Category: joy

A little bit of heaven

Ruth Kirk

Image: John Woodman, Shrine Church,
Castletown, Isle of Man.

🍁

We have the Holy Spirit within as a foretaste of future glory
(Romans 8:23; NLT).

1. You make my church
A little bit of heaven –
A foretaste of the joy
That lies ahead.

2. You make my mind
A little bit of heaven –
A place that’s sometimes free
Of pain and dread.

3. You make my heart
A little bit of heaven –
A space where we can talk,
And share our love.

4. You make my soul
A little bit of heaven –
Until we reunite
In bliss, above.

🍁

References

1. There is wonderful joy ahead (1 Peter 1:6; NLT).

2. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever (Revelation 21:4; NLT).

3. God speaks again and again, though people do not recognise it (Job 33:14; NLT).

Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

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

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

My beloved is mine and I am his (Song of Songs 2:16; NIV).

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

Acknowledge and take to heart today that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other (Deuteronomy 4:39; NIV).

No better gift

Ruth Kirk

Image: Engin Akyurt, Pixabay

🔴

1. There is no better gift, Lord,
Than the faith you give each day.

2. There is no sweeter pleasure
Than to trust you, praise, and pray.

3. There is no higher joy, Lord,
Than to serve as you ordain.

4. There is no greater honour
Than to share your grief and pain.

5. There is no higher path, Lord,
Than to live as one, with you.

6. There is no finer witness
Than to serve in all we do.

7. There is no dearer hope, Lord,
Than to long for your embrace.

8. There is no deeper rapture
Than to see you face to face.

🔴

References

1. By grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8; NIV).

2. He is my God, and I trust him (Psalm 91:2; NLY).

This is my God, and I will praise him (Exodus 15:2; NLT).

Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

3. Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40; NLT).

O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8;’ NLT).

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

5. God has united you with Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30; NLT).

6. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6; NIV).

7. As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? (Psalm 42:1-2; NLT).

I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord (Psalm 84:2; 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).

8. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12; NIV).

There is no path

Ruth Kirk

Image: Tumisu, Pixabay

✝️

1. There is no path like yours, Lord,
And no better way to turn.

2. There is no life like yours, Lord,
And no finer truth to learn.

3. There is no light like yours, Lord,
And no deeper joy to share.

4. There is no grief like yours, Lord,
And no greater cross to bear.

5. There is no peace like yours, Lord,
And no sweeter voice to hear.

6. There is no love like yours, Lord,
And no other god to fear.

✝️

References

1. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21; NIV).

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

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

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 15:11; NIV).

4. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death” Mark 14:34; NLT).

Whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27; NKJV).

5. The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you (John 14:27; NKJV).

After the fire [came] a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12; KJV).

6. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13; NLT).

I am the Lord your God, and there is no other (Joel 2:27; NKJV).

You must fear the Lord your God and worship him and cling to him (Deuteronomy 10:20; NLT).

The old Celtic way (dedicated to A.K.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Kevin Phillips, Pixabay

This is what the Lord says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls”
(Jeremiah 6:16; NLT).

1. Show me again, Lord,
The old Celtic way,
Then I will delight
In your love, joy, and peace.

2. Call me back, Lord,
To the old Celtic way,
Then I’ll serve you gladly
In all those I meet.

3. Teach me again, Lord,
The old Celtic way,
Then I’ll see your beauty
In all that you make.

4. Lead me back, Lord,
To the old Celtic way,
Then I’ll know your presence
With each step I take.

5. Tell me again, Lord,
The old Celtic way,
Then I’ll accept bravely
The hardships I bear.

6. Bring me back, Lord,
To the old Celtic way,
Then I will remember
To do all with prayer.

 

References

1. I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love  (Psalm 31:7; NLT).

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

3. Praise the beauty of holiness (2 Chronicles 20:21; NKJV).

4. I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

5. By God’s power accept your share of suffering (2 Timothy 1:8; NET).

6. Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

Give back

Ruth Kirk

Image: Thanasis Papazacharias, Pixabay


Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s,
and to God what is God’s
(Luke 20:25; NIV).

1. I give my body back to you:
Lord, we are one in flesh and blood.

2. I give my thinking back to you:
Lord, may we share one humble mind.

3. I give my feelings back to you:
Lord, may we live as one, in love.

4. I give my spirit back to you:
Lord, may our joy be unconfined.

 

References

1. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14; NIV).

2. Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey (Zecharaiah 9:9; NLT).

Have […] a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8; RSV).

