Author: Ruth Kirk

Fresh start

Ruth Kirk

Image: “The morning star rises” by jpstanley is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-3; ESV).

1. Every day, my Father,
You make all creation new,
And every day, my Still Small Voice,
You teach me what is true.

2. Every day, my Advocate,
You stand to plead my case,
And every day, my Prince of Peace,
You fill me with your grace.

3. Every day, my Counsellor,
You help me face my fears,
And every day, my Comforter,
You wipe away my tears.

4. Every day, my Lord of lords,
You make me more like you,
And every day, my King of kings,
You heal my spirit, too.

5. Every day, my Holy One,
You give me a new heart,
And every day, Bright Morning Star,
You grant me a fresh start.

Image: Markus Distelrath, Pixabay

References

1. God in heaven is your spiritual Father (Matthew 23:9; NLT).

He who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5; RSV).

After the fire [came] a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12; KJV).

I, the Lord, speak only what is true (Isaiah 45:19; NLT).

2. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, [Comforter, Encourager, Counsellor] who will never leave you (John 14:16; NLT).

If anyone [sins], we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous (1 John 2:1; NLT).

A child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; NLT).

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).

3. 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).

God will wipe every tear from their eyes (Revelation 7:17; NLT).

4. He is Lord of lords, and King of kings (Revelation 17:14; NKJV).

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).

He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3; NKJV).

Your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew (Psalm 110:3; NLT).

5. I am the Lord, your Holy One (Isaiah 43:15; NLT).

I will give you a new heart […] I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26; NIV).

I, Jesus […] am the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16; NLT).

His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

Jesus

Ruth Kirk

Image: bereanaoficial1, Pixabay

1. Jesus is my Lord and God,
My comforter when I am sad;
Brother, sister, father, mother:
All the love I never had.

2. Jesus is my watchful shepherd,
Teacher, master, mountain guide;
Friend in need, defence in trouble:
He is always at my side.

3. Jesus is my close companion,
Strong support when I’m afraid;
Sword and shield when I’m in danger:
Rescuer when I have strayed.

4. Jesus is my paragon,
My light along the narrow way;
Bread, wine, water; truth, and life:
My inspiration, every day.

 

References

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

Worship Christ as Lord of your life (1 Peter 3:15; NLT)

The Father and I are one (John 10:30; NLT).

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, [Comforter, Encourager, Counsellor] who will never leave you (John 14:16; NLT).

Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? Then he looked around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:33-5; NLT).

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

2. I am the good shepherd (John 10:14; NLT).

Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you (John 13:14-15; NLT).

3. The Lord will guide you continually (Isaiah 58:11; NLT).

The Lord is a friend to those who fear him (Psalm 25:14; NLT).

He is your protecting shield and your triumphant sword! (Deuteronomy 33:29; NLT).

I will be glad because he rescues me (Psalm 35:9; NLT).

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders (Luke 15:4-5; NLT).

4. God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NLT).

I am the light of the world (John 9:5; NLT).

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14; NIV).

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:19-20; NIV).

Rivers of living water will flow from his heart (John 7:38; NLT).

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

Just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him (Colossians 2:6; CSB).

Bright star

Ruth Kirk

Image: Andrew Coles, Pixabay

1. Bright star,
Bright Son,
Bright life,
Bright light.

2. Dark dread,
Dark prayer,
Dark deed,
Dark night.

3. Black scorn,
Black pain,
Black death,
Black day.

4. New faith,
New hope,
New love:
New Way!

References

1. The star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was (Matthew 2:9; NLT).

A child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; NLT).

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

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).

2. Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NIV).

If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Matthew 26:39; NLT).

The traitor, Judas, had given them a pre-arranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss. Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him (Mark 14:44-46; NLT).

3. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him!” (Matthew 27:42; NLT).

When they came to the place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross [and] Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:33-4; NLT).

Jesus called out with a loud voice […] “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” […] Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last (Mark 15:34,37; NLT).

By this time was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock (Luke 23:44; NLT).

4. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” (John 20:27-9; NLT).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3; CSB).

I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other (John 13:34; NLT).

Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit (Romans 7:6; NLT).

Be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).

Take away

Ruth Kirk

Image: birgl, Pixabay

Look, I am making everything new (Revelation 21:5; NLT).

Lord,

1. Take away my fault-finding,
And give me a new mind.

2. Take away my bitterness,
And give me a new heart.

3. Take away my wretchedness,
And give me a new soul.

4. Take away my sinfulness, Lord God,
And make me whole.

Be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).

References

1. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you (Luke 6:37; NLT).

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

2. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander (Ephesians 4:31; NLT).

Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you (Hebrews 12:15; NLT).

I will give you a new heart […]. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26; NIV).

3. What a wretched man I am! (Romans 7:24; CSB).

I will […] put a new spirit in you (Ezekiel 36:26; NIV).

4. An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips (Proverbs 12:13; HNV).

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

May I share

Ruth Kirk

Image: Tumisu, Pixabay

1. Father,
In my anguish,
May I share the mind of Christ.

2. Father,
In my torment,
May I share his flesh and blood.

3. Father,
In my dying,
May I share his sacrifice.

4. Father,
In my rising,
May I share his perfect love.

 

References

1. Lord, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs (Lamentations 1:20; NLT).

Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NIV).

