Category: The Holy Spirit

Mission Impossible

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Mission Impossible: go out –
eleven disciples poor, without
administration, scheme and strength
should take, throughout the breadth and length
of all the world, Christ’s words, good news –
though some would hate, falsely accuse,
detest the message. ‘Power I’ll send
to help you do what I intend –
my Holy Spirit will descend,
though to my Father I ascend.’

Men’s pride at Babel brought division,
disunity, folly, confusion.
By miracle, at Pentecost,
that unity that had been lost
began again – God’s wonders told
in every language, soon the world
would hear this gospel of his grace
now brought to all the human race –
not blasted out from megaphone –
minds wake and listen, new life known.

Pentecost Sunday (and the Triune God)

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Christ Jesus – human and divine;
his Father, God above.
When Jesus Christ returned, he sent
his Spirit, gift of love.
So, on that day called Pentecost
the nervous little throng
of those who followed Christ, received
th’empowering Spirit strong.

For God is supernatural –
one God who is triune
– three persons, one amazing God:
we’ll bow before him soon!
Whoever could expect that God
to our created mind
be fully understandable?
– our thoughts are too confined

Tune: CMD
“In a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. …you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses …” Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. (Acts 1:5,8; 2:33)

Ten Days after the Ascension

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

With signs of power, of wind and flame,
the promised Holy Spirit came.
Jesus had promised when he left
he would not leave them weak, bereft.

His Spirit would empower, so they
could tell of pardon, teach the Way
of reconciliation, peace
– the cross of Christ had brought release.

By miracle, upon that day
from all the world, they heard them say
in all their languages, that now
the whole wide world God’s grace could know.

Tune: LM eg Church Triumphant, tune of ‘The Lord is King’

 

Be filled with the Spirit

~ rhiannonshymns ~ Leave a comment
e filled with the Spirit
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.

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’

Reconciliation

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Adopted and redeemed,
welcomed and embraced,
justified, forgiven –
salvation’s facets traced.

His Spirit will comfort us
through life in this place,
and Christ soon will come for us:
high purpose of grace.

Sanctified, instructed,
chastened and preserved,
guarded and protected,
serving as we’re served.

The Spirit of Adoption

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Holy Spirit makes me know
I’m a son of God, although
sometimes I less conscious feel
of my full adoption real:
faith and joy, assurance wrought
by his Spirit in my heart.

Holy Spirit makes me cry
to my Father, and rely
wholly as a little child,
safe, respectful, reconciled,
bold, adoring, and secure:
of paternal love I’m sure.

Holy Spirit makes me strive,
like my Father more to live,
love the brethren, by my ways
bring my Father honour, praise.
Shows me I’m a royal son,
leads me in the life begun.

Tune: 77 77 77 (‘Jesus, Master, whose I am’)

The Counsellor

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Christ promised me his Counsellor,
Spirit of truth and life,
his people’s blessed Comforter,
Spirit of truth and life.
Reveal to us your love, Lord,
tender and warm embrace,
immeasurable love, Lord,
merciful, sovereign grace.

Make known the glory of my Lord,
Spirit of truth and life,
my heart enlighten in Christ’s Word,
Spirit of truth and life.

O, through the Spirit give me power,
(Spirit of truth and life),
and strength and comfort hour by hour,
Spirit of truth and life.

O Saviour, Christ, reside with me,
cleanse and remove my sin;
rich fellowship grant constantly,
Spirit of Christ within.

Come, fill me with your fullness, Lord,
Spirit of truth and life,
Christ’s power and hope and love outpoured,
Spirit of truth and life.

And help me be what Christ desires,
Spirit of truth and life;
what you create, my Lord admires,
Spirit of truth and life.
Enjoy your blood-bought bride, Lord,
purchased for your delight;
what pleasures at your side, Lord, –
riches of love and light.
Tune: Quiet Rest by C B McAfee (634 Grace)

The Spirit’s Work

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The filling of the Holy Spirit – the Word of God and the inner witness of the Spirit
Spirit of Christ, who opens up
God’s Word, to teach the Way;
and whispers I’m my Father’s child,
constraining me to pray.

Spirit of God, you teach of love,
and kindle it within.
We love to live by Christ’s commands,
though prone to fall to sin.

Oh, Holy Spirit, you have set
apart for godliness.
I hate corruption, long for God,
and greater holiness!

Your Word shows how we’re reconciled;
you bring us peace and joy;
– exalting Christ; – enabling those
whom you would now employ.

Help me to see when sin, neglect,
makes you withdraw and grieve.
I’ll search your Word, and test my heart,
confess, repent, believe.

O do not let me be deceived!
Come, Spirit, to infill,
and influence more fully all
my thoughts, and acts, and will!
Tune: Richmond by T Haweis (tune of ‘Fill Thou my life’)

Access to God

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Ephesians 2:18
I stand amazed in the presence
of God: Father, Spirit, Son.
The Spirit brought me through Jesus
right up to the Father’s throne.
How marvellous, how wonderful:
access to a glorious place!
How marvellous, how wonderful:
God triune’s redeeming grace!

When glancing back at the quicksand
and bondage I knew before,
I realise how much the Father
had planned, and the Saviour bore.

And this the place of pure blessing,
and fellowship rich and love.
Oh, help me stay here communing,
– a foretaste of heaven above!
Tune: 87 87 87 87 irr My Saviour’s love by Charles H Gabriel
(tune of ‘I stand amazed in the presence
of Jesus the Nazarene’)

‘if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live’ Romans 8:13

~ rhiannonshymns ~ Leave a comment

Holy Spirit, gift divine,
precious treasure, you are mine:
mine to teach me by your Word, –
let your guiding voice be heard.

Holy Spirit, guest divine,
I would ever have you mine;
take the rubbish from my life,
sweep out idols, sin and strife.

Holy Spirit, furnish well,
holy home in which to dwell:
make my life to please you more,
on my heart engrave your law.

Oh, revealer of man’s sin,
recreating work begin;
bring to life that we may view
many now indwelt by you.

Tune: 77 77 eg Vienna by J H Knecht, or Aletta by W B Bradbury