Life's Journey

                   

“We spend our years as a tale that is told”

Psalm 90:9

“The Lord shall guide thee continually”

Isaiah 58:11

Life’s Journey

As the years pass and days come and go

I long ever more like my Saviour to grow.

May I run with patience my earthly race

Depending entirely on His love and grace.

In the world there is ever more fear and distress,

May I be steadfast, trust His faithfulness.

God speaks to His children,”Do not be afraid,

I am Thy keeper, I will give thee aid.

As I think of time past, now left far behind

So many memories come to my mind:

Challenging times for want, illness and fear,

But the Lord upheld me, and dried every tear.

Supplied my great need, gave strength and grace,

Thus was I able the future to face.

Moment by moment, hour by hour coming through

Rejoicing to prove His blessed promises true.

This looking back I can truthfully say

My life has been blessed in every way.

The trials and troubles have done me no harm,

Though they caused so much stress and alarm.

They were ordained with wise purpose in mind

All came from my Father’s dear hand, truly kind

God carefully trains every child on life’s way

Preparing each one for Heaven one day!

S Hirst

“Thou shalt guide me with Thy council

and afterward receive me to glory”

Psalm 73:24

New Year Thoughts and Prayers

A New Year 

A New Year once again we face,
Resting in God’s love and grace,
He will guide each day, and bless
In this world's weary wilderness.
His Holy Word our constant light,
Upon the pathway shining bright.
Giving comfort, joy and peace,
Provision that will never cease
Until our pilgrim journey o'er,
We arrive on Heaven's shore

“Dear Lord we pray, each day we live,
May we to Thee true glory give;
All praise is due to Thee alone.
Almighty King upon the throne
Of boundless universal sway,
Thyself the Truth, the Life the Way.
Meeting all our deepest need,
Dearest, truest Friend indeed.
O Lord we love Thee and adore
Safe in Thy care for evermore”

S.Hirst

“The eternal God is thy refuge,

 and underneath are the everlasting arms"

Deuteronomy 33:27

 Trusting God for a peaceful New Year

We may enter this Year by grace free from fear,

Knowing our Heavenly Father will give

Grace sufficient each day, as we travel life’s way,

Whatever the trials may be;

Upheld through each testing, on God's promise resting,

Sweet peace fills our hearts as we sing,

Giving thanks for the love which brought Christ from above,

To suffer on Calvary’s tree;

“Dear Lord we adore Thy blessed name evermore,

May our lives bring true glory to Thee”

S Hirst

"My grace is sufficient for thee"

2 Corinthians 12:9

 “...his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion saith my soul;

Therefore will I hope in Him.

Lamentations 5:23-24

The Way Ahead

The New Year approaches, what lies in store,

A Road that has never been travelled before.

“What do the days ahead hold Lord for me?

I know not, but trust every moment to Thee.

Thy grace sufficient in times that are gone

My heart doth encourage as I journey on.

Many the dangers and trials now past,

Such heavy burdens on Thee have been cast

Mercies abundant each morning doth hold,

Numberless blessings and goodness untold.

Secure I may follow the way yet unknown,

Rejoicing in that I do not walk alone.

Close by Thee like Enoch, this I proceed,

Blessed Lord Jesus, Thou art all I need.

I would witness to others as I onward go,

That they may also my dear Saviour know”

S Hirst

“ Enoch walked with God”

 Genesis 5:25

New Year Blessings

Praise God for another year safely gone by,

Crowned with great mercy and help from on high.

Blood Bought forgiveness, wonderful grace,

In Christ, precious Saviour, a safe hiding place.

Strong “Rock of Ages” stedfast and true,

For His people each day, providing anew;

Encouragement, shelter, the guidance they need,

Sustenance true, on His own Word they feed.

Has He failed? NEVER!

The strength of our hearts and our portion FOR EVER!

S Hirst.

“God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”

Psalm 73:26

Do you remember the year 2000?

                   "THOU CROWNEST THE YEAR WITH THY GOODNESS"

                                                        Psalm 65 : 11

Two thousand years of forbearance and and love

Since Christ our dear Saviour came from above.

To make sin's atonement, for thus it was planned,

Then to return to the Father's right hand.

Two thousand years of great mercy to sinners,

God raising up, sending forth, many soul winners.

Two thousand years faithfully, gathering His sheep,

At work by His Spirit the harvest to reap.

Two thousand years, still preserving His Word,

Throughout the wide world His voice must be heard.

Two thousand years- gospel witness abounding,

Glad tidings in every tongue, to all people sounding.

Two thousand years His dear Saints upholding,

With history's tale day by day unfolding

Two Thousand years - persecution, distress,

God's Church ever proving His faithfulness.

Two thousand years - much affliction and trial,

To mortals so long, but to God a short while!

Two thousand years, but as days in the sight

Of Him who rules all in omnipotent might.

