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The dawn of your love

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ulrike Leone, Pixabay

🌕

1. Each day, Lord,
I wake in the dawn of your love,
And pray
In your heavenly light.

2. Each morning,
I wash in the fall of your dew,
Then take up my cross
In your sight.

3. Each evening,
I rest in the shade of your wings,
Then sleep in your arms
All night through.

4. But one day you’ll call
My frail spirit back home —
Then I’ll reunite, Lord,
With you.

Image: MustangJoe, Pixabay

References

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

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice (Psalm 55:17; NKJV).

I am the light of the world (John 8:12; NLT).

2. Your dew is like the dew of the morning (Isaiah 26:19; NIV).

Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew (Deuteronomy 33:13; NLT).

I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven (Hosea 14:5; NLT).

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).

3. Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7; NLT).

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27; NIV).

4. I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).

Then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NLT).

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one (John 17:21; NLT).

I seek you (for Mags)

Ruth Kirk

Image: kalhh, Pixabay

🍁

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice (Psalm 55:17; KJV).

1. I seek you when I wake, Lord,
At midday,
And after noon:

Please hear my sighs,
Draw near to me,
And bring me comfort, soon.

2. I search for you each evening, Lord,
And long for you
Each night:

Please see my tears,
And come to me,
So I may glimpse your light.

3. I thirst for you unceasingly,
And crave
Your warm embrace:

Please heed my cries,
And take me home –
Then I will see your face.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 29:13-14; NIV).

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References

1. In the morning I earnestly seek for God (Isaiah 26:9; NLT).

In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul (Psalm 94:19; ASV).

2. All night long I search for you (Isaiah 26:9; NLT).

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine (Isaiah 9:2; NLT).

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

So he returned to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NLT).

The dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NLT).

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

God alone (with thanks to A.K.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: falco, Pixabay

🤎

Be sure that your faith is in God alone
(James 1:6; NLT).

1. God, alone,
Turns anguish into joy.

2. God, alone,
Turns darkness into light.

3. God, alone,
Turns hatred into love.

4. God, alone,
Turns blindness into sight.

5. God, alone,
Turns sickness into health.

6. God, alone,
Turns weakness into might.

7. God, alone,
Turns exile into home.

8. God, alone,
Turns dying into life.

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References

1. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labour. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world (John 16:21; NLT).

2. The Lord turns my darkness into light (2 Samuel 22:29; NIV).

3. Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:27; NLT)

4. The Lord gives sight to the blind (Psalm 146:8; NLT).

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

6. To keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh. […] Three times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me […] for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; NLT).

7. 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).

8. Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, after dying” (John 11:25; NLT).

Completion

Ruth Kirk

Image: Gamopy, Pixabay

🤎

No one knows when their hour will come
(Ecclesiastes 9:12; NIV).

1. Lord,
When we die,
You call us home,
Whether or not we think
Our work is done –

For, long, or short,
Our exile is complete,
The moment you decide
Our end has come.

2. Lord,
When we die,
You take us back,
Whether or not we think
The time is right –

For, good, or bad,
Our record is complete,
The moment we face judgement
In your sight.

3. Lord,
When we die,
You claim our souls,
Whether or not we’ve tried
To do our best –

For, rough or smooth,
Our journey is complete,
The moment you conclude
Our earthly test.

🤎

References

1. Soon I must go down that road from which I never will return (Job 16:22; NLT).

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

3. The Lord gives both death and life (1 Samuel 2:6; NLT).

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

The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NIV).

The Lord is in my DNA

Ruth Kirk

Image: LaCasadeGoethe, Pixabay

God is love, and all who live in love live in God,
and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

1. The Lord is in my DNA,
My cells, my bones, my blood.

2. He makes his home within me,
And he fills me with his love.

3. He makes my mind his temple,
And my heart his dwelling-place.

4. He makes my soul his kingdom,
And he fills me with his grace.

 

References

1. God created human beings in his own image (Genesis 1:27; NLT).

When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself (Genesis 5:1; NLT).

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

You have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you (1 John 2:27; NLT).

2. 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).

We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).

3. We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).

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

His word burns in my heart like a fire (Jeremiah 20:9; NLT).

