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.”
“And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.” Mark 1:43-45 NKJV “Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” John 2:4 NKJV “Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.” John 7:6 NKJV “These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.” John 8:20 NKJV “Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.” Matthew 16:20 NKJV “Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” Mark 1:34 NKJV
God and Father,
Time. When the time was right, or as Paul says, in the fullness of time, Jesus was born (Galatians 4:4).Time is part of Your creation Lord, you set the sun and moon in place and had them rise and set and measure the day and night. You planned the right time for Jesus to be born. And he lived his life according to Your time.
He often told those he healed to be quiet because it hindered him getting about and teaching. He told demons to be quiet because they recognised Him and it was not time for that announcement. His mother called upon him to help out at the wedding and he did even though it was not time yet but keeping it quiet.
His time had not come! The time to reveal who He was and is. Not in signs and healings and words. But in unexpected action. Allowing Himself to be put on a cross to die, allowing man to seal his body in a tomb in grave clothes. Then the time came to be the Messiah and rise from the dead and show himself to those who had followed Him and many others. We see You, Jesus, living in us in our time but not being ruled by it.
You God, Jesus and Your Holy Spirit know the time a heart is ready to have its stone rolled away and come to life. You know the times when we need a fresh touch or an encouraging word. You know the time we will need You to take us through the valley of the shadow of death to be with You (Psalm 23:4) You know and hold all time in Your control. Help us trust You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 1st November 2026. Inspired by Psalm 31
In You Oh Lord I put my trust I will not be ashamed You are my refuge, my defence I call upon Your name
Bow down Your ear and rescue me Be my rock my fortress strong For Your name Lord lead my way Guide my steps where I belong
You pull me from the hidden snare You are my strength my shield Into Your hands I place my life My spirit is sealed
When fear surrounds and voices rise Still my heart knows truth inside Into Your hands I give my life My hope my days my breath
You are my God my living truth My strength in life and death Into Your hands I will not fall You hold my past and all to come
I trust You now I trust You still My times are in Your hands
You saw my pain You knew my soul You did not leave me bound You set my feet in open space On firm and Holy ground
Though sorrow tried to wear me down And grief was in my way I lift my eyes I lift my voice I choose to trust You still today
My times are in Your hands My future in Your plan Let Your face shine over me Lord Here I stand.
Into Your hands I give my life My hope my days my breath You are my God my living truth My strength in life and death
Be strong take heart and hope again The Lord will make You stand I trust You now I trust You still My times are in Your hands
“But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” 12 And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” 13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews. 14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. 15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”” John 7:10-15 NKJV
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Who Is He? 40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. 44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.” John 7:37-43 NKJV
Father God,
Jesus let his brothers go to the festival first because he wanted to stay in the background so he could just do what he planned without getting too noticed or arrested. The adverts for children drinking polluted water are dreadful and today we even prefer bottled water to tap! Whichever we drink we all need the water – we are 60% of what we are made of and we dehydrate!. Jesus knows that refreshing can be drinking, can be washing but is also a human heart need. At the middle of the feast Jesus began to speak and teach.
On the last day when everyone was gathered to give thanks to You, God, for providing daily manna (bread) and water in the wilderness, and for being in their midst, Jesus illustrated who He was. Earlier He had stated to be the bread of heaven (John 6:51), now He adds that He is the Water of Life and in the midst of them! More than a tabernacle, the Word made flesh. You God dwelling among them.
Historically, on that day, Your priests would take water from the pool of Siloam, circle the altar seven times and pour the precious water out on the Temple steps. Reciting Psalm 118:25, “Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!” Praying for the Messiah, a king and warrior, to arise and set them free.
They did not recognise the humble King, who would pour out His life as freely as the water to conquer death and sin and set us free. We do Father. And You now dwell in us pouring forth all we need every minute of everyday keeping us refreshed, cleansed and alive in Christ. Hallelujah.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 31st October 2026
Based on John 7:37-38 in 1983. But I still love it. I love the chorus worshipping equally Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Let Your living water flow over my soul Let your Holy Spirit come and take control Of every situation that has troubled my mind All my cares and burdens on to you I roll
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Sing to the Father Father, Father, Father Holy Spirit Spirit, Spirit, Spirit
Come now Holy Spirit and take control Hold me in your loving arms and make me whole Wipe away all doubt and fear and take my pride Draw me to your love and keep me by your side
Give your life to Jesus, let Him fill your soul Let Him take you in His arms and make you whole As you give your life to Him, He’ll set you free You will live and reign with Him eternally
Let your living water flow over my soul Let your Holy spirit come and take control Of every situation that has troubled my mind All my cares and burdens onto you I roll
Lyrics and tune: John Watson
John Watson wrote the song during a personal period of struggle while picking up a piano accordion, later noting it as the defining song that marked the birth and inspiration behind the Vinesong worship team.
“Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”” Mark 12:13-17 NKJV
“Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” 24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. “Mark 12:18-25 NKJV
Father God,
Jesus brought holy living to earth. He showed that it was possible to obey You God and live a holy life day to day but it cost hIm dearly. Cost Him not just His life but it would try His patience, tire Him out. People would try to trip Him up with questions and ask Him questions that were not even the right ones to ask.
When the temple tax was due Jesus told Simon to catch a fish and the coin to pay the tax was in its mouth. Jesus paid His religious dues. You, God provided for Jesus to pay a tax to the Temple dedicated to You! (Matthew 17:24-27).
And sometimes we get it totally wrong. Like the sadducees trying to work out who would be married to who in heaven. That’s not even a question Jesus says. John in his prophetic writings tells us it will be like the marriage of the church to the Lamb! (Revelations 19:7-9. Though I have lots of questions about that. There is so much to explore in Jesus answers as they are from You Father. And much to learn about how You still answer those trying to test You today or who have got it upside down. Your teachings and answers are available to everyone seeking answers. You teach us, speaking to each generation, right where they and we are. I pray I remain teachable.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 30th October 2026
Saviour, teach me, day by day, love’s sweet lesson to obey; sweeter lesson cannot be, loving him who first loved me.
With a child’s glad heart of love, At thy bidding may I move; Prompt to serve and follow thee, Loving him who first loved me.
Teach me I am not mine own I am Thine, and Thine alone; Thine to keep, to rule, to save From all sin that would enslave.
Love in loving finds employ In obedience all her joy; Ever new that joy will be Loving Him who first loved me.
Teach me thus thy steps to trace, strong to follow in thy grace; learning how to love from thee, loving him who first loved me.
