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.”
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male individually, 3 from twenty years old and above—all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 4 And with you there shall be a man from every tribe, each one the head of his father’s house. 5 “These are the names of the men who shall stand with you: from Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur; 6 from Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; 7 from Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab; 8 from Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar; 9 from Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon; 10 from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; from Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; 11 from Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni; 12 from Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; 13 from Asher, Pagiel the son of Ocran; 14 from Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel; 15 from Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.” 16 These were chosen from the congregation, leaders of their fathers’ tribes, heads of the divisions in Israel.” Numbers 1:1-16 NKJV
Father God,
So we move from Exodus to Numbers. The book that orders the way the Exodus should occur. How they camp, how they behave and who does what. And right at the outset it calls by name those who will organise themselves to attack or defend against any enemies that arise. I pray Lord that I never get a passage like this to read out loud. Thank goodness for being able to look up pronouncing names on Google or listen to audio scripture!
And I ask myself about Your family today Father in the church. I am fascinated by the picture You give us through Paul of being dressed in armour. The whole armour not just a part (Ephesians 6:11). But then all we are asked to do is stand (Ephesians 6:7-14). I am increasingly learning that in times of threat or when everything around me goes wrong i need to learn to stand still, recognise I am under attack by the enemy or life is throwing me a wobbler. Then ask You to battle for me. You do not call me to fight but stand trust and know You are God.
Even when we fight against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12) We are to stand. It is Your armour which is active protects us and defeats the enemy. Your Word of truth dispels lies, Your Spirit cuts through enemy forces, giving us faith in You. And Your gospel that enables us to stand safe and unmoved.
How wonderful that You know all the names of those who are able and can stand for You in our day. We are numbered amongst those who are Yours. And just as You fought with the Israelites You fight for us. But now it is not to kill our fellow man, it is to silence the enemy, stand safe in faith and save the lives of the lost.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 10th February 2026 Some songs should, as it were, stay in Your arsenal.
In heavenly armour we’ll enter the land The battle belongs to the Lord No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor Power and strength to the Lord We sing glory and honor Power and strength to the Lord (repeat)
The power of darkness comes in like a flood The battle belongs to the Lord He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood The battle belongs to the Lord
Chorus
When your enemy presses in hard do not fear The battle belongs to the Lord Take courage my friend, your redemption is near The battle belongs to the Lord Repeat Verse . . .
“But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seedin vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you. 18 ‘And after all this, if you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 19 I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. 20 And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its produce, nor shall the trees of the land yield their fruit. 21 ‘Then, if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins. 22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate. ” Leviticus 26:14-22 NKJV
Lord our God and Father,
And here are the promises we do not always want to think about. Promises of retribution. But these are for those Israelites who choose to turn away from You God. Those who despise Your commandments and choose not to obey You. You use the word contrary. Those inclined to disagree or to do the opposite of what is expected or desired.
Father I have had conversations in Bible studies on whether Christians can be unsaved and come to no conclusions. I have known a person who decided not to believe in You anyone and I have know people who have just slid away and not been interested. Those who have been disillusioned by the church and taken themselves out of fellowship. You are he only one who truly knows what is in a heart.And You do not give up on anyone. But I do not want to use this passage to judge others. You are the only one who can judge. It is a stark reminder to myself that I need to keep myself in a good relationship with You God.
I may mess up, I may slip, trip or be complacent but I know that You will draw me back, love me and lead me on. Jesus dealt with any retribution for my sin at the cross. I will do my best. I know trying harder does not bring Your holiness God. Jesus does so I will live the best I can.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 9th February 2026 No struggle to choose there is room for both or either . . .
Lyrics: Ian White
Jesus, keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain; Free to all, a healing stream, Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.
Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and mercy found me; There the Bright and Morning Star Shed His beams around me.
In the cross, in the cross Be my glory ever, Till my ransomed soul shall find Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross! O lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day With its shadow o’er me.
Chorus
Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait, Hoping, trusting ever; Till I reach the golden strand, Just beyond the river.
“If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, 4 then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. 6 I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. 7 You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you. 9 ‘For I will look on you favourably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you. 10 You shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new. 11 I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. 13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.” Leviticus 26:3-13 NKJV
The Lord our God,
Those who translated our Bible chose to put a heading on this chapter which reads Promise of Blessing and Retribution. I had not realised till a few years ago Lord these headings were added later to help us navigate and find passages. Well today we have the blessings, and we see again what a generous God You were.
You literally came and walked among us and adopted us and Jesus led us out of captivity to sin . Not guilty in Christ, that is an incredible miracle.
It is good as the old hymn says to count our blessings. And it would take some time to list mine and remember all the times You have provided, guided, protected, and been there in my troubles. It is overwhelming. They are Your blessings which You deliver in person. Thank you.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 8th February 2026
Overwhelmed by love Deeper than oceans High as the heavens Ever living God Your love has rescued me
All my sin was laid On Your dear son Your precious one All my debt He paid Great is Your love for me
No-one could ever earn Your love Your grace and mercy is free Lord these words are true So is my love for You
