Ambassadors: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Ambassadors

            To become the righteousness

            of God, a concept beyond

            comprehension.

           

            Yet the promise is given

            to be shared with

            everyone.

            No one exempt from

            offer of reconciliation

            mercy.

            Speak out in faith

            act sincerely as

            ambassadors.

            To become reconciled forever.

           

Entrust: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What promise did you ever receive from another that changed your life?

2.     What promise(s) has the Lord given you that changed your life?

3.     Do you truly believe that no one is exempt from God’s offer of grace? Why or why not?

4.     What might being a one-to-one ambassador look like for you personally?

Share: How will you share His gift of reconciliation today?

Entrust: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21

“So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

So far beyond our comprehension! Not only the initial gift of His grace and mercy to each of us individually, but then to add us as messengers. Of life shattering hope. To others.

So far beyond and removed from our present state. Wherever we are on our own journey there are very few who have reached the finished line on this side of heaven. With each faith ‘victory’ comes another struggle. We can see clearly His hand behind us, and presently holding us, but the fog before us often distorts our view. How can we who still need constant faith be ambassadors?

Especially because it’s not about us. Or our capability. Or even our own faith. It’s His words—His invitation—His mercy.

Entreat means to ask earnestly or anxiously. It is important. We are quick to share news of the day, an interesting book, a humorous encounter, or anger at an injustice. Why do we hesitant to entreat with salvation hope?

Entrust. Have you ever been given something valuable to protect or to deliver? A special surprise? A person? There is an inward glow of anticipation as we carry out the plan or the day. We love being able to participate and bring a message of joy.

Lord, please give us Your courage to share Your grace of reconciliation in all areas of our lives so that Your light will shine through our darkness. Shape and mold us to be Your faithful ambassadors of words and vision and care. With and without our knowledge.

Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:9-10

“If we confess our sins he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Entrusted: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Entrusted

            A new creation

            fresh each morning

            as a sunrise spreads

            light to cover the dark

            a newborn heart,

            soul with reconciliation,

            a gift from God to

            share and minister towards

            all still in chains

            message entrusted to give away.

Reflection Reconciliation: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you feel like every day is a clean slate? Why or why not?

2.     In what ways do we not embrace everything as new?

3.     What barriers do we raise against reconciliation with the Lord? With others?

Share: What word from the Lord is fresh to you this morning?

Reconciliation: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; …. and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.”

One of the joys of being around babies is to watch their curiosity as they inhale new experiences every day. Their surprise and joy, and sometimes startled fear, helps us to see and hear from a different perspective too.

What new perception would impact us every day if we recognized and accepted reconciliation as a reality? If we are willing to understand each other and mend broken communication? If we based all our reconciliation on God’s truth and not our own versions?

Like any ministry, reconciliation is not an easy choice and may have many difficult roads to navigate to get beyond past hurts, misunderstandings, and the uncertainty of what comes next.

Yet, when grounded in mutual commitment, each day is a fresh beginning grounded in love and grace and mercy. Like a sunrise it breathes beauty.

Lord, please help us to let go the pain of the past and the worry of the future and instead live each day as a new beginning. Give us Your strength to choose reconciliation to you and to others.

,

Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:8

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

Restore: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Restore

One man broke faith

could not restrain himself

from forbidden spoil

caused innocent deaths

allies, animals, family,

children—all died

for his sin.

What blinds each of us to break

our bound word?

One man built faith

came to pour himself out

for all mankind

created reconciliation

as grace, mercy, given,

chose to die—to give

forgiveness.

              

Passion: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Passion

Pure love alone

breathes mercy

gift of reconciliation

perfect love

beyond comprehension

crumples our hearts

passion alone

brings power to

change lives.

Tabernacle

Offerings

Five Levitical offerings

precise details

marked each

ritual of sacrifice.

No errors

no excuses

or restoration

null—void.

One fragrant offering

Christ’s love

took our sin

one gift sacrifice.

His substitution

His redemption

reconciliation

freed.

Ephesians 5: 2, “… and gave Himself up for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

Tabernacle

Ark of the Covenant

Contained treasure

storehouse of riches

silent memories

speaking divine

echoes cascading

through time

covenant.

Manna fresh

each morning

faithful priest

mercy soaked

moral truth

heaven’s food

engraved.

Word spoken

deity cloaked

with humility’s

frame. Christ Himself

calling appeal

reconciliation

gold.

Colossians 2:9, “For in him, the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”