Category: Easter

Life

Ruth Kirk

Your hands have made me and fashioned me (Psalm 119:73; KJV).

You fashioned me, Lord,
From the dust of the ground,
Mixed with earth’s waters,
And warmed by the sun.

You quickened me, Lord, 
With your life-giving breath:
Your Spirit within is my soul –
We are one.

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

References

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; NKJV).

This is what the sovereign LORD says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath into you and you will live (Ezekiel 37:5; NET). 

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4; NKJV).

God is Spirit (John 4:24; NKJV). 

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you (Romans 8:11; NLT). 

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

Easter Monday

Ruth Kirk

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:27; NLT).

Jesus,
May our bodies
Be your shrine.

Our thoughts
Grow more like yours,
Our actions, too;

Our hearts
Become like yours, Lord,
We implore;

Our spirits,
One with yours
For evermore.

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

References 

Verse 1:
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
We are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

Verse 2:
Think the same way that Christ Jesus thought (Philippians 2:5; CEV).
We have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes] (1 Corinthians 2:16; AMP).
Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children (Ephesians 5:1; NLT).

Verse 3:
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).

Verse 4:
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death (Philippians 3:10; NLT).
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).
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).
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).

Easter Day

Ruth Kirk

Happy Easter to you all! With love from Ruth xxxxxxx

They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again (Mark 10:34; NLT). 

Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do. As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet… They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched (Luke 24:39-43; NLT). 

Lord,

Easter is when you
Are born again,

Free from all your anguish,
Dread, and pain;

Free to help
Your followers anew:

Jesus, may we love and serve,
Like you.

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). 

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).

References

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

You exposed yourself to death itself, and allowed yourself to be counted among criminals, while you bore the guilt of many and interceded for sinners (Isaiah 53:12; TIB).

The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17; NLT). 

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever (John 14:16; ESV). 

It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:7; ESV). 

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). 

Easter Saturday

Ruth Kirk

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; NLT).

Let’s clear our minds
Of everything but Christ,

And rid our hearts
Of everything but love.

Let’s purge our souls
Of everything but faith.

And cleanse our lives
Of everything but good.

Dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God (2 Corinthians 7:1; NLT).

References 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you (John 15:12; NLT). 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13; NIV). 

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22; NLT). 

A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad (Matthew 12:33; NLT). 

Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:10; NLT).

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart (Matthew 12:35; NLT). 

11.9.22: Heaven on earth #2

Ruth Kirk

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10; RSV). 

During an on-line conversation yesterday morning, a friend and I were discussing free will. I was praying in between reading and responding to their messages, and suddenly saw that when everyone freely chooses to do God’s will out of love, we will all live in heaven on earth.

Until that blessed day arrives, each of us can help the world to move towards it, by treating everyone with love, no matter how they behave towards us.

All this became much clearer in my mind when I was praying at bedtime: we can live in heaven on earth individually, and we can also live this way collectively. Free will means that the choice is ours.

When you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, offer it of your own free will (Leviticus 22:29; NKJV).

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

References

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

Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; 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 hurt you (Luke 6:28; NLT).

Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34; NLT).

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

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

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17; NLT).

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us (Luke 11:4; NLT).

We have all sinned against you (Jeremiah 14:20; NLT).

Christ waits

Ruth Kirk

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

Every day is Christmas Day,
And every day is Easter.
Every day, within us all,
Christ waits to be our Teacher.

Every day he’s born again,
And every day, tormented.
Every day, within us all,
Christ waits to be befriended.

Every day he lives for us,
And every day he’s dying.
Every day, within us all,
Christ waits, with tears, and sighing.

Every day he shares our joy,
And every day, our sorrow.
Every day, within us all,
Christ waits, until tomorrow.

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

It’s Advent!

