Ruth Kirk

I seek you

July 3, 2020Ruth Kirk

If you seek him, you will find him
(1 Chronicles 28:9; NLT).

1. Living God,
I seek you in my mind,
So I may know your presence
Every day.

2. Son of Man,
I seek you in my heart,
So we can walk together, talk,
And pray.

3. Counsellor,
I seek you in my soul,
For I can’t live without your strength
And love.

4. Lord,
May we be one for evermore,
In mind, and heart, and soul;
In flesh, and blood.

References

1. You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

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

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

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

3. The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things (John 14:26; CSB).

You have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you (1 John 2:27; NLT).

He will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit (Ephesians 3:16; NLT).

He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).

4. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. […] I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one (John 17:21-22; NLT).

God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us” (Genesis 1:26; NLT).

You are the children of the living God (Hosea 1:10; 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).

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

There is one body (Ephesians 4:4; NLT).

In Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body (Colossians 2:9; NLT).

Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you (John 6:53; NLT).

Love God

July 2, 2020Ruth Kirk

Never give up (Luke 18:1; NLT).

1. Love God,
Even when you cannot find him.

2. Worship,
Even when you cannot pray.

3. Listen,
Even when you cannot hear him.

4. Follow,
Even when you’ve lost your way.

References

1. You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind (Luke 10:27; NLT).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Psalm 22:1; NLT).

2. Worship only God (Revelation 22:3; NLT).

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

3. Listen to his voice (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer (Psalm 22:2; NLT).

4. Follow me (Luke 9:23; NLT).

They have lost their way (Jeremiah 50:6; NLT).

From beginning to end

July 1, 2020July 1, 2020Ruth Kirk

Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets,
he [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures
concerning himself (Luke 24:27; NIV).

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end
(Revelation 21:6; NET).

1. I wish I could walk with you, Lord,
In the cool evening breeze,

2. Then talk with you over a meal,
As we sit at our ease.

3. I wish I could follow your passion,
And stay, Lord, to weep,

4. Then cling to your cold, lifeless hands, Lord,
And kiss your poor feet.

5. I wish I could meet you, then watch
As you break bread, and share,

6. Then gaze on your face, Lord, astonished,
And join you in prayer.

7. I wish I could see your ascension,
And hail your return,

8. Then witness your Kingdom on earth –
But, instead, I must yearn.

References

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1; NIV).

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden (Genesis 3:8; NLT).

2. One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat (Luke 7:36; NLT).

3. As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women (Luke 23:26; NLT).

Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching (Luke 23:49; NLT).

4. He took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock […] As his body was taken away, the women of Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed (Luke 23:53,55; NLT).

5. By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them…

6. …Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognised him (Luke 24:28-31; NLT).

7. When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honour at God’s right hand (Mark 16:19; NLT).

You, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return (Matthew 25:13; NLT).

8. Just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom (Luke 22:29-30; NLT).

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last – salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ” (Revelation 12:10; NLT).

I yearn for the Lord, more than watchmen do for the morning (Psalm 130:6; NET).

May all discover you

June 30, 2020Ruth Kirk

1. Lord,
May all discover you today,
Turning to you,
And trusting in your care.

2. Lord,
May all rejoice in you today,
Embracing you,
And casting off despair.

3. Lord,
May all remain in you today,
Walking with you,
And facing every test.

4. Lord,
May all unite with you today,
Living in you,
And finding perfect rest.

References

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

Repent of your sins and turn to God (Matthew 3:2; NLT).

He cares for those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7; NIV).

2. His name is the Lord – rejoice in his presence! (Psalm 68:4; NLT).

Israel will embrace her God (Jeremiah 31:22; NLT).

He lifted me out of the pit of despair (Psalm 40:2; NLT).

3. Remain in me, and I will remain in you (John 15:4; NLT).

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

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

4. Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).

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

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

Like you

June 29, 2020Ruth Kirk

Put on your new nature, and be renewed
as you learn to know your Creator and become like him
(Colossians 3:10; NLT).

