Category: The Gospel

The thief on the cross and the Man in the middle

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

He knew so little then,
but that he had no right
to enter after death
that heaven pure and bright.

But knew he would go there,
for he had asked this man
who gave his word, his gift,
as only Jesus can.

If we look at our life
to judge how good we are,
we will be quite depressed
at all we see laid bare.

Though some may think they’re good
enough to please the Lord:
their pride is foolishness,
their judgement is absurd.

So look away, ask Him
who was upon the cross
for life eternal as a gift,
and he in grace will bless.

Tune: 66 66 eg Ibstone by M Tiddeman, tune of ‘Thy way not mine, O Lord’

Come, pray …

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Why scorn all thought of one great God?
a God who came to earth
as babe, and when a man, did good,
was kind. and taught the truth.

He understood amd welcomed all
– the Friend of sinners, He
helped those now sorry for their fall,
hated hypocrisy.

Just so He’ll gladly hear your prayer –
Ask Him to help you ‘see’
His Kingdom comes, soon everywhere
the world will bow the knee.

Tune: CM eg tune of ‘Amazing Grace’

Be Prepared!

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Though it isn’t the norm,
prepare for the storm
by building your house with foundations.

Though strong winds may blow,
and rain-floods may flow,
your home will survive wild conditions.

And those who have heard
Christ’s wisdom, God’s Word,
can choose to obey or discard them.

But those who obey,
when storms come their way
will stand firm whatever assails them.

But those who discard,
will find when life’s hard,
their principles tumble around them.

cf Matthew 7:24-27 in the Sermon on the Mount: The wise and foolish builders

Jesus Christ divides!

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Some accept, in Him delight,
some reject His truth, His light,
some fall – down, away, or back,
unaware of what they’ll lack.

Some are lifted up, made wise,
to new lives by grace arise.
Jesus Christ – the Cornerstone,
but a tripping stone for some.

Time divided by his advent –
BC, AD – some resent.
Some feel sad they must reject –
ponder, and return – accept!
Tune: 77 77
“a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be ashamed … a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” 1 Peter 2:6,8

The 5 ‘Solas’ of the Reformation

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

“By grace alone”: We could not come
to Him unless He chose to bless
and draw us in to cleave to Him –
for we were ‘dead’, ignoring God.

“By faith alone”: for mercy come
and life receive, repent, believe.
We cannot earn pardon for sin –
accept God’s favour in Christ, the Saviour.

“In Christ alone” the work was done
to free us from our guilt and sin.
He paid the price that would suffice
upon the cross he died for us.

“Scripture alone” – no adding on
to what God said – His words, His Word.
He has revealed what was concealed:
His Word complete our needs will meet.

“To God alone the Sovereign One
be glory”, praise in all, always.
The holy Lord, fulfils His Word –
creation and salvation planned.
Tune: LM eg Church Triumphant by James Elliott, tune of ‘I know that my Redeemer lives’

Faith in Who? Why?

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Faith in a Father
whose Son walked this earth,
and showed us His kindness,
displayed His true worth.

Faith in a Father
with power to create:
promises faithful
fulfilment await.

Faith in a Father –
not nervous, blind leaps,
but trusting the One who
His Word always keeps.

Tune: 5565

Grace with power to save

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Persecutor Saul of Tarsus
living by God’s laws, but ‘blind’,
with contempt for claims of Jesus,
so His followers went to find
in Damascus, to imprison –
on the way he saw a vision.

Risen Jesus called him, asking
why was he harassing Him.
Soon from scripture Saul is proving
Jesus is Messiah, King.
Grace of God in mercy, kindness
now has saved him from his blindness.

Once John Newton was rebellious
to the teaching of the faith.
Drunkard, worked on slaveships, callous,
in a dreadful storm faced death.
‘I once was lost, but now am found’* –
his life amazingly turned round..

Grace of God had brought conversion:
caring pastor, happy home,
working for the abolition
of the slave-trade, and his song
(one of many), sung, adored
his salvation to record.

Tune: Can be sung to 87 87 77 eg tune of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’

  • One of his compositions, ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me

When bad news is good news

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Yes, bad news can be good news
if it wakes us up to see
what’s wrong, and that we’re needing
to listen carefully.

Like if we have a warning
of danger imminent –
a coming great tsunami
that we cannot prevent.

We’d gladly go to shelter,
not carry on with play:
the bad news makes us heed and,
escape-route rules obey.

So, Jesus firstly taught us
the bad news of our sin
against the righteous Lord who
judgement must one day bring.

But He had come to earn, win
a pardon for us, peace,
to pay the price, be punished
to purchase our release.

So that is why its called now
the ‘gospel’ – God’s ‘good news’.
The Saviour suffered agonies –
gift purchased don’t refuse.

But some ignore this good news
because they don’t accept just neglect
the bad news, see no danger,
salvation free reject.

Can be sung ro Tune: 76 76 76 76 + eg Wir Pflügen by J Schultz, tune of ‘We plough the fields and scatter’
 if the first verse repeated at tne end, and the chorus: below used

Bad news shows our need so
the good news don’t neglect,
embrace good news, oh don’t refuse –
salvation don’t reject

Probability, possibility, evidence

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

‘Probably there is no God,’ some say.
‘Live as you like today.
Enjoy your life’ – but do you?
Do troubles haunt, pursue you?

‘– but possibly there is a God?’ you say.
What evidence is there each way?
What beauty fills your eyes:
to say it’s not designed, is lies.

‘Why does He not remove all ill
if He exists, lives still?’
Are we ready for such full
removal – from our lives as well?

‘Why does He not reveal Himself?’ some say.
Have you not read of Jesus’ display
of wisdom, power and gentleness?
if read with care, it must impress.

And have you talked with those who say
they’re helped by Him, supported every day,
their heart He’s softened, now they see
how good his truth, and mercy free?

The Giver of Life

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Christ Jesus said, Seek out,
pursue food that sustains
which does not spoil, endures:
so heed his wondrous claims:
  ‘I am the bread of life’, he said,
  for I give life to souls now dead –
  eternal life, your souls refreshed and fed.

The barren heart revived
for by the Spirit drenched:
fruit grows, life’s Source made known,
soul’s hunger, thirst is quenched.
  ‘I am the bread of life’, he said,
  for I give life to souls now dead –
  eternal life, your souls refreshed and fed.

(see John 6:35 etc)

Tune: 6666 8810 eg ‘Gospel grace’ by J McGranahan