sin – Seeking God's face together

In truth

August 23, 2019Ruth Kirk

Your sun will never set; your moon will not go down.
For the Lord will be your everlasting light.
(Isaiah 60:20; NLT).

1. In truth, the sun, Lord, never sets,
The moon, Lord, does not rise –

2. They shine to praise you, even
When they’re hidden from our eyes.

3. In truth, your love, Lord, never ends,
Your care does not begin –

4. You always pour them on us,
Though they’re hidden by our sin.

5. In truth, your peace, Lord, never fails,
Your grace does not fall through –

6. For you, Lord, dwell within us all,
And we, Lord, dwell in you.

References

1. God made two great lights – the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth (Genesis 1:14-15; NLT).

2. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge (Psalm 19:1-2; NIV).

3. The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

4. The Lord gives sight to the blind (Psalm 146:8; NIV).

5. The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).
We praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us (Ephesians 1:6; NLT).
God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5; NLT).

6. We live in him and he in us (1 John 4:13; NLT).

Around me and within

August 10, 2019Ruth Kirk

1. Lord,
You are around me
And within,
Releasing me from sorrow,
And from sin;

2. Healing me
In body, heart and mind,
And saving my poor soul,
For you are kind.

3. Lord,
You are within me
And around,
Suffusing me with joy
Through sight and sound;

4. So I worship you, Lord,
And extoll
Your love, in heaven on earth,
And in my soul.

References

1. You, Lord, are a shield around me (Psalm 3:3; NLT).

You have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you (1 John 2:27; NLT).

2. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:2-4; NLT).

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

3. I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7; NLT).

4. I worship the Lord (Jonah 1:9; NLT).

From earth to infinity

July 28, 2019Ruth Kirk

1. From earth, Lord, to infinity
We all return, one day.

2. From suffering to perfect health
Our spirits fly away.

3. From wretchedness to happiness
Our souls, at last, will come

4. From death to immortality,
When our race has been run.

5. Yet all this can be ours in life:
Your kingdom is so near –

6. A prayer, kind word, or action
And your kingdom, Lord, is here.

7. Then we will live in heaven on earth,
Released from fear and sin,

8. United in our love, Lord,
For your kingdom is within!

References

1. Return, O my soul, to your rest (Psalm 116:7: ESV).

2. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4; NLT).

3. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21; NIV).

4. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life (Romans 2:7; NIV).
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful (2 Timothy 4:7; NLT).

5. Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven (Philippians 1:27; NLT).
The Kingdom of God is near (Luke 10:11; NLT).

6. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).
The Kingdom of God is already among you (Luke 17:21; NLT).

7. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18; NKJV).
He gave his life to free us from from every kind of sin (Titus 2:14; NLT).

8. Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).
The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; NKJV).

Distress

July 14, 2019Ruth Kirk

My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out (Psalm 40:12; NLT).

1. Father,
You forgive my sins
As soon as I confess,
But I cannot forgive myself,
So I am in distress.

2. Father,
You wipe out my sins
Once I have made amends;
But I cannot forgive myself,
For I have hurt my friends.

3. Father,
You forget my sins;
You’re merciful and kind;
But I cannot forgive myself,
Or leave them far behind.

4. Father,
You remove my sins;
You love to heal, and give;
Please help me to forgive myself,
Then I’ll be free to live.

References

1. He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).
I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone (Psalm 32:5; NLT).
I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me (Psalm 51:3; NIV).

2. The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7; NLT).
If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God (Matthew 5:23-4; NLT).

3. I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins (Jeremiah 31:34; NLT).
How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! (Psalm 11:6; NLT).

4. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12; NLT).
He heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3; NIV).
He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy (Psalm 68:6; NLT).
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NIV).

Love is all

July 12, 2019Ruth Kirk

1. Father God,
I melt into your strength,
Where there is neither weakness,
Fear, nor pain.

2. Father God,
I melt into your mind,
Where there is neither striving,
Sin, nor stain.

3. Father God,
I melt into your heart,
Where there is neither hatred,
Guilt, nor gall.

4. Father God,
I melt into your soul,
Where we are one in love,
And love is all.

References

1. The Lord is glorious and strong (1 Chronicles 16:28; NLT).

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

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

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

Sorrow ends

June 29, 2019June 29, 2019Ruth Kirk

He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
And there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.
All these things are gone forever
(Revelation 21:4; NLT).

1. Father God,
Forget our sins –
Sorrow ends
When love begins.

2. Help us to forgive
Each foe –
Hatred ends
When love can flow.

3. Wipe away
Our grief and fear –
Heartbreak ends
When love draws near.

4. Heal our sickness,
Mend our lives –
Sadness ends
When love arrives.

5. Purge the craving
Of our wills –
Anguish ends
When love rebuilds.

6. End our wars
And make us sane –
Evil ends
When you, Lord, reign.

References

1. I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins (Jeremiah 31:34; NLT).

2. Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:28; NLT).

3. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 7:17; NIV).

4. He […] heals all my diseases (Psalm 103:3; NLT).

5. The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions (1 John 2:16; NLT).

6.Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore (Isaiah 2:4; NLT).