Serve: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2:22-23, “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,”

Serve

When we accept the Lord’s invitation to know Him personally, He also includes us into His family. No matter how alone we are in our own lives now we discover mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, cousins and aunts, uncles, grandparents to comfort us, teach us His word, pray for us, and help us grow.

Through them He often guides our sense of direction to give us clarity and understanding. Because they share where they have walked in distress and struggle and hope and they pass it on.

Yet too often we miss the opportunities to listen or to pass on our own support to them—to strangers—to share His grace.

Lord, as Your servants please may Your Holy Spirit lead us even when , or perhaps especially, when we are not aware. Show us how to serve—when to serve—where to serve.  Daily.

Your thoughts,

Care: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Care

                                                Climbing the ladder

                                                so ingrained from

                                                childhood to succeed

                                                seek our own interests a

                                                core response even when

                                                self-less deeds

                                                call us to action.

                                                Step out in faith

                                                commitment but often

                                                still forget interests are

                                                called by the Holy Spirit

                                                stretching us to become

                                                concerned for Christ’s

                                                suffering to

                                                carry each of us

                                                so we too

                                                Can bend and

                                                serve other in His genuine love.

Psalm 18:25, “With the kind Thou dost show Thyself kind; With the blameless Thou dost Thyself blameless; “

Reflection: Bend: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What does being selfless look like to you? 

2. To whom do you find it easy to be and towards whom do you struggle?

3. What barriers keep us from becoming like Timothy and seeking Jesus’ interests first?

4. How do we define genuine concern and genuine action according to Jesus’ leading?

Share: What act of selflessness has someone done for you that changed your heart and your situation?

Bend: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2:20-21, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not that of Jesus Christ.”

Bend

How often do we automatically put our own interests first—even when we recognize a nudge from our soul to help someone. We get so caught up in our immediate needs and fears and confusion that, even when we are being kind to others, our own agenda is still our first priority.

Often our busyness and focus prevents us from recognizing or responding to His purpose. Yet if we are willing He will give guidance to us for His purpose, even when unspoken or unseen. Each day into all our conversations and relationships.

Lord, may Your will be done in and through each of us by Your Holy Spirit, regardless of our self-centeredness. But also please show us how to recognize and participate in Your interests without sabotaging them.

Your thoughts,

Encourage: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Encourage

                                                Sharing becomes courage

                                                when we embrace

                                                each other’s grief,

                                                joy, questions,

                                                opportunities.

                                                Sharing deepens truth

                                                when we recognize

                                                failures, worries,

                                                barriers, draining

                                                each of us.

                                                Sharing deepens faith

                                                when together we

                                                gather in prayer,

                                                encouragement, honesty,

                                                worship.

Psalm 18:24, “Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.”

Reflection: Support: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What barriers keep us from sharing our needs and worries? Or our joys?

2. What circumstances cause us to become isolated instead of seeking a friend’s support?

3. In what ways does sharing openly and honestly in all situations strengthen courage?

4. How can we listen better to each others unspoken needs?

Share: What barrier have you most recently dissolved to share your heart with someone you trust?

Support: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2:18-19, “Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”

Support

Sometimes, maybe too often, we find ourselves so caught up in our own needs and worries and agendas that we forget to take the time for those around us—whether those we love and or those with whom we barely know.

Scripture reminds us we are to love one another. Grieve with one another. Joy with one another.

And together go deeper with trust and step out in faith. When we share we are able to give each other courage for whatever next step is ahead.

Lord, we pray to hear You and to be open to each person You send to us whether for a brief moment or committed time. Let us not dismiss each other’s messages but together bring them before You in prayer for clarification as to how to listen.

Your thoughts,

Hope: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Hope

                                                Hold fast

                                                regardless of circumstance

                                                hope always

                                                both in grief and joy.

                                               

                                                Hold fast

                                                remember words of life

                                                hope always

                                                breathe each new day.

                                                Hold fast

                                                run remaining days

                                                hope always

                                                bold in faith.

                                                Hold fast

                                                rest in His redemption

                                                hope always

                                                blameless in His cross.

Psalm 18:23, “I was also blameless with Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity.”

Reflection: Believe: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What does trusting in the Lord look like in practical applications to you?

2. What response do you have in heart and mind when time goes far past our expected answers and directions?

3. In what ways does stepping into each day in trust without an agenda counter our schedules and plans?

Share: How have you handled a long wait without understanding?

Reflection: Bold: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What is the first hope you hold fast to when in distress?

2. Which words remind you of His presence?

3. What word do you first extend to others in their struggles?

4. How do you define “poured out” personally?

Share: When and why has someone shone as a light for you when in difficulty?

Bold: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2:16-17, “holding fast to the word of life, so that in the days of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

Bold

The Lord continues always to hold fast to each of us, especially when we are unable to hold fast to Him. His ongoing grace helps us to remember that each day is a new gift and that we can live into it with gratitude and hope—regardless of the circumstances.

In all situations.

He will guide us how to run even when our remaining days are few. Even in limited circumstances we can continue to share His word—His truth—His love.

Lord, help each of us to focus on the life You have gifted us moment by moment in trust. Show us how to focus on Your grace and not our iniquities. Keep us bold in faith.

Your thoughts,

Battle: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Battle

                                                Dispute sends nerves on alert

                                                whether personal or not

                                                Desire to engage in battleground

                                                wakens our ammunition

                                                Digs up reasons, examples, excuses for

                                                warrior mode or negotiator

                                                Deep within our own fears rise

                                                worry over outcome—consequences.

                                                Darkness threatens hearts

                                                whispers self preservation yet to

                                                Distance enough to pray

                                                wait for Spirit’s guidance to

                                                Draw truth light into conflict

                                                words of reconciliation

                                                words of honesty

                                                Delivered by truth.

Psalm 18:22, “For all His ordinances were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.”

Reflection: Shine: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What situations do you instinctively jump into, or resist immediately?

2. How can we know when to be silent in the Lord’s leading and when to speak up?

3. When has praying quietly instead of engaging in a dispute brought about a caring closure?

4. Which is harder—to engage with words or pray in silence? Why?

Share: When have you had to battle your grumbling at the Lord’s leading? How did you release it?

Shine: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without grumbling, that you might be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

Shine

Sometime we may not grumble and dispute a situation outwardly but continue to do so inwardly, as if we can prove to ourselves that we are right and the other is wrong—in order to justify ourselves.

Yet the Lord asks us to go even deeper. Instead of fussing at others, within or without, we are to turn to an inward quiet and listen. Is this something from the Lord where He wants us to engage in attitude or action as His servant? To be His child responding in obedience and not tantrum?

Even on the days when we are too self-absorbed and blind to others needs and situations His light and truth will still reach out to shine through us.

Lord, we pray to be a light to Your truth, even if only a tiny spark. May our hearts focus on Your will and stand firm against the desire to engage in corruption on others terms.

Your thoughts,