Faith

Ruth Kirk

A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it (Luke 8:5; RSV).

A trodden path;
A shallow soil;
A mass of thorns.

A barren field;
An empty barn;
A heap of reeds.

A fraying rope;
A dried-up well;
A broken bowl.

A secret door;
A private room;
An upper floor.

A dying fire;
A falling night;
A final meal –

Yet I will sing,
And tread the heights:
For God will heal.

Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives (Mark 14:26; NLT)

Though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal (Job 5:18; NLT). 

For you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture (Malachi 4:2; NLT).

References:

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights (Habakkuk 3:17-19; NLT).

Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7; NLT).

He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle (Matthew 12:20; NLT).

Readings:

Mark 4:1-9.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7.

Recognition

Ruth Kirk

These thoughts came to me as I started to pray in bed, just before settling down to sleep …

The two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread (Luke 24:35; NLT).

At times we may long for some recognition, approval, or reward, however small, for all the efforts and sacrifices we make throughout our lives. However:

  • The only recognition
    Which really matters
    Is our recognition of Jesus
    As our Saviour.

  • The only approval
    Which really matters
    Is Christ’s approval
    Of how we love and serve him
    In others.

  • The only reward
    Which really matters
    Is seeing Jesus’ face,
    Hearing his voice,
    And receiving his embrace.

  • Therefore, the only goal
    Which really matters
    Is to become one
    With Christ Jesus our Lord
    For evermore.

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).

References

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:14; NLT).

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us (1 John 4:12; NLT).

Let love be your highest goal (1 Corinthians 14:1; NLT).

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

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

Well done, my good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21; NLT).

He returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NLT).

When I wake up…

Ruth Kirk

1. When I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:18; NLT).

I want you;
I need you;
I seek you.

I find you;
I meet you;
I greet you.

I thank you;
I praise you;
I bless you.

I know you;
I trust you;
I love you.

I love you, Lord (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

2. The LORD watches over the simple (Psalm 116:6; NASB20).

You watch me;
You want me;
You draw me.

You see me;
You hold me;
You hear me.

You kiss me;
You bless me;
You soothe me.

You know me;
You save me;
You love me.

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

My hope is a spark

Ruth Kirk

A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire (James 3:5; NLT).

My hope is a spark;
My light is a flame;
My fire is a blaze;
My wrath is a pyre.

My way is your path;
My thorn is your pain;
My flesh is your bread;
My blood is your wine.

…………………………..

My faith is a gift;
My peace is a dove;
My love is a cross;
My rest is a tomb.

My grace is your staff;
My strength is your rod;
My truth is your sword:
For I am your God.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:19; NLT). 

References

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

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing (Psalm 143:10; NLT).

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD (Psalm 31:24; NIV).

I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God” (Psalm 31:14; NIV).

No light

Ruth Kirk

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

You are here,
Yet I am blind,
For there’s no light.

You are here,
Yet I am deaf,
For there’s no voice.

You are here,
Yet I am cold,
For there’s no fire.

You are here,
Yet I am sad,
For there’s no joy.

You are here,
Yet I am worn,
For there’s no rest.

You are here,
For I am weak –
And life’s a test.

The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 13:3-4; NLT).

References

God is with us (Isaiah 7:14; NLT).

You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:30; NLT).

He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust (Psalm 103:14; NLT).

Oneness

Ruth Kirk

Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).

Let all the earth be silent before him (Habakkuk 2:20; NLT).

Lost in silence,
And in light;
Lost in comfort,
And in peace;

Lost in kindness,
And in grace;
Lost in goodness,
And in God.

Lost in stillness,
And in praise;
Lost in worship,
And in awe;

Lost in gladness,
And in love;
Lost in wonder:
One with God.

The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).

We are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

No sun

Ruth Kirk

There is no sun;
There’s only rain.
There is no proof:
There’s only faith.

There is no peace;
There’s only pain.
There is no proof:
There’s only hope.

There is no joy;
There’s only dread.
There is no proof:
There’s only love.

There is no cure;
There’s only grief.
There is no proof –
There’s only God.

There is…one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:4,6; NLT).

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13; NLT).

References

Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

Reading: Revelation 22:3-7; NLT.

When praying…

Ruth Kirk

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will (Romans 8:27-8; NLT).

When praying in silence,
Just open your mind,
And watch each distraction
Drift by.
No judgement, dismissal,
Denial, or guilt:
Just share all your thinking
With God.

When praying in stillness,
Just open your heart,
And watch every feeling
Flow past.
No shyness, resistance,
Repression, or shame:
Just share your emotions
With God. 

When praying in darkness,
Just open your soul,
And watch Yahweh’s Spirit
At work,
With patience, forgiveness,
Compassion, and love:
Just share in the oneness
Of God.

The LORD our God, the LORD is one (Deuteronomy 6:4; NIV).

The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).

References

We are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you (Romans 8:11; NLT).

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).

The way of love

Ruth Kirk

They hated me without cause (John 15:25; NLT).

When people criticise and blame,
Hate my writing, scorn my aim,
Love remains my only goal:
Lord, they cannot harm my soul.

When people tear my work apart,
Blast my motives, pierce my heart,
Love remains my only way:
Lord, I plead for them each day.

I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

References

Follow the way of love (1 Corinthians 14:1; NIV).

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1-2; NIV).

I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken for he is right beside me (Psalm 16:8; NLT).

Living within

Ruth Kirk

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Christ, living within,
Is my pearl without price;
My truth, and my gospel;
My way, and my life;

My well, and my water;
My root, and my vine;
My first and last supper;
My bread, and my wine;

My light, and my darkness;
My sun, and my rain;
My goal; my salvation;
My joy, and my pain;

My Shepherd; my Spirit;
My staff, and my rod;
My friend on life’s journey –
My Lord and my God.

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