Category: Failure

The road is difficult

Ruth Kirk

The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult (Matthew 7:14; NLT).

Introduction
The road through life and back to God difficult because committing to it means:

  • Learning to accept and welcome whatever God sends into our lives, both good and bad, with thanks.
  • Facing whatever God gives or takes with all the courage we can muster, just as Christ did.
  • Loving, trusting, and clinging to God, no matter what trials we have to endure.
  • Giving love to others the best we can, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

Jesus’ example
There can be no better way to grasp what this road requires of us in practice than to reflect on how Jesus faced his death. The following quotations show how he accepted God’s will and clung to his faith whilst continuing to love and serve all those around him. He did this despite his terrible physical, emotional and spiritual suffering, even when he felt completely abandoned by God:

  • My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NLT).
  • When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. … Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:33-34; NLT).
  • Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-3; NLT).
  • Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home (John 19:25-6; NLT).
  • At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46; NLT).
  • Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

Conclusion
Our task on earth is to follow Jesus’ example in all circumstances:

  • 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).
  • 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).

Following Christ can be very hard, but however difficult our road may be, our ultimate destination remains the same: complete healing, in oneness with God, for evermore.

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

References

I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD! (Job 1:21; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

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

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:8; NLT).

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things (Isaiah 45:7; NIV).

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).

Those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction (Job 36:15; NIV).

I have seen, O Lord, that your decisions are right, and that in unchanging faith you have sent trouble on me (Psalm 119:75; BBE).

Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you (Isaiah 30:20; NLT).

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16; NIV).

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again (Psalm 71:20; NIV).

Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal (Job: 5:17; NIV).

Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds (Hosea 6:1; NLT).

 

Inner peace

Ruth Kirk

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace] (James 1:3; AMP).

Introduction
Inner peace in the face of life’s many trials and sorrows is so precious, yet so difficult to reach and maintain. Fostering it requires deep devotion to God, to our spiritual development, and to loving others.

Inner peace
Inner peace does not rely on everything going well, or on reaching a point where our lives are calm and sorted. Rather, it means:

  • Having rock-solid faith in God, no matter what happens.
  • Constantly sharing everything with God in prayer, with total honesty.
  • Continuing to trust in God, even when we have lost all hope.
  • Clinging to God, even when we feel completely abandoned, as Jesus did on the cross.
  • Knowing that God will bring good out of all that happens to us, no matter how desperate our situation is.

Developing inner peace
Fortunately, inner peace does not rely solely on our own efforts. Rather, it is a gift from God:

  • 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).

However, it does rely on us having a loving relationship, and a working partnership, with God.

Biblical guidance
Let’s see what guidance the Bible offers about how to develop inner peace through our relationship with God:

  • If you repent [and give up this mistaken attitude of despair and self-pity], then I will restore you [to a state of inner peace] so that you may stand before Me [as My obedient representative] (Jeremiah 15:19; AMP).
  • Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever] (Matthew 5:10; AMP).
  • Glory and honor and inner peace [will be given] to everyone who habitually does good (Romans 2:10; AMP).
  • The fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23; AMP).
  • We who believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God] enter that rest [so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation, and assured of His power (Hebrews 4:3; AMP).
  • Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace] (James 1:3; AMP).
  • We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28; NLT).

Conclusion
There can be no better conclusion to this short blog than the words of St. Paul:

  • I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfil His purpose – I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace] (Philippians 4:13; AMP).

References

I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built (Luke 6:47-8; NLT).

Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned 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).

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always] (Colossians 3:15; AMP).

What is impossible for people is possible with God (Luke 18:27; NLT).

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage (Psalm 84:5; NIV).

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge] (John 14:27; AMP).

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).

 

Every morning

Ruth Kirk

Today I am moving to a new home, in a new country!

When I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:18; NLT).

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). 

Every morning, when I wake,
No matter what the day may bring,
I lift my voice to you, and sing,
My God, in celebration.

Every morning, when I wake,
However desolate my way,
I give my heart to you, and pray
With every tribe and nation.

Every morning, when I wake,
No matter if I’m well, or ill,
I join my life to yours, for still
I’m one with all creation.

Every morning, when I wake,
Whatever comes from you, on high,
I bind my soul to yours, and sigh
In silent adoration.

Let all the earth be silent in God’s presence (Habakkuk 2:20; TIB).

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things (1 Chronicles 29:11; NLT).

References

YHWH’S favor is not exhausted, nor has God’s compassion failed. They rise up anew each morning, so great is God’s faithfulness. “YHWH is all I have,” I cry. “so I will wait in patience” (Lamentations 3:22-4; TIB).

The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult (Matthew 7:14; NLT).

I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD! (Job 1:21; NLT).

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

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27-8; RSV).

 

Good morning!

Ruth Kirk

When I wake up, you are still with me!

Good morning, my Maker,
I love you so much!
Thank you for giving me life.
Thank you for leading me
Day after day,
And helping me face every fear.

Good morning, Lord Jesus,
I love you so much!
Thank you for guiding my steps.
Thank you for caring,
Forgiving my sins,
And sharing each failure and tear.

