Trust: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                 

                                                 Trust

                                               

                                                Excellence defined

                                                by the Lord so

                                                different from our

                                                expectations.

                                                Our response so weak

                                                yet the invitation,

                                                the promise still

                                                given, to action to

                                                yield in trust.

Psalm 18:4, “The cords of death encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me.”

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Reflection: Choice: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1. How different is our interpretation of excellence from scripture’s insight?

2. What causes us to falter from the Lord’s version?

3. How does this promise give us hope when weakness overpowers us?

Share: What word of insight have you experienced this week?

Choice: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

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Philippians 1: 9-10, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and be so pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”

Choice,

Lord, please guide us into Your message of knowledge and discernment as we learn to navigate this so very unknown road we are on.

We ask that we may only walk where You lead.

And if we falter, or turn to a wrong choice or assumption, that You will please stop us before we go further.

We ask for ears to hear, a commitment to obey, and a heart to fully trust in action. No matter how dark the path seems, or when we feel blind.

Your thoughts,

Ask: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Ask

                                               

                                                Visible or invisible

                                                Near or distant

                                                Spirit driven prayer

                                                Carries love and compassion

                                                Moment by moment

                                                Nudging each to

                                                Ask for truth, purpose,

                                                Commitment moment by

                                                Moment

                                                Voices speak hope.

Psalm 18:3, “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.”

Reflection: Partners: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How do you recognize prayer support from friends and family when you have not even yet asked?

2. How do you realize a loved one needs prayer when no one has given any indication to you?

3. How do you rest in His heart when you need prayer?

Share: What specific word impacts you this week?

Partners: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians: 1:7-8, “It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partners with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

Partners,

We are all in God’s presence, and He surrounds us through our hearts with those whom we are to walk this truth with. Regardless of any circumstances. In our own prison or in activity we are to support one another from an attitude of love and thankfulness.

Not resist or ignore their needs.

We need to remember with thanksgiving all those whom the Lord has graced us to walk alongside both throughout the years and in present days. Through them He surrounds us with their love, and encouragement, and faithfulness.

Nourishes us to extend and reciprocate.

We are asked to be available and open hearted to them as well. He will enable us every time we ask for clarity and words and discernment.

Lord, please guide us to center our prayers into Your truth—Your purpose—Your love—Your commitment. Let us hold all You place in our hearts with love and faith and trust.

Your thoughts,

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By: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                By

                                                Complete a

                                                Concept so evasive

                                                So distant

                                                Still a promise

                                                Finished work

                                                Faith grown

                                                In weakness and even in disobedience

                                                It will too be finished

                                                By His hand

                                                By His design

                                                By His presence

                                                Continued until

                                                Complete.

Psalm 18:2: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Reflection: Completion: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     When have you been in a difficult situation where there seemed to be no relief or end?

2.     What gave you the courage to keep moving forward in trust and hope?

3.     Or what word of hope pulled you out of despair?

4.     How has that experience prepared you for seasons of discouragement and loss?

Share: What is one word that you now share with others in this turmoil?

Completion: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

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Philippians 1:5-6, “..because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Completion

Thank you, Lord, for this reminder that Your completion in and through each of us will come. Even if we do not know where or when or how. And we still might not ever realize it until we come into Your presence.

In the in-between silence, please give us courage and insight to listen and follow Your words and Your Spirit’s guidance. Despite our own weakness and disobedience.

We need Your strength and perspective for each day to help us recognize Your priorities. Regardless of the circumstances. To trust that all the stages of any work are in Your care.

Thank you for the hope of a finished work according to Your plan and Your design and in Your time.

Your thoughts

Grace: Perspective: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Grace

                                                Too often come to prayer

                                                in hopelessness

                                                anxiety dictating our

                                                heart instead of

                                                kneeling in thankfulness

                                                of invitation

                                                to Grace that listens,

                                                restores hope,

                                                offers joy throughout

                                                the turmoil.

                                                Guides by His perspective.

Psalm 18:1 “I love Thee, O Lord, my strength.”

Reflection Questions: Perspective: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1. In what way can grace, thankfulness, peace, remembrance and joy influence our prayers?

2. What difference could it make for us if we started with this perspective instead of waiting until we are drowning in fear?

3. How can we pray in joy when our hearts are grieving?

4. Choose one of these words to begin prayers this week.

Share: Which word did you choose? Why?

Perspective: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Purpose: Prayers and Poetry  Introduction

Acts 26:16, “But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you as a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I appear to you;” (NASB)

New Year Blessings!

This year our devotional focus is based on this scripture’s theme. We will continue to explore the journey of how scripture seeds define purpose as shared from Paul and Timothy as they share their appointments of purpose in the book of Philippians.

This study unfolds in three parts. On Mondays we will reflect on a scripture passage. Wednesdays consider meditative questions. Fridays respond with poetry.

The Philippians verse translations are from the ESV Bible, and the Psalm 18 verses are from NASB version.

Thank you for participating in our journey. Please share as you discover your own questions and insights, prose, and prayers.

Perspective: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians1:1-4,“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Phillipi with the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.”

Perspective

Grace—peace—thankfulness—remembrance—and joy are not always what we experience when we pray for those we care for. Love—yes. But often concern, or anxiety, or commitments, guide our hearts and thoughts.

All together we are servants—so maybe we are not coming with the right approach. We begin from our needs to place before the Lord instead of coming to the Lord Himself in relationship with a listening heart. Then we may be able to see the need through His perspective. And not from our limitations.

Perhaps the present need is a new opportunity for healing, or growth, or a deeper faith walk. Or it will become an insight into a positive relationship, instead of our immediate reaction of negative worry, which we often tend to instinctively focus on. We see only the surface. He sees the outcome.

Lord, please show us how to pray out of thankfulness first before we bring our needs to You. And show us how to pray with joy—in all situations.

Your thoughts,