Month: February 2021

Hold fast!

Ruth Kirk

Image: Alexander Sopin, Unsplash

✟

1. Walk by faith
And not by sight:
God is in
Your darkest night.

2. Never cease to pray
And love:
Blindly, trust
Christ’s saving blood.

3. You will see his face
At last:
So never give up hope –
Hold fast!

✟

References

1. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7; NLT).

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

2. Never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NLT).

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

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

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:7; NLT).

Hold fast to the Lord your God (Joshua 23:8; NIV).

Your will

Ruth Kirk

Image: Tim Hüfner, Unsplash

❤️

I desire to do your will, my God (Psalm 40:8; NLT).

1. Father,
Please remove from me
All foolish pride and vanity;
All judging of my fellows, Lord:

Your will, my mind –
In full accord.

2. Father,
Please remove from me
All selfishness and jealousy;
All quarrelling, and hatred, Lord:

Your will, my heart –
In true accord.

3. Father,
Please remove from me
All arrogance and gluttony;
All callousness, and slander, Lord:

Your will, my soul –
In one accord.

❤️

References

1. I will not endure conceit and pride (Psalm 101:5; NLT).

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

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NKJV).

2. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other sins like these (Galatians 5:19-21; NLT).

He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).

I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever (Jeremiah 32:39; NLT).

3. From within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you (Mark 7:21-22; NLT).

I hate pride and arrogance (Proverbs 8:13; NLT).

I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbours (Psalm 101:5; NLT).

He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NKJV).

Love for God

Ruth Kirk

Image: PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay

Choose today whom you will serve
(Joshua 24:15; NLT).

1. Our love for God
Cannot be forced –
It grows throughout the years,

2. With prayer and worship,
Faith, and trust;
With sacrifice, and tears.

3. As we live
In his presence,
He will fill us to the brim,

4. Until we overflow
With love,
Becoming 
more like him.

✙

References

1. The Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

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

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

3. We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).

4. May the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone (1 Thessalonians 3:12; CSB).

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).

Touch (for A.K.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Jackson David, Unsplash

🖤

1. Touch my body,
Bind each wound,
For I am faint,
My strength, consumed.

2. Touch my mind,
Correct each thought,
Until I realise
I am naught.

3. Touch my heart,
Yoke me to good,
And fill me with
Your perfect love.

4. Touch my soul,
Make me like Christ
Your Son –
A living sacrifice.

🖤

References

1. He has injured us but he will bind up our wounds (Hosea 6:1; NIV).

My life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed (Psalm 31:10; KJV).

2. The Lord corrects those he loves (Proverbs 3:12; NLT).

I am nothing but dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27; NIV).

3. Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (1 Peter 4:19; NIV).

We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).

4. 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).

So, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1; NLT).

King of kings (#2 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk

Image: redcharlie, Unsplash

🖤

Notice how God is both kind and severe
(Romans 11:22; NLT).

1. Righteous, raging,
King of kings:
You, alone,
Deserve my praise.

2. Jealous, judging,
Lord of lords:
You, alone,
Allot my days.

3. Watchful, wrathful,
God of gods:
You, alone,
Are just, and good.

4. Vengeful, zealous,
First and Last:
You, alone,
Are fire, and love.

God is love
(1 John 4:16; NLT).

🖤

References

1. There is no God but me, a righteous God and Saviour (Isaiah 45:21; NLT).

O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage (Psalm 6:1; NLT).

God [is] the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15; NIV).

2. God is jealous (Nahum 1:2; NKJV).

The Lord judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing (Isaiah 40:23; NLT).

The Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords (Deuteronomy 10:17; NLT).

3. God is always watching them (Job 24:23; NLT).

At his wrath the earth will tremble, and the nations will not be able to endure his indignation (Jeremiah 10:10; NKJV).

The Lord your God is the God of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17; NLT).

The Lord is just! (Psalm 92:15; NLT).

Only God is truly good (Mark 10:8; NLT).

4. The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage (Nahum 1:2; NLT).

I will be zealous for my holy name (Ezekiel 39:25; NIV).

I am the First and the Last; there is no other God (Isaiah 44:6; NLT)

God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).

God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

King of kings (#1 of 2 linked prayers)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Rui Silva sj, Unsplash

🤎

Notice how God is both kind and severe
(Romans 11:22; NLT).

