Tag: Before the throne of God above

Thursday 20th June 2024

” a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,” NIV
“A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;” NKJV

God of time and purpose,

A time to keep. I can’t think this is about keeping possessions or wealth. Remembering what You said warning the man in the parable wanting to building bigger barns! (Luke 12:18-20). I cannot think it means keeping things just as they are, or we would still be washing everything by hand! You constantly tell us we are on a journey whether resting, walking or running! (Proverbs 3:6, Hebrews 12:1).

What are the things I treasure and keep? I do have items of no value which remind me of good times. I treasure my friends. Do I treasure my relationship with You in Jesus Christ more than all? The pearl of great price (Matthew 1345,46). Do I really treasure You! Not always perfectly – but then I remember You treasure me always. This is what the enemy would love to steal (1 Peter 5:8). Our peace from sin forgiven, our trust in the cross, our hope of our wonderful future with You.

Now is the time to recognise, reject and throw away his doubts, contradictions half lies and lies. Especially when he comes when we are vulnerable and weak. Hebrews 12:2 also reminds us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He endured the cross, scorning its shame. The enemy can make us doubt. But he cannot separate us from You (Romans 8:38,39). We are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17) and we are loved eternally (John 15:9).Help us keep and treasure Your truth in our hearts.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God our Father,

For our family, friends, neighbours. Their needs for today and blessings to show You love them.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Encouragement and guidance of Your Spirit.
For the neighbourhood where we live and those who live around us, run the shops, doctors, school teachers, dustbin men.
For the Royal family. Strength for today and a successful end to treatment for Charles and Kate.
For our nation and our future representatives in Government.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Move those with power to make a way to peace. Talk before war.
For Ukraine, continued support from other nations and a move of Your Spirit to end war, soon.
For those who are struggling to keep the faith and are hurt, disappointed or in pain.
For our local councillors, local magistrates and neighbourhood police.
For us a day to remember and treasure all the times You have been faithful and blessed us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 20th June 2024
The second verse came to mind today and I had to search to hum and sing till I remembered how it started!

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

Saturday 23rd March 2024

“ Therefore He (Jesus) is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Almighty God,

This reminded me of a saying about “the guttermost to the uttermost” which I think was to do with the gin drinking ladies of the late 1800’s passing out on the streets! Mothers ruin was its nickname. Sadly still ruining lives today Father. William Booth’s told his Salvation Army soldiers, “Go straight for souls and go for the worst.” God, You are able to save anyone, whoever they are, wherever they are and whatever their situation. Maybe the worst know their need most! You found me. You saved me.

I love to pray. I am not sure I am an intercessor. When I do pray my concentration easily wanders. I loose focus, become distracted or simply seem in desperate need of a cup of tea! Is it the enemy or me or both?

But Jesus is always interceding for us, personally, and in Your presence. Every minute of every day. Who knows our needs better than Your Son. When Jesus walked among us He prayed that we would be one just as You, Father and Jesus are one (John 17:20-23) Us in You and You in us. Hekp us to pray.

It is such a blessing when someone prays for us when we meet. How eternally wonderful to know we are constantly being prayed for, by the one who died for us, the King of Kings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Almighty God,

For our family, friends and neighbours. Help them, You know their deepest needs, fears and joys.
For those we rub up against. Help us to respond in love.
For our church family, Ministers and church leadership. Inspire them.
For the Royal family. Their health. To have some privacy along with their public duties.
For our government. House of commons, House of Lords, civil servants.
For our nearest towns and cities and city centres. For employment, development and growth.
For those on the front line in the NHS and police. Ambulance crew, rapid response, air ambulance.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Deal with Putin as You did with Pharaoh so he will let them go.
For a solution for Gaza and peace and healing and a way to rebuild relationships and homes.
For countries where there is conflict, oppression or famine – be their path to peace and support.
For those individual and groups who commit to prayer for our nation and world.
For a good day. Grant easy sleep. Bless those of us who wake in the night and those who find it hard to wake in a morning. Grant us Your rest within, restore and refresh us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 23rd March 2024

Charitie was the daughter of an Irish minister, born in county Dublin in 1841 . This text was paired with hymn tunes (including the tune to “Sweet Hour of Prayer”) that gave the words a mournful quality. So it was not widely sung. Then, in 1997, Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Ministries wrote a more joyous folk melody. It set the words free for a new generation to express the confidence and joy of being in Christ.

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

Charitie was the daughter of an Irish minister, born in county Dublin in 1841 . This text was paired with hymn tunes (including the tune to “Sweet Hour of Prayer”) that gave the words a mournful quality. So it was not widely sung.

Then, in 1997, Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Ministries wrote a more joyous folk melody. It set the words free for a new generation to express the confidence and joy of being in Christ.


Friday 9th February 2024

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJ
 
Lord God,

You, God, think about me! Selah, I pause and think about that! That is more that amazing. I am one of billions and not worthy of note. But then I realize that I am not the only one you think about. You are able to think upon of all Your children, each one with love, all of the time. You are God, not a man, not a super hero, beyond human understanding. And You think of me just as lovingly as every one else You have no favourites (Ephesians 6:9). We can trust You. Because of Jesus, I know that You think about us for our good to plan for us, give us purpose and a certain hope of coming home one day.

What a life changing verse this is. God has forgiven my past, is with me in the present and will be with me not until the end . . . but forever. There is no end. Just change for here to there. None of us like change but this will be the last and the best.

But meanwhile . . . in the middle is a “then”. If we know You are giving us peace, a future and hope THEN we know for sure we can come to You with everything. Our joys, our worries, our hopes our disappointments and needs. You will listen hear and answer. Sometimes You do not take us out of the situation but You give us a way through or enable us to bear it. You are a wonderful God, an amazing Saviour and present help, Holy Spirit..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

For family, friends, neighbours, to find You and lean on You whenever they need help.
For our church families to welcome everyone and together find faith in You.
For the Royal family to know You and trust You. For Charles and Kate’s restoration to full health.
For Michelle O’Neill, N. Irelands first minister and members as they rebuild an active Parliament.
For Your wisdom and purpose in decisions made by world Governments. To make situations better not seek their own agenda.
For Ukraine and Gaza steps to peace. Along with Yemen, Myanmar, North Korea, Chine, Sudan, Syria and other countries where there is war, aggression, oppression, dictatorship, slavery.
For abusers, bullies, manipulators and scammers. Uncover them, protect the vulnerable from them. Help the police and crime preventers find, catch and charge them.
For young people to find Your God given purpose for their lives.
For the many churches and charities which help people find a purpose for their life and help prevent them taking their own.
For us, regardless of the weather, to shine with the love of Jesus from within.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 9th January 2024

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a 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 heaven he stands
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.

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.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Bancroft