22.11.23: My future

My future is in your hands (Psalm 31.15. NLT).

Lord,

I’ve put my future
In your hands.

So, every time
I snatch it back,

Starting to fret
About what life might bring,

Please prompt me to return it
To your care,

Accepting, afresh,
The good and bad you send,

With thanks, and childlike trust, Lord,
In your love.

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


References 

The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being (Job 12:10; NLT).

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).

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

I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NLT).

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it (Luke 18:17; NLT).

I trust in your unfailing love (Psalm 13:5; NLT).

19.11.22: Faith (for P.)

✝️  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). 

16.11.23: I’ll try

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

Whatever You take, I’ll offer thanks;
Whatever You send, accept.
Wherever I am, I’ll try to pray;
And when I hurt others, confess.

However I am, I’ll try to serve;
However I feel, rejoice.
Whoever I meet, I’ll try to see
Your presence in them, and to bless.

Whenever I fear, I’ll try to trust;
Whenever I fall, to cling.
Whatever dark path I face today,
I’ll shoulder my cross, and say, “Yes.”

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:38; KJV).

4.11.23: I trust in you (for J.)

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.)

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).

22.10.23: Jesus, I trust in you (with thanks to J.)

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

Whenever you’re anxious,
Or burdened by sin,
Say: “Jesus, I trust in you” –
He is within.

Whenever you’re angry,
With bitter words said,
Pray: “Jesus, I trust in you” –
Weeping, instead.

Whenever you’re sorry,
Ashamed and contrite,
Cry: “Jesus, I trust in you” –
He is your Light;

And when people hurt you,
Reject you, or chide,
Sigh: “Jesus, I trust in you” –
Thanking your Guide.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

Jesus [is] the guide and end of our faith (Hebrews 12:2; BBE). 

5.10.23: Worship

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).

1.10.23: Open to God

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).

28.9.23: Christ is all

“Christ is all, and is in all” (Colossians 3:11; NIV). Photo: Ruth Kirk.

Yesterday I woke early, and eagerly began to pray in silence. However, God had other plans, and within 45 minutes, today’s prayer was complete.

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
(Colossians 3:11; NIV). 

1. Christ is all.
Hear his call.
Ask forgiveness.
Turn to him.

2. Christ is good.
Trust his love.
Care for others.
Give up sin.

3. Christ is here.
Do not fear.
Serve Him daily.
Bear your cross.

4. Christ is kind.
Share his mind,
And follow Him
Through gain and loss.

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


References 

Verse 1

Jesus began to preach, Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17; NLT). 

Verse 2

The LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:5; NIV).

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

Verse 3

I am with you every day, even unto the end of time (Matthew 28:20; ABPE).

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).

Verse 4

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NIV).

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

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).

15.9.23: Song of praise

congerdesign: Pixabay.

Yesterday I woke early, and the moment I began to pray this song of praise arrived. Its first words and its shape were instantly clear in my mind. Despite this, writing is gradually getting harder and more tiring as my energy and mental capacity reduce. I don’t know how much longer I will be able to do it for, but will continue as long as I can, until God stops giving me prayers to write.

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

I love you, Lord,
And bless your name,
Confide in you,
Confess my shame,
Receive forgiveness,
Sing your praise,
And gladly worship
All my days.

I love you, Lord,
And trust your Son.
I follow him,
For we are one.
I’ll bear my cross
Through good and ill,
Rejoice, and pray
And thank you, still.

I love you, Lord,
Your Spirit, too.
She lives in me,
And I in you.
So, may we plead
With one accord
For those who suffer,
Blessed Lord.

I love you,
Holy Trinity:
The Mighty God
Who sets me free.
Day after day
I hear your call
And try to serve you, Lord,
In all.

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).