Choice: 1 Peter : Prayers and Poetry

                Choice

                Humility often a

                difficult choice

                especially when

                confronted publicly

                with lies and 

                Disdain.

                Yet

                Blessings restore

                dissolve ongoing 

                anger to wash away

                within and without

                now able to resist the

                Deceit.

                Yield.

Psalm 89:17: "For Thou art the glory of their strength, And by Thy favor our horn is exalted."

                 

                

Reflection: Humility: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

        1. How often do we consider humility as weakness in our lives and work?

        2. How often do we instinctively retaliate at insults and especially lies?

        3.  Even when we walk away how does the anger take over our thoughts and attitude to ourselves and to others?

Share: Have you retaliated with a blessing or have someone respond to you with one? How did that experience change your heart?

            

           Or have you experienced a time when the blessing response came in silent prayer as well?

Humility: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-9: "Now this is the goal: to live in harmony with one another and demonstrate affective love, sympathy, and kindness toward other believers. Let humility describe who you are as you dearly love one another. Never retaliate when someone treats you wrongly, nor insult those who insult you, but instead, respond by speaking a blessing over them--because a blessing is what God promised to give you."

Humility

Insults come as reactions almost immediately whether we speak them or think them.

Instead of reaching out for harmony we resist and resent. And maybe consider how to retaliate.

Internally we may carry the anger for hours or days whether in silence or rudeness as return--and hurting only ourselves as it lingers. Not willing to talk it through whatever the source and find a way to navigate why the conflict.

Instead Lord, please guide us into seeing and hearing each person through Your eyes, and remember that each of us is loved by You. And that You see each of us both within and without. And bring forgiveness to us when we are the ones who insult silently or verbally too.

Your thoughts,

Humility: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Humility

                                                For whom are we

                                                willing to be humiliated

                                                forced into obedience

                                                without anger or resistance.

                                                Even for those we love

                                                the choice is difficult

                                                endure often with resentment

                                                taunting us to resist.

                                                Forgetting His death

                                                His sacrifice brought life

                                                forever into our souls

                                                hearts changed by grace.

Psalm 18: 19, “He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.”

Humility: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Humility

                                                Significance

                                                a different word

                                                to different situations

                                                or to those who watch

                                                the actions lived out.

                                                Spirit

                                                a guiding light

                                                to guide our steps

                                                or to break through confusion

                                                the humility a new beginning.

Psalm 18:16, “He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.”

Kingdom Manna

Grace

Luke 18:14, “I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Over and over again the people questioned John the Baptist. “Are you the One?” Their numbers grew—disciples followed—religious leaders came. A heady experience. An explosion of mission. An opportunity for status.

“There is One to come greater,” John replied. “Whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.”

Offering proof of merit, however, the Pharisee prayed a litany of “at least I am not…”. As a precaution against what he was? As a protection of his position? Pompous. Prideful. So bound by his own righteousness. So dishonest even in prayer.

The tax collector would not even lift his eyes. Could not face his God. Could plead only for mercy.

Over and over again I attempt to justify my errors by listing my successes. Or to bolster my failures with smugness at another’s faults. And am glad at least I am not a Pharisee.

Teach me Lord, true humility. The kind that does not recognize itself because there are eyes for no one else except You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 119:15

I will meditate on your precepts,

and fix my eyes on your ways.

Kingdom Manna

Grace

Luke 6:20, Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

Blessed is not a term often used toward the poor. Pity, or anguish, or despair, perhaps better describes their situation. Despite advanced health, technology and agriculture the poor worldwide suffer. Scripture repeatedly exhorts care and concern toward the poor.

“Blessed are you”, says Jesus. He who looks into the hearts of men and sees hope. A poor man accepts a gift with gratitude, perhaps with humility. A poor man recognizes value in a simple object, shared goods, a hand of help.

Blessed is the name given to Mary, “she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” She who looked beyond even the boundaries of nature to see the Creator Himself, to accept His work in her life, perhaps with trembling. A poor young woman to carry God’s priceless gift.

Blessed are we Lord for Your salvation. For not leaving us empty and hungry in poverty of spirit but instead opening to us Your storehouse of life. Life with You.

Anytime I seek other than You Lord, please set poverty in my heart that I may know to return.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 22:26

The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord.

May your hearts live forever!

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.