On the altar

Ruth Kirk

David built an altar there to the Lord (2 Samuel 24:25; NLT).

 1. Here, within this candle-flame,
Is God,
Who comes from heaven to reign.

2. Here, within this sacred bread,
His Son,
The first fruits of the dead.

3. Here, within this cup of wine,
His Spirit,
Who is truth divine.

4. Here, within this mystery,
Is God,
In perfect unity.

 

References

1. The Holy One will be a flame (Isaiah 10:17; NLT).
He will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15; NLT).

2. He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body” (Luke 22:19; NIV).
Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (Corinthians 15:20; NIV).

3. He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood” (Mark 14:23-4; NLT).
The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).

4.The wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God (1 Corinthians 2:7; NLT).
The Lord our God is one (Mark 12:29; NIV).

Distress

Ruth Kirk

My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out (Psalm 40:12; NLT).

1. Father,
You forgive my sins
As soon as I confess,
But I cannot forgive myself,
So I am in distress.

2. Father,
You wipe out my sins
Once I have made amends;
But I cannot forgive myself,
For I have hurt my friends.

3. Father,
You forget my sins;
You’re merciful and kind;
But I cannot forgive myself,
Or leave them far behind.

4. Father,
You remove my sins;
You love to heal, and give;
Please help me to forgive myself,
Then I’ll be free to live.

References

1. He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).
I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone (Psalm 32:5; NLT).
I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me (Psalm 51:3; NIV).

2. The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7; NLT).
If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God (Matthew 5:23-4; NLT).

3. I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins (Jeremiah 31:34; NLT).
How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! (Psalm 11:6; NLT).

4. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12; NLT).
He heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3; NIV).
He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy (Psalm 68:6; NLT).
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NIV).

One in Christ

Ruth Kirk

You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).

1. You love me, and I love you,
So, Lord, we are always one.
I love you, and you love me,
I, God’s child, and you, his Son.

2. You love me, and I love you,
Brother, sister – God’s great plan.
I love you, and you love me,
One in Him since time began.

3. You love me, and I love you,
One in life, and one in death.
I love you, and you love me,
One, Lord, in our final breath.

4. You love me, and I love you,
One, Lord, on that further shore.
I love you, and you love me,
One in God, for evermore.

References

1. To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12; NLT).

2. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1; NIV).
I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).

3. In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

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

Love is all

Ruth Kirk

1. Father God,
I melt into your strength,
Where there is neither weakness,
Fear, nor pain.

2. Father God,
I melt into your mind,
Where there is neither striving,
Sin, nor stain.

3. Father God,
I melt into your heart,
Where there is neither hatred,
Guilt, nor gall.

4. Father God,
I melt into your soul,
Where we are one in love,
And love is all.

References

1. The Lord is glorious and strong (1 Chronicles 16:28; NLT).

2. The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NIV).

3. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

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

You’re my Maker

Ruth Kirk

1. Father,
You’re my Maker,
My Lord, my fire, my light;
I worship you with all my strength,
And glory in your might.

2. Mary,
You’re my Mother,
My peace in heaven above;
I honour you with all my mind,
And revel in your love.

3. Jesus,
You’re my Saviour,
My life, my truth, my way;
I sing your praise with all my heart,
And thank you every day.

4. Spirit,
You’re my Teacher,
My Comforter and Friend;
I welcome you with all my soul,
And trust you to the end.

References

1. He made us, and we are his (Psalm 100:3; NLT).

2. Here is your Mother (John 9:27; NLT).

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

4. When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything (John 14:26; NLT).

Faith

Ruth Kirk

1. Faith is more important, Lord,
Than clothes;
Than fashion, beauty, hairstyle,
Weight, or frame.

2. Hope is more important, Lord,
Than wealth;
Than status, popularity,
Or fame.

3. Love is more important, Lord,
Than food;
Than fancy diets,
Or the latest craze;

4. But You are most important, Lord,
Of all;
So I will seek your kingdom
All my days.

References

1. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing (Luke 12:22-3; RSV).

2. You cannot serve both God and money (Luke 16:13; NLT).

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

4. Your unfailing love is better than life itself (Psalm 63:3; NLT).

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need (Luke 12:31; NLT).

Teach me

Ruth Kirk

1. Teach me, Lord,
What you want me to learn,
And show me
All that you want me to see.

2. Tell me, Lord,
What you want me to give,
And help me
To have life abundantly.

3. Teach me, Lord,
What you want me to know,
And show me
All that you want me to do.

4. Tell me, Lord,
What you want me to say,
And help me
To grow more and more like you.

References

1. Teach me your ways, O Lord (Psalm 86:11; NLT).

2. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10; NRSV).

3. Show me the right path, O Lord (Psalm 25:4; NLT).

4. We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).