Faith: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Faith

                On the surface victory

                may not be seen when

                chaos and difficulties rule.

                Only when we can remember

                He has overcome the world

                and covers each one of us with mercy.

                Ongoing grave His foundation

                given by  costly love

                holding us forever.

Psalm 107:24: "They have seen the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep."

Solace: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                     Solace

                    Support from others

                    in times of need a solace

                       regardless of circumstances.

                    Strengthens weary souls

                    increase trust

                    revives hope.

                Spirit will direct

                    in each situation to give

                    reason to act.

                    Soul to soul

                    impacts time of despair

                    restores mercy.

Psalm 18:47, "The God who executes vengeance for me, And subdues peoples under me."

Reflection: Faith: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

     1. How do you determine when to assist and when to not--whether time or money or emotions?

     2. In what ways has the Lord directed you to either a yes or a no response?

     3. What has been the oddest request you stepped out in faith to walk alongside? How did the outcome strengthen or weaken your faith walk?

Share: What scripture do you think can help us to know when it is the Holy Spirit directing the situation?

Faith: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:15-16, "And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macadonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again."

Faith

Sometimes we find ourselves seeking forgiveness because we feel we have not listened or obeyed the Spirit's nudges to assist another. We may want to but due to our own emptiness financially, or emotionally, or physically, we remain quiet.

And sometimes we are the ones on the receiving end and know we will never be able to return the gift to help to all those who have carried us, and we feel helpless.

Yet the Lord knows each of our needs and stages and though we may not be able to return now there will be opportunities in other circumstances when we can. Maybe to pass the kindness on to another, maybe days or weeks, or years ahead.

He enables us to give and to receive. He will direct us when and how. He will guide us heart to heart with gratitude and willingness.

Lord, thank-you that You provide rescue into each of us and through each of us in Your time. Please keep us listening to Your nudges for when and how, and trust in Your provisions.

Your thoughts,

Faith: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Faith

                                                We look often to the light

                                                the joy of relationship

                                                in faith.

                                               

                                                Walk with hope and eagerness.

                                                Yet many find themselves

                                                locked in dungeons and still

                                                in faith.

                                                Yield to truth and conviction.

Psalm 18:12: “From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire.”

Ambassadors: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Ambassadors

            To become the righteousness

            of God, a concept beyond

            comprehension.

           

            Yet the promise is given

            to be shared with

            everyone.

            No one exempt from

            offer of reconciliation

            mercy.

            Speak out in faith

            act sincerely as

            ambassadors.

            To become reconciled forever.

           

Reflection Unbelief: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Did you resist the good news when you first heard it spoken? Why or why not?

2.     How do you define “whole creation”?

3.     Do you find yourself resistant to sharing the message at any time? Why?

4.     How do you overcome your hesitation to share? Or where do you still need faith to speak?

Share: What word to you broke through your unbelief?

Unbelief: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Mark 16:14-16

“He upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned.’”

In what ways does our personal lack of faith hinder not only our own lives but also those around us? Like the disciples we may believe in Jesus and yet still resist His words.

To trust them. To live them. To share them.

To a whole creation!

How? Some of us are so bold in personality that we come across like hammers and frighten listeners away as we point fingers at sin and demand immediate repentance. So are some of us so timid that we clam up our faith from honest seekers for fear of failure or embarrassment. Or so self-centered that we pick and choose to whom we will share good news.

All focused on ourselves instead of trusting in His Spirit to guide us and use us—usually in circumstances far beyond our comprehension. So that we don’t interfere with His good news given to each individually. So we don’t interfere with His light piercing the lies and darkness.

We are not all called to be ministry evangelists but we are all called to live our days in faith: ready to give an answer—ready to share—ready to pray—ready to introduce anyone to His saving grace.

Or does our own unbelief put up barriers of hardness and condemnation and selection?

Lord, please forgive our silence when we should speak and quiet our self-centered rhetoric we rehearse. Instead may our hearts be so filled with Your truth that our words and our actions live Your good news with open welcome.

Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:5

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.”

End: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            End

           

            At the end

            will our thoughts, hearts

            linger at regret,

            unfinished commitments,

            hesitant to leave or

            accept full

            responsibility for both

            done and undone,

            knowing we sought

            only Spirit’s guidance

            keeping our hearts steady

            even in failure.

Reflection: Finish: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

           

1.     What memory do you cherish from a loved one that is gone? Why?

2.     What character trait do you hope your loved ones will remember of you? Why?

3.     What worries you that you might leave undone?

4.     Where do you need the Spirit’s guidance for priorities right now?

Share: How have you been strengthened in your faith in a time of failure?

Finish: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but to all who have longed for his appearing.”

How did Paul interpret his finish? He still lived for several years past the Biblical narratives of him, but the scripture is silent of this season as it is over the first ten years in the wilderness after his first encounter with Jesus.

After a long chronicle of Abraham’s faith walk there is silence re him as well after he was willing to sacrifice Isaac in trust to the Lord’s purpose.

Moses’ first call was to lead his people out of Egypt, yet scripture notes that he finished the Tabernacle and later Solomon finished the Temple. Jesus said, “It is finished,” while on the cross yet He continues to pour out His grace daily.

