Seeking God's face together

Search me, Lord

February 21, 2020Ruth Kirk

Search me, O God, and know my heart (Psalm 139:23; NLT).

1. Search me, Lord,
Then live within,
And help me fight
Each urge to sin.

2. Search my mind,
I beg you; stay
To help me keep
Mean thoughts at bay.

3. Search my heart,
Remain; invest
In me, and help me
Face each test.

4. Search my soul,
Make it your home,
Then, Lord, I’ll be
Your flesh and bone.

References

1. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Mark 14:38; NLT).

2. I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind (Jeremiah 17:10; NIV).

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).

3. The Lord tests the heart (Proverbs 17:3; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

4. The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12; NIV).

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them” (John 14:23; NLT).

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:27; NLT).

The Spirit of God lives in you (1 Corinthians 3:16; NLT).

Every time I stray

February 20, 2020February 20, 2020Ruth Kirk

The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult
(Matthew 7:14; NLT).

1. Father,
Every time I stray
Beyond your narrow, testing path,
Please guide me to your sacred way,
And save me from your righteous wrath.

2. Father,
Every time I roam
Away from your parched, desert trail,
Please seek me out, and bring me home,
Forgiving me each time I fail.

3. Father,
Every time I fall
From your steep, lonely, mountain track,
Please rescue me; Lord, hear my call,
And carry my weak spirit back.

4. Father,
Every time I drift
Far from my faith along the road,
Please stay with me, recall your gift
Of Christ, and help me bear my load.

5. Father,
Every time I lose
All sense of you within my soul,
Please whisper gently; don’t accuse:
Be patient, Lord, and make me whole.

References

1. Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14; NIV).

The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NLT).

2. It was I who rescued you from Egypt and led you through the desert for forty years (Amos 2:10; NLT).

I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again (Ezekiel 34:16; NLT).

3. The paths they take will become slippery. They will be chased through the dark, and there they will fall (Jeremiah 23:12; NLT).

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders (Luke 15:4-5; NLT).

4. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way (Isaiah 53:6; NIV).

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).

5. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Psalm 22:1; NLT).

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

Thank you, Jesus

February 19, 2020Ruth Kirk

1. Thank you, Jesus,
Son of Man,
For your humanity.

2. Thank you, Jesus,
Son of God,
For your divinity.

3. Thank you, Jesus,
Prince of Peace,
For loving every nation.

4. Thank you Jesus,
Lamb of God,
For being our salvation.

References

1. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being (Philippians 2:6-7; NLT).

2. Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11; NLT).

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

3. My Father’s house has many rooms (John 14:2; NIV).

I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd (John 10:16; RSV).

This is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:6; NLT).

4. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15; NLT).

Dialogue

February 18, 2020February 18, 2020Ruth Kirk

The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8; NLT).

1. Please teach me, Lord, what you require,
So I may do as you desire.

2. “Love me, your neighbours, strangers, foes,
And pray for all, till healing flows.

3. Make no show of faith, or prayer,
But serve me gladly, everywhere.

4. Keep your temper, staying calm;
Forgive all those who hurt and harm.

5. Say, ‘Sorry,’ when you grieve someone,
And make peace, always, if you can.

6. Be honest, kind, and quick to care;
Keen to lend, and give, and share.

7. Above all else, these words are key:
Take up your cross, and follow me!”

8. Thank you, dear Lord; I hear your call;
You are my way, my truth, my all.

References

1. What does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12; NLT).

I desire mercy, not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6; NIV).

2. You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength [and] love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:30-31; NLT).

You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (Matthew 5:43-4; NLT).

3. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others (Matthew 6:6; NIV).

Serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2; NKJV).

4. In your anger do not sin (Ephesians 4:26; NIV).

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent (Psalm 4:4; NLT).

Forgive those who sin against you (Matthew 6:14; NLT).

5. If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-4; NIV).

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9; NIV).

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18; NIV).

6. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid (Luke 6:35; NLT).

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

7. Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

8. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).

Christ is all that matters (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Fathomless ocean

February 17, 2020Ruth Kirk

Oh, the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgements and how fathomless his ways!
(Romans 11:33; NLT).

1. Fathomless ocean
Of darkness and light:
God’s timeless upwelling
Of justice and might.

2. Limitless blessings
Of mercy and peace:
His Spirit is calling us all
To the feast.

3. Boundless resources
Of wisdom and grace:
The Lord’s faithful promise –
We will see his face.

4. Measureless giving
Of body and blood:
Christ’s infinite sacrifice,
Poured out with love.

References

1. Darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2; KJV).

I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just (Psalm 71:16; NLT).

2. The Lord our God is merciful (Daniel 9:9; NLT).

The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world (Isaiah 25:6; NLT).

3. He [Jesus] was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him (Luke 2:40; NIV).

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NRSV).

4. This is my body, which is given for you (Luke 22:19; NLT).

My blood […] is poured out as a sacrifice for you (Luke 22:20; NLT).

May I live for you

February 16, 2020Ruth Kirk

1. Father,
May I live for you,
Glad to make
Each sacrifice.

2. Jesus,
May I live like you,
Ready, Lord,
To pay the price.

3. Spirit,
May I live with you,
Quick to spread
Your loving care.

4. Godhead,
May I live in you,
Day and night, Lord,
Everywhere.

References

1. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord (Romans 14:8; NIV).

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

2. We live like Jesus here is this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16; NLT).

3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; NLT).

He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you (Colossians 1:8; NLT).

4. All who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave you are there (Psalm 139:8; NLT).

You let me stand before you

February 15, 2020Ruth Kirk

Who can stand before his fierce anger? (Nahum 1:6; NLT).

1. Lord,
You let me stand before you,
Though I’m flawed
And full of sin.

2. Lord,
You let me lean upon you,
For I’m damaged
Deep within.

3. Lord,
You let me walk beside you,
Though I fail
to do your will.

4. Lord,
In spite of all my faults,
You live in me,
And love me still.

References

1. We come before you in our guilt (Ezra 9:15; NLT).

2. Let him trust in the name of Jehovah, and lean upon his God (Isaiah 50:10; YLT).

3. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

4. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).