Month: June 2024

All I want

Ruth Kirk

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage…

All I want
Is to be with you, Lord,
Every moment of every day.

All I want
Is to follow you
In every step along life’s way.

All I want
Is to hear your voice, Lord:
Every moment filled with prayer.

All I want
Is to see your face
In all I contact, everywhere.

All I want
Is to share with you, Lord,
Everything I think, say, do.

All I want
Is to know your presence:
Endlessly at one with you.

…so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).

References

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).

He let you hear his voice from heaven so he could instruct you (Deuteronomy 4:36; NLT).

Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

They will see his face (Revelation 22:4; NLT).

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord (John 21:12; NIV).

 

Ecstasy

Ruth Kirk

Hello everyone, well, after an exhausting day, I arrived at my care home yesterday evening.

Then she was in ecstasy (2 Chronicles 9:4; BES).

Lord,

Ecstasy is always
Just a breath away;
A closing of the eyes
And of the hands away;

A turning straight to you, Lord God,
In love away;
An opening of mind and heart
And soul away.

For you are always here
At every moment;
Always here within,
And here in love.

Yes, here, with us
No matter where we are, Lord,
And we are one with you,
In heaven above.

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me (Psalm 139:7-10; NLT).

References

It came to pass when I had returned to Jerusalem, and as I was praying in the temple, that I became in ecstasy (Acts 22:17; DBY).

Turn to God (Matthew 3:2; NLT).

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

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

Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it! (Genesis 28:16; NLT).

Thank you

Ruth Kirk

Hello everyone. Today I am being transferred to a care home. I pray for you all each day. With love from Ruth xxx

Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20; NLT).

Father,

Thank you for every breath,
And thank you for every precious crumb;
Thank you for every sip of water:
You, Lord, are here in every one.

Thank you for every pill I take,
And thank you for every step to come;
Thank you for being close beside me:
All through the name of your dear Son.

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him Colossians 3:17; NIV).

This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 17:5; NKJV).

References

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).

Doesn’t he see everything I do and every step I take? (Job 31:4; 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).

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name (Hebrews 13:15; NIV).

 

Life (for R.B.)

Ruth Kirk

Hello, my friends. I’m still in hospital, but today I’m being assessed to see if I can go into a care home. Thinking of you all. With love from Ruth xxx

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…

Lord,
You are my breath, my bread,
My water, and my way of life.

Lord,
You are my Word, my Book,
My Guide, my Teacher, and my light.

Lord,
You are my faith, my hope,
My love: the God who makes me whole.

Lord,
You are my key, my crown,
My fountainhead: my living soul.

…and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

References

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again” (John 6:35; NLT).

I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life (Revelation 21:6; NLT).

You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence (Acts 2:28; NLT).

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life (1 John 1:1; NLT).

All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine (Revelation 3:5; NLT).

You have been my guide since my youth (Jeremiah 3:4; NLT).

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12; NLT).

Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

O Lord, you alone are my hope (Psalm 71:5; NLT).

My beloved is mine (Song of Songs 2:16; NIV).

He wounds, but His hands make whole (Job 5:18; NKJV).

Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life (Proverbs 4:13; NLT).

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12; NLT).

You are the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9; NLT).

Hope

Ruth Kirk

Hi, everyone. I’m still in hospital, but thinking of you all. With love from Ruth xxx

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! (Psalm 42:11; NLT).

Lord,
Though I’m sad,
You are my hope;
And, though I’m weak,
You are my rod.

Lord,
Though I’m lame,
You are my staff;
And, though I’m dust,
You are my God.

Lord,
Though I starve,
You are my bread;
And, though I’m blind,
You are my light.

Lord,
Though I fear,
You are my peace;
And, though I die,
You are my life.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25; NLT).

References

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).

I am but dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27; NLT).

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35; NLT).

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12; NLT).

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you (Psalm 56:3; NLT).

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

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

As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22; NIV).

Beyond your help?

Ruth Kirk

Hello, everyone. I’m still in hospital after a very bad 24 hours. Today’s blog is one I prepared before I started to be ill. Thinking of you all. With love from Ruth xxx

Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17; NLT). 

Surely, Lord, we’re not beyond
Your help?

As long as we confess our sins,
Repent, and turn to God,

You will forgive.
Lord, in your Kingdom,

Please remember us,
And let us be one with you

In the paradise of prayer,
This very day.

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself – and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43; NLT).

References

Every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven – except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven (Matthew 12:31; NLT).

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you (Matthew 6:14; NLT).

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously (Isaiah 55:7; NLT).

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:3-4; NLT).

Your peace

Ruth Kirk

Hello, everyone. I’m still in hospital, so I hope this blog will arrive safely via hospital WiFi. With love from Ruth xxx

I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27; NLT).

At times, you let us share
Your peace of mind:
A gift, Lord, which this world
Can never give.

At times, you let us share
Your peaceful heart:
Despite our pain,
This makes us glad to live.

At times, you let us share
Your peaceful soul,
Amidst the trials and sorrows
We must face.

At times, you let us share
Your perfect peace:
The first-fruits of your Spirit,
And your grace.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3; NLT).

References

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

Peace be within you (Psalm 122:8; NIV).

In this place will I give peace, saith the Lord Almighty, even peace of soul (Haggai 2:9; BES).

Your adornment must not be merely external… but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:3-4; AMP).

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13; NIV).

We ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body (Romans 8:23; NASB20).

He said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9; WEB).

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2; NLT).

Wholly yours

Ruth Kirk

Hi, everyone, I’m now in hospital, and awaiting a CT scan tomorrow. This is a prayer I wrote and recorded a few days ago. Thank you for visiting here, and I pray for you all. With love from Ruth xxx

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

Lord, I’m wholly yours,
And you are mine
Forever – long before birth,
And far beyond all time.

You are my source, my life,
My breath, my goal;
You are my my flesh, my spirit,
And my soul.

The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23; NIV).

References

I am yours (Psalm 119:94; CSB).

O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1; NLT).

LORD, you are mine! (Psalm 119:57; NLT).

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).

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).

All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior 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).

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

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

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25; NLT).

There is no ‘I’

Ruth Kirk

Hello, everyone. I am sorry to be so late in posting today’s blog. I am very unwell, and have been waiting for an ambulance for many hours. With love from Ruth xxx

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).

My God,

There is no ‘I’,
There’s only you.
You are my mind,
My heart, and spirit, too.

You made my flesh with care,
From earth’s raw clay,
Kindled me with your breath
To live each day

For you alone,
Until, at last, I die,
When we will fully reunite
On high.

Then we’ll be one in joy
As love outpours,
For you are the only God –
And I am yours.

“I am the only God,” says the LORD (Isaiah 43:12; NLT).

I am yours (Psalm 119:94; NLT).

References

We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).

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).

You guided my conception and formed me in the womb. You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together. You gave me life (Job 10:10-12; NLT).

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

There truly is a reward for those who live for God (Psalm 58:11; NLT).

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

We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

Sickness

Ruth Kirk

I was in hospital yesterday, and am now ill at home. With love and prayers for you all, from Ruth xxx

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).

Lord, my God, my Shepherd,
I am sick.
How can I serve you?
How can I do your will?

Ah: I can pray
For everyone who suffers,
Worship, rejoice, give thanks,
And love you, still.

The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).

References 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17-18; NLT).

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15; NKJV).

I love you, LORD; you are my strength (Psalm 18:1; NLT).