Works: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               

                                               Works

                                                To will

                                                to work

                                                for His good pleasure

                                                not often recognized.

                                                Too often

                                                too much

                                                we choose the opposite

                                                follow man’s advice.

                                                To succeed

                                                to accomplish

                                                forget His way is opposite

                                                heart to heart instead.

Psalm 18:21, “ For I have kept the ways of the Lord, And have not wickedly departed from my God.”

Build: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2: 12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Build

How often can we not claim obedience even in the face of truth? How often do we resist doing what is being asked—even when our own hearts agree—because we do not want to take the effort, or the possible failure, or ridicule, or… .

And yet hope continues knowing that despite our failures and self-absorption the Lord can continue to work in and through each of us with or with our understanding or knowledge of the outcome.

We can give thanks for the many times that others have carried each of us through the Spirit’s power. And trust that He can use us as well even through our weaknesses.

Thank you, Lord, for the many times You have carried us and showered us with blessings upon blessings and healings in our lives. There is no struggle beyond Your hand. May we remember to work for Your good pleasure in complete trust.

Your thoughts,

Build: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Build

Again I will build you,

be rebuilt, restored.

Can the broken

soul take up

music of praise

sing with hope

leave dirge

stretch towards grace

restoring emptiness

soothing heartbreak

crumbling failure into

Spirit’s flowing life.

Again.

Romans 8:4, “in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Stones: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Stones

            Stones to build

            stones to throw away

            not always clear

            need wisdom to discern

            what piece belongs where

            when we build upon His cornerstone.

Build: Living Stones: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Build

            Living stones.

            Built on truth foundation

            forgiveness—grace—mercy

            ongoing ministry of

            welcome and restoration

            built on Spirit wisdom

            guidance—strength—sacrifice

            breathe of hope.

            Living Stones.

Living Stones: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 2:1-6

“Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn babes, long for the pure, spiritual milk so that by it you may grow into salvation, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone,…..like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ….and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

We choose to feed our children with wholesome milk and nourishment knowing how important it is to their physical growth. But as adults we often choose to eat junk food or random diets without seriously considering possible long-term side effects. Those who are glucose intolerant require a specific gluten free diet for their health, but for those who are not intolerant removing gluten from their diet can then create hazardous health.

How often do we consider our spiritual diet with as much discernment as our physical? Peter points out that the outcome can become critical for our salvation as well as our daily living.

Seeking the goodness that the Lord provides infuses our stone hearts, judgmental attitudes, and dry souls with love, mercy, and truth. In His ongoing power and strength we learn to live and grow into a new relationship with ourselves, with others, and with the Lord.

A spiritual house, Peter says, where all are considered precious and cherished. A place where hearts can become whole.

Jesus has become the cornerstone and then invites us to join His ministry. To build—grow a new foundation—and taste His goodness.

Lord, please fill us with Your light and grace and keep us listening to Your words of love that we may become living stones by Your hand.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27: 6

“Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with  shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.”

Kingdom Manna

Tasks

Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”

Several ancient cities built to impress. They built tall, built wide, built elaborate, built high on hills. As a symbol of success and influence. As a sign of power. A visual emblem. Had electricity been available then, their cities would have been ablaze. No hesitation, no reluctance to advertise themselves.

Dawn’s light breaks night’s darkness. A lighthouse beacon signals danger. Candlelight welcomes delayed arrivals. All kinds of light from soft, muted, bright, glaring, and fiery give purpose and vision.

Scrolls lost, buried, forgotten and neglected removed the words of the Torah from Israel. They became a captive people to their enemies and to their ignorance. Retrieval of God’s word repeatedly through their history brought restoration.

Designated witnesses are meant to share—to speak—to shine with their declarations. We are given the words to pass along. To our families—to our friends. To the foreigner in our midst.

Send us Lord, to Your source of true light, to Jesus. Set us so deeply in His holiness that as Your church we burn brightly building Your city that all may see it.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 43:3

O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.