Category: Joy

Christ’s way

Ruth Kirk

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it (Luke 9:23-4; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT).

Love, despite hatred;
Joy, despite pain;
Peace, despite trouble:
Christ is our way.

Patience, in anger;
Kindness, in hurt;
Goodness, in everything:
Christ is our truth.

Faithfulness, always;
Gentleness, too;
Self-control, constantly:
Christ is our life.

Even in darkness;
Even in grief;
Even in suffering:
Christ is our light.

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).

References

Love is the fulfilment of the law (Romans 13:10; NLT).

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 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).

Jesus: Son of Man

Ruth Kirk

The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8; NLT).

Son of Man,
And Son of God,
Guiding us
With staff and rod;

Son of Joy,
And Son of Love,
Living in
Our flesh and blood;

Son of Patience,
And of Peace,
Showing us
Your perfect way;

Son of Truth,
And Son of Light:
Help us, always –
Day and night.

Lord, help us! (Joel 1:19; NLT).

The LORD is my helper (Hebrews 13:6; NLT).

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26; NLT).

References

He guides me along right paths (Psalm 23:3; NLT).

Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; NLT).

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

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

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

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT)

The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).

God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).

The only words

Ruth Kirk

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

The only words I need:
My God, I love you!

The only goal I seek:
To share your grace.

The only gift I ask for, Lord:
Your patience.

The only joy I crave:
To see your face.

I will be vindicated and will see your face (Psalm 17:15; NIV).

References

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 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).

You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18; NLT).

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2; NLT).

All of you share in God’s grace (Philippians 1:7; NIV).

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? (Romans 2:4; NLT).

Within my mind

Ruth Kirk

A late-night hymn of joyful thanks and praise.

They all shout and sing for joy! (Psalm 65:13; NLT). 

Within my mind, I shout and sing,
For you, Lord, are in everything!

Within my heart, I leap and run,
For you, Lord, are in everyone!

And though I’m weary, sick, and sad,
Your presence always makes me glad.

I see your face; I hear you speak –
For you give power to the weak!

My spirit soars on eagles’ wings
To meet you, Jesus, King of kings!

On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords (Revelation 19:16; NLT).

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

A reading: Isaiah 40:29-31; NLT.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

 

All-wise

Ruth Kirk

God is greater than we can understand (Job 36:26; NLT).

God is all-wise,
All-great,
All-good;
God is all-joy,
All-peace,
All-love.

God is all-truth,
All-fire,
All-light;
God is all-strength,
All-depth,
All-height.

God is all-birth,
All-life,
All-breath;
God is all-grief,
All-pain,
All-death.

God is all-earth,
All-stars,
All-sun;
God is all-worlds,
All-things:
All-One.

The LORD our God, the LORD is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4; NKJV).

References

The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being (Job 12:10; NLT).

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (Romans 2:4; NLT).

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

Spirit of Love

Ruth Kirk

A heartfelt appeal for the Fruits of the Spirit to shape our hearts and daily lives.

All of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us (Ephesians 2:18; NLT).

May your Spirit of Love
Be upon us,
Your Spirit of Joy
Live within us,
And your Spirit of Peace
Light our journey.

May your Spirit of Patience
Redeem us,
Your Spirit of Kindness
Correct us,
And your Spirit of Goodness
Transform us.

May your Spirit of Faithfulness
Teach us,
Your Spirit of Self-control
Guide us,
And your Spirit of Gentleness
Change us.

We ask this through your blessed name: Amen.

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

References

The Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you (John 14:26; AMP).

if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you] (John 16:7; AMP).

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17; NLT

The Spirit gives life (Titus 3:5; NLT).

A prayer to the Holy Spirit

Ruth Kirk

A morning prayer of quiet worship and child-like trust.

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

Spirit of tender truth and grace –
Spirit of Christ: I seek your face
In all; and when this life is done,
I will see your kingdom come.

Spirit of gentle joy and peace –
Spirit of God: you never cease
To love me; and, when life has passed,
You will guide me home, at last.

Let your good Spirit be my guide into the land of righteousness (Psalm 143:10; BBE).

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

References

The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me (Philippians 1:19; NLT).

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek (Psalm 27:8; NIV).

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34; NIV).

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

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

Faith (for J.G.)

Ruth Kirk

A night prayer of longing to be finally and fully one with Christ.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1; NLT).

I kiss your feet,
Your hands, your face,

Then all I know
Is your embrace.

I hear you say:
Your work is done.

At last, forever,
We are one.

Well done, good and faithful servant! …Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21; NIV).

References

She knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet (Luke 7:38; NLT).

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands” (John 20:27; NLT).

They will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads (Revelation 22:4; NLT).

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

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look – I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave (Revelation 1:17-18; NLT).

So he returned home 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).

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over” (Mark 5:34; NLT).

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:7; NLT).

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’S faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

A reading: Philippians 3:8-11; NLT.

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Following Jesus

Ruth Kirk

Always be joyful (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NLT).

My heart rejoices in the LORD! (1 Samuel (2:1; NLT).

You died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3; NLT).

I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name (Isaiah 45:3; NLT).

Joy, despite darkness,
Though hidden from sight –
I follow you, Jesus,
For you are my light,

Joy, despite sorrow,
Though hidden from all –
I cling to you, Jesus,
For I hear your call.

Joy, despite trouble,
Though hidden within –
I wait on you, Jesus,
For you are my King.

Joy despite suffering sickness,
Though hidden each day –
I walk with you, Jesus,
For you are my way.

You are my staff, Lord,
My help as I climb –
My guide on this journey;
My bread, and my wine.

You are my truth, Lord,
My bright morning star –
And you’ll be beside me,
When I cross the bar.

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

You who seek God, take heart! (Psalm 69:32; CSB).

References

If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God (Isaiah 50:10; NLT).

The LORD is my light and my salvation, so why should I be afraid (Psalm 27:1; NLT).

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

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

He is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him (Revelation 17:14; NLT).

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming” (Psalm 27:8; NLT).

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD (Psalm 27:14; NLT).

I am the living bread that came down from from heaven (John 6:51; NLT).

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many” (Matthew 26:26-8; NLT).

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

I am the bright morning star (Rev 22:16; NIV).

Miracles!

Ruth Kirk

Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! (Psalm 66:5; NLT).

A miracle:
We see your face
In others!

A miracle:
We touch your hand
Through theirs!

A miracle:
We find you
All around us!

A miracle:
You answer
All our prayers!

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you (Hosea 14:8; NLT).

References

For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NET).

Christ is 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).

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).