Category: Spirit

24.11.23: Our Godhead

Ruth Kirk

Hello, friends. From today onwards, I will be posting my blog every evening, rather than every morning. This should release me from the daily conflict between wanting to pray, and the pressure to publish each day’s blog as early as possible. I hope it will also prove helpful for early risers to find the day’s blog in their email in-box as soon as they wake up, rather than having to wait for its arrival.

✝️   With love and thanks to all who visit and follow here, from Ruth xxxxxx

O Lord, you are our God (2 Chronicles 14:11; NLT).

Yahweh: Our Godhead,
Beyond time and space;

Christ: God incarnate,
The Lord’s human face;

Spirit: God’s presence,
Infallible grace –

Lord: you are Love,
May all know your embrace.

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him* (Luke 15:20; NLT).

References

Verse 1:

The LORD our God, the LORD is one (Deuteronomy 6:4; NIV). 

For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours (Psalm 90:4; NLT). 

God looks down from heaven on the entire human race (Psalm 53:2; NLT). 

God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11; NLT). 

Verse 2:

In him [Christ] is embodied all the fulness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:10; LB).

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14; NIV).

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

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

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; NIV). 

Verse 3:

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth (John 14:16; NIV).

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! (Psalm 139:7; NLT). 

God is Spirit (John 4:24; NLT). 

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

I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family ofDavid and on the people of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:10; NLT).

Verse 4:

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

Note:

*This verse is taken from the parable of the prodigal son. If you would like to read the whole parable, it can be found in any Bible translation: Luke 15:11-32.  

21.11.23: You know me

Ruth Kirk

I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
(Psalm 38:18; NLT). 

When I say, each day, “I’m sorry”,
You don’t want my lame excuses,
My defences serve no purpose:
Lord, you know exactly what I’ve done.

When I ask for your forgiveness,
You don’t like my sly evasions,
You don’t need my mitigations:
Lord, you know exactly what I’ve said.

When I beg for absolution,
You refuse my explanations,
My denials make no difference:
Lord, you know exactly what I’ve thought.

Yet, when I must stand before you,
You will not reject me, for you sent
And shared my trials and sorrows,
So your Spirit, deep within me,
Pleads on my behalf for mercy:
Lord, you are my Maker, and my Soul.

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
(Genesis 2:7; KJV).

References 

You know everything I do (Psalm 139:3; NLT).

 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD (Psalm 139:4; NLT).

Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely (Psalm 139:4; NIV). 

You perceive my thoughts (Psalm 139:2; NIV).

LORD, you know my heart (Jeremiah 12:3; NLT). 

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me (Psalm 139:1; NLT).

The words you speak come from the heart – that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you (Matthew 15:18-20; NLT).

The LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance (Psalm 94:14; NIV).

I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things (Isaiah 45:7; NLT).

I will rejoice and be glad in your faithful love because you have seen my affliction. You know the troubles of my soul (Psalm 31:7; CSB). 

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

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years (Isaiah 63:9; NLT). 

What is the hope of the sinner when he is cut off, when God takes back his soul? (Job 27:8; BBE).

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

The Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will (Romans 8:26-7; AMP).

Yahweh is mercy and tenderness (Psalm 111:4; NJB).

God will get back my soul (Psalm 49:15; BBE).

God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself (Psalm 49:15; NIV).

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

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

19.11.22: Faith (for P.)

Ruth Kirk

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

Father, you cherish me,
Jesus, you ransom me,
Spirit, you counsel me:
Teach me your way.

Father, I worship you,
Jesus, I follow you,
Spirit, I trust in you:
Help me to pray. 

Father, you nurture me,
Jesus, you shepherd me,
Spirit, you comfort me:
Show me your face.

Father, I live in you,
Jesus, I walk with you,
Spirit, I welcome you:
Strengthen my faith. 

✝️  “If you possibly can, have pity on us and help us.” “If I possibly can!'” replied Jesus; “why, everything is possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father cried out, “I do believe: strengthen my weak faith” (Mark 9:22-4; WNT). 

4.11.23: I trust in you (for J.)

Ruth Kirk

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

Father,
I trust in you.
Help me to worship you,
Love, and remain in you,
Day after day.

Jesus,
I trust in you.
Help me to follow you,
Serve, and remain in you,
Choosing your way.

Spirit,
I trust in you.
Help me to live in you,
Pray, and remain in you,
Come, Lord, what may.

Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39; NLT).

