Reverence: I Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Reverence 

                A life lived

                in reverence

                gifted to each one

                a choice to accept

                ongoing grace

                for all in kindness

                Holy ground

                every moment. 

                

Psalm 89:11: "The heavens are Thine, the earth is also Thine; The world and all it contains, Thou hast founded them."

Reflection: Freedom: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions 

        1. How do you consider what is the Lord's gift of freedom daily regardless of the world's view?

        2. In what ways do they conflict?

        3. What form of the world's foolishness is an ongoing struggle?

Share: What is one way you show His love to others, especially strangers."

Freedom: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 2:14-17: "... or the governors He put in place to punish lawbreakers and to praise those who do what's right. For it is God's will for you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. As God's loving servants, you should live in complete freedom, but never use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Recognize the value of every person and continually show love to every believer. Live your lives with great reverence and in holy awe of God. Honor your rulers."

Freedom

To walk in truth--no attack.

In His path only--steps of heart and soul and desires as He leads. Whether in light or darkness.

To focus on His words--especially when tiredness and weakness overwhelm us.

In His vision we are able to follow.

To an ongoing gift of life walking on Holy Ground in holy awe.

Lord, please keep our thoughts and actions attuned to Your purpose. Step by step into Your values and love.

Your thoughts,

Desperate: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Desperate

                        Cry for freedom

                        comes from deep within

                        our hearts straining against

                        oppressive fears

                        desperate for release of

                        despair and loss

                        not recognizing battle

                        needs not external

                        instead our souls crave

                        internal restoration

                        true law under love

                        truth spoken in Spirit

                        who never abandons

                        walks steadfastly

                        bringing true freedom

                        bought at a cross.

           

                       

            

Reflection: Free: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What kind of freedom do you dream of?

2.     How would you spend it if possible?

3.     When have you experienced heart freedom while in an external prison situation?

4.     When has your heart been imprisoned while in an external freedom?

Share: What made the difference in each situation?

Free: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:2

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

We each have our particular definitions of what freedom is. Whether in regard to personal limitations of health, finance, relationships, or outreach in society, government, and legal justice.

Whatever is our foundation reason, the lure to be fully free—to be released from any boundaries—to resist limitations is common ground almost daily. Our hearts can rage from petty discomforts to staggering atrocities.

Yet no boundaries of any kind can also bring chaos and destruction. Our world’s history offers countless examples of sinful devastation when individuals and countries refuse any accountability.

Or, in reverse, establish such legalistic boundaries that deny human compassion or value for lives.

Once again Jesus upends our perspective. Law is internal—not external. Law is freedom within boundaries. Law is life giving—not death. His law gives us the soul freedom to live fully open, fully honest, and fully valued. Spirit led.

Freedom from the power of sin and death is astonishing!

It changes everything—everyone—every time. It redefines boundaries and opportunities and possibilities from despair and death to hope and life. Regardless of whether we are imprisoned in chains or flying unencumbered in the wind, He gifts us with His law.

Lord, show us how to accept with thanksgiving and joy Your daily gift of life in all circumstances. To walk with you from the inside out by Your Spirit’s words. Bring Your light into our desperate cries.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:1

“Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?”

Kingdom Manna

Found

Acts 13: 39, “by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”

Mosaic Law. A standard separate from neighboring countries. It included civil and judicial and social laws like the others, but went beyond to contain moral and religious criteria. Equal mandate.

Freedom to restore relationships between God and each other. Freedom to receive compensation. Freedom to retrieve dignity when slandered. Freedom to be righteous. Equal status.

Magnanimous provision. Minuscule details. Laws to cover every possible sin. Pre-conceived. Unintentional. Accidental. Potential. The applications went on and on and were still insufficient. Equal failure.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Equal cure.

Messiah. To set mankind truly free from outward and inward sin. Recognized and unknown. Public and private. To the Jews, the Gentiles, the rich, the poor, the slave, the free. The men, the women, the children, the outcast, He removes the weight. Equal freedom.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 81:6

“I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket.”