We love him because he first loved us
(1 John 4:19; NKJV).
You love me, Lord:
I love you, in return.
You speak to me:
I listen, mark, and learn.
You comfort me:
I know your words are true.
You are my guide:
I want to grow like you.
You lived for me:
I follow, and obey.
You died for me:
I long for you each day.
You rose again from death,
To set me free:
So I can live in you,
And you in me.
Whoever lives in love lives in God,
and God in them
(1 John 4:16; NIV).
There is but one God, the Father
(1 Corinthians 8:6; NIV).
There is one God,
Beyond all time and space,
Who, by his Word,
Created all there is:
Stars, sun, and earth,
Plants, creatures, humankind.
They change; they age;
He sweeps them all away.
There is one Lord,
His Scion, Jesus Christ,
Sent forth by God
To save us from our sins;
Who lived and died for all,
Then rose again,
To guide us in his footsteps
Every day.
There is one Spirit,
Flowing out from God,
Whose love rekindles minds and hearts
Grown cold;
Who gives us strength, new hope,
And helps us pray;
Then carries back to God
Each humble soul.
References
There is but one Lord, Jesus Christ
(1 Corinthians 8:6; NIV).
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all
(Ephesians 4:4-6; NLT).
The Lord is One
(Deuteronomy 6:4; BSB).
I knew you before I formed you
in your mother’s womb
(Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).
If you want to see
God’s face
Follow Christ,
Whose perfect grace
Will guide you
On the path he trod:
And gently lead you
Back to God.
The dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it
(Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
Image: Sasin Tipchai, Pixabay
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He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands.
Reach out your hand and put it in my side.
Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27; NIV).
1. Reach out to Christ.
Take his way as your own.
Have faith in his teaching,
And make his praise known.
2. Reach out to Christ.
Take his truth as your guide.
Then trust in his mercy,
And walk by his side.
3. Reach out to Christ.
Take his life as your light.
Love all those you contact,
And dwell in his sight.
4. Give him your body,
Your heart, soul, and mind –
Then follow him gladly,
And serve humankind.
💛
References
1. Jesus told him, “I am the way” (John 14:6; NLT).
A person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16; NLT).
Make known his praise around the world (Isaiah 12:5; NLT).
2. Jesus told him, “I am […] the truth” (John 14:6; NLT).
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13; NLT).
I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever (Psalm 52:8; NKJV).
3. Jesus told him, “I am […] the life” (John 14:6; NLT).
His life brought light to everyone (John 1:4; NLT).
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress, and refusing to let the world corrupt you (James 1:27; NLT).
The eye of the Lord is on those who fear him (Psalm 33:18; NKJV).
4. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind (Luke 10:27; 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).
You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways (Isaiah 64:5; NLT).
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
Image: Sven Lachlan, Pixabay
The one who enters through the gate
is the shepherd of the sheep
(John 10:2; NLT).
1. May I listen,
Watch, and wait,
Until you lead me
Through the gate,
To talk with me
At Eden’s eve,
And walk with me
Beneath the trees.
2. May I listen,
Watch, and wait,
Until you guide me
Through the gate,
Then take my hand
And kneel with me
To pray, in dark
Gethsemane.
3. May I listen,
Watch, and wait,
Until you come, Lord,
Through the gate,
To roll away
The heavy stone
At Golgotha,
And take me home.
4. May I listen,
Watch, and wait,
Until you bear me
Through the gate
Of heaven,
For you’ve heard my plea,
And paid the price
To ransom me.
Image: Pete Linforth, Pixabay
References
1. Watch and listen (Ezekiel 40:4; NLT).
Wait for the Lord (Psalm 37:34; CSB).
He leads me (Psalm 23:2; NLT).
Enter through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13; NIV).
The Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground (Genesis 2:8-9; NLT).
You were in Eden, the garden of God (Ezekiel 28:13; NLT).
When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden (Genesis 3:8; NLT).
2. I will take you by the hand and guard you (Isaiah 42:6; NLT).
He guides me along right paths (Psalm 23:3; NLT).
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker (Psalm 95:6; NLT).
Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36; NLT).
He went on a little further and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39; NLT).
3. He, bearing his cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called, in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified him (John 19:17; NKJV).
In the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus (John 19:41; NKJV).
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door (Matthew 28:1-2; NKJV).
God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself (Psalm 49:15; NIV).
4. Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” Luke 23:43; NLT).
