Tag: Glory

Trusting in him

The Father Revealed in the Son

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Some of you might recogise this as a golden oldie

Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
there’s mercy with the Lord,
and He will surely give you rest
by trusting in His word.

Refrain:
Only trust Him, only trust Him,
only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you.
He will save you now.

For Jesus shed His precious blood
rich blessings to bestow;
plunge now into the crimson flood
that washes white as snow. [Refrain]

Yes, Jesus is the truth, the way,
that leads you into rest;
believe in Him without delay,
and you are fully blest. [Refrain]

Come, then, and join this holy band,
and on to glory go,
to dwell in that celestial land
where joys immortal flow.

Colossians 1:27

The buried seed has cracked the ground,

The pilgrimage begun!

The spring ties yellow cords around

And drags it to the sun.

The birds bomb scatter-songs of scenes

Where other tiny shoots

Have bubbled into forests green

With waves of foaming roots.

God let me like the flower described

Intent on extra height,

Drink first born Son-shine as prescribed

Pulled up by ropes of light.

Already blood red Pimpernel

You’ve stalled the cart of death

You’ve sacked the guillotine of hell,

And kissed with second breath.

The feathered weft of angel’s wings,

Each jewelled head that turns,

The sceptred skies of planet kings,

The hottest star that burns

Are crazy love-laid paving stones

That cross the sin-stretched miles

And scarlet set cement atones

The path that reconciles.

Yet though the black revolt is quelled

And sin’s against the wall.

Fresh caravans of grace are held

As mortal home guards fall.

For ego leads guerillas still

Who plague the second start,

They sabotage and strive to kill

The re-conditioned heart.

Yet ultimately heaven’s keys

Are mine if I persist,

So purer thoughts I’ll trade for these

And pillagers resist.

Past exemplary saints have bled

With lung-stung nailed breath

And trod the lonely path that led

To empathetic death.

They helped complete in frail flesh

The meal of stale bread,

That Jesus, frightened, tasted fresh

And brought-up with the dead.

And when I’ve chewed my portioned crust

I’ll have the eyes to see,

The hope of glory’s simply just

That Jesus lives in me.

(AJB)

The shepherds’ response of gloryifying and praising God reminds us to give thanks for His guidance in our Christian journey. As Christians we may often focus on the future goals and plans, forgetting to pause and express gratitude for the present moment. Like the sheperds who praised God for the wonderous news of Jesus’ birth, we too should cultivate a heart of gratitude for the oppertunities and blessings God has provided in our lives

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude for your giudance and blessings in our Christian journey. Help us to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness in our hearts and attitudes. May we be quick to praise and give thanks for the opportunities and successes you have granted us. Let our Christian lives be a testimony of your goodness and grace. Amen.

Shepherds Watching

1 While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
an angel of the Lord came down,
and glory shone around.

2 “Fear not,” said he for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind
“glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind.

3 “To you, in David’s town, this day
is born of David’s line
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord;
and this shall be the sign:

4 “The heavenly babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all simply wrapped in swaddling clothes
and in a manger laid.”

5 Thus spoke the angel. Suddenly
appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song:

6 “All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace;
to those on whom his favor rests
goodwill shall never cease.”

The lyrics of ‘While Shepherds watched their flocks’ transport us to that sacred night when the angelic proclamation heralded the birth of our Saviour. Amidst their humble duties the shepherds were chosen to witness the divine event, and their lives were forever changed. As Christians we can draw inspiration from their experience of receiving un expected and transformative news, remind us that our own Christian journeymay encounter divine moments that bring great joy and peace.

Prayer

Father, as we ponder these lyrics,we are reminded of the divine moments that can transform our Christian journey. Help us to open the unexpected and transform events that bring great joy and peace. May our lives reflect the goodwill and love from Heaven. Guide us, O Lord, in spreading peace and joy in our interactions and desicions. 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.

Thine is the Glory

1 Corinthians 15 New International Version

The Resurrection Body

35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”[f]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we[g] bear the image of the heavenly man.

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[h]

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”[i]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The Story Behind Thine Is The Glory

In 1884, Edmond L. Budry used Handel’s melody and wrote lyrics for them, which he named “A Toi la Gloire.” It is told that he was motivated to write it following the passing of his first wife, Marie de Vayenborg in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was later printed in the French hymn book, Chants Evangéliques. The hymn was first translated from French into English by Richard B. Hoyle in 1923. He was commissioned to transcribe the hymn by the World Student Christian Federation after Budry gave permission to reprint it from the French version.

The ‘ghost on the lake’

Matthew 14 New International Version

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

One of my many favourite songs is “O Man of Galilee” I have always loved the words to the song. In our reading above the highlited verses connects with the song.

SAVIOUR of light, I look just now to thee;
Brighten my path, so only shall I see
Thy footprints, Lord, which mark the way for me;
Light of my life, so surely thou wilt be,
O Man of Galilee!

Refrain:
O Man of Galilee,
Stay with and strengthen me;
Walk thou through life with me,
O Man of Galilee!

Another touch, I ask another still,
That daily, hourly, I may do thy will;
Healer of wounds and bearer of all pain,
Thy touch, thy power are evermore the same,
O Man of Galilee!

Lord of my life, I dare step out to thee
Who stilled the waves and stayed the tossing sea;
When floods o’erwhelm, my safety thou wilt be;
When nightfall comes, O Lord, abide with me;
O Man of Galilee!

Pilot of souls, I trust thy guiding hand;
Take thou the helm and, at thy blest command,
I sail straight on until, the harbour won,
I reach the glory of thy sweet well done;
O Man of Galilee!

The Lord Holds our Hand

Isaiah 42 New International Version 

The Servant of the Lord

42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
    or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4     he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
    In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
    who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,Image result for Holding hands with the Lord
    who gives breath to its people,
    and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
    I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people
    and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
    to free captives from prison
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”

  1. Hold Thou my hand; so weak I am, and helpless,
    I dare not take one step without Thy aid;
    Hold Thou my hand; for then, O loving Saviour,
    No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid.
  2. Hold Thou my hand, and closer, closer draw me
    To Thy dear self-my hope, my joy, my all;
    Hold Thou my hand, lest haply I should wander,
    And, missing Thee, my trembling feet should fall.
  3. Hold Thou my hand; the way is dark before me
    Without the sunlight of Thy face divine;
    But when by faith I catch its radiant glory,
    What heights of joy, what rapturous songs are mine!
  4. Hold Thou my hand, that when I reach the margin
    Of that lone river Thou didst cross for me,
    A heav’nly light may flash along its waters,
    And every wave like crystal bright shall be.

For or Against

Related image

Luke 6:27-30

Love for Enemies

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 
30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
VERSE 1: You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
CHORUS 1: What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
VERSE 2: You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
My sin was great Your love was greater
What could separate us now
CHORUS 2: What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
BRIDGE:
Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silence the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God
You reign Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names
CHORUS 3:
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Shining for the Lord

2 Corinthians 4 New International Version

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.