Unless we feel our need, and squirm,
we’ll not desire of Christ to learn
– the One who is the Judge, but has
the purchased gift within His hands.
The gift of pardon bought by such
great suffering – oh, he suffered much;
but if you do not see your need
you’ll pass it by, and take no heed.
How often have you wished you’d not
followed again some foolish thought?
and done that thing which caused you shame
within your heart again, again?
Not only pardon but new will,
new life He gives – power to fulfil
desires to stop from doing wrong
and be more kind to everyone.
Tune: 88 88
Category: The need of salvation
The Good News comes to Europe
Acts chapter 16
They came to the city of Philippi, where
they went to the river where some met for prayer
– while Lydia was listening as Paul spoke God’s Word,
God opened her heart to receive what she heard.
A girl who was troubled by a spirit evil
they healed, but the “owners” were angry, for real
their loss, so they dragged them to magistrates, lied
– false charges: then beaten, imprisoned, untried.
Paul, Silas sang hymns and were praying to God
at midnight – the prisoners around gladly heard,
but suddenly an earthquake – the foundations shook,
their bonds were all opened, the jailer awoke.
He thought they’d escaped, but Paul called, ‘We’re all here’,
the jailer then asked of salvation to hear;
and on the next morning, the magistrates came
– alarmed, they apologised for what had been done!
Tune: 11 11 11 11
The ‘Healing’ all need
It’s not just that we do what’s wrong,
but that we tend to do what’s wrong,
without a deep desire sure
for what is right and good and pure.
We do not notice when we lie,
or else excuse it – want to try
to make our way and maybe cheat
if that provides a benefit.
Or maybe try to turn away
when feel temptation leads astray
but do not have the power or will
such faint desire to fulfil.
But He who offers pardon gives
a life made new, His Spirit lives
within to give desire and might
now – healed to live more in His light.
Tune: LM
Disappointment and Fulfilment
Enticing bait to try what’s wrong,
escaping boredom, toil,
to please oneself, but before long
excitements start to spoil.
Young Byron felt at thirty-six
his days a yellowed leaf*
his wants he could no longer fix –
his fire had turned to grief.
The promises of poisoned fun
so soon grow empty, stale,
and what had glistened when begun
will soon feel shabby, pale.
Such things will leave so many jaded,
but finding God will bring
joy now that never will feel faded,
fulfilling Life in Him.
Tune: CM
*’On This Day I Complete My Thirty-Sixth Year’ by
Lord Byron
Search for the King: to worship, scorn, or kill?
The Wise Men searched and travelled far
because they saw the wonder Star:
wanted to find the newborn King
whose coming must great good news bring!
So joyful when they saw once more
the star – now led them to the door,
the house wherein the child was found
and then they fell upon the ground.
For this child, though now young was he
whom they must lift up, worship – see
they then gave gifts, and thus provision
which met the needs of flight: protection.
**********************
But Herod’s search was not to bring
praise, No! he feared another king,
and thought to thwart, confound God’s will
– the child when found, destroy and kill.
And some today, search, find, adore,
in love their lives He’ll save, restore.
But others want false freedom more –
search ways Him to deny, ignore.
But He is Sovereign, and one day
we all will see His rule’s display.
He’ll know who His dominion own,
and those He sadly must disown.
Unhappy
Haunted by
hated hasty acts:
regrets, remorse.
Hunted by the “Hound
of heaven*”:
return,
repent,
relief.
Hungry for
real happiness,
and righteousness:
receive,
revived
*Search and Rescue
With some reference to ‘The Hound of Heaven’ by Francis Thompson (1859–1907)
Wait, Go, Tell!
What a task for group so weak:
God will send them out to speak.
Hostile world has not yet heard
news they may feel is absurd.
What a message they must tell
news that all things can be well
All repentant can receive
grace Christ died and rose to give.
Jesus said they must not go
’til his Spirit come – they’ll know
his infilling; – ’til that day
weak disciples wait and pray.
As a rushing wind he came,
like anointing tongues of flame.
Babel brought such separations,
Word of Christ unites the nations.
So we see the change He made,
boldly they his will obeyed
see them needy people reach,
of his resurrection teach.
By the Spirit, hearts that heard
Christians telling out God’s Word
came to life now, sin abhorred,
contrite, pardoned by the Lord.
New believers met for they
hungry to learn of God’s Way,
caring, mutual love display,
and together praise and pray.
What a message they must tell
news that all things can be well
All repentant can receive
grace Christ died and rose to give.
Acts chapters one and two in the Bible
Tune: 77 77 77 77 eg Humility by John Goss (tune fo ‘See amid the winter’s snow’)
Revive your church to tell the world
cf Psalm 67
God be merciful and bless us,
shine upon us – warmth and light:
wake us, guide us, sanctify thus
so those now in truth’s dark night
might soon know of your salvation,
all your way of mercy, grace
and then sing in jubilation,
praise arise in every place!
You are great and very holy,
daily we need mercy’s gift,
and a thirst to love you fully,
as you pardon, spirits lift;
for your presence is our greatest
blessing though you give so much –
hearts kept steady through each latest
trouble, know your strengthening touch.
When God known throughout the nations,
what Christ purchased once for all,
many finding that salvation,
as they also to him call.
May we never be forgetful,
of our debt to Jesus, Lord,
Only thus can we be useful
spreading glory to our God.
on Psalm 67
Tune: 87 87 87 87
His work in the heart
Ephesians 4;17-24 and Colossians 1:27
Hardened hearts won’t learn God’s wisdom:
Light and Life of God far from them,
futile life of sensuality
vain indulgence in impurity.
When Christ Jesus I am knowing,
in his truth I will be growing
old corrupt self I must put off,
spurn deceit, like snakes their skin slough.
Putting on my new created
self with longings captivated –
change of attitudes delighting,
God’s own righteousness desiring.
Christ within me, now I’m living
truly, guidance, strength he’s giving:
I was limp like empty glove
till he entered with his love.
Who can go into His presence?
They knew He is holy,
they knew they were not.
The temple displayed well
the need they had got
for mercy before they
could meet Him, embrace –
a substitute sacrifice
to die in their place.
They knew He was present,
and with them to care,
and able to help them,
and able to hear.
A Saviour would come soon,
the King He’d install,
and from all the nations
to mercy He’d call.
Tune: 65 65 65 65 eg ‘Have Thine own way’ by G Stebbins
rhiannonshymns.co.uk 
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