skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Lures
So easy to be welcomed into an invitation
at first just
a curiosity then
later wraps
around our thoughts
or desires
pulling away from
heart truths
into flesh demands.
Turn back to
His grace
waiting to heal
begin a restored life.
Psalm 89:22: " 'The enemy will not deceive him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.' "
Ruin
She did not heed warnings given in abundance.
Chose instead oracles
filled with false
blessings
deceptive visions
misled promises of
fortune.
Vast now the ruin
exposed iniquity
bountiful
with fruit from
forbidden tree.
Psalm 37:8: "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret--it leads only to evil."
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.”
Isaiah 30:21, “And when you turn to the right or when you
turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the
way; walk in it.’”
I think I had become so used to scripture that encourages
believers to follow that it took me along time to realize—internalize that this
verse says “behind”.
Sight unseen.
Or at least, not a clear view up ahead. Or even a glimpse
out of the corner of my eye.
Behind—to hear, to act upon tasks given, to obey in faith.
Where the questions begin, “Is this really You, Lord?” “How
can I be sure.” “Could I have some assurance?” “Why?” “Please, may I turn around and look and see and touch
and taste?”
Creation obeys.
Instinctively—instantly—intently.
Because all know your voice clearly. Because Your word is
imbedded into the fabric of all. Like a heartbeat flowing steadily.
Lord, please so saturate me/us in Your words and Your voice
that I/we will resist You from fear or confusion, but instead embrace the gift
of hearing Your guidance.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 25:9-10
“He leads the humble to justice, and He teaches the humble
His way.
All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth
To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.”
Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.”
Have you ever noticed how often in movies or novels that
characters (and especially children) instinctively begin to hum or chatter when
they find themselves in a dark place? We don’t often go into the dark unarmed.
Even when we appreciate the beauty found in a dark night, listening for
nocturnal nature, admiring the stars or soaking in the quiet.
Yet behind the scenes a touch of fear stays at that which we
cannot see, that which we cannot identify or see coming. Like the darkness of
soul or mind or body that suddenly engulfs us changing our present into a
closure, our future into chaos.
The prophets remind us that in God there is no darkness at
all—neither physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, or any other form
we find ourselves walking through. He readily gives us His strength to make
choices, decisions and reactions when we falter. And gives us hope to not be
crushed by the darkness that lurks around us.
Lord, prepare our hearts to turn instinctively to You when
the shadows form. Help us to walk in praise and thanksgiving knowing You are
present and walking alongside.
“Prayer was not
separate from poetry and song.” Esther de Waal
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 107:14-15
“He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their bands apart.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!”
Hebrews 11:7, “By faith, Noah, warned by God about events as
yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by
this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in
accordance with faith.”
Often we have a tendency not to put imagination and faith in
the same context. Yet Noah’s story has the makings of an epic fantasy or
science fiction journey. In a time when rain was not a reality, a flood an
unknown concept and perhaps even a boat unheard of, Noah was asked to stake
everything on God’s request to build an ark. Did he struggle to find a way to
ask God for a translation? A
reality check?
With our technology on super speed this era, it has not been
considered odd to ask what is an ipad or an SEO or a webinar. Yet all these new
means of communication have been built from previous science now constantly
evolving and refining. Not only did Noah have no concepts to draw from, he also
had the additional tension of worldwide catastrophe. Perhaps another
indefinable concept.
Yet he trusted God’s word without question and set to follow
His pattern in trust.
Too often I have pushed aside warnings or opportunities as
impossible or too unlikely to be taken seriously. Either I outright ignore or
water down the implications, instead of asking God for confirmation—first, and
then wisdom next. And wonder why my day, my life, dissolves into chaos.
And we have centuries of scripture evidence to stand
on—thousands of faith stories as reminders of God’s saving refuge in times of
struggle and in times of new beginnings.
Lord, help us to distinguish Your voice above the jeers and
naysayers. Give us courage to follow all Your directions and Your truth that we
stay connected to You. That we may walk in obedience, safe in Your will. Help
us to remember that nothing is impossible with You.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 46:1-3
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
and
though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its water roar and foam, though the mountains quake
at its swelling pride.”
Hebrews 11:6, “….without faith, it is impossible to please
God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who seek him.”
For those who have met You Lord, or even had a glimpse of
You, I doubt one would ever really deny Your existence. In my darkest moments
that idea has never once taken root in me and yet there are questions that
bring so many doubts, so many ‘but what if’ possibilities to block me from
truly recognizing Your ability or Your willingness to act.
What if I am not welcome or not worthy? What if You exclude
me because of my sin, or my selfishness? What if You see through my shields of
hypocrisy? What if You can’t really help?
A desperate father brought to Jesus the plight of his son,
his history since early childhood, the inability of healers to help him, the
inability of the disciples to cure him and begged Jesus as his last hope, if
you can—please help. And then his heart wrenching honest cry—“I do believe,
help my unbelief.”