1. Matchless, mighty,
King of kings,
I worship you –
Please hear my sighs.

2. Peerless, perfect,
Lord of lords,
I honour you –
Please hear my cries.

3. Sacred, spotless,
God of gods,
I trust in you –
Please hear my call.

4. Flawless, faithful,
First and Last,
I bow to you,
Who loves us all.

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

🤎

References

1. You, O Lord are supreme over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods (Psalm 97:9; NLT).

God is mighty (Job 36:5; NLT).

God [is] the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15; NIV).

2. I am the Lord; there is no other God (Isaiah 45:5; NLT).

Your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48; NIV).

He is Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14; NKJV).

3. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6:3; NIV).

It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:19; NLT).

The Lord your God is the God of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17; NLT).

4. The Lord’s word is flawless (2 Samuel 22:31; NIV).

God is faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13; NLT).

I am the First and the Last; there is no other God (Isaiah 44:6; NLT).

Thank you

Ruth Kirk

Image: Duncan Sanchez, Unsplash

🤎

Give thanks in all circumstances
(1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

1. Thank you, Lord,
For all you give
To us, both good
And bad.

2. Thank you, Lord,
For all you send:
The joyful,
And the sad.

3. Thank you, Lord,
For all you grant:
For life, and health,
And loss.

4. Thank you, Lord,
For all you share:
Our fear, our pain,
Our cross.

🤎

References

1. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).

2. When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).

3. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:21; NIV).

4. In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

This cross

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ruth Kirk

🧡

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18; NLT).

1. Lord, this cross is made of fire –
It burns within my hands,
And gives me all the strength I need
To face life’s harsh demands.

2. This little cross is made of light –
It shines on my dark road,
And gives me all the strength I need
To bear my heavy load.

3. This simple cross is made of truth –
It teaches me your way,
And gives me all the strength I need
To follow you each day.

4. This humble cross is made of peace –
It tells me you are near,
And gives me all the strength I need
To face my pain and fear.

5. This precious cross is made of love –
It shows me how you save,
And gives me all the strength I need
To hold fast, and be brave.

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength
(Philippians 4:13; NLT).

🧡

References

1. God is a raging fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; GW). 

With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall (2 Samuel 22:30; NIV).

2. God is light (1 John 1:5; NIV).


Then 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).

3. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).

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).

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

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

5. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

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 13:4; NIV).

Be brave and courageous (Psalm 27:14; NLT).

A vision in a dream 19.2.21.

Ruth Kirk

Out in the estuary,
Dragged from the shore.

The current, relentless;
My strength is no more.

There’s no turning back now:
I’ve drifted too far –

Down to the river-mouth;
Over the bar.

The ocean, before me;
The future, unknown;

The start of my journey –
Afraid, and alone.

Drawn by the ebb-tide,
I’m swept out to sea.

My days are completed:
My spirit flies free.

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

I am not fit

Ruth Kirk

Image: Paul Gruber, Pixabay

💙

I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals
(Mark 1:7; NASB).

1. You love me, Lord,
Though I’m not fit
For anything but blame;
And talk with me,
Though I’m not fit
To speak your sacred name.

2. You comfort me,
Though I’m not fit
To call on you in prayer;
And ransom me,
Though I’m not fit
To warrant all your care.

3. You treasure me,
Though I’m not fit
To be your humble slave;
And cherish me,
Though I’m not fit
To rescue from the grave.

4. You shelter me,
Though I’m not fit
To contemplate your grace;
And smile on me,
Though I’m not fit
To gaze upon your face.

I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness
you have shown to me, your servant
(Genesis 32:10; NLT).

💙

References

1. I’m just a worm, less than human (Psalm 22:6; CEB).

We dare not mention the name of the Lord (Amos 6:10; NKJV).

2. I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord (Genesis 18:27; NKJV).

Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son (Luke 15:21; NLT).

3. I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals (Luke 3:16; NLT).

You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death (Psalm 30:3; NLT).

Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life (Job 33:24; NLT).

4. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by (Exodus 33:22; NKJV).

Lord, do not trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honour (Luke 7:6; NLT).

Righteousness smiles down from heaven (Psalm 85:11; NLT).