Magnet: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

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Magnet

To each a different

goal perhaps

not necessarily

understood either by

intellect or vocabulary.

Concepts beyond vision

pulled by invisible ray.

Heart’s magnet setting

recalibrating after

sabotage or error,

negligence, dismay,

glimpses of approval.

Longing enough

to sustain journey.

Psalm 104:3, “He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind;”

Reflection Questions: Foundations: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1. Whose everyday approval do we seek?

2. What attitudes and actions do we pursue that daily conflict with our faith?

3. God’s expectations seem beyond reach and yet He knows our very frame. How can that keep us from sabotage?

Share: How might we see daily life through His love instead of our failures?

Foundations: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

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Hebrew 11: 2, “Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.”

Foundations

Looking beyond the impossible struggle, our geographic ancestors built countries. Planning for future generations they acted upon hope, upon faith, upon promises. They placed their trust on knowledge of land and crops and water to carve out valleys, lattice mountains, plant farms, and build cities.

Leaning on God’s promises our spiritual ancestors built a heritage of faith. Day by day sharing moral concepts. Week-by-week worshipping God. Month-by-month proclaiming scriptures. Year-by-year kneeling in atonement for their sin. Accepting God’s forgiveness.

Looking forward to a time beyond span when prophecy would reach completion. Not dependent on rulers, wealth, or power, but on God Himself: Creator, Lord. Relying on His resurrection words.

Leaning on You alone, Lord, is the only way to find Your path through this maze of life. Build in us, we pray, Your foundations to withstand the storms and droughts and earthquakes.

Your thoughts,

Reflection: Foundation: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     In what ways does your fellowship of believers sustain you? Sustain each other?

2.     Which of these foundations are you most comfortable with? Which are you most uncomfortable with?

3.     Why do you think we need to remember the cost of communion?

Share: Which of these foundations do you most need?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What questions do we need to ask ourselves to determine what we are building towards?

2.     What wrong materials or cracks in the foundation need to be replaced/restored/repaired?

3.     Do we look to the work with eagerness or resignation? Why?

Share: What do you look forward towards this next year?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:10, “For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

A fresh calendar, a new slate is often how we anticipate a new year or month, week or sometimes even a free day, and yet there also lingers the undone from yesterday and conflicting emotions.

Are we running ahead with anticipation or running away?  Standing on tiptoe to seek God’s vision, or burying our heads under staggering concerns.

Abraham dwelt in a tent and dreamed of God’s city. Some might think it only as a myth, a fairy tale, or an exaggerated sense of imagination, yet he knew the architect personally and already had been the recipient of God’s grace. So the disconnect between daily life on desert plains, sandstorms, and unfamiliar routes and his long-term destination were not incompatible, not an emotional escape.

Every day he stood on that farseeing hope for guidance, choices and purpose. Was it easier then to see his horizon without the time clock frenzy that interrupts our ability to pause and dream and wonder with awe?

Lord, please set each of us firmly on the path You choose for us to journey and give us hearts to live into Your vision. No matter how difficult a day may become, keep our faith fixed on Your foundations as we build our lives with Your words.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 9:9-10

“The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,

A stronghold in times of trouble,

And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee;

For Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee.”