If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Matthew 26:39; NLT).

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

2. My heart is troubled and restless. Days of suffering torment me (Job 30:27; NLT).

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:10; NLT).

3. Into your hands I commit my spirit (Psalm 31:5; NIV).

I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath (Psalm 146:2; NLT).

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

4. Though I fall, I will rise again (Micah 7:8; NLT).

The time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again (John 5:28-9; NLT).

Perfect love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear (1 John 4:18; NLT).

I love you

Ruth Kirk

Image: Arek Socha, Pixabay

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them
(1 John 4:16; NIV).

1. I love you,
And you love me:
You sent your Son
To set me free.

2. You love me,
And I love you:
I’ll share our love
In all I do.

3. I love you,
And you love me:
You hear my prayers,
Each sigh, each plea.

4. You love me,
And I love you:
I’ll spread our love
Like falling dew.

 

References

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

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

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, and that the oppressed will be set free (Luke 4:18; NLT).

2. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. [And] Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).

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

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).

3. He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy (Psalm 116:1; NLT).

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26; NRSV).

4. Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone (Mark 16:15; NLT).

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT).

They will be like dew sent by the Lord, or like rain falling on the grass, which no one can hold back and no one can restrain (Micah 5:7; NLT).

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants (Deuteronomy 32:2; NIV).

Jesus is my gospel

Ruth Kirk

Image: John Woodman

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

1. Jesus is my gospel,
My way, and my good news;
Jesus is the Word of God:
My Lord, the One I choose.

2. Jesus is my shepherd,
My truth, my sword, my shield;
Jesus is my living bread:
In him, God is revealed.

3. Jesus is my spirit,
My mind, my heart, my soul;
Jesus is my life, and death:
Through him, God makes me whole.

 

References

1. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my Gospel (2 Timothy 2:8; NIV).

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

This is the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God (Mark 1:1; NLT).

His name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13; NIV).

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

2. I am the good shepherd (John 10:14; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am […] the truth” (John 14:6; NLT).

He is your protecting shield and your triumphant sword (Deuteronomy 33:29; NLT).

I am the living bread (John 6:51; NLT).

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15; NLT).

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3; NIV).

3. We all share the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13; NLT).

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

I will give them one heart (Jeremiah 32:39; NLT).

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned to the Jordan River (Luke 4:1; NLT).

I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised (Luke 24:49; NLT).

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

If we die with him, we will also live with him (2 Timothy 2:11; NLT).

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

Night prayer

Ruth Kirk

Image: Patricia Alexandre, Pixabay

I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night
(Psalm 63:6; NLT).

1. In silent contemplation
I adore you,
Opening my heart and soul
Before you;

2. Sharing all my joy, and fear
And sorrow;
Ready, Lord, to start again,
Tomorrow.

3. In silent contemplation
I adore you,
Resting here, alone, and still,
Before you;

4. Sharing in your joy, and fear
And sorrow;
Ready, Lord, to start again,
Tomorrow.

References

1. Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).

We adore you as the one who is over all things (1 Chronicles 29:11; NLT).

You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).

2. Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

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

When I awake, I am still with you (Psalm 139:18; NIV).

3. Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private (Matthew 6:6; NLT).

Be still in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 37:7; NLT).

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

His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past (Isaiah 43:18; NIV).

I found you

Ruth Kirk

Image: Dorothée Quennesson, Pixabay

Seek and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NIV).

1. I found you, Lord,
And you forgave me;
Found you, Lord,
And you have saved me.

2. Found you Lord,
And you redeemed me;
Found you, Lord,
And you have healed me.

3. Found you, Lord,
And you have crowned me;
Found you, Lord,
And you surround me.

4. Found you Lord,
And you befriend me;
Found you, Lord,
And you defend me.

5. Found you, Lord,
And you restore me;
Found you, Lord,
And you adore me!

 

References

1. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29:13; NLT).

You forgave me (Psalm 32:5; NLT).

He saved me (Psalm 34:6; NLT).

2. I have redeemed you (Isaiah 44:22; NIV).

You healed me (Psalm 30:2; NIV).

3. He […] crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4; NLT).

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever (Psalm 125:2; NLT).

4. You are my friends (John 15:15; NLT).

The Lord is their defender (Proverbs 22:23; NLT).

5. He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3; NKJV).

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

New day

Ruth Kirk

Image: Heiko Behn, Pixabay

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).

1. Thank you, Lord,
For this new day.

2. May I start afresh
To pray,

3. And praise your name,
Rejoice, and sing,

4. And thank you, Lord,
For everything.

5. Bless you, Lord,
For this new day.

6. May I never flag,
Or stray,

7. But follow Christ,
Your only Son,

8. And live in peace
With everyone!

References

1. His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

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

3. Praise the name of the Lord! (Job 1:21; NLT).

Always rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).

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

5. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past (Isaiah 43:18; NIV).

6. Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands (Psalm 119:10; NIV).

7. 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).

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).

8. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18; NLT).