He teaches me

Ruth Kirk

Image: Erik Mclean, Pexels

1. The Father lives within me.
He sustains my flesh and blood
While teaching me to practice
So I grow, like Christ, in love.

2. Christ Jesus dwells within me.
He helps me make each choice
By teaching me to listen
To the Spirit’s still, small voice.

3. The Spirit rests within me.
He comforts me each day
While teaching me to follow
God’s demanding, lonely way.

 

References

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

In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind (Job 12:10; NIV).

I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow (Isaiah 48:17; NLT).

I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying (Psalm 85:8; NLT).

We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NLT).

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).

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

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21; NIV).

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).

Listen to his voice (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

After the fire [came] a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12; KJV).

3. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, [Comforter, Encourager, Counsellor] who will never leave you (John 14:16; NLT).

The Spirit teaches you everything you need to know (1 John 2:27; NLT).

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Mark 8:34; NIV).

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

It’s four in the morning

Ruth Kirk

Image: skeeze, Pixabay

1. It’s four in the morning.
I’m here, all alone,
Waiting for you, Lord,
To speak.

2. This is my desert.
This is my rest.
You are the pathway
I seek.

3. It’s five in the morning.
I’m silent and still,
Longing to gaze
On your face.

4. This is my wasteland.
This is my peace.
You are the Spirit
Of grace.

5. It’s six in the morning.
I lie in the dark,
Yearning to witness
Your light.

6. This is my wilderness.
This is my joy.
You are the fountain
Of life.

 

References

1. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence (Psalm 62:5; ESV).

2. [Jesus] departed thence in a boat, into a desert place apart (Matthew 13:14; WEB).

Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

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

3. Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).

Be still in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 37:7; NLT).

When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied (Psalm 17:15; NLT).

4. I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:20; NIV).

My peace I give you (John 14:27; NIV).

I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10; NKJV).

5. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night (Psalm 63:6; NLT).

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine (Isaiah 9:2; NLT).

6. Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (Luke 5:16; NLT).

I will go to the altar of God, to God – the source of all my joy (Psalm 43:4; NLT).

You are the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9; NLT).

Testing and temptation

Ruth Kirk

Image: Hans Braxmeier, Pixabay

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

1. God tests us,
But he doesn’t tempt us,
Tries us,
But he doesn’t lure.

2. He shows us
Jesus’ ways of coping,
So we learn
How to endure.

3. Temptation comes
When our desires entice,
Then drag, us
To the place

4. Where they give birth
To sinful acts —
But God helps us resist,
Through grace.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
(Philippians 4:13; NKJV).

References

1. He tests me (Job 23:10; NLT).

[He] tests the heart and mind (Jeremiah 11:20; ESV).

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone (James 1:13; NIV).

2. For Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, see: Matthew 4:1-11; NLT.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth (Isaiah 53:7; NLT).

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13; NLT).

3. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away (James 1:14; NLT).

4. These desires give birth to sinful actions (James 1:15; NLT).

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:13; NASB).

My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; NLT).

Teach me

Ruth Kirk

Image: Rondell Melling, Pixabay

Lord,

1. Teach me, when I’m foolish;
Forgive, when I’m unkind.

2. Save me, when in danger;
Soothe, when I’m maligned.

3. Brace me, when I’m tempted;
Console, when I’m afraid.

4. Warn me, when I’m angry;
Calm, when I’m betrayed.

5. Hold me, when I suffer;
Support, when I despair,

6. And guide my soul in death, Lord,
T0 meet you in the air.

 

References

1. Teach me how to live, O Lord (Psalm 27:11; NLT).

Forgive us our sins (Luke 11:4; NLT).

2. Save me and rescue me (Psalm 71:2; NLT).

Let your unfailing love comfort me (Psalm 119:76; NLT).

3. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13; NLT).

With his love he will calm all your fears (Zephaniah 3:17; NLT).

4. Don’t sin by letting anger control you (Ephesians 4:26; NLT).

I begged my allies for help, but they betrayed me (Lamentations 1:19; NLT).

5. Your right hand upholds me (Psalm 63:8; NLT).

From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help (Psalm 130:1; NLT).

6. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

The Lord will guide you continually (Isaiah 58:11; NKJV).

We […] will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17; NLT).

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

Send your snow

Ruth Kirk

Image: Richard Todd, Pixabay

I send good times and bad times (Isaiah 45:7; NLT).

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? (Job 2:10; NIV).

1. Send your snow,
Your frost, your hail –
But help me, Lord,
For I am frail.

2. Send your storm,
Your rain, your gale –
But keep me on
Your narrow trail.

3. Send your pain,
Your darkest vale –
But comfort me,
Or I will fail.

4. Send your cross,
Each blow, each nail –
With you beside me,
I’ll prevail.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble, or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? […] No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today not our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-9; NLT).

Image: Dimitris Vetsikas, Pixabay

References

1. He sends his snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes. He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? (Psalm 147:16-17; NLT).

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am frail (Psalm 6:2; NET).

