sin – Seeking God's face together

Like ants

March 31, 2020March 31, 2020Ruth Kirk

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

1. We are like ants,
Or blades of grass,
We mortals, who will
Swiftly pass.

2. Yet God loves us
With all his heart,
And longs for us
To play our part.

3. He is so great,
And we so small,
And yet he lives
Within us all;

4. And though we fail
Each day, and sin,
He’s one with us,
And we with him.

References

1. God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! (Isaiah 40:22; NLT).

Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone – as though we had never been here (Psalm 103:15-16; NLT).

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

The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8; NLT).

3. God is great (Psalm 70:4; NLT).

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

The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; KJV).

4. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway (Romans 7:19; NLT).

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you (John 17:21; NLT).

I am in them and you are in me ((John 17:23; NLT).

You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).

Like God

March 29, 2020Ruth Kirk

Put on your new nature, created to be like God –
truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24; NLT).

1. God wants us all
To be like him,

2. Free from selfishness
And sin;

3. His children,
Full of love and joy

4. Because of Christ,
Who lives within.

References

1. Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us (Genesis 1:26; NLT).

2. Now you are free from your slavery to sin (Romans 6:18; NLT).

3. He calls us his children (1 John 3:1; NLT).

Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love (Psalm 59:16; NLT).

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

Perfection

March 27, 2020March 27, 2020Ruth Kirk

You are to be perfect,
even as your Father in heaven is perfect
(Matthew 5:48; NLT).

Father,

1. I am far
From your perfection,
With little time still left
To grow like you.

2. Please look on me
With mercy and compassion.
Forgive my sins,
And heal my body, too.

3. Mend my wayward heart,
And mind, and spirit;
Give me time to learn
From your dear Son.

4. Then help me, Lord, to serve
Your sacred kingdom,
For though I’m late, Lord God,
I have begun.

References

1. You are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48; NLT).

Remember how short my life is (Psalm 89:47; NLT).

2. You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy (Psalm 86:15; NLT).

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

3. I will heal your wayward hearts (Jeremiah 3:22; NLT).

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me (Matthew 11:29; NIV).

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

When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage (Matthew 20:10; NLT).

Those who are last now will be the first then (Matthew 20:16; NLT).

Courage

March 25, 2020Ruth Kirk

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said.
“Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:27; NLT).

1. Lord,
Please give us courage,
To face all life may bring:
Heartbreak, sickness, hunger,
For you are still our King.

2. Lord,
Please give us courage
To bear all that may come:
Loneliness and worry,
Until this plague is done.

3. Lord,
Please give us courage
To turn to you, and pray,
Trusting in your mercy,
And serving you each day.

4. Lord,
Please give us courage
And hope, for you are great;
Forgive us all our sins,
And help us hold fast to our faith.

References

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

2. This is my intense suffering, but I must bear it (Jeremiah 10:19; CSB).

3. I plead for the Lord’s mercy (Psalm 142:1; NLT).

4. Put your hope in God (Psalm 42:5; NIV).

Having hope will give you courage (Job 11:18; NLT)

I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts (Isaiah 57:15; NLT).

Hold fast and repent (Revelation 3:3; NKJV).

Abba

March 5, 2020Ruth Kirk

1. Abba,
Please forgive my sins,
So I may rest in you
And share your peace.

2. Adonai,
Please heal my ills,
So I may serve your people
Without cease.

3. El Shaddai,
Please redeem my soul,
So I may see your face
Beyond death’s shore.

4. Elohim,
Please crown my life,
So I may sing your praise
For evermore.

References

1. *Abba: The God who is our Daddy

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

You will experience God’s peace (Philippians 4:7; NLT).

2. *Adonai: The God who is in charge

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

Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all (Mark 9:35; NIV).

3. *El Shaddai: The Almighty God

He redeems me from death (Psalm 103:4; NLT).

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NRSV).

4. *Elohim: The Creator God

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

Let all that I am praise the Lord (Psalm 103:1; NLT).

*Translations of God’s titles: bibleinfo.com

Search me, Lord

February 21, 2020Ruth Kirk

Search me, O God, and know my heart (Psalm 139:23; NLT).

1. Search me, Lord,
Then live within,
And help me fight
Each urge to sin.

2. Search my mind,
I beg you; stay
To help me keep
Mean thoughts at bay.

3. Search my heart,
Remain; invest
In me, and help me
Face each test.

4. Search my soul,
Make it your home,
Then, Lord, I’ll be
Your flesh and bone.

References

1. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Mark 14:38; NLT).

2. I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind (Jeremiah 17:10; NIV).

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).

3. The Lord tests the heart (Proverbs 17:3; NLT).

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

4. The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12; NIV).

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).

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:27; NLT).

The Spirit of God lives in you (1 Corinthians 3:16; NLT).