Often our faith staggers. We desire to walk in confidence
and boldness. To bless and to be blessed according to God’s plans. But we focus
on our own inadequacies instead of His power and grace. And create
impossibilities before we even hear God’s reply.
Help me, Lord, help us, to come seeking Your will in faith,
acknowledging the excuses we try to hide behind. Because You answer in spite of
our feeble hope and in the presence of our failures that mock us. Please
strengthen our faith into trust that really changes our lives as we daily walk in
expectation.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 78:22-24
“Because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in
His salvation
Yet he commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of
heaven;
And He rained down manna upon them to eat, and gave them
food from heaven.”
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped
for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Sometimes we tend to look for assurance in the wrong places.
Or, maybe for the wrong reasons.
Assurance that we will be rewarded, loved, valued, because of things we
do. And when the people we most care about disappoint us by not responding our
attitude and hope decrease.
Except no one but You, Lord, can fill up the void within us.
You alone are our assurance.
However when we do not see You, or hear You, we tend to
misunderstand and let doubt creep in.
Yet we are convinced of so many things we cannot see: oxygen
and air, light behind dark clouds and invisible nutrients in our food. Nature
explodes with things not seen: microbes, neutrons, quarks and currents. Even
when we can’t describe them, or understand them, or even pronounce them
sometimes, we have no doubts or questions re their existence—their ongoing
presence.
Your invisible realm. Invisible to the human eye geographically,
yet wider and deeper and more potent than any earthly rule.
So why do I doubt the paths You set before me, or the value
of the journey for its own sake? Or the voice of Your Holy Spirit in soft
whispers?
Open my eyes, I pray Lord, to live in Your unseen reality
and to fully become a kingdom citizen. Help me to walk in Your light in this
shadow world.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 124: 7-8
“…The snare is broken and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and
earth.”
FRUIT
Work offered, chosen
by you for service
in vineyard, to bear
kingdom fruit.
An honor, privilege, joy.
And yet too often
wander into wrong field,
misuse given tools, think
only self capable.
Breed confusion, sorrow, blame.
Surround us by boundaries
within abiding that despite
tangled attempts
your truth grows.
John 21
FOLLOW
Follow where He
leads no matter
the path or where
another goes
tend feed lambs,
sheep, for as little
or as much time
exists in life
in death—follow
“This testimony is true.”
John 21
SKY
Woven in the heavens
star lit reminders
shower
whole world
read in the darkness
of the night skies
remember
promises
prophecies
possibilities
dark clouds can only
shroud,
not contain
story written
from the beginning
firmament’s
thread.
John 20
FEAR
Why does fear
decide our choices
holding fast we
cling to status
real or imagined
censure or affirmation
from others form
our parameters
we walk within lines
carefully drawn
reject the voice
calling us with love
and lose even more.
TRUTH
“What is truth”
asked once now
often quoted in conversation
repeated again
and again as excuse
as ploy, as strategy
or silently as heart hunger
When do we hear—
really—hear the answer
standing before us
speaking words of hope
offering life.
John 18
SEEDS
Seeds sown in glimmer
thoughts—a flash,
a shadow,
a hope.
Take root in heart
form purpose
breathe in truth.
Stamina, courage,
commitment, mark
days unfolding
to completion.
Brings glory.
John 17
CHOSEN
Chosen to bear words
to the world
silent and spoken truth
continue work.
Rarely received
with open arms.
Rejected—rebuffed
left wounded.
Called to serve
follow worn path
give comfort
compassion seeds.
John 15
BRANCHES
Embers glow
sparks scatter
like fireworks
in the sky unexpected
snaps, quick crackle
of dry branches
devoid of sap
end fruit bearing days.
Bruised branches now
pruned hear—sigh
still abide.
Growth comes again
in time.
John 15
KNEELS
Love kneels to wash away the dirt- layers clogging heart, mind, soul.
Refreshed by care soothed by presence, held close until restored again and again without ceasing.
Beyond end of days; Love kneels.
John 13
ROLE
High priest Caiphas spoke God’s word of truth despite selfish plan instead now adhered to true sovereign's will.
Could not see beyond human power yet performed his role in history and lost soul’s desire.
Heart can only serve self or Son.
John 11
HAVEN
Trembling we hide in dark warm shelter, take a deep breath slowly creep toward a thin crack of light. shudder in dismay as enemies approach too vast, too strong- no escape.
Suddenly realize a barrier is set invisible throughout the light. Haven now impenetrable. Lean in relief against wall, recognize your hand holding us. Forever- we rest.
John 10
ACCUSATIONS
Under Shakespeare’s deft hand a comedy perhaps had he written this scene verbal ping pong, slapstick humor, repetitive dialog.
In reality a tragedy as each person sought answers apart from responsibility or Common sense, accusations sought a target instead of truth.
Denied man’s healing saw only rules-rules broken on holy Sabbath but not the miracle of vision contained in worship.
John 9
|
