Category: Salvation

Jesus approaching his departure

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

The time was coming soon – he knew
just what he’d have to bear and do
in love to save his people – all
who would for his salvation call.

Before returning to his throne,
for all our sins he would atone,
and then present his sacrifice
God would not need that payment twice.

And in the garden then he knew
the depth of suffering he’d go through:
“If possible …” we hear him pray,
but knew there was no other way.

No other way his Father’s will
and all things needful to fulfil
so we could with our Saviour live
and glory to Christ Jesus give.

John 13:1 Matthew 26:39 Hebrews 12:2b Isaiah 53:10b,11
Tune: LM eg Niagara by Robert Jackson (tune of ‘The Lord is King! lift up your voice

Sure hope of a world free from …

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Our world has beauty,
but viruses ravage;
much love and kindness,
but sins hurt and damage.
Our world is sustained,
provisioned, protected,
its Maker is caring,
though scorned and rejected.

He’s wise to warn us,
instructing our ignorance;
he tells of judgement,
but also deliverance,
revealing mercy,
love, pardon – abundance:
his rule acknowledge,
with truthful repentance.

A new beginning
with viruses, hatred
removed – we’re longing
that such be created.
But could we go there
without contributing
ill tempers fouling
that new place polluting?

King Jesus came here
as baby – he only
could live life perfect
– unique in all history,
so he would suffer
as substitute for us,
and we could be cleansed for
that place with no virus.

Captured for Freedom!

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I’m bound to my Lord, so now I am free! –
I’m free of the hold, the old misery
of gripping temptations, sin’s harsh slavery:
a servant of Jesus has real liberty!

I’m free to delight in flowers and song,
enjoying Christ’s love, to whom I belong,
and free of frustration, greed, jealousy gone:
this pleasurable service in him has begun!

I’d thought myself free to live as I please
with no obvious crimes I’d enjoy life of ease,
but then I felt aimless, and empty, no peace –
I didn’t feel happy, and longed for release.

We’re all needing boundaries – just like a child,
and peace with the Father, to him reconciled,
and that brings empowerment to quit what’s defiled,
and in all life’s troubles, he’ll walk by my side!

Tune: 10 10 11 11 eg Houghton

Like Sheep

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Wandering far for lusher grass,
sheep cannot give thought
to the bogs and pits they pass
where they could get caught.

Need a Shepherd to control,
where they drift and roam,
and we too can vaguely stroll
where temptations come.

With compassion, Jesus saw
the harassed crowd in need.
Shepherd wise with truth to help
safely lead and feed.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36,37
Tune:75 75

Safe Space

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Perfect safety at the side
of our God, if you’ll abide
in that blessed place, no pride –
space for all from fears to hide.

Safe because his ‘eyes’ see all,
safe because he hears my call,
an impregnably strong wall
keeps sheep safe from lion’s maul.

Buffeted but not destroyed,
in our Maker’s work employed,
guided, follies to avoid,
such encouragement enjoyed.

As you struggle in this place,
know his constant firm embrace,
drink supplies – sufficient grace
’till reach danger-free ‘home-base’.

Tune: 77 77

A Personal BC to AD

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BC: My life Before I met with Jesus Christ,
Before Conversion to his praise and ways –
ephemeral, elusive happiness,
for emptiness, frustrations filled those days.

And then I heard his words and understood,
I saw his beauty, heard appealing grace.
Amazed, I knew he would accept, forgive
– ran to regenerating warm embrace.

AD: Now After Death of who I was – my old
self died with him, I have a Helper near;
so After this Deliverance I walk
with him. To all, as King he’ll soon appear.

Finding the Real Christ

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

If your fears, frustrations fester
lift your heart to prayer for faith
– not a mindless, empty ritual –
finding One who rules the earth.

Read about his interventions –
speaking, coming as a man,
teaching of his real dominion,
who this universe began.

Come in prayer for he invites you,
but come humbly, honestly,
and prepared to turn from what he
shows is wrong, repentantly.

Would you really go on claiming
all you see is meaningless?
and ignore the Christ amazing
who spoke hope and righteousness?

Tune: 87 87 trochaic eg Sussex, tune of ‘May the grace of Christ our Saviour’

Whatever the mess

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John 4: 1-42

Relationships many – her life was a mess,
found Jesus knew all and seemed willing to bless –
returned to the town to tell people this must
be surely Messiah, the Saviour to trust.

They went out to find him, to meet him and hear
his teaching and knowledge – and soon it was clear
that Jesus was Saviour: Samaritans, Jews
and Gentiles – for all he’d astounding good news!
Tune: 11 11 11 11

Reconciled, then fostering peace

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So vast the chasm, huge the rift
between pure goodness, love, and they
who on his earth carelessly drift
and no respect or rental pay.

He gave them much, and often spared
though few gave thought to make request;
their folly grieved him, for he cared
and knew their loss, they lacked the best.

What could he do? the rift was great.
Could they be healed and reconciled,
brought into such a holy state
that each could be his friend, his child?

He spoke, he came, he took their place
to pay the price for all their sin;
his Spirit moved their hearts in grace
to humbly turn, return to him.

And those who did, shunned squabbling
and malice, selfishness and greed,
all hatred, and proud babbling:
to foster peace they’d now been freed!
Tune: LM

Giving is so much nicer than stealing!

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Flimsy pleasure – hacking, scamming –
what a waste of mind and skill –
misappropriating talents
given by God to do his will.

Grabbing, greedy, stealing, wasting
other people’s things and time
– til a change to gladly giving
wrought by glorious power divine.

Tune: 87 87 eg Mariners, Traditional Sicilian melody