Image: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:29

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.”

In the beginning. Creation. Life—light—legacy.

Seeded—shaped—shared for eternity. Ongoing growth. Conformed to the foundation laid for it. A unique world—still a mystery.

Broken by sabotage—lies—sin. Decay—disease—despair took root. Still nature remains true to its order, again and again renewing its life. Season by season. Prepared. Waiting for full recovery. Trusting its Creator.

“This is the one who came by water and by blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is there who testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.” 1 John 5:6

Jesus stepped into human darkness—soul despair—hopelessness. Of His own accord. Predestined—prepared to battle for each life from the very beginning. Offers His personal light, conformed to truth. For us to be made new in His image. Not just a surface bath removing the mud stains of our lives but His life’s blood poured out into our new birth.

Invitation to live in His family—His inheritance—His eternal creation.

Lord, please keep us following the light of Your image that in You we may become whole.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:28

“When he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,”

Image: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Image

            Cyclical nature images

            life’s beat

            birth—growth—decay

            rebirth.

            Nothing living can escape

            corruption of age

            death part of journey

            for some an end

            yet one alone opens

            new door.

            Creator designs

            another realm

            eternity invitation

            not escape,

            a new road to live

            life made whole by

            Carpenter’s sacrifice.

Decay: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2: 29-31

“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Forseeing this David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’”

A promise made to which David clung throughout turmoil, war, death, and corruption. A relationship he cherished. He saw beyond the limitations of earth bound decay to God’s promises. He trusted God’s oath—living—breathing words beyond man’s experience.

Although not descendants of David, we too are given the same promise of a new life—a new image—a future and a hope beyond the cycle of creation.

And yet we do not often trust. Instead we fight to conquer the corruptions of heart and body and mind and death with our limited skills. Not ready or willing to give up control, not willing to believe, or hope, in His image of resurrection. We hold onto our limited sense of power to find a way to cheat death our way.

A place is prepared for each of us. A promise extended to all. Nature unfolds the design cycle daily as one realm closes and new life grows again. Re-birth in His image the gift of life. Re-birth in His sacrifice the oath of eternal life.

Lord, help us to truly hear the blessing of Your invitation to live our lives in a daily relationship that fully trusts now and into a future You alone can give. The only source of no corruption or decay. Remind us daily that You have created us in Your image.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1: 27

“So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”