Living between the 2 appearings

on Titus 2:11-14

With one eye looking back to when
the grace of God appeared,
and one eye looking on to where
all history is steered,
we navigate our path through ‘now’,
while treasured, guided here below.

He came, and gave himself for us,
redeemed us from our sin,
and slavery to wickedness,
to purify within:
we will turn from ungodliness,
and atheistic foolishness.

And as we wait for his return,
we’re eager to do good;
enticing, passing passions spurn,
set store on things of God;
preparing for his presence soon,
our loving and beloved Bridegroom

4 Life-spans

One had had a busy life that satisfied,
laboured, service useful, with no pride;
patient now, enduring illness, weak’ning frame,
with forebearance, waiting joy to come.

One had struggled on, no sense of great fulfilment,
persevered and helped, with no resentment;
suddenly, a special task when hair was grey,
’til he dropped ‘in harness’, one good day.

One sought only pleasure, pleasure rarely came,
weary, feeling bitterness, not shame.
other people he accused of lacking care, –
he’d shown little effort love to share.

One such prodigal awoke to sense one day –
saw his emptiness, and turned away,
left his sterile self-sufficiency, and found
grace, now glad in good works to abound.

Not hypocrites

(Matthew 6:1-18)
When we’ve opportunity
for kind acts of charity,
(not to feed our vanity,
or for popularity):
if some note our helpful ways,
may they bring our Father praise.

Do we, in a private place,
seek God’s glory, seek his face?
and when publicly we pray,
still sincere, no proud display
that is trying to impress,
– just transparent godliness.

Fasting, prayer in self-abasement,
not to gain respect, amazement,
but with time for concentration,
focussing our full attention
on our God, and supplication
in repentance, and devotion.

Live in private as outside,
always seeking to abide
by His Word, as in His view:
then what others see is true,
and they know who works in us,
forming humble righteousness.

Personal Instructor

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7
A counsellor by day and night,
instructor true within
to train in ways of truth and right,
exposing devious sin.

He knows my feelings and my mind,
Christ’s Spirit can prevail –
mould me to be more gentle, kind,–
and sorry when I fail.

He knows his Word of righteousness;
His truth meets every need;
in times of ease and hours of stress,
his wisdom may I heed.

Tune: CM

Guard your heart

Ephesians 6:14   &   Proverbs 4:20-27
A breastplate of righteousness
protecting our hearts
– imputed, – and holiness
Christ’s Spirit imparts:
your will and emotion
keep safe under guard,
by good application
each day of God’s Word.

Our speech cleansed and guarded,
with words to do good;
our eyes trained and guided
away from the lewd.
Keep on the path founded
on truth, – not thin ice
where pitfalls abound and
temptations entice.

Tune: 11 11 11 11

Inconveniences

1 Corinthians 10:24 Romans 14:19 Philippians 2:4
If we look around us, feeling quite depressed,
feeling we’re hard done by, worse off than the rest;
if we stop to ponder, think more carefully, –
we will see that everyone needs sympathy.
Thank the LORD for all he’s given,
trust him, shelter in his care, and wait for heaven;
pray, submit, with joy believe,
’Til we’re free from troubles, we can grace receive.

If we look around us, feeling very cross,
– inconvenienced often, caused financial loss,
yet ourselves not guiltless, – better turn and do
unto others what you’d have them do to you.

When we look around us, do we look to see
‘Who could do with help?’ and ‘Has God work for me?’
Are we living solely for our own desires?
Is it joy to know and do what Christ requires?

Tune: 65 65 65 65 + Swanwick by William T Meyer (tune of ‘There’s a work for Jesus’)

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3-12
Who are blessed? Who will enter heaven?
and know God’s mercy, and be called his sons?
Who will have reward in heaven, blessed ones?
Who are really, truly happy, always blest?

Poor in spirit, humbly pray,
– begging mercy every day;
patiently your hardships bear,
and when you can be pleased to share;
count your best deeds only rags,
take Christ’s righteousness to wear,
– so be blest, and enter soon eternal rest.

Godly sorrow for your sin,
– life of faith must thus begin,
and continue in the Light,
repentant, contrite in God’s sight,
boasting only in God’s Son,
– great provision for our plight; –
so you’ll feel and know true joy and comfort real.

Meek and gentle, self-controlled,
– recompensed a hundredfold;
slow to anger, slow to speak;
forgiving, never vengeance seek;
cooling tempers with wise word,
strength is needed to be meek,
you’ll have more than passing wealth, eternal store.

Hunger, thirst for righteousness;
– pray and labour, God will bless.
Merciful and pure in heart,
and undefiled in every part;
cleansed by God through faith in Christ;
when you see a quarrel start,
making peace if possible, all strife to cease.

Persecuted for Christ’s sake,
and accused with charges fake;
so received the prophets true,
and Christ was treated that way too;
if because you own his name,
men insult, it’s nothing new:
Christ has shown how joy and blessing’s really known.

These are blessed, these will enter heaven,
and know God’s mercy, and be called his sons,
these will have reward in heaven, blessed ones,
these are really, truly happy, always blest.

Tune: ‘We’ll understand it better by and by’ Y Praise 103

Why? What? & How? learn from OT Kings etc.

David, Solomon, Elijah,
needed (just like us) God’s Word.
How did they respond to Scripture,
and apply the truth they heard?

Do I want to be more holy?
and escape from worldly lust?
Do I pray in faith to fully
follow God? – his way is best.

Fellowship with him, attentive,
learning from his precious Word:
Scripture study gives incentive
to obey, serve Christ, our Lord.

Being Loving

(1 Timothy 1:5–7)
Love will grow from what foundation?
from a heart without pollution,
from a conscience cleansed and clear,
and a faith that’s true, sincere;

this the goal of our Redeemer, –
love, that makes us like our Saviour.

Prattling tongues and fervent folly,
sounding spiritual, but empty,
vain and meaningless, no profit,
– oh, that they would think, and stop it,

for they don’t know much about it,
though they confidently shout it.

True to the Lord

Acts 11:23
True to the Lord – to Jesus Christ, your Saviour,
True to the Lord – to Jesus Christ, your Lord,
True to the Lord – lean on his gracious favour,
according to his Word.

True to the Lord, with firm and fixed intention.
True to the Lord, – so purpose in your heart.
True to the Lord – who else can give salvation?
– eternal life impart?

True to the Lord, for strength to face temptation,
True to the Lord – abide in Christ, the Vine,
True to the Lord, with full determination,
– all needed grace is mine!

True to the Lord, and search the scriptures daily,
True to the Lord – learn of him from his Word,
True to the Lord – believe, obey more fully,
– a servant of the Lord!

True to the Lord – so let his Spirit fill you,
True to the Lord – and speak of Christ to all.
True to the Lord – see others long for God too,
and for his mercy call!