St Peters RC Church Hamilton

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“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach … see I set
before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the
Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live
and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you.” Deuteronomy 3 v 11-20

I’ve been thinking about what You want
In the way of worship, Father.
And it seems to me that like a jewel,
There are many facets sparkling in the answer.
Perhaps worship could be summed up here.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
And with all your soul,
And with all your mind,
Mark 12 v 30 And with all your strength.”

So, I thought, how can I do that?
What exactly is God expecting and looking for?
The first thing I seemed to understand
Was God’s command that I submit to Him,
Commit all, absolutely all, to Him, not just my self-selected bits.

”I will be their God.” Jeremiah 31 v 33
“I don’t want your sacrifices – I want your love; I don’t want your offerings – I want you to know Me.”
Hosea 6 v 6
True love must consist of loving Him with my entire being
Even, or perhaps, especially, the parts I don’t like!
No reservation nor hidden designation saying
‘My wants, my needs, my desires!’ I must aspire to
Give everything to God, to make Him first and foremost in my life.

“He takes pleasure in those that honour Him; in those who trust in His constant love.” Psalm 147 v 11

So, all strife is brought before Him,
The worries, concerns, all I yearn for,
Submitted to Him for His wise solution.
When bewildered or in pain, again I must
Trust Him when I speak, feeling sore or raw.

“I need only say ‘I am slipping,’ for Your faithful love, God, to support me; however great the anxiety
of my heart, Your consolations soothe me.” Psalm 94 v 18-19

I am to lay it all out before Him
As openly as I can, as I seek God to
Speak wisdom, understanding, strength and healing,
Revealing the truth of His love for me,
As He speaks uniquely into my situation.

“The Lord will lighten my darkness.” Psalm 18 v 28

I must become rooted in prayer
Where I share everything with God
Through my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
If I am to become like the Lord Jesus.
For Him, prayer was a total way of life.

“The Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing.” John 5 v 19

I have to talk openly, honestly, saying
How it feels, explaining just the way it is for me.
If necessary I can be angry and shout,
Or complain and cry when the pain is too prolonged,
Knowing God is stronger than anything I can throw at Him.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be alarmed, for I am your God. I give you strength, truly I
help you, truly I hold you firm with My saving right hand.” Isaiah 41 v 10

I can protest all I like, but then eventually,
I must come to rest in God’s release of peace.
That place where He offers me
Words of encouraging comfort and consolation,
For the duration of dark night will always end.

“May my Lord Jesus Christ himself and God my Father who has given me His love, and through His
grace, such ceaseless encouragement and such sure hope, encourage me and strengthen me.”
2 Thessalonians 2 v 16 personalised
God is so gracious, the scope of His love so mighty,
I know He can cope with my wrongdoing.
But He does expect me as a mark of love and respect,
To be repentant when I’ve strayed
Or disobeyed His blueprint for my life.

“The Lord loves those who hate evil. He protects the lives of His people and He saves them
from the wicked.” Psalm 97 v 10
Agreeing with God that certain thoughts,
Actions, words and indeed, lack of action
Are wrong, I confess my belief in His way,
God’s ultimate truth formed for my well being.
Seeing my sins and shortcomings, I must say so.

“God … encourages all those who are distressed.” 2 Corinthians 7 v 6

I have to go to God with true repentance
Filling my heart and mind, thanking Him
That I will find Him a patient, compassionate,
Understanding Father, more than ready to forgive
And let me live in the light of His loving peace once more.

“Come, let us talk this over,’ says God ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool’.” Isaiah 1 v 18

I am to acknowledge that I stand before God
Made whole once more, my sins forgiven and forgotten,
Only by the gift of His beloved Son, my Lord, who came
Luke 19 v 10 “To seek and to save that which is lost.”
And “As many as received Him, to them
John 1 v 17 He gave the right to become children of God.”

Christ it is, who promises “You shall know the truth
John 8 v 2 And the truth shall set you free.”
The truth about God, about Himself, the truth about myself, and my life.
What a reason to give thanks and praise,
Amaze at what God has done and is doing for me.

“It is wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.”Philippians 34 v 7

What an honour the Father has bestowed upon me
In the person of His Son, in whom
Colossians 2 v 3 “Are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
The One who encouragingly promises; “Be assured,
Matthew 28 v 20 I am with you to the end of time.”

What greater cause for worship than God’s all loving gift of freedom,
Given in the passion of Christ:
“Christ died for sins one for all, The righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3 v 18 “The
Lord God is a sun and a shield; He bestows favour and honour, no good thing does the Lord withhold from
those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84 v 11 No wonder God is described as “a shield”. I must yield my heart to
Him alone, as thanks; Counting His blessings, acknowledging His mercy Seen in the tender-hearted, loving
kindness God applies to each and every situation of my life.

HEART AND MIND