He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11; NLT).
How awesome is this place! This none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven! (Genesis 28:17; NKJV).
He has heard my plea for mercy! (Psalm 28:6; NET).
By the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:14; NLT).
I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offences like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free (Isaiah 44:22; NLT).
I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me (Psalm 71:23; NLT).
Image: Ben Burton, Pixabay
Image: Claire Diaz, Pixabay
🤎
The eternal God is your refuge,
and his everlasting arms are under you
(Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).
1. Crossing the desert,
We walk side by side –
Lord, you protect me,
You comfort, and guide.
2. Crossing the mountains,
Deep valleys below –
You climb at my pace, Lord,
Though I am so slow.
3. Crossing the lake,
You reach out for my hand –
I’m sinking, Lord, terrified,
Far from dry land.
4. Crossing the sea,
You take hold of my arm –
No matter what happens,
I’m safe from all harm.
Into your hands I commit my spirit
(Psalm 31:5; NIV).
🤎
References
1. 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 me and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
He guides me along right paths (Psalm 23:3; NLT).
2. Give glory to the Lord your God before it is too late. Acknowledge him before he brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains (Jeremiah 13:16; NLT).
He gently leads those that have young (Isaiah 40:11; NIV).
3. The disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves (Matthew 14:24; NLT).
Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him (Matthew 29-31; NLT).
4. He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert (Psalm 106:9; NLT).
I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT).
Image: jplenio, Pixabay
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Lord,
1. Guide me
In life’s wilderness,
2. And lead me
Through my darkest night.
3. Comfort
And support me, Lord –
4. Please take my hand,
And hold it tight.
5. Bring me to
Your sea of hope,
6. And help me cross
Your waves of light,
7. To reach, at last,
Your perfect love –
8. For all are precious
In your sight.
💙
References
1. Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path…
2. …nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take (Nehemiah 9:19; NIV).
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…
3. …thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).
Your right hand supports me (Psalm 18:35; NLT).
4. I will take you by the hand and guard you (Isaiah 42:6; NLT).
Your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT).
5. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope (Psalm 119:114; NLT).
6. God is light (1 John 1:5; NIV).
7. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).
Perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love (1 John 4:18; NLT).
Love […] is the bond of perfect unity (Colossians 3:14; BSB).
8. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants (Psalm 116:15; NIV).
He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made (Psalm 145:9; NIV).
Image: Ruth Kirk
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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 Corinthians 1:18; NLT).
1. Your cross
Is all that gives me patience:
It’s my peace, my truth,
My guide.
2. Your cross
Is all that gives me comfort,
Showing me
You’re at my side.
3. Your cross
Is all that gives me courage
In my fear, and grief,
And pain.
4. Your cross
Is all that gives me strength
To call upon
Your holy name.
He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus,
just as he did for people everywhere
who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
their Lord and ours
(1 Corinthians 1:2; NLT).
🧡
Image: Leni und Tom, Pixabay
🖤
1. Lord,
I walk by faith,
Not sight.
I hear no voice;
I see no light.
Please help me, Father –
Take my hand,
And lead me
To your Promised Land.
2. Lord,
I live by faith,
Not sight.
I walk, alone,
Through endless night.
Please help me, Father –
Guide my feet,
And lead me to
Your Mercy Seat.
🖤
References
1. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7; NKJV).
Help me, O Lord (Psalm 30:10; NLT).
I will take you by the hand and guard you (Isaiah 42:6; NLT).
I will lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:17; NLT).
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land (Exodus 13:17; NLT).
2. We live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7; NET).
If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God (Isaiah 50:10; NLT).
Come quickly, Lord, and help me (Psalm 40:13; NLT).
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105; NLT).
God publicly displayed him [Jesus] at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith (Romans 3:25; NET).
Image: truthseeker08, Pixabay
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I am suffering and in pain.
Rescue me, O God, by your saving power
(Psalm 69:29; NLT).
1. In pain,
You hold me
By the hand.
2. In grief,
You share,
And understand.
3. In fear,
You’re always
At my side.
4. In death,
You’re with me, Lord,
To guide.
💙
References
1. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand (Psalm 37:24; NLT).
2. In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).
God understands all hearts (Proverbs 24:12; NLT).
He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief (Isaiah 53:3; BLT).
3. Even when I walk in the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
4. You guide them to your sacred home (Exodus 15:13; NLT).