Category: Peace

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).

 

The Fruit of the Spirit

Ruth Kirk

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).

Let’s grow
In the fruit of the Spirit:
In kindness, in patience, and love.

Let’s grow
In the fruit of God’s Spirit:
In self-control, gentleness, joy.

Let’s grow
In the fruit of Christ’s Spirit:
In faithfulness, goodness, and peace.

Let’s grow
In the Fruit of the Sprit:
The fruit of our oneness with God.

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 the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing John 15:5; NLT),

When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father (John 15:8; NLT).

Life is hard

Ruth Kirk

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

How hard life is, my God,
How hard –
With so much sorrow
On the way;
With so much anguish,
Loss and pain –
Until we see your face
Again.

From birth to death
We’re exiled here –
To follow Christ,
And grow in love;
To ask for, and receive,
Your grace –
Until we know
Your warm embrace.

How rich you are
In joy and peace –
So kind and patient,
Strong and wise.
We need your Son
And Spirit, too –
Until we’re one,
At last, with you.

How short life is, my God,
How short –
So we have put
Our trust in you.
We’ll share the bliss
You have in store –
When we unite with you
Once more.

There is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8; NIV).

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9; NLT). 

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

You love us

Ruth Kirk

The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10; NLT).

When we lose our way,
You seek us.

When we lose our peace,
You care.

When we lose our hope,
You help us.

When we lose our faith,
You share.

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46; NLT).