Swept: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Swept

Wind swept

throughout the house

flowing twirling

spinning rush of

power

answered prayer

astonishment

entered suddenly

caught the waiting

by surprise

violent rush

permeating presence.

Reflection: Wind: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     In our worship community we were asked the question, what is the first thought that comes to your mind for the Holy Spirit? What is yours?

2.     Do you walk in companionship with the Holy Spirit or does He seem unreal to you?

3.     One of the concepts was mystery. Are you comfortable with the Lord’s mystery? Why or why not?

4.     How do you listen for God’s nudges? When are you sure you are hearing correctly?

Share: Do you think we put invisible barriers up against the Spirit? What might they look like?

Wind: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:2

“And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.”

We plan, we prepare, hopefully we pray, and then we wait. Often thinking we know what the answer will be or desire to be. 

But then when it comes it is so sudden we are caught off guard. Expected and yet different. Real and yet unfamiliar.

Fear and awe mingled together.

Because in Your presence Your reality is so unlike our expectations and experience.

So often we hesitate, second-guess, stay blind, because the answer—the changes—are unexpected. Cost more. Raise uncertainty. Remove our crutches.

Struggle to find a solid balance. Spin a cocoon against possible heartache and pain. Then realize we shut out blessings and astonishment and joy as well.

Lord, please give us Your strength to ask in honesty, to wait in trust, and then to step into Your answer with courage. To relinquish fully into Your Holy Spirit’s flame of light and mystery.

Teach us to abide in You.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:2

“The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.”

Gathered: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Gathered

Gathered together

all in one place

waiting

in silence or

conversation?

Anxious or patient

whispers

listening for promise

on this day

to be everyday when

gifted by Spirit’s presence.

Reflection: Waited: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you find walking by the Spirit’s counsel a natural experience or confusion?

2.      With whom do you feel comfortable sitting and waiting for prayer and guidance?

3.     With whom would you like to gather if you could? Have you considered asking?

     Share: What helps strengthen your faith when you are in a time of waiting?

Waited: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:1

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.”

Centuries later Jesus’ followers gathered together in obedience to wait upon the fulfillment of His words, His instructions, His power.

When the time was right in God’s eyes for them to receive. And in faith they waited together—in one place. No more jostling for prestige. No more comparing one to another in rank or status or ability. At least not yet. Like Israel under Joshua, their hearts were faithful to their new beginning.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

They obeyed and they waited together. And they didn’t really even then understand how this promise and command would become a reality.

But we do. We have the witnesses of church history and perhaps personal experience as well. Yet how hard it is for us to gather together in one place and wait.  Our lives are so scattered that we struggle to be still even when we know the plans or blueprints or gifts or assignments before us.

Perhaps because we might see solo action as a responsible response or step into the commitment as individual offerings—all partially good reasons—yet when alone too often we stumble or fall short because of fatigue, or loneliness, or weight of the cost, or confusion.

Sometimes we race when we need to be still and often remain still when we need to act.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for us to walk alongside for insight and guidance. He gifts us with family and friends and worship communities for fellowship and prayer and power to walk holding each other up—together growing into His words.

Lord, help us to recognize when we need to gather and wait and listen.  Then guide us to live as your witnesses in all circumstances—to live Your words as naturally as breathing because we waited upon Your time.

Worship: Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth.”

Stone: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Stone

Stone stands as witness

words written of

commitment to follow

consent to serve

remembered for a lifetime

recognized God’s authority

warnings accepted

stalwart in choice

“choose this time

you will serve.”

Each heart freely given to

gift of decision. 

Reflection: Remember: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you remember the day you chose to accept Jesus as Lord?

2.     What caused you to make that commitment?

3.     Do you still struggle with obedience in some areas of your life?

4.     What previous gifts of God’s grace help you to follow in faith?

Share: What do you keep as a witness to your commitment to serve the Lord?

Remember: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 24

“The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” Joshua 24: 24

Joshua gathers Israel for a final address and reminds them first that they did not conquer the land by their own bow or by sword. They did not build the towns or cities that they now lived in. The land they now owned came from the Lord their God and by His provision.

So, Joshua exhorts, “revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.” Choose, he reminds them. Who will you serve this day?

“The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” They made a solemn commitment, and so Joshua made them a covenant, wrote it in the book of law of God, took a large stone and set it under the oak by the sanctuary of the Lord.

“See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the Lord.”

And Israel continued to serve the Lord all the days of Joshua.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Jesus reminds His followers of His provision and protection. First seek.

Lord, help us to remember that all we have is by Your grace and provision. Help us to not choose anxiety and worry before trust and prayer. Keep our hearts sincere in faithfulness and as a strong witness of Your truth so that we too will obey Your words as well.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 144:14

“May there be no breach in the walls, no exile, and no cry of distress in our streets.” 

Obey: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Obey

Like a tornado

sweeps clear

everything in its path

so straight does the

Lord remove our

enemies, our fears.

Steady, walk neither

left not right nor falter.

Experience His provision

sustaining power.

Life as covenant.