Context: After yesterday’s very concentrated writing effort, today I’m posting a much shorter blog I prepared a little while ago. At present, my energy for writing is in very short supply. However, since I started this website in 2013, I have always had some unpublished pieces set aside, ready to use during the periods when I can’t write. Here is one I’m glad to have the opportunity to share with you:
Be sure of this: I am with you always.
(Matthew 28:20; NLT).
Wherever I go, we go there together.
However I feel, we share it, as one.
Whenever I fail, we mourn it together,
For you never leave me,
My Saviour, God’s Son.
Whatever I lose, we face it together.
Wherever I am, you’re close by my side.
Whatever I bear, we bear it together,
For you never leave me,
Good Shepherd, my Guide.
Whatever you ask, we face it together.
Whatever you take, *I give with a smile.
Whenever I fear, I turn to you swiftly,
For you never leave me
Throughout every trial.
*Give whatever he takes, with a big smile.
(Mother Theresa).
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
(Psalm 23:4; NLT).
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).
1. The more like Jesus we become,
The less we need to say
In prayer,
For, as our minds grow more like his,
We share our thoughts all day.
2. The more like Jesus we become, The less we need to fear,
Or grieve,
For, as our hearts grow more like his,
We share each dread and tear.
3. The more like Jesus we become,
The less we need to ask
Of him,
For, as our souls grow more like his,
We share his sacred task.
4. The more like Jesus we become,
The less we need to cling
To life,
For here, on earth, and after death,
We’re wholly one with him.
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).
You …are complete through your union with Christ
(Colossians 2:10; NLT).
References
1. We are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him (1 John 3:2; NLT).
When you pray, don’t babble on …for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him (Matthew 6:7-8; NLT).
Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).
We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely (Psalm 139:4; NIV).
We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).
2. Do not be afraid, for I am with you (Genesis 26:24; NLT).
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
He knows the secrets of every heart (Psalm 44:21; NLT).
In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).
3. 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).
I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (Acts 20:24; NIV).
All of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him (2 Corinthians 5:18; NLT).
My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10; NLT).
4. Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord (Romans 14:8; NIV).
If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it (Matthew 10:39; NLT).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
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 (John 17:23; NLT).
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me
(Psalm 23:4; NLT).
1. You are as close to me as breathing.
You are as close to me as dread.
You are as close, Lord, as my heartbeat –
Closer than words unsaid.
2. You are as close to me as weeping.
You are as close to me as pain.
You are as close to me as anguish –
Closer than guilt, or shame.
3. You are as close to me as living.
You are as close to me as prayer.
You are as close to me as panic –
Closer than my despair.
4. You are as close to me as grieving. You are as close to me as kin.
You are as close to me as dying –
Closer, by far, than sin.
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
References
1.The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4; NLT).
2. Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me(Psalm 139:1; NLT).
3. The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26; NRSV).
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34; NLT).
4. To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:11; NLT).
Into your hands I commit my spirit (Psalm 31:5; NIV).
I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-9; NLT).
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
(Revelation 21:4; NLT).
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens.
(Psalm 68:19; NIV).
Beyond our death, all grief will end;
Till then, the Father shares our tears.
After death, all dread will cease;
Till then, he helps us face our fears.
Beyond our death, all pain will end;
Till then, the Saviour shares our cross.
After death, all cares will cease;
Till then, he helps us bear each loss.
Beyond our death, all hate will end;
Till then, the Spirit is our guide.
After death, all hurt will cease;
Till then, he’s always at our side.
Beyond our death, all wrong will end;
Till then, the Lord forgives our sin.
After death, all shame will cease; Till then, we put our trust in him.
🖤
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (1 John 4:16; NLT).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33; NLT).
1. The more I avoid
The things I fear,
The worse my fears will grow:
Please help me, Lord, To face my fears
As you did, long ago.
2. The more I confront Whatever I fear,
The stronger I’ll become:
Please help me, Lord, To face my fears
Each day, till life is done.
3. The sooner I begin
This task,
The faster I’ll be healed:
Please help me, Lord, To face my fears,
Be brave, and never yield.
4. The more I make these truths
My guide,
The better I’ll succeed:
Please help me, Lord, To face my fears –
Then I’ll be free indeed.
🖤
I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full.
(John 10:10; NIV).
References
1. My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done (Matthew 26:42; NIV).
2. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10; NLT).
3. The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you” (Psalm 32:NLT).
4. I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13; NLT).
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36; NIV).
You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12; CSB).
Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you. (Proverbs 4:25; NLT).
I fix my eyes Beyond this world –
On Christ,
Who shares my life.
I fix my mind Beyond this grief –
On Christ,
Who shares my loss.
I fix my heart
Beyond this fear –
On Christ,
Who shares my dread.
I fix my soul
Beyond this pain –
On Christ,
Who shares my cross.
🧡
I focus on this one thing:
Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:13-14; NLT).
