Category: sin

God waits

Ruth Kirk

Image: Arek Socha, Pixabay

💙

The Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion
(Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

1. God waits for us
To come to him.
He waits to pardon
All our sin.

2. He waits to bless us
Every day —
And all we need to do
Is pray.

3. God waits to bear
Our pain and fear.
He waits, though he
Is always near.

4. He waits to help
With every task —
And all we need to do
Is ask.

5. God waits to bind
Our wounds, and heal.
He waits to share
In how we feel.

6. He waits, though we
Are only dust —
And all we need to do
is trust.

💙

The Lord longs to be gracious to you
(Isaiah 30:18; NIV).

References

1. You are a God of forgiveness (Nehemiah 9:17; NLT).

2. Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

3. He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4; NKJV).

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Psalm 23:4; NIV).

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

Tell God what you need (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

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

In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

6. He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust (Psalm 103:14; NLT).

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

Made of dread

Ruth Kirk

Image: Leigh Heasley, Pixabay

🖤

I’m just a worm, less than human
(Psalm 22:6; CEB).

1. I’m made of dread,
Instead of dust,

2. And cling to you in doubt,
Not trust.

3. I plead through pain,
Instead of prayer,

4. And serve you out of pride,
Not care.

5. I offer sin,
Instead of good,

6. And wait for you with fear,
Not love.

7. I seek the dark,
Instead of light –

8. Lord, may I walk by faith,
Not sight.

🖤

We walk by faith, not by sight
(2 Corinthians 5:7; NIV).

May I love

Ruth Kirk

Image: Keith Johnston, Pixabay

🌹

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

1. May I love each child, Lord God,
Because they are your cradle.

2. May I love each neighbour, Lord,
Because they are your home.

3. May I love each stranger, Lord,
Because they are your temple.

4. May I love each enemy,
Because they are your throne.

5. May I love you, Father God,
Because you make and keep me.

6. May I love you, Jesus Christ,
Because you cleanse my sin.

7. May I love you, Holy Ghost,
Because you never leave me;

8. And may I even love my self –
Because you dwell within.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love
(Galatians 5:6; NIV).

🌹

References

1. Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me (Matthew 18:5; NLT).

Jesus, […] though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:5-7; ESV).

2. Love your neighbour (Luke 10:27; NLT).

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them” (John 14:23; NLT).

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

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

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

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

He loves all his people (Deuteronomy 33:3; NLT).

5. You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength,
and all your mind (Luke 10:27; NLT).

Your hands shaped me and made me (Job 10:8; NIV).

The Lord keeps me alive! (Psalm 54:4; NLT).

6. Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you (John 21:17; NLT).

I will cleanse them of their sins (Jeremiah 33:8; NLT).

7. He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, [Comforter, Encourager, Counsellor] who will never leave you (John 14:16; NLT).

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

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

I pray to you

Ruth Kirk

Image: Dorotheé Quennesson, Pixabay

🖤

1. I pray to you,
The Christ, who came
To save us all
From sin and shame.

2. I call on you,
The Christ, who dwelled
On earth, God’s Son,
Unparalleled.

3. I plead with you,
The Christ, who died
For all: my Saviour,
And my Guide.

4. I worship you,
The Christ, who rose
From death; through whom
God’s mercy flows.

💛

References

1. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

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

2. Call on him now while he is near (Isaiah 55:6; NLT).

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him (1 John 4:9; NLT).

You have no equal (Psalm 40:5; NLT).

3. Plead with the Almighty (Job 8:5; NIV).

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God (1 Peter 3:18; NLT).

He has sent us a mighty Saviour (Luke 1:69; NLT).

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

4. Worship Christ as Lord of your life (1 Peter 3:15; NLT).

He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18; NLT).

God […] called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ (Galatians 1:6; NLT).

Transformation (with thanks to A.K.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay

🧡🧡🧡

Only God can turn the dark night into glorious heavenly light
(Alan Kearns).

