Category: mind

Everything I am

Ruth Kirk

You and I both belong to God (Job 33:6; NLT).

Everything I am
Belongs to you:

Body, mind, heart, soul,
And breath, Lord, too.

You made them all
So I can be your shrine:

Lord God,
I’m wholly yours,
And you are mine.

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NIV).

References 

Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! (1 Chronicles 29:14; NLT). 

You made me; you created me (Psalm 119:73:NLT). 

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13; NLT). 

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

We are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

I am yours (Psalm 119:24; NLT). 

My body is yours

Ruth Kirk

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 (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT). 

My body is yours, Lord,
To use as you please.

My mind, your domain:
I embrace each disease.

My heart is your home, Lord,
From birth until death.

My spirit is yours,
For my soul is your breath.

My strength comes from you, Lord:
May your will be done,

For though life brings sorrow and pain,
We are one.

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 (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).

References

Jesus replied, “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). 

This is what the sovereign LORD says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath into you and you will live (Ezekiel 37:5; NET). 

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

The LORD is my strength (Exodus 15:2; NLT).

I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT). 

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

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever (Psalm 73:26; NLT).

The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).

Good news

Ruth Kirk

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! (Isaiah 52:7; NLT). 

Lord,
May our footsteps bring good news;
Our lives, encourage all to choose
Your way, so they will be infused
With faith.

Lord,
May our lips be filled with praise;
Our passion for your kingdom blaze
With light, so we can guide your strays
To hope.

Lord,
May our minds be steeped in prayer;
Our hearts be always swift to share;
Our souls delight to offer care
And love.

Lord,
May our days be filled with grace
So we behold your shining face
In everyone, then we’ll make haste
To serve.

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

References

1. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT). 

This is what the sovereign LORD says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath into you and you will live (Ezekiel 37:5; NET). 

2. Let praise flow from my lips (Psalm 119:17; NLT). 

You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14; NLT). 

3. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV). 

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7; NLT).

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

4. The LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory (Psalm 84:11; NLT). 

His face shone like the sun (Matthew 17:2; NIV). 

Love the LORD your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul (Joshua 22:5; NLT). 

My body

Ruth Kirk
My sacrifice: RK.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship (Romans 12:1; NIV). 

My body is my sacrifice,
My willing spirit, too;
My mind and heart; my humble soul:
I lift them up to you.

I offer only pain, fatigue,
Depression, dread, despair;
Yet, when I plead for others, Lord,
You always hear my prayer.

Although I’m your unworthy slave,
With nothing else to give,
I know that you will ransom me
One day: then I will live!

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death (Hosea 13:14; KJV).

References 

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Mark 14:38; NLT). 

I lift up my hands and heart toward Your innermost sanctuary (Psalm 28:2; AMP).

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1; NLT).

I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy (Psalm 116:1; NLT).

We are unworthy slaves (Luke 17:10; NASB1995).

Those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired (Isaiah 40:31; AMP). 

We lift our hands

Ruth Kirk

Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer (Lamentations 2:19; NLT).

We lift our hands to you
And pray for peace,
Begging that all our senseless wars
Will cease. 

We lift our minds to you
And pray for light,
Till everyone is precious
In our sight.

We lift our hearts to you,
And pray for love,
So all our foolish hate
Will end for good.

We lift our souls to you,
And pray for grace –
May everyone on earth, Lord,
See your face. 

Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved (Psalm 80:3; NLT).

References 

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

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

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:9-12; NIV).

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

The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people (Titus 2:11; NLT).

Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16; NLT). 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14; NLT).

Let your face smile on us, LORD (Psalm 4:6; NLT). 

My offering

Ruth Kirk

When Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer” (Hebrews 10:5; NLT). 

Offer your sacrifice to God (Matthew 5:24; NLT).

I offer you my sickness, Lord,
Of body, heart and mind.

Accept this willing sacrifice, Lord God,
For humankind.

I pray for those who suffer, Lord,
With all my strength and soul

As Jesus did, and ask you
To have mercy: make them whole.

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

References 

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ (Colossians 1:24; NLT).

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NIV).

Since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too (1 Peter 4:1; NLT).

You have had the privilege granted you on behalf of Christ – not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf (Philippians 1:29; WNT).

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

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 9:24; NLT). 

Use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God (Romans 6:13; NLT). 

