Category: save

This cross

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ruth Kirk

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The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18; NLT).

1. Lord, this cross is made of fire –
It burns within my hands,
And gives me all the strength I need
To face life’s harsh demands.

2. This little cross is made of light –
It shines on my dark road,
And gives me all the strength I need
To bear my heavy load.

3. This simple cross is made of truth –
It teaches me your way,
And gives me all the strength I need
To follow you each day.

4. This humble cross is made of peace –
It tells me you are near,
And gives me all the strength I need
To face my pain and fear.

5. This precious cross is made of love –
It shows me how you save,
And gives me all the strength I need
To hold fast, and be brave.

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength
(Philippians 4:13; NLT).

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References

1. God is a raging fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; GW). 

With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall (2 Samuel 22:30; NIV).

2. God is light (1 John 1:5; NIV).


Then Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).

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

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).

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

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

5. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NIV).

Be brave and courageous (Psalm 27:14; NLT).

In my dreams

Ruth Kirk

Image: cgrape, Pixabay

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I long for the Lord (Psalm 130:6; NLT).

1. Lord,
I long to see you
In my dreams –
To join the crowd,
And listen
As you preach.

2. Lord,
I want to meet you
In my dreams –
To sit with you,
And learn
From all you teach.

3. Lord,
I yearn to reach out
In my dreams –
To touch your robe,
And know, at last,
I’m whole.

4. Lord,
I thirst to serve you
In my dreams –
Then wake,
And help you save
Some poor, lost soul.

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References

1. The large crowd listened to him with great delight (Mark 12:37; NLT).

2. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught (Luke 10:39; NLT).

3. If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed (Matthew 9:21; NLT).

4. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15; NLT).

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him (1 Timothy 1:12; NLT).

Sitting down, 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).

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

Would you?

Ruth Kirk

Image: Roy N, Pixabay

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others
and to give his life as a ransom for many
(Mark 10:45; NLT).

1. Would you forgo your hope of rescue,
So a foreigner is saved?

2. Or forswear your dream of freedom,
So a friend is not enslaved?

3. Would you renounce your chance of healing,
So a neighbour is made whole?

4. Or surrender your survival,
Just to save a stranger’s soul?

5. Would you resign your reign above,
So enemies are welcomed in?

6. Or face death by crucifixion,
Bearing many people’s sin?

7. Would you believe the Father’s promise,
Trusting you will rise anew,

8. And then give up your life for others –
Just as Jesus did, for you?

 

References

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

2. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13; NLT).

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

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

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15; NLT).

5. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being (Philippians 2:6-7; NLT).

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

6. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8; NLT).

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24; NIV).

7. Those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! (Isaiah 26:19; NLT).

I trust in God (Psalm 56:11; NLT).

They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again (Mark 10:34; NLT).

8. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16; NLT).

The Unknown God

Ruth Kirk

Image: Manuel Schmitt, Pixabay

1. Lord,
You are the Unknown God,
Yet you form heaven and earth.
May we seek you
In Christ, your Son,
Who saves us through his birth.

2. Lord,
You are the Unseen God,
Yet you make stars and space.
May we find you
In Christ, your Son,
Who saves us through his grace.

3. Lord,
You are the Unheard God,
Yet you give life and breath.
May we hear you
In Christ, your Son,
Who saves us through his death.

4. Lord,
You are the Unloved God,
Yet you help those who fall.
May we know you
In Christ, your Son,
Who rose to save us all.

 

References

1. As I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. He is the God who made the world and everything in it (Acts 17:23-4; NLT).

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

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15; NLT).

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord (Luke 2:11; NIV).

2. All honour and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God (1 Timothy 1:17; NLT).

He also made the stars (Genesis 1:16; NLT).

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1; NLT).

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3; NIV).

We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11; NLT).

3. Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking (Hebrews 12:25; NLT).

He himself gives life and breath to everything (Acts 17:25; NLT).

I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me (John 8:28; NLT).

Our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son (Romans 5:10; NLT).

4. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1; NIV).

The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God (Psalm 9:17; NLT).

Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand (Psalm 37:24; NLT).

[Baptism] now saves you. […] It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:22; NLT). 

Teach me

Ruth Kirk

Image: Rondell Melling, Pixabay

Lord,

1. Teach me, when I’m foolish;
Forgive, when I’m unkind.

2. Save me, when in danger;
Soothe, when I’m maligned.

3. Brace me, when I’m tempted;
Console, when I’m afraid.

4. Warn me, when I’m angry;
Calm, when I’m betrayed.

5. Hold me, when I suffer;
Support, when I despair,

6. And guide my soul in death, Lord,
T0 meet you in the air.

 

References

1. Teach me how to live, O Lord (Psalm 27:11; NLT).

Forgive us our sins (Luke 11:4; NLT).

