Testify: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:17-18, "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

Testify

Forgive us Lord, for the many times we still fret over our needs. Especially when we have experienced Your giving grace to always cover us in so many ways. And we are grateful.

Please show us how to learn to trust before the need because we now know and have experienced Your on going protection.

And remind us to pray for all who have held us up in our times of need with their time and money and care and understanding. To lovingly testify Your grace to them also in action.

May their needs also be met without worry when their own difficulties come. And whether we  have little or much to offer, we ask to never forget to have a sharing heart and selfless attitude as You have given to each of us.

Your thoughts, 

Solace: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                     Solace

                    Support from others

                    in times of need a solace

                       regardless of circumstances.

                    Strengthens weary souls

                    increase trust

                    revives hope.

                Spirit will direct

                    in each situation to give

                    reason to act.

                    Soul to soul

                    impacts time of despair

                    restores mercy.

Psalm 18:47, "The God who executes vengeance for me, And subdues peoples under me."

Reflection: Faith: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

     1. How do you determine when to assist and when to not--whether time or money or emotions?

     2. In what ways has the Lord directed you to either a yes or a no response?

     3. What has been the oddest request you stepped out in faith to walk alongside? How did the outcome strengthen or weaken your faith walk?

Share: What scripture do you think can help us to know when it is the Holy Spirit directing the situation?

Faith: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:15-16, "And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macadonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again."

Faith

Sometimes we find ourselves seeking forgiveness because we feel we have not listened or obeyed the Spirit's nudges to assist another. We may want to but due to our own emptiness financially, or emotionally, or physically, we remain quiet.

And sometimes we are the ones on the receiving end and know we will never be able to return the gift to help to all those who have carried us, and we feel helpless.

Yet the Lord knows each of our needs and stages and though we may not be able to return now there will be opportunities in other circumstances when we can. Maybe to pass the kindness on to another, maybe days or weeks, or years ahead.

He enables us to give and to receive. He will direct us when and how. He will guide us heart to heart with gratitude and willingness.

Lord, thank-you that You provide rescue into each of us and through each of us in Your time. Please keep us listening to Your nudges for when and how, and trust in Your provisions.

Your thoughts,

Strength: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

             Strength

            Can not do anything

            although we think

            all is possible if we

            commit diligently.

            And sometime we

            can due to gifts

            created within our beings

            as part of our soul genes.

            Concentrate with repeated

            attempts alone or with

            able support we

            consider our success.

            Applaud perseverance

            concentration not seeing

            completion's silent strength

            all through His mercy.

            And creation

            always holding onto us

            always protecting

            all through His love.

Psalm 18:46, "The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the Lord of my salvation."

            

Reflection: All Things: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions:

        1. On a difficult day have you ever had a perfect stranger help you? How did you react? How did it change your day?

        2. What words, or acts of comfort, have you shared with someone in need recently? What prompted you to comment?

        3. Think back this week or month and remember situations that seemed overwhelming, and yet you found the courage, or support, to move forward. Did you see the Lord's  guidance in the strengthening?

Share: How might you bring this recognition to support another? In words, or in actions, or prayers, or all?

All Things: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:13-14, "I can do all things through Him that strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble."

All Things

Jesus gifts us with ongoing protection from without and within. His peace is present in our turmoil. And often works through the supportive care of family and friends and sometimes perfect strangers.

Too often, though, we can get so caught up in our troubles that we not only not recognize His care, but are blind to those around us who need support as well.

When we accept this reminder that we cannot do anything apart from Him, then we can let go of the struggles whether big or small. He offers His power and His strength in all things--always.

Thank you, Lord that You will always guide. Please help us to remember that first before despair and fear take root. And choose kindness within and without daily.

Your thoughts,

Lean: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

         Lean

        To be content

        in any situation

        requires letting

        go of ourselves

        relinquishing control

        instead lean on Spirit

        trust invisible solid ground.

Psalm 18:45, "Foreigners fade away, and come trembling out of their fortresses."

Reflection: Friction: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

        1. How do  you define content?

        2. How important is it in your daily life and how do you react when it is not possible?

        3. In what ways can our definition of content clash with the Lord's relationship with each of us?

Share: What had been the most recent low experience you have dealt with? How did it turn to hope?

Friction: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance,  I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."

Friction

Why is that, despite all the many rescues and blessings we have been given from the Lord in so many situations, we still have not fully learned, or accepted, to be content in all?

In our minds we do know; and in our hearts we believe; but somehow cannot get our emotions and actions to agree.

Or sometimes we do recognize, and yet do not submit to trust and faith to act upon what we know is true. That the Lord is present in all situations.

Lord, as we move forward into more obstacles and uncertainties, please show us how to keep our eyes and hearts and feelings clinging to You and trusting all will work out in Your time.

Please show us how to face each day in faith and hope and love. To ourselves--to our loved ones--to our friends--and to strangers.

Your thoughts,

Compassion: Purpose:Prayers and Poetry

     Compassion

     Practice what is seen

     and heard from the Spirit

     teaching us to repeat

     again and again

     a new language or

     new understanding

     able to look

     beyond surface chaos

     and walk in His

     Presence

Psalm 18:44, "As soon as they hear, they obey me; Foreigners submit to me."

Reflection: Thoughtful: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions 

                1. In what ways can our concern for others become buried in our own busyness?

                2. How can we balance compassion with correction?

                3. What concern is most relevant to you today?

                4. How might you approach it from the Lord's alphabet?

Share: What is the most recent gift of compassion you have received unexpectedly?

Thoughtful: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:9-10, "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity."

Thoughtful

Sometimes our busyness overpowers our basics.

We forget to act, or live, or think, from our heart's truth and Scripture words as we get caught up in the immediate concerns whether of our own or others.

Drama or not.

Yet the Lord's words are not a timed exam to pass like learning the alphabet. Instead it's being willing to listen every moment for the relevant letter to apply as He nudges.

Ongoing. Ever present. Ongoing. Practice.

Thank you, Lord, that there will never be any blank word or letter or note from You in any circumstance.

Your thoughts,