Like Jesus rose, he’s promised us
we’ll live like him, with him,
with bodies new immortal
and free from pain and sin,
if now we seek his favour,
accept th’eternal Saviour.
The death of separation
from God we will not know,
for by his substitution
we are redeemed, and so
we can receive his promise clear,
by faith await his presence dear.
Tune: 76 76 77
Arise, uplift my song to God
from whom I have my being,
from whom I draw the stream of life
– my heart from darkness freeing.
Cast off those thoughts that seek to fell
and pull into depression –
helped by that power by which Christ rose
– God’s power of resurrection.
He covenanted to preserve:
to others Christ displaying
through all his nurturing me in love,
by which I’m blessed, obeying.
By grace, I’ll persevere through health
and sickness, honour, scorning.
Although the world and flesh will pull,
he prompts with help and warning.
This was inspired by, and partly based on an old Welsh hymn I read
Tune: 87 87 iambic eg Dominc Regit ‘une of ‘The King of love my Shepherd is’
or Constance 87 87 87 87 iambic tune of ‘I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend’’
To Nazareth the angel came
to tell of Mary’s son who’d reign
for ever – Mary, puzzled, heard
the astonishing, amazing word –
Soon, to a child she would give birth
– the Son of God come down to earth,
and name him Jesus, Saviour-King:
God’s blessing to the world he’d bring.
‘How can this be?’ she asked – she still
was not yet married – in God’s will
his Spirit would in power great
the child miraculously create.
Humbly accepting; Joseph too
was told of what the Lord would do,
they trusted through the waiting days,
and Mary sang God’s grace and praise.
They loved, lived by the Bible, so
their life was on the line –
they trusted in the Bible, so
they knew they would be fine.
Why is the Bible hated so,
that Book of hope and love?
– which offers all a life unmarred
by sickness or the grave.
God made all good, mankind has messed
perfect creation spoiled.
Jesus came once to call, he’ll come
soon, changing what’s defiled.
Tune: CM eg ‘Amazing Grace’
You youth who feel life meaningless –
told chance rules all, no grace to bless,
and crumbling morals brings distress
– such lies can easily depress.
You know that money, or its lack
does not bring satisfaction back.
You know there is a higher power
with skill that has designed a flower.
You know that kindness warms, is real,
when shown to you, or when you feel
such pleasure in self-sacrifice
and joy in trying to be nice.
So read of Jesus, what he did
and all the amazing things he said.
Yes, God designed the flower – we can
now know Him for he came as man.
Tune: LM eg Church Triumphant (tune of ‘I know that my Redeemer lives’)
When your life is shaken,
feeling bruised and broken,
never lost, forsaken,
though your life is shaken.
From despair you’re lifted
though by Satan sifted,
faith, by God is gifted:
from despair you’re lifted.
Jesus says he’s praying
when he sees you straying,
tempted, disobeying,
Jesus still is praying.
Let him succour, leading
in his shelter feeding,
as he’s interceding,
let him succour, leading.
Tune: 66 66 trochaic eg Ravenshaw (tune of ‘Lord, Thy word abideth’)
Promised long ago in Eden,
One to quash the devil’s scheme,
One to save the sons of Adam
– from rebellion to redeem.
Promised then to Israel’s nation,
to await, prepare in faith,
telling out to other peoples
– ‘Saviour comes for all the earth’.
Prophets warned them when they wandered
from their God’s good, holy ways
– always some were faithful, constant
waiting for redemption’s days.
In the East some expectation
of a coming King – some gaze,
noticing the special star that
over Israel shone, ablaze.
Tune: 87 87 trochaic
The showers of blessings refresh grateful souls
– absorbed like the rain when it onto earth falls,
but hearts that are hardened don’t let blessings in –
like ducks’ backs and rocks that just brush away rain.
Contempt for the blessings God’s goodness supplies
will wither the soul, just as greed will despise
provisions provided for needs and relief,
and crave for the coveted things that bring grief.
The children of Israel were tempted to cry,
forgetting the slavery – the different supply
of food they had left there they longed for – distrust,
impatience, ingratitude filled them with lust.
Tune: 11 11 11 11
In the fog all grope and grieve –
needing light that won’t deceive,
truth enlightening muddled mind
shows the pardon we can find.
Born with ease to lie, a skill,
soon improved to trick at will
– what a pointless exercise,
one day grief for all those lies.
Light can hope and goodness build,
prophecies have been fulfilled;
cynicism will not aid,
grasp true hope that will not fade.
Tune: 77 77 eg Buckland (tune of ‘Loving Shepherd of thy sheep)
The seed of God’s truth
falls into good ground,
is watered by thought:
fruit soon will abound.
Grows up to the light then
that triggers growth strong
well rooted, new life, joy
bursts forth into song!
A plant with good fruit,
refreshing and calm,
with shelter for others,
and comforting balm –
God’s kingdom’s still growing
throughout all the earth,
unnoticed, but lasting:
it’s branches spread forth.
Tune: 10 10 11 11 eg Houghton
[Mark 4: 30-32; Matthew 13:31,32]
