Deep Happiness (on Psalm 1)

Who tastes real happiness?
supported, blessed and strong
to stand against the throng
enticing to do wrong.

Who tastes real happiness?
He will delight to read
each day in God’s Word feed,
and meditate, take heed.

Who tastes real happiness?
he will bring forth good fruit,
in God himself his root,
established, prosperous shoot.

Who tastes real happiness?
not those like dry dust blown,
no Saviour sought, alone
they come before God’s throne.

Who tastes real happiness?
those Jesus washes white
through faith, now counted right,
kept safe within his sight.
Tune: 66 66 iambic eg St Cecilia by Leighton G Hayne

Reminders

(on Isaiah 6)
Lord, show us afresh your vast holiness, might,
revealing anew my great sin in your sight.
Please open our vision to view the stupendous
salvation procured for sinners atrocious.

And help me perceive then the wonder of pardon,
receiving the cleansing, the joy and the freedom
– that freedom to serve and to sense your embrace
empowering, equipping that service by grace.

Remind us to pause, and to contemplate, see
your majesty, love, so our worship will be
revived, stirred and contrite, our hearts overwhelmed,
delighting, rejoicing, luke-warmness dispelled.

eg St Luke 11 11 11 11

Rememberings

(cf Psalm 137)

Remembering sorrows, trials, grief
with no pretence of false relief;
the hurt not buried, brought to him
who healing help can truly bring.

I will remember Christ my Lord,
rejoicing in his saving Word.

Remember how conviction stirred
when gospel truth with faith you heard,
now love the place of his embrace,
taking delight in all his grace.

Remember evil is so vile,
God will bring justice, therefore while
we live, we warn to flee, repent
before the punishment is sent.

Tune: 88 88 88 eg Melita by J B Dykes  (tune of ‘Eternal Father stron to save’)or Surrey by Henry Carey

Decalogue – Ten Words

Ten facets of love,
ten words that abide
which I love, for they guide
in love horizontal
outflowing and growing
from vertical love
that worships ‘I Am’,
without idol form,
(his name used with care,
and a rest day for prayer):
so, at home, love, respect,
and to neighbours, no hate,
the pledges protect
that seal wedded state,
shun stealing that cheats,
speak truth, not deceits,
no coveting greed,
but thanks for met need –
no flaws in these laws,
though my love is lacking,
failing and cracking,
but Love’s mighty plan,
his grace for us won
and power issues forth
from that love of
incomp’rable worth:
for Jesu’s life shone
with this love, ten-in-one:
incarnate Love-Word.

http://www.abctales.com/story/rhiannonw/decalogue-%E2%80%93-ten-words-ip

“We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”*

Imprisoned by mere men,
God brought them out of jail
to tell the way of life to all
in public, without fail.

They’re bidden back for trial,
and nearly sent to death,
but flogged and once more told to stop
telling the gospel’s worth.

Joy, sharing Jesus’ shame,
but can’t keep silent, must
continue teaching news so good,
that Jesus is the Christ.

Tune: SM (6686)

on Acts 5:17-42 ‘… an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts, “ he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” …’ verses19,20 [*Acts 4:20]

Advent Calendar …

notable events/promises leading to the coming/adven

December 1
A promise to Adam that one day a son
would deal with the problem the snake had begun. (Genesis 3:15)

2 When earth got so wicked, God warned of a flood,
provided a refuge: huge ark made from wood.  (Hebrews 11:7) (Genesis 6:12-14,22)

3 From Abram’s descendant, the whole of the world
could find full salvation, foretold and unfurled. (Genesis 12:3; 18:18,19)

4    Joseph they spurned, raised by God as a saviour –
preparing for time of great famine and hunger.        (Acts 7:9-16)

5 Moses appointed to lead them from slavery,
back to the land, to be taught, and be ready …        (Exodus 3:7-10)

6 King David was promised a Son, King for ever;
the Lord who would suffer, the promised Messiah.   (Acts2:30,31)

7 A temple to teach of his glory was built,
remind of his presence, his care, and their guilt … (Exodus 25:8)

8 Each sacrifice, offering was pointing ahead
to the need for an adequate Saviour instead.       (Hebrews 9:13,14; Isaiah 53:5,6)

