Category: Christ

10.6.23: One in love

Ruth Kirk
Blumary, Pixabay

Last Thursday morning, when I thought I had finished writing and was about to get up, this prayer suddenly sprang out of what I had already been given minutes before (see: https://wp.me/p45bCr-eiy). God is good!

NB: Yesterday I added a short book called, “Wordless prayer”, to my top-level menu. It’s a work in progress. If you would like to see it, here is a link: https://wp.me/P45bCr-ej9.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God (Ephesians 3:19; NLT). 

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

One in love,
And one in Christ;
One in every sacrifice.

One in darkness,
One in light;
One in Jesus, day and night.

One in joy,
And one in pain;
One in every loss and gain.

One in living,
One in death;
One in every precious breath.

One in truth,
And one in peace:
One in Christ, our great High Priest.

Our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time (Hebrews 10:12; NLT).

References 

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

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20; NLT). 

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).

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind (Philippians 2:1-2; NIV).

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7; NLT).

A reading from John 17:20-24; NLT.

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 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. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began.

31.5.23: Forgiveness

Ruth Kirk
The Prodigal Son, after Sir John Everett Millais. Engraved and printed by Dalziel Brothers in 1864.

Just as I was about to go down for breakfast two days ago, the first lines of today’s prayer struck me. I wrote them down on my iPad, then set off again, only for the next few lines to arrive before I had reached my bedroom door. This happened several times, until the whole piece was roughed out. It was an awesome experience.

Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? (Matthew 9:5; NLT).

Forgiveness
Is the same as healing,

Mercy
Is the same as love,

And weakness
Is the same as strength,

When we have faith
In Christ above.

Cling to your faith in Christ (1 Timothy 1:19; NLT).

A person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16; NLT).

References

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love (Psalm 51:1; NLT).

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

God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead (Romans 4:24; NLT).

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory (1 Peter 1:21; NLT).

God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11; NLT).

28.5.23: Take a step

Ruth Kirk
Christ Pantocrator, a photo of an icon on my bedroom wall, author unknown.

Just as I reached the end of my few spoken prayers yesterday morning, today’s verses began to flow into my mind. I had to postpone falling silent, so I could write them down.

Their rhythm might sound a bit odd if you read them as a poem, but they fit the tune of my favourite childhood Sunday School chorus, “Turn your eyes towards Jesus”. I tried to include a YouTube link to it, but failed.

The original moving, meditative song was written by Helen Lemmel, in 1918. Her words are available on Google, but I don’t want to risk breaching copyright by quoting them here.

Instead, here is a recording of me singing today’s prayer to her tune. Please forgive my weak voice and shortness of breath:

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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).

Take a step towards Jesus,
Turn to his Father, repent,
Then relinquish selfishness,
Take your cross,
And follow the Saviour
God sent.

Christ forgives every trespass,
Taking away all your sin,
Then He sets you free
For abundant life,
As you grow every day
More like Him.

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).

References

Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; NLT).

God so loved the world, that he even gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world should be saved by him (John 3:16-17; LB).

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

As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13; NLT).

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

26.5.22: Your will

Ruth Kirk
Crown of thorns, courtesy of Pixabay.

One day, recently, soon after beginning to pray, this short poem arrived. I was even able to finish writing it before I had to get up, for which I was very thankful. After breakfast, I sorted out the references. Then it was time to face whatever the day would bring.

Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).

Yahweh,
May I say, like Christ:
“I want to do your will, not mine”,
Then I’ll give thanks, whatever comes,
Accepting not my will, but thine.

Yahweh,
May I pray, with Christ:
“I want to do your will, not mine”,
Then I’ll rejoice, whatever comes,
For I will be your living shrine.

God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple (1 Corinthians 3:17; NLT).

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).

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing (Psalm 143:10; NLT).

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

Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).

24.5.23: Shame

Ruth Kirk
Plaque with Doubting Thomas, German ca. 1140–60.

Today’s prayer came to me most unexpectedly yesterday, whilst I was saying grace before breakfast.

Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23; NLT). 

We all have sins that shame us,
Behaviour we regret;
We all have faults and failures,
But Jesus loves us yet.

We know our inner darkness,
The things we can’t put right,
The evils on our conscience,
But Jesus is our light.

We all have guilty secrets,
We haven’t done God’s will;
We’ve judged and wounded others,
But Jesus loves us still.

We know that we are nothing,
Just grains of sand, or dust,
But through Christ comes forgiveness,
So in His name we trust.

Through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins (Acts 13:38; NLT).

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12; NLT). 

Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).

References 

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark (John 12:46; 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).

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

I am nothing but dust (Genesis 18:27; NIV). 

There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent (Luke 24:47; NLT). 

