Invitation: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Invitation 

                Beginning first a

                gift of mercy

                heart and soul light

                as a new morning

                opening our eyes

                physically and spiritually

                as Words of life

                proclaim invitation

                bear Holy witness

                opening eternity

                our new mornings

                every moment in

                His grace.

Psalm 27:1: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?"

                

Invitation: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians Closing

 Acts 26:16, "But get up and stand on your feet: for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you as a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I appear to you;" (NASB)

We began our study this past year based on this scripture's theme. To explore the journey of scripture seeds defining purpose as shared from Paul and Timothy. We had no idea how upside-down our months would come. And how purpose could take on many paths.

However we paused to hear the Spirit's powerful words that too often get buried under daily stress. And considered seeing through a new perspective through the challenges and gifts from Him that have entered our lives.

And trusting in His foundation. His ongoing word. His on going invitation to walk moment by moment in faith. He is present.

        Thank you for participating in our journey. New Year Blessings!

                                   INVITATION            (John 1:29-51)

                                   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'.

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we  may know Him who is true and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20

                                   "Unless the Lord builds the house,

                                    They labor in vain who built it;

                                    Unless the Lord guards the city,

                                    The watchman stays awake in vain.

                                    It is vain for you to rise early,

                                    To retire late,

                                    To eat the bread of painful labors;

                                    For He gives to His beloved even in his 

                                    sleep."

                                    Psalm 127:1

                                

Invitation: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 2: 7-8

“To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builder rejected has become the very head of the corner’ and ‘A stone that makes him stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”

Will we accept His invitation?

In “The Parable of the Two Houses” in Mark 7, Jesus warned His followers to build their house upon the rock so that when the rains came their homes would not wash away. There are many stretches along the California coastline where homes and businesses were built on panoramic cliffs that have since tumbled into the ocean or have hazard warnings to not enter. Like fool’s gold they may have looked solid and inviting at first glance, but underground soil hid behind unstable stones unable to hold in the storms.

Only honest expertise could discern between the stable and unstable; but builders and buyers did not always listen. Where does the blame lie?

God gifts all generations with His precious cornerstone of life and grace and mercy. Yet still we fall prey to false prophets and tantalizing false stones masquerading as precious gems. 

And then we claim, “not my responsibility.” Blame circumstances or others for our own choices that result in our stumbling consequences.

Yet still Jesus stands firm, ready to forgive, ready to restore, ready to change us into eternal wholeness instead of worldly dust.

Step by step, stone by stone, we are invited to build.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27:7

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,

be gracious to me and answer me!”

Worship: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           

            Neighbor

            Neighbor countries

            foreign countries

            powerful and non-descript

            they came seeking

            waiting—wondering now at

public display

            did they remember

            Scripture words

            from east—west—north—south

            My people shall come.

            Was it to happen

            now—here—this prophecy?

Invitation: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Invitation

            A crowded marketplace

            a cacophony of voices,

            bewildered hearing native language

            bewildered so turn and see

            who speaks so personally

            who addresses heart’s hunger

            to everyone words of hope

            to everyone an offer of grace

            on a busy day

            on a crowded street

            each language

            each person

            still spoken to with love

            still receives invitation.

Reflection: Language: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How do you hear and recognize the Lord’s voice in the cacophony of voices that mark our busy marketplace days?

2.     John chapter 10 describes the relationship of a Shepherd to his sheep. What parts of Jesus’ words speak to you today?

3.     What words are you hungry to hear from the Lord?

Share: When has a familiar voice called out to you in an unexpected place and given you relief?

Language: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:6

“And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.”

In a foreign city, in a crowded area, someone calls to you in your own language.

So personal. So immediately attracting.

Stand up on tiptoe to see—to hear—to answer.

Illusion or invitation? Voices swirl.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”

Language of words.

Language of heart.

Language of relationship.

Language of purpose.

Language of worship.