9 Some of the kings helped the people to heed
God’s precepts, but many oppressed, led in greed.

10 Wonderful Counsellor, Teacher Supreme,
the Prince bringing peace, will arrive to redeem …       (Isaiah 9:6; Acts 7:37)

11 … to take our transgression, the punishment bear
that we may his joy and his fellowship share.            (Isaiah 53)

12 From Bethlehem, city of David would come
the Ruler eternal, that king’s greater Son.       (Micah 5:2 quoted in Matthew 2:6 by the chief priests to Herod when the wise men were enquiring where they should look for the newborn king)

13 The people and kings more and more turned away –
were warned they’d be conquered and exiled one day …    (Jeremiah 25:4-11)

14 … for 70 years they’d be captives out there –
many repented, turned back with true prayer.             (Daniel 9:2,3,19 Ezra 1:1,2-4)

15 Restored to their land, but struggling in weakness,
awaiting the One who’ll transform their distress.          (Jeremiah 31:31-34 Zechariah 13:1 Malachi 4:2)

16 Like Elijah of old, a prophet would come –
to call for repentance – they’d see the Christ soon.    (Malachi 3:1)

17 Zechariah was told Elizabeth would bear
a son, and this John would baptise and prepare.        (Luke 1:13-17; John 1:6-9)

18 Someone called Simeon, was told, before death
he would see God’s salvation – the Christ come to earth.      (Luke 2:25-35)

19 Amazing the message, and Mary believed –
she’d mother the Saviour – by miracle conceived.             (Luke 1:26-38)

20 Reassurance to Joseph, betrothed to be wed:
do not fear, for the son to be born is from God.             (Matthew 1:18-21)

21 They travelled to Bethlehem, because of the census;
while there, as foretold, Christ was born, come to help us.           (Luke 2:1-7)

22 Shepherds the news from the angel heard –
they went, saw, and told of this wonderful word.               (Luke 2:8-20)

23 Some wise men who noticed a new, special star
the newly-born king sought, travelling far.                  (Matthew 2:1-12)]

24 A nature bigger than the size
of manger where the baby lies
awhile
– he soon was seen to be so wise,
then dying on a cross – to save,
procure what everyone should prize:
this grace astounding he supplies
surpasses all that money buys:
one day to him we shall arise.          (John 1:1-5;14)

Sparkling affection

Christmas
excitements crackle –
brittle glitter;
smiles sparkle –
affection,
or affectation fickle?

God’s gift to a world hurt and hard
many can’t fathom, and choose to discard;
but its love that can dazzle, and ours ignite
to brighten our homes more than glitzy delight.

Reconciliation

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.

on Romans 5:8

Jesus died upon a cross.
Why? What for? for who? for us
we had nothing to commend,
no desire to be God’s friend;
sinners unendearing, no
power to change, to better do –
but his love, great grace procured
through this death that he endured.

He who sent his Son for this,
cleanses, draws, receive his kiss –
he’s then able to preserve,
hold us when we slip or swerve,
mould, prepare us for his heaven –
grace continues when once given.
Is our love like his for us
– reaching out to others thus?

(Tune: 77 77D)

on 1 Peter 2:1-3

1. Tasting riches of salvation,
see God’s goodness more and more,
blessèd fellowship experience –
life unknown when dead before.

Taste and see our Saviour’s goodness,
rid yourselves of all that’s wrong,
feeding in the Bible daily –
newborn babies growing strong.

2. Quit the poison that will weaken –
malice, slander and deceit;
shun emaciating envy,
hypocritical conceit.

3. Crave the milk of God, his scriptures,
that mature and make us grow
strong and healthy, firmly founded
to delight this Lord we know.

(tune of ‘All that thrills my soul is Jesus’)