We all have life markers and project markers that we can point to with either a sense of accomplishment, or a sense of regret, and sometimes both together. Perhaps in our daily race to complete tasks we yearn for Paul’s confidence in a finish and wonder what that looks like for our spiritual life too. We gravitate to a desire for results.

Yet maybe the clue lies in the second sentence? “I have kept the faith.” Maybe something happened to Paul where he really ‘got’ what walking with God meant. Maybe it’s not an always active accomplishment but a heart one—a trust one—an unbreakable faith.

Not measurable by visible standards or markers or by others. But a light bulb insight into faith that overpowers any of our human weaknesses and empowers our complete trust in all circumstances.

Lord, by Your grace, please guide and direct and strengthen each of us to fulfill the call You choose with hearts of faith and trust and commitment.

Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:4

“We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”

Arrows: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Arrows

            Special shield

            beyond surface

            protection deflecting

            poison arrows

            but instead

            completely dissolves

            so they cannot

            be used again

            quenched by authority

            when we accept

by faith.

Reflection Shield: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What flaming arrows most weaken you?

2.     Are you surprised when they suddenly dissolve?

3.     How does that strengthen your faith to prepare for the next attach?

4.     Do you think we can help quench the arrows too? How?

Share: What poison arrow have you seen dissolved this week?

Shield: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Ephesians 6:16

“With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Have you ever been surprised that your faith held strong through a difficult situation, yet faltered into complaint and worry over comparatively minor upsets?

Poison words, poison motives, poison attacks can weaken us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

And, as in many murder mysteries, the poison often comes by ordinary sources and is not recognized. So can flaming arrows of evil pierce silently through our relationships and commitments. Breaking down our defenses because we cannot see the danger.

Arrows that diminish us from within and without, even when we do not doubt God.

Yet fear and worry, fatigue and complacency, insert their poison into our heads and hearts to weary our hope and trust.

“Be on the alert,” Peter tells us in his letters. “Each day has enough trouble of its own,” Jesus reminds us.

The threats are real. The battle is real. The poison is real.

But so is God’s shield of faith. So is Jesus’ victory. So is the Holy Spirit’s guidance to withstand.

Thank you, Lord for dissolving the flaming arrows that attempt to separate us from Your protection and presence.

Psalm of Worship: Isaiah 55:10

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it spring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.”

Reflection: Smyrna: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What do you fear most that could happen in your life?

2.     What do you fear the most right now in your life?

3.     What direct word from the Lord will you peace and courage today?

4.     Ask.

Share: How do you trust moment to moment?

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Smyrna: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Revelation 2:8-11

“I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich…Do not fear what you are about to suffer.”

“Be faithful until death, and “I will give you the crown of life…Whoever conquers will be not be harmed by the second death.”

‘Looks can be deceiving’ is a warning we have often heard growing up and pass along to the next generation. We are encouraged to not take things for granted and look beyond the surface.

But no one can see directly into our hearts and thoughts and souls as clearly as the Lord does. We may look good on the outside, even in the mirror, yet the Lord knows what worries and anxious thoughts weaken our lives when doubts and confusion and real fear stalk us.

Fear of the unknown and fear of the known can both paralyze our actions and our hope, for ourselves, or for others.

Jesus doesn’t pretend not to see our fear or pretend it doesn’t exist. Not only does He name our fears, when we are willing to listen, but He may even add a few more details that cause us to tremble. He doesn’t pretend that real suffering doesn’t exist.

Instead.

He brings the evil into His light—His power—His dominion.

He reminds us that whatever the outcome will be He brings life. He will conquer and asks us to believe, to stand firm. Whatever prison we may be entering into for however many days ahead He is present and at work. Trust.

Lord, please give us Your strength in times of terror, and by Your grace a faith that will conquer.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27:11

“Teach me your way. O Lord, and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.”

Possess: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 17

“But the hill country shall be yours for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders; for you shall drive out the Canaanites…”.

 Joshua 17: 18

Often we see boundaries as limitations—not always as blessings. Or we see only the complications before us with no vision for possibility.

As Joshua continued the allotments more questions and, perhaps, attitudes of entitlement arose. The house of Joseph only received one lot of the inhabited land and the inheritance of both sons continued to have Canaanites in their midst.

Why? They asked. We are a numerous people. And Joseph pointed out that the forest of the hill country was theirs as well. It would be more than enough but they would need to clear it to possess it. And as a numerous people they had the means if they stepped out in faith. 

One line of Manasseh had no sons, but only daughters, and they came to Joshua and reminded him, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers” And Joshua honored that commitment reminding Israel of the foundation that in God both male and female receive an inheritance. Unheard of in the surrounding tribes—but from the very beginning in the Lord’s creation. If they had not had the courage and faith to speak, would they have received?

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3: 28-29

Lord, help us to accept the boundaries You choose for us and look only to You for the work that You ask of us. Not in comparison to other fields, or other positions, but the ones that You provide. Let us not place automatic limitations on ourselves, or others, but look to Your counsel and stand on Your promises. Help us to truly live and possess the terrain You have given each of us in You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 137: 4

“How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”