St Peters RC Church Hamilton

Revelation 19 v 13

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God. Revelation 1 v 8

The source of salvation,
True God from true God,
Begotten not made,
The living word come down from heaven,
The reliable witness, our rock,
The Alpha and Omega,
From everlasting to everlasting,
He is the Christ
The cornerstone of our faith.
“From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” * 1

The Lord “Who is and who was
And who is to come, the Almighty.” * 2
“The Root and Offspring of David,
The Bright and Morning Star.” * 3
The Word was God
And the Word is God.
“Now I saw heaven open,
And behold a white horse.
And He who sat on him
Was called Faithful and True.” * 4

The infinite, inexhaustible, inimitable One,
Unknowable yet known, invisible yet seen!
“The Beginning of the creation of God.” * 5
Strong to deliver, abounding in love,
Plenteous in grace, unlimited in holiness.
Thou, O Lord, are the Mighty One,
Tried, trusted and true to the Father,
Beholden to the Spirit, the Taker of mankind.
Bringing eternal life, peace and joy
From the realm of heaven to earth.

Our Saviour’s birth is glorious!
For “Him who loved us
And washed us from our sins in His own blood,” * 6
Is pure revelation of the Father to show
“Things which must shortly take place.” * 7
A true light to the world, shining amidst
And through all human darkness.
“There is one God and one Mediator
Between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” * 8
Altogether human, yet completely divine.

My Lord and my God!
“The Mediator of a new covenant” * 9 of love.
God’s love here upon earth, living and real,
Audible and tangible making such a difference to us.
“Jesus who offered himself in exchange
For everyone held captive by sin,
To set them all free” * 10 once and for all.
“I know that my Redeemer lives ….
This I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God.” * 11

Standing alive in God’s presence,
All my sins and shortcomings atoned for
By my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
What more could I ask or ever want?
“Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.” * 12
Christ, the lamb of God who says
“Behold, I have come –
In the volume of the book it is written for Me –
To do Your will, O God.” * 13

The Bread of Life, our vital nourishment.
Spiritual food for mortal souls.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For we shall be like a tree planted by waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river
And will not fear when heat comes….
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” * 14
Rooted, well guarded, secure in Christ
The “Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God.” * 15

Source of all light, life and love.
“The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song;
And He has become my salvation.” * 16
Of the fullest, purest spiritual healing.
The One of whom the Father declares
“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.” * 17
Justice and peace in Him, in fairness and righteousness.

God’s truth in Christ stands firm for ever.
God’s way with Christ stands open for ever.
Christ “Will be a sanctuary” * 18 for God’s people
A safe haven, a peaceful resting place of replenishment
Sent from God, by God, to restore us to God.

For the Father speaks of His Son saying :
“By His knowledge My righteous Servant
Shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.” * 19

“We ourselves have heard Him and we know
That this is indeed the Christ,
The Saviour of the world,” * 20 my God and my King.
“In the beginning was the Word
And the Word was with God,
And the Word was God.” * 21
Speaking, reaching, teaching directly, openly, profoundly,
Into all human circumstances and occasions.
The Spirit of holiness upon Christ to bless us.

“My Father” says our Lord Jesus Christ,
“Gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven
And gives life to the world ….
I am the bread of life.” * 22
This marvellous, majestic yet mysterious man
Is our true spiritual nourishment heaven sent!
Lent by God for an essential purpose,
Christ here to fulfil an eternal plan and destiny.

