Tag: Before the throne of God above

Tuesday 3rd February 2026

“Now the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered profane fire before the Lord, and died; 2 and the Lord said to Moses: “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.3 “Thus Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with the blood of a young bull as a sin offering, and of a ram as a burnt offering. 4 He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on. 5 And he shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats as a sin offering, and one ram as a burnt offering. 6 “Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. 7 He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 8 Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord’s lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. 10 But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.” Leviticus 16:1-10

Lord God,

A terrible day. Two sons of Aaron had gone against what was set down as God’s orders for offering incense and though seemingly still doing a good thing, making an offering, had offended You. Disobedience. They died. Everyone would be shocked and grieving. You are not to be mocked and called it was said to be profane, not sacred or holy. You knew their actions and their hearts. It is a sombre warning.

Paul in the new testament warns us to consider ourselves before coming to worship and take bread and wine in what we call communion to remember Christs sacrifice. Some who have not have got sick or died. (1 Corinthians 11:29-30). Jesus, Your Son warned us not to bring our gifts to the alter if we hold any altercations with our brothers in our hearts (Matthew 5:23-24).

None of us can be good enough to come to You and that is why we celebrate communion and remember Your gift of holiness to us. It is a sombre warning to not become over familiar, but come humbly having done our best to thank You for keeping us holy. You know our weaknesses our failures. The things we struggle with and the things that can’t always be put right. Life can be confusing Father. But help us to come to Your throne daily and in communion services with open, honest hearts, just as we are, humbly for forgiveness and to find Your rest.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 3rd February 2026

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in Heav’n he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Saviour died,
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God the just is satisfied
To look on him and pardon me,
To look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with himself I cannot die;
My soul is purchased by his blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God,
With Christ, my Savior and my God.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Smith

Tuesday 16th December 2025

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Colossians 1:15-23 NIV

Eternal and almighty God,

What a revelation Paul had. Of the relationship between You God and Jesus. Not a big God and a little Son Jesus, but an equal. He was there at the beginning creating with You God when You created the universe and our galaxy and our odd little world and life.

And in Jesus we see what You are like. Your character, Your nature. Your willingness to be part of our lives, to love, to be righteous and to point out hypocrisy and sin. Not to condemn but to give opportunity to repent and be forgiven. Jesus showed us Your compassion and generosity to the point of giving all that He had even His life.

If. I always read carefully the ifs. They are the small print of the contract. Paul clearly outlines them to the Colossians. “If you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” Its not about being the best rule keeper, the most generous giver, a nice person. It is about not moving from Christ, our hope. Only he can keep us forgiven. Only He knows what is best for our lives and has secured our future. Because in knowing Him we know You. Hope does not disappoint us, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5 KJV). Thank You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 16th December 2025
A go to positive song of hope and faith. Based on scripture from Pauls writings in Hebrews, Romans, 1 Peter, Colossians . . . and of course Isaiah 49:16, ” I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.”

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in Heav’n he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God the just is satisfied
To look on him and pardon me,
To look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with himself I cannot die;
My soul is purchased by his blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God,
With Christ, my Savior and my God.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Smith

Sunday 29th June 2025

“After Ahab’s death, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.”3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” So Elijah went.” 2 Kings 1:1-4 NIV

“Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’” 10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. 11 At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, “Man of God, this is what the king says, ‘Come down at once!’” 12 “If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men. 13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!” 15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.” 2 Kings 1:9-15 NIV

God of all creation,

On reading these narrations of history in Kings I see what one mans turning from you to idol worship can cost. It costs the lives of 2 captains and 100 men. Thankfully the third captain fears the God of Elijah and pleads for mercy. His life and the men he has influence over are saved. Could You spell it out any clearer Lord. You are the mercy giver.

Not only can we find life in You through Jesus but we can save the lives of those around us. Those who would also turn to You for mercy. The outlook for anyone worshiping another God or no God is bleak. Perhaps we don’t like to think of it as that black and white. Your Word says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

It is like an early early picture of Jesus our captain (Hebrews 2:10 NKJV) pleading on our behalf for mercy (Hebrews 7:25). “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

The first time we turned to Him he interceded for us and we were saved. And every moment since he has done the same. The first person to find mercy at the cross was the thief crucified next to Jesus (Luke 23:42-43). Thank you that You give last opportunities to know You, and opportunity to know everlasting life every moment as He intercedes.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Sunday 29th June 2025

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in Heav’n he stands
No power can force me to depart,
No power can force me to depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God the just is satisfied
To look on him and pardon me,
To look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, sinless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with my Lord I cannot die;
My soul is purchased with his blood.
My life is safe with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God.

One with my Lord I cannot die;
My soul is purchased with his blood.
My life is safe with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Smith