Lord, please prepare our hearts, our souls, our minds, and our bodies, to hear and receive Your words within us. May we recognize Your voice whenever You speak and follow immediately in trust and obedience. Give us courage to separate from the crowd to follow You.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:6

“And God said, ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’”

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

Kingdom Manna

Yoke

Matthew 13:47, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind;”

Every year on our annual camping trip we watch to see how quickly one friend will slip away from the set-up to check out the ‘branch’, his favorite fishing hole. He has other spots and tries out new ones but here is familiar territory-trusted waters-known fish. His lures are prepared; bait fresh, nets close at hand.

Purpose. A deliberate plan. Well executed but not always fulfilled. Some years yield bounty, some scarcity. Imagine his shock though if, during one excursion, not only did he capture familiar trout but halibut and snapper and bass and salmon and tuna and over a hundred other varieties-every kind of fish.

Early in His ministry Jesus told two fishermen, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” In every tribe, in every language, in every nation, in every family comes the invitation to enter God’s kingdom.

Planned mosaic. Nets filled with beauty, diversity, familiarity, mystery. Do I even look to see Your kingdom in other places Lord? Or am I so attached to my favorite spots I fail to recognize Your purposes spread out like a net drawing me to You, calling me to fish Your waters. Kingdom children of every kind.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 57:2

I cry to God Most High,

to God who fulfills His purpose for me.

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Matthew 22:2, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.”

Weddings bring out smiles and best wishes from almost everyone. Private or public, we pause to pay our respects to the bride and groom.

In many cultures an entire town joins in the celebration. Or the festivities last many days. In some historical references a wedding was also an opportunity for far-flung relatives to congregate, for nobles to consolidate alliances, and for traders to contract future interests.

Wealthy fathers provide sumptuous feasts and the pleasure of the celebration multiplies with an invitation to the meal. We feel included. We bask in the joy of the day. Who would refuse?

In Jesus’ parable the king sent his slaves into the streets with a command. Fill the wedding hall. Find replacements for the delinquent guests. And the slaves gathered all they could find, both good and evil.

Wonder of wonder. We are included in the invitation. “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.””

I can’t imagine, Lord, dining at Your banquet. Give me the courage I pray to step across Your threshold and taste the delights of Your table. Thank you for extending Your hand, for embracing me into Your family circle.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 81:16

“I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,

and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Tabernacle

Incense

Only by ordination

lineage descent

could a priest offer

evening sacrifice.

Only coals from

the fire

with added incense

could cover the mercy seat.

Mediation to reach God.

Now angels bring bowels

overflowing prayers

mixed with holy fire,

fragrant incense, to rise

before heaven’s throne.

Now Jesus interceding

holy Spirit refining

each person allowed

to offer prayer.

In God’s presence.

Here answers flash

as lightning

rumblings, earthquakes,

peals of thunder.

Here in quiet

listening, lives

change forever

become incense.

Living sacrifice unto God.

Psalm 141:1-2,“let my prayer be counted as incense before you and as an evening sacrifice.”

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 12:3-4, …a lamb for each household. Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb.

A close friend often cooks and caters special gatherings. Her main measure is an anticipated number of participants. From that figure, regardless of menu, she calculates the quantities necessary to feed each guest plus a few last minute arrivals. Each person is fed. It is only necessary that they choose to participate.

God provided for Israel. He requested they prepare a lamb, which was readily available, share household to household, eat the meal. Not one person was to be exempt. Not by family size or social standing or economics. Infant to elderly, all were invited, to partake: by choice, by faith, by self, within community.

And we are still invited to the Lord’s table. He asks us to partake by faith, as individuals amidst congregations, choosing to affirm God’s Passover Lamb, Jesus.

Thank you Lord for Your personal invitation to Your family. Help me to remember that no one is excluded. Help me to remember that my neighbor is the one closest to me and that I am to share responsibly.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 22:26

The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.

Let your heart live forever!