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.”
“Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” 37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” 38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”” John 11:32-44 NKJV
Father God,
Many scholars list seven signs in John’s gospel: 1. Turning water to wine, John 2:1-11 2. Cleansing the Temple John 2:12-17 3. Healing the Nobleman’s son John 4:46-54 4. Healing the Lame man John 5:1-15 5. Feeding the multitude John 6:1-15 6. Healing a blind man John 9 7. Raising Lazarus from the dead John 11 Here as we speed through the gospels it is good to see them as if we were reading through the whole of John at one time. We see how John reveals more and more about Jesus and who who He really is. To both those who knew God and those who did not. And the last showing that He was God as He could give life even after 4 days when the body had started to decay (John 11:39). All His statements about being the resurrection and the life were not just words he proved they were actions waiting to happen.
He was and is as good as His Word. Jesus proved His divinity. Only God can give life and Jesus was God with us. Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14). Why did John go to such lengths to add this to his gospel? Because if Jesus was just a good man He could not do anything more than us. Good men do leave a legacy ,many leave good works behind, but Jesus was truly man and truly God. That takes some grasping. He really lived as a man and knows all we go through. Even grief. And yet He conquered death, to give us resurrection life with Hm beyond death. As the hymn said yesterday O come to the Father through Jesus the Son and give Him the glory great things He hath done.
In Jesus name we pray Amen.
Worship Sunday 8th November 2026 Love this upbeat version. I did not know there ae 12 verses written by two men. This version has selected verses from both!
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne. Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee, and hail him as thy matchless king through all eternity.
2 Crown Him the Son of God, Before the worlds began, And ye who tread where He hath trod, Crown Him the Son of Man; Who every grief hath known That wrings the human breast, And takes and bears them for His own, That all in Him may rest.
3. Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave, and rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save; his glories now we sing who died and rose on high, who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.
3 Crown Him the Lord of Heaven, Enthroned in worlds above, Crown Him the king to whom is giv’n The wondrous name of Love. Crown Him with many crowns, As thrones before Him fall; Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, For He is king of all.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ 8 So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they [c]complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”Matthew 20:1-16 NKJV
Father God,
We love to sing about Your faithfulness, Your answer to prayer, Your overwhelming generosity. Your willingness to forgive. When I first became a Christian it was interspersed with apologies for my bad language till I got rid of the habit. I still lapse mostly if I slip trip or hurt myself. There were no lightening bolts and You knew my weaknesses and the things I still struggle with. I am overwhelmingly grateful for Jesus and the gift of grace and forgiveness to me and It is the one thing I want to give t others.
someone once asked me if it was fair that a murderer should find Christ and get to heaven on his deathbed? Why should the last be first and the first last? I remembered what Jesus said to Simon about the two debtors. The one who had been forgiven more being more grateful. (Luke 7:47). If we truly know what it is to be a child of God we would not need to push to the front. What joy to see You do not leave anyone out, you invite them in. Salvation is not measured it is full for all. Our years of service are not what saves us. And God knows the repentant heart.
How much more joy over one sinner who repents, even in heaven (Luke 15:7), even at the last minute. I cannot hold jealousy or resentment in my heart because it pushes You out. So help me be generous. Joy in hearing others come to You whoever they are, where ever they are and whatever they have done. Some may have to prove they are truly changed, trustworthy, and are being transformed. We need to be safe and church needs to be a safe place in these troubled times.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 7th November 2026
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives. We don’t have to earn it, pay for it or be a good person to receive it. Thank God, I believed and He took me as I was.
To God be the glory, great things He hath done, so loved He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
2 O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to ev’ry believer the promise of God; the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3 Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; but purer, and higher, and greater will be our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Mark 10:17-22 NKJV
Generous God,
Some people inherit much and some are born into poverty. Ganted fortunes do change but not everyone has the same opportunities. But here I do not think You are addressing politics, social backgrounds or wealth. As always You are speaking to the state of heart of a person. You knew this man had tried being good and tried very hard to keep all the laws and yet did not feel he had made peace with You. And he was right. Being good and trying hard does not lead to salvation.
I used to get ‘could try harder’ at school and I resented it. I could never be good enough. Jesus was at peace and he did not spend every minute of every day doing a good deed, or healing someone. He directed us to His source – You, Good Father (Mark 10:18). As a new Christian I had thought this passage meant I should give my all literally and I struggled with that as I had responsibilities and family. Then I took up a new hobby and it was all encompassing and I realised how easily something could become the centre of my life, and push You to one side Lord. Anything can become more important than You. Jesus saw that this man worshiped his wealth. I have known very wealthy people manage their wealth for You Father.
We all have to pay bills, provide for family, support our local church, prepare for the future. But then we have the joy of giving. The pleasure of regular support and seeing how it changes lives. The pleasure of giving when You God touch our hearts to help. Sometimes we are the ones who have been helped by a gift and recognised Your hand in it Lord God. Thank you. Teach us how to hand all we have over to You and learn how to use it wisely for Your glory.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 6th November 2026
I was about to skip over this and then was distracted for a moment as it started. I started to follow the words. It held me to the very end. Sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone! You, are the centre of our life and direction, and the Lord of our pound, dollar, Euro . . . ?
If this life has anything to gain at all I’ll count it loss if I can’t hear you, feel you, cause I need you Can’t walk this earth alone I recognize I’m not my own, so before I fall I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone
With every breath I take, with every heart beat Sunrise and the moon lights in the dark street Every glance, every dance, every note of a song It’s all a gift undeserved that I shouldn’t have known Every day that I lie, every moment I covet I’m deserving to die, I’m just earning your judgment I, without the cross there’s only condemnation If Jesus wasn’t executed there’s no celebration So in times that are good, in times that are bad For any times that I’ve had it all I will be glad And I will boast in the cross, I’ll boast in my pains I will boast in the sunshine, boast in his reign What’s my life if it’s not praising you? Another dollar in my bank account of vain pursuit I do not count my life as any value or precious at all Let me finish my race, let me answer my call
If this life has anything to gain at all I’ll count it loss if I can’t hear you, feel you, cause I need you Can’t walk this earth alone I recognize I’m not my own, so before I fall I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone
Tomorrow’s never promised, but it is we swear Think we holding our own, just a fist full of air God has never been obligated to give us life If we fought for our rights, we’d be in hell tonight Mere sinners owed nothing but a fierce hand We never loved him, we pushed away his pierced hands I rejected his love, grace, kindness, and mercy Dying of thirst, yet, willing to die thirsty Eternally worthy, how could I live for less? Patiently you turned my heart away from selfishness I volunteer for your sanctifying surgery I know the Spirit’s purging me of everything that’s hurting me Remove the veil from my darkened eyes So now every morning I open your word and see the Son rise I hope in nothin, boast in nothin, only in your suffering I live to show your glory, dying to tell your story
If this life has anything to gain at all I’ll count it loss if I can’t hear you, feel you, cause I need you Can’t walk this earth alone I recognize I’m not my own, so before I fall I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone
Glory was solely meant for you Doing what no one else could do With all I have to give (with all I have to give) I’ll use my life, I’ll use my lips (my lips yeaaah) I’ll only glory in your Word What gift to me I don’t deserve I’ll live in such a way that it reflects to you, my praise
If this life has anything to gain at all (if I have anything to gain at all) I’ll count it loss if I can’t hear you, feel you, cause I need you Can’t walk this earth alone (I need You) I recognise I’m not my own, so before I fall (I’m not my own) I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone
Songwriters: John Williams, Le Crae Moore, Christopher Cobbins