Ruth Kirk


Image: Dorothée Quennesson, Pixabay

🧡

1. It’s Advent, Lord:
I wait anew,
To hear your cry,
And welcome you.

2. It’s Christmas:
And you’re born afresh
In my poor mind, heart,
Soul, and flesh.

3. It’s Easter, Lord:
You rise again,
To free me from
All sin and pain.

4. It’s Pentecost:
Each day you burn
Within me,
Till your great return.

🧡

References

1. Wait expectantly for him (Psalm 37:7; CSB).

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3; NKJV).

2. She gave birth to her first-born son (Luke 2:6; RSV).

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

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

3. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman Soldiers to be crucified (Mark 15:15; NLT).

You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! (Mark 16:6; NLT).

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases (Psalm 103:3; NLT).

4. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4; NLT).

Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32; NLT).

His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28; NLT).

In the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 26:64; NLT).

It’s always the Beginning

Ruth Kirk

Image: WikiImages, Pixabay

His mercies begin afresh each morning
(Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

1. It’s always the Beginning, Lord:
Each day you make me new.

2. It’s always Advent,
While you wait for me to turn to you.

3. It’s always Christmas, Lord:
You’re born again in my poor soul.

4. It’s always Holy Week,
When you face death to make me whole.

5. It’s always Easter, Lord:
You rise again to give me faith.

6. It’s always Pentecost,
When your great Spirit gives me grace.

7. It’s always Harvest, Lord:
Each night we probe the day that’s past –

8. So it’s always Judgement Day,
Lord, may I see your face, at last?

 

References

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

He who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5; RSV).

2. The Lord must wait for you to come to him (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

3. She gave birth to her first-born son (Luke 2:6; RSV).

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

4. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

5. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! (Mark 16:6; NLT).

I pray [that] Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:16-17; NET).

6. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you (Acts 1:8; NLT).

God saved you by his grace when you believed (Ephesians 2:8; NLT).

7. You must celebrate the Festival of Harvest (Exodus 34:22; NLT).

The harvest is the end of the world (Matthew 13:39; NLT).

8. As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgement (1 John 4:17; NLT).

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NRSV).

You are the earth

Ruth Kirk

The Father and I are one (John 10:30; NLT).

You are the solid earth we stand on;
You are the blazing sun above.
You are the sea that rolls forever;
You are the wellspring of all love.

You are the friend we can rely on;
You are the one who shares our dread.
You are the teacher, and the shepherd;
You are the consecrated bread.

You are the source of living water;
You are the gardener, and the vine.
You are the the way, the truth, the life;
You are the eucharistic wine.

You are the Christ, the true Messiah;
You are the sacrificial Lamb.
You are the Son of Man, our Saviour;
You are our God, the great I AM.

References

God created everything through him (John 1:3; NLT).

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

You are my friends (John 15:15; NLT).

Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NIV).

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

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

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

Rivers of living water will flow from his heart (John 7:38; NLT).

I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener (John 15:1; NLT).

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

He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood” (Matthew 26:27-8; NLT).

Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah! (John 4:26; NLT).

Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7; NLT).

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20; NLT).

The Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world (1John 4:4; NLT).

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9; NLT).

“I AM he, Jesus said (John 18:8; NLT).

God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14; NLT).

How did you hold back?

Ruth Kirk

 

Father,

How did you hold back
As Christ was whipped and mocked?
How did you contain your wrath
Towards the crowds who flocked?

How did you prepare to watch
Your Son’s last sacrifice?
How did you stay silent
When the soldiers threw their dice?

How did you endure it
When they nailed him to the cross?
How did you bear up, Lord,
As you shared his pain and loss?

How did you contain your grief
As he paid for our sin?
How did you forgive all those
Who scoffed, and taunted him?

How did you respond
When Jesus took his final breath?
You opened wide your arms, Lord,
And received his soul, in death.

 

References

He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman Soldiers to be crucified (Mark 15:15; NLT).

The mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:23; NLT).

The solderers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice (Matthew 27:35; NLT).

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

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

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

“He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! (Matthew 27:42; NLT).

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

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