Month: October 2020

The wilderness of life

Ruth Kirk

Image: LoggaWiggler, Pixabay


Just as the Lord our God commanded us, we left Mount Sinai
and travelled through the great and terrifying wilderness
(Deuteronomy 1:19; NLT).

1. Lord Jesus Christ, I seek you
In the wilderness
Of life.

2. Please teach me how to find you
In the wilderness
Of prayer.

3. Lord, let me get to know you
In the wilderness
You trod.

4. Then we will live together,
In the wilderness
Of God.

The Lord your God cared for you all along the way
as you travelled through the wilderness,
just as a father cares for his child
(Deuteronomy 1:31; NLT).

 

References

1. Keep on seeking, and you will find (Luke 11:9; NLT).

Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless (Psalm 107:4; NLT).

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

2. Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1; NLT).

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil (Matthew 4:1; NLT).

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

3. Then their eyes were opened and they knew him (Luke 24:31; NKJV).

4. They will live in the barren wilderness (Jeremiah 17:6; NLT).

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 and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8; NLT).

Dialogue

Ruth Kirk

Image: geralt, Pixabay


1. Pray all the time (1 Thessalonians 5:17; MSG).

Lord,
How can we learn to pray?

Just talk with Jesus
Every day.

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

Lord,
How can we learn your way?

Just walk with Jesus —
Never stray.

3. Love your enemies (Luke 6:27; NLT)

Lord,
How can we learn to love?

Just live like Jesus,
Come what may.

4. Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die (2 Kings 20:1; NLT).

Lord,
How can we learn to die?

Just follow Jesus —
And obey.

 

References

1. Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1; NLT).

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).

Pour out your heart to him (Psalm 62:8; NLT).

Pray all the time (1 Thessalonians 5:17; MSG).

2. How can we know the way? (John 14:5; NLT).

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths (Psalm 25:4; NIV).

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

Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him (Colossians 2:6; NLT).

Travel steadily along his path (Psalm 37:34; NLT).

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

Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all (Mark 9:35; NIV).

Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others (Mark 10:45; NLT).

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

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6; NIV).

4. All of us must die eventually (2 Samuel 14:14; NLT).

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

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. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8; NLT).

Let us also go, that we may die with him (John 11:16; NIV).

Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).

Creation exalts you (#2 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk

Image: falco, Pixabay


I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth
(Joel 2:30; NIV).

1. Father,
Creation exalts you:
Rocks break
When your hurricanes blow.

2. Jesus,
The wild waves obey you;
Earth quakes,
And your living springs flow.

3. Spirit,
The universe serves you:
Flames leap,
And your great waters flood.

4. Threefold God,
Reigning in heaven:
You speak –
And we bow down, in love.

 

References

1. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together (Colossians 1:17; NLT).

The Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind (1 Kings 19:11; NLT).

2. When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him! (Luke 8:25; NLT).

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake (1 Kings 19:11; NLT).

Rivers of living water will flow from his heart (John 7:38; NLT).

He will lead them to springs of life-giving water (Revelation 7:17; NLT).

3. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire (1 Kings 19:12; NLT).

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3; NLT).

If he releases the waters, they flood the earth (Job 12:15; NLT).

4. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations (Psalm 22:27-8; NIV).

God speaks again and again, though people do not recognise it (Job 33:14; NLT).

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

Bow down and worship the Lord (Ezekiel 46:3; NLT).

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

Creation exalts you (#1 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Holger Schué, Pixabay


I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth
(Joel 2:30; NIV). 

1. Father,
Creation exalts you:
Rocks break
When your hurricanes blow.

2. Jesus,
The wild waves obey you;
Earth quakes,
And your living springs flow.

3. Spirit,
The universe serves you:
Flames leap,
And your visions outpour.

4. Threefold God,
Reigning in heaven:
You speak —
And we bow down, in awe.

 

References

1. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together (Colossians 1:17; NLT).

The Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind (1 Kings 19:11; NLT).

2. When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him! (Luke 8:25; NLT).

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake (1 Kings 19:11; NLT).

Rivers of living water will flow from his heart (John 7:38; NLT).

He will lead them to springs of life-giving water (Revelation 7:17; NLT).

3. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire (1 Kings 19:12; NLT).

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3; NLT).

I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days (Joel 2:28-9; NIV).

4. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations (Psalm 22:27-8; NIV).

God speaks again and again, though people do not recognise it (Job 33:14; NLT).

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

I bow down toward your holy temple in reverential awe (Psalm 5:7; CSB).

My mind rises up

Ruth Kirk

Image: cocoparisienne, Pixabay

1. My mind rises up
Like a kite, Lord, in prayer,
Flying, though tethered to earth —

One with the mountains,
The valleys and seas;
One with the world of my birth.

2. My heart rises up
Like a seed, Lord, in prayer,
Drifting on delicate wings —

One with the sunshine,
The breeze and the clouds;
One, Lord, with all living things. 

3. My soul rises up
Like a bird, Lord, in prayer,
Soaring to heaven above —

One with the angels,
The quick and the dead,
And one with you, Father, in love.

 

May your Spirit fall

Ruth Kirk

I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised (Luke 24:49; NLT).

Lord,
May your Spirit fall on us
Like dew;
Or like a welcome breeze,
Or tiny spark.

Lord,
May your Spirit fall on us
Like rain;
Or like a shining cloud,
Or rainbow arc.

Lord,
May your Spirit fall on us
Like fire;
Or like a sudden storm,
Or cry of love.

Lord,
May your Spirit fall on us
Like light;
Or like a gentle whisper,
Or a dove.

As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove (Mark 1:10; NLT).

References

The Holy Spirit fell on them (Acts 11:15; NLT).

I will be to Israel like a refreshing daw falling from heaven (Hosea 14:5; NLT).

Let my words fall like rain on tender grass (Deuteronomy 32:2; NLT).

A bright cloud overshadowed them (Matthew 17:5; NLT).

I have placed my rainbow in the clouds (Genesis 9:13; NLT).

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4; NLT).

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2; NLT).

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (Luke 1:35; NLT).

Your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people (Isaiah 26:19; NLT).

After the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12; NLT).

 

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).