Excerpt from L"Abri has a hopeful perspective for whatever might come next.

"...a completely new work...would never have been possible if we had not been uprooted completely in every way, and if in that uprooting we had not decided to pray for God's solution and leading every step of the path as it wound through unknown territory." Edith Schaeffer

Promise: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1:27-28, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”

Promise

Forgive us, Lord. We are to often so full of ourselves, and personal fears, that we do not even consider how we might be worthy of Your gift of Your gospel. We let self-preservation be our major, if not only, concern.

Show us how to pray to strive for what is right in Your sight. To see what You are asking each of us to do, that we may be fully committed to Your word, and to those whom You place in our lives.

Lord may we walk with You in peace today, regardless of all situations and circumstances that confront us. Please hold onto us in Your Spirit’s grasp and confidence.

Your thoughts,

Faith: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Faith

                                                We look often to the light

                                                the joy of relationship

                                                in faith.

                                               

                                                Walk with hope and eagerness.

                                                Yet many find themselves

                                                locked in dungeons and still

                                                in faith.

                                                Yield to truth and conviction.

Psalm 18:12: “From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire.”

Reflection: Conviction: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.In what ways have you found hope from the Lord in difficult situations?

2.How do you find the strength and courage to stay when flight is possible?

3.What word did the Lord give you to sustain you moment by moment?

Share: Are you facing a dungeon now? What is different in your faith?

Conviction: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1:25-26, “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

Conviction

It can be really hard to continue in a place that we don’t want to be, or be sent to, without understanding the reason or purpose.

Yet, Paul makes the point that it is not relevant.  As long as we are with the Lord, anywhere can bring progress and joy in our faith. Because of His ongoing committed presence. Not only day-by-day but also moment-by-moment.

Lord, please help us to live into each day in gratitude to be able to be with You, and to trust Your Spirit to guide us both within and without.

Your thoughts,

Focus: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Focus

                                                The day’s schedule

                                                ahead heavy with

                                                commitment may not

                                                be the one chosen

                                                by the Lord.

                                                The Spirit waits

                                                always ready to give guidance

                                                carrying the weight with

                                                blessings seen and unseen

                                                by the Lord’s grace.

Psalm 18:11: “He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him; Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

Reflection: Plan: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. Our human view of death is very different from Paul’s. How much are we affected by either focus?

2. What for you is most necessary in your life? Why?

3. In what ways can your purpose lean more into the Lord’s priority?

4. Ask the Holy Spirit for insight today to change or confirm your primary choices.

Share: Does the choice relieve tension for you or add new concerns? Why?

Plan: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1:23-24, “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

Plan

It is difficult to even think of the pull that exists between departing to Christ and leaving behind beloved family and friends. And Paul is struggling to leave complete strangers in case they do not hear of the Lord’s gift of grace.

Too often our daily goals are captured by our lives—our desires—our plans and we become frustrated or resentful when others intrude.

Yet that interruption may be important in a way we cannot see or interpret. We often judge by time and completed lists. The Lord goes into our souls.

Lord, please give us each a heart that loves as You do and a vision to see where You want us to go—to do—to be. Keep us under Your Spirit’s agenda.

Your thoughts,

Labor: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Labor

                                                Purposeful labor is

                                                not always recognized

                                                between our agenda

                                                and the Lord’s plan.

                                                All we see are

                                                obstacles and barriers

                                                our own weakness

                                                a hindrance.

                                                He sees life

                                   

                                                becoming renewed in a

new perspective

a choice to

trust and follow

often without a

plan.

Psalm 18:10: “And He rode upon a cherub and flew; And He sped upon the wings of the wind.”

Reflection: Change: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What does fruitful labor look like to you?

2. What barriers continue to erode your trust in daily actions and choices?

3. What do you need to change to become available to the Lord’s plans?

Share: What kind of barrier have you faced recently?

Change: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1:21-22, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.

Change

To live is Christ, and yet we still do not often know what that means in day-by-day labor. Especially when, too often, we can barely recognize the next step ahead of us. Needs, demands, and opportunities can change as quickly as the weather.

Our daily demands can have us so self-absorbed that the concept of fruitful labor, or to ask whether we are on the right path, is buried in busyness.

Yet we do know that the Lord is present and we can choose to trust that He can and will use us for any purpose. Especially if we open ourselves to His will in His time. His work through us will happen. Even in the busy days.

Lord, please help us to co-operate. Please keep our whole selves available to Your plans, so that we may not waste our days.

Your thoughts,

Courage: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Courage

                                                Chains of fear

                                                crush our ability to

                                                choose hope

                                                chaos drowns us.

                                                Courage enables us when we

                                               

                                                choose His grace, not our own efforts.

                                                Chains dissolve

                                                comfort envelopes as

                                                cries heard as He

                                                carries each of us.

Psalm 18:9: “He bowed the heavens also, and came down With thick darkness under His feet.”

Reflection: Power: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.When have you faltered because the situation you were in strangled you?

2.When have you faltered but, in spite of fear, found courage in the Lord?

3. How will these experiences impact your response to future needs of deliverance?

Share: Is there a Scripture verse you hold onto for this struggle?

                       

Power: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1:19-20, “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn our for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Power

Too often we come ashamed before the Lord because we have given up hope, or focus only on what is difficult ahead, and failed, instead of coming first to Him for guidance and strength.

Yet He will break all of the chains and fears that still hide within us waiting to bind us again. Sometimes even with a tiny trigger the attack shatters.

He is always ready to free us from the chains that distort our perception. He gives us His sight and strength in our blindness.

Thank you, Lord, for Your prayers and Your Spirit that uphold us. Please open our hearts and vision; step-by-step so we can stay in Your protection.

Your thoughts,