Category: neighbour

You come again

Ruth 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).

Today

Ruth Kirk
Image: ddzphoto, Pixabay

May all the nations praise you (Psalm 67:3; NLT).

1. Lord,
Today, may many hear your voice,
Starting their journey
Back to your embrace.

2. Lord,
Today, may many turn to you,
Asking forgiveness;
Welcoming your grace.

3. Lord,
Today, may many follow you,
Serving their neighbours;
Learning to do good.

4. Lord,
Today, may many join with you,
Knowing your presence;
Living in your love.

References

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

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).

2. Repent of your sins and turn to God (Matthew 3:2; NLT).

Perhaps even yet they will turn from their evil ways and ask the Lord’s forgiveness before it is too late (Jeremiah 36:7; NLT).

God saved you by his grace when you believed (Ephesians 2:8; NLT).

3. 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).

Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others (Mark 10:45; NLT).

Learn to do good (Isaiah 1:17; NLT).

4. When we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death (Romans 6:3; NLT).

His name is the Lord – rejoice in his presence (Psalm 68:4; NLT).

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

In everything

Ruth Kirk

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

1. Lord,
You are in everything around us:
All we touch, and taste,
And hear, and see.

2. Lord,
You live in everyone beyond us:
Each neighbour, stranger,
Those from whom we flee.

3. Lord,
You dwell in everything above us:
Every star and planet,
Moon, and sun.

4. Lord,
You are for evermore within us:
In exile, then in heaven,
When life is done.

References

1. Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it! (Genesis 28:16; NLT).

Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8; NLT).

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

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

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

3. Our God is in the heavens (Psalm 115:3; NLT).

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

He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6; NIV).

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

You alone are the God who is in heaven (2 Chronicles 20:6; NLT).

Touch and heal

Ruth Kirk

This people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see me with their eyes, hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them
(Matthew 13:15; NIV).

1. Lord,
Touch and heal our selfish minds;
Help us to turn to you;
Teach us to love our neighbours,
And to serve in all we do.

2. Lord,
Touch and heal our shallow hearts;
Help us to follow you;
Teach us to love each stranger,
And to serve in all we do.

3. Lord,
Touch and heal our callous souls;
Help us to learn from you;
Teach us to love our enemies,
And serve in all we do.

References

1. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” (Mark 1:41; NLT).

Repent of your sins and turn to God (Matthew 3:2; NLT).

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

Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others (Mark 10:45; NLT).

2. 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).

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

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

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

3. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you (Psalm 41:4; NKJV).

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 11:29; NIV).

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

Serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favours the humble” (1 Peter 5:5; NLT).

Choice

Ruth Kirk


Today I have given you the choice between life and death (Deuteronomy 30:19; NLT).

1. Lord,
You give us all
A choice:
To follow you,
Or walk away.

2. Lord,
You give us all
A choice:
To stay with you,
Or to betray.

3. Lord,
You give us all
A choice:
To ask forgiveness,
Or refuse.

4. Lord,
You give us all
A choice:
To love our neighbour,
Or abuse.

References

1. Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions (Matthew 19:21-2; NLT).

2. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Mark 14:34; NLT).

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” (Matthew 26:15-16; NLT).

Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him (Matthew 26:50; NIV).

3. Perhaps even yet they will turn from their evil ways and ask the Lord’s forgiveness before it is too late (Jeremiah 36:7; NLT).

If you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you (Genesis 4:7; NLT).

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

Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognised, and they chose to abuse him (Matthew 17:12; NLT).

Want, start, learn, grow

Ruth Kirk


I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you (John 17:20-21; NLT).

1. Only when we want to love you
Can we love our neighbour, too,
Sensing, Lord, that they, and we,
Are one, and all are one in you.

2. Only as we start to love you
Can we love each stranger, too,
Glimpsing, Lord, that they, and we,
Are one, and all are one in you.

3. Only as we learn to love you
Can we love each foreigner,
Seeing, Lord, that they, and we,
Are one, and all are one in you.

4. Only as we grow to love you
Can we love each enemy,
Grasping, Lord, that they, and we
Are one, and all are one in you.

5. Only when we deeply love you
Can we also love ourselves,
Knowing, Lord, that we are one
With all your people, and with you.

References

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

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

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

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

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

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

To acquire wisdom is to love oneself (Proverbs 19:8; NLT).

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

Forgive us

Ruth Kirk

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

1. Forgive us, Lord,
As we forgive our neighbours,
Then we will dwell in love,
Where peace is found.

2. Please heal our hearts
So we can love each other,
Then we will live in you,
On holy ground.

References

1. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us (Luke 11:4; NLT).

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

2. Come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts (Jeremiah 3:22; NLT).

Just as I have loved you, you should love each other (John 13:34; NLT).

You are standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:5; NLT).

We don’t need many words

Ruth Kirk

1. We don’t need many words, just:

Save us, Father.
Forgive our sins
As we forgive each foe.

Call everyone;
Inspire us all to seek you.
Renew us, Lord,
And guide us as we grow.

 

2. We don’t need many words, just:

Thank you, Father.
Help us to love our neighbour
As ourselves.

Bless everyone,
And help us all to find you,
So we may live in you, Lord,
Where peace dwells.

References

1. When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words (Matthew 6:7; NIV).

Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us (Matthew 6:12; NLT).

Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).

2. Be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NLT).

Love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31; NIV).

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

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

Strangers

Ruth Kirk

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).

May those I’ve never met,
Lord God,
Be just as dear
To my cold heart
As those I see
Each day.

References

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

You, too, must show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31; NLT).

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

I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home (Matthew 25:35; NLT).

All one

Ruth Kirk

1. How I wish my friends were here
Before you, much-loved Son;
My family, neighbours, enemies –
For then we would be one.

2. I wish all prisoners were here,
No matter what they’ve done;
All refugees and homeless, Lord –
For then we would be one.

3. I wish the suffering were here,
The poor, the old, the young;
And those, Lord, who have lost their faith –
For then we would be one.

4. But now I see that all are here –
The dead, and those to come,
And we, who are in exile –
For your Spirit makes us one.

References

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

Though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body (1 Corinthians 10:17; NLT).

2. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come (Luke 4:18-19; NLT).

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one (John 17:22; NLT).

3. Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).

4. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose – to be Lord both of the living and of the dead (Romans 14:9; NLT).

I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile (Ezekiel 11:16; NLT).

You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).