Reflection Questions: Obey: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1. Regardless of whether you love to move from place to place or resist ever leaving, what does your heart ache for the most when a change is required? What does it anticipate the most?

2. What ‘move’ do you sense God is nudging you to consider in your life right now: emotionally or physically or spiritually?

3. Is it drawing you closer to the Lord in trust or putting up a wedge in your relationship? Why?

Share: How has God blessed a step of faith for you this week?

Obey: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:8, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.”

Obey

I once lived in a city where the statistics said that 50% of the population left after two years. Daily driving around parked moving vans was an ongoing given. If a person stayed four years, then he is considered a real resident. I came for a year and still felt like a visitor many years later, long past the resident definition. There were many days that I still didn’t have a clue where I was going—literally. I did become somewhat of an expert on wrong turns though, and what streets to avoid.

New journeys often start with excitement and anticipation, just like beginning faith steps. But then the map is backwards, a road doesn’t exist, the cart’s wheels fall off and suddenly it’s all overwhelming. That faith walk is as uncertain as the changing weather patterns. Instead of answering a nudge to become kinder, we find ourselves crabbier than ever. We start looking back to what was instead of ahead to new possibilities.

Spiritually and emotionally some days are a challenge to face, either because we have no idea what to expect, or we know exactly what the day will bring and do not want to participate at all. Like a stubborn toddler the word ‘no’ rushes up within us, even if we keep outwardly silent.

At least that’s what we often contemplate when we forget whose hand is holding onto us, and who knows every step on the route He has prepared, no matter how many hours, months, or years the process will take. The final destination is His chosen place. What we do need to do is walk a little closer. By faith.

Lord, we pray to obey with faith and go forward as you lead that today we may live in Your inheritance, in accord with Your purposes, and trust whatever steps You choose for us to take.

Your thoughts,

Stone: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Stone

Stone stands as witness

words written of

commitment to follow

consent to serve

remembered for a lifetime

recognized God’s authority

warnings accepted

stalwart in choice

“choose this time

you will serve.”

Each heart freely given to

gift of decision. 

Reflection: Remember: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you remember the day you chose to accept Jesus as Lord?

2.     What caused you to make that commitment?

3.     Do you still struggle with obedience in some areas of your life?

4.     What previous gifts of God’s grace help you to follow in faith?

Share: What do you keep as a witness to your commitment to serve the Lord?

Remember: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 24

“The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” Joshua 24: 24

Joshua gathers Israel for a final address and reminds them first that they did not conquer the land by their own bow or by sword. They did not build the towns or cities that they now lived in. The land they now owned came from the Lord their God and by His provision.

So, Joshua exhorts, “revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.” Choose, he reminds them. Who will you serve this day?

“The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” They made a solemn commitment, and so Joshua made them a covenant, wrote it in the book of law of God, took a large stone and set it under the oak by the sanctuary of the Lord.

“See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the Lord.”

And Israel continued to serve the Lord all the days of Joshua.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Jesus reminds His followers of His provision and protection. First seek.

Lord, help us to remember that all we have is by Your grace and provision. Help us to not choose anxiety and worry before trust and prayer. Keep our hearts sincere in faithfulness and as a strong witness of Your truth so that we too will obey Your words as well.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 144:14

“May there be no breach in the walls, no exile, and no cry of distress in our streets.” 

Obey: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Obey

Like a tornado

sweeps clear

everything in its path

so straight does the

Lord remove our

enemies, our fears.

Steady, walk neither

left not right nor falter.

Experience His provision

sustaining power.

Life as covenant.

Be Strong: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Be Strong

First came words of counsel

direct details, ordinary expectations

proceed.

Follow footsteps as taught,

push forward.

Second came words of courage

obey your laws,

firm steps.

Take care to remember

fail not promise.

Final came words of command

be strong, be courageous

no fear.

Resist trap of dismay

now enter land.

So he listened to God’s words

stepped out in faith

secure.

submissive to God’s will

strength supplied.

Command: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 1

“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous, do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

For forty years the new nation of Israel had waited to enter the territory that the Lord God had promised them. Not because God had stripped His promise of power but because the people had listened to the fear from the original scouts so many years earlier and relinquished the opportunity to enter the land before them. Only Caleb and Joshua had pleaded with the people to trust the Lord.

But fear had paralyzed them even though God had already released them from slavery. And they would not step into God’s words. And they did not trust His message.

Now Moses had died, the generation from Egypt had passed and God told Joshua, “Now proceed to cross the Jordan.” “I will not fail you or forsake you.”

Once again the promises were given. And with them came commands to step out in confidence and courage and trust.

God acknowledged their dismay, their fear, their uncertainty, their weakness, their limited resources and their inexperience. However He commanded them to trust Him instead. He reminded them to follow the laws He had given them. He directed their focus. “Do not turn to the right or to the left that you may be successful wherever you go.”

Repeatedly He told them to be strong and courageous, to be strong and very courageous.  Again the decision lay before them. Not only the land itself but also the choice to believe in God’s words, accept His promises, and obey His directions.

He understood their quaking hearts. Yet the only way they could rise above their fear and step into a new beginning and a new life was to choose to fix their eyes on Him and follow.

Lord, You still call us to move into new life, to follow where You lead, and still we let fear paralyze us. Thank you for reminding us that by Your help and Your presence we can choose to trust Your words. Thank you for supplying courage to obey Your truth and in turn share with others Your words of hope.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 121: 8

“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Stand

Three hundred men

divided into thirds

given trumpets

for one hand

empty jars with torches

for the other.

These their swords,

yet they stood in place

waited on command

obeyed in unison

won the day’s battle.

Walls that could not

be broken shattered

under God’s word.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

1 Samuel 12:14, “If you will fear the Lord and serve him and heed his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well; but if you will not heed….”

Samuel administered justice under God’s guidance. It was a personal relationship, which Samuel then extended to the people. Trustful—honest—loving—kind—accountable.

Even as the people insisted Samuel replace himself by asking God to give then a king, they openly announced that he had never defrauded them or oppressed them. His administration of justice was in reality not the issue. Israel wanted to be like the other nations, wanted to be under a king. Perhaps wanted less personal scrutiny, less accountability. Like a toddler turns his back on a parent in the mistaken assumption they cannot see what his is doing.

Still loving, Samuel gave the warning. Without God’s voice present justice could be compromised, all might not be well. And they dismissed his concerns. The underlying motives took priority.

Sometimes I wonder how often we too bow to our own personal desires, personally and publicly, over the Lord’s commands and cloak it all under progress. Pretend—ignore—avoid—the hint of wrong motives.

Please keep reminding us Lord, that only in Your words can a real relationship grow into honest justice. Only by Your power can we become truly personal to one another in truth.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 89:14

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne;

Lovingkindness and truth go before Thee.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Leave

Leave behind all that

is familiar. Go to a new

land. Brings both sorrow

and anticipation. Grief

and adventure. Most difficult

letting go well-worn habits,

comfort routines. Taking one

last look before new inheritance.

Now go.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:8, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.”

I live in a city where the statistics say that 50% of the population leaves after two years. Daily driving around parked moving vans is a given. If a person stays four, then he is considered a real resident. I came for a year and am now into my seventh, but feel like a visitor. There are many days that I still don’t have a clue where I’m going—literally. I have become somewhat of an expert on wrong turns though and what streets to avoid.

New journeys often start with excitement and anticipation, just like beginning faith steps. But then the map is backwards, a road doesn’t exist, the cart’s wheels fall off and suddenly it’s all overwhelming. That faith walk is as uncertain as the changing weather patterns. Instead of answering a nudge to become kinder, we find ourselves crabbier than ever. We start looking back to what was instead of ahead to new possibilities.

Spiritually and emotionally some days are a challenge to face, either because we have no idea what to expect, or we know exactly what the day will bring and do not want to participate at all. Like a stubborn toddler the word ‘no’ rushes up within, even if we keep silent.

At least that’s what I often contemplate when I forget whose hand is holding onto me and who knows every step on the route He has prepared, no matter how many hours, months or years the process will take. The final destination is His chosen place. What I do need to do is walk a little closer.

Lord, I pray to obey with faith and go forward as you lead that today I may live in Your inheritance, in accord with Your purposes, and trust whatever steps You choose for me to take.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 131:2

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother;

my soul is like a weaned child that is with me.”