Seeking God's face together

You came to earth

July 25, 2021Ruth Kirk

I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full
(John 10:10; NLT).

You came to earth
To teach us how to live,
And love,
And die.

Your Spirit dwells
Within us, Lord,
And helps us
As we try

To speak the truth with love,
Like you,
And do God’s will
Each day,

By taking up our cross
With joy,
And following
Your way.

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).

In my bones

July 24, 2021Ruth Kirk

Truly he has endured our sufferings
(Isaiah 53:4; ABPE).

God is in my bones
As I grow old.
He shares my dwindling energy;
My pain.

God is in my mind
As I forget.
He shares my loss of sharpness;
My regret.

God is in my heart
As I decline.
He shares my growing love;
My inner peace.

God is in my soul
As I face death.
He shares my life –
From birth, to my last breath.

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

Whether we know it or not

July 23, 2021Ruth Kirk

Every living creature is in the hands of God
(Job 12:10; CEV).

Whether we know it or not,
We are all in God’s hand.

Whether we know it or not,
He loves all he has made.

Whether we know it or not,
He weeps over our sin.

Whether we know it or not,
He is present within.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

Despite my pride

July 22, 2021Ruth Kirk

You deserve to be punished. But I will treat you in a way that will bring honour to my name, and you will know that I am the Lord God
(Ezekiel 20:44; CEV).

Despite my pride
And ignorance,
Despite my envy, Lord;

Despite my greed
And foolishness,
Despite my judgements, Lord;

Despite my hate
And selfishness,
Despite my anger, Lord;

Despite my guilt
And sinfulness:
You love me.

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

In the darkness

July 21, 2021Ruth Kirk

If you are walking in darkness,
without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
and rely on your God
(Isaiah 50:10; NLT).

Lord,
You’re in the darkness
That surrounds me:
I rejoice to have you
As my guide.

Lord,
You’re in the sorrow
That afflicts me:
I delight to journey
By your side.

Lord,
You’re in the loneliness
That fills me:
I exult to know you
As my friend.

Lord,
You’re in the silence
That engulfs me:
So I’m content to stay here,
Till my end.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him
(Psalm 62:5; ESV).

Like incense

July 20, 2021Ruth Kirk

Accept my prayer
as incense offered to you
(Psalm 141:2; NLT).

May my prayers
Rise like incense,
My faith
Blaze like fire;

My trust
Shine like yours, Lord,
My love
Never tire.

May your light
Rest upon me,
Your heart
Be my shrine;

Your peace
Dwell within me,
Our souls
Intertwine.

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).

Your healing touch

July 19, 2021July 20, 2021Ruth Kirk

I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One
(Tobit 12:15; KJV).

God sent me […] to cure you
(Tobit 12:13-14; GNTA).

Lord Jesus,

Please give Raphael
Your gentle, healing touch,
Then send him down to help us,
For you love us all so much.

You see our trials and sorrows, Lord,
You hear our anguished cries;
You share our grief and pain;
Your Spirit prays for us with sighs.

You know, Lord, how we suffer here
In mind and body, heart and soul,
But with his help we will be healed:
Your touch will make us whole.

In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared (Luke 5:12-13; NLT).