Thursday 10th April 2025

“One day Gideon’s son Abimelech went to Shechem to visit his uncles—his mother’s brothers. He said to them and to the rest of his mother’s family, “Ask the leading citizens of Shechem whether they want to be ruled by all seventy of Gideon’s sons or by one man. And remember that I am your own flesh and blood!” Judges 9:1-3
“After Abimelech died, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo, was the next person to rescue Israel. He was from the tribe of Issachar but lived in the town of Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. 2 He judged Israel for twenty-three years. When he died, he was buried in Shamir.” Judges 10:1-2
“After Tola died, Jair from Gilead judged Israel for twenty-two years. 4 His thirty sons rode around on thirty donkeys, and they owned thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which are still called the Towns of Jair.” Judges 10:3-4

God our Judge,

Judges is so named because it relates the history when the children of Israel had to look for someone to rule them when trouble arose. They did not seem to seek You, God or get together. It makes interesting reading that they go along happily and are only bothered when trouble comes to call on You and look to You to raise up another leader to save them.

You kept Your promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and You never left them or deserted them in their time of need. And the long term promise to bless all nations through them which we celebrate this coming Easter. The birth of the Saviour and the only true Judge. The one who defeated death (Revelation 1:17-18) and brings us forgiveness of sin (Ephesians 1:7) and peace with You the Almighty God (Romans 5:1).

Keep us worshiping, praising, thanking and from being people who only pray when we have a need. Thank you that we can come when we do because You are faithful.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 10th April 2025

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone I’ve been set free
My God my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love amazing Grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Chorus

The Earth shall soon
Dissolve like snow
The Sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine.

Chorus

Lyrics: Isaac Newton and new chorus and verse Chris Tomlin.

Wednesday 9th April 2025

“When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, “Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!” 16 He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it. 17 Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. 18 As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’ 19 It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars. 20 Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21 Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. 22 When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords.” Judges 7:15-22 NLT

Lord of Order and disorder,

The three hundred men trusted Gideon had heard form God or they would never have followed him into the enemy camp armed with a jar a torch and a trumpet. No hand free for holding a weapon!?

Sometimes we have to look for Your plan forward even if it does not seem the most sensible. And be in unity so God can command the blessing (Psalm 133:3). Even here, deep in the book of endless, random Judges, we see You have a plan. They were to keep their eyes on Gideon, their Saviour, as we should keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). To praise you by voice or with instruments (Hebrews 13:15). Break the clay jars as we are clay jars that must die to self (Luke 9:24) and hold the light of Christ for all to see (Matthew 5:16).

I love the story of Gideon, the three hundred and Your plan for victory. We seek Your face, and praise Your name and ask that You would bring to nothing those who would oppose the gospel of Your Son. And that this Easter, and every day, Your Light would stream from heaven into many new hearts and through Your people into our families and the world.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 9th April 2025
We have a mighty wonderful God.


Well, everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Well, everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations

Saviour, He can move the mountains
And my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
And fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
And now I surrender, I surrender

Chorus . . . |

Lyrics: Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan

Tuesday 8th April 2025

“ The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3 Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. 4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” 5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. 7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.” Judges 7:2-8 NIV

Lord our Saviour,

Twenty two thousand men were honest and not up for a fight. I cannot judge them, to be truthful I think I would have been in their number. Honesty is best. You, God know anyway.

Seven hundred were head down slurpers and three hundred kept alert and looking about as they drank. Who knows which I would have done as I would have gone home already. The three hundred must have had a few concerns, for one they had to carry all the provisions themselves and were outnumbered. And we read later in the story they needed to take everything, lights, jars, trumpets and all!

You showed young Gideon from the smallest tribe of Benjamin that even in war You only need the few with faith to follow and obey Your leading God and the war is won. This must encourage us in prayer warfare, battling the tide of world opinion against Christian faith and standing for holy clean living. Whatever we consider we might have done if part of Gideon’s Army, help us remember You are our God. Help us to be brave, stay true and trust You to see us through trouble, trauma even war. And we are on the winning side – death has been vanquished. Not by us but by You through Your Son. Hallelujah.

Worship Tuesday 8th April 2025
In His strength . . . not our own

 I’ll go in the strength of the Lord,
in paths he has marked for my feet:
I’ll follow the light of his word,
nor shrink from the dangers I meet.
His presence my steps shall attend,
his fullness my wants shall supply;
on him, till my journey shall end,
my unwavering faith will rely.

I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll go in the strength,
I’ll go in the strength of the Lord.
I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll go in the strength,
I’ll go in the strength of the Lord.

I’ll go in the strength of the Lord,
to work he appoints me to do;
in joy which his smile doth afford
my soul shall its vigor renew.
His wisdom shall guard me from harm,
his power my sufficiency prove;
I’ll trust his omnipotent arm,
and prove his unchangeable love.

I’ll go in the strength of the Lord,
to conflicts which faith will require;
his grace, as my shield and reward,
my courage and zeal shall inspire.
Since he gives the word of command
to meet and encounter the foe,
with his sword of truth in my hand
to suffer and triumph I’ll go.

Lyrics: Edward Turney