Examples of faith

Hebrews 11 & 12:1-3
A race to run, – don’t falter, faint;
press on, don’t pause, but perservere;
And anything which holds you back,
throw off; be drastic and severe
with all that draws your mind
and makes you lag behind,
or duties, goal forget,
God’s Word and call neglect:
press on, let nothing interfere.

All things must keep their place,
and help us serve, not dominate;
but right throughout our Christian life
temptations come God’s Word to doubt.
Entangling unbelief
brings misery and grief;
so trust and don’t lose heart
for Christ can faith impart.
Satanic lies must be cast out!

What multitudes of witnesses, –
in scripture lives of faith abound.
They suffered setbacks, troubles hard:
through faith endured and victory found.
On Jesus fix your eyes,
receive his grace, and rise
with nourished faith to praise,
serve God with joy always:
look where he is – we’re heavenward bound!
Tune: 8888 66668 but fits ‘Ein’ feste burg’ by Martin Luther

Growing in grace

Colossians 1:23; 2:6,7; 3:5,8,12
Habits strengthen day by day, –
not with ease we’ll break away;
strong the current all around, –
godless thoughts and words abound.
‘As you received him,
Christ, Lord and Saviour,
as you received him,
in him now live in faith.

Saints imperfect sometimes feel
lust for what should not appeal,
pull of passion in the heart; –
scheming Satan plays his part.

Christians need God’s power to stay
walking in the narrow way;
admonition to press on
in the life that they’ve begun.

‘Stand unmoved on gospel ground,
sins forgiven, God’s promise found;
put to death your ways so wrong
for to Christ you now belong.

‘Clothe yourselves with kindness, love,
grace receive from God above;
let his Word within you dwell –
rule to guide and truth to tell.’

Faith: believing truth revealed,
though the reasons be concealed.
Scripture study, persevere; –
faith in Christ casts out all fear.
Tune: 77 77 + ‘Jesus loves me’ by W B Bradbury

Bad memories …

Love … keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (1 Cor.13:5,6)
Bad memories can’t be erased,
but Christ can quell all hate;
can help us pity, – make us see
our own imperfect state.
Love does not keep a list or record,
it does not harbour resentment, grudges,
and love does not delight in evil,
but rejoices with the truth.

Love knows that God can change men’s souls:
does not assume they’ll still
repeat their hurtful, thoughtless ways,
and always treat us ill.

Love is not quick to judge, condemn;
to gossip gives no ear;
not eager to find fault; does not
of sins delight to hear.

Love wants to help a sinner rise;
– not glad to see his shame;
prefers to find things to commend
than speak of guilt and blame.

Love praises God for other saints –
God’s mighty work within.
It notices his work of grace,
more than remaining sin.

I need God mastering mem’ry’s thoughts;
let Jesus have his way.
I must remember Christ himself,
and what he did, each day.
Tune: Wondrous Grace by J McGranahan
(tune of ‘I know not why God’s wondrous grace’).