May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do (2 Thessalonians 1:11; NLT).

Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2; RSV).

I give my life to you

Ruth Kirk

O LORD, I give my life to you (Psalm 25:1; NLT). 

O Lord, I give my life to you:
Please make my mind your dwelling place,
Where I can walk with you each day,
And gaze upon your face.

I dedicate my life to you:
Please make my heart your house of prayer,
When I can talk with you each day,
And know your loving care.

I consecrate my life to you:
Please make my soul your holy house,
For you are my beloved King,
And I, your humble spouse.

I sacrifice my life to you:
May you, Lord, be my resting place,
Where I will reunite with you,
Beyond all time and space.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory (Psalm 73:24; NIV).

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

References 

Verse 1:
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies (Psalm 84:1; NLT).
We are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
Jesus replied, “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).
I will see you face to face and be satisfied (Psalm 17:15; NLT).

Verse 2:
My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7; NLT).
Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT).
Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7; NLT).

Verse 3:
Because I delight in the house of my God, the [personal] treasure that I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God, in addition to all that I have already provided for the holy house (1 Chronicles 79:3; AMP).
My beloved is mine and I am his (Song of Songs 2:16; NIV).
Your Creator will be your husband (Isaiah 54:5; NLT).

Verse 4:
You have not yet come to the resting place and the inheritance that the LORD your God is giving you (Deuteronomy 12:9; BSB). 
God’s promise of entering his rest still stands (Hebrews 4:1; NLT).
All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen (Jude 1:25; NLT).
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God], and the Ever-living One [living in and beyond all time and space]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead)” (Revelation 1:17-18; AMP).

Suffering

Ruth Kirk

You have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him (Philippians 1:29; GNT).

Let’s suffer on behalf of those
Who do not know the Lord,

And ask Him to forgive their sins,
To make their bodies whole,

To heal their hearts, and minds, and lives,
And help them come to Him –

The God who longs to win their love,
And save each precious soul.

He jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us (James 4:5; NIV). 

God our Savior… wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4; NLT).

Let’s feed our minds

Ruth Kirk

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

Let’s feed our minds
With nothing but God’s truth,
And set our hearts
On loving him each day.
Let’s charge our souls
With nothing but his joy,
And spend our lives
In following his way.

Let’s flood our minds
With nothing but God’s Word,
And fix our hearts
On loving him in all.
Let’s fill our souls
With nothing but his light,
And give our lives
To honouring his call.

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:23-4; NLT).

References 

Verse 1:
God is Spirit (John 4:24; NLT).
The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:30; NLT).
Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; NLT).
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).

Verse 2:
His name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13; NIV).
People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4; NLT).
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NIV).
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
The King will reply, “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).
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12; NIV).
Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him (Matthew 4:21-2; NIV).

Sharing with God

Ruth Kirk

Introduction
Human beings are made up of five distinct, inter-related elements: body, mind, heart, soul and spirit. When we choose to share these parts of ourselves with God, we can move into an ever-deepening relationship with him, for: We are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT). 

Every night, just before settling down to sleep, I silently open these five aspects of myself to God, sharing them with him one by one. This process is a journey to the deepest part of myself. It’s not easy to describe, but I will do my best.

Body
The body I live in belongs to God, who made it (Isaiah 64:8; BBE). He has lent it to me for a limited time, during my exile on earth, so I begin my journey by sharing it with him in stillness and silence.

Mind
Then I go a step further, sharing my mind with God. I don’t need to say a single word, because he already knows all my thoughts (Psalm 139:2; NLT). There is nothing I want to hide from him, and nothing I can hide from him.

Heart
Next, moving a little further on my inward journey, I share the emotions in my heart with him, though, once again, he already knows them in full (1 Samuel 16:7; NLT). Essentially, I am opening my whole self more and more fully to God, step by step.

Soul
Sharing my soul with him takes me still deeper, for I become acutely conscious that my soul is his life-giving breath within me (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

Spirit
Finally, at the deepest level of all, I reach my spirit. There is no need for me to “open” it, or to “share” it. Neither is there any “me”. There is only oneness with God. As St. Paul writes: The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).

Conclusion
At my death, when I leave behind my earthly body, my mind, heart and soul will cease, but my spirit will continue to be one with God forever: The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

So, may my last words be the same as those of Jesus: Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands (Luke 23:46; NLT).