Entrust: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What promise did you ever receive from another that changed your life?

2.     What promise(s) has the Lord given you that changed your life?

3.     Do you truly believe that no one is exempt from God’s offer of grace? Why or why not?

4.     What might being a one-to-one ambassador look like for you personally?

Share: How will you share His gift of reconciliation today?

Entrust: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21

“So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

So far beyond our comprehension! Not only the initial gift of His grace and mercy to each of us individually, but then to add us as messengers. Of life shattering hope. To others.

So far beyond and removed from our present state. Wherever we are on our own journey there are very few who have reached the finished line on this side of heaven. With each faith ‘victory’ comes another struggle. We can see clearly His hand behind us, and presently holding us, but the fog before us often distorts our view. How can we who still need constant faith be ambassadors?

Especially because it’s not about us. Or our capability. Or even our own faith. It’s His words—His invitation—His mercy.

Entreat means to ask earnestly or anxiously. It is important. We are quick to share news of the day, an interesting book, a humorous encounter, or anger at an injustice. Why do we hesitant to entreat with salvation hope?

Entrust. Have you ever been given something valuable to protect or to deliver? A special surprise? A person? There is an inward glow of anticipation as we carry out the plan or the day. We love being able to participate and bring a message of joy.

Lord, please give us Your courage to share Your grace of reconciliation in all areas of our lives so that Your light will shine through our darkness. Shape and mold us to be Your faithful ambassadors of words and vision and care. With and without our knowledge.

Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:9-10

“If we confess our sins he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Boldness: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Ephesians 6:19-20

“Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.”

As we know, one of the key tasks of any human ambassador is to give a message. We often think of the messages as peace-bearers and treaty agreements. But sometimes the messages are words of warning as well.  Sometimes given in silence, and sometimes in words. Sometimes for good, and sometimes for power.

One silent common thread in crime dramas is when henchmen are told to “deliver a message” and the recipient is badly beaten.  Man’s solution.

And an opposite message of love is given any time a parent embraces a sobbing child in silence. God’s offer.

Jesus does not sugarcoat His words to His disciples and to His listeners, both of whom often do not understand or take affront. Yet He speaks the truth in love regardless of the consequences to Him personally, or opinions of others. He speaks them in mercy: words and actions towards life and healing and restoration. As a gift of life.

“I must speak,” Paul says, already knowing well the physical consequences of prisons and whippings. We already know the possible verbal consequences of ridicule and condemnation. And yet, without messages of truth, we cannot share hope.

Lord, please forgive us our timidity, and give us words in Your Spirit to share Your messages boldly in silence and in speech.

Psalm of Worship: Isaiah 55:13

“Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

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