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of man.” * 23
“Believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” * 24
“He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,
But have the light of life,” * 25 God’s clear light
Shining in all directions, illuminating, cutting through all darkness
“I will sing, I will sing, I will sing of His name.” * 26
I will bring, I will bring, I will bring to Him my love.
“For no one comes to the Father except through You,” * 27Lord Jesus.
You who said “I am the way, the truth and the life –
No one comes to the Father except through Me.” * 28

“If you abide in My Word, you are my disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth,
And the truth shall make you free.” * 29
Free to be sure of your place in God’s love.
Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all in all.
“An advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous” * 30 the Holy One of God.
Perfect love in an imperfect world.
“And He himself is the propitiation for our sins
And not for ours only but also for the whole world.” * 31

“I am the resurrection” Christ promises us,
“And the life.
He who believes in Me,

Though (s)he may die, (s)he shall live.” * 32
Christ died that we may never die.
Christ lives that we may hope and rely not only upon
His peaceful promise of the gift of eternal life,
But this gift :“I have come that they may have life,
And that they may have it more abundantly,” * 33
Securely, peacefully, joyfully with prosperity and sanctity.

What an abundant blessing is God’s mercy and kindness!
“How precious is Your loving kindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust
Under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied.” * 34
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Who according to His abundant mercy
Has given us new birth into a living hope.” * 35
The Lord Jesus Christ, fullest scope of our hope.
“He who comes from heaven” and “Is above all.” * 36

He who came to do God’s will * 37
Until all hearts come to understand and follow Him.
Jesus, our God, our living God, real and true
Here now amongst us in those who accept Him,
Bringing Him alive in effectiveness, allowing Christ to thrive.
“For He himself is our peace” * 38 unequalled,
Unrivalled, unsurpassed by anyone or anything.
To Him let us bring everything that trials or troubles us,
Enabling us to be “Looking for that blessed hope
And glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” * 39

The Lord, our God, the One who helps us to look homewards, heavenwards.
“Speaking the truth in love, (we) may grow up in all things
Into Him who is the head – Christ.” * 40
“Without Me you can do nothing” * 41 Christ teaches.
Nothing of everlasting, worthwhile godly value that is.
Christ is supremely the head “Of all principality and power.” * 42
Wherever, whoever You are in life, Christ the Head
Set you there and is in charge of your wellbeing.
Hand over to Him, allowing Him to work with you,
Through you and for you and you’ll be amazed,
Truly astonished, astounded at what he can do with you!

Before long you will dare to declare with all authority,
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” * 43
Christ is your strength in trial, your victory in temptation.
Christ is your truth in every situation, your light in confusion.
Christ is your comfort in harshness, your consolation in sorrow.
Christ is your companion for the journey and your destination’s calling.

Falling into the arms of our loving God is an awesome thing!
Let Christ bring you everything you need
In each and every situation you encounter
And you will never, ever be the same again.

Nor will your life, your attitude, your future and your hope.
Christ, God’s everlasting Son, setting His people free to be
Fully loved and readily accepted by the holiness of God.
Christ “The fullness of Him who fills all in all.” * 44
The omnipotent, omnipresent One, here with us, now.
Come, draw near to Christ, be aware of Him,
Talk to Him, share with Him, confide in Him
And always, but always be “Practising the presence of God in Christ.” * 45
Believing in all, absolutely everything Christ has taught you.

“For you were like sheep going astray,
But now have returned to the Shepherd
And overseer of your souls.” * 46
The One who loves you so much, so very much,
He gave up His God given life for you.
“The eternal God is your refuge” in Christ
And with Him “Underneath are the everlasting arms.” * 47
In Christ, no harm will befall you.
You will be able to handle anything life brings up
Relying upon the power and strength of God in Christ.

Christ who is and was and is to come.
Christ come down from heaven to earth to share our humanity
That we may eventually partake of His divinity.
Christ the eternally loving One, your shepherd
“Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to grey hairs I will carry you.” * 48
You are totally safe, secure, loved and protected,
In Christ, by Christ, with Christ, for God.
God himself in the person of His Son, kindling the fire.
The fire of His love, stoking and fanning the flames ever higher.

