Advent Step 1) Genesis 3:15

He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel’ Genesis 3:15

That Tempter with his scheme of hate
by human Son at coming date
would have his despot power crushed,
the cruel grip of his deceit,
and slavery – complete defeat.
Though their descendant would be hurt,
he would be Victor: trust, await.
Rebellion’s consequences brought
them trouble, sparked contrition;
decisive battle would be fought
bring glorious resolution;
immediately new life, relief,
but full escape from damage, grief
would come, eternal transformation,
when tidings glad have been proclaimed:
by some received, by some disdained.

Perceptive Providence

Matthew 10:30  John 10:28,29   Daniel 3:27
O Lord, my God, I think with awesome wonder
of how you govern all the earth, and reign;
and as a Shepherd mighty, kind and tender,
plan for each sheep – their path of life ordain.
For every hair is numbered by the Lord,
and not a hair escapes his care;
and every single trouble that we bear
is under sovereign, loving care.

And when I feel that no-one understands me,
or when I’m lonely, anxious or depressed,
the One who scans my flesh and thoughts commands me
to pray, and trust he’ll help through every test.

There’s joy in heaven whenever one, repentant,
returns – by Christ is rescued from the foe; –
bought by his blood, and now God’s care is constant
– protects and teaches everywhere they go.

Those three did not have even smell of burning
when from the fiery furnace they emerged;
– God’s power displayed to one so slow in learning,
their clothes weren’t scorched, and not a hair was singed!
Tune: 11 10 11 10 + How great Thou art (Swedish-Russian Melody arr Stuart K Hine)

Sharing

We have so much:
do we forget
to thank and share?

When things get tough,
we may give thought
to honest prayer.

A world to come that’s freed from greed,
and freed from every shortage, need:
Christ Jesus bought the access key
and offers it to you and me.
Trust him to-day,
and share and pray.

Perfect Rebuilds

He knew they’d crucify, destroy,
foretold he would arise,
his body gloriously rebuilt,
their accusations lies.

And when I realised how corrupt
was all my selfish thought,
I longed he would destroy, rebuild
to love as he had taught.

He’s promised soon he will destroy
this messed-up universe,
and make a world that’s full of joy,
released from evil’s curse.

Dread or Desire

What the wicked dreads will overtake him;
what the righteous desire will be granted.
Proverbs 10:24 (also vv.25, 27-30)

All wickedness brings secret dread;
though perpetrators seem content,
can’t see with certainty ahead –
exposure or revenge prevent.

Their hopes will one day come to naught.
God’s ways, and laws which will protect
those who his righteousness have sought,
will ruin those who Him reject.

But those who seek his righteousness,
desire what’s good, in patience wait;
they will receive, – God’s faithfulness
will grant their blessed eternal state.

How wonderful when dread is gone,
replaced with wholesome, good desires:
a wicked heart transformed by God
and now to righteousness aspires.

Free Speech – annoying, hurting?

A law against offending speech,
and written words, but aren’t we each
offended every day by this, or that,
or in some other way?
Where draw the line, resort to law?
for words may yet respect restore
to different stance – may be, perchance,
preferred to ignorance of others’ views and news …?

and what of empty words of anger,
those swear words that give voice to temper?
their meaning, origin may be unknown
to one who’s safety-valve has blown,
but to a listener (reader) may
cause hurt, distaste, – no law can say
you must desist, but sensitivity
can train the tongue to care and courtesy.

Calls of Wisdom and Folly

Wisdom calls, with much to give –
“food” enriching, “wine” to live,
understanding to discern:
ways of peace and safety learn.

Folly’s call is loud, with glitter,
sweet attractions that turn bitter,
thrills unlawful (others pay), –
ignorance can’t stay away.

Wisdom calls aloud in the street … whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1:20,33 and ch.9

His Majesty

Psalm 139:1-16
I may choose to be a loner,
I may hide my past and plans;
but I can’t flee my Creator,
every inmost thought he scans.
So his presence thus surrounds me,
he’s aware of all I do,
with discernment that confounds me
– all is open to his view.

Wonderful complex creation,
skill almighty is revealed;
weighing mountain, earth and ocean,
sov’reign power he’ll always wield
over rulers, over nations,
over stars light-years away –
beyond human contemplations:
majesty holds perfect sway.

So to whom can we compare him?
Majesty we can’t define;
for we cannot comprehend him,
and his ways are so sublime.
Power and love of God consider,
when you feel he does not care;
he alone wise help can render,
strength renew: persist in prayer.

Tune: 87 87 87 87 eg Mountain Light by M Wostenholm

The pattern of our love

cf 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind,
never purposefully blind,
tastes ridicule and rebuff,
but has no pretence, or bluff,
hypocrisy or discontent,
and no envious intent,
won’t to jealousy give in,
is not proud, or centred in
‘me’, will not show off, or boast,
not self-seeking, grabbing most;
love’s not rude, and does not brood,
is not quickly drawn to anger,
does not delight to point the finger,
tries past hurts to ‘not remember’,
isn’t pleased with evil, slander,
glad of truth, and works for good,
perseveres, protects, – love should
always be like this, but we
often fail so miserably.

Has healed, can heal, will heal

A leper, ill, distressed, unkempt;
Christ had compassion, not contempt:
he touches – no contamination,
but, cleansing flows from him to heal
the leper – decontamination
from all he had to bear and feel.

A man so paralysed had friends,
who heard that Jesus heals and mends
trouble, sickness, disability:
they brought him close to the vicinity
where Jesus was instructing
and through the roof they lowered him
But first he pardoned, and some sneered,
‘God only can do that!’, thoughts jeered.
But Jesus then his power displayed,
authority to sins forgive,
by healing this paralysis:
and one day all that is amiss
he will put right, his kingship show,
but now trust and much blessing know,
and ask he pardon all you owe.