Category: Love

Love and oneness

Ruth Kirk

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

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

You love me,
And I love you –
Thank you that
We’re one, not two.

I love you,
And you love me –
Jesus, you have
Set me free.

One in body,
Heart and mind –
Our shared aim
Is being kind.

One in spirit
And in soul –
Loving you, Lord,
Makes me whole.

Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour (Matthew 9:22, KJV).

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).

References

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (Song of Solomon 6:3

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

Be kind to everyone (2 Timothy 2:24, NIV).

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! (Philippians 3:8-11, NLT).

Worship

Ruth Kirk

As they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him (Matthew 28:9, NLT). 

I worship you
In silence
Filled with praise,

And honour you
In stillness
Filled with dance.

I treasure you
In darkness
Filled with light,

And love you, Lord:
My way, my truth,
My life.

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

References

Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13, NLT).

Be still in the presence of the LORD (Psalm 37:7, NLT).

Moses went into the darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21, BES).

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

Love and peace

Ruth Kirk

As he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:41-2, NLT).

I pray for peace
Throughout the world –
In every heart.

For no more guns,
And no more bombs –
The end of hate.

For no more fear,
And no more grief –
The death of war.

Then all will live
In love and peace –
For evermore. 

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

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18, NIV).

Questions

Ruth Kirk

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29; NLT).

Does Jesus ask too little,
Or does he ask too much?
What does he truly ask of us,
And does he ask enough?

What Jesus wants is kindness,
And gentleness, and faith;
Deep, patient love, and self-control –
And so he gives us grace.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8; 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).

References

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).

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

God who sees

Ruth Kirk

You are the God who sees me (Genesis 16:13; NLT).

You are the God
Who sees our cares;
You hear our sighs –
Again, again. 

You are the One
Who knows our fears;
You hear our cries –
Anew, anew. 

You are the Christ
Who shares our pain;
You weep and bless –
Afresh, afresh. 

You are the Lord
Who bears our grief
And loves us all –
It’s true, it’s true.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19; NIV).

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

References

He knows the secrets of every heart (Psalm 44:21; NLT).

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).

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4; NKJV).

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds (Psalm 36:5; NLT).

The mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain (Isaiah 54:10; NLT).

Shared healing

Ruth Kirk

Today in prayer, I saw clearly that we need to work with Jesus in order to bring about the healing of our wounded inner child.

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children …

Son of Man,
We share one mind:
Let’s listen to my inner child
Together.

Lamb of God,
We share one heart:
Let’s lift and hold my inner child
Together.

Shepherd King,
We share one soul:
Let’s bless and heal my inner child
Together.

Lord, my God,
We share this life:
Let’s teach and love my inner child
Together.

… I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16; NLT).

References

I am the good shepherd (John 10:11; NLT).

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young (Isaiah 40:11; NLT).

Reading: Psalm 23.

A sleepless night

Ruth Kirk

Introduction
Well, my friends, I am sure I am not alone in having had a very disturbed night after seeing that shockingly blasphemous image of Trump apparently carrying out a ‘divine’ healing. I could not get it out of my mind.

Truth
For me, the conflict between this image and the truth could hardly be greater. Think about the discrimination, deprivation, injury, death and destruction he is causing. Everything he does brings further suffering for the poor, the dispossessed and the disadvantaged. This is the very opposite of Christ’s selfless humility, love, service, inclusiveness and healing. There is simply no resemblance whatsoever between Donald Trump and Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Prayer
In the face of all this my mind and heart feel frozen, and I’m finding it impossible to pray. I have to face and express the truth. How can we be allowing Trump to exercise such vast power over our lives, our environment, and our world? Yet many people seem to be in thrall to his bullying, foolishness, lies, selfishness and violence – even those who call themselves Christians.

Christianity
Trump’s way is most definitely not Christ’s way. I simply cannot understand how any Christian can approve of his speech, behaviour and actions in any way at all. Where do they see the Fruit of the Holy Spirit reflected in his life? For the record:

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).

Conclusion
I am sorry that this blog is so dark, but can only speak the truth as far as I understand it at my current stage of spiritual growth.

So, today, instead of a poem or prayer, I offer you two readings to think about.

1. Psalm 10
The first is Psalm 10. Here is a quotation to give the flavour of it, though I recommend reading the whole Psalm:

Their helpless victims are crushed; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked (Psalm 10:10; NLT). 

2. The Magnificat
By way of contrast, my second reading brings Mary’s inspired, visionary, prophetic, indomitable hope and courage to our dire world situation. Again, I recommend reading the whole passage: Luke 1:46-55.

His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away (Luke 1:50-53; KJV). 

References 

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; NIV).

Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me (Matthew 25:45; NIV).

In just three days

Ruth Kirk

Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up (John 2:19; NLT).

In just three days I’ll rise again,
And you will see my joyful face.
You’ll touch my wounds,
And hear my voice again,
And know my grace.

In just three days I will rebuild
My temple in your flesh and blood.
I’ll heal your heart,
And mend your broken spirit
With my love.

In just three days you’ll see again
My way, my truth, my shining light.
Then we’ll be one
For evermore –
And you will share my life.

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! (Philippians 3:8-11; NLT).

Rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory (1Peter 4:13; CSB).

Reading: John 20:24-9; NLT.

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).

Life

Ruth Kirk

Keep watch and pray (Matthew 26:41; NLT).

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

Watching,
Waiting,
Finding,
Caring.

Hearing,
Seeing,
Meeting,
Sharing.

Walking,
Talking,
Lending,
Giving.

Helping,
Serving,
Loving –
Living.

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

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

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

References

The fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; AMP).

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).