“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him
Who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.
Proclaim Christ’s name, praise Him, thank Him.” * 49
Give witness to God in Christ by your love, your whole mission in life.
God gives us permission to speak of Him only in terms of love.
Nothing else, nothing other than love, makes God’s way clearer.
“There is a friend” in Jesus “Who sticks closer than a brother.” * 50
Or mother, or father or any other best friend.

With Christ, you are never alone nor far from home.
You are never unloved, unwanted, misunderstood, not needed.

“Greater love has no one than this,
Than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
You are my friends … I have called you friends.” * 51
Can you, will you return this honour to your Lord, your closest friend?
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” * 52
Refer everything you think, plan, say or do to Christ.
“What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” * 53

God in Christ is the repair of shattered dreams, lost hopes,
Plans destroyed, lives forlorn, empty and wasting.
Mistakes made, God corrects them in Christ.
Miseries overwhelming, God abolishes them in Christ.
Mayhem breaking out, God repairs and replenishes in Christ.
God’s loving grace wins through in Christ, time without end .
“No one has ever seen God,
But God the One and Only (Son) who is at the Father’s side,
Has made Him known.” * 54
Christ, the grace and gift of God’s generosity.

“But to you who hold My name in awed reverence
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings.” * 55
“Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.” * 56
Born again by the Spirit of God in Christ.
Born to a new life of love and hope.
Born to be joyful, peaceful and obedient in Christ.
Born to be a companion to Christ who loves and desires you so dearly.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me” explained Christ,
“Because He has anointed Me
To preach the good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
And recovery of sight for the blind,
To release the oppressed,
To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” * 57
And that time of favour is now for those
Who wish to, want to receive and believe in Christ.
“The Prince of Life whom God raised from the dead.” * 58

Glory, glory, glory to You O Holy One, everloving Father.
Thank You for Your Son’s perfect and constant love.
“Having been perfected,
He became the author of eternal salvation
To all who obey Him.” * 59 Christ our everlasting, godly hope.
“We are His workmanship!” * 60
Grasp this! We are moulded, shaped and formed
By a Master Craftsman, made in His own likeness and image.
What an incredible honour, what a high calling!
We are the beloved falling into God’s loving hold.

“Having boldness to enter the holiest ….
By a new and living way which Jesus consecrated for us,
… That is, His flesh.” * 61 as Christ gave His life for us.
He died upon the †, that we may become alive to God.
Then, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart
In full assurance of faith,” * 62 for this is what Christ
Lives for and gives to us, His much loved brothers and sisters.
Glad in the righteousness of Christ, we can stand in faith
Confidently and without fear, before the throne of God.
Christ is the most inspiring example of faith,
Who has ever or will ever, give witness to God the Father.

Christ “Who for the joy that was set before Him,
Endured the †, despising the shame, and has sat down
At the right hand of the throne of God.” * 63
“Therefore, … partakers of the heavenly calling,
Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” * 64
Christ who tells us “I am from Him (God) and He sent Me.” * 65
“He who sent Me is true.” * 66 “He who sent Me is with Me.” * 67
And vitally, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me.” * 68
Christ is God’s personal message of love by God’s permission spoken to you.
For what purpose? One essential, life giving mission.

We too, are called to evangelise and spread the gospel of truth.
“As the Father has sent Me,” Christ says to us,
“I also send you.” * 69 out into the world which so needs Me.
In Christ you may have every confidence, for
“The Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you;
Do not fear or be discouraged” * 70 but become a pilgrim in Christ.
Trust Him, thank Him, serve him loyally and lovingly. * 71
There is no higher calling in life than to consent and commit
To reverencing God in Christ, through Christ, with Christ.
“Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” * 72 Christ bids you.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, who was, and who is to come, the
Almighty.” Revelation 1 v 8

