Category: Abuse

Fly free

Ruth Kirk

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).

At death
I will fly free at last,

Forever
Leave behind my past,

Forget it all,
Bid life adieu,

Then, evermore,
Be one with you!

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

References

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, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come (Luke 4:18-19; NLT).

Those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead! (Isaiah 26:19; NLT).

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36; NIV).

 

My Mother

Ruth Kirk

Will I, who causes others to give birth, not also give birth myself, says the Lord? Will I, who bestows generation upon others, be barren myself, says the Lord your God? (Isaiah 66:9; CPDV).

You are my Mother –
But not like my mother on earth.
You’ve not abused me,
Or filled me with dread since my birth.

You are my Mother –
But you don’t regard me with scorn.
You don’t condemn me,
Or make me regret I was born.

You are my Mother –
But you don’t berate, or control.
You don’t resent me,
Or make my subjection your goal.

You are my Mother –
For you know the meaning of love.
Your only objectives:
My healing; my freedom; my good.

We know that God makes everything work together for the good of those who love God and have been called according to God’s purpose (Romans 8:28; NLT).

References

Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God (Psalm 90:2; CSB).

Who held back the sea behind partitions when it burst forth from my womb? (Job 38:8; TIB).

You forgot the God who gave you birth (Deuteronomy 32:18; NIV).

The Almighty … will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb (Genesis 49:25; NKJV).

From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free (Romans 8:22-3; NLT).

Bless YHWH, my soul! All that is in me, bless God’s holy Name! Bless YHWH, my soul, and remember all God’s kindnesses! The One who forgives all your sins is the One who heals all your diseases; the One who ransoms your life from the Pit is the One who crowns you with love and tenderness (Psalm 103:1-4; TIB).

Life and death

Ruth Kirk

The city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light (Revelation 21:23; NLT).

So, is life over,
And is death all done?
Yes, look around you, child: 
There is no sun!

So, is life finished;
My pain gone so soon?
Yes, look around you, child:
There is no moon!

So, is life done with,
My tears at an end?
Yes, look around you, child:
I am your Friend!

So, is life over,
My grief gone for good?
Yes, look around you, child:
I, God, am Love!

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

References

I heard a loud voice calling from the throne, “Look! God’s Tabernacle is among humankind! God will live with them; they will be God’s people, and God will be fully present among them. The Most High will wipe away every tear from their eyes. And death, mourning, crying and pain will be no more, for the old order has fallen” (Rev 21:3-4; TIB).

God’s love toward us is great, God’s faithfulness, eternal (Psalm 117:2; TIV).

 

Equality

Ruth Kirk

There is no Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, male or female. All are one (Galatians 3:28; TIB).

What good is our religious faith,
If women are subordinate to men?
What good is our religious faith,
If we forget the poor, then say, “Amen.”

What good is our religious faith,
If children are abused, then cast aside?
What good is our religious faith,
If some are welcomed in, and some denied?

What good is our religious faith,
If it ignores our worth, and causes pain?
What good is our religious faith,
If it can’t help us change, or start again?

My word has no place [to grow] in you [and it makes no change in your heart] (John 8:37; AMP).

References

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless (James 1:26; NLT).

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God … means caring for orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27; NLT).

The King will reply, “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).

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36; NIV).

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

 

Judgement

Ruth Kirk

We must all stand before Christ to be judged (2 Corinthians 5:10; NLT).

Introduction
We will all be subject to judgement. However, this judgement may not be quite what we have traditionally been taught to expect. Today’s blog details what was recently shown to me in prayer.

Choices
During our time on earth, we make many choices about how we relate to God, other people, events, experiences, our planet and  even ourselves. These choices shape the person we become at every stage of our lives. After death, we will all face judgement before Christ.

What is judgement?
Judgement is a profoundly just, merciful and loving consideration of a combination of factors:

  • The body and life situation God gave us at birth.
  • All we experienced during our exile here.
  • Everything we felt, thought, said and did.
  • What we made of ourselves, our opportunities, and our suffering.
  • Who and what we became during the course of our lives.

Several stages
Judgement is a process with several stages. It will include:

  • Looking directly at every aspect of our life, choices, behaviours, attitudes, speech, thoughts and actions. This will be like looking at ourselves in a crystal-clear mirror, and seeing right to the inmost core of our soul, with the eyes of Christ.
  • Fully understanding why we decided on the choices we made.
  • Recognising with complete honesty everything we faced and dealt with during our lives.
  • Admitting all the hurt and damage we caused to others, and repenting fully.
  • Asking ourselves how much we accepted, loved and helped, all other people, including the poorest and least powerful.
  • Considering the overall value of our life objectively.
  • Seeing clearly, and acknowledging fully, what we amount to in total.