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

3. Live in a way that pleases him, and love and serve him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12; NLT).

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

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

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

Into your hands I commit my spirit (Psalm 31:5; NIV).

You have been united with Christ (Ephesians 2:13; NLT).

You will live in joy and peace (Isaiah 55:12; NLT).

It’s four in the morning

Ruth Kirk

Image: skeeze, Pixabay

1. It’s four in the morning.
I’m here, all alone,
Waiting for you, Lord,
To speak.

2. This is my desert.
This is my rest.
You are the pathway
I seek.

3. It’s five in the morning.
I’m silent and still,
Longing to gaze
On your face.

4. This is my wasteland.
This is my peace.
You are the Spirit
Of grace.

5. It’s six in the morning.
I lie in the dark,
Yearning to witness
Your light.

6. This is my wilderness.
This is my joy.
You are the fountain
Of life.

 

References

1. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence (Psalm 62:5; ESV).

2. [Jesus] departed thence in a boat, into a desert place apart (Matthew 13:14; WEB).

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

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

3. Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).

Be still in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 37:7; NLT).

When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied (Psalm 17:15; NLT).

4. I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:20; NIV).

My peace I give you (John 14:27; NIV).

I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10; NKJV).

5. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night (Psalm 63:6; NLT).

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

6. Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (Luke 5:16; NLT).

I will go to the altar of God, to God – the source of all my joy (Psalm 43:4; NLT).

You are the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9; NLT).

My cross

Ruth Kirk

Image: Miriam Zilles, Pixabay

Then he [Jesus] 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).

1. Daily, I take up my cross,
While praying:
“Jesus,
Thank you for your gift of faith.”

2. Next, I kiss it tenderly,
While saying:
“Jesus,
May I spread your love and grace.”

3. Then I put it on with joy,
While asking:
“Jesus,
Keep me on your narrow way”,

4. For my cross tells others
I’m a Christian,
Trying hard
To follow him each day.

 

References

1. By grace you have been saved through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8; NIV).

2. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6; NIV).

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).

3. Always be full of joy in the Lord (Philippians 4:4; NLT).

Small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:14; NIV).

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

The love of Christ

Ruth Kirk


Image: Himsan, Pixabay

My old self has been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me
(Galatians 2:20; NLT).

1. The love of Christ
Shines in my hands.

2. He walks with me
To light the way.

3. The breath of Christ
Sustains my life.

4. He gives me hope
And strength each day.

5. The blood of Christ
Beats in my heart.

6. He touches me
To make me whole.

7. The peace of Christ
Calms all my fears:

8. He makes his home
Within my soul.

 

References

1. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end (John 13:1; NLT).

2. 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).

3. He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22; NLT).

4. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; NLT).

5. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28; NIV).

6. When Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her (Matthew 8:15; NLT).

7. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you (John 14:27; NKJV).

He will calm all your fears (Zephaniah 3:17; NLT).

8. 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).

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

Night prayer

Ruth Kirk

Image: Patricia Alexandre, Pixabay

I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night
(Psalm 63:6; NLT).

1. In silent contemplation
I adore you,
Opening my heart and soul
Before you;

2. Sharing all my joy, and fear
And sorrow;
Ready, Lord, to start again,
Tomorrow.

3. In silent contemplation
I adore you,
Resting here, alone, and still,
Before you;

4. Sharing in your joy, and fear
And sorrow;
Ready, Lord, to start again,
Tomorrow.

References

1. Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).

We adore you as the one who is over all things (1 Chronicles 29:11; NLT).

You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).

2. Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

When I awake, I am still with you (Psalm 139:18; NIV).

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

When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private (Matthew 6:6; NLT).

Be still in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 37:7; NLT).

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

His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past (Isaiah 43:18; NIV).

Start afresh

Ruth Kirk

Image: Marc Torfs, Pixabay

His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

1. Lord,
I want to follow you,
So may I start afresh today
By turning from my selfish ways,
And taking up my cross.

2. Lord,
I want to follow you,
So may I start afresh today
By spreading patience, joy, and love,
Whilst welcoming each loss.

3. Lord,
I want to follow you,
So may I start afresh today
By thanking you for all you send,
And praying without cease.

4. Lord,
I want to follow you,
So may I start afresh today
By seeing you in everyone,
And living in your peace.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past
(Isaiah 43:18; NIV).

 

References

1. 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).

2. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NRSV).

The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord! (Job 1:21; NLT).

Always rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).

I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake (2 Corinthians 12:10; NLT).

3. Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

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

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

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18; NLT).