Two thousand years - "How long Lord?" we cry,

"Surely Dear Saviour the time draweth neigh!

Two thousand years- eyes fixed upon Thee,

Shall we in our lifetime Thy returning see?"

Two thousand years past, we know not the day,

By grace may we walk with our Lord all the way,

Till He comes, or He calls us, and time is no more,

We shall worship forever on heaven's bright shore. 

S. Hirst

I wonder if you remember the year 2000, and can think back to the time when there was so much fear about Y2K the Millennium bug

"The year 2000 problem, also commonly known as the Y2K problem, Y2K scare, millennium bug, Y2K bug, Y2K glitch, Y2K error, or simply Y2K, refers to potential computer errors related to the formatting and storage of calendar data for dates in and after the year 2000."

Today as we approach 2024, as I write this, how changed the world is, distress and fear because of war, cost of living crisis and innumerable other evils we all face in one way or another, and the Lord's people long for their dear Saviour's return.

       “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men

               count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, 

                           not willing that any should perish,

                      but that all should come to repentance.”  

                                                            2 Peter 3:9

              “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come

                   quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord  Jesus.”  

                                                        Revelation 22:20

Are you trusting Jesus!

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths"  Proverbs 3:5-6    

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”

Psalm 56:3

REMEMBER TO TRUST

I'm calling now to Christian friends so dear,

Reminding us to trust, we need not fear;

Our Lord is faithful. He has been to you, to me -

Through passing through most trying times you'll see

That NOTHING in darkest depths, nor height above,

Can separate us from the blessing of His love

Though grief He cause, His deep compassion will

Comfort bring in time of need. His Word, "BE STILL

AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD", calls us to rest,

To lean our weary heads secure on Jesus' breast;

Who wept among the mourners there at Bethany;

Who for us knew the depths of woe and grief at Calvary

Our Great High Priest, He ever lives to intercede,

Who never fails to meet His people's need.

Shepherd of the sheep, of their concerns aware,

Each one so precious, subject of His tender care.

He who while on earth did little children bless.

Feels still, and knows His loved ones deep distress.

He stilled the storm that blessed "Man of Galilee;

The turmoil of the heart is stilled at His decree.

Upon the "Man of sorrows" fix, dear ones, your gaze,

He brings us through in triumph, joy and praise.

I'm calling you, reminding us to keep our eyes

Upon the Lord so gracious, just and wise.

Though sorrows overwhelm, what can us harm,

Supporting us His strong, His everlasting arm.

Through this "vale of tears" He'll safely guide;

Our cries are heard, we shall not be denied.

Soon all earth's sorrows shall forgotten be,

Sin no more, death swallowed up in VICTORY!

S Hirst

“He maketh the storm a calm” 

Psalm 107:29

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"

Philippians 4: 6-7

He knows

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

He Knows

How wonderful is our dear Lord

Who for His people cares,

Knowing every detail

Of their everyday affairs.

He knows when life is easy,

When we are filled with praise.

Understanding when we’re struggling

On those truly trying days.

He sees indeed our every smile,

And knows when tear drops fall.

He hears the heart’s most feeble cry,

Upholds us through it all.

How blessed to know at all times

Our dear Lord is there,

With what joy we rest in Him,

Safe in His loving care!

S Hirst

                "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and

                supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made

                  known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth

                   all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds

                     through Christ Jesus"                 Philippians 4:6,7

The Week Ahead

The Week Ahead

"Here I am at the start of the oncoming week,

Guidance and strength for each day I seek

Knowing not the trials its hours may bring,

“Thy help Lord desiring in everything.

Thou seest the way that I cannot see,

May I be prayerful, from fear ever free.

In all circumstances true wisdom I need,

Thy Word is my lamp and my light indeed.

Whatever trials and troubles arise,

To Thee alone Lord I lift my eyes.

I'm constantly thankful for Thy love and grace,

May I run with patience my earthly race.”

Shirley Hirst

 

Grace for Today

                       

"He Giveth more grace" 

James 4:6

 GRACE FOR TODAY

"Thank you Lord for grace today,

To meet the trials of the way.

To give us victory over sin,

To cause us life's sore fight to win.

To keep us calm amid the storm,

To make our cold hearts soft and warm,

To aid us that we may aid others,

Lift up our weary Christian brothers.

To show us how the lost to reach.

To help us Thine own Word to teach.

To cheer us as we do each task we do,

To keep us sweet the whole day through.

Whatever lowly chore we meet,

O let us bring it to Thy feet,

The smallest duty needs Thy grace,

And thus we look into Thy face.

With praise and prayer request we make,

 That we may labour for Thy sake.

As is our day, our strength shall be,

So we go forth, at rest in Thee"

Shirley Hirst

“My grace is sufficient for you, 

for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

2 Corinthians 12:9–10