Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

John 1: 1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.”

           

            In the beginning

                        stands the Lord

                                    breathing

            His love, His mercy,

                                    His life

            Into every fabric of

                        creation.

            His soul, His model,

                                    His sphere.

            Ingrained within

                        each heart

                                    beating out

            His pulse, His being,

                                    His pact.

            Inside to keep

                        all threads

                                    connected by

            His will, His passion,

                                    His word.

            Lord, please lift us out of our time-clock world to listen. I pray for us to walk in Your time with Your heart and to see with Your eyes.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 40:3

“And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;

Many will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord.”

Kingdom Manna

Crisis

Mark 14:25, “Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

“A new covenant”, Jesus said, “I give to you.” A new beginning with an end that only God will determine. An end for which Jesus waits in anticipation to celebrate with His disciples; all His disciples joined together in God’s kingdom.

A meal over which His church has cherished, worshipped, abused and argued. Sometimes taken by rote, sometimes in awe, sometimes in confusion. But faithfully adhered to ‘until He comes’.

A proclamation of faith, a light for each succeeding generation. Given with simplicity as unto a child, with mystery beyond our solutions. A candle that cannot be extinguished.

A witness of grace. Offered repeatedly. As the years pass Lord, I realize how gracious a gift. Your visible reminder to come. To be healed, restored, forgiven as often as is necessary. You repair and restore us through Your covenant. Your deliverance displayed.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 71:18

So even to old age and gray hairs,

O God do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might

to all the generations to come.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 17:1, Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin according to the command of the Lord,…

A journey in stages with time set aside to adapt to the new terrain, to explore the sights and sounds of plants and animals, to investigate the local history. To drink in atmosphere. Sounds like a great vacation. Opportunities to assimilate new freedom, new relationships with God.

Anticipation draws us forward though. We become anxious to reach our destination, begin our new life. Delays, slow meanderings, meadow stops can also serve as irritants.

Spiritual growth develops in stages. Except we desire instant maturity in ourselves and in others. On our life journey we luxuriate in sun warmed sandy beaches and grouse under pounding rain.

God brought Israel forward in stages. He brings us forward as we are able, step by step by step.

Lord, may I see all my days: sunny or dreary, fast-paced or snail driven, joyous praise or sorrowful petition, as all a part of Your plan for me to reach maturity, to reach my destination in You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt make known to me the path of life;

In Thy presence is fulness of joy;

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 12:2, “This month shall be the beginning of months for you;”

Beginnings: from this time on, new life, new start, new birth, anticipated with joy.

Life begins at the end of a cold, dark winter with tiny buds and pale green shoots.

Life begins at the end of a long wait.

Life begins for Israel with separation from Egypt to life with God.

Life begins with separation from sin and selfishness to a life lived unto God.

Life begins when we are plucked from death into eternity.

Life begins when that which is old is passed away and behold all things are new.

Life begins with a second chance-to begin again.

Life begins with a baby in Bethlehem.

Life begins, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.”

Beginnings: a smile, forgiveness, reconciliation, a hand held with love.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 133:3

It is like the dew of Hermon,

Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the Lord commanded the blessing-life forever.