on Psalm 103
Angels, praise your Maker’s worth,
praise him all who here on earth
serve him; all of nature shows
beauty that his skill bestows.
And my soul should ever praise
who He is, my Lord’s good ways,
King who rules, delights to give
redemptive love by which we live.
His compassion and his grace
understands, and we can trace
kindness and provision shown –
adoptions’s covenant we own.
Tune: 77 77
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world”
Matthew 5:14,16”You are the light of the world … let your light shine before men”
So many think enlightenment
will come with education.
They’re itching for excitement
but often find confusion
– in casting off the truth revealed
for novelty unproven
that to the curious has appealed –
delivering but depression.
Christ said he is the needed Light
for everyone’s direction,
and when he’s shone into our night
we give a pale reflection;
so to his followers he spoke
they must the world enlighten,
display his way to stumbling folk
with winsomeness invite them.
Tune: 87 87D iambic eg Bishopgarth (tune of ‘For My sake and the gospel’s go)
or 87 87 iambic eg Dominus Regit me (tune of ‘The King of love my Shepherd is)
(I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12) NIV
No lingering look at failures past,
no longing glance at follies cast
away, nor on successes dwell,
press on to know your Saviour well.
Don’t falter, give up, when you fail
– your cry for mercy will prevail,
reach out, hold tight he’ll help you rise,
press on as Jesus grace supplies.
Press on when service seems so dull,
watch out – the world and flesh may pull,
so read his Word, press on, well fed
towards the goal of heaven ahead.
Look back in thankfulness at all
he did for you, his sufferings full
to pardon gain, he soon will come,
so persevere, preserved: press on!
If Santa really watches all,
then every single name would fall
not in the ‘nice’, but ‘naughty’ list –
for everyone the target’s missed.
We won’t succeed even if we start
perfecting life – the whole, not part –
we’re bound to mess up, and can’t pay
to wash past guiltiness away.
So if there is a God who sees,
can anyone his verdict please?
and can we have real happiness,
can he be kind to us and bless?
As no-one can be nice enough,
then Jesus came to take us off
the ‘naughty’ list if we’ll receive
his goodness, niceness and believe. Tune: LM
I liked to drink and mess about,
with no-one to restrain,
I did it my way, soon found out
it led to sadness, pain.
I’m fickle with my friends, don’t want
commitment – free and loose.
– Why is it that decisions haunt
and feel like self-abuse?
I left my home, and took my share,
then squandered it away.
Bankrupt, with no-one left to care
– my ‘pals’ had had their play.
Dare I return, my way now own
was stupid? ask for food?
But look! he’s running, welcomes home
and gives again what’s good!
(cf The parable of the Prodigal Son, recorded in Luke 15)
Tune: CM
As you think of provision abundant,d
Do you thank the Provider omnipotent,
do the things he has sent
grip your heart to prevent
your praising the Giver important?
For all your belongings and money
can’t give your heart rest when you’re lonely,
cannot take your soul on
when your time here is gone:
without God, satisfaction is phoney.
So at least give some thought to such matters
when weary of boastful go-getters,
for our life’s more than food,
seek the One who is good,
who can help when your hopes lie in tatters.
Whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. … Be on your guard against all types of greed … “This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God. … Life is more than food. Luke 12:8, 15, 20,21,23
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