Ruth Kirk

Dialogue

February 18, 2020February 18, 2020Ruth Kirk

The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8; NLT).

1. Please teach me, Lord, what you require,
So I may do as you desire.

2. “Love me, your neighbours, strangers, foes,
And pray for all, till healing flows.

3. Make no show of faith, or prayer,
But serve me gladly, everywhere.

4. Keep your temper, staying calm;
Forgive all those who hurt and harm.

5. Say, ‘Sorry,’ when you grieve someone,
And make peace, always, if you can.

6. Be honest, kind, and quick to care;
Keen to lend, and give, and share.

7. Above all else, these words are key:
Take up your cross, and follow me!”

8. Thank you, dear Lord; I hear your call;
You are my way, my truth, my all.

References

1. What does the Lord your God require of you? 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 desire mercy, not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6; NIV).

2. You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength [and] love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:30-31; NLT).

You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (Matthew 5:43-4; NLT).

3. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others (Matthew 6:6; NIV).

Serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2; NKJV).

4. In your anger do not sin (Ephesians 4:26; NIV).

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent (Psalm 4:4; NLT).

Forgive those who sin against you (Matthew 6:14; NLT).

5. If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-4; NIV).

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9; NIV).

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18; NIV).

6. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid (Luke 6:35; NLT).

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; 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).

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

Christ is all that matters (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Fathomless ocean

February 17, 2020Ruth Kirk

Oh, the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgements and how fathomless his ways!
(Romans 11:33; NLT).

1. Fathomless ocean
Of darkness and light:
God’s timeless upwelling
Of justice and might.

2. Limitless blessings
Of mercy and peace:
His Spirit is calling us all
To the feast.

3. Boundless resources
Of wisdom and grace:
The Lord’s faithful promise –
We will see his face.

4. Measureless giving
Of body and blood:
Christ’s infinite sacrifice,
Poured out with love.

References

1. Darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2; KJV).

I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just (Psalm 71:16; NLT).

2. The Lord our God is merciful (Daniel 9:9; NLT).

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

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world (Isaiah 25:6; NLT).

3. He [Jesus] was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him (Luke 2:40; NIV).

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NRSV).

4. This is my body, which is given for you (Luke 22:19; NLT).

My blood […] is poured out as a sacrifice for you (Luke 22:20; NLT).

May I live for you

February 16, 2020Ruth Kirk

1. Father,
May I live for you,
Glad to make
Each sacrifice.

2. Jesus,
May I live like you,
Ready, Lord,
To pay the price.

3. Spirit,
May I live with you,
Quick to spread
Your loving care.

4. Godhead,
May I live in you,
Day and night, Lord,
Everywhere.

References

1. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord (Romans 14:8; NIV).

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

2. We live like Jesus here is this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16; NLT).

3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; NLT).

He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you (Colossians 1:8; NLT).

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

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave you are there (Psalm 139:8; NLT).

You let me stand before you

February 15, 2020Ruth Kirk

Who can stand before his fierce anger? (Nahum 1:6; NLT).

1. Lord,
You let me stand before you,
Though I’m flawed
And full of sin.

2. Lord,
You let me lean upon you,
For I’m damaged
Deep within.

3. Lord,
You let me walk beside you,
Though I fail
to do your will.

4. Lord,
In spite of all my faults,
You live in me,
And love me still.

References

1. We come before you in our guilt (Ezra 9:15; NLT).

2. Let him trust in the name of Jehovah, and lean upon his God (Isaiah 50:10; YLT).

3. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

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

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

Love

February 14, 2020February 14, 2020Ruth Kirk

Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you
(Psalm 37:5; NLT).

1. Lord,
Help me not to sin today
In all I do, and think,
And say.

2. Instead,
Please make me more like you
In all I say, and think,
And do.

3. May I see you
In those I meet,
And show your love
To everyone,

4. So, Lord, they may
Glimpse you in me,
And, turning inwards,
Seek your Son.

References

1. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! (Psalm 19:13; NLT).

2. 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).

I am determined not to sin in what I say (Psalm 17:3; NLT).

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).

Always try to do good to each other and to all people (1Thessalonians 5:15; NLT).

3. Show them your love (2 Corinthians 8:24; NLT).

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

Be kind to everyone (2 Timothy 2:24; NLT).

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

4. Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17; NLT).

He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume (2 Corinthians 2:14; NLT).

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

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

The four elements

February 13, 2020February 13, 2020Ruth Kirk

1. In days to come, Lord,
Water will prevail,
As waves tear down
The barriers we make.

2. As time goes by,
The air we foul will fail,
Until we fight
For every breath we take.

3. With every year, Lord,
Fire will wreck more lives,
Razing cities;
Turning forests black.

4. And in the end,
This earth will be our grave,
For we exploit her,
Giving nothing back.

References

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1; NLT).

God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good (Genesis 1:31; NLT).

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15; NIV).

Teach me, Lord

February 12, 2020Ruth Kirk

1. Teach me, Lord,
To follow in your footsteps,
So I may grow, through prayer,
Much more like you.

2. Train me, Lord,
To face each test with courage,
For then I will rejoice
In all I do.

3. Help me, Lord,
To carry my cross daily,
Thanking you,
No matter what you send.

4. Guide me, Lord,
Through death’s dark, lonely valley,
So I may rest in you
Beyond life’s end.

References

1. Teach me your ways, O Lord (Psalm 86:11; NLT).

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

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).

2. I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go (Psalm 32:8; RSV).

I will restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts (Isaiah 57:15; NLT).

Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).

3. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy (Psalm 28:7; NLT).

Then he [Jesus] 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).

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

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:21; NIV).

4. Your hand will guide me, and your strength support me (Psalm 139:10; NLT).

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT, alternative translation).

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

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you (Psalm 116:7; NIV).

Rest in God alone, my soul (Psalm 62:5; CSB).