Would you?

Ruth Kirk

Image: Roy N, Pixabay

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others
and to give his life as a ransom for many
(Mark 10:45; NLT).

1. Would you forgo your hope of rescue,
So a foreigner is saved?

2. Or forswear your dream of freedom,
So a friend is not enslaved?

3. Would you renounce your chance of healing,
So a neighbour is made whole?

4. Or surrender your survival,
Just to save a stranger’s soul?

5. Would you resign your reign above,
So enemies are welcomed in?

6. Or face death by crucifixion,
Bearing many people’s sin?

7. Would you believe the Father’s promise,
Trusting you will rise anew,

8. And then give up your life for others –
Just as Jesus did, for you?

 

References

1. Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

2. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13; NLT).

3. Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).

4. Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15; NLT).

5. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being (Philippians 2:6-7; NLT).

Love your enemies! (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

6. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8; NLT).

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24; NIV).

7. Those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! (Isaiah 26:19; NLT).

I trust in God (Psalm 56:11; NLT).

They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again (Mark 10:34; NLT).

8. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16; NLT).

Dwell in God’s presence

Ruth Kirk

Image: marcelkessler, Pixabay

1. Dwell in God’s presence,
And walk in his light;
Follow his teaching,
And trust in his might.

2. Grow more like Jesus,
And rest in his peace;
Thank him for everything;
Praise without cease.

3. Pray in the Spirit;
Rejoice in God’s worth –
Then you will be living
In heaven on earth.

 

References

1. The upright shall dwell in your presence (Psalm 140:13; NKJV).

Let us walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:5; NLT).

Follow in his steps and accept his teaching (Deuteronomy 33:3; NLT).

Trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5; NLT).

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

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

I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart (John 14:27; NIV).

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

I will praise the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:1; NLT).

3. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18; NLT).

Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV).

He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise (Deuteronomy 10:21; NLT).

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven (Philippians 1:27; NLT).

The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; NKJV).

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

The Lord is in my DNA

Ruth Kirk

Image: LaCasadeGoethe, Pixabay

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

1. The Lord is in my DNA,
My cells, my bones, my blood.

2. He makes his home within me,
And he fills me with his love.

3. He makes my mind his temple,
And my heart his dwelling-place.

4. He makes my soul his kingdom,
And he fills me with his grace.

 

References

1. God created human beings in his own image (Genesis 1:27; NLT).

When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself (Genesis 5:1; NLT).

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

You have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you (1 John 2:27; NLT).

2. Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them” (John 14:23; NLT).

We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).

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

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

His word burns in my heart like a fire (Jeremiah 20:9; NLT).

4. The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; KJV).

We praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son (Ephesians 1:6; NLT).

I belong to you

Ruth Kirk

Image: Photo Mix, Pixabay

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

1. I belong to you, Lord God,
And you belong to me.

2. Whatever hardships I must face,
And though I long to flee,

3. Help me to learn from everything,
And then to start anew,

4. For you belong to me, Lord God,
And I belong to you.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, 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

1. You and I both belong to God (Job 33:6; NLT).

My heart may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever (Psalm 73:26; NLT).

2. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

Lord, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs (Lamentations 1:20; NLT).

Then I realised that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant – I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel (Psalm 73:21-24; NLT).

3. Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-9; NLT).

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord (Lamentations 3:40; KJV).

4. God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever (Psalm 73:26; NLT).

I still belong to you (Psalm 73:23; NLT).

The old Celtic way (dedicated to A.K.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Kevin Phillips, Pixabay

This is what the Lord says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls”
(Jeremiah 6:16; NLT).

1. Show me again, Lord,
The old Celtic way,
Then I will delight
In your love, joy, and peace.

2. Call me back, Lord,
To the old Celtic way,
Then I’ll serve you gladly
In all those I meet.

3. Teach me again, Lord,
The old Celtic way,
Then I’ll see your beauty
In all that you make.

4. Lead me back, Lord,
To the old Celtic way,
Then I’ll know your presence
With each step I take.

5. Tell me again, Lord,
The old Celtic way,
Then I’ll accept bravely
The hardships I bear.

6. Bring me back, Lord,
To the old Celtic way,
Then I will remember
To do all with prayer.

 

References

1. I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love  (Psalm 31:7; NLT).

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

3. Praise the beauty of holiness (2 Chronicles 20:21; NKJV).

4. I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

5. By God’s power accept your share of suffering (2 Timothy 1:8; NET).

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

Life, death, and heaven

Ruth Kirk


Image: Lenka Novotná, Pixabay

 

1. Life means stretching thin our eternal oneness with God, in order to be born into a unique and fragile body, here, on earth.

2. Life means longing for our original union with him, and searching everywhere, until we find him at last, waiting within our soul.

