Possibilities: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Possibilities

Questions lure the

reader into unfamiliar

territory:  will she succeed,

where did he go;

whether down to earth

reality or mind stretching

mystery we follow,

heartbeating romance

fantastic worlds

all pulse with

anticipation while

we forget we live

the most astonishing

story ever told

as daily faith.

Reflection Author: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How do you feel about the idea of Jesus as your author in your life? Is that a comfort, a challenge, or a concern?

2.     What possibilities would you be looking for eagerly if you knew Jesus wrote words just for you?

3.     Is it a relief to think that you can give over your weak areas of faith and ask Him for a revision?

Share: What do you consider to be your best faith story ever so far?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:30, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days.”

Have you ever wondered what kind of conversations went on in the ranks over those seven days? Did hope or doubt or confusion grow with each passing night?

Confidence or cowardice. Ribald jokes or nervous twitters.

Did the warriors groan as their adrenaline rush decreased with inactivity while the families eased a sigh of relief at another day of no blood shed—yet.

Yet whatever the individual or group concerns over lack of seeming practical campaign strategy, they did not whine or moan as their ancestor had at the Red Sea. In spite of confusion at these new tactical orders, they obeyed. And walked daily in faith—not seeing—not even being able to imagine what exactly it was they were doing.

We expect instant answers to immediate problems today. With all the information available at our fingertips we assume quick replies. And if they don’t come we then assume we are in control, or it’s up to us to find a solution. Or chafe at the thought of waiting—with no concrete or definable plan of attack. And miss out on astonishment.

Lord, please help us not to resist Your ways when they seem inconceivable. Instead enable us to see through Your perspective and Your possibilities. Help us be willing to relinquish our solutions towards conflict with solutions beyond our ability to achieve. And trust Your word alone.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 46:9-10

“He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow

and cuts the spear in two; He burn the chariots with fire.

Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the

nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:6, “….without faith, it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

For those who have met You Lord, or even had a glimpse of You, I doubt one would ever really deny Your existence. In my darkest moments that idea has never once taken root in me and yet there are questions that bring so many doubts, so many ‘but what if’ possibilities to block me from truly recognizing Your ability or Your willingness to act.

What if I am not welcome or not worthy? What if You exclude me because of my sin, or my selfishness? What if You see through my shields of hypocrisy? What if You can’t really help?

A desperate father brought to Jesus the plight of his son, his history since early childhood, the inability of healers to help him, the inability of the disciples to cure him and begged Jesus as his last hope, if you can—please help. And then his heart wrenching honest cry—“I do believe, help my unbelief.”

Often our faith staggers. We desire to walk in confidence and boldness. To bless and to be blessed according to God’s plans. But we focus on our own inadequacies instead of His power and grace. And create impossibilities before we even hear God’s reply.

Help me, Lord, help us, to come seeking Your will in faith, acknowledging the excuses we try to hide behind. Because You answer in spite of our feeble hope and in the presence of our failures that mock us. Please strengthen our faith into trust that really changes our lives as we daily walk in expectation.   

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 78:22-24

“Because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation

Yet he commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of heaven;

And He rained down manna upon them to eat, and gave them food from heaven.”