Eternal: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Eternal

                Gift of light and 

                love a daily commitment

                He gives each one who

                accepts this blessing

                of eternal life to begin

                at the moment of belief.

                Never taken away or

                ignored or broken from

                Holy grace, Spirit present

                no matter how weak

                our trust or understanding

                eternal life and light provision.

Psalm 107:26: "They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depth; Their soul melted away in their misery."

Reflection: Commitment: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading Questions

        1. How can we define a witness that is true? Why?

        2. How do you confirm within yourself a belief of His grace when others try to break the truth?

        3. How does the promise of eternity add commitments for you now into daily life? 

Share: What brought your first step into belief and acceptance of His gift?

Commitment: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1st John 5:10-12: "The one who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the witness that God has borne concerning His Son. And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

Commitment

Lord,Your amazing gift of love eternal and life with You is such a powerful truth to comprehend. Especially in our many choices to not follow You with or without understanding.

Yet though we are still so far away to understand Your mercy we can hold to You Spirit as we learn. Following fully. Your Grace.

You do not let us go. So we can learn to walk step by step in trust and courage.

Please keep us in Your light and wisdom and be able to share this witness with others.

Your light one step at a time. Into eternity.

Your thoughts, 

Hope: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Hope

                Hope given

                ongoing grace 

                living within

                ongoing gentleness.

                His grace

                sharing as a gift

                living outward

                sharing gently.

                Holy

Psalm 89:19: "Once Thou didst speak in vision to Thy godly ones, And didst say, 'I have given help to one who is might; I have exalted one chosen from the people.'"

Reflection: Commitment: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. When have you experienced verbal or physical condemnation for your faith? 

        2. Did it weaken or strengthen your commitment to Jesus? How?

        3. What has given you courage to trust His guidance?

Share: How has your daily commitment blessed you? Can you pass that on?

Commitment: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 3: 13-15: "Why would anyone harm you if you're passionate and devoted to pleasing God? But even if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you will have the joyful experience of the blessing of God. And Don't be intimidated or terrified by those who would terrify you. But give reverent honor in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat Him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith with gentleness and respect."

Commitment

He will give us His hope daily.

He will keep our hearts and thoughts in His words and purpose when we listen.

He will bring mercy and forgiveness and cleansing when we become terrified and intimidated. Whether from others, or too often still from within ourselves.

We do not doubt His grace and protection and yet too often we forget to live into His healing truth.

Please keep us focused on Your presence in our hearts, and guidance in our thoughts and actions in all circumstances daily. That we will stay committed to listening to Your words and live into them no matter what is happening.

Your thoughts,

Come: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Come

            Crowds eager to follow

            name dropping headlines

            catch a glimpse of show

            nice reviews

            stumble into power

            wonder beyond expectation

            signs of Messiah come

            whisper questions at edges

            choice to be made

            nervously pretend ignorance than

            connect—commit in public

            need to blend instead.

            Still cannot deny truth.

            Word remains, speaking ‘Come’.

            

Stone: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Stone

Stone stands as witness

words written of

commitment to follow

consent to serve

remembered for a lifetime

recognized God’s authority

warnings accepted

stalwart in choice

“choose this time

you will serve.”

Each heart freely given to

gift of decision. 

Reflection: Remember: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you remember the day you chose to accept Jesus as Lord?

2.     What caused you to make that commitment?

3.     Do you still struggle with obedience in some areas of your life?

4.     What previous gifts of God’s grace help you to follow in faith?

Share: What do you keep as a witness to your commitment to serve the Lord?

Accept: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Accept

                        Promise made

                        gift given

                        still needs acceptance

                        willingness to act

                        with faith in

                        fulfillment.

                        Still requires steps

                        with courage to

                        commit.

                        Heart and soul

                        mind and body

                        to beginning

                        new work

new life

                        hope.

Reflection: Slack: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Is there an area in your faith walk in which you are slack? Why?

2.     What are the possible steps you might need to act upon to see it take shape?

3.     Are you ready to walk unknown territory in prayer? Or ask for others to walk alongside?

Share: What commitment did you follow through with that brought fulfillment?

Reflection Commit: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you ever had to wait a very long time for a fulfilled promise because another person stood in the way?

2.     How did you continue to stay committed?

3.     Did you come closer to the Lord, or further away, or a mix of both? What caused each reaction?

4.     What advice would you give to someone today in those circumstances?

Share: What unexpected form of provision has the Lord given you recently?

Commit: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 5

“On the day after the Passover… The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.” Joshua 5: 11-12

The generation before them had enough faith to leave slavery behind and follow the Lord’s promise. Then in the wilderness their trust faltered and prevented them from reaching their new land. Yet, God did not forsake them, or leave them to perish, but continued to provide for them every day until they reached a natural life span, except for Caleb and Joshua who had stood in faith all along, now as then ready to obey whatever God said.

This next generation had to make their own decision based on their own experiences. Whatever they chose would be their new path: to remain bound in limitation as did the generation before them, or to trust the Lord’s Promised Land and step into a completely new experience.

First they too had to let go the past and step out in trust. They needed to choose to grow in their faith and act upon it, not even fully understanding what that would look like. All they had known was daily manna.  Would God continue to sustain them spiritually and physically?

And the choice required a cost: circumcision. A permanent act of obedience and commitment. For each man a personal decision. An act of trust to pass on to the generation to follow them.

Lord, please keep us from fears that reduce our days to mere existence and instead keep our hearts grounded in a living faith that sees each day as a new opportunity to walk in trust and fellowship with You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 125:2

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the Lord surrounds his people,

from this time on, and forevermore,”

Kingdom Manna

Tasks

Colossians 3:12, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”

“Dress for the job” is an unwritten motto in many businesses. Client relationships depend on good impressions and the apparel often sets the tone. A job applicant is wise who arrives for the interview clean, neat, and groomed.

Clothes mark us. Our choices reflect our color preferences, our style, our comfort. Certain jobs are designated by their uniform, badge or insignia. We are committed to respond in accordance with the position.

Definite garments were designed and made for the priests. Only those upon whose shoulders the duties lay could wear the special robes. Set apart for service. God requested His people be distinct. Easily identified.

Chosen by God to be clothed in His raiment. Robes of salvation. Robes of redemption. Robes of royalty. We are also asked to wear His mark. Spiritual imprints from the inside-out. Habits that see through our outer garments. We are commissioned to respond in accordance with the position.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 132:16

Its priests I will clothe with salvation, and its faithful will shout for joy.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus: 33:13, Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found favor in Thy sight, let me know Thy ways, that I may know Thee, so that I may find favor in Thy sight.”

Moses knew the Egyptian ways were not God’s ways. Israel’s ways were not God’s ways. Amalek’s ways were not God’s ways.

“And your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Moses asked to know God’s way that he might walk it for life.

A way that blended inner character with outward commitment. God’s way meant living in His will, obeying His commandments, acting as His emissary.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”

A designation for early Christians was as people of “The Way”. Often it was spoken in contempt for their living style by non-believers, but Christians wore the name with pride. The derision from others meant they were viewed as Christ’s followers. A badge of joy to them to be so identified with Christ. A path of service, mercy and outreach. Imitators of Christ walking in love.

May I so know Your ways, Lord, that I can live them from the inside out. Not in the futility of my mind but in the unity of Your Spirit. Not on self-designated paths, but in Your commissioned ways.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 103:7

He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the sons of Israel.