“Repent and believe the good news”

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Away from all that’s wrong and harms,
turn back to God, his welcoming arms.
Good news! he’s drawing near to save –
repent, receive, his words believe,

The kingdom, rule of Christ is here,
he came to teach of love and fear,
he came to take the punishment
of all who would receive, repent.

The time is now, Jesus still calls,
there’s so much news that grieves, appals,
but he brought news that’s truly good.
Don’t miss the blessings of this Word.

A tax collector, fishermen
perceived the truth and followed him
to learn the message – later on
they’d take it out to everyone.
Tune: LM

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said, “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14,15

Answering your heart!

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

When irritations, groans arise,
you hear your heart complain –
rebuff its voice with thinking wise
to trust and hope again.

Remind your soul of all you have
received from God through life.
Remember all the help he gave
in struggles and in grief.

So, give yourself a ‘talking-to’!
Above all else, delight
in all that Jesus came to do
to save you from sin’s plight.

cf Psalm 42:5
Tune: CM eg Brother James’ Air (one of the tunes of’The Lord’s my Shepherd’) or Amazing Grace etc

‘Yearning’ is a sign of life

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

A plastic flower does not yearn
for water and the sun,
and if our spirit knows God’s touch
it’s life has just begun –
a life that yearns to know God more,
a life that yearns for heaven’s shore.

A heart that yearns that others come
experience joy so true,
and loves to share with those who have
enjoyed salvation too,
knows family relationship
with those who taste God’s fellowship.

The thing most wonderful of all
is that God yearns for me
that I drink from what he provides
– my love, he loves to see.
‘Oh, help me not forget and slide
away from you, my wise, good Guide!’

Tune: 86 86 88

Certainties

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

You’ve told us you are,
and always have been,
that you made the earth,
then women and men;
Millennia you’re viewing
and sweepingly scan,
you know our departure,
and when we began,

You know how we live,
we know you are pure,
Oh, teach us to grieve,
and may we procure
your mercy and kindness
that we may rejoice
and serve you in wonder
with heart, head and voice.

Tune: 5555 6565 eg Houghton by H Gauntlett

Perfect, Broken, New Perfect

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

The Bible begins with a perfect earth,
created in beauty with skill –
no illness, no strife and no famine, death,
with nothing to mar that good life until …

The end of the Bible reveals again
a perfect new heavens, new earth
when Jesus returns to judge everyone:
the pardoned gain life, not a living death.

We’re living between, with troubles to bear
because the Creator was spurned.
He’s calling to all to repent, come to share
in the future that Jesus has earned.

Tune: 10 8 10 10

Close the Gap!

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

How easily we drift
or take offence at those
we used to care for, growing rift
– it’s hard the gap to close.

Some may be many miles
apart or overseas,
but that’s not what has stilled the smiles
and hindered former ease.

Who was it then to blame?
Don’t really need to know.
Longings remain to see again
how they are faring now.

If there’s a God, what rift
there is between us two,
and only He has got the gift
to draw me near, make new.

The faults are on my side,
– in Christ he can forgive
then help me to be reconciled
with people that I grieve.

Tune: SM

Finding the Real Christ

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

If your fears, frustrations fester
lift your heart to prayer for faith
– not a mindless, empty ritual –
finding One who rules the earth.

Read about his interventions –
speaking, coming as a man,
teaching of his real dominion,
who this universe began.

Come in prayer for he invites you,
but come humbly, honestly,
and prepared to turn from what he
shows is wrong, repentantly.

Would you really go on claiming
all you see is meaningless?
and ignore the Christ amazing
who spoke hope and righteousness?

Tune: 87 87 trochaic eg Sussex, tune of ‘May the grace of Christ our Saviour’

Whatever the mess

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

John 4: 1-42

Relationships many – her life was a mess,
found Jesus knew all and seemed willing to bless –
returned to the town to tell people this must
be surely Messiah, the Saviour to trust.

They went out to find him, to meet him and hear
his teaching and knowledge – and soon it was clear
that Jesus was Saviour: Samaritans, Jews
and Gentiles – for all he’d astounding good news!
Tune: 11 11 11 11

Being part of an eternal ‘building’

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

“I’ll build my church: it will not fail,
the wiles of hell will not prevail.”
It will for ever stand complete,
satanic schemes will know defeat.

He’ll build it well of living stones,
each made to fit the neighbouring ones,
supporting, each one different, so
with various skills his will they’ll do.

Not just a pile of rolling stones,
a church, a body – Jesus hones,
refines, directs us, sanctifies:
we work together, praises rise.

If one believer goes it ‘lone’,
the wall is weakened where a ‘stone’
has left a hole – and those nearby
lack help on which they could rely.
Tune: LM eg ‘Church Triumphant’ by James Elliott

Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, ‘I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.’
1 Peter 2:5 ‘You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.’

Persevere and Pray

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

No human wisdom is enough
to help us when the way is tough.
The best of human leaders fail,
but One has power that can avail,
and has resources limitless:
approach him, pray in your distress.

Our leaders and we each one need
to persevere and intercede
and ask God’s mercy, intervention
in many a desperate situation,
and ask He guide how we proceed
and strengthen for the tasks, we plead.

Tune: 88 88 88