Category: Trust

Take heart!

Ruth Kirk

You who seek God, take heart! (Psalm 69:32; CSB). 

As some of you will know, I was recently subjected to a lengthy, vitriolic online attack. Everything about myself, my beliefs, my writing, my aims, and my website was judged and condemned by a theologian. I asked him to apologise so we could be reconciled, but he was not willing to do so.

However, I have not let his criticisms distract me from my ongoing efforts to update this site. Although my editorial work will continue behind the scenes for many months, today I have put the finishing touches to a new layout. These include a fresh title, which I was given late last night, to my great surprise and delight. This fresh start has taken the sting from the bitter criticism aimed at me. Hopefully, the reorganisation will make it easier for people to find posts which might interest or help them.

So, today’s post celebrates all these positive changes and steps forward. Meanwhile, I continue to pray for the person concerned, and have become quite fond of him. I know that God will bring good to many people through his outburst, and I wish him well.

The boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:24-7; ESV).

What does Jesus say to us?
Take heart, it is I.
What does Jesus say to us?
God has heard your cry.

What does Jesus say to us?
Child, this is God’s will.
What does Jesus say to us?
Hush, now; peace; be still.

What does Jesus say to us:
Trust, for God is near.
What does Jesus say to us?
I am always here.

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

References

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

The LORD has heard your cry of distress (Genesis 16:11; NLT).

The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21; CSB).

You will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect Romans 12:2; NLT).

He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Mark 4:39; NKJV).

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

 

With eyes fully open

Ruth Kirk

This prayer came to me the moment I woke and started to pray on Christmas morning. It is a special prayer for all of us who find Christmas very difficult, whatever the reason. With my warmest love, and with thanks to you all for your support, from Ruth xxx

I love you, LORD; you are my strength (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

With eyes fully open,
And eyes fully closed:
Yahweh, I love you so much!

No matter what happens
You’re here, at my side:
Jesus, I love you so much!

Speaking, or silent,
You’re here, in my soul:
Spirit, I love you so much!

And you love me too,
Though I can’t see you yet:
But soon, Lord, I’ll reach out, and touch!

Reach out your hand and put it into my side (John 20:27; NIV).

If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed (Matthew 9:21; NLT).

References

Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do. As he spoke, he showed them his hands and feet (Luke 24:39-40; NLT).

Blessed are those who believe without seeing me (John 20:29; NLT).

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

After my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes (Job 19:26-7; NLT).

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

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 12:12; NIV).

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

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).

 

All I have

Ruth Kirk

All I have is yours (John 17:10; NIV).

All I have is love for you,
And all I have is trust.
All I have is faith in you,
For I am only dust.

Yet you give me Christ, your Son,
To follow, love and serve,
And offer me your Holy Ghost –
That’s more than I deserve!

My treasures, hid in darkness,
Are your cross, your staff, your rod;
So these are all I have to share
With you, Almighty God.

Who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! (1 Chronicles 29:14; NLT).

 

A bag of bones

Ruth Kirk

Recent circumstances have raised a major issue for me: I may be autistic. My doctor has referred me for an assessment, which I hope to arrange very soon. This possibility is making me think about my life in a completely new way, and I’m finding the uncertainty disturbing, and very difficult to live with. All these things are reflected in today’s blog.

We have become old, dry bones – all hope is gone (Ezekiel 37:11; NLT).

Lord, I’m just a bag of bones,
A stranger to myself;
This life is far too hard –
I can’t be helped.

Lord, I’m just the odd one out,
With nowhere to belong,
For life is very hard –
I’m made all wrong!

Lord, I’m just unloveable;
A failure – take my soul!
My life is much too hard
To be made whole.

Yet you made me as I am,
And know me through and through;
Though life is hard, I trust
You’ll make me new.

He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age (Ruth 4:15; NIV).

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31; NIV).

Life is hard

Ruth Kirk

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

How hard life is, my God,
How hard –
With so much sorrow
On the way;
With so much anguish,
Loss and pain –
Until we see your face
Again.

From birth to death
We’re exiled here –
To follow Christ,
And grow in love;
To ask for, and receive,
Your grace –
Until we know
Your warm embrace.

How rich you are
In joy and peace –
So kind and patient,
Strong and wise.
We need your Son
And Spirit, too –
Until we’re one,
At last, with you.

How short life is, my God,
How short –
So we have put
Our trust in you.
We’ll share the bliss
You have in store –
When we unite with you
Once more.

There is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8; NIV).

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9; NLT). 

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

Faith

Ruth Kirk

O my God, I have put my faith in you (Psalm 25:2; BBE).

Yahweh, I have put my faith
In you,

Trusting you to help
And guide me through

Everything you send,
Both ‘bad’ and ‘good’,

Accepting all you give to me
With love.

Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).

 

Help and love

Ruth Kirk

If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble (Ecclesiastes 4:10; NLT).

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

We all need help from others,
And they need help from us –

Yet, God, we need your help as well,
For we are only dust.

We all need love from others,
And they need love from us –

Yet, God, we need your love as well:
In you alone we trust.

Love one another (1 John 2:7; NLT).

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

References

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

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

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:2; NLT).

Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone (2 Chronicles 14:11; NLT).

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy (Psalm 28:7; NLT).

 

I’m sorry

Ruth Kirk

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

I’m sorry: let me start afresh,
For I have sinned, and have confessed.

I love you: let me start again.
Forgive me, please, and heal my shame.

I trust you: let me start anew.
Please take my hand, and guide me through.

I need you: let me try once more
To love and serve all, I implore.

I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me (Matthew 25:45; NLT).

 

My life

Ruth Kirk

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). 

I love you, Lord,
Through thick and thin.
I want to serve,
And not to sin;

To turn away
From selfishness,
And comfort others
In distress;

To follow daily,
Bear my cross,
And trust in you
Through gain and loss:

For you’re my Lord,
My God, my Light;
My Bread, my Way,
My Truth, my Life.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).

References

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

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

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

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35; NLT).

I am the living bread that came down from heaven (John 6:51; NLT).