Reflection: Foundation: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     In what ways does your fellowship of believers sustain you? Sustain each other?

2.     Which of these foundations are you most comfortable with? Which are you most uncomfortable with?

3.     Why do you think we need to remember the cost of communion?

Share: Which of these foundations do you most need?

Foundation: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:42

“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Foundations upon which to build. Not rigid rules to coerce participation. Instead, a fluid, organic, gathering out of respect, love, and search to worship. 

Devoted. A strong ongoing hunger to know God’s word and seek its truth and power in every aspect of life. To return to it again and again to ground actions with heart and heart into actions. Under His authority.

Fellowship. No one left alone, isolated, or ignored. Singles, families, strangers, travellers all found a safe haven to gather and share life burdens, hopes, and calling. To seek discernment. To be embraced.

Breaking of bread. Reminder of redemption, cost of new life, center of purpose, soul alignment to everlasting truth regardless of present history. Together—communal. Confidence in trial.

The prayers. Prayers of the past promises to seek once more. Prayers of protection from immediate dangers. Prayers to become attuned to God’s design, heart, purposes His way.  Prayers for healing minds, souls, and bodies. Clarity for daily decisions and choices.

Grace grounded in Christ. Community grounded in His love. Consistent throughout all generations. Ongoing invitation. Holy Spirit present.

Lord, thank you for Your foundations where we can find hope and encouragement in relationships through You to each other.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27: 3

“Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;

though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.”

Promise: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

                       Promise

                       

                        Promise stands

                        ever ready

                        throughout all generations

                        for hearts open

                        to turn from corruption

                        seek kingdom life

                        baptism waters

                        ever ready

                        flowing into eternity

                        break sin’s power.

Reflection: Corruption: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What hope does this ongoing offer give you for your own family?

2.     How might you share your own journey as an example of God’s grace?

3.     How can we be diligent against false lures in this generation?

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Share: What truth helped you to choose life?

Corruption: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2: 39-41

“’For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.”

Not a one time deal with a clock ticking down the minutes to expiration.

Throughout every generation. Timeless. Cannot be revoked because the Lord God Almighty has given His word. His covenant—which stands forever.

Each generation also faces corruption. Each has the opportunity to challenge falseness—resist lies—refuse—choose forgiveness.

One to one—heart to heart—unlimited.

What a hope to cherish alongside our children and grandchildren. What a gift to pass on to them. Even though we cannot choose for them we can pray. Share the truth. Share our struggles. Share the changes a life with Christ brings.

Lord, give us Your words to reveal Your promise to our family and friends and strangers that none should be lost or denied Your message of life everlasting. Help us to face our own darkness so that our words and our actions are in sync with Your light.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27: 2

“When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—

my adversaries and foes—they shall stumble and fall.”

Indwell: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

                       

                       Indwell

                        Heart, broken

                        chastised

                        seek forgiveness.

                        Opportunity to

                        make amends

                        restore relationship.

                        And God gives so

                        much more

                        His own Spirit

                        to indwell forever.

                        Raises us from ash heaps

                        to fellowship with princes

                        when our selves break in repentance.

            

Reflection: Gift: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you been in a situation where you believed that making amends was impossible?

2.     Did it change? How?

3.     How difficult is it for you to give the gift of forgiveness to others? Why?

4.     In what ways has the Lord’s gift to you helped you bridge conflict and personal injury?

Share: What is one way that you have experienced the Holy Spirit’s indwelling?

Gift: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:38

“Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Repent—Baptized—Forgiven—Receive.

Not the known ritual repentance of synagogue and temple worship to be made right in God’s eyes. Not any less accountable. Not any less to commit to by heart and head.

Yet so much more given by grace instead of by works. A new foundation of relationship. Astonishing! Holy Spirit given as a gift. To walk alongside. To assist in keeping God’s laws within and without. To abide forever! Washed and forgiven.

How trustingly do we accept this gift? How trustingly do we extend it to others? Especially those against us. When we are wronged by either friend or foe? Do we mirror God’s gift of grace to us or expect a long list of emotional legal restitution before we agree to consider forgiveness?

What about when we sin again to others? Or against ourselves. How willing are we to accept God’s restoration His way instead of substituting our version of being sorry? Because we can’t quite believe His ongoing grace.

Lord, your gift of Your Spirit continues to astonish us when we are willing to listen. Guide our hearts into Your  repentance, mercy, and forgiveness.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Life: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Life

                       

            Word that cuts to the heart

            as sharp as a two-edged sword

            and a terror of guilt.

            Instead a surgeon’s precise

            knife to bring healing

            accountability removes disease.

            Before spreading, before cold

            refusal can stop truth or

            barricades sanctuary.

Reflection: Pierced: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What truth has pierced your heart recently?

2.     How did you respond? With refusal to listen or gratitude for honest accountability?

3.     What changed for you re your acceptance or denial?

4.     What barricades against truth have you set up in the past?

Share: What is one warning sign for you that you are avoiding a word of truth?

Pierced: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2: 37

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’”

What an honest response. An open willingness to accept the chastisement and look to make amends. Heart and action together.

Over and over our present world shouts blame, cover-up, excuses, and silence when a truth is clearly brought to light. Or we blame others silently letting denial seep into our thoughts and souls to avoid taking our own responsibility.

Why are we so eager to willingly receive words of grace but not words of chastisement? Especially under God’s love and forgiveness that will root out the falseness and poison we often carry unknowingly.

Like a surgeon’s knife God’s light offers reconciliation and restoration. New life. Hope. Breath.

When we listen. When we accept. When we welcome the work of the Holy Spirit within honestly.

Lord, guide our steps that we will measure our days by Your values and Your healing.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:30-31

“And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food. And it was so.”

“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”

Crucified: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

                        Crucified

                        The one you pray to

                        give lip service to

live your life around

is the same one

you have crucified!

And still continue

as we ignore, pretend

evade the sins that

mar our thoughts

actions, days.

Unless we too believe

accept daily grace

walk in true fellowship

Astonishing!

            

Reflection: Messiah: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Why do you think we continue to ignore or hide our sins from ourselves despite the evidence of Jesus’ grace and forgiveness?

2.     What are some of your personal reasons not to acknowledge your sins to Him?

3.     What harm does hiding our sins do to our hearts? Our thoughts? Our souls?

4.     In what ways does our choice of ignorance affect those around us?

Share: How do you accept His daily grace?