1. Lord,
You put us here, on earth,
So we may grow like you,

2. By learning to correct our thoughts,
And all we say,
And do.

3. Please help us,
As we journey back to heaven
At your side,

4. To grow in love,
Whilst giving up hate, selfishness,
And pride.

References

1. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).

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

I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue” (Psalm 39:1; NLT).

Speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians
4:15; NLT).

Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).

3. The dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NLT).

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you (Isaiah 43:2; NLT).

The Lord is a shelter right by your side (Psalm 121:5; CSB).

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

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

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

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).

Surrender your pride (Jeremiah 4:4; NLT).

Prayer

June 28, 2020Ruth Kirk

Pour out your heart to him (Psalm 62:8; NLT).

1. Prayer is worship,
Thanks, rejoicing;
Prayer is sorrow,
Fear, and pain.

2. Prayer is spending time
With Jesus,
As he loosens
Every chain.

3. Prayer is mercy,
Love, and healing;
Prayer is sharing
Every sin.

4. Prayer is being one
With Jesus,
So that we can grow
Like him.

References

1. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendour (1 Chronicles 16:29; NLT).

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

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

I weep with sorrow (Psalm 119:28; NLT).

He will calm all your fears (Zephaniah 3:17; NLT).

Feel my pain (Psalm 25:18; NLT).

2. Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; RSV).

He wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them (Mark 9:31; NLT).

You have loosed my bonds (Psalm 116:16; NKJV).

He snapped their chains (Psalm 107:14; NLT).

3. His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:25; NKJV).

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

I am the Lord, who heals you (Exodus 15:27; NIV).

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

4. Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).

God is love

June 27, 2020Ruth Kirk

You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful,
slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love
(Nehemiah 9:17; NLT).

1. God is shelter, and space;
Mercy, and grace;

2. Forgiveness, and care;
Wrathful, yet fair;

3. Salvation, and might;
Darkness, and light;

4. Tumult, and peace;
God is love, without cease.

References

1. All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7; NLT).

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

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

2. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:2-4; NLT).

God is a raging fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; ESV).

Everything he does is just and fair (Deuteronomy 32:4; NLT).

3. The Lord is my light and my salvation (Psalm 27:1; NLT).

He shrouded himself in darkness (Psalm 18:11; NLT).

4. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me (Psalm 42:7; NLT).

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

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

In silence

June 26, 2020Ruth Kirk

Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).

1. In silence, Lord,
I start afresh,
Seeking you
With every breath.

2. In stillness, Lord,
I try again,
Whispering
Your holy name.

3. In solitude,
I aim, once more,
To find you, Lord,
And to adore.

4. In darkness, Lord,
I hope anew,
And, reaching out,
I wait for you.

References

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

Search for the Lord (Psalm 105:4; NLT).

2. Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10; NIV).

Yahweh is his name (Exodus 15:3; NLT).

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

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

We adore you (1 Chronicles 29:11; NLT).

4. Sit now in darkness (Isaiah 47:5; NLT).

I will put my hope in God (Psalm 42:5; NLT).

Reach out for him (Acts 17:27; NIV).

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7; NIV).

I’d rather wait (for A.)

June 25, 2020Ruth Kirk

Wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7; NIV).

1. I’d rather wait for you, Lord,
Than have power.

2. I’d rather wait for you,
Than have great wealth.

3. I’d rather wait for you, Lord,
Than have knowledge.

4. I’d rather wait for you,
Than have good health.

References

1. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5; NIV).

2. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3; NIV).

3. Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it (Mark 10:15; NIV).

4. When I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10; NLT).

Trek

June 24, 2020Ruth Kirk

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

1. Life is a trek
Back to heaven.

2. Faith is a journey
To God.

3. Hope is a walk
With his Spirit.

4. Love is the path
That Christ trod.

References

1. The dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NLT).

2. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7; NKJV).

The Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith (Romans 1:17; NLT).

3. You will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13; NLT).

4. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2; NIV).

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

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us (1 John 3:16; NLT).