Follow: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Follow

Deborah listened and foretold

Balak obeyed and followed

gathered Israel’s warriors.

God’s answer to their prayers

victory came through

obedience, willing hearts

searching for relationship

a return  to holy reign.

One by one choosing, as Jael

drove the wooden peg, her

opportunity to serve call.

Psalm 104:34, “Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Follow

Deborah listened and foretold

Balak obeyed and followed

gathered Israel’s warriors.

God’s answer to their prayers

victory came through

obedience, willing hearts

searching for relationship

a return  to holy reign.

One by one choosing, as Jael

drove the wooden peg, her

opportunity to serve call.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you ever followed a path you thought the Lord directed toward and had it turn out badly? Did you begin to doubt you really had heard His voice?

2.     Does scripture promise that every time we walk a path we will succeed?

3.     What is the difference between obedience and success in Jesus’ walk?

4.     How difficult is it for you to walk only a few steps at a time?

   Share: What gives you the confidence to discern the Lord’s voice from your own?

Refining Words

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

Refining Words

INVITATION

Drawn by heart hunger

one by one came to see

respond to invitation.

Struck by recognition

certainty within

reached to kindred souls

Listened. Hoped

for promises. Answered-

call ‘Follow Me’.

John 1:29-51

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 28:3, And you shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me.

Service for the Lord starts with the Spirit of the Lord. Endowed skills. Endowed wisdom.

Aaron required consecrated garments to serve God and to serve his people. Accomplished craftsmen responded in ministry. They prepared their high priest, who, in turn, would act for them. A concert of abilities, gifts of the spirit of wisdom, selflessly given.

Spirit guided that their work would meet God’s standards. Spirit filled that God would be honored. “Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.”

Anchor my work in Your Spirit that it does not become self-seeking. May I faithfully serve whatever work You assign me, and do it unto You. Make my life, Lord, an offering of service to You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 116:12

What shall I render to the Lord

For all His benefits toward me?

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 23:20, Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.

Angel of the Lord

sent before us

serving us,

companied by invisible

glory

we walk not alone.

Emissaries sent to guard

us. As a circle

in our midst.

Repel all dangers,

we can rest.

Along the route

prepared beforehand

we follow all the way.

Keeping watch, placing footsteps

on marked ground.

we travel.

Expectant destination.

Place to witness,

place to expand.

Like a dream beckons goals

we stretch.

Anchor promises,

generosity anticipated

by love.

Fashioned by His wisdom

seeking best

we come.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 34:7

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,

And rescues them.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 19:6, and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” Jesus said to His first disciples. Throughout His ministry He continued the charge. The kingdom of God is at hand.

Did the disciples truly comprehend? Dreams of Messiah, dreams of dominion, dreams of peace danced through their beliefs. Dedicated to God.

Foxes have holes, birds have nests; the Son of God has nowhere to lay His head.

Follow in My covenant and become a kingdom of priests, God told Israel. My own possession, My own people, a holy nation.

Did Israel truly understand? Experiences in Egypt, exposure of false gods, exodus echoed through their memories. Extol God.

Forget not My teaching, but let your heart keep My commandments.

Follow in His steps, His example left, you have been called for this purpose.

Do I truly grasp the implications? Submissive servant, scripture nourished, holy priesthood, spiritual seed seep through my soul. A living stone.

Feed My sheep.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 107:22

Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,

And tell of His works with joyful singing.