Category: spirit

Darkness is the same as light

Ruth Kirk

1. Darkness is the same
As light:
Both conceal God
From my sight.

2. Wrapped in shadow,
Dazzling bright,
He guides my spirit,
Day and night.

3. Light and dark
Are just the same:
Both declare
His sacred name,

4. Which cleanses me
Of sin and shame,
And sets my dying heart
Aflame.


References

1. Darkness and light are the same to you (Psalm 139:12; NLT).

He made darkness his covering (Psalm 18:11; NIV).

He lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will (1 Timothy 6:16; NLT).

2. He shrouded himself in darkness (2 Samuel 22:12; NLT).

The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment (Psalm 104:2; NIV).

He is clothed in dazzling splendour (Job 37:22; NLT).

The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. this allowed them to travel by day or by night (Exodus 13:21; NLT).

3. 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).

What a holy and awe-inspiring name he has! (Psalm 111:9; NLT).

4. You were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11; NLT).

My days vanish like smoke, my bones burn like glowing embers (Psalm 102:3; NIV).

Everyone will be salted with fire (Mark 9:49; NIV).

This cross

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ruth Kirk

🌺

1. This cross, Lord,
Is my closest friend.

2. I’ll bear it daily
Till life’s end,

3. When I must leave
All things behind –

4. Possessions, body,
Heart and mind –

5. Except my spirit,
Which will soar

6. To join with yours,
For evermore.

🌺

References

1. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27; RSV).

2. Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

3. God said to him, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?” (Luke 12:20; NLT).

4. I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I depart (Job 1:21; NIV).

5. Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).

We […] will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17; NLT).

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

A vision in a dream 19.2.21.

Ruth 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).

The dawn of your love

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ulrike Leone, Pixabay

🌕

1. Each day, Lord,
I wake in the dawn of your love,
And pray
In your heavenly light.

2. Each morning,
I wash in the fall of your dew,
Then take up my cross
In your sight.

3. Each evening,
I rest in the shade of your wings,
Then sleep in your arms
All night through.

4. But one day you’ll call
My frail spirit back home —
Then I’ll reunite, Lord,
With you.

Image: MustangJoe, Pixabay

References

1. When I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:18; NLT).

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice (Psalm 55:17; NKJV).

I am the light of the world (John 8:12; NLT).

2. Your dew is like the dew of the morning (Isaiah 26:19; NIV).

Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew (Deuteronomy 33:13; NLT).

I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven (Hosea 14:5; NLT).

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23; NLT).

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

All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7; NLT).

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27; NIV).

4. I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).

Then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NLT).

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

Dying

Ruth Kirk

Image: Abdullah Ahmed, Pixabay

🖤

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

Lord,

1. Hold me gently
In your arms,
For I am weak, and ill.

2. Join my drifting thoughts
With yours,
And let me hear you, still.

3. Keep my heart, Lord,
Safe in yours,
So love is all I know.

4. Then take my spirit
In your hands,
And let my body go.

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

References

1. I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29; NLT).

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

He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11; NLT).

Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak (Psalm 6:2; NLT).

I am dying (Genesis 48:21; NKJV).

2. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NKJV).

We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).

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

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

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

Yes, my soul, find rest in God (Psalm 62:5; NIV).

Once, you were here

Ruth Kirk

Image: bluebudgie, Pixabay

💙

1. Once, you were here,
In the manger:
New-born, Lord,
And brimming with light.

2. Once, you were here,
In the garden:
Anguished and grieving,
At night.

3. Once you were here,
On the cross, Lord:
In sorrow and pain,
All alone.

4. But now you are here
In my spirit:
My Shepherd, my Saviour,
My Own.

💙

References

1. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them (Luke 2:6-7; NIV).

I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life (John 8:12; NLT).

2. They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter, James and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death” (Mark 14:32-4; NLT).

Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NIV).

3. They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha […] Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross (Mark 15:22,24; NLT).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Mark 15:34; NLT).

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

I am the good shepherd (John 10:14; NLT).

The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world (1 John 4:14; NLT).

My beloved is mine and I am his (Song of Songs 2:16; NIV).

Nothing to give

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ralf Siebeck, Pixabay

1. Lord,
I have nothing to give you –
Nothing to share
But my mind;
Nothing to pledge
But my feelings;
Nothing to offer
Mankind.

2. Lord,
I have nothing to give you –
Nothing to share
But my blood;
Nothing to pledge
But my spirit;
Nothing to offer
But love.

 

References

1. Human effort accomplishes nothing (John 6:63; NLT).

2. We have nothing left to give but our bodies (Genesis 47:18; NLT).

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

Give back

Ruth Kirk

Image: Thanasis Papazacharias, Pixabay


Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s,
and to God what is God’s
(Luke 20:25; NIV).

1. I give my body back to you:
Lord, we are one in flesh and blood.

2. I give my thinking back to you:
Lord, may we share one humble mind.

3. I give my feelings back to you:
Lord, may we live as one, in love.

4. I give my spirit back to you:
Lord, may our joy be unconfined.

 

References

1. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14; NIV).

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

Have […] a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8; RSV).

We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).

3. Live in a way that pleases him, and love and serve him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12; NLT).

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

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

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

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

You have been united with Christ (Ephesians 2:13; NLT).

You will live in joy and peace (Isaiah 55:12; NLT).

Waiting

Ruth Kirk

Image: Imaresz, Pixabay

Father,

1. May I worship you
With every breath I take,

2. Rejoicing in your holy name,
Although my heart may ache;

3. Communing with you constantly,
Although I feel alone,

4. And waiting for the day
When you will lead my spirit home.

 

References

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

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4; NLT).

2. Rejoice before him – his name is the Lord (Psalm 68:4; NIV).

Even in laughter the heart may ache (Proverbs 14:13; NIV).

3. Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; CSB).

Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress (Psalm 25:16; NLT).

4. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? (Psalm 42:2; NLT).

Wait for the Lord (Psalm 37:34; NIV).

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

Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care (Jeremiah 31:9; NLT).

My spirit rises up

Ruth Kirk


Image: Engin Akyurt, Pixabay

1. My spirit rises up, Lord God,
To join with yours, in prayer.

2. I share my pain and fear with you,
Each fault, each sin, each care,

3. United with you, Father God,
Your Spirit, and your Son,

4. With all the living, and the dead,
For in you, all are one.

 

References

1. Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord (Jeremiah 50:5; ESV).

Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; CSB).

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

You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).

Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8; NLT).

3. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one (John 17:22; NLT).

4. He is God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him (Luke 20:38; NLT).

There is […] one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; 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. And may they be in us (John 17:21; NLT).