Category: Justice

Outward appearance

Ruth Kirk

People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7; NLT).

People judge by outward appearance –
But God sees our minds.

People judge by outward appearance –
But God knows our hearts.

People judge by outward appearance –
But God loves our souls.

People judge by outward appearance –
But God shares our lives.

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

References

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night (Psalm 17:3; NLT).

Whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you (Matthew 12:35-7; NLT).

I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations (Ezekiel 36:26-7; NLT).

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

In him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28, NIV).

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

Look within

Ruth Kirk

All around the world we read, see, experience, and share the freedom of those with greater wealth, status and power to ignore, control, denigrate, deprive, exploit, and abuse those who have less.

Despite my resolve to take one week without posting, God has other plans, and gave me this prayer today. The pressure to write and publish it is absolutely insistent, and very uncomfortable.

Please can I enlist your help to share these prayers with others, if you are willing and able? This would enable me to reach out to as many people as possible, even though I am very tired and unwell. I have had to stop posting to about 20 Facebook groups, because I cannot bear the weight of sharing what I am given all on my own any more. Please help me with this task.

Love and blessings, from Ruth xxx

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

Let’s look within
To find the Christ,
Then make our lives
A sacrifice

Of help for all,
Of love, and peace
Despite our pain,
Which will not cease

Until death comes
To take our hand,
And lead us to
God’s promised land.

There, we will be judged
At last,
By all the fallout
Of our past

For those we use,
Ignore, or hate.
By then,
It will be far too late

To change: despite
Our wealth, or birth,
We will be treated
Just as we treat others
Here on earth.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive (Luke 6:37-8; NET).

References

To reduce my burden a bit, I will now offer short, relevant readings you can look up in your own Bible, rather than the detailed quotes I have included in the past:

2 Corinthians 12:6-10.

Matthew 25:31-46.

Peace and justice

Ruth Kirk

Pray for peace (Psalm 122:6; NLT).

The LORD loves justice (Psalm 37:28; NNKJV).

I pray that peace and justice
Will take root in every mind,

And that mercy and forgiveness
Will spring up in every heart.

Till truth and loving-kindness
Bear much fruit in every soul –

Stretch out your hand, and touch us all:
Lord Jesus, make us whole! 

He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole (Job 5:18; NKJV).

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

References 

A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted (Luke 8:5-8; 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).

Love and wisdom

Ruth Kirk

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7; NIV).

Love and wisdom
Are not rationed:
We can grow them
Everywhere!

All it takes
Is peace and justice;
All we need
Is humble prayer.

With our smiles, our words,
Our service,
We can nurture
Every soul,

Spreading Yahweh’s
Love and wisdom,
Till all people
Are made whole!

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4; NIV).

References

Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

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

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:44-8; NIV).

When they came to the place that is called called The Skull, there they crucified him… And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:33-4; ESV).

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NLT).

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! (Isaiah 9:2, 4-7; NLT).

 

Peace and justice

Ruth Kirk

Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11; NLT).

Peace and justice
Are not rationed:
We can grow them
Anywhere!

All it takes
Is love and wisdom!
All it takes
Is being fair!

So, let’s always
Welcome strangers,
Offer help,
And show our care.

Peace and justice
Are not rationed:
So, let’s spread them
Everywhere!

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; NIV).

Love good, and establish justice (Amos 5:15; ESV).

References

Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked (Luke 6:35; NLT).

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back (Luke 6:37-8; NLT).

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! (Isaiah 9:2, 4-7; NLT).

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:30-31; NIV).

 

A prayer for peace and justice

Ruth Kirk

Pray for peace (Psalm 122:6; NLT).

Seek justice (Isaiah 1:17; NLT).

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; NIV).

We pray for peace and justice here:
In your dear name,
Amen.

For joy to grow, instead of fear:
In your dear name,
Amen.

For love to reign, instead of hate:
In your dear name,
Amen.

Before we leave it far too late:
In your dear name,
Amen.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows (Isaiah 1:17; NLT).

But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken! (Isaiah 1:20; NLT).

References

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… For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod…

The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! (Isaiah 9:2, 4-7; NLT).

 

We can’t make peace without listening!

Ruth Kirk

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

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others (Proverbs 12:15; NLT).

We can’t make peace
Without listening.

We can’t make peace
Without truth.

We can’t make peace
Without justice.

We can’t make peace
Without love.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; NIV).

To you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27; NLT).

References

The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace (Isaiah 59:8; NIV).

Love truth and peace (Zechariah 8:19; NIV).

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8; NIV).

This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him (Matthew 17:5; NLT).

The harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:18; RSV).

You must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always (Hosea 12:6; NIV).

Be at peace with each other (Mark 9:50; NIV).

 

Justice and peace

Ruth Kirk

If only you had paid attention to my commandments! Your peace would have been like a river, and your justice would have been like the waves of the sea (Isaiah 48:18; CPDV).

I pray for justice, and for peace,
So all our selfish wars will cease.

I pray for kindness, help and care
In every heart, so all will share.

I pray that we will live as friends,
So all abuse and conflict ends.

I pray for truth and joy to flood
Each soul, so all will live in love.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NIV).

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 4:12; NLT).

References

Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

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

Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:7; NLT).

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

 

Peace and justice

Ruth Kirk

If only you had paid attention to my commandments! Your peace would have been like a river, and your justice would have been like the waves of the sea (Isaiah 48:18; CPDV).

We can’t have peace
Without justice.
We can’t have war
Without blood.

We can’t have choice
Without fairness.
We can’t have God
Without love.

We can’t have truth
Without honour.
We can’t have hope
Without faith.

We can’t have life
Without sorrow.
We can’t have God
Without grace.

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

References

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:7; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23; AMP).

 

Justice

Ruth Kirk

This is what the LORD Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another” (Zechariah 7:9; NIV).

Justice
Is all about mercy,

And healing
Is all about love –

For Jesus has come
To bring freedom,

And Yahweh
Is reigning above.

God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne (Psalm 47:8; NLT).

References

Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea (Isaiah 48:18; NLT).

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1; CSB).