A reading: Romans 3:22-25; NLT.

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

3.5.23: Life

Ruth Kirk
Photo by courtesy of Mary Rodgers.

You have shown me the way of life (Acts 2:28; NLT). 

Life
Is a journey
With Jesus.

Faith
Is the way
Back to God.

Hope
Is a walk
With his Spirit.

Love
Is the path
That Christ trod.

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

27.4.23: You are One

Ruth Kirk
Sunrise, on Pixabay

Given how I feel at present, I’m particularly thankful for this short blog, which arrived whilst I was half-asleep.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1; NLT). 

Yahweh:
Father God, and Mother;

Christ:
My Shepherd, Teacher, Brother;

Holy Ghost:
My Sister, Lover –

You are One:
I need no other.

The Lord our God, the Lord is one (Mark 12:29; NIV). 

References 

God:  Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy (Matthew 6:9; NLT).

All creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time (Romans 8:22; NLT).

I will proclaim God’s decree – YHWH said to me: “You are my own; I’ve given birth to you today” (Psalm 2:7; TIB). 

Christ:  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep (John 10: 11; NLT).

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

Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those 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 3:31-5; NLT). 

Holy Ghost:  Say to wisdom, “You are my sister” (Proverbs 7:4; NIV).

God is Spirit (John 4:24; NLT).

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him –  the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2; NIV).

I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NLT). 

Oneness:  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; NIV).

A reading: Mark 12:28-31; NIV

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

7.4.23: Good Friday

Ruth Kirk

God gave me this prayer today, so, although it’s late, it’s absolutely specific to Good Friday. I’ve never prepared a blog so quickly before, so please forgive its rawness, and any errors, which I will try to correct over the next few hours. Normally, you just receive the finished version.

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). 

Let me join your constant prayer
For all the world, with faithful care,
One mind with you, Lord, as you share
Our troubles.

Let me join your ceaseless prayer
For all the world, with tender care,
One heart with you, Lord, as you share
Our sorrows.

Let me join your endless prayer
For all the world, with steadfast care,
One soul with you, Lord, as you share
Our anguish.

Let me join your fervent prayer
For all the world, with loving care,
One flesh with you, Lord, as you bear
Our torment.

He took up our pain and bore our suffering (Isaiah 53:4; NIV). 

He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12; NIV).

Additions later in the day:

11.09am: Continuing to think about and work on today’s blog, this is how Isaiah 53:12 is translated in the Literal Standard Version of the Bible. I thought some of you might find it interesting, especially because of how the present tense is used in the final phrase:

“He exposed His soul to death, And He was numbered with transgressors, And He has borne the sin of many, And He intercedes for transgressors” (my emphasis).

11.17am: When we pray, we join in with Jesus’ constant prayer for all the world. It’s like logging on to a ceaseless Zoom meeting with Jesus leading, and with all the other people who are praying at that moment. So let’s not log off at the “end” of our prayers – let’s just stay logged in all the time!

11.24am: “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

 

30.3.23: Inside and outside

Ruth Kirk
The Good Shepherd 19th-century stained glass in the church of St Mary & St Giles in memory of John William Spark, curate of the church. James Yardley.

I’m lying awake with a migraine, which gives me an excellent opportunity to publish today’s blog:

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

Inside and outside,
Above and below,
Jesus is with us
Wherever we go.

On our left, on our right,
Up ahead, close behind,
Jesus is present,
And he is so kind.

Longing to help us
Find all that we seek,
Jesus is ready
To strengthen the weak.

Guiding us all with his light
And his crook:
Jesus is with us –
If only we look.

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

References

Be sure of this: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12; NIV). 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

22.3.23: I want to follow Christ

Ruth Kirk
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jesus_reconstruction_test_phases_from_Turin_Shroud.jpg

Today’s blog came to me soon after waking up:

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). 

I want to follow Christ
In every thought,
Through gain and loss
To serve him as I ought,
And always keep on praying,
As he taught –
For he is all to me,
Though I am naught.

I want to follow Christ
In all I say,
Through weakness, sin and failure,
Come what may,
And always keep on thanking him
Each day –
For Jesus is my life, my truth,
My way.

I want to follow Christ
In all I do,
Through grief, and pain and sorrow,
Sickness, too,
By sharing in the suffering
He knew –
For all he preached and promised us
Is true.

All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true (1 John 5:10; NLT). 

I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true (John 18:37; NLT).

References 

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

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

May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; NLT). 

I am nothing (Job 40:4; NLT). 

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

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV). 

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

Since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT). 

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).

The Rosary Hospital

Today I am full of rejoicing, because I’ve been given a steady outlet for my rosaries. Please celebrate this with me!

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=Our+Lady+of+Walsingham&title=Special:MediaSearch&type=image