Tag: Before the throne of God above

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

Friday 31st January 2025

“After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord commanded them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. 10 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! 11 Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home.” Job 42:7-11 NLT

Father God,

You led Jobs friends to acts of repentance and saying sorry. You led them all away from a wrong theology of only the wicked suffer, and turned them from their judgement and unforgiveness. Even Jobs brothers and sisters, who never came near or showed compassion, feel welcomed to his feasts.

And when Job stopped playing God and judging his friends, You God, took over and rebuked them. Job forgave them and bore no resentment, annoyance or anger. Help us to let go of unforgiveness and let You deal with others sin. We remember what it cost You to forgive us at the cross. Help us to say sorry when we need to. As Paul writes in Colossians, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (3:13).

We know that it does not mean we will become rich or have everything restored. But we will be restored to a right relationship with You. Sometimes forgiveness costs us dearly and sometimes we need to move out of danger as we forgive. But we know You will take over and judge and we will find peace and rest for our souls. (Matthew 11:29)

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Friday 30th January 2025
So simple, so profound, so true . . .

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 to 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

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

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Bancroft 1863
Revived with new arrangement by Vikki Cook 1997

Monday 25th November 2024

“Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Is that all the young men?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest one, but he’s taking care of the flock.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here.” 12 So Jesse had him brought in. Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go and anoint him. This is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn full of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day onward.” 1 Samuel 16:10-13 NET 

Dear God,

Samuel got over his mourning for the past and went on with God. It is so reassuring that You, our God choose to be faithful in all our changing moods! You did not sweep him aside and get someone else to do the job and You did not punish him. You are a faithful God.

Seven sons pass by and it is not said but Jesse must have been proud of his sons. Had he forgotten about the youngest? Isaiah gives us the promise that You, God never forget Your children, their names are graven on the palms of Your hands (Isaiah 49:16) Not across the knuckles but in the soft skin, the holding part of Your hands. Your son stretched out his arms and had his hands nailed to a cross. You can never forget us, and never cease to hold us in pure love. Ineffable – love that word.

I love that this takes place in Bethlehem. David is anointed King in the place Your Son, the King of Kings was to be born. We praise You for Your purposes and for loving us as we are.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Dear God,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship and congregation members, our ministers, servers, wardens.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Local Council.
For our Government, advisors, diplomats and ambassadors.
For Ukraine and Russia. Miracles to lead to the end of war and oppression.
For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Countries in conflict. Your purposes override those of man.
For those children in care who need to know they are loved and loveable.
For adults who grew up feeling inadequate and insecure.
For farmers caring for livestock and threat to their children’s inheritance.
For us to remember we are in Your hands today and always. May our hands do some kind deed.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 25th November 2024

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.
At one with him, 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 Bancroft