When thinking of others
Surround them with love,
With hope, light and kindness:
Surround them with care.
When thinking of others
Surround them with peace,
With comfort and blessings:
Surround them with prayer.
Never stop praying, especially for others.
(Ephesians 6:18; CEV).
No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven
(John 3:27; NLT).
Father,
Fill us with your truth;
Flood us all with hope and faith –
Then, Lord, when we look at others,
We will always see Christ’s face.
Father,
Fill us with your love;
Deluge us with grace and peace –
Then, Lord, when we look at others,
All our fear and hate will cease.
Father,
Fill us with your light
Until we shine, just like your Son –
Then, Lord, when we look at others,
We will know that all are one.
You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).
References
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18; NIV).
Before their eyes, Jesus was transfigured – his face becoming as dazzling as the sun and his clothes as radiant as light (Matthew 17:2; TIB).
We will be like him (1 John 3:2; NLT).
Keep searching…
1. I’m searching, Lord, for perfect bread,
For perfect water; perfect wine.
2. I’m searching, Lord, for perfect truth,
For perfect hope, and light, and love.
3. I’m searching, Lord, for perfect peace,
For perfect freedom from all sin.
4. I’m searching for the perfect way
And finding you, Lord God, within.
…and you will find (Matthew 7:7; HCSB).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us
(Colossians 3:11; NLT).
References
1. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever, and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh (John 6:51; NLT).
If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water (John 4:10; NLT).
He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people – an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it” (1 Corinthians 11:25; NLT).
2. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13; NLT).
I am the light of the world (John 8:12; NLT).
He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
3. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you (Isaiah 26:3; NLT).
Now you are free from your slavery to sin (Romans 6:18; NLT).
4. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).
The Lord went ahead of them (Exodus 13:21; NLT).
1. Lord,
You’re just a step ahead:
My hope, my strength, my wine, my bread;
I want to learn from all you said
And serve you.
2. Lord,
You’re always very near:
My help, when I am faced with fear;
I want to follow, thank, revere
And serve you.
3. Lord,
You’re just a breath away:
My light, my truth, my life, my way;
May I grow more like you each day
And serve you.
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
References
1. My hope is in you (Psalm 39:7; CSB).
The sovereign Lord is my source of strength Habakkuk 3 10; NET).
He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people – an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it” (1 Corinthians 11:25; NLT).
I am the living bread that came down from from heaven (John 6:51; NLT).
Learn from me (Matthew 11:29; NIV).
Serve only the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 13:4. NLT).
2. We give thanks because you are near, Lord (Psalm 75:1; NLT).
God is my help (Psalm 54:4; NIV).
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you (Psalm 56:3; NIV).
Follow me and be my disciple (Matthew 9:9; NLT).
Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).
Let all the people of the world revere him (Psalm 33:8; NIV).
Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all (Mark 9:35; NIV).
3. The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4; NLT).
I am the light of the world (John 8:12; NLT).
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; 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).
Serve the Lord with all your heart (1 Samuel 12:20; NIV).
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
Never stop praying
(1 Thessalonians 5:17; NLT).
Father, Spirit, much-loved Son,
May we always live as one,
Our conversation, never end –
My way, my truth, my friend.
Teacher, Shepherd, constant Guide,
May we suffer side by side,
And our communion never cease –
My hope, my joy, my peace.
Threefold God, though you are light,
I must walk by faith, not sight,
Until this earthly life is past –
And I see you, at last.
We walk by faith, not by sight
(2 Corinthians 5L7; KJV).
We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28; GNT).
“Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-4; NLT).
Father,
You bring good from bad,
And peace from every fear we have;
Truth from lies,
And gain from loss –
Help us to overcome our unbelief.
Father,
You bring light from dark.
For growth from pain, you hit the mark;
Love from hate,
And faith from doubt –
Bring gain from all our troubles, Great High Priest.
Father,
You bring life from death,
And comfort from each final breath;
Hope from grief,
And joy from woe –
Your resurrection, Lord our God, is sweet.
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25; NLT).
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:2-4; NLT).
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
(1 John 4:16; NLT).
1. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You, Lord, are my hope, my peace.
May I be one with you in love –
Alone, I’m incomplete.
2. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You, Lord, are my way, my life.
May I be one with you in love –
Then I’ll reflect your light.
3. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You, Lord, are my faith, my truth.
May I be one with you in love –
So I can be of use.
4. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You, Lord, are my fire, my soul.
May I be one with you in love –
For then I will be whole.
His hands make whole (Job 5:18; KJV).
References
1. I will put my hope in God (Psalm 42:5; NLT).
The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).
You lived in this world without God and without hope (Ephesians 2:12; NLT).
If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us (1 John 4:12; NIV).
2. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).
All of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).
3. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).
The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; KJV).
4. The Lord your God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).
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; WEB).
There is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them (Job 32:8; NLT).
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
So you also are complete through your union with Christ (Colossians 2:10; NLT).
If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
(Romans 8:17; NLT).
1. Take up your cross without complaint.
Shoulder it with perfect love.
Bear it well, and serve, like Christ –
Then you will share his sacrifice.
2. Take up your cross; submit to God.
Shoulder it with constant prayer.
Bear it well, and do not sin –
Then you will share one mind with him.
3. Take up your cross, for God is near.
Shoulder it with thanks and joy.
Bear it well till life must cease –
Then you will share his perfect peace.
4. Take up your cross, as Jesus did.
Shoulder it with hope and praise.
Bear it well: it sets you free –
Then you will share his victory.
Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne.
(Revelation 3:21; NLT).
References
1. 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).
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).
Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:10; NLT).
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:38; NIV).
2. Submit to God and be at peace with him (Job 22:21; NIV).
Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).
We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).
3. He is not far from any one of us (Acts 17:27; NIV).
Always be joyful … Be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16,18; NLT).
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).
4. As we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too (2 Corinthians 1:5; RSV).
Rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13; RSV).
Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us (Romans 8:37; NLT).
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:30-32; NIV).
1. Lord, may you be born again
Within my heart today,
Then I’ll always walk with you –
My life, my truth, my way.
2. May you dwell there, full of grace,
And teach me to do good,
Then I’ll grow much more like you –
In faith, and hope, and love.
3. May I share your grief and pain
Within my heart each day,
Then I’ll suffer at your side –
And watch, and wait, and pray.
4. Buried in my willing heart,
Then resurrected there,
May we always live as one –
In joy, and thanks, and prayer.
Not for deeds that we had done, but by his steadfast love alone, he saved us through a second birth, renewed us by the Spirit’s work, and poured him out upon us, too (Titus 3:5-6; ISV).
References
1. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:4; KJV).
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).
2. The child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him (Luke 2:40; NIV).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
All of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And 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).
Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).
3. Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:36-8; NLT).
If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17; NLT).
4. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there (John 19:41-2; NLT).
Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed – for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead (John 20:8; NLT)
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25; NLT).
I am with you every day, even unto the end of time (Matthew 28:20; ABPE).
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).
Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).
You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NLT).
I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief! (Mark 9:24; NLT).
1. Lord,
In shadow, and in grief:
Help me with my unbelief.
2. Lord,
In darkness, and in pain:
Send your light and hope again.
3. Lord,
In suffering, and fear:
Comfort me, for you are near.
4. Lord,
In facing up to death:
Hold me tight, till my last breath.
The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).
References
1. Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death” (Matthew 26:36-8; NLT).
2. At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock …
3. … 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 27:45-6; NLT).
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 the staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).
4. Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture),“I thirst” (John 19:28; RSV).
Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 24:46;NLT).