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.”
“Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily. 17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; the hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. 18 Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. 19 As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass over, and by day and by night; it will be a terror just to understand the report.” 20 For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it. 21 For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be angry as in the Valley of Gibeon—that He may do His work, His awesome work, and bring to pass His act, His unusual act. 22 Now therefore, do not be mockers, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard from the Lord God of hostsa destruction determined even upon the whole earth. “” Isaiah 28:16-22 NKJV
Lord God,
In the opening of this chapter we read Lord God of Your divine judgement against the ten tribes of Israel and the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin because of their sins and iniquities. Then the chapter flows into this prophesy using very clear, strong, definite architectural illustrations.
The promise of a proved, tried and sure cornerstone. Not like the one in the Temple which could be knocked down. But one that can be absolutely trusted. It will show up all that is not straight and true and even stand through death and sheol and darkness.
A prophecy, for hundreds of years beyond Isaiah’s time, the promise of Christ, the Messiah, the only foundation of hope for escaping the wrath to come (Ephesians 2:19) . A foundation of God from before the beginning. A tried stone, a chosen stone, approved of God, and who never fails. Binding together the whole, bearing the weight of every believer and the whole church. And whoever believes in any age or from any nation shall find a Your safe place.
Whatever people put their trust in, except the righteousness, wisdom and purity of Christ will eventually topple or crumble. Those who trust in a righteousness of their own, will have deceived themselves and find the bed is too short, the covering too narrow. What a simple but clear illustration of never finding peace and rest! So Lord help us not to miss Your reproofs lest our foot slips from the cornerstone, who is Christ.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 16th June 2026
In Christ alone, my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save ‘Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live, I live.
There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life’s first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
“Shepherd Your people with Your staff, the flock of Your heritage, who dwell solitarily in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in days of old. 15 “As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them wonders.” 16 The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; they shall put their hand over their mouth; their ears shall be deaf. 17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent; they shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth. They shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of You. 18 Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. 19 He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20 You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old.” Micah 7:14-20 NKJV
Good Shepherd,
In closing Micah pleads that You, God, will Shepherd Your flock with Your staff. In some translations the staff is a sceptre, a kingly term. Did Micah long for the Messiah to come, the son of David to rule? (Genesis 49:10). During Micah’s time there was unrest, they were surrounded by enemy nations and so he prayed that they would not be solitary in woodland – but safe out in the open and able to graze safely. And they would see wonders from You God. He reinforces the truth that You are a God who is angry at injustice and sin. But a pardoning God who delights in mercy. Who takes our sin away and always speaks the truth.
Surely, truly, this is a God we can trust, not only by his words but His actions. We cannot neglect dealing sin and rebellion. It has to be admitted and offered to You, God in order to be free of it and have room for Your mercy and grace. And Lord when the enemy reminds me of some shame, sin, embarrassment or mistake – I remember that You forgive me, not just once a week at communion, not just when I say the Lord’s prayer – but every single moment.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 15th June 2026 Wow, found this hymn written in 1893! The story of the hymn is below the lyrics.
Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine; Living with Jesus, a new life divine; Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine, Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.
Moment by moment I’m kept in his love; Moment by moment I’ve life from above; Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine; Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.
Never a trial that he is not there, Never a burden that he doth not bear, Never a sorrow that he doth not share, Moment by moment, I’m under his care.
Chorus
Never a weakness that he doth not feel, Never a sickness that he cannot heal; Moment by moment, in woe or in weal, Jesus, my Savior, abides with me still.
Chorus
Lyrics: Daniel Webster Whittle.
Ira D Sankey wrote, while I was attending the World’s Fair, in Chicago, Henry Varley, a lay preacher from London, said to Major Whittle: “I do not like the hymn ‘I need Thee every hour’ very well, because I need Him every moment of the day.” Soon after Major D W Whittle wrote the sweet hymn, Moment by moment.
Mr. Whittle brought the hymn to me in manuscript a little later, saying that he would give me the copyright of both the words and music if I would print for him five hundred copies on fine paper, for distributing among his friends. His daughter, May Whittle, who later became the wife of Will R. Moody, composed the music. I did as Mr. Whittle wished; and I sent the hymn to England, where it was copyrighted on the same day as at Washington.
In England the hymn became very popular. Falling into the hands of the well-known Rev. Andrew Murray, of South Africa, then visiting London, he adopted it as his favorite hymn. A year later Mr. Murray visited Northfield England, and while holding a meeting for men in the church he remarked: “If Sankey only knew a hymn which I found in London, and would sing it, he would find that it embraces my entire creed.” I was very anxious to know what hymn it was, and when he had recited it I said to him: “Doctor, that hymn was written within five hundred yards of where we are standing.”
“Now gather yourself in troops, O daughter of troops; He has laid siege against us; they will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek.2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” 3 Therefore He shall give them up, until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; then the remnant of His brethren shall return to the children of Israel. 4 And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; and they shall abide, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5 and this One shall be peace.” Micah 5:1-5 NKJV
Majesty, Lord,
You warn Israel to prepare as they are about to be attacked. He has told them they are under God’s judgement. He does not tell them to be brave or to hope for victory. But then amidst the judgement and expected attack he gives this beautiful promise to one small city. A promise they will not see in their lifetime but their descendants will.
One who will come forth from You, God, to be the Ruler, and who will be great to the ends of the earth! Not just a king of Judah or Israel or both but who will will be the peace for the whole earth. And not a single earthly king could achieve greatness to the ends of the earth by human effort though many want to or may try! One who will feed his flock in the strength of the Lord. Echoing what Isaiah was saying and promising, that the Lord would come and feed his sheep like a Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11).
So we not only read about but experience You God. Your unchanging judgement but endless mercy. Who promised and then provided Your people with a Messiah born in a humble shelter in little Bethlehem. Whose love now reaches and changes us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 14th June 2026 Someone gave me a CD of the Young Messiah many years ago and I was a little snobbish about loving the original. However I soon grew to love it.
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)
Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He Is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:28-29)
