Call: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

                        Call

                        We are quick to call out

                        complaint—condemnation

                        put each other into boxes

                        good—bad, in crowd—out.

                        Grace declares

                        everyone who calls

                        on His name alone

                        shall be saved—

                        no other measure.

                        Love searches darkness

                       

                        waiting to embrace

                        accepts all voices

that respond with hope.

            

Reflection: Everyone: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you believe that everyone who calls on His name will be saved? Why or why not?

2.     In what ways does that make you uncomfortable?

3.     How can our actions and speech influence other people’s perception of God and Jesus?

Share: What is the most meaningful name of God to you?

Everyone: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:21

“Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Everyone.

We are so busy categorizing each other. Putting each other in boxes, including ourselves that we daily reject—sin—against the Lord’s absolute, eternal, invitation. And sometimes we know that we do.

Who calls.

A choice. His gift of free will is not overridden. He calls everyone. Not everyone responds. He alone knows whether each heart has fully answered or is still struggling with whose name to follow. As Creator He alone knows everyone most personally from the inside out.

 On the name of the Lord.

How do we speak His name with or without words? Do others see His truth, invitation, mercy, and desire to call on His name? Or do they see us giving lip service while we hold tight to our personal likes and dislikes, our self management of our own lives?

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable.”  Isaiah 40:28 NAS

Lord, please build Your house into each of us, and build us into Your house, that our diversity and uniqueness honor Your gift of life and Your grace that alone saves.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:21

“So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good.”

Glorious: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

                                   

                                   Glorious

Sun and moon created for light

brought into creation on fourth day

brought herald new of Messiah’s birth.

Show obedience only to God,

once again will announce events

of eternal significance.

Grasp darkness

begin battle

bring judgment and redemption.

Glorious day of Presence.

Reflection: Display: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you think our world today, our personal culture, and our houses of worship are in more danger of false ‘gods’ than previous believers? Why or why not?

2.     Why does a façade need wisdom and honest clarity to expose?

3.     Are there seasons or situations in our lives when we are most vulnerable?

4.     How can we help to sustain an obedient, believing faith for ourselves and for each other?

            Share: What is one way you screen authentic from false worship?

Display: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:20

“The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.”

Signs that the Lord alone can bring about.

Regardless of our advanced sciences or technology. Far beyond the capacity of special effects. Impossible for our most ingenious imaginations to conceive.

Impossible to be manufactured by man or imposters. His display alone. His power.

Centuries earlier God unveiled the weakness of the Egyptian gods revered and feared by multiple cultures of that era. “One by one, the Lord turned their idols of worship into symbols of disease, destruction and loathing. Plague by plague He challenged each Egyptian god. He stretched forth His hand and proved their gods false and powerless before Him, the Creator, the true source of life-giving waters.”

Scripture reminds us that our world will again be called to choose, “For a time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.”

2 Tim 4:3

Keep us, O Lord, from the allure and intimidation of false power. Open our eyes to see Your wonders every day and trust only in You.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:20

“And God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.’”