 References 

Verse 1:

Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor (1 Chronicles 16:29; NLT).

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me (John 15:4; NLT).

Verse 2:

Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me (John 12:26; NLT). 

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:13-14; NLT).

Verse 3:

Let us therefore live in the Spirit, and surrender to the Spirit (Galatians 5:25; LB). 

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18; NIV).

28.10.23: Flying colours (for J.Y.)

Ruth Kirk

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:13-14; NLT).

Come through life with flying colours:
Make each loss you face, a gain.
Come through every test with honours:
Trust in Jesus’ Holy Name.

Come through death in shining robes:
Be guided by his staff and rod.
Come, at last, borne by his Spirit:
Then unite with Christ, our God.

Come, for evermore, to heaven:
Merge with Him, our resting-place.
Come, receive the victor’s prize:
To gaze, forever, on his face.

His servants will worship him. And they will see his face (Revelation 22:3-4; NLT).

References

We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed (Titus 2:13; NLT).

This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior (2 Peter 1:1; NLT).

26.10.23: Acceptance (for M.)

Ruth Kirk

A very warm welcome to M,  who joined here yesterday!

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? (Job 2:10; NIV). 

Accept whatever way of life
God sends:
The ups and downs;
The enemies; the friends.

Follow the way of death
Our Saviour trod:
Back to the Father;
Back to the Lord, Our God.

Comforted by his Spirit’s
Constant care,
Always remember:
God is everywhere –

In every person,
Situation, place:
Pouring out love, forgiveness,
Hope, and grace.

We praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son (Ephesians 1:6; NLT).

24.10.23: Pray in the Spirit

Ruth Kirk

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (1 Corinthians 14:15; NLT). 

Plead with the Father,
Call on his Son,
And pray in the Spirit of God.

Worship the Father,
Follow his Son,
And pray in the Spirit of God.

Join with the Father,
Serve with his Son,
And pray in the Spirit of God.

Live in the Father,
Rest in his Son,
And pray in the Spirit of God.

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8:14; NLT).

A reading: Romans 8:26-7; AMP.

We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will.

5.10.23: Worship

Ruth Kirk
Pixabay.

Yesterday I woke early, with plenty of time to pray, but almost immediately these simple verses pressed upon me so insistently that I had to write them down. It was as if they wanted to be heard and set down, so they could be remembered and shared.

You must worship the LORD your God (Luke 4:8; NLT).

Father, I worship you;
Jesus, I trust in you;
Spirit, I call on you:
Guide me today.

Father, you cherish me;
Jesus, you ransom me;
Spirit, you sigh for me:
Help me to pray.

Father, I live in you;
Jesus, I follow you;
Spirit, I welcome you:
Teach me your way.

Father, you comfort me;
Jesus, you nourish me;
Spirit you counsel me:
“Love, come what may.”

Love is the fulfilment of the law (Romans 13:10; NIV).

3.10.23: In your hands

Ruth Kirk
Pexels: Pixabay.

I woke at 4am yesterday, and the moment I began to pray, these verses began to flow with very little input from me at all:

Our lives are in his hands (Psalm 66:9; NLT). 

In your hands, dear Lord,
I’ll rest,
Throughout each danger,
Loss and test,
However scared,
However stressed:
My Father.

In your hands, dear Lord,
I’ll stay,
Despite my troubles,
Every day,
However weary,
I will pray:
My Jesus.

In your hands, dear Lord,
I’ll die,
Then straight to you
My soul will fly,
For you are God,
Who shares each sigh:
My Spirit.

In your hands,
Dear Trinity,
I’ll live, forever
Joyful, free
To worship you
In ecstasy:
My Saviour.

God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for (Titus 3:6-7; GNT).

1.10.23: Open to God

Ruth Kirk
Myriam’s-Fotos: Pixabay.

Yesterday, I woke in plenty of time to pray before breakfast, but God had a better plan, and gave me these verses instead.

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

Prayer doesn’t have to be hard:
We are all in God’s hands.
Speaking, or silent, or weeping:
The Lord understands.

Let’s open our thoughts and our feelings
To Jesus, who cares,
Trusting His Spirit within us
To fashion our prayers.

She intercedes for us,
Sighing and pleading, with tears.
Yahweh is listening,
And waiting to help with our fears.

No matter what happens,
Let’s open our hearts without cease,
Communing with Christ, who is longing
To give us His peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
(John 14:27; NIV).