Spirit: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           

            Spirit

           

           

            Astonishment, ridicule

            disbelief often

            reactions towards

            unexpected

            especially when

            miracles are shared.

            And so, this time

            denial impossible

            rushing Spirit flows

            unhindered

            example concrete

            manifold witness.

Reflection: Manifold: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What keeps us from trusting the Holy Spirit even when we cannot deny words from the Lord?

2.     How do we stay open and at the same time be discerning for fraudulent mimics?

3.     Why are we tempted to ignore a clear witness?

Share: What helps you to discern the Spirit’s witness?

Manifold: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:32-33

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear.

Witness given.

Spirit poured out as both seen and heard.

No possibility of error or misunderstanding. Concrete evidence by multiple people across a wide spectrum of belief and unbelief, hope and critical. No movie cameras or cell phones to cut and paste, redesign, manufacture, or manipulate for market success.

Power undeniable.

Recognized.

Still present today to be both seen and heard except for the barriers we raise. Are we truly hearing the Spirit’s voice or making up our own version? Is that word from the Lord really meant for me now, or am I being presumptuous?

We manage to excuse and ignore even when we are sure we heard the word spoken. Why? Or make too much noise to hear the Spirit’s whisper.

Manifold witness continues despite our limitations.

His power pours out as promised. Delivered despite our doubts.

Lord, give us courage to listen and to trust and to receive.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:28

“God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’”