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.”
“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.
“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”“ Matthew 17:1-9 NKJV
God of transfiguration,
Sometimes we need to see and recognise Jesus in all His fullness. His face shining as bright as the sun. We cannot look at the sun directly it is too powerful! And its just a small part of Your creation. His clothes as white as light. Perfect white light is a pure blend of colour. Jesus is not just our best friend, not just our loving Saviour.
This is Your perfect Sinless Son, who was with You before the world began (John 1:1,2).
This is the One who went on to conquer death and rise again. This is Jesus who rose from the dead physically and permanently, never to die again (Revelation 1:18).
The disciples fell on their faces and were afraid. There are times when we need to take a step back and fall on our faces in awe and reverent fear. I pray that I will never take His love, His gift, His generosity for granted or that He is truly man but truly God. He knows and understands everything. I pray that I will always bow to Your commands, the church will always bow to Your commands and Your service and that the world will see You are not to be mocked or Your name taken in vain.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Thursday 29th October 2026
Restore, O Lord, the honour of Your name, In works of sovereign power come shake the earth again; That all may see and come with reverent fear To the living God, whose kingdom shall outlast the years.
Restore, O Lord, in all the earth Your fame, And in our time revive the church that bears Your name. And in Your anger, Lord, remember mercy, O living God, whose mercy shall outlast the years.
Bend us, O Lord, where we are hard and cold, In Your refiner’s fire come purify the gold. Though suffering comes and evil crouches near, Still our living God is reigning, He is reigning here.
Restore, O Lord, the honour of Your name, In works of sovereign power come shake the earth again; That all may see and come with reverent fear To the living God, whose kingdom shall outlast the years.
“And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. 33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 35 When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” 37 But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” 38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42 So they all ate and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.” Mark 6:31-44 NKJV
See also: Luke9:10-17 and Matthew 14:13-21 and John 6:1-14
Jehovah Jireh, “The LORD who will provide” (Genesis 22:14),
Jesus, and the disciples, needed to go aside to a quiet place for a while to rest and eat as they had been so busy. But we all know that things crop up at the most inconvenient time! Well 5,000 men, many with their families cropped up! And they were hungry too. The disciples suggest the best thing was to disperse the crowd and send them home. But Jesus challenges the disciples to meet their need, to feed them.
It is good to admit our weaknesses and inability – before others discover it. But Jesus didn’t ask to make them feel small and useless but to help them ‘see’. He shows the possible and does not lecture them about their inabilities or lack of faith. I like Marks version because he adds the detail that Jesus says the people are like sheep without a shepherd. Then later tells the disciples to split them into groups (little flocks?) of 50 and sit them on the green grass. (A reminder of Psalm 23:2?).
Jesus provides the miracle from the little they have to give. The disciples are not forgotten after serving up to 5000 families – they receive too. Again You remind us that even the little we give You Lord can be multiplied and used to Your glory. Many of us feel we are doing little but if that little is given to You miracles can happen. Show us where to go, what to do and when. We do not always see the outcomes, lest we become too big for our boots. Thank You God that You do the multiplying. And there are times when we too simply need to sit, rest and be fed.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 28th October 2026
Only in John’s gospel are we told it is a young boy surrenders his own lunch. Best not to hold anything too tight -so the Lord can use it.
All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.
I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus, I surrender Lord, I give myself to Thee Fill me with Your love and power Let Your blessing fall on me
All to Jesus, I surrender Now I feel the sacred flame O the joy of full salvation Glory, glory, to Your Name