Good morning, dear Spirit,
I love you so much!
Thank you for staying so close.
Thank you for teaching me,
Living within,
And helping me, year after year.

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26; NLT).

References

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning (Psalm 92:2; NLT).

I love you, Lord; you are my strength (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

There is … one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

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

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

We are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

 

Spiritual growth

Ruth Kirk

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).

The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NLT).

God sends good times and bad times into our lives, in order to help us grow in faith.

Early in life, our understanding of God is usually quite limited. As we face and come through each test, our faith is often challenged, and sometimes lost entirely. This happens when we cannot square what we have experienced with our limited, or even mistaken, understanding of God.

Slowly and painfully, we learn to accept what has happened, and to come to terms with it. In response to this inner emotional, psychological and spiritual process, our faith may change, broaden and deepen. Lost faith can slowly be rebuilt, though often with very different ways of understanding God than those we had previously.

This healing process can happen repeatedly during our lifetime, moving our faith and understanding forward stage by stage, as we grow towards full maturity. Hopefully, by the time we reach death we will have fulfilled our potential for spiritual growth. This is what God wants for us all, and fortunately we never have to go through it alone, even when, like Jesus on the cross, we feel as if God has abandoned us.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God (Isaiah 43:2-3; NLT).

References

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8; NLT).

When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (James 1:3; NLT).

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).

Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you (Isaiah 30:20; NLT).

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7; 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).

No test has overtaken you but what is common to all people. You can be confident that God is faithful and will not let you be tested beyond your means. And with any trial God will provide you with a way out of it, as well as the strength to bear the trial (1 Corinthians 10:13; TIB).

God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28; NLT).

 

God’s embrace

Ruth Kirk

His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me (Song of Songs 8:3; NIV).

Your warm embrace
Is wide enough for all.

Your arms are strong:
You catch us when we fall.

Your hold us in your hands
Each time we fail.

You carry us
When we are sick and frail.

You stay within us here,
From our first breath,

And bear us home to paradise,
In death.

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

There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am (John 14:2-3; NLT).

References

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms (Psalm 68:19; NLT).

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).

Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling (Psalm 66:9; NLT).

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young (Isaiah 40:11; NLT).

He loves his people; all his holy ones are in his hands. They follow in his steps and accept his teaching (Deuteronomy 33:3; NLT).

If we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us (1 John 4:12; NLT).

 

Longing

Ruth Kirk

The Lord longs to be gracious to you (Isaiah 30:18; NIV).

You long to heal us
And forgive,
To make us new
So we may live.

You ache to help us,
And to guide,
So we can shelter
At your side.

You thirst for oneness
With us all,
So you can save us
When we fall.

You wait for us
To turn to you,
And ask your help
With all we do.

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy (Psalm 28:7; NLT). 

References

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

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

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 (John 17:21; NLT).

 

Say, “Yes”, to God

Ruth Kirk

Once again, today’s prayer was given this morning, very soon after I started to pray. I’m wondering if this is becoming a new way forward for my blog? All I can do is to say, “Yes”, to God each time it happens.

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NLT).

Say, “Yes”, to God
As Jesus did,
For God, alone,
Will help you through.

Say, “Yes”, to God
As Jesus did,
For God, alone,
Will comfort you.

Say, “Yes”, to God
As Jesus did,
For God, alone,
Will save your soul.

Say, “Yes”, to God
As Jesus did,
For God, alone,
Will make you whole.

He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole (Job 5:18; NKJV).

References

Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? (Lamentations 3:38; NLT).

Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; 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 restores my soul (Psalm 23:3; NKJV).

Bad news!

Ruth Kirk

This blog has only just come to me, and I knew I had to post it as quickly as possible. I could work on it for hours, trying to improve it, but I need to accept it just as it arrived. I continue to pray for you all. With love from Ruth xxx

Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? (Lamentations 3:38; NLT).

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

Bad news! Calamity! Disaster!
A blow. A shock. A loss.
Grief. Distress. Despair.

Unfair! Unfortunate! Unmanageable!
Distressing. Exhausting. Annoying.
A trial. A challenge. An opportunity.

God will restore my soul!
Faith. Hope. Love.
Rejoicing. Prayer. Thanks.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-16; NIV).

I love you, Lord; you are my strength (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

References

As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved (Genesis 43:14; NIV).

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done (Matthew 26:42; NLT).

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

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

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28; NLT).

I’m nothing

Ruth Kirk

I’m nothing more than dust and ashes (Job 30:19; NLT).

I’m nothing,
Though I’ve done my best
Through every trouble,
Trial, and test.

I try hard,
Yet I often fail;
I’m willing,
But my flesh is frail.

You know my faults,
My guilt, my shame:
I’m sorry –
Let me start again!

I turn to you –
Forgive my sin,
And heal me, Yahweh,
Deep within.

Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved (Jeremiah 17:14; NIV). 

References

How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble! (Job 14:1; NLT).

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Mark 14:38; NLT).

He knows how frail we are; he remembers we are only dust (Psalm 103:14; NLT).

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