2. He sends the lightening with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses (Jeremiah 10:13; NLT).

By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, not the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take (Nehemiah 9:19; NIV).

Small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:14; NIV).

I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me (Psalm 94:18; NLT).

3. He wounds, he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal (Job 5:18; NIV).

My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me (Psalm 55:4-5; NIV).

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect me and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes (Psalm 38:10; NIV).

4. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Mark 8:34; NIV).

If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT).

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

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28; NIV).

What would Jesus think?

Ruth Kirk

Image: Wherko, Pixabay

Live like Jesus here in this world
(1 John 4:17; NLT).

1. Lord,
As I observe my mind,
Help me to wonder:
What would Jesus think?

2. Lord,
Before I start to speak,
Help me to ponder:
What would Jesus say?

3. Lord,
When I’m about to act,
Help me to question:
What would Jesus do?

4. Lord,
As I progress through life,
Help me to ask you:
Is this Jesus’ way?

 

References

1. From the heart come evil thoughts (Matthew 15:19; NLT).

Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions (Ecclesiastes 10:13; NLT).

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged (Luke 6:37; NLT).

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

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2; NIV).

2. You are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth (Matthew 15:12; NLT).

You must all be quick to listen [and] slow to speak (James 1:19; NLT).

Keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies (Psalm 34:13; NLT).

I will […] not sin in what I say (Psalm 39:1; NLT).

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless (James 1:26; NLT).

3. I will watch what I do (Psalm 39:1; NLT).

Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).

Do to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:3; NIV).

4. Jesus told him, “I am the way” (John 14:6; NLT).

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NIV).

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go” (Isaiah 30:21; NLT).

Open our eyes

Ruth Kirk

Image: Miriam Zilles, Pixabay

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

Lord,

1. Open our eyes,
So we see your face
In all we greet.

2. Open our minds,
So we know your pain
In those we meet.

3. Open our hearts,
So we share your love
With all mankind.

4. Open our souls,
So we cease, at last, Lord,
To be blind.

 

Image: Andi Graf, Pixabay

References

1. “Lord,” they said to him, “open our eyes” (Matthew 20:33; CSB).

Let me see your face (Song of Songs 2:14; NLT).

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

There is one Lord […] who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

2. Then he opened their minds (Luke 24:45; NLT).

If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT).

Mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15; NRSV).

3. The Lord opened her heart (Acts 16:14; NLT).

Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

4. I will open the windows of heaven for you (Malachi 3:10; NLT).

He restored sight to many who were blind (Luke 7:21; NLT).

Let the Father in

Ruth Kirk

Image: Marc Pascual, Pixabay

In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength
(Isaiah 45:24; NIV).

1. Let the Father in today,
For he, alone, can pardon sin.

2. Let the Teacher in today,
For he, alone, can save your life.

3. Let the Spirit in today,
For he, alone, can heal your soul.

4. Let the Lord God in today,
For he, alone, can make you whole.

 

Image: Andrew Martin, Pixabay

References

1. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends (Revelation 3:20; NLT).

He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).

2. You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am (John 13:13; RSV).

God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:19; NLT).

3. God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24; NLT).

He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3; NKJV).

Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden; and they shall sorrow no more at all (Jeremiah 31:12; NKJV).

4. “I am the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One” (Revelation 1:8; 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).

Anger

Ruth Kirk


Image: annaost29, Pixabay

Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires
(James 1:20; NLT).

1. Anger is so dangerous:
It makes me think I should proceed
To voice my hasty judgements,
Though I crush the weakest reed.

2. Anger is so damaging:
It makes me feel I have a right
To vent my heedless blame,
Though I put out a dying light.

3. Help me, Lord, to curb my tongue,
My rash assumptions, too,
Then I’ll treat everyone with love,
And grow much more like you.

 

References

1. Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires (James 1:19-20; NLT).

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged (Luke 6:37; NLT).

He will not crush the weakest reed (Matthew 12:20; NLT).

2. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you (Luke 6:37; NLT).

He will not […] put out a flickering candle (Matthew 12:20, NLT).

3. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless (James 1:26; NLT).

Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions (Ecclesiastes 10:13; NLT).

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

Love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:39; NLT).

Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).

The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).

Like a holy angel

Ruth Kirk

Image: Henry Tanner, Yandex

1. Like a holy angel,
Like a child of God,
Jesus, may I follow you
Along the path you trod.

2. Like a faithful servant,
Like a humble slave,
Jesus, may I follow you,
And share the price you paid.

3. Like a good disciple,
Like a loyal friend,
Jesus, may I follow you
Until life’s bitter end.

 

References

1. Angels came and took care of Jesus (Matthew 4:11; NLT).

To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12; NLT).

“Come, follow me” Jesus said (Matthew 4:19; NIV).

Small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:14; NIV).

2. Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities (Matthew 25:21; NLT).

Whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else (Mark 10:44; NLT).

If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT).

3. Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NIV).

A friend is always loyal (Proverbs 17:17; NLT).

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).

Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching (Luke 23:49; NLT).

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46; NIV).

When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit (Matthew 27:50; NIV).