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.”
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”Isaiah 56:6-11 NKJV
Lord of all,
You are indeed our guide, strength and provision. Isaiah brings the positive with the correction. How like You Father God. You lay out choices before us and it is up to us to choose. If this part of Isaiah was written later, Isaiah reminds them that token thanksgiving and worship is seen for what it is. Their fasting was up front while feasting behind closed doors? But nothing is hidden from You Lord God.
And when I read this list of challenges I can only be overwhelmed. But You did not expect them to solve all of life’s problems. Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you.” (Matthew 26:11). He too like His Father in Heaven was speaking about doing what is good and right when You see it. What is in front of us and we can do something about. It is not always about avoiding doing the wrong thing. I think the church of England call it the sin of omission? Things we didn’t do but could have done for good. But in this passage we gather they are doing the wrong and not doing the right either.
I am glad that Jesus says just worry about getting it right today (Matthew 6:34). I like keeping ‘to do’ lists.But things get carried over and moved around and for the future. I hope I allow You Lord God to set my daily priorities, direct me where you want me and be able to change my plans if it is Your Will. And to be the same indoors as I am in public. Or is it the same in public as I am in private . . .
In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Worship Wednesday 30th September 2026
I could have chosen ‘One day at a time sweet Jesus’ or many other beautiful applicable hymns. But I found this. I often feel overwhelmed by all there is to do and all there is I cannot do. So to just sit in His presence, and then be encouraged just to do what I can in His strength.
I could not find the words for this but they are on the video.
“Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant—7 even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” 8 The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “Yet I will gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him.”” Isaiah 56:6-8 NKJV
Lord God and Saviour,
In reading through the NKJV chronological Bible we are only a couple of weeks away from the silence at the end of the Old Testament and Your spoken Word bursting into our Word as a baby! I cannot wait but before then there are parts of Isaiah and Daniel and Zechariah to complete.
All three speak of the future that they will not know in their lifetime but which will or have come to pass. Even we have only seen in part (1 corinthians 13:12). After all the hullabaloo of foreign wives and keeping their distinct national way of life, and not allowing foreigners into the Temple, Isaiah talks about a house of prayer for all nations. A house.
Perhaps we need to see beyond a Temple. Beyond a physical building? Paul talks about us, our bodies, being a Temple for the indwelling of the Lord ( 1 Corinthians 6:19). And further explains in his letters that with Christ as our cornerstone we believers are being built up as if a Holy Temple where God dwells. (Ephesians 2:19-22. In those days the believers met wherever convenient.
A house of prayer. Not a house of study and theology – although that is beneficial. A place where You are approached for the first and the last Word. Where we can bring our failures our faults and our praise and worship. Where we can bring others literally or in prayer to Your presence. And You can always be found (Matthew 18:20).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 30th September 2026 Wherever we are as long as we bow the knee to You Lord, You are with us. But it is good to meet together as a church. We need each other.
Over all the earth You reign on high Every mountain stream, every sunset sky But my one request, Lord my only aim Is that You’d reign in me again
Lord reign in me, reign in Your power Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour You are the Lord of all I am So won’t You reign in me again
Over every thought, over every word May my life reflect the beauty of my Lord ‘Cause You mean more to me than any earthly thing So won’t You reign in me again
Lord, reign in me, reign in Your power Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour ‘Cause You are the Lord of all I am So won’t You reign in me again.
Over all the earth You reign on high Every mountain stream, every sunset sky But my one request, Lord my only aim Is that You’d reign in me again
Lord reign in me, reign in Your power Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour ‘Cause You are the Lord of all I am So won’t You reign in me again In me again
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.“ Joel 2:28-32
Lord who gives,
Joel is not easy to understand. But here in chapter 2 we find these beautiful promises which Peter picks out and recites to the crowds at Pentecost (Acts 2:15-21) . You are a God who will give of Yourself to everyone who calls to You. The catalyst being Your Son Jesus opening the way to the whosoever. To embrace all men and women and children.
Joel says a Day of the Lord coming. Peter saw that one had come. But we are also waiting for that day when Jesus shall return. At the Ascension, two men in white apparel, told those men watching that Jesus would come back one day (Acts 1:10-11). Jesus said not even he knew the date, the important thing was to always be ready (Matthew 24:43-44). He told us to live each day, one day at a time (Matthew 6:34). It is a lot to take in and I don’t think I shall ever understand all about Jesus coming back till it happens. Meanwhile I am grateful that You poured out Your Spirit upon us, even me. So I could see what You show me, dream of heaven and hear Your voice in my heart. And prepare me for when You do come again.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 29th September 2026
Written in 1930 but still absolutely relevant words for today. And still we look forward to the day You return – but also with a little fear and trepidation of how it will happen?!
God of grace and God of glory, on Thy people pour Thy pow’r; crown Thine ancient church’s story, bring her bud to glorious flow’r. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways! Fears and doubts too long have bound us, free our hearts to faith and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
3 Set our feet on lofty places; gird our lives, that they may be armored with all Christ-like graces in the fight to set men free. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, that we fail not man nor Thee! That we fail not man nor Thee!
