Category: cross

Our daily bread

Ruth Kirk

Give us this day our daily bread
(Matthew 6:11; NKJV).

I am the living bread that came down from from heaven
(John 6:51; NLT).

1. Jesus is the only food
That matters:
His body is my bread;
His blood, my wine.

2. Jesus is the only church
That matters:
His teaching is my truth;
His word, my shrine.

3. Jesus is the only path
That matters:
His footsteps are my way;
His love, my light.

4. Jesus Christ the Lord
Is all that matters:
His Spirit is my Guide;
His cross, my life. 

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

References 

1. My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink (John 6:55; NIV). 

2. He is the Saviour of his body, the church (Ephesians 5:23; NLT). 

I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die! (John 8:51; NLT).

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

He is the Word of life (1 John 1:1; NLT).

When Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body (John 2:21; NLT). 

Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:22; NLT). 

God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us (1 John 4:13; NLT).

How good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter (Psalm 73:28; NLT). 

3. 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). 

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

4. 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 3:9; NLT).

Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives (Galatians 5:16; NLT).

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God (1 Colossians 1:18; NLT).

Please help me

Ruth Kirk

Serve the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

1. Please help me, Lord,
To serve, not sin,
To follow Christ,
Your Shepherd King,
Love everyone
Like kith and kin,
And bear my cross
Each day

2. Please help me
To grow more like him,
Obey his quiet voice
Within,
Rejoice, give thanks
For everything,
And never cease
To pray.

Never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NLT).

References 

1. Do not sin (Psalm 4:4; NIV). 

Follow me and be my disciple (Matthew 9:9; NLT). 

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

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

Love your neighbour as yourself (James 2:8; NLT).

Love ye therefore the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; KJV).

You, too, must show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NIV).

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).

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

Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT). 

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

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

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

Questions

Ruth Kirk

1. Jesus,
How can I be healed
In flesh, mind, heart and soul?

Repent, and give your life to me,
For I will make you whole.

2. Jesus,
How can I be healed?
Please tell me what to do.

Accept forgiveness, be baptised,
Receive my Spirit, too. 

3. Jesus,
How can I be healed,
And where should I begin?

Forgive those who do wrong to you;
Hold fast to me within.

4. Jesus,
How can I be healed,
And worthy of your name?

Give up your greed and selfishness;
Love everyone the same.

5. Jesus,
How can I be healed?
Please help me, Lord, I pray.

Take up your cross, and follow me  –
Your life, your truth, your way.

I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6; NLT).

References 

1. Each of you must repent and turn to God, and be baptised 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).

Upon him was the punishment that made us whole (Isaiah 53:5; NRSV).

2. Be baptised 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).

3. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13; NIV).

Hold fast (Deuteronomy 30:20; NIV).

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

4. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41; NLT).

Turn from your selfish ways (Matthew 16:24; NLT).

Love your neighbour as yourself (James 2:8; NLT).

Love ye therefore the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; KJV).

You, too, must show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NIV).

5. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:38; NIV).

 

Sharing

Ruth Kirk

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

1. Take up your cross without complaint.
Shoulder it with perfect love.
Bear it well, and serve, like Christ –
Then you will share his sacrifice.

2. Take up your cross; submit to God.
Shoulder it with constant prayer.
Bear it well, and do not sin –
Then you will share one mind with him.

3. Take up your cross, for God is near.
Shoulder it with thanks and joy.
Bear it well till life must cease –
Then you will share his perfect peace.

4. Take up your cross, as Jesus did.
Shoulder it with hope and praise.
Bear it well: it sets you free –
Then you will share his victory. 

Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne.
(Revelation 3:21; NLT).

References 

1. If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24; NLT).

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45; 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). 

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:38; NIV). 

2. Submit to God and be at peace with him (Job 22:21; NIV). 

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

We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).

3. He is not far from any one of us (Acts 17:27; NIV).

Always be joyful … Be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16,18; 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).

4. As we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too (2 Corinthians 1:5; RSV). 

Rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13; RSV). 

Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us (Romans 8:37; NLT).

 

Turn to God

Ruth Kirk

Each of you must repent and turn to God, and be baptised 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).

Turn to God,
And start afresh:
Repent of all your sin.
Accept forgiveness,
Bless your foes,
And welcome Christ within.

Turn to God,
And start again:
Be Spirit-filled, and pray.
Take up your cross,
Put others first,
And follow Christ each day.

Turn to God,
And start anew:
Accepting all he sends.
Through good and bad
Love everyone,
Until your journey ends.

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

I lack the strength

Ruth Kirk

I don’t have the strength to endure (Job 6:11; NLT).

1. I lack the strength to serve you, Lord,
To give back all that’s due,
So I can only show my love
In everything I do.

2. I lack the words to praise your name,
To honour you, or pray,
So I can only show my love
Through everything I say.

3. I lack the strength to bear my cross,
To follow as I ought,
So I can only show my love
By checking every thought.

4. I lack the words to worship you –
Lord, touch my soul, and heal,
Then I will show my love for you
Through everything I feel.

🖤

Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions,
than capturing a city (Proverbs 16:32; CSB).

References 

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

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

3. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart (Deuteronomy 15:9; ESV).

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

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

 

 

Choices

Ruth Kirk

Let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
(1 Corinthians 12:31; NLT). 

Lord,

1. Did you choose the finest cross?
The brightest nails?
The quickest death?
Did you select the gentlest way
To take your final breath?

2. No,  you endured the roughest cross,
The coarsest nails,
The foulest death:
For us, you faced the darkest way
To take your final breath.

3. May I take up my cross, like you,
Accept the nails,
Embrace my death,
And gladly share your way of love
Until my final breath.

I will praise my God to my last breath.
(Psalm 104:33; NLT).

References 

1. Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross (Mark 15:24; NLT).

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34; NLT).

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

2. As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified” (Matthew 20:17-19; NLT). 

3. If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24; NLT).

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). 

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love (Ephesians 5:2; NIV).

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).

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

 

 

Are you weary?

Ruth Kirk

1. Are you weary? Do you suffer?
Burdened with fear, or care?
Come to God, who longs to help.
Lean on him; let him share.

2. Weep, and repent, and turn to him:
He will forgive your sin.
Then, be baptised in Jesus’ name.
Take up your cross, like him.

3. Welcome his Holy Spirit now.
He will reveal the way:
Living within to comfort you,
Guiding you every day.

4. Whatever God gives or takes from you,
Thank him for good and bad.
Praise him, rejoice, pray constantly.
Give, and share all you have.

5. Put others first, and learn to serve.
Cast off each selfish whim.
Shoulder your cross, and follow Christ:
Loving all, just like him.

🖤

References

1. Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).

The Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

2. Each of you must repent and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38; NLT).

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24; NLT).

3. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever (John 14:16; AMP).

Don’t you realise that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16; NLT).

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

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).

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; RSV).

5. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else (Mark 10:42-4; NLT).

Love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-8; NIV).

 

 

If you want to follow Christ

Ruth Kirk

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).

If you want
To follow Christ

Turn your back
On selfishness,

Pick your cross up,
Take his way,

And grow more like him –
Every day.

🖤

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

 

Come to me

Ruth Kirk

Then Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).

Come to me,
All you who suffer:
I will give you rest.

Take my yoke,
And let me teach you
As you face each test.

Accept your cross,
And trust in me:
The load I give is light.

Then follow me,
For you and I
Are precious in God’s sight.

🖤

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. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it” (Luke 9:23-4; NLT).

You are precious in my sight (Isaiah 43:4; NASB20).