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

We praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son (Ephesians 1:6; NLT).

Open our eyes

Ruth Kirk

Image: Miriam Zilles, Pixabay

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

Lord,

1. Open our eyes,
So we see your face
In all we greet.

2. Open our minds,
So we know your pain
In those we meet.

3. Open our hearts,
So we share your love
With all mankind.

4. Open our souls,
So we cease, at last, Lord,
To be blind.

 

Image: Andi Graf, Pixabay

References

1. “Lord,” they said to him, “open our eyes” (Matthew 20:33; CSB).

Let me see your face (Song of Songs 2:14; NLT).

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

There is one Lord […] who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

2. Then he opened their minds (Luke 24:45; NLT).

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

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

3. The Lord opened her heart (Acts 16:14; 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 (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

4. I will open the windows of heaven for you (Malachi 3:10; NLT).

He restored sight to many who were blind (Luke 7:21; NLT).

Waiting

Ruth Kirk

Image: Imaresz, Pixabay

Father,

1. May I worship you
With every breath I take,

2. Rejoicing in your holy name,
Although my heart may ache;

3. Communing with you constantly,
Although I feel alone,

4. And waiting for the day
When you will lead my spirit home.

 

References

1. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendour (1 Chronicles 16:29; NLT).

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

2. Rejoice before him – his name is the Lord (Psalm 68:4; NIV).

Even in laughter the heart may ache (Proverbs 14:13; NIV).

3. Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; CSB).

Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress (Psalm 25:16; NLT).

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

Wait for the Lord (Psalm 37:34; NIV).

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

Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care (Jeremiah 31:9; NLT).

Shalom (peace)

Ruth Kirk

Image: foreverpainter, Pixabay

He is our shalom (Ephesians 2:14; HNV).

1. To say: I love you, Father,
Is the same as: You love me,
Since time began.

2. To say: I love you, Jesus,
Is the same as: You love me,
Dear Son of Man.

3. To say: I love you, Spirit,
Is the same as: You love me,
For I’m your home.

4. To say: I love you, God of Peace,
Is just the same as: You love me,
Shalom!

 

References

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

The Father himself loves you dearly (John 16:26; NLT).

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).

2. The Son of Man is Lord (Matthew 12:8; NLT).

You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).

3. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).

4. The God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9; NLT).

He is our shalom (Ephesians 2:14; HNV).

My leading light

Ruth Kirk

I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End
(Revelation 22:13; NIV).

1. Lord,
You are my leading light:
My origin
From ages past.

2. Lord,
You are my guiding star:
My dawn, my sun,
My First, my Last.

3. Lord,
You are my cornerstone:
My sanctuary, my home,
My Friend.

4. Lord,
You are my heart’s desire:
My way, my truth, my life,
My end.

References

1. You will be a light to guide the nations (Isaiah 42:6; NLT).

I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life (John 8:12; NLT).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:1-3; NIV).

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).

You, O God, are my king from ages past (Psalm 74:12; NLT).

2. The star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:9; NLT).

Your salvation will come like the dawn (Isaiah 58:8; NLT).

No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19; NLT).

I am the First and the Last; there is no other God (Isaiah 44:6; NLT).

3. The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22; NLT).

He will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary (Psalm 27:5; NLT).

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).

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

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (Romans 5:11; NLT).

4. Our heart’s desire is to glorify your name (Isaiah 26:8; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).

The dust will returns to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NLT).

We are your body

Ruth Kirk
Image: Jesus.Christ.org, Yandex

All who live in love live in God, and God lives in them
(1 John 4:16; NLT).

1. We are your body;
We are your bones;
We are your flesh
And your blood.

2. We are your temple;
We are your home;
We are your priests
And your love.

3. You are our Shepherd;
You are our Guide;
You are our staff
And our rod.

4. You are our Saviour;
You are our Friend;
You are our Lord
And our God.

References

1. You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:27; NIV).

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

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).

You are the living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests (1 Peter 2:5; NLT).

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

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

He will guide us until we die (Psalm 48:14; NLT).

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT, alternative translation).

4. He has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Saviour (2 Timothy 1:10; NLT).

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

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