Lord Jesus, You stand before us asking “’But who do you say that I am?’” * 73i Open the eyes and
ears of our hearts and minds to find God’s truth that we may declare You to be “The Christ of
God.” * 73ii The Christ, the Anointed One, the chosen Messiah. We believe in You, Lord, the One
who comes with the power of unlimited love. You say “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will
deliver you and you shall glorify Me.” * 74 As Your love enriches our life immeasurably, may we
each individually play our part to share and spread Your glory. Then “With gladness and rejoicing
shall they be brought; they shall enter into the King’s palace.” * 75 “I will give thanks to the Lord
because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” * 76 “Lord
Jesus, guard my life, for I am devoted to You. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in
You.” * 77 Lord I thank You for this understanding “If you devote your heart to Him and stretch out
your hands to Him … then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear
… You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.”* 78
So inspire me and fill me with Your presence Lord Jesus, that through You I may “Love the Lord
my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength.” * 79 Amen
“Jesus only, Jesus ever,
Jesus all in all we sing,
Saviour, Sanctifier and Healer,
Glorious Lord and coming King,” * 80
I turn to You, trust You and rely upon You.

Written after reading “He shall be called” Robert J Morgan pub Warner Faith 2005
ISBN 0-446-57652-2

13 25
* Psalm 90 * Hebrews 10 v 6-7 * John 8 v 2

14 26
* Revelation 1 v 8 * Jeremiah 17 v 7-8 * Opening of a hymn. Author not known

15 27
* Revelation 22 v 16-17 * Isaiah 9 v 6 * See John 14 v 6

16 28
* Revelation 19 v 11 * Isaiah 12 v 2-3 * John 14 v 6

17 29
* Revelation 3 v 14 * Isaiah 92 v 1 * John 8 v 31-32

18 30
* Revelation 1 v 5 * Isaiah 8 v 14 * 1 John 2 v 1

19 31
* Revelation 1 v 1 * Isaiah 59 v 11 * 1 John 2 v 2

20 32
* 1 Timothy 2 v 5 * John 4 v 42 * John 11 v 25

21 33
* Hebrews 9 v 15 * John 1 v 1 * John 10 v 10
10 22 34
* 1 Timothy 2 v 5-6 * John 6 v 32-33, 35 * Psalm 37 v 7-8
11 23 35
* Job 19 v 25-26 * John 1 v 4 * 1 Peter 1 v 3
12 24 36
* Fanny Crosby 1873 * John 12 v 36 * John 3 v 31
* 37 “Because I have come from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent
Me.” John 6 v 38
38 49 60
* Ephesians 2 v 14 * 1 Peter 2 v 9 * Ephesians 2 v 10
39 50 61
* Titus 2 v 13 * Proverbs 18 v 24 * Hebrews 7 v 22
40 51 62
* Ephesians 4 v 15-16 * John 15 v 13-15 * Hebrews 10 v 22
41 52 63
* John 15 v 5 * Ralph Waldo Emerson * Hebrews 12 v 2
42 53 64
* Colossians 2 v 10 * Joseph M. Scriven 1855 * Hebrews 3 v 1
43 54 65
* Philippians 4 v 13 * John 1 v 18 * John 7 v 29
44 55 66
* Ephesians 1 v 23 * Malachi 4 v 2 * John 8 v 26
45 56 67
* Brother Lawrence * Charles Wesley 1739 * John 8 v 29
46 57 68
* 1 Peter 2 v 25 * Luke 4 v 18-19 * John 9 v 4
47 58 69
* Deuteronomy 33 v 27 * Acts 3 v 15 * John 20 v 21
48 59 70
* Isaiah 46 v 4 * Hebrews 5 v 9 * Proverbs 16 v 20
* 71 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared
in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 1 v 10
72 75 78
* Matthew 4 v 20 * Psalm 45 v 15 * Job v 11 v 13, 15, 18
73i,ii 76 79
* Luke 9 v 20 * Psalm 7 v 17 * Deuteronomy 6 v 5
74 77 80
* Psalm 50 v 15 * Psalm 86 v 2 * A.B. Simpson, 1890

21.12.05 Sue O’DonnelL

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