Epiphany Reflections

23 Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Whatever the distractions of life, this passage gets down to the nitty gritty …

When you put your hand in the hand of God, stop trying to ‘run the show’ and ‘rule the roost’, just simply accept and trust His love and authority, it is possible to be filled with the joy and peace that only He can give.
Hilary @ HHI

‘Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.’

My song is love unknown,

My Saviour’s love to me;

Love to the loveless shown,

That they might lovely be.

O who am I, that for my sake

My Lord should take, frail flesh and die?

He came from His blest throne

Salvation to bestow;

But men made strange, and none

The longed for Christ would know:

But O! my Friend, my Friend indeed,

Who at my need His life did spend.

Sometimes they strew His way,

And His sweet praises sing;

Resounding all the day

Hosannas to their King:

Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,

And for His death they thirst and cry.

Why, what hath my Lord done?

What makes this rage and spite?

He made the lame to run,

He gave the blind their sight,

Sweet injuries! Yet they at these

Themselves displease, and ‘gainst Him rise.

They rise and needs will have

My dear Lord made away;

A murderer they saved,

The Prince of life they slay,

Yet cheerful He to suffering goes,

That He His foes from thence might free.

In life, no house, no home

My Lord on earth might have;

In death no friendly tomb

But what a stranger gave.

What may I say? Heav’n was His home;

But mine the tomb wherein He lay.

Here might I stay and sing,

No story so divine;

Never was love, dear King!

Never was grief like Thine.

This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praise

I all my days could gladly spend.

This well-loved hymn retells Christ’s Passion and emphasizes the divine love that Jesus gives us through his death. As we meditate on the words, let us remember that, above all, it is a love story: one between God, and humanity.

Susan Trustee @HHI

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—

He who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, He who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—

He will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

To celebrate the 100th Sunday morning service broadcast on BGFM, the Rev Roy Watson repeated the hymns and readings that he had used on the very first broadcast and he also revealed that Psalm 121 is his favourite Bible reading.

This Psalm is a wonderful reminder that whatever is going on in our lives, wherever we are, whatever we are doing, God is ALWAYS there. This great God, the creator of the universe cares for even me… ‘He will watch over your life… now and evermore.’ Wow!

Hilary @ HHI

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This is the favourite Bible verse of Bethany Hamilton.

‘Soul Surfer (2011) is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, inspiring millions worldwide through the love of her family, her sheer determination, and her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.’ (Google)

‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me.

Lord, thank you for the assurance that you are always with us and that nothing can separate us from your everlasting love and presence.

Susan Trustee @ HHI

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.”

A very pertinent reading for the current world situation, considering the pandemic, political upheaval, Putin’s aggressive attitude towards other nations., starving children, human trafficking, etc. etc.

What a blessing to know that what Jesus said is true – He has “overcome the world”. All will be well.

God Bless

Brian. Committee member and Finance @HHI and Heather, Summerhill Baptist Church, Newport
Summerhill Church in Newport warmly welcomed HHI to celebrate the 20th Anniversary Concert with Treorchy Male Choir in May 2019.

“As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night
never cease.”

We are assured that God provides more than enough food for every person in the world. Please pray with us that the use of His resources may be equally shared among all peoples.

Love the Lord Your God

‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.’

‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down;
when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb, who is the great I AM–
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on.

This old folk hymn meditates on Christ’s wonderful love (verse 1), which brought about our salvation (verse 2), a love to which we and the “millions” respond with eternal praise (verses 3-4).

Susan Trustee @HHI