Reflection: Reveal: 1st Peter: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions:

        1. What is your definition of valuable?

        2. On what is its foundation?

        3. What other values have now been dissolved?

        4. On what truth do you recognize as authentic?

Share: What soul promise has given you joy that impacts your worship?

Reveal: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter: 1:7-9: "But these only reveal the sterling core of your faith, which is far more valuable than gold that perishes, for even gold is refined by fire. Your authentic faith will result in even more praise, glory, and honor when Jesus the united One is revealed. You love Him passionately although you have not seen Him, but through believing in Him you are saturated with ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. For you are reaping the harvest of your faith--the full salvation promised you--your soul's victory!

Reveal

How often do we run from the "fire" in order to protect ourselves instead of asking if we need to step in?  

If we are not willing to face the lies we may have consumed, then we are unable to be authentic to ourselves or to others. Our faith cannot be strengthened. And our commitment might only skim the surface.

Yet, He offers to immerse us in glory--so hard to grasp or understand--a gift beyond description.

Though this fire restores healing, builds truth into our hearts and souls, guides our actions. And gives us a glimpse of glory when in His presence.

Lord, guide us into Your harvest by revealing our level of faith in all situation. Keep us on Your solid ground from the inside out.

Your thoughts,

Ongoing: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Ongoing 

                Gift of joy undergirds

                Grief that lingers

                When we remember our

                Written inheritance

                Paid by His love

                Promised into eternity

                Constantly guarding us

                Compassion ongoing

                Remember by faith

                Restored by His power.

Psalm 89:2: "For I have said, 'Lovingkindness will be built up forever; In the heavens Thou wilt establish Thy faithfulness.'"

                

Reflection: Inheritance: 1st Peter: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

        1. Never Perish. How often have you experienced complete loss  in your heart and soul? What mercy brought you back?

        2. Never Be Defiled. How often have you been rejected or ridiculed? What kindness gave  you strength?

        3. Never Diminish. How often have you felt or become invisible to yourself and others? What love embraced you?

Share: How has the restored gift of joy in grief opened the door to healing that you can now recognize others in distress and share hope?

Inheritance: 1st Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1st Peter 1:4-6: "We are reborn with a perfect inheritance that can never perish, never be defiled, and never diminish. It is promised and preserved forever in the heavenly realm for you. 'Through our faith, the mighty power of God constantly guards us until our full salvation is ready in the last time.' May the thought of this cause you to jump for joy, even though lately you've had to put up with the grief of many trials."

Inheritance

Preserved. For Ever. Not the normal worldly definition we are most accustomed to. It is sometimes difficult to grasp the gifts of heavenly realm in our daily earthly living.

How is it possible when we know we still stumble (or choose) into sin? We continue to falter in baby steps yet our Lord sees us as whole. He will guide us until we reach this gift.

Sometimes it is hard to embrace the joy also when so much grief and pain surround us.

But His joy is given in calm and stillness and the knowledge of being wrapped in His grace.

Thank you, Lord, for guarding our hearts and souls in all trials.

Your thoughts,

Extravagent: 1st Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                 Extravagent 

               Mercy unending

                His gift of love

                pouring out into our hearts

                to each one a special

                fresh beginning

                hope never ending

                His seeds ever growing

                peace and grace

                cascading mercy

                Extravagent.

Psalm 89:1: "I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; To all generations I will make known Thy faithfulness with my mouth."

Reflection: Reborn: 1st Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions: 

                1. Have you ever felt so forgotten as if "living as a refugee" with the Lord or with    loved ones?

                2. What seeds began to grow to recognize His love and presence?

                3. What extravagant mercy have you received from Him?

Share: How do you now extend His mercy to others?