Fear: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Fear

            Fear trickles like ice water

            throughout our thoughts,

            hearts, mind freezing

            hope.

            Ice barriers insurmountable.

            Trust cracks terror

            into shards, sweeps away

            giving strength to endure

            moment by moment.

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.”

Reflection Power: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     In what ways do we still hide our sins behind guilt and facades, often to ourselves?

2.     Why do we hesitate when truth is made evident in situations before us?

3.     What barrier of fear or disbelief still keeps you from accepting Jesus’ power?

4.     Where do you most need His freeing grace right now?

Share: How have you experienced His creative love recently?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     The medical professions has sometimes referred to the fight or flee reaction many people have to danger—at least a physical threat. Which is yours?

2.     How can fight or flee help us in emotional attacks? Or hinder us?

3.     Is it possible to fight or flee without physical reaction? How can we help ourselves or others through that internal fear?

4.     Do you think the psalmist is only addressing physical danger? Why or why not?

Share: What is your immediate action when you sense darkness approaching your heart?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

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!”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you trust God to carry you through any crisis that comes?

2.     Under what situations do you find fear taking hold in your life?

3.     How do you respond to nudges or impressions of change coming—with anticipation or anxiety? What makes the difference?

Share: What scripture ‘ark’ has God given you when you need to ride out personal storms?

Refining Words

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.

Kingdom Manna

Yoke

Luke 16:16, “The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force.”

Forced entry. Fists pounding door. Feet crashing windows. Angry voices alternately demanding, arguing, shouting.

At the door of the kingdom of God? Afraid of being left behind, afraid of being late. Afraid of clanging portals barred and locked. But if we recognize ourselves as unworthy, how do we think compulsion will gain our entrance?

Far too many times I come to You Lord in prayer with a list of demands. Oh I say please and pretend within myself I will accept Your answer. But my heart is set on my own wants. And I hide my selfish motives behind bluster and bravado.

“Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own.” Jesus sought only Your will, not His own. So instead of coercion He asked, gently-in faith-in trust-in obedience.

Free me Lord, from my fear-filled pleas. May I come with a humble heart, asking-seeking-knocking.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him, bless his house.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 22:21, And you shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

World news, national news, local news shout war, disease, violence. We close our ears, cushion our activities, cocoon our families. Where is a safe place? Who can we trust?

Tighter and tighter we draw our circle of acquaintances, acceptable arenas, attitudes. No admission signs go up in our hearts and homes.

We feel safer in our comfort zones.

We close out others in need.

To whom do the lonely turn? To whom do the strangers turn? To whom do the seeking turn?

Who were we Lord until You opened Your arms to us? Outcasts lost in sin and darkness. Obstacles of unbelief to Your children. Oppressors of the poor and weak. Until Your love and grace showed us a new land.

Lord, I need Your help to become less judgmental, less critical and more loving. I’ve let the fear of the world freeze concern for others. Remind me when I too was a stranger and You took me in.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 146:9

The Lord protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow;