity to cause this. It was no small disagreement. Here the glory, Your Shekinah glory Lord once again filled the Temple. Ezekiel saw the visible, physical manifestation of Your presence and divine radiance God among humanity. And he fell on his face.
It is all about You God, history showing the constant calling out to Your people and always providing a way back to You and a new start. Even our betrayal and killing of Your Son did not stop You pouring out Your Spirit to find us, heal our sin and bring us back to You. It is all about You and this passage for me reassures me that heaven and earth are not airy fairy places but as certain and measured as this vision. You are a God who creates order and yet such beauty. Yes there is a city and an amazing Temple but for Ezekiel and the most awesome moment is Your glory returning to fill it. Do we treasure You, Your glory within us?
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 17th August 2026 We have had both of these recently, within the last three weeks, but I couldn’t get them out of my mind so here they both are.
I caught a glimpse of Your splendour In the corner of my eye The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen And it was like a flash of lightning Reflected off the sky And I know I’ll never be the same
[Chorus] Show me Your glory, Send down Your presence I want to see Your face Show me Your glory, Majesty shines about You I can’t go on without You, Lord
When I climb down the mountain And get back to my life I won’t settle for ordinary things I’m gonna follow You forever And for all of my days I won’t rest ’til I see You again
