need – Seeking God's face together

Instant friend

January 5, 2021Ruth Kirk

Image: see reference below, Creative Commons

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

1. Be an instant friend
For strangers –
Everyone whose path you cross.

2. Be an instant friend
For strangers –
Those in trouble, need, or loss.

3. Be an instant friend
For strangers –
Helping is our sacred task.

4. Be an instant friend
For strangers –
Love is all our Father asks.

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References

1. See the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37; NLT).

2. Which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same” (Luke 10:36-7; NLT).

3. I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me (Matthew 25:35-6; NLT).

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

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

Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35; NIV).

In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds (Ecclesiastes 3:17; NLT).

Image: “Good Samaritan (detail) – Rossano Gospels – 6th Cent. – Folio 007” by jimforest is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

You come again

September 25, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: RitaE, Pixabay

He will come again (Hebrews 9:28; NLT).

1. Lord,
You come again each day,
To see if we ignore you,
Or perceive you.

2. Lord,
You cross our path each day,
To see if we reject you,
Or receive you.

3. Lord,
You speak to us each day,
To see if we dismiss you,
Or obey you.

4. Lord,
You test us out each day,
To see if we support you,
Or betray you.

5. Lord,
You visit us each day
In everyone: the stranger,
And the friendless.

6. Lord,
You challenge us each day
In those we fear, and those
Whose needs are endless.

7. Lord,
You call to us each day
In foreigner and neighbour,
Old and young.

8. Lord,
You come again each day,
For you live in us all:
God’s much-loved Son.

Suddenly their eyes were opened and they recognised him
(Luke 24:31; NLT).

Image: nothingwavering.com, Yandex

References

1. They may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand (Mark 4:10; RSV).

2. He came to his own, and his own people, did not receive him (John 1:11; CSB).

3. If you love me, obey my commandments (John 14:15; NLT).

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts (Hebrews 4:7; NIV).

4. The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NLT).

Jesus knew who would betray him (John 13:11; NLT).

5. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2; NIV).

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

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

Love your neighbour (Luke 10:27; NLT).

Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children (Matthew 19:14; NLT).

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

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

This is my beloved Son (Luke 9:35; NKJV).

I love you

August 29, 2020August 30, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: Mike, Pexels

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

1. I love you, and you love me;
Lord God, that’s all I need.

2. Whatever setbacks I must face,
And though my heart may bleed,

3. Help me to learn from what goes wrong,
And then to start anew,

4. For, come what may, you love me still,
And, Father, I love you.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39; NLT).

References

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

The Father himself loves you dearly (John 16:26; NLT).

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1; NLT).

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

Lord, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs (Lamentations 1:20; NLT).

3. Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-9; NLT).

I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly (Ecclesiastes 1:17; NLT).

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord (Lamentations 3:40; KJV).

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

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

Prayer

July 30, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: Pexels, Pixabay

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

1. Prayer is less about speaking,
And more about listening.

2. Less about asking,
And more about trusting.

3. Less about wanting,
And more about caring.

4. Less about needing,
And more about sharing.

References

1. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord (Psalm 139:4; NLT).

Listen to his voice (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

2. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8; NIV).

Trust in him at all times (Psalm 62:8; NLT).

3. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1; KJV).

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).

4. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33; NLT).

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