His work in the heart

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

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.

What dangers in the valley?

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A sheep on a hill on his own,
far away sees the mountains of home.
He’d like to arrive there for sure,
but the valley between is obscure.

It’s filled with a cloud, so unknown
the dangers he’ll meet going down.
The fog thins – he sees that he’ll pass
much danger, but green fields of grass.

I see heaven’s glory ahead,
but going there I will be led –
my Shepherd protects and will teach,
enabled, his glory I’ll reach.

Tune: 88 88 (anapeastic?) eg Celeste (tune of ‘How good is the God we adore’)

Who can go into His presence?

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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

Demons shudder

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(James 2:19)
People laugh at fear of sprites,
ghosts or ghouls, and all such frights…
do they ever really wonder
is there anyone powerful, kinder
who is really in control
of the unknown powers all?

Jesus cast out spirits evil
who were plaguing and were cruel,
and he rescues those who’ve found
they’re in misery now bound
gives his presence, peace and pardon –
all the battles have been won!

Each who in their coffin lies
certainly one day will rise
not to flit around this place
but one day the Christ to face
when he’ll finally complete
all that’s evil’s full defeat.
Tune: 77 77 77 eg England’s Lane tune of’ Sing, O sing,this blessed morn! Unto us a Child is born’

Rejecting — what?

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from Psalm 36
Deceive themselves with flattery
do not detect their sins
devising schemings murky, sly
rejecting good, wise things.

And why? because they have no thought
of God who is and knows,
no fear of penalty if caught,
respect that wisdom owes.

And yet, your love O LORD is great,
complete your faithfulness,
your justice deep we contemplate,
eternal righteousness.

And you give shelter and preserve
give life, a feast, and light
though none of us could this deserve
we drink from your delight.

Continue then this love to those
who know you, with true heart,
protected from the proud who chose
from your grace to depart.

Grief and Comfort

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Death, bereavement, loss and sadness
emptiness and change and chill;
though if the memories of who’s departed stir up thanks
the mourning isn’t gloom, and can encourage still
to hope and effort, vision , work,
and grief is lightened by the pearls of gladness
and we are more committed duties not to shirk.

And if the hope of life eternal
is shared by one who’s gone before
and those who mourn the passing,
their joy combines with all the sense of loss,
for frailty, sickness, weakness here
are now transformed into the life that has no tears
and will continue for eternal years …

Jesus appears to John, cAD90

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He is, and was, and is to come,
the First and Last, the Living One,
was dead, alive now evermore
and holds the keys of death’s hard door.

John, at His awesome presence shook,
His voice, was like a rushing brook,
His face as brilliant as the sun,
his words cut through all lies and sham.

And by His blood we’re fully freed
from all our sins; He loves, He’ll lead .
As priests we can come near, and be
God’s kingdom, serving joyfully.

Tune: LM eg Niagara by Robert Jackson, tune of ‘ The LORD is King!’

Ignoring laws

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Some think it is kind
God’s laws to ignore,
but later they find
the suffering’s more. sore

Like calling ‘light’, ‘dark’,
and therefore ‘dark’, ‘light’
they strongly attack
what’s good and what’s right.

God made us and knows
what’s harmful, what’s good;
and safety, peace grows
when we do what we should.

We can’t always tell
the reason for rules
– youth often rebel,
then say, ‘We were fools!’

Isaiah 5:20,21

Getting the treasure

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Parable about God’s kingdom:
like a treasure in a field;
someone learns where it is hidden,
where it’s buried well-concealed.

So he goes to sell his assets –
everything he owns must go
so that he the field can purchase
for the hoard that lies below.

If we realise what amazing
benefits there are with God,
nothing else is worth pursuing –
we must find that precious hoard.

Make our peace and ask his pardon,
nothing value more than him,
all subservient to the kingdom:
blessed in service of the King.

For the treasure none can gather
or appreciate its store,
but the ones who know the Father,
in his kingdom evermore.

Tune: 87 87 eg ‘All for Jesus’ by John Stainer

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44

Reliable Big Brother

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Brotherly love and sisterly care
– something so precious, often so rare.
Jesus declared that all who believe
His brotherly love and support would receive.

Perfect this Brother, dependable, kind
– he had experienced pressures we find –
lived as a man, He does understand
our needs when we’re tempted – Brother and Friend.

Our Brother accepted the rod we were due
so He ‘took the rap’ for me and for you
if you accept, submit, bow to Him,
then He’s your Saviour, Shepherd and King.

All who believe are one family,
brothers and sisters in Christ, there should be
love and commitment, and seeking the best
for one another, in fellowship blest.

Tune: ‘54 54 54 54 Thine own way’ by G Stebbins