Category: Grace

The Lord’s Servant

Luke 1:38 New International Version 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s humble acceptace of God’s plan teaches us the importance of humility in leadership. Mary’s response “I am the Lord’s servant”, demonstrates a willingness to submit to God’s will & purposes. As Christians our humility allows us to recognise that our abilities & achievements come from God, not our own efforts. Embracing humility allows us to lead with grace, acknowledging our dependence on god’s wisdom and success.

Prayer

Father, we thank you for the example of Mary, who embraced humility & submission to your will. As Christians help us to lead with humble hearts, acknowledging our dependence on you. Keep us from pride and self reliance, and help us to always seek your wisdom & guidance in our leadership. May our humility be a testimony of your grace & love. Amen

Glory in the highest

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.

The angel’s proclamation of peace on earth reminds us of the importance of fostering a culture of peace and unity in our Christian lives. As Christians, we have the responsibility to create a harmonious and supportive environment for those we come in contact with. This peace, rooted in God’s love, extends beyond the mere absence of conflict to a deep sense of well-being and emotional safety. Let us strive to be peacemakers in our lives, promoting understanding, empathy, and collaboration, among others.

Prince of peace, we come before you, longing for peace that only you can bring. As Christians help us to be instruments of your peace, fostering unityand understanding among those we come into contact with. Grant us the wisdom and patience to address conflicts with grace & humility. May our lives reflect the peace that comes from knowing and trusting in you. Amen.

Savior, while my heart is tender,

Savior, while my heart is tender,
I would yield that heart to Thee;
All my powers to Thee surrender,
Thine and only Thine to be.


Take me now, Lord Jesus, take me;
Let my youthful heart be Thine;
Thy devoted servant make me;
Fill my soul with love divine.


Send me, Lord, where Thou wilt send me,
Only do Thou guide my way;
May Thy grace through life attend me,
Gladly then shall I obey.


Let me do Thy will or bear it;
I would know no will but Thine;
Shouldst Thou take my life or spare it,
I that life to Thee resign.


May this solemn consecration
Never once forgotten be;
Let it know no revocation,
Registered and confirmed by Thee.


Thine I am, O Lord, for ever
To Thy service set apart;
Suffer me to leave Thee never,
Seal Thine image on my heart.

Faith takes Flight

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In the realm where faith takes flight,

Amidst the vast celestial night,

There lies a path, profound and bright,

The Christian soul’s enduring light.

The firmament of belief, a sacred sphere,

Where every prayer, sincere, draws near,

A realm beyond the transient here,

Where love’s essence shines clear.

The metaphysical veil, a thin divide,

Between the seen and the unseen side,

Where sacred truths in silence bide,

And mortal yearning seeks to confide.

Through grace, the veil is gently torn,

A glimpse of the eternal, to the seeker,

is shown, In the humble heart, faith is reborn,

A journey toward the Divine, devoutly sworn.

In the cryptic dance of scripture’s verse,

Lies a universe of meaning, vast and diverse,

A call to delve deeper, to immerse,

In the mystic heart of the universe.

The cross, a symbol of sacrifice,

A testament to love’s boundless price,

In the face of despair, hope’s edifice,

The Christian soul’s unyielding device.

The quest for truth, a holy fire,

A righteous, unyielding desire,

To ascend the spiritual spire,

And to the essence of love aspire.

In the stillness of the sacred space,

The soul seeks the Divine embrace,

A journey of faith, through grace,

Towards the eternal, loving, holy place.

In the quest, the soul learns to see,

The profound depths of the holy decree,

In the heart of Christianity,

Lies the path to the Divine, the soul set free.

O God of Bethel

The hymn “O God of Bethel” was written by Philip Doddridge (1702-1751). The hymn emphasizes that God has promised His people to be with them and keep them in all places where they go. The original text of the hymn is as follows:

O God of Bethel, by whose hand thy people still are fed, who through this weary pilgrimage hast all our fathers led;

Our vows, our prayers we now present before thy throne of grace; God of our fathers, be the God of their succeeding race.

His aim was to use it at the conclusion of a message he planned to preach on Jacob. The hymn emphasizes that God has promised His people to be with them and keep them in all places where they go. The hymn has been repeatedly turned to in times of conflict and uncertainty, and frequently sung at turning points in people’s lives. 

Wings of an Angel

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The Saviour’s Love is all embracing,

Give our thoughts to Him above,

His Angels come to lift us higher,

To the Throne of Grace and Love

Gently resting on those feathers,

In the warmth of their embrace,

Rising up our minds from shadows,

To a place of ever Faith.

Like a swan who treads the river,

With her babes not far behind,

A group of Angels soaring upwards,

To raise the thoughts of all mankind.

Yet still within the bliss we protest,

Mistaking pain for downward flight,

Still each thorn it sends us soaring,

Like a child with upward kite

O blessed Angels pointing skyward

Are Life’s tests which come from thee,

Taking us forever higher,

Rising upward by decree.

Without the pain we cannot reach him,

However long? We cannot say,

Long slender fingers promise heaven,

But first our sins must die away.

White robed figures swirl around us,

E’er mistaken for a curse

Rising upward nearing Heaven,

Always better never worse.

When you feel that Life is scourging

Rejoice an Angel does draw near,

Surrender to the journey upwards,

Old beliefs will die with tears.

James McTaggert

Tools

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Did you know we have so many tools given to us to use for the Glory of God

Tools of encouragement, faithfulness, love, compassion, mercy, grace and kindness

whether we use them this week or not, well that is completely up to us.

Why not use the tools God gave you to reach out to someone in need not just this week but as every time we see someone needing help!

Honouring God and serving Jesus

John 12:26 New International Version 

26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.

One of my favourite pieces in The Salvation Army brass band world is ‘Guardian of my Soul’ of where we hear two hymn tunes come through, the main one which is based on the piece itself.

I Worship You, God’s only Son,

Who took my sins to the cross,

So I could be completely free to follow where You lead.

Lord, Your wounds are now my healing

and I am wholly Yours.

You know my name and where I’m going,

Guardian of my soul.

O let me hear thee speaking

In accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion,

The murmurs of self‑will.

O speak to reassure me,

To chasten or control;

O speak to make me listen,

Thou Guardian of my soul.

I’ll follow You, God’s only Son,

Along the road to the cross,

No other place can I find grace

Unfathomed and unflawed.

And, as I reach the Hill of Calvary

And see Your open arms,

I’ll know my name and where I’m going,

Guardian of my soul.Image result for honouring god

The second is ‘O Jesus I have promised’

Strangely I have for yet another day found myself at the passage where Jesus predicts his death. I would also say this is a follow up from yesterdays blog ‘Serving Christ’ because as long as we continue to ‘serve Christ’ he will be our ‘Guardian of our Soul’

1.

O Jesus, I have promised

To serve thee to the end,

Be thou for ever near me,

My Master and my friend.

I shall not fear the battle

If thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway,

If thou wilt be my guide.

2.

O let me feel thee near me;

The world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle,

The tempting sounds I hear.

My foes are ever near me,

Around me and within;

But, Jesus, draw thou nearer

And shield my soul from sin.

3.

O let me hear thee speaking

In accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion,

The murmurs of self-will.

O speak to reassure me,

To chasten or control;

O speak to make me listen,

Thou Guardian of my soul.

4.

O Jesus, thou hast promised

To all who follow thee,

That where thou art in Glory,

There shall thy servant be;

And, Jesus, I have promised

To serve thee to the end;

O give me grace to follow,

My Master and my friend.