3. Life means learning to love everyone, without exception, because God dwells in us all, and loves us all very deeply.

4. Death means leaving our failing, mortal body, to reunite with him for evermore –

5. And this is Heaven.

 

References

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

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

All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God (Isaiah 26:9; NLT).

The Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

3. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6; NIV).

Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

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

You have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you (1 John 2:27; NLT).

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).

4. He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone – as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him (Psalm 103:14-17; NLT).

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

I will live in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6; NLT).

Today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43; NLT).

Look at your sorrow (with thanks to R.O.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: 272447, Pixabay

1. Look at your sorrow,
Your pain, and your fear;
Then take God’s right hand,
For the Father is near.

2. Look at your body,
Your mind, and your heart;
Then take a step back,
And let God play his part.

3. Look at your setting,
Wherever you are;
Then move further back,
And observe from afar.

4. Look at your country,
Your continent, too;
Then shift further back,
For a much wider view.

5. Look at our planet,
The moon, stars, and sun;
Then go further back,
Till you see all is one.

6. Look at the universe,
God’s boundless space;
Then draw further back,
To behold his bright face.

7. Witness creation,
Christ’s birth, and God’s plan;
Then praise him forever,
And rest in his hand.

 

References

1. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me (Psalm 138:7; NLT).

Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

2. I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you” (Isaiah 41:13; NLT).

3,4. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, 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).

5. There is one Lord […] who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

6. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1; NLT).

They will see God’s face (Job 33:26; NIV).

7. This is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children (Ephesians 3:6; NLT).

I will praise you forever, O God (Psalm 52:9; NLT).

I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

The Lord will hold you in his hand (Isaiah 62:3; NLT).

Less and more

Ruth Kirk

Image: falco, Pixabay


Put on your new nature, and be renewed
as you learn to know your Creator and become like him
(Colossians 3:10; NLT).

1. Lord,
May I grow more like you,
By talking less,
And listening more.

2. Lord,
May I grow more like you,
By wanting less,
And serving more.

3. Lord,
May I grow more like you,
By taking less,
And giving more.

4. Lord,
May I grow more like you,
By judging less,
And loving more.

Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes
(Ephesians 4:23; NLT).

 

References

1. Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NIV).

You must all be quick to listen [and] slow to speak (James 1:19; NLT).

2. Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear (Luke 12:22; NIV).

Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others (Mark 10:45; NLT).

3. Turn from your selfish ways (Luke 9:23; NLT).

It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35; NLT).

4. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged (Luke 6:37; NLT).

No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13; CSB).

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NLT).

Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).

Everything (with thanks to R.O.)

Ruth Kirk

Image: Hans Braxmeier, Pixabay

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

1. Everything is fashioned
Through God’s Word,

2. So everything is shining
With his light.

3. Everything is dancing
In his fire,

4. For everything is sharing
In his life.

5. Everything is broadcasting
His peace,

6. For everything is given
From above.

7. Everything is brimming
With God’s truth,

8. For everything embodies
His great love.

 

References

1. The heavens were made by the word of the Lord (Psalm 33:6; CSB).

There is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, though whom God made everything (1 Corinthians 8:6; NLT).

2. God is light (1 John 1:5; NIV).

The Lord will display his glory, the splendour of our God (Isaiah 35:2; NLT).

3. God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV). 

Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up (Exodus 3:2; NLT).

I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! (Daniel 3:25; NLT).

4,8. There is […] one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

5. The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross (Colossians 1:20; NLT).

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).

6. All things come from you (1 Corinthians 29:14; NLT).

7. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).

The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy! (Psalm 65:13; NLT).

8. God is love (1 John 4:16; NIV).

The Unknown God

Ruth Kirk

Image: Manuel Schmitt, Pixabay

1. Lord,
You are the Unknown God,
Yet you form heaven and earth.
May we seek you
In Christ, your Son,
Who saves us through his birth.

2. Lord,
You are the Unseen God,
Yet you make stars and space.
May we find you
In Christ, your Son,
Who saves us through his grace.

3. Lord,
You are the Unheard God,
Yet you give life and breath.
May we hear you
In Christ, your Son,
Who saves us through his death.

4. Lord,
You are the Unloved God,
Yet you help those who fall.
May we know you
In Christ, your Son,
Who rose to save us all.

 

References

1. As I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. He is the God who made the world and everything in it (Acts 17:23-4; NLT).

Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT).

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15; NLT).

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord (Luke 2:11; NIV).

2. All honour and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God (1 Timothy 1:17; NLT).

He also made the stars (Genesis 1:16; NLT).

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1; NLT).

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3; NIV).

We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11; NLT).

3. Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking (Hebrews 12:25; NLT).

He himself gives life and breath to everything (Acts 17:25; NLT).

I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me (John 8:28; NLT).

Our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son (Romans 5:10; NLT).

4. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1; NIV).

The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God (Psalm 9:17; NLT).

Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand (Psalm 37:24; NLT).

[Baptism] now saves you. […] It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:22; NLT).