Month: September 2021

Does God withdraw?

Ruth Kirk

He makes darkness his secret place
(Psalm 18:11; LSV). 

When the sun sets on the hill,
Does God withdraw?

No, for he’s in darkness,
As in light.

When affliction blights my life,
Does God withdraw?

No, for he’s in weakness,
As in might.

When depression breaks my heart,
Does God withdraw?

No, for he’s in weeping,
As in cheer.

When anguish fills my soul,
Does God withdraw?

No, for he’s in all,
And he is here.

💙

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

Like you

Ruth Kirk

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

My Lord, my God, my Brother,
May I grow more like you,
By treating my emotions with acceptance,
And with care.

My Lord, my God, my Teacher,
May I grow more like you,
By mending each judgemental thought
Immediately, in prayer.

My Lord, my God, my Shepherd,
May I grow more like you,
By speaking kindly, making sure
That all I say is true.

My Lord, my God, my Saviour,
May I grow more like you,
By doing everything with love –
Then I’ll be more like you.

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).

 

God lives

Ruth Kirk

From eternity to eternity I am God
(Isaiah 43:13; NLT).

1. God lives in one eternal moment,
Far beyond all time and space.

2. Past and future are the same:
He sees all now, with boundless grace.

3. And though I’m nothing, made of dust,
And subject to the rule of time,

4. He lets me share this constant now,
For I am his, and he is mine.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever (Psalm 73:26; NLT).

References

1. God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him (Isaiah 40:22-24; NLT).

2. He … lives forever (Isaiah 57:16; NIV). 

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins (Ephesians 1:7; NLT).

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

People cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11: NLT). 

4. I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit (Isaiah 57:16; NIV). 

I am his (Song of Songs 2:16; NLT). 

 

You are the potter

Ruth Kirk

We are the clay, and you are the potter.
We all are formed by your hand
(Isaiah 64:8; NLT). 

You are the potter,
I, the clay.
You are my life, my truth,
My way;

My flesh, my mind,
My heart, my soul:
You are the One
Who makes me whole.

You are my breath,
My hope, my end:
My Shepherd King;
My steadfast Friend.

You are my crook,
My staff, my rod;
My light, my fire,
My peace: my God.

Yet we are one,
Our love, complete:
I lay my spirit
At your feet.

God is love,
and all who live in love live in God,
and God lives in them
(1 John 4:16; NLT).

I seek you

Ruth Kirk

He sent his own Son in a body
like the bodies we sinners have
(Romans 8:3; NLT).

I seek you in my body, Lord,
And find you in my weariness,
And pain.

I seek you in my thinking, Lord,
And find you in my sinfulness,
And shame.

I seek you in my feelings, Lord,
And find you in my emptiness,
And loss.

I seek you in my spirit, Lord,
And find you in my journey,
And my cross.

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).

May your way be mine

Ruth Kirk

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one can come to the Father except through me”
(John 14:6; NLT). 

Jesus,
May your way
Be mine,
So I can walk with you
Each day,

Jesus,
May your truth
Be mine,
So I can spread your love,
And pray.

Jesus,
May your life
Be mine,
So I can serve you,
Come what may.

Jesus,
May your light
Be mine,
So I can follow,
And obey.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said,
“I am the light of the world”
(John 8:12; NLT).

The past

Ruth Kirk

He has planted eternity in the human heart
(Ecclesiastes 3:11; NLT).

1. The past
Is not behind us:
It is now.

2. The future,
Not ahead:
Already here.

3. Far beyond time,
God pours out justice
And mercy,

4. Uniting us all in his peace:
No beginning;
No end.

His government and its peace will never end
(Isaiah 9:7; NLT).

References

1. The Kingdom of God is already among you (Luke 17:21; NLT).

2. God’s kingdom is here with you (Luke 17:21; CEV).

3. The One who is high and lifted up … inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15; ESV).

This world’s people are now being judged (John 12:31; CEV).

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him (Daniel 9:9; NIV).

4. All glory to him who alone is God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen (Jude 1:25; NLT).

Thank you

Ruth Kirk

I will thank the Lord with all my heart 
(Psalm 111:1; NLT). 

Thank you, Lord,
For healing us
In mind and body,
Heart, and soul.

Thank you, Lord,
For waiting all these years
To save,
And make us whole.

Thank you, Lord,
For helping us
To follow you
Through every test.

Thank you, Lord,
For cleansing us,
And promising
Eternal rest.


God’s promise of entering his rest still stands
(Hebrews 4:1; NLT).