Lord,

1. Turn our suffering
To hope;
Our blindness
Into perfect sight.

2. Turn our faithlessness
To trust;
Our darkness
Into dazzling light.

3. Turn our sinfulness
To grace;
Our meanness
Into eager care.

4. Turn our selfishness
To thanks;
Our sorrow
Into joyful prayer.

5. Turn our enmity
To love;
Our sickness
Into healing rest;

6. And turn our dying
Into life eternal,
When we’ve faced
Each test.

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

References

1. We long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering [and] wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us (Romans 8:23; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgement – to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind” (John 9:39; NLT).

2. Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24; NIV).

Trust in God (John 14:1; NLT).

The Lord turns my darkness into light (2 Samuel 22:29; NIV).

3. Just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:21; NLT).

4. Turn from your selfish ways (Luke 9:23; NLT).

Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

5. Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:27; NLT)

The Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence (Isaiah 30:15; CSB).

6. Those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life (John 5:24; NLT).

Our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:53; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25; NLT).

The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NIV).

Inner space

Ruth Kirk


Image: geralt, Pixabay

💙

1. You alone
Give inner space,
Faith, forgiveness, Lord,
And grace

2. To help us serve you
Every day,
By following
Your humble way.

3. You alone
Give inner peace,
Love, acceptance,
And release

4. From every weakness,
Fear, and sin,
For you, our Saviour,
Live within.

💙

References

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

He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:2; NLT).

2. You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him (Luke 4:8; NLT).

Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; NLT).

3. Peace I leave you; my peace I give you (John 14:27; NIV).

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

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

You will stand firm and without fear (Job 11:15; NIV).

You have been set free from sin (Romans 6:18; NIV).

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

Christ lives within you (Romans 8:10; NLT).

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

It’s Advent!

Ruth Kirk


Image: Dorothée Quennesson, Pixabay

🧡

1. It’s Advent, Lord:
I wait anew,
To hear your cry,
And welcome you.

2. It’s Christmas:
And you’re born afresh
In my poor mind, heart,
Soul, and flesh.

3. It’s Easter, Lord:
You rise again,
To free me from
All sin and pain.

4. It’s Pentecost:
Each day you burn
Within me,
Till your great return.

🧡

References

1. Wait expectantly for him (Psalm 37:7; CSB).

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3; NKJV).

2. She gave birth to her first-born son (Luke 2:6; RSV).

I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3; NLT).

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

3. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman Soldiers to be crucified (Mark 15:15; NLT).

You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! (Mark 16:6; NLT).

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

4. 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 2:3-4; NLT).

Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32; NLT).

His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28; NLT).

In the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 26:64; NLT).

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).

It’s prayer

Ruth Kirk

Image: Jaime Wiebel, Pixabay


Pray all the time (1 Thessalonians 5:17; MSG).

1. The Lord is always very near —
It’s prayer that brings me
Close to him.

2. He’s always ready to forgive —
It’s prayer that shows me
All my sin.

3. He always waits for me to ask —
It’s prayer that opens up
The door.

4. He’s always pouring out his love —
It’s prayer that makes me
Love him more.

 

References

1. The Lord is near to all who call on him (Psalm 145:18; NIV).

2. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive (Psalm 86:5; NLT).

I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me (Psalm 51:3; NIV).

3. The Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me (Revelation 3:20; NIV).

4. Each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me (Psalm 42:8; NLT).

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

Testing and temptation

Ruth Kirk

Image: Hans Braxmeier, Pixabay

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows
(John 16:33; NLT).

1. God tests us,
But he doesn’t tempt us,
Tries us,
But he doesn’t lure.

2. He shows us
Jesus’ ways of coping,
So we learn
How to endure.

3. Temptation comes
When our desires entice,
Then drag, us
To the place

4. Where they give birth
To sinful acts —
But God helps us resist,
Through grace.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
(Philippians 4:13; NKJV).

References

1. He tests me (Job 23:10; NLT).

[He] tests the heart and mind (Jeremiah 11:20; ESV).

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone (James 1:13; NIV).

2. For Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, see: Matthew 4:1-11; NLT.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth (Isaiah 53:7; NLT).

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13; NLT).

3. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away (James 1:14; NLT).

4. These desires give birth to sinful actions (James 1:15; NLT).

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:13; NASB).

My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; NLT).