Category: grief

Hell on earth

Ruth Kirk

How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days (Matthew 24:19; NLT). 

I pray for those whose lives
Are hell on earth:
The sick; the grieving;
Those who lack self-worth;

The homeless; those in prison;
Lost; abused;
The poor; the dying;
Those who are confused;

Those with mental illness;
Lonely; sad;
And those who are rejected –
Seen as ‘bad’;

The hungry; refugees,
And those who thirst
For hope, Lord:
Help us all to put them first.

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. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-5; NLT).

The last will be first, and the first will be last (Matthew 20:16; NIV).

References

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands (Luke 21:10-11; NLT).

They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land (Jeremiah 17:6; NLT).

I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? (Psalm 42:2; NLT).

When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them (Isaiah 41:17; NLT). 

Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).

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

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

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

When you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me (Matthew 25:45; NLT).

So mighty

Ruth Kirk

God is mighty (Job 36:5; NLT). 

You are so mighty, Lord,
Constantly there;
Strength and compassion
Beyond all compare.

You are so tender, Lord,
Endlessly here;
Sharing our sickness, our grief,
And our fear.

You are so loving, Lord,
Always within;
Hearing our prayers,
And forgiving our sin.

You are so steadfast,
Our staff and our rod;
Our Guide, our Good Shepherd,
Our Lord, and our God.

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

I find you

Ruth Kirk

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). 

Lord,
I find you in my sickness,
Grief, depression, fear and pain.
Suffering with you is freedom:
Every loss becomes a gain.

Lord,
I meet you in acceptance,
Knowing that you always care.
Suffering with you: my mission:
Every sigh becomes a prayer.

Lord,
I long to serve your kingdom.
May each hardship be a cue
To intercede for all who suffer,
As I strive to follow you.

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).

References 

Verse 1:
Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).
The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17; NLT).
You live under the freedom of God’s grace (Romans 6:14; NLT).
The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).
To live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21; ANT).
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28; NIV).

Verse 2:
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).
I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles,
and you care about the anguish of my soul (Psalm 31:7; NLT).
This has been given to you on behalf of Christ, not only so that you may believe in him, but even so that you may suffer with him (Philippians 1:29; CPDV).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Verse 3:
We must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22; NLT).
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).
Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him (Colossians 2:6; NLT).

Deliver us

Ruth Kirk

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13; KJV). 

Deliver us
From all temptation:
Keep us, Lord,
From doing wrong.

Then we will rejoice
In you,
For though we’re weak, Lord,
You are strong.

Deliver us
From doing evil;
Keep us from
Deliberate sin.

Then we will not grieve
Your Holy Ghost,
Who lives, and prays,
Within.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30; NIV).

References 

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

The LORD is glorious and strong (1 Chronicles 16:28; NLT). 

Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin (Psalm 19:13; NLT).

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good (Romans 12:21; NLT). 

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

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT). 

Likewise 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 (Romans 8:26; RSV).

Life

Ruth Kirk

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Life brings us
Face to face
With all our fears;

With pain and anguish,
Sickness, grief,
And tears.

One by one
We tackle them
With you –

Please help us, Lord,
And strengthen us
Anew.

He renews my strength (Psalm 23:3; NLT).  

References 

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

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving (Psalm 28:7; NLT).

Solidarity in suffering

Ruth Kirk

Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20; NLT).

Let’s face our sickness willingly,
Give thanks in Jesus’ name,
And pray for all who suffer,
As we share his sacrifice.

Let’s face our sorrows steadfastly,
Give thanks for them each day,
And ask that all who grieve will know
Christ’s joy, in paradise.

Let’s face our terrors gallantly,
Give thanks for them to God,
And beg that all will trust his Son –
Christ’s courage will suffice.

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).

I am full of the courage that the LORD’s Spirit gives (Micah 3:8; NET).

References

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

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

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).

Mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15; NIV).

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

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do (Hebrews 4:15; NLT).

You, O LORD…give me victory and restore my courage (Psalm 3:3; GNT).

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; KJB). 

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” (Mark 6:50; NLT).

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

He will give great courage to their warriors who stand at the gates (Isaiah 28:6; NLT). 

Our darkness

Ruth Kirk

He makes darkness His secret place (Psalm 18:11; LSV).

Moses went into the darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21; BST).

God is in our darkness,
Our anguish and despair.

He never fails to help us,
To comfort us, and care.

Our darkness is his dwelling;
He bears our grief and sin.

His Spirit never leaves us,
For his kingdom is within.

The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; KJV). 

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

References 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7; NIV).

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them” (John 14:23; NLT). 

He bears our sins, and is pained for us (Isaiah 53:4; BST). 

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years (Isaiah 63:9; NLT). 

O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness (2 Samuel 22:29; 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). 

1.2.24: I’m nothing (for B.B.)

Ruth Kirk
The cave: R.K.

I am nothing (Job 40:4; NLT). 

I’m nothing,
But I’m not cast down;
I’m sinful,
But not bad.

I’m sick, Lord,
But I’m not afraid;
I’m grieving,
But not sad.

I’m lonely,
But I’m greatly loved;
I’m captive,
But I’m free –

For I belong to you,
Lord God,
And you belong
To me.

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NIV).

References

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

If the Son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36; NLT). 

30.1.24: Paradoxes

Ruth Kirk
Resurrection: Ruth Kirk.

Clouds and thick darkness surround him (Psalm 97:2; NIV).

He lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him (1 Timothy 6:16; NLT). 

God is in darkness,
And also in light.
God is in weakness,
And also in might.

God is in sorrow,
And also in cheer.
God is in triumph,
And also in fear.

God is in silence,
And also in sound.
God is within us,
And also around.

God is in stillness,
And also in flow.
God is in neighbour,
And also in foe.

God is in giver,
And also in thief.
God is in gladness,
And also in grief.

God is in birth, and in life,
And in breath.
God is in terror, and anguish,
And death.

At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34; NKJV).

When Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46; NKJV).

Reference

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

28.1.24: Seeking God

Ruth Kirk
Christ Pantocrator, a reproduction.

Seek the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.
(1 Chronicles 22:19; NLT).

Some seek the Lord our God
In vain,
Not realising he’s here –
In pain;
Whilst others search for him
In peace,
Not realising he’s here –
In grief.

Some blindly grope
Amongst the dead,
Not realising he’s here –
In dread;
Whilst others scratch round
Everywhere,
Not realising he’s here –
In prayer.

Some go prospecting
Far and wide,
Not realising he’s
At their side;
Whilst others look
To heaven above,
Not realising he’s here –
In love.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
(1 John 4:8; NLT).