Month: January 2024

I’m nothing (for B.B.)

Ruth Kirk

I am nothing (Job 40:4; NLT). 

I’m nothing,
But I’m not cast down;
I’m sinful,
But not bad.

I’m sick, Lord,
But I’m not afraid;
I’m grieving,
But not sad.

I’m lonely,
But I’m greatly loved;
I’m captive,
But I’m free –

For I belong to you,
Lord God,
And you belong
To me.

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NIV).

References

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD‘s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

If the Son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36; NLT).

 

What will I need? (for J.Y.)

Ruth Kirk

He told them: “Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt” (Luke 9:3; NIV). 

What will I need for my journey, Lord God?
What should I ask for, and pack?
Just take my love and my kindness, dear child,
For then you will never look back. 

What will I need for my lifetime, Lord God?
What should I carry along?
Just take my courage and wisdom, dear child,
For then you will never go wrong. 

What will I need when I’m dying, Lord God?
How shall I face the dark vale?
Just take my peace and my patience, dear child:
My Spirit will not let you fail.

What will I need back in heaven, Lord God,
When my long testing is done?
Only my grace and forgiveness, dear child,
My healing, my kiss, and my Son.

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered (Luke 22:35; NIV).

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).

References 

Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness] (Genesis 1:28; AMP).

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart (Job 1:21; NIV).

The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NLT).

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:3; NLT).

 

Paradoxes

Ruth Kirk

Clouds and thick darkness surround him (Psalm 97:2; NIV).

He lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him (1 Timothy 6:16; NLT). 

God is in darkness,
And also in light.
God is in weakness,
And also in might.

God is in sorrow,
And also in cheer.
God is in triumph,
And also in fear.

God is in silence,
And also in sound.
God is within us,
And also around.

God is in stillness,
And also in flow.
God is in neighbour,
And also in foe.

God is in giver,
And also in thief.
God is in gladness,
And also in grief.

God is in birth, and in life,
And in breath.
God is in terror, and anguish,
And death.

At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34; NKJV).

When Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46; NKJV).

Reference

There is…one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything (Ephesians 4:5-6; GWT).

 

I open up my mind

Ruth Kirk

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away (Psalm 139:2; NLT). 

Yahweh,
First, I open up my mind
To you, in silent prayer,

Jesus,
Next, I open up my heart
To you, in childlike love,

Spirit,
Then, I open up my soul
To you, in simple trust –

And worship you,
The God who makes
Both earth below, and heaven above.

In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1; BST). 

The LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below (Joshua 2:11; NLT).

 

Seeking God

Ruth Kirk

Seek the LORD your God with all your heart and soul (1 Chronicles 22:19; NLT).

Some seek the Lord our God
In vain,
Not realising he’s here –
In pain;
Whilst others search for him
In peace,
Not realising he’s here –
In grief.

Some blindly grope
Amongst the dead,
Not realising he’s here –
In dread;
Whilst others scratch round
Everywhere,
Not realising he’s here –
In prayer.

Some go prospecting
Far and wide,
Not realising he’s
At their side;
While others look
To heaven above,
Not realising he’s here –
In love.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

 

Gladly

Ruth Kirk

The Scriptures say, “You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him” (Luke 4:8; NLT). 

Worshipping gladly,
Whatever you send:
Yahweh,
I bow down
Before you.

Following gladly,
Wherever you lead:
Jesus,
I trust
And adore you.

Sharing all gladly,
In prayer, every day:
Spirit,
Please help,
I entreat you. 

Serving you gladly,
However I can:
Lord,
Give me strength,
I beseech you. 

Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant (Psalm 86:16; NLT).

 

Christ is the Way

Ruth Kirk

“I am the Way,” replied Jesus, “and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; WNT). 

Christ is the Way –
He’s the image of God:
Walk in his steps
Every day.

Christ is the Truth –
He’s the wisdom of God:
Follow his teaching,
And pray.

Christ is the Life –
He’s the power of God:
Cling to his hand,
Never stray.

Christ is the Son –
He’s the servant of God:
Share in his pain,
Come what may.

Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45; NIV).

Together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT).

Waiting

Ruth Kirk

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

Help me to wait, Lord,
And help me to care.

Help me to listen, to learn,
And to share.

Help me to love, Lord,
And help me to give.

Help me to serve you,
For then I will live.

You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13; NLT).

References 

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

He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12; NLT). 

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

 

One breath

Ruth Kirk

A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night (Psalm 90:4; NIV). 

All time is one eternal, timeless moment…

Every moment, Lord,
I’m born again;
Every moment,
Taking my first breath.
Every moment,
Running on the sands;
Every moment,
Living in your hands.

Every moment, Lord,
I’m young and strong;
Every moment,
Hearing your first call.
Every moment,
Saying, “Yes”, to you;
Every moment,
Following anew.

Every moment, Lord,
I’m growing old;
Every moment,
Sharing in your pain.
Every moment,
Facing up to death;
Every moment,
Taking my last breath.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (Matthew 27:30; NIV). 

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:6; NIV).

 

When?

Ruth Kirk

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever (Psalm 16:11; NLT). 

When will I know
Your presence again;
Your inner peace,
And warm embrace?

When will I see
Your glory again;
Your wounded hands,
And precious face?

When will I know
Your pardon again;
Your healing touch,
And faithful love?

When will I find
Your grace again? –
On earth, Lord,
Or in heaven, above?

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; NLT).

References 

My soul (my life, my inner self) thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see the face of God? (Psalm 42:2; AMP).

I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn (Psalm 130:6; NLT).

We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11; NLT).