Tag: Before the throne of God above

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





Monday 5th August 2024

“It so happened that on the third day Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace, opposite the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace, opposite the entrance. 2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. The king extended to Esther the gold sceptre that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the sceptre. 3 The king said to her, “What is on your mind, Queen Esther? What is your request?”” Esther 5:1-3 NET

Lord God, Almighty,

I love the book of Esther, it is not too long to read the whole story and it has all of life in it. Divorce, remarriage, treachery, hatred, love, family. Good winning over evil but sadly as today war, conflict, racial hatred and death.

When Esther approached the King, she put on her royal attire. Help us to never take off the robe of righteousness that Jesus gives us and help us to keep it spotless in Him. Help us also to keep on our armour (Ephesians 6:10-18) on so we can not be taken captive by the enemy or wounded or tempted to sin.

Esther went to the King on the third day. It is intriguing that she asked for Mordecai and the Jews to fast and pray for three days before she went to the King with her request. We think of the three days Jesus spent before He rose from the grave! How wonderful that we do not have to wait three days to enter Your presence. We can come before You immediately, You are with us always, our King, our High Priest and our God. You who can sympathize with our weaknesses because Jesus was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. So we can come boldly to Your throne of grace, obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

We do not touch the end of Your sceptre we meet You through Jesus. How awesome, amazing and overwhelming.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God Almighty,

For our close family,
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church Ministers, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, fellow worshippers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal family. Parliament on summer break.
For Ukraine. An to end war. Medical aid and protection.
For peacemakers in Gaza, Middle East. Change hard hearts, melt vengeance, make steps to peace.
For Myanmar Your church people. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For the ongoing Olympic games. The pleasure effort and the strong yet peaceful competition.
For a revival of faith and assurance in church people in this nation. For revival around churches.
For those whose hands help the sick and the weak.
For us to remember and give thanks for all the good that is being done today around the world.
For the good people around us especially those that know and love You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 5th August 2024
A new old hymn!
The lyrics of Before the Throne of God Above were written in Ireland by Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841–1923). She titled it The Advocate. These powerful words were published in The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book in 1871, and in Charles Spurgeon’s Our Own Hymn Book in 1884. The hymn briefly rose in popularity during the 1870s then lay near dormant for almost 100 years. It was published again in hymnals around 1970. But it’s most recent revival came when Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Worship, wrote this beautiful new arrangement tune in 1997. 

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 heaven 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

He pardoned 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
New Tune: Vikki Cook