Category: Christian living

Supplies for the race

~ rhiannonshymns ~ Leave a comment

Each day we have need of supplies of fresh grace,
new problems confront us each lap of the race.
New problems can seem insurmountable, so
we’re tempted to feel God can’t help any more.

My work seems so useless, – is God yet my Guide?
That task is impossible – Satan’s implied.
He loves to discourage, bring words of despair,
and question the profit of trusting and prayer.

For though I’m a failure, to Christ I can come
for grace of forgiveness, and grace to press on.
So pray, and be willing for all he decides,
and trust, and keep walking by grace as he guides.

Keep living by grace, don’t let bitterness grow,
and care for you brethren who heaviness know;
for bitterness causes fault-finding and strife,
makes others discouraged in battles of life.
Tune: 11 11. 11 11 eg My Jesus I love Thee by E F Miller

Unselfish Love

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Precious love,  a treasure rare,
true concern by those who care,
thoughtful, willing, generous, wise;
powered by grace that God supplies.

In a world so full of greed,
love gives time to others’ need,
cheers and sweetens, easing stress,
stirs up thanks and happiness.

Love brought Christ to earth to save,
toiled in suffering service, gave
all for us, and by his death,
loving hearts have come to birth.

When the way of life is rough,
days are weary, times are tough,
love unsparing we should show,
love reliable must flow.

First, and foremost, every day,
in your home this love display,
living as his Word directs,
loving as our Lord expects.
Tune: 77 77 77 77 eg Maidstone 537 Grace

Unity of the children of God

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on Ephesians 4:3-6
Make every effort, keep the unity:
one church, one body, formed by One divine, –
one Holy Spirit now fulfils God’s plan
making his temple – with one hope, sublime.

One Lord, unique; one mighty Son of God:
born as a babe, lived sinlessly on earth,
rose out of death, his Word and call unique:
one Life, one Saviour, one escape from death.

Only one Way, one way of faith in Christ:
no other righteousness, – our own defiled.
One in confession, willingly baptised,
standing united with his church world-wide.

One God, one Father, to whom all must come,
only one Sovereign One who’s will abides.
One who indwells each member of his church,
Ruler who every destiny decides.

Make every effort, keep the unity
of this his church to which by grace you’ve come,
bound by the Spirit in the bond of peace, –
one God, one faith, one hope, one in the Son.
Tune: 10 10 10 10 eg Woodlands by W Greatorex,
or Morecambe by F C Atkinson

Knowing and praising

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We know him now, the One who must
be blessed and praised, – we overflow
with joy, delight, amazed to view
procured redemption, full and just.

We know our Father, blessed by him
in Christ, our Saviour, for his blood
has cleansed us, brought us all that’s good;
his Spirit works his will within.

Not what I’ve done, or reached, achieved
could stir my soul to constant praise;
but thoughts of grace set hearts ablaze
– what God has done, all we’ve received.

To him be glory, majesty
in all the church for evermore;
by God beloved, our spirits pour
their deeply-felt doxology.
Tune: LM eg Bodmin by A Scott-Gatty,  or Breslau arr W Monk

Fiery Trials

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Isaiah 43:1,2
The trials may heap on us – when will they cease?
Their strength can quite suddenly roar and increase.
The faithless don’t wonder, – just grumble and moan;
but saints are perplexed at the pain they have known.

‘Fear not, I’ve redeemed you, I’ve called you by name.
My purpose and mercy are always the same.’

He says that his people will pass through the fire,
the waters that seem to rise higher and higher.
He knows what he purposes for his redeemed,
and makes no mistakes, for they must be refined.

For those whom he’s chosen and brought to new life
are precious to him, and they must live by faith,
he’s loved them and called them, and when they must die,
they’ll come through with Jesus to glory on high.

Your God will be with you – he knows where you go.
What others are bearing we don’t always know.
The force of the storm cannot wrench from his love,
nor damage your future in glory above.
Tune: 11 11 11 11 + (chorus 65 65) eg Gweddiwch Drosom (Ora Pro Nobis) by Arfon Williams, Llanrug

Destructive lusts

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Colossians 3:5-8
Those lusts seductive
to hearts so weak,
are so destructive,
and friendships break,
bring pain, and fracture
relationships,
rupture
good family structure,
make many cross:
society’s loss.

Made new in Christ,
beloved and dear, –
put kindness on,
forgive, forebear
with love, compassion,
and admonition, –
urge from his Word,
to holy living
wise.

Wisdom’s happiness

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Proverbs 3:13,14,21–26
Blessed happiness of soul,
when you’ve reached the seeker’s goal,
finding Wisdom true and sweet, –
He whose knowledge is complete.

Christ unveils my eyes to see
scripture truth with clarity;
now I love to learn, and find
Holy Spirit trains my mind.

Wisdom gives me happiness,
Wisdom gives me peace in stress,
Wisdom gives me great delight,
Wisdom makes me calm at night.

Money, luxuries can buy;
but contentment can’t supply.
Walk in wisdom, and embrace
God’s directions wise, by grace.

Energy and strength he’ll give,
help attractively to live
as I pass by unseen snares:
Jesus knows me, and he cares.

Love’s Source; Love’s toil

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1 Corinthians 13
Love develops from the nature
planted by the Trinity.
True love will not fail or finish, –
lasts throughout eternity.

As we see our love imperfect,
God’s great love should draw our praise;
vast, abounding , pure and gracious –
motivates our thoughts and ways.

Do I value love, improve it?
Root out ‘rust spots’, all that spoils?
Love’s devoted and committed,
serves sincerely, works and toils.

Love’s not apathetic, lazy,
love is active, must be shared,
always practised, strength receiving,
giving all, no effort spared.

Tune: All that thrills my soul is Jesus

Foolishly Looking Back

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Exodus 14:12,13,15; 15:1,2
Don’t look behind through tinted glass,
and paint untruthful rosiness;
don’t look ahead in fear, and fret,
– God’s power and love you thus forget.

Don’t moan and groan, be quiet and wait,
stand firm and let your words abate.
Look up and think about the LORD,
and see what help he can afford.

Move on as he directs, but do
not fear the things unknown to you.
A life of faith must always lean
upon the LORD whose grace we’ve seen.

And so then sing up to the LORD,
all you who’ve known his gracious Word,
and tasted his redemptive grace,
salvation, help and warm embrace.
Tune: LMD eg Guidance by W B Bradbury

Satan’s schemes

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We’ll encounter opposition,
– in Christ prepare;
persecution and oppression,
upheld by prayer!
Satan schemes to cause division,
disappointment and confusion.
We have plentiful provision –
armour to wear.

For his hateful, evil purpose
(watch! be aware!)
is to spoil your joy and witness, –
learn, and prepare!
To your eyes he brings distraction –
hindering your contribution:
recognise his sly deception:
Christians take care!

Enemy to be avoided:
schemeing – beware!
Use the shield and sword provided:
Christians, prepare!
When you’re weary, feel defeated,
from God’s path you’ve deviated,
with God’s Word you aren’t excited:
spend time in prayer.

Satan sowing pride and smugness,
(saints should beware!)
doubt and envy nurture sadness:
bow down in prayer.
Needing mercy, – where is boasting?
Word of God believe, obeying;
power of Christ in never-failing:
Satan beware!!
Tune: Ar hyd y nos