2. Save me and rescue me (Psalm 71:2; NLT).

Let your unfailing love comfort me (Psalm 119:76; NLT).

3. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13; NLT).

With his love he will calm all your fears (Zephaniah 3:17; NLT).

4. Don’t sin by letting anger control you (Ephesians 4:26; NLT).

I begged my allies for help, but they betrayed me (Lamentations 1:19; NLT).

5. Your right hand upholds me (Psalm 63:8; NLT).

From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help (Psalm 130:1; NLT).

6. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

The Lord will guide you continually (Isaiah 58:11; NKJV).

We […] will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17; NLT).

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

Let the Father in

Ruth Kirk

Image: Marc Pascual, Pixabay

In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength
(Isaiah 45:24; NIV).

1. Let the Father in today,
For he, alone, can pardon sin.

2. Let the Teacher in today,
For he, alone, can save your life.

3. Let the Spirit in today,
For he, alone, can heal your soul.

4. Let the Lord God in today,
For he, alone, can make you whole.

 

Image: Andrew Martin, Pixabay

References

1. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends (Revelation 3:20; NLT).

He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).

2. You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am (John 13:13; RSV).

God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:19; NLT).

3. God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24; NLT).

He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3; NKJV).

Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden; and they shall sorrow no more at all (Jeremiah 31:12; NKJV).

4. “I am the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One” (Revelation 1:8; NLT).

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).

Children’s prayer

Ruth Kirk



Image: Manfred Richter, Pixabay

Jesus said, “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).

1. Guardian angel,
Hear my prayer:
May Jesus guide me
Everywhere.

2. Guardian angel,
Hear my song:
May Jesus keep me
All day long.

3. Guardian angel,
Hear my plea:
May Jesus help
And comfort me.

4. Guardian angel
Hear my call:
May Jesus bless
And save us all.

Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father (Matthew 18:10; NLT).

I found you

Ruth Kirk

Image: Dorothée Quennesson, Pixabay

Seek and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NIV).

1. I found you, Lord,
And you forgave me;
Found you, Lord,
And you have saved me.

2. Found you Lord,
And you redeemed me;
Found you, Lord,
And you have healed me.

3. Found you, Lord,
And you have crowned me;
Found you, Lord,
And you surround me.

4. Found you Lord,
And you befriend me;
Found you, Lord,
And you defend me.

5. Found you, Lord,
And you restore me;
Found you, Lord,
And you adore me!

 

References

1. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29:13; NLT).

You forgave me (Psalm 32:5; NLT).

He saved me (Psalm 34:6; NLT).

2. I have redeemed you (Isaiah 44:22; NIV).

You healed me (Psalm 30:2; NIV).

3. He […] crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4; NLT).

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever (Psalm 125:2; NLT).

4. You are my friends (John 15:15; NLT).

The Lord is their defender (Proverbs 22:23; NLT).

5. He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3; NKJV).

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

Sparks fly up

Ruth Kirk
Photo: 6015548

1. Sparks fly up throughout the night;
In the morning: blinding light.

2. At mid-day, the sun descends;
Three o’clock: your torment ends.

3. Then, as night falls, you are laid
In a tomb our hands have made.

4. When the Sabbath day is done,
Women haste to mourn God’s Son,

5. But death can’t keep you in its thrall,
For you are Christ, who saves us all.

References

1. Peter followed him [Jesus] at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire (Mark 14:54; NLT).

Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!” (John 19:5; NLT).

As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you – Barabbas, or Jesus?” (Matthew 27:17; NLT).

2. By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone (Luke 23:44-5; NLT).

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

3. [Joseph] took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock (Luke 23:53; NLT).

Because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the time was close at hand, they laid Jesus there (John 19:42; NLT).

4. Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared (Luke 24:1; NLT).

5. God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip (Acts 2:24; NLT).

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15; NLT).

Saving souls

Ruth Kirk

1. Thank you, Father,
For your light:
The joys you share,
The grace you send.

2. Thank you, Father,
For your peace:
The ways you care,
The minds you mend.

3. Thank you, Father,
For your love:
The hearts you reach,
The Son you gave.

4. Thank you, Father,
For your truth:
The words you teach,
The souls you save.

References

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

I will go to the altar of God, to God, the source of all my joy (Psalm 43:4; NLT).

My grace is all you need (2 Corinthians 12:9; NLT).

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

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7; NLT).

3. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3; NIV).

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).

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

You have the words that give eternal life (John 6:68; NLT).

Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls (James 1:21; NLT).