Category: Jesus

19.11.22: Faith (for P.)

Ruth Kirk

✝️  He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT). 

Father, you cherish me,
Jesus, you ransom me,
Spirit, you counsel me:
Teach me your way.

Father, I worship you,
Jesus, I follow you,
Spirit, I trust in you:
Help me to pray. 

Father, you nurture me,
Jesus, you shepherd me,
Spirit, you comfort me:
Show me your face.

Father, I live in you,
Jesus, I walk with you,
Spirit, I welcome you:
Strengthen my faith. 

✝️  “If you possibly can, have pity on us and help us.” “If I possibly can!'” replied Jesus; “why, everything is possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father cried out, “I do believe: strengthen my weak faith” (Mark 9:22-4; WNT). 

4.11.23: I trust in you (for J.)

Ruth Kirk

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

Father,
I trust in you.
Help me to worship you,
Love, and remain in you,
Day after day.

Jesus,
I trust in you.
Help me to follow you,
Serve, and remain in you,
Choosing your way.

Spirit,
I trust in you.
Help me to live in you,
Pray, and remain in you,
Come, Lord, what may.

Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39; NLT).

 References 

Verse 1:

Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor (1 Chronicles 16:29; 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).

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me (John 15:4; NLT).

Verse 2:

Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me (John 12:26; NLT). 

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:13-14; NLT).

Verse 3:

Let us therefore live in the Spirit, and surrender to the Spirit (Galatians 5:25; LB). 

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18; NIV).

3.11.23: Beyond vision

Ruth Kirk

How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! (Psalm 147:5; NLT). 

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

Great beyond vision,
Great beyond praise;
Great beyond anything
Earth can afford;

Great beyond healing,
Great beyond life;
Great beyond everything:
Jesus is Lord! 

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

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9; NLT).

References 

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us (1 John 1:18; NLT). 

Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe” (John 20:29; CSB). 

2.11.23: Friendly darkness

Ruth Kirk

Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NLT).

Come, friendly darkness,
Take my hand,
And guide me
To your promised land,

Where Jesus’ light
Forever shines,
Beyond the bounds
Of human minds.

There, I will see him
Face to face,
Receive his
Comforting embrace,

Then join those sitting
At his feet,
To rest a while, and talk,
And eat.

Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31; NLT).

1.11.22: Returning

Ruth Kirk

Return to your rest, O my soul (Psalm 116:7; BSB).

Return to your rest, O my soul,
For Jesus is calling you home.

Soon, he’ll be making you whole,
And soon you’ll be shouting: Shalom!

Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the LORD is peace”) (Judges 6:24; NLT).

References 

Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! (Psalm 90:1; NLT). 

You will not leave my soul among the dead (Psalm 16:10; NLT). 

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

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever (Revelation 21:4; NLT).

They will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs (Psalm 66:4; NLT). 

I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-19; NLT).

A reading: Luke 2:29-32; KJV.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

30.10.23: Love letter

Ruth Kirk

Dear Jesus,

Lord, I love you very much.

Please help me to love you twice as much, on behalf of those I pray for.

Help me to love you ten times more, for the sake of all who, sadly, don’t love you.

Jesus, today, please show yourself to everyone who needs you, especially those who wouldn’t think of asking for your help.

Whatever they have to face, Lord, may it lead them straight to you, thus bringing good from all that’s bad, however bad their very worst may be.

Then, may they begin, at last, to follow your perfect way: the way of love.

I ask this in your own dear name: Amen

References 

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

In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28; NIV).

God’s way is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31; NLT).

Follow the way of love (1 Corinthians 14:1; NIV). 

28.10.23: Flying colours (for J.Y.)

Ruth Kirk

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:13-14; NLT).

Come through life with flying colours:
Make each loss you face, a gain.
Come through every test with honours:
Trust in Jesus’ Holy Name.

Come through death in shining robes:
Be guided by his staff and rod.
Come, at last, borne by his Spirit:
Then unite with Christ, our God.

Come, for evermore, to heaven:
Merge with Him, our resting-place.
Come, receive the victor’s prize:
To gaze, forever, on his face.

His servants will worship him. And they will see his face (Revelation 22:3-4; NLT).

References

We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed (Titus 2:13; NLT).

This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior (2 Peter 1:1; NLT).

22.10.23: Jesus, I trust in you (with thanks to J.)

Ruth Kirk

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

Whenever you’re anxious,
Or burdened by sin,
Say: “Jesus, I trust in you” –
He is within.

Whenever you’re angry,
With bitter words said,
Pray: “Jesus, I trust in you” –
Weeping, instead.

Whenever you’re sorry,
Ashamed and contrite,
Cry: “Jesus, I trust in you” –
He is your Light;

And when people hurt you,
Reject you, or chide,
Sigh: “Jesus, I trust in you” –
Thanking your Guide.

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

Jesus [is] the guide and end of our faith (Hebrews 12:2; BBE).