Works: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               

                                               Works

                                                To will

                                                to work

                                                for His good pleasure

                                                not often recognized.

                                                Too often

                                                too much

                                                we choose the opposite

                                                follow man’s advice.

                                                To succeed

                                                to accomplish

                                                forget His way is opposite

                                                heart to heart instead.

Psalm 18:21, “ For I have kept the ways of the Lord, And have not wickedly departed from my God.”

Reflection: Build: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. Do you acknowledge that God works in each of us—even when we are blind and deaf to His Spirit? What makes it real to you?

2. How do we discern our separate will and work? What does either look like separately?

3. How do we acknowledge or experience His good pleasure?

Share: Under what circumstances have you worked out either will or work by His leading?

Build: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2: 12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Build

How often can we not claim obedience even in the face of truth? How often do we resist doing what is being asked—even when our own hearts agree—because we do not want to take the effort, or the possible failure, or ridicule, or… .

And yet hope continues knowing that despite our failures and self-absorption the Lord can continue to work in and through each of us with or with our understanding or knowledge of the outcome.

We can give thanks for the many times that others have carried each of us through the Spirit’s power. And trust that He can use us as well even through our weaknesses.

Thank you, Lord, for the many times You have carried us and showered us with blessings upon blessings and healings in our lives. There is no struggle beyond Your hand. May we remember to work for Your good pleasure in complete trust.

Your thoughts,