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

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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

on parts of Psalm 145

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His words are all faithful and true,
his works are all kind through and through,
he’s righteous and sovereign in all,
and near to whoever will call,

to those who will truly cry out,
sincere in their whisper or shout:
he saves and preserves for he’ll hear
those who love him with reverent fear.

To please him their hearts now aspire
and he will fulfil their desire.
Supporter of those who are stressed
and raising those slipping, oppressed.

“… They will not sweep over you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

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Flood and storms can pound and shake me,
who can hold my head above?
Faithful Brother won’t forsake me,
demonstrated covenant love
bearing for me crucifixion,
Friend preserves in dire affliction.

And when crossing death’s dark river,
He’ll be always by my side;
glancing at Him, strong Life-Giver,
heart uplifted, joy supplied:
songs reminding of the haven
glorious waiting home in heaven.

based slightly on a Welsh hymn, but other influences probably

Fact truths, or ideas

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“There are no absolutes”
– some say:
“just choose whatever suits
– today.
Be happy in your chosen way
and live life as invented play.”

It doesn’t alter truth
– a jot.
For whether you like it so
– or not
distorting truth may just prompt sneers
but facts are lost to vain ideas.

You may choose what you like
to trust.
But check what Jesus said
– don’t just
assume that you can well afford
to leave his words unread, ignored.

There is a God, he does
exist –
sent messages to us
whose gist
is grace and love, he sees our mess
shows how we can escape distress.

Tune: LM

Guaranteed Hope

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King Jesus holds out hope
that’s guaranteed by God:
when sliding on a slippery slope,
listen to loving Word.

Know help each day to cope,
cherish sure goal ahead,
King Jesus brings us certain hope
– the Saviour is not dead!

Lowly his birth, so he
could meet all, teach, and then
our perfect Substitute would be
to wash us clean again.

God over all came here
unfailing hope to give
through everything he’s always near –
with him we’ll ever live!
[Tune: SM]

Remembrance and Prayer

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Remembering conflicts past and bitter
remembering those who died so better
life ahead for others’ future,
saved from harsh malicious capture.

Remembering present vile invasions,
cruel, lawless occupations –
pray for those denied their heating,
pray for those with meagre eating.

Pray for soldiers now defending
where war and hatred seem unending;
pray for conscripts forced to fight
though they know their war’s not right.

Pray for armies badly led,
ill-equipped, to slaughter fed.
Pray for those who seem to love
hurting people who are brave.

Pray for end of tyranny
that both countries may be free.
May we value food and peace,
and our selfish grumbles cease.

Hindrances to Harvest

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Time to sow, and time to reap
– promised; but there’s need, we weep –
war prevents and malice spoils
interrupting harvest toils
and distribution, sharing round
abundant harvest from the ground.

And in your lives, what seeds d’you sow?
What fruit encourage there to grow?
God’s Word is shed abroad to hear
and if it enters in your ear
will nurture fruit for heavenly kingdom,
but some speak blight, good fruit to ruin.

cf the parable of the sower Matthew 13:1-23