Reflection: Gladness: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     In what ways did you depend on your own abilities before recognizing God’s ongoing presence?

2.     What helped you recognize His truth?

3.     How did your perception of life shift?

Share: How has a new truth gladdened your walk with Jesus?

Gladness: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:28

“You have made known to me the things of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

The Lord has made known to us His presence.

His presence makes known to us the ways of life. According to His creation.

When do we react with gladness to the news that we have been confused or deceived or misunderstood by ourselves or by others?  Sometimes a defensive barrier of excuses blocks our new perception. Because if we have been guided by wrong information then suddenly a whole new process of accountability stretches before us.

And yet—what gladness—to realize that in our weakness we have been loved. We have been sought after. We have been given a new strength—a new hope. The Lord does not leave us in the dark.

He offers His likeness—His creation—His power—His presence.

We no longer have to struggle alone in our weakness and sorrow. Wonder begins to shape our vision. Days can become a new journey, a new adventure.

Restoration.

Thank you Lord, that You walk with us moment by moment and give us Your time, Your ways, Your likeness, and Your words to guide and shape all our days.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:26

“Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’”

Reflection Pain: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you had a season of life where pain has kept you from hope?

2.     How did cope? Or did you?

3.     Did you believe God was present with you through the trial or did you think He had forgotten you?

4.     How did His hope reach into your situation and give you the strength to keep going?

Share: What would you share from your experience with someone experiencing emotional or physical pain now that could give them a sense of hope in the Holy Spirit’s presence?

Tabernacle

Table

In the Lord’s presence

on the table always

a commitment of the people

as a covenant forever,

twelve’s loaves of bread

pure frankincense

offering as by fire.

In the presence of our enemies

the Lord sets a table

His covenant to anoint

uphold, sustain always.

In the presence of all people

a table of witness

proclaims His death

until His return,

breaking the bread

of one body

broken in commitment, always.

Leviticus 24:8, “Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before the Lord continually;”