Care: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Care 

                All relationships

                carry struggles

                trying to blend

                often from opposite

                opinions even in love.

                And more difficult with

                conflict from others like

                tyrants sometimes

                abounding with stress

                arrows into our hearts.

                Almost forget

                Christ's presence bearing

                truth His words

                always offering light

                always caring for each one of us.

                All in His mercy.

Psalm 89:29: "So I will establish his descendants forever, And his throne as the days of heaven."

                

                

                

Reflection: Control: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions 

        1. How often have you been in situations when someone continues to control you?

        2. In what situations have you attempted to control others? For what reason?

        3. How did either affect your attitude, compassion, or resentment, towards others or yourself?

Share: What was your first recognition of the Lord's presence supporting you?

Control: 1 Peter:Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 5:3-5: "Don't be controlling tyrants but lead others by your beautiful examples in the flock. And when the Shepherd-King appears, you will win the victim's crown of glory that never fades away. In the same way, the younger one should willingly support the leadership of the elders. In every relationship, each of you must wrap around yourselves the apron of a humble servant. Because: God resists you when you are proud but multiplies grace and favor when you are humble"

Control

Being a humble servant is not seen as a strength in our world but instead often as a weakness or disdain. In every part of our thoughts and actions and choices we are expected to be in control of ourselves, and often others around us.

Me first is the expected ground rule. So opposite the humbleness Jesus walked consistently. In strength and mercy and truth.

Every day He offers us the gift of walking with Him--in His purpose--in His support.

When we lean into His nudges and directions we find true control with our decisions and with our heart.

Thank you, Lord, for Your generous gift of Your presence in all situations. Please teach us Your definition of living honest humility.

Your thoughts,

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Isaiah 14:5, “The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers”

In our advertisement-laden world, it is often difficult to separate the truth from the rhetoric. And that’s from the outside in—not from our own self-centered illusions. How often do we find ourselves claiming control when really we have inhaled a false reality? Or someone else’s interpretation of how we should conduct ourselves.

History is replete with examples of both earned and designated power run amok.

New ideas—dreams—visions are wonderful gifts of creativity in so many areas of our lives. Unless they begin to become the authority by which we legislate our perceived power of time and talents and responsibilities.

We all like to think we’re in control, but the true reality is that the Lord alone is the source of all power and strength and only under His guidance can genuine direction and truth flourish with life-giving results.

Psalm 27 reminds us that, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.”

The gifts are given in trust. And sometimes when we protect and provide we are tempted to hoard and hide for our own personal status.

Lord, help me to be grateful that You are in control, for Your wisdom that guides and for Your sustaining grace that enables us to live freely with generosity.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 49:15

“But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; for He will receive me.”

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 32:25, Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control-for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies-…

Once a witness. Now a derision. Once proclaimers of God’s power. Now a subject for mockery.

Whether by choice, by accident, by coercion; our actions reflect upon ourselves, our families, our countries and our God. Emissaries of excess or emissaries of the Spirit.

“It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles,” Paul said, “Flee immorality.”

Out of control. Flaunting moral laws for self-indulgence. “We can’t help it. It’s in our nature,” we say disassociating ourselves from responsibility. Natural inclinations are not an excuse. Even the world of nature follows a code of rules.

Witnesses or comic material. We have the opportunity in our world today to be salt and light. To offer moral alternatives in an age of license.

Investigate my heart and mind, Lord, to weed out any immorality I harbor. I ask not to act in any way that causes an affront to Your name, in thought or in deed.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 25:20

Guard my soul and deliver me;

Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in Thee.