Category: joy

Open my eyes (#3 of 3)

Ruth Kirk


Open my eyes so that I will observe amazing things from your instruction.
(Psalm 119:18; ISV). 

He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
(Ecclesiastes 3:11; NLT).

Lord,

Open my eyes, so I can see
The scope of all you give to me:
Genesis; conception; birth;
Your realm within me, here, on earth.

Open my mind, so I can see
The scope of all you do for me:
The gift of Christ, your only Son;
His battle against evil, won.

Open my heart, so I can see
The scope of all you offer me:
Forgiveness, faith; your truth; your way;
Your Spirit, helping me each day.

Open my soul, so I can see
The scope of all you promise me:
Salvation; life with you above
For evermore, in joy and love.

🖤

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
(Psalm 16:11; NLT).

I run to you

Ruth Kirk

They ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshipped him
(Matthew 28:9; NLT).

May I run to you, as well, 
And grasp your feet,
For you are here.

May I never let you go,
Worshipping with joy,
And fear.

May I, too,
Tell all the world
About your perfect sacrifice,

And that you’re with us evermore, Lord God,
Our pearl
Beyond all price.

🧡

The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it
(Matthew 13:45-6; CSB).

References

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you. 

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there” (Matthew 28: 5-10; NLT).

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20; NLT). 

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

I long for you

Ruth Kirk

I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn
(Psalm 130:6; NLT).

I long for you, Lord,
And for death,
When I will take
My final breath,

Then share, at last,
Your joy and grace,
While gazing on
Your shining face.

I thirst for you, Lord,
And for bliss,
As I await
Your loving kiss,

Then share, at last,
Your peace and light,
While praising you
With all my might.


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

Lost in darkness

Ruth Kirk


Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “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).

Though my prayers
Are lost in darkness,
You are there to light the way.

Though my thanks
Are said in darkness,
You, Lord, listen every day.

Though my joy
Is locked in darkness,
You will come to set me free.

Though my life
Is spent in darkness,
You will not abandon me.


God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you”
(Hebrews 13:5; NLT).

_________________________________

You came to earth

Ruth Kirk

I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full
(John 10:10; NLT).

You came to earth
To teach us how to live,
And love,
And die.

Your Spirit dwells
Within us, Lord,
And helps us
As we try

To speak the truth with love,
Like you,
And do God’s will
Each day,

By taking up our cross
With joy,
And following
Your way.

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).

You’ve made me weary

Ruth Kirk

He hath made me weary
(Job 16:7; KJV). 

Lord,

You’ve made me weary
For reasons of your own.
You’ve swept my former life away.
My health and strength are gone.

And yet, you’ve not forsaken me:
I know your love is deep,
For you bring good from everything,
Whilst I, Lord, wait, and weep.

Please help me to accept my lot,
And say, just like your Son:
If I must drink this bitter cup, Lord God,
Thy will be done. 

At death, you’ll take my body home,
Transforming it again.
Then I will share your joy, with no more weariness
Or pain,

For you will heal my heart and mind,
My soul and spirit, too.
Then I’ll be weary, Lord, no more –
For I will be like you.


He will take our weak mortal bodies
and change them into glorious bodies like his own
(Philippians 3:21; NLT).

I want to follow you

Ruth Kirk

“Come, follow me” Jesus said
(Matthew 4:19; NIV).

Lord,

I want to follow you,
And serve you every day.

I want to grow much more like you,
And never cease to pray.

I want to dwell within you, Lord,
And you to dwell in me,

So we may always live in love –
United, strong, and free.

When we died with Christ
we were set free from the power of sin
(Romans 6:7; NLT).

You live within me

Ruth Kirk


Whoever lives in love lives in God,
and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

You live within me, Father,
So I’m thankful.

Your dear Son lives within me,
So I’m brave.

Your Spirit lives within me,
So I’m joyful.

Your Kingdom is within me,
So I’m saved!

We are all saved the same way,
by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus
(Acts 15:11; NLT).