sea – Seeking God's face together

Crossing

March 28, 2021Ruth Kirk

Image: Claire Diaz, Pixabay

🤎

The eternal God is your refuge,
and his everlasting arms are under you
(Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).

1. Crossing the desert,
We walk side by side –
Lord, you protect me,
You comfort, and guide.

2. Crossing the mountains,
Deep valleys below –
You climb at my pace, Lord,
Though I am so slow.

3. Crossing the lake,
You reach out for my hand –
I’m sinking, Lord, terrified,
Far from dry land.

4. Crossing the sea,
You take hold of my arm –
No matter what happens,
I’m safe from all harm.

Into your hands I commit my spirit
(Psalm 31:5; NIV).

🤎

References

1. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect me and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

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

2. Give glory to the Lord your God before it is too late. Acknowledge him before he brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains (Jeremiah 13:16; NLT).

He gently leads those that have young (Isaiah 40:11; NIV).

3. The disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves (Matthew 14:24; NLT).

Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him (Matthew 29-31; NLT).

4. He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert (Psalm 106:9; NLT).

I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT).

Sea of hope

March 9, 2021Ruth Kirk

Image: jplenio, Pixabay

💙

Lord,

1. Guide me
In life’s wilderness,

2. And lead me
Through my darkest night.

3. Comfort
And support me, Lord –

4. Please take my hand,
And hold it tight.

5. Bring me to
Your sea of hope,

6. And help me cross
Your waves of light,

7. To reach, at last,
Your perfect love –

8. For all are precious
In your sight.

💙

References

1. Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path…

2. …nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take (Nehemiah 9:19; NIV).

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…

3. …thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

Your right hand supports me (Psalm 18:35; NLT).

4. I will take you by the hand and guard you (Isaiah 42:6; NLT).

Your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT).

5. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope (Psalm 119:114; NLT).

6. God is light (1 John 1:5; NIV). 

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

Perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love (1 John 4:18; NLT).

Love […] is the bond of perfect unity (Colossians 3:14; BSB).

8. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants (Psalm 116:15; NIV).

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

The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made (Psalm 145:9; NIV).

A vision in a dream 19.2.21.

February 20, 2021Ruth Kirk

Image: Albrecht Fietz, Pixabay

***

1. Out in the estuary,
Dragged from the shore.

2. The current, relentless;
My strength is no more.

3. There’s no turning back now:
I’ve drifted too far –

4. Down to the river-mouth;
Over the bar.

5. The ocean, before me;
The future, unknown.

6. The start of my journey –
Afraid, and alone.

7. Drawn by the ebb-tide
I’m swept out to sea.

8. My days are completed:
My spirit flies free.

*****

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

I glimpse you

November 30, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: Christoph Schütz, Pixabay

❤️

1. Lord,
I glimpse you
Sparkling in the dew;
In land and sea,
And in the heavens, too.

2. Lord,
I hear your footsteps
In the trees;
Your voice in storms,
Your whisper in the breeze.

3. Lord,
I see you shine
From every face;
Your love reflected
In the human race.

❤️

References

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

Your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people (Isaiah 26:19; NLT).

I see God moving across the deserts from Edom, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran. His brilliant splendour fills the heavens and the earth is filled with his praise (Habakkuk 3:3; NLT).

2. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! (2 Samuel 5:24; NLT).

The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare (Psalm 29:9; NLT).

After the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12; NLT).

3. God shines in glorious radiance (Psalm 50:2; NLT).

God created human beings in his own image (Genesis 1:27; NLT).

All of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).

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

Creation exalts you (#2 of 2 linked prayers)

October 29, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: falco, Pixabay

I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth
(Joel 2:30; NIV).

1. Father,
Creation exalts you:
Rocks break
When your hurricanes blow.

2. Jesus,
The wild waves obey you;
Earth quakes,
And your living springs flow.

3. Spirit,
The universe serves you:
Flames leap,
And your great waters flood.

4. Threefold God,
Reigning in heaven:
You speak –
And we bow down, in love.

References

1. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together (Colossians 1:17; NLT).

The Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind (1 Kings 19:11; NLT).

2. When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him! (Luke 8:25; NLT).

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake (1 Kings 19:11; NLT).

Rivers of living water will flow from his heart (John 7:38; NLT).

He will lead them to springs of life-giving water (Revelation 7:17; NLT).

3. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire (1 Kings 19:12; NLT).

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3; NLT).

If he releases the waters, they flood the earth (Job 12:15; NLT).

4. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations (Psalm 22:27-8; NIV).

God speaks again and again, though people do not recognise it (Job 33:14; NLT).

After the fire [came] a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12; KJV).

Bow down and worship the Lord (Ezekiel 46:3; NLT).

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

I glimpse your glory

July 25, 2020Ruth Kirk

They could see the awesome glory of the Lord
in the cloud (Exodus 16:10; NLT).

1. Lord,
I glimpse your glory in the skies:
Your planets, clouds and stars,
Your sun and moon.

2. Lord,
I sense your beauty in the earth:
Your forests, hills and valleys,
Flower-strewn.

3. Lord,
I feel your power in the sea:
Your currents, waves and storms,
Your ebb and flood.

4. Lord,
I know your presence in my prayers:
Your still, small voice, your light,
Warmth, peace and love.

Sovereign Lord, you made the heavens and earth
and the sea, and everything in them
(Acts 4:24; NIV).

References

1. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalm 19:1; NIV).

2. From Mount Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth (Psalm 50:2; NIV).

3. By his power he churned up the sea (Job 26:12; NIV).

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

After the fire [came] a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12; KJV).

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

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

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

Plague

May 11, 2020Ruth Kirk

The Lord’s anger is blazing against them – the plague has already begun
(Numbers 16:46; NLT).

1. Lord,
From this plague,
What lessons can we learn?
That when we shun the poor,
In time, all starve?
And when we heat the world,
In time, all burn?

2. Lord,
From this plague,
What warnings should we glean?
That when we spoil the seas,
In time, all weep?
And when we foul the sky,
In time, all keen?

3. Lord,
From this plague,
What cautions must we heed?
That when we fail the sick,
In time, all mourn?
And when we wound our foes,
In time, all bleed?

References

In the wilderness their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry wasteland. So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it (Psalm 106:14-15- NLT).

They will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” And he will answer, “I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to hep me” (Matthew 25:44-5; NLT).

You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (Revelation 3:17; NIV).