Jesus keep me near the cross

Wednesday 22nd January 2025

“Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness – who dares to rouse him? ¹⁰The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor. ¹¹He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. ¹²His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.”
Genesis 49:8-12 New Lining Translation

God our promise keeper,

How we are blessed, encouraged and assured when we see the future in the past come true to Your word. Judah the family You placed Jesus into through Joseph, husband of Mary, who adopted him as his own firstborn. The royal sceptre passed down through Jacobs line to the King of Kings. It can never be taken away not even by death itself.

There as we travel through the Old Testament we see the picture of the King riding on a donkey the foal of a donkey as Jesus enters Jerusalem (Mark 11:7-10). The donkey symbolised – coming in peace and not war. Jesus came in peace and yet we killed Him. But he also came to war against our enemies of sin and death. I cannot watch gruesome war films but love the happy ever after endings. Lord it is hard to travel through the crucifixion but it is the only way we can truly know what it cost You. Keep us as it were journeying with You but always at the cross!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 23rd January 2025
Had to be this hymn which has stood the test of time. Says it all.

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.

Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.

Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby

Saturday 7th September 2024

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. ⁹The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:8-9 NIV

“And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:15-17 NIV

Lord God, Creator of all,

Forbidden fruit. I need to dwell on this another day Lord, because it is so simple and yet so profound. No complicated rules, just a no. You created all vegetation, seed-bearing plants and trees that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds on the third day. Everything could be eaten. But You put two special particular trees right in the middle of the garden. The tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Not the tree of life and the tree of death. The tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. With You it is always about our choice. Choose life and a choose no to being your own god. But with You there is always a way out! We all of us suffer even today from the consequences of that first wrong choice. And our own wrong decisions. But You still give us choice and the opportunity to change, to return and be redeemed in Jesus.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing is an old saying. How true – how we need Your Holy Spirit to help us knock down the strongholds of our human reasoning and destroy false arguments. To capture any rebellious thoughts and obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4,5). Come Holy Spirit, we give You permission to teach us what is good knowledge and what is good for us. Show us what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). And help us to be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God, Creator,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For Paralympians, family and coaches and those supporting.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). The Royal family’s continuing health.
For Ukraine. May Your will be to end war, soon. Protect and bless Your church.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Peace, peace talks, an end to retaliation and hostage release.
For the autumn term at our local schools starting and staff and pupils.
For the House of Commons resitting.
For those who make decisions that affect our nation in Parliament, finances and business.
For those who make decisions in local councils for our neighbourhood and locality.
For those who face temptation every day and choose freedom, strength and support.
For those whose suffer from mental health issues and find it hard to make good decisions.
For us to know delight in Jesus, the forgiveness and life he brings whatever our situation

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 7th September 2024
Worthy of a repeat appearance from 25th August. Another gentle traditional rendition . . .

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.

Refrain

Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Refrain

Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me. [Refrain

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby

Sunday 25th August 2024

“keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son ²⁰and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:19,20. New English Translation.

God, seated upon the throne,

You perfected us, our faith through Jesus, because we could not do it ourselves – what a truth what a relief! We can never thank you enough. We know we just are not capable of being all good all the time! Even though we do not deserve Your love and holiness we are given it freely. It is hard to accept a gift from someone without wanting to give or do something in return . . . but there is nothing we can give or do in return for Your gift. We have to just humbly accept it.

These verses remind us the depths You went to for us and the heights of Your power and majesty. The only way to approach you is in Jesus. The cross is the only way. The payment made our debt cancelled. The perfect sacrifice. There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin.

So today, we come to worship and give thanks for Your gift of forgiveness and love. Help us to become more like your Son, Jesus. One day at a time.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God, who is seated upon the throne of heaven,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). World kings, dictators, leaders and rulers.
For Ukraine. Please end war, soon.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for a reconciliation and lasting peace. Keep them talking.
For other countries with uneasy borders. India and Pakistan. North and South Korea. Peace.
For the ongoing success of Malaria vaccines for children and extending to all African countries.
For the Walsall canal poisoned by illegal spillage. Heal and help those seeking to make it safe.
For all those responsible for water, reservoirs and those who use it for industry.
For us restful hearts, help with decisions we must make next week and joy in coming to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 25th August 2024
A few minutes of communion. Story of the author Fanny Crosby underneath lyrics.

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.

Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.

Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby.

Though blind at 6 weeks of age, Crosby began composing texts at age 6. She later became a teacher at the New York School for the Blind, where she was a student. A friend of several presidents, Crosby became one of the most important advocates for the cause of the blind in the United States. She married blind musician Alexander Van Alstyne. British hymnals identify her as Frances Van Alstyne, her married name.

This hymn first appeared in the collection Bright Jewels (1869) It was William Doane a gospel song composer who wrote the music and then gave it to Fanny Crosby to add the text—a practice that was not uncommon in their relationship.

The famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody was said to have asked Fanny Crosby the following question toward the end of her life: “If you could have just one wish granted, what would it be?” Moody expected her to ask for sight. Sensing this she is said to have replied, “If I could have one wish, I’d wish that I might continue blind the rest of my life.” Moody was taken back and asked, “How can you say that?” Crosby was said to have responded, “Because, after being blind for all these years, the first face I want to see now is the face of Jesus.”