Motives: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Motives

                                                “Let go

                                                And know

                                                That I am God”

                                                scripture reminds us.

                                                Yet still we

                                                hesitate at words

                                                that sting

                                                reminding us our

                                                motives may not be His.

                                                Let go

                                                And listen

                                                To His truth,

                                                spread words of hope

                                                healing

                                                that mends brokenness.

Psalm 18:8, “Smoke went up out of His nostrils, And fire from His mouth devoured; Coals were kindled by it.”

Reflection: Carry: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1. What word has the Lord given you recently that changed your whole perspective?

2. When can our motives get twisted without our recognition?

3. How can we navigate between obligation and relationship?

Share: When have you experienced the Lord’s truth being spoken in the midst of lies?

Carry: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians1: 17-18, “The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.”

Carry

Have you noticed how easily we sometimes go into a remote mode, an automatic pilot, in mind and soul? An automatic repeat of words or thoughts that make us feel empty, so that even in our prayers we feel neutral and again act by rote?

What a blessing to be reminded that lifting up the words and thoughts and truth have power at all times—regardless of our weaknesses.

Whatever emotions or fears or circumstances have silenced us into pretense, His truth overrides. And He will continue to carry us through our own barriers.

Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness for too often bringing prayers as obligation only, without our hearts. Thank you that even then You continue to speak Your truth into us and through us.

Your thoughts,

Course: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Course

                                                Knowing what we are put

                                                here for some things--sometimes

                                                eludes us when

                                                struggles overwhelm or

                                                disguise any insight.

                                                Paul knew his course—

                                                defend the gospel.

                                                Confidence came from

                                                the Holy Spirit.

                                                Kneeling within our soul,

                                                heart, thoughts,

                                                opens our lives to a hope

                                                that never lets go

                                                whether we know or not.

                                                Perhaps enough to

belong.

Psalm 18:7: “Then the earth shook and quaked; And the foundations of the mountains were trembling. And were shaken because He was angry.”

Reflection: Path: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How often do we wonder why we are doing what we do, or what is the purpose?

2. What can help us overcome a dry heart, or find courage to see it through?

3. What warnings can we watch for to see if we are drifting from goodwill?

4. What word from Scripture, or the Spirit, enables us to continue when we stagger?

Share: What most recent thought or word has given you courage?

Path: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1:15-16, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.”

Path

Too often we need forgiveness for the many times we share Scripture words for our own purpose or status or by rote. Or remain silent. Especially as He have given us His truth, His words, to share from His message of life.

He gifts us each through abilities of prayer, or speech, writing, teaching, sharing, art, music, and so many other ways to communicate His love in action.

Still we often struggle to know what exactly we are here to do—this place—this day—with this person. And ignore. And feel we are wasting the precious life we have been given each new day.

Lord, please remind us, and show us, how to seek purpose from within our hearts to go outward—led by Your Spirit. With humility, good will, love, and courage.

Your thoughts,

Prisons: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Prisons

                                                Prisons come in many forms

                                                where doors close steel shut

                                                sometimes by others

                                                sometimes by ourselves

                                                we barricade our lives giving

                                                power to defeat—to loss—to sin.

                                                Forget His grace

                                                Forget His compassion

                                                Forget His forgiveness

                                                Prison bars crumble—decay

                                                when we come in honest regret

                                                seeking a new beginning again

                                                surrendering our lives to mercy

                                                washed by His everlasting love. His

                                                promise to never forsake us.

Psalm 18:6: “In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears.”

Reflection: Crumble: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What prison doors entrap you?

2. How has the Lord released you?

3. What hope can you give to others when they become trapped in their dungeon?

4. How can we search for His purpose to be His servants when limited?

Share: What is your first word to grasp when a new threat begins?

Crumble: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

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Crumble: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1:13-14, “so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

Crumble

Sometimes it is very hard to see how to live into types of imprisonment through the Lord’s insight.

Too often our instant reaction is failure followed by fear. And we crumble.

Or we try to think up ways to make the situation right. We ask—what am I doing wrong—what do I need to fix—what will happen? Our minds jump into fix-it mode with a solution, instead of first entrusting our circumstances, and our hearts, into His plan.

And maybe that is the most important action—to listen and lean on His grace for every moment, decision, and choice; especially when we are imprisoned from within ourselves. And cannot see beyond the walls surrounding us.

Only He can show us how to live into all circumstances, wholly committed, wherever we are internally and externally. He is always ready to teach us how to hear His voice and follow in trust and obedience.

Lord, please show us how to pause and listen and pray for Your words before we act.

Your thoughts,

Choose: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Choose

                                                So easy to give thanks

                                                when actions bring

                                                seen fruit.

                                                We sing for joy.

                                                So difficult to praise

                                                where darkness buries hope

                                                smothering with fear.

                                                Whispering despair.

                                                So choose to commit heart

                                                worship to His word

                                                soak truth as communion.

                                                Walk with Spirit’s protection.

Psalm 18:5,“The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.”

Reflection: Protection: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How often do we react instinctively with worry when something negative happens?

2. How can we instead look immediately to the Lord for His perspective?

3. How can we grieve and hope at the same time?

Share: What defeat have you experienced that the Lord meant for a blessing?

Protection: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1: 11-12, “..filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and promise of God. I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

Protection

How often do we instinctively react from worry, focus on ourselves, cringe at negative struggles, that we forget, or delay, leaning on the Lord immediately?

Not only do we forget to lean into His grace and protection, but also forget that our actions in our circumstances will speak to others as well.

Too often we retreat in denial, or curl up into an attitude of anger or fear or defeat.

When instead we can ask to be enabled to serve You with an obedient and trust-filled heart in all circumstances. And stand on Your word—Your truth.

Lord, please remove our fears and keep our hearts trusting you. Keep our sight set on Your Presence. To react into Your promises with courage and not cower in denial.

Your thoughts,