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.”
” In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord, saying, 2 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word. 3 Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.’” Jeremiah 26:1-3 NKJV
“So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. 8 Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You will surely die! 9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without an inhabitant’?” And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.” Jeremiah 26:7-9 NKJV
Father God,
While Habakkuk was standing looking out over Judah and waiting for Your answers Jeremiah was letting Judah know exactly what had offended God and aroused his judgement. And it looks like the end of Jeremiah is nigh because they would rather not hear it but just go on with their lives as is.
But Jeremiah challenges them. He says that he has only spoken the truth and yes, they should perhaps kill him then they would add the death of an innocent man to their sins! Sadly another prophet called Urijah was put to death (Jeremiah 26:20-23). But You kept Jeremiah safe to continue to speak out to a people who would not listen or hear.
There is nothing sadder than someone who is harming themselves by their behaviour who will not listen or cannot hear what harm they are doing to themselves. There is so much other noise that they allow to drown out Your voice Lord God. But Jeremiah does not give up, not stay silent, but continues even in the face of adversity and defiance. Perhaps amidst a generation who try to drown out Your voice, we need be as determined as Jeremiah. To call them to hear Your voice, the voice of the Shepherd, the Saviour, the Redeemer for themselves.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 9th July 2026 This inspires me to remember who saved me, who He is and why others need Him. How can I keep him to myself!
There is a truth, older than the ages There is a promise, of things yet to come There is One, born for our salvation Jesus
There is a light, that overwhelms the darkness There is a kingdom, that forever reigns There is freedom, from the chains that bind us Jesus, Jesus
Who walks on the waters Who speaks to the sea Who stands in the fire beside me He roars like a lion He bled as the lamb He carries my healing in His hands Jesus
There is a name, I call in times of trouble There is a song, that comforts in the night There is a voice, that calms the storm that rages He is Jesus, Jesus
“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. 2 Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay”. Habakkuk 2:1-3 NKJV
“When I heard, my body trembled; my lips quivered at the voice; rottenness entered my bones; and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble. When he comes up to the people, He will invade them with his troops. 17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:16-18 NKJV
God of Power and Majesty,
You are not an oracle who should foretell the future when we ask. You are God in control of the future. Habakkuk was a prophet – perhaps part of the Temple a priest or Temple servant? He has built a relationship with You and a trust in You. I respect that he had learned to accept the situation, ask You and then wait, no matter how long, for Your answer. However they may come.
He voices the situation as it is. He is able to say that even if it gets worse, the blackest it could get – he will choose to trust and wait for You. And it did get worse. The Babylonians did come and carry off many of Judah. I wonder what happened to Habakkuk? Some historians say he survived and returned to Judah after the exile.
It is powerful to be able to speak out faith in times when all looks black and hopeless. As we speak You strength and help encmpasses us. Some things we have to learn to simply trust You for. Jesus told us to ask, seek and knock Lord God (Matthew 7:7) To live one day at a time and not worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). It is not easy Lord to hand over all our troubles, our nation’s troubles and our world’s troubles and trust You for tomorrow. But it is the only way to remain, secure, steadfast and safe.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 8th July 2026 The songs on this CD were written at a personally difficult time for Stuart and reflect his waiting on God for help.
Out of the depths I cry to You; From darkest places I will call. Incline Your ear to me anew, And hear my cry for mercy, Lord.
Were You to count my sinful ways How could I come before Your throne? Yet full forgiveness meets my gaze – I stand redeemed by grace alone.
I will wait for You, I will wait for You, On Your word I will rely. I will wait for You, surely wait for You Till my soul is satisfied.
So put Your hope in God alone, Take courage in His power to save; Completely and forever won By Christ emerging from the grave.
His steadfast love has made a way, And God Himself has paid the price, That all who trust in Him today Find healing in his sacrifice.
I will wait for You, I will wait for You Through the storm and through the night. I will wait for You, surely wait for You, For Your love is my delight.
Musical Interlude
I will wait for You, I will wait for You, On Your word I will rely. I will wait for You, surely wait for You Till my soul is satisfied. Repeat . . .
Lyrics: Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker, Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
“The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. 3 Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. 4 Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds.” Habakkuk 1:1-4 NKJV
Lord God,
Habakkuk is really having a bad time. His eyes are full of disaster and nothing else. It seems to him that You, God are allowing all the sin and enemies to plunder and do violence. There is no clear judgement on anything. He is confused because Assyria is being punished at the hands of Babylon for their treatment of Israel, the northern kingdom. But Babylon is being allowed to bring judgement on Judah when the Babylonians are just as evil and bad!
This could be us trying to pray into today’s world and not seeing Your plan. Sometimes there are no clear answers. But, we are grateful that we can come to You in prayer and in our confusion and share our frustration with You. Habakkuk asks the hard questions as we do. And we too do not always get answers. But You are still God and we are not capable of seeing all You are at work in and through (Isaiah 55:8,9).
And if we could explain what You are doing, You would not be God but just a man. You are Lord above all, omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient (all present, all powerful and all knowing) and You are working to Your plan, in Your time. Your grace and mercy among the deepest sins. And Your hand on us, Your Spirit in us, as we make our way home to our promised land. One day at a time asking questions just as Habakkuk did.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 7th July 2026 Not had this for some time. A powerful statement amidst confusion.
Where O where’s Your presence O God? In this dry and weary land So many people drifting away How we need to understand… You’re still God Even when we’re unbelieving Still God When we’re desperate for our healing Still God, you’re still God, you’re still God. You’re still God Even when our friends desert us. Still God Even through the things that hurt us Still God, still God So I will be still, and know You are God.
Where O where’s Your kingdom O God? We have let holiness go So many idols litter our land We’ve got to let this nation know… You’re Still God When the government has no answers Still God When the media lowers the standard Still God, you’re still God, you’re still God You’re still God When the plans we make are worthless Still God When we lose our sense of purpose Still God, You’re still God, So I will be still, and know You are God.
When will Jesus really be seen Through the church that bears his name Agents of his kingdom, his peace In the world for which he came You’re still God Even though You were rejected Still God Though You were ridiculed, deserted Still God, you’re still God, you’re still God You’re still God Though You suffered execution Still God You’re alive and Christ our champion Still God, still God So I will be still, and know You are God
