Month: July 2021

An inward light

Ruth Kirk

God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6; NLT).

An inward light;
A silent voice;

An offered love;
A sense of choice;

A perfect bliss;
A gentle grace:

God’s tender kiss,
And warm embrace.

So 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).

May I be born again

Ruth Kirk

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3; NLT).

Lord,
May I be born again,
Not once, but every day,
Then I’ll walk beside you,
Fearing nothing, come what may.

Lord,
May I be born again,
Not once, but every day,
Then I’ll grow like you
In all I think, and do, and say. 

Lord,
May I be born again,
Not once, but every day,
Then I’ll trust that you
Will seek me, every time  I stray. 

Lord,
May I be born again,
Not once, but every day,
Then I’ll thank you, praise, rejoice,
And never cease to pray. 

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NLT).

Come back soon

Ruth Kirk


O Lord, come back to us!
(Psalm 90:13; NLT).

Lord,
Come back soon
To make us whole,
For we are lost in pain.
Our lives are ruled
By suffering;
We long for health, in vain.

Lord,
Come back soon
To change our minds,
For we are lost in sin.
Our lives are ruled
By selfishness,
Forgetting you, our King.

Lord,
Come back soon
To heal our hearts,
For we are lost in hate.
Our lives are ruled
By prejudice;
We spurn your narrow gate.

Lord,
Come back soon
To save our souls,
For we must all repent;
Then trust in you,
Transform our lives,
And love the One you sent.

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17; NLT).

Heart’s desire

Ruth Kirk

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

Lord,
You are my heart’s desire:
My hope, my peace,
My light, my fire;
My way, my truth,
My source, my goal –
I love you.

Lord,
I am your heart’s desire:
The lowest creature
You inspire;
Your slave, your guest,
Your child, your heir –
You love me.

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

Hope

Ruth Kirk


Give all your worries and cares to God,
for he cares about you
(1 Peter 5:7; NLT).

Lord,
Whatever life may bring,
I want share it all with you,

For, whatever hardships come,
You will always help me through.

Lord,
Whatever I must face,
You will strengthen me to cope,

So, in sickness and distress,
Your constant presence gives me hope.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him
(Psalm 62:5; NLT).

Seek the Lord’s face

Ruth Kirk

Seek his face continually
(1 Chronicles 6:11; KJV).

Seek the Lord’s face,
And follow his way.

Take up your cross;
Rejoice every day.

Live in his love,
And rest in his peace.

Thank him for everything;
Pray without cease.

Pray without ceasing
(1 Thessalonians 5:17; NKJV).

You came to earth

Ruth Kirk

I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full
(John 10:10; NLT).

You came to earth
To teach us how to live,
And love,
And die.

Your Spirit dwells
Within us, Lord,
And helps us
As we try

To speak the truth with love,
Like you,
And do God’s will
Each day,

By taking up our cross
With joy,
And following
Your way.

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).

In my bones

Ruth Kirk


Truly he has endured our sufferings
(Isaiah 53:4; ABPE).

God is in my bones
As I grow old.
He shares my dwindling energy;
My pain.

God is in my mind
As I forget.
He shares my loss of sharpness;
My regret.

God is in my heart
As I decline.
He shares my growing love;
My inner peace.

God is in my soul
As I face death.
He shares my life –
From birth, to my last breath.

God is love, 

and all who live in love live in God,

and God lives in them
(1 John 4:16; NLT).

Whether we know it or not

Ruth Kirk

Every living creature is in the hands of God
(Job 12:10; CEV).

Whether we know it or not,
We are all in God’s hand.

Whether we know it or not,
He loves all he has made. 

Whether we know it or not,
He weeps over our sin.

Whether we know it or not,
He is present within.


There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

Despite my pride

Ruth Kirk

You deserve to be punished. But I will treat you in a way that will bring honour to my name, and you will know that I am the Lord God
(Ezekiel 20:44; CEV).

Despite my pride
And ignorance,
Despite my envy, Lord;

Despite my greed
And foolishness,
Despite my judgements, Lord;

Despite my hate
And selfishness,
Despite my anger, Lord;

Despite my guilt
And sinfulness:
You love me.

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