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]
Poets, playwrights please their patrons,
pastors are employed to preach,
and as shepherds listen, counsel,
to each lamb explain and teach
that they may be pardoned, progress,
and eternal life possess.
Pastors may have need to chasten,
beckon back into God’s Way,
leave backsliding from the Father,
notions false that lead astray:
pastors are not paid to flatter,
but to help us know God better.
Not as followers of a patron,
ministers should truly serve
God, and those he’s drawn to love him,
truth revealed they must preserve,
not to pander to our folly,
not leave us lost and jolly.
(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!
Filled not with stupefying drink,
but with the Spirit of our God
for him to mould us, grow his fruit,
and help us witness to his Word,
prepared to love and serve his church,
empowered in prayer, to worship stirred.
So daily come to Christ, and drink,
confessing and forsaking sin,
cleansed, consecrated, to his will
submitting, set apart for him;
and ask, receive him constantly,
and see him work, the coming King.
Tune: 88 88 88 eg a tune of ‘On Christ, the solid Rock’
They (those converted at the Day of Pentecost, when Peter preached) devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
New life, a fledgling church
in love, together bound.
They’d seen their guilt, rebellion, sin,
then God’s forgiveness found.
Baptized, they joined his church,
adopted, with new kin,
devoted to their Saviour’s Word
to grow in pleasing him.
Blest fellowship with all
who know Him, old and young,
the rich, the poor: all care and share –
God values everyone.
They love to meet to keep
remembrance of his death,
break bread his cov’nant to proclaim
‘til he returns to earth.
Delight to meet to pray
requests together raise,
the whole church asking God to bless,
unitedly they praise.
Devotion’s strength may lapse –
distracted by your cares?
or in your busyness, your love,
grown cooler, unawares?
Give thought to how you came
to be reborn, made new,
devotion rouse to Him who has
done wondrous things for you.
Tune: SM eg tune of ‘Blest be the tie that binds’
Do not long to live in plenty,
life of ease, or worldly fame;
pray a happy heart of beauty,
cleansed from selfishness and shame.
Heart that’s filled with love and goodness –
holy heart is wholly His,
such will ever sing with gladness:
foretaste of eternal bliss.
If I wanted wealth that’s passing
soon it flies, or wastes away;
this I ask brings profit lasting –
sweeten, cleanse my heart each day.
Honest heart I cannot purchase –
mighty Saviour can bestow,
and can daily grant forgiveness,
washing, causing love to grow.
This is based on the Welsh words of ‘Calon Lân’ by Mr Daniel James
Tune: 87 87 D eg Calon Lân by John Hughes
This is based on the Welsh hymn often sung at Rugby Internationals.
Do they think of the meaning of the words??
(on Isaiah 6)
Lord, show us afresh your vast holiness, might,
revealing anew my great sin in your sight.
Please open our vision to view the stupendous
salvation procured for sinners atrocious.
And help me perceive then the wonder of pardon,
receiving the cleansing, the joy and the freedom
– that freedom to serve and to sense your embrace
empowering, equipping that service by grace.
Remind us to pause, and to contemplate, see
your majesty, love, so our worship will be
revived, stirred and contrite, our hearts overwhelmed,
delighting, rejoicing, luke-warmness dispelled.
eg St Luke 11 11 11 11
1. Tasting riches of salvation,
see God’s goodness more and more,
blessèd fellowship experience –
life unknown when dead before.
Taste and see our Saviour’s goodness,
rid yourselves of all that’s wrong,
feeding in the Bible daily –
newborn babies growing strong.
2. Quit the poison that will weaken –
malice, slander and deceit;
shun emaciating envy,
hypocritical conceit.
3. Crave the milk of God, his scriptures,
that mature and make us grow
strong and healthy, firmly founded
to delight this Lord we know.
(tune of ‘All that thrills my soul is Jesus’)
Nothing better, more important
than to know God more and more,
fellowship, obedience constant
– this is what he’s saved us for;
when discouraged in our seeking
(feel no progress, often stray)
testing sharpens thirst and longing,
spurs us earnestly to pray.
Read, remember Christ’s compassion
showing understanding full,
hears and answers supplication,
ear alert to serious call;
power to help, befriend, give wisdom,
don’t be satisfied with less,
true disciple of the kingdom,
seek him urgently to bless.
