Cleansed: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Cleansed 

                Disobedience--lies

                Slander--accusations

                One a reality

                within ourselves

                and attacks to others.

                Dissolved--now by

                Spirit's--forgiveness

                On going healing

                washing us clean

                a new soul given.

                Deceit--removed

                Souls--renewed.

Psalm 89:20: "I have found David My servant; With My holy oil I have anointed him,"

                

Reflection: Slander: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions:

        1. In what ways has slander if any kind affected your thoughts?

        2. How has it affected your heart?

        3. Especially when not true yet you have felt guilty because of other past actions of slander of your own towards others?

Share: How do you seek the Lord's guidance when lies try to attack you: personally or publicly?

Slander: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 3: 16-19: "Maintain a clean conscience, so that those who slander you for living a pure life in Christ will have to lie about you and be ashamed of their slander. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if it is in God's plan, than for doing evil. Christ suffered and died for sin once and for all--the innocent for the guilty--to bring you near to God by His body being put to death and by being raised by the Spirit. He went into the spirited realm and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison because of their disobedience of long ago." 

Slander

How easily do our fears and lies cause us to blame or attack others or ourselves? We almost instinctively use slander to hide our actions--even when we did not mean to bring harm.

How often do we retaliate? Yet He will show us how to recognize His truth and His purpose no matter what the circumstances or the cost that will follow.

Only He can see and know the depth of darkness and lies that we each have, and only He can restore us under His care.

Only He can bring the healing and tenderness--His gift of life and mercy.

Please keep us on Your road, Lord, moment by moment. May we hear and follow with trust by Your Spirit's words.

Your thoughts,

Hope: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Hope

                Hope given

                ongoing grace 

                living within

                ongoing gentleness.

                His grace

                sharing as a gift

                living outward

                sharing gently.

                Holy

Psalm 89:19: "Once Thou didst speak in vision to Thy godly ones, And didst say, 'I have given help to one who is might; I have exalted one chosen from the people.'"

Reflection: Commitment: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. When have you experienced verbal or physical condemnation for your faith? 

        2. Did it weaken or strengthen your commitment to Jesus? How?

        3. What has given you courage to trust His guidance?

Share: How has your daily commitment blessed you? Can you pass that on?

Commitment: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 3: 13-15: "Why would anyone harm you if you're passionate and devoted to pleasing God? But even if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you will have the joyful experience of the blessing of God. And Don't be intimidated or terrified by those who would terrify you. But give reverent honor in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat Him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith with gentleness and respect."

Commitment

He will give us His hope daily.

He will keep our hearts and thoughts in His words and purpose when we listen.

He will bring mercy and forgiveness and cleansing when we become terrified and intimidated. Whether from others, or too often still from within ourselves.

We do not doubt His grace and protection and yet too often we forget to live into His healing truth.

Please keep us focused on Your presence in our hearts, and guidance in our thoughts and actions in all circumstances daily. That we will stay committed to listening to Your words and live into them no matter what is happening.

Your thoughts,

Eagerly: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Eagerly 

                To receive prayers' grace

                need to remember compassion.

                To not come in anger

                need to pause.

                To pursue ongoing beauty

                never ending by His hand.

                To pursue truth

                no matter the cost.

                To follow His path

                nourish every moment of life.

Psalm 89:18: "For our shield belongs to the Lord, And our king to the Holy One of Israel."