Category: Peace

Jesus: Son of Man

Ruth Kirk

The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8; NLT).

Son of Man,
And Son of God,
Guiding us
With staff and rod;

Son of Joy,
And Son of Love,
Living in
Our flesh and blood;

Son of Patience,
And of Peace,
Showing us
Your perfect way;

Son of Truth,
And Son of Light:
Help us, always –
Day and night.

Lord, help us! (Joel 1:19; NLT).

The LORD is my helper (Hebrews 13:6; NLT).

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26; NLT).

References

He guides me along right paths (Psalm 23:3; NLT).

Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; NLT).

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

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

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

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT)

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

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

All-wise

Ruth Kirk

God is greater than we can understand (Job 36:26; NLT).

God is all-wise,
All-great,
All-good;
God is all-joy,
All-peace,
All-love.

God is all-truth,
All-fire,
All-light;
God is all-strength,
All-depth,
All-height.

God is all-birth,
All-life,
All-breath;
God is all-grief,
All-pain,
All-death.

God is all-earth,
All-stars,
All-sun;
God is all-worlds,
All-things:
All-One.

The LORD our God, the LORD is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4; NKJV).

References

The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being (Job 12:10; NLT).

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (Romans 2:4; NLT).

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

Spirit of Love

Ruth Kirk

A heartfelt appeal for the Fruits of the Spirit to shape our hearts and daily lives.

All of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us (Ephesians 2:18; NLT).

May your Spirit of Love
Be upon us,
Your Spirit of Joy
Live within us,
And your Spirit of Peace
Light our journey.

May your Spirit of Patience
Redeem us,
Your Spirit of Kindness
Correct us,
And your Spirit of Goodness
Transform us.

May your Spirit of Faithfulness
Teach us,
Your Spirit of Self-control
Guide us,
And your Spirit of Gentleness
Change us.

We ask this through your blessed name: Amen.

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

The Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you (John 14:26; AMP).

if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you] (John 16:7; AMP).

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, for God bought you with a high price (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17; NLT

The Spirit gives life (Titus 3:5; NLT).

The voice of love

Ruth Kirk

A prayer for the spiritual awakening of all minds, hearts and souls.

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains, and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake, and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12; NKJV).

Why is the voice of love
So still?

Why is the voice of peace
So small?

Why is the voice of truth
So weak?

Where is the light
Our souls should seek?

Where is the faith
Christ came to bring?

When will we turn to God,
And cling?

Cling tightly to the LORD your God (Joshua 23:8; NLT).

References

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

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

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

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

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12; NLT).

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

You must fear the LORD your God and worship him and cling to him (Deuteronomy 10:20; NLT).

Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

The seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest (Luke 8:15; NLT).

Take heart!

Ruth Kirk

You who seek God, take heart! (Psalm 69:32; CSB). 

As some of you will know, I was recently subjected to a lengthy, vitriolic online attack. Everything about myself, my beliefs, my writing, my aims, and my website was judged and condemned by a theologian. I asked him to apologise so we could be reconciled, but he was not willing to do so.

However, I have not let his criticisms distract me from my ongoing efforts to update this site. Although my editorial work will continue behind the scenes for many months, today I have put the finishing touches to a new layout. These include a fresh title, which I was given late last night, to my great surprise and delight. This fresh start has taken the sting from the bitter criticism aimed at me. Hopefully, the reorganisation will make it easier for people to find posts which might interest or help them.

So, today’s post celebrates all these positive changes and steps forward. Meanwhile, I continue to pray for the person concerned, and have become quite fond of him. I know that God will bring good to many people through his outburst, and I wish him well.

The boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:24-7; ESV).

What does Jesus say to us?
Take heart, it is I.
What does Jesus say to us?
God has heard your cry.

What does Jesus say to us?
Child, this is God’s will.
What does Jesus say to us?
Hush, now; peace; be still.

What does Jesus say to us:
Trust, for God is near.
What does Jesus say to us?
I am always here.

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

References

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

The LORD has heard your cry of distress (Genesis 16:11; NLT).

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

You will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect Romans 12:2; NLT).

He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Mark 4:39; NKJV).

Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).

 

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).

Christmas Day 2025

Ruth Kirk

Happy Christmas to everyone who visits or follows here. Christmas Day has already begun in some parts of the world, so I am posting early, for their sake! With love from Ruth xxx

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water (Psalm 63:1; NLT).

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

You are my Father,
And you are my Mother;
You are my Sister,
And you are my Brother.

You are my Teacher,
And you are my Healer;
You are my Priest,
My Companion, and Leader.

You are my Partner,
And you are my Lover;
You are my Godhead,
And I want no other.

You are my Shepherd,
In peace, and in danger;
You are my Saviour, Lord,  
Here: in this manger.

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger (Luke 2:16; NLT).

References

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

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep (John 10:11; NLT).

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11; ESV).

 

May I dwell in your mercy

Ruth Kirk

Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-9; NLT).

May I dwell in your mercy,
And rest in your peace;

Serve you in everyone;
Pray without cease;

Love you, give thanks,
And rejoice, come what may –

For you are my life, and my truth,
And my way.

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

When I lose my peace

Ruth Kirk

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

When I lose my peace,
May I find yours, Lord;
And when I lose my way,
May I find yours.

When I lose my strength,
May I find yours, Lord;
And when I lose my truth,
May I find yours.

When I lose my hope,
May I find yours, Lord;
And when I lose my light,
May I find yours.

When I lose my faith,
May I find yours, Lord;
And when I lose my life,
May I find yours.

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it (Matthew 10:39; NLT).

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT).

All I want

Ruth Kirk

“Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes” (Mark 9:22-3; NLT).

The mind of God,
The heart of God,
The strength of God,
The soul –
This is all I want, and need,
Until God makes me whole. 

The way of Christ,
The truth of Christ,
The life of Christ,
The grace –
This is all I want, and need,
Until I see his face.

Their Spirit’s help,
Their Spirit’s joy,
Their Spirit’s love,
And peace –
This is all I want, and need –
Until I join their feast. 

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

Many Gentiles will come from all over the world – from east and west – and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 8:11; NLT).