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 Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”” Daniel 6:3-5 NKJV
“Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:21-23 NKJV
God of miracles,
The New King James version places this event at this time in history. When Daniel is older and has progressed in his management responsibilities in Baylon. It is difficult to date because no one is sure who Darius the Mede is or when he lived. But here is a good time to step aside from Jerusalem, he return and the Temple being rebuilt and see what was happening in Babylon. Just as You do not focus on one area at a time, Lord God, but see all.
Jealousy. Pure and simple. The satraps are jealous of Daniels abilities. Perhaps he shows up their inadequacies or he knows where they take advantage of their positions. Or perhaps it is just because he is not one of them. Jealousy harms the holder from within. We see later they also get their comeuppance.
James in 3:14-16 warns us that where envy and self seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Some of us have experienced it first hand and sometimes those jealous do not seem to get their comeuppance. But it is subtle Lord and we need Your Holy Spirit to red flag any we may have!
I was also reminded that sometimes I read over the miraculous. But I was reminded last Sunday how Jesus calmed a storm with a word. A miracle not just a sea story. You Lord, stopped the mouths of the lions. A miracle. Today so much dampens our belief in miracles. You are not a dead God, an afar God or a God who is not involved in our lives. Because You don’t always send miracles, when we ask, does not mean they do not occur. . .
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 12th September 2026 Shake off my unbelief
They say this mountain can’t be moved They say these say these chains will never break But they don’t know You like we do There is power in Your name
We’ve heard that there is no way through We’ve heard the tide will never change They haven’t seen what You can do There is power in Your name So much power in Your name
Move the immovable, Break the unbreakable God we believe, God we believe for it From the impossible, we’ll see a miracle God we believe, God we believe for it.
We know that hope is never lost Oh, for there is still an empty grave God we believe no matter what There is power in Your name So much power in Your name
Move the immovable, Break the unbreakable God we believe, God we believe for it From the impossible, we’ll see a miracle God we believe, God we believe for it.
You are the way when there seems to be no way We trust in You God You have the final say You are the way when there seems to be no way We trust in You God You have the final say
Move the immovable, Break the unbreakable God we believe, God we believe for it From the impossible, we’ll see a miracle God we believe, God we believe for it.
Lyrics: CeCe Winans, Dwan Hill, Kyle Lee, and Mitch Wong
“Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 And at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus: 3 In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, 4 with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury. 5 Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God.”Ezra 6:1-5 NKJV
God of Righteousness,
I love this bit of history. Restoration on the Temple resumed and again opposition arose. They wrote to King Darius so the ruling powers would again sop the the rebuilding. But no. This time a thorough search was made and in some obscure place a scroll was found. Tattenai Governor of the region beyond the river, along with his cohorts, had not only to back off but to help and provide and even feed the Israelite builders!How humiliating. And if they did not do it, their own houses would be torn down and made a refuse heap.
So the Temple building is finally resumed. It was completed and dedicated. (Not the walls). The priests were purified and then slaughtered the passover lambs and passover was celebrated with great joy (Ezra 6:13-22).
Some opposition can be stopped by standing firm, sometimes it needs legalities. As with the documents here. But the timing -was yours Lord God. You were dealing with the hearts of Your people (and their enemies). To have faith in You God, not to be afraid to want to build. You give a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We do not always like to walt for Your timing Lord but we learn that sometimes it is the only thing we can do (Psalm 27:14). Thank You that the wicked do not always get their own way this side of heaven.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 11th September 2026 This hymns always reminds me we are part of God’s Kingdom – His people. The enemy seeks to isolate us so we should stick together in prayer and fellowship.
Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh, Raise the Standard high For the Lord. Gird your armour on; Stand firm every one; Rest your cause upon His holy word.
Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner! Ready, steady, pass the word along; Onward, forward, shout aloud hosanna! Christ is captain of the mighty throng.
Strong to meet the foe, Marching on we go, While our cause we know Must prevail. Shield and banner bright, Gleaming in the light, Battling for the right, We ne’er can fail.
Chorus
O thou God of all, Hear us when we call, Help us one and all By thy grace! When the battle’s done, And the victory won, May we wear the crown Before thy face.
“Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” 13 And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped—but with evil intent.” 16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord: “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the Lord of hosts, “And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ’ 17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; the Lord will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ” Zechariah 1:12-17 NKJV
Lord of hosts,
Now Zechariah enters the prophetic conversations. He is very different from Haggai and Ezra. He is less like a priest and speaks using visions and pictures. Like all prophets the first thing he does is call them to repentance and reminds them that their fathers didn’t listen and got themselves into judgement.
He also speaks of rebuilding Jerusalem but of another future when God’s people will spread out from Jerusalem. His pictures are vivid and clear. Like Your four chariots with horses of four colours, reporting back to You that there is peace in the world (Zechariah 6:1-8). Surely they must understand that this is a good time to start building the Temple again.
We have seen many generations building for You God. Churches large and small, and grand cathedrals. Spires reminding people to look up to You God. Now many are too expensive to keep up and repair and are cold even though beautiful and full of memories. And property can be used for You Lord. We do need somewhere to meet and worship but perhaps, as always, we need to be concerned with building the Kingdom of God, the church? (Ephesians 2:19-22). There is no peace around the world today and we need to build sanctuaries, fellowships of people who can share Your peace and give human comfort. Build Your church Lord.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 10th September 2026 A chorus from the 70’s when simple chorus’s could be learned and sung. No screens! It was inspired by: Ephesians 2:21-22 and Isaiah 43:21
For I’m building a people of power And I’m making a people of praise That will move through this land by My Spirit And will glorify My precious name
Build Your church, Lord. Make us strong, Lord. Join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son Make us one, Lord In Your Body In the kingdom of Your Son Build Your church, Lord. Make us strong, Lord. Join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son Make us one, Lord In Your Body In the kingdom of Your Son
