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 when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. 5 Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.” 1 Samuel 1:24-28 NKJV
God of history,
We move into the book of 1 Samuel and the end of the period of Judges. Perhaps Samson left them wary of having another Judge! But here, in readiness, God, You sent a baby, who who would grow up to be Your man and faithful to Your call. And it begins with a godly woman who calls to You in her distress for a child. Even being mistaken for a drunkard in her fervent prayer!
The miracle of life. But Hannah says something here that is not just godly it is an attitude of one who knew You as a provider. Hannah says, You Lord granted my petition for a child so I have lent him to You as long as he lives. She knew what it would cost her and treasured those early years.
Jesus said we should count the cost of being a disciple (Luke 14:28-30). We only begin to understand when we see what it cost You God, in Jesus. Hannah lent Samuel back to You because she understood, You had granted her request. Some versions say she dedicated him- but I like this version. If all I have is from You then I should make it all available lend it for You to use, Lord. That is a huge promise to make. Perhaps Lord, we could start where I am and learn as I go? Learning to know how and when and what to use in Your service? Wisely and yet freely?
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 24th March 2026
Not a hymn I select too often lest it becomes over familiar. But this version is sung with such gusto and faith it demands a silent prayer at the end – and all I have is thine to use as You will . . .
In 1903, Thomas Chisholm started a family by marrying the love of his life: Catherine Vandervere. His path in life was set, he would be a minister for the remainder of his days. But he suffered a decline in health and in 1909, had to leave his congregation. Financial issues arose from hospital bills. Thomas never became bitter quite the opposite. He had more time to write hymns, and the loving support of his wife and two daughters. He found a job selling life insurance. No matter the struggle, Thomas chose to see God’s faithfulness.
Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father; There is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hast provided; Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.
” The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbour women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:10-17 NKJV
Father and Lord of all,
A wonderful yet traumatic family history, and a happy ending, Oh Lord, how wonderful. And part of an amazing Judah family tree that has had the faithful and the interesting and the surprising in it. You are a God of wonders ever working out Your purposes. Although Joseph, of the New Testament, was not Jesus actual father, the family he was born into was not random. Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) From the tribe of Judah.
In the book of Ruth we read how Jesus lineage passed from Perez down to Boaz. (Perez the elder twin of Judah by his daughter in law, Tamar (Genesis 38:6-30). Boaz chose Ruth, a foreigner, a widow. not the first choice for a wealthy landowner? But Ruth had chosen to stick with Naomi and Naomi’s God, You, over her Moabite Gods. You saw her heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) Help us not to judge the people we meet.
We cannot change who our birth family is and many would not want to. But we also have a different lineage which gives us so much more. You blessed Ruth and Boaz with a son. Generations later You blessed Mary with a Son and we are blessed. We can be born again (John 3:3) adopted through Christ (Ephesians 1:5) and heirs with HIm (Romans 8:14-17).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 23rd March 2026
Brandon (Co-writer of this song) writes: “Easily one of my favorite songs on this recording because you don’t hear the theme of adoption often in songs. However it is the gospel story. I wanted to write a song that in the verses would renounce lies we so easily believe. I love that it has a minor feel which makes the chorus soar as it lifts to declare that we’ve been adopted, His inheritance is ours, and we’ve found the family we were always meant to be a part of.” (2023
I renounce the lie That I don’t measure up I renounce the lie I’m unworthy of Your love And when shame comes knocking And fear starts talking I will lift my hands In Your presence, You remind me who I am
I am adopted, I am beloved It’s my inheritance, I’m a child of god So when the liar starts mouthing off I’ll sing in confidence my adoption song Whoa, Whoa, I found my family, Where I belong Whoa, Whoa, I’ll sing in confidence, My adoption son
I rebuke any spirit That’s tried to keep me bound And I plead the blood of jesus The accuser has no ground And my future’s given, name is written In his nail-scarred hands And forevermore, I know whose I am
I am adopted, I am beloved It’s my inheritance, I’m a child of god So when the liar starts mouthing off I’ll sing in confidence my adoption song Whoa, Whoa, I found my family, Where I belong Whoa, Whoa, I’ll sing in confidence, My adoption son
Nothing’s gonna take Nothing’s gonna take it away I carry Your name (I carry Your name) I carry Your name (I carry Your name) yeah
Nothing’s gonna take Nothing’s gonna take it away I carry Your name (I carry Your name) I carry Your name (I carry Your name)
I am adopted, I am beloved It’s my inheritance, I’m a child of god So when the liar starts mouthing off I’ll sing in confidence my adoption song Whoa, Whoa, I found my family, Where I belong Whoa, Whoa, I’ll sing in confidence, My adoption son
I’ll sing in confidence My adoption song
Songwriters: Brandon Lake, Jonathan Smith, Leeland Mooring
“Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread.” Ruth 1:1-5 NKJV
Lord our provider,
Ruth happens during one of those times the land Israel had taken has rest. No war but famine. Th struggles of ordinary life, famine and need. We all have the normal struggles of life. Often we cannot see the whys. Naomi went with her husband to live in a land amongst a people she did not know. He died but she had her sons and they took wives from Moab. So she was provided for in her grief. Then after 10 years both her two sons died. Three women and no provision. She heard there was bread in Bethlehem and so looked to go home. She had survived the famine but suffered extreme loss.
We know that she still trusted in You because her daughter in law must have seen it in her, to be able to say, ‘Your God will be my God’ (Ruth 1:16). She was faithful to You despite her loss and her situation.
When we cannot see why, and when things happen that leave us stranded or full of grief help us to hold to You and not push You away. Sometimes it’s later we see good come out of it. Help us not to get stuck on the whys. In hindsight Ruth could see the good. She held that baby born to Ruth and Boaz. In hindsight we can see the family of King David and the lineage of Jesus . . .
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 22nd March 2026 This worship song was written in 2019 and called a song of lament and hope. I have only just come across it and appreciate it.
Lord, from sorrows deep I call When my hope is shaken Torn and ruined from the fall Hear my desperation For so long I’ve pled and prayed God come to my rescue Even so the thorn remains Still my heart will praise You
Storms within my troubled soul Questions without answers On my faith these billows roll God, be now my shelter Why are you cast down my soul? Hope in Him who saves you When the fires have all grown cold Cause this heart to praise You
Should my life be torn from me? Every worldly pleasure When all I possess is grief God be then my treasure Be my vision in the night Be my hope and refuge ‘Til my faith is turned to sight Lord, my heart will praise You
Oh, my soul put your hope in God My help, my rock, I will praise Him Sing, oh, sing through the raging storm You’re still my God, my salvation
Oh, my soul put your hope in God My help, my rock, I will praise Him Sing, oh, sing through the raging storm You’re still my God, my salvation