This might sound alarming, perhaps even terrifying. However, throughout the whole process, we will be standing before Christ, fully supported by God’s Spirit of love, understanding and mercy.

Reacting to our judgement
In response to seeing and fully understanding ourselves, our choices and our lives, we will inevitably react by experiencing a mixture of profound emotions, including shame, sorrow and repentance. This healing process includes catharsis, purgation and purification.

I believe that through this healing process we will receive God’s forgiveness and love. It will also enable us to forgive and to love both ourselves and others completely.

Conclusion
Whether we know it or not, we are indissolubly one with God from the eternity before our birth, during our exile on earth, and for eternity beyond our death. Our judgement will take place within the context of this oneness.

As a result of our judgment we will experience forgiveness, healing and complete reconciliation with God. This is salvation, paradise and eternal bliss.

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:2-5; NLT).

Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43; NLT).

References

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (1 Corinthians 13:12; NLT).

The King will reply, “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).

You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness (Psalm 96:15; NLT).

To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness (Daniel 9:9; RSV).

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7; NLT).

Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool (Isaiah 1:18; KJV).

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing (Isaiah 35:5; KJV).

The spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

 

Highs and lows

Ruth Kirk

My heart is full of rapture (Psalm 28:7; BBE).

He became anguished and distressed (Matthew 26; 37; NLT).

Rapture is the opposite
Of trauma,
And anguish is the opposite
Of peace.

Lord, these are the highs
And lows of living –
Realities we can’t stop,
Or increase.

They’re part of being born,
Of life, and death,
From our first cry,
To our concluding breath.

Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

Examples of rapture and anguish in Jesus’ life:

One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy” (Luke 3:21-22; NIV).

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; NLT).

He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2; NIV).

“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Mark 14:36; NLT).

He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44; NLT).

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him (Matthew 26:50; NIV).

Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip (John 19:1; NLT).

The soldiers nailed him to the cross (Matthew 27:35; NLT).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? (Psalm 22:1; NLT).

 

Cling to Christ

Ruth Kirk

Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NLT).

When your life
Is full of care,
Far beyond
What you can bear –

When your days
Are full of pain,
As your heart
Breaks, yet again –

When your nights
Are drenched with tears,
And your mind
Is wracked by fears –

Cling to Christ:
Your soul will soar,
Till nothing matters
Any more.

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).

References

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

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

 

Have you sold your soul?

Ruth Kirk

What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds (Matthew 16:26; NLT ).

Have you sold your soul for money,
Cars, or clothes, or food, or drink?
Have you sold your soul for envy,
Lies, unfaithfulness, or hate?
Have you sold your soul for gambling,
Crime, or drugs, or vice, or porn?
If so, turn to God; repent;
Then, through his Son, you’ll be re-born.

Have you sold your soul for power,
Anger, threats, abuse, or force?
Have you sold your soul for status,
Followers, or “likes”, or fame?
Have you sold your soul for sex?
Is selfishness your only goal?
If so, turn to God, who will
Forgive you, and restore your soul.

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

References

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3; NLT).

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:19-24; NLT).

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

When you heal me

Ruth Kirk

O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed (Jeremiah 17:14; NLT).

Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Mark 14:36; NLT).

Lord,
When you heal my anguish,
All that’s left will be peace,
And, when you heal my tension,
All that’s left will be calm.

Lord,
When you heal my sorrow,
All that’s left will be joy,
And, when you heal my anger,
All that’s left will be balm.

Lord,
When you heal my shyness,
All that’s left will be poise,
And, when you heal my envy,
All that’s left will be good.

Lord,
When you heal my trauma,
All that’s left will be bliss,
And, when you heal my sickness,
All that endures will be love.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:7; NLT).

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4; NIV).

A prayer for healing

Ruth Kirk

I will deal with all your oppressors (Zephaniah 3:19; NRSV).

Yahweh, our great stronghold,
You will deal with all oppressors –
Please take away the traumas of our past,
And heal our minds.

Jesus, our Good Shepherd,
You will deal with all tormentors –
Please take away the wounds caused by our past,
And heal our hearts.

Spirit, our dear Helper,
You will deal with all abusers –
Please take away the fallout from our past,
And heal our souls.

Elohim, our Fortress,
You will deal with all dictators –
Please take away the thorns lodged in our flesh,
And give us peace.

I was given a thorn in my flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7; NLT).

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).