Restoration: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                   Restoration

                                    May be restored

                                    by His mercy

                                    does not leave us

                                    in our mistakes

                                    whether chosen or

                                    accidental

                                    but renews our

                                    wholeness through

                                    chastisement and love

                                    bringing forgiveness

                                    new beginnings

                                    mended life.

Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Indwell: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

                       

                       Indwell

                        Heart, broken

                        chastised

                        seek forgiveness.

                        Opportunity to

                        make amends

                        restore relationship.

                        And God gives so

                        much more

                        His own Spirit

                        to indwell forever.

                        Raises us from ash heaps

                        to fellowship with princes

                        when our selves break in repentance.

            

Gift: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:38

“Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Repent—Baptized—Forgiven—Receive.

Not the known ritual repentance of synagogue and temple worship to be made right in God’s eyes. Not any less accountable. Not any less to commit to by heart and head.

Yet so much more given by grace instead of by works. A new foundation of relationship. Astonishing! Holy Spirit given as a gift. To walk alongside. To assist in keeping God’s laws within and without. To abide forever! Washed and forgiven.

How trustingly do we accept this gift? How trustingly do we extend it to others? Especially those against us. When we are wronged by either friend or foe? Do we mirror God’s gift of grace to us or expect a long list of emotional legal restitution before we agree to consider forgiveness?

What about when we sin again to others? Or against ourselves. How willing are we to accept God’s restoration His way instead of substituting our version of being sorry? Because we can’t quite believe His ongoing grace.

Lord, your gift of Your Spirit continues to astonish us when we are willing to listen. Guide our hearts into Your  repentance, mercy, and forgiveness.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Known: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Known

           

            Squiggly lines on parchment

            Straighten into words of wonder.

            Blurry shapes of imagination

            blend into vision.

            Jumbled contours on maps

            join into detailed routes.

            That which was unknown

            territory droned as history

            now known as truth,

            nearness brings hope

            gladdens heart with anticipation.

            Guardian walks alongside.

            Regardless journey’s length.

            Restores every step.

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.’”

Refining Words

CONFUSION

When the marketplace

moved within the Temple

confusing silence

with cattle cries,

skittish sheep, clanging

coins—worship became broken—

secondary.

Where were the leaders,

Pharisees whose life’s

goal to protect

the Word. Not read?

Not understood? Only

of power, identity

a symbol.

Without heart an empty

posture extinguishes

true hope, manipulates

scripture for personal gain.

Clean out debris. Restore

awe so Glory may again fill

sanctuary.

John 2

Kingdom Manna

Crisis

Acts 14:22, “There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, ‘It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.’”

Sanctuary door stands open

ready to receive

hurting souls lost,

bewildered

needing peace.

Deep at the center,

place of glass

as when a pebble

dropped within

a pool stays still.

Surrounded by ripples

moving outward

smearing the image

clouding

His reflection.

Dimly seen. Together in the

quiet restoration

of calm the mirror is

restored.

Pure.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 68:35

Awesome is God in his sanctuary,

the God of Israel;

he gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God!

Kingdom Manna

Found

Luke 15:7, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Right living. Right attitudes. Right connections. All give us a breath of confidence and satisfaction. ‘All is right with the world’—we think.

Trials, temptations, trouble tend to lead us to frustration and despair. ‘Why me? What have I done to deserve this?’ We calibrate our worth according to the quality of our days.

Restoration comes to mind. How can I make this right and make life run smoothly? But I am still looking at surface issues. Unstable options. Outer conditions.

Turn to Me, Jesus says, and I will give you life. Right standing. A moral issue. An inside condition. Repent.

Ready to listen, I recognize I let my definition of righteousness cloud my real needs. Salvation. My walk with You, Lord. Recognition dawns. I am the sinner.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 51:12

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus: 40:33, Thus Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

When all was complete as the Lord requested, the cloud covered the tent. God Himself filled the tabernacle. He sat on a material throne, an earthly abode, to be with His people.

“It is finished!” Jesus returned to His Father. Restored to His glory He had set aside for earth’s residence. Clothed in royal robes, He sits on His heavenly throne, interceding for us. Waiting.

When the time is come there will be a new heaven and a new earth. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.” He will draw His people to His abode.

I ask, Lord, that until that time, I may abide in You. Fill my heart with Your love and prepare me for the day I may see You face to face. To You, Lord, be the glory.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 89:14

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne;

Lovingkindness and truth go before Thee.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 32:33, And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”

Cain cried, O Lord it is too harsh a punishment to be driven from Your Presence.

O the terror Lord to be returned to the darkness without You!

O Lord, as I learn to walk with You in Your path to redemption, I overflow with gratitude at Your mercy and Your love. And I conveniently forget Your judgment. But in Your love, You do not Lord, and You call me to be accountable for my thoughts and my actions.

Out of Your love, too You provide for my restoration. Christ on the cross, dying for all our sins, dying that we might live. Paying my penalty.

O Lord, forgive me I pray, and restore me to live to righteousness. Turn me from sin and let me walk again with You.

Cover me Lord, I pray, that there is no part of my life where You are not present. O the peace, Lord, to walk in the countenance of Your light.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 51:4

Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned,

And done what is evil in Thy sight,

So that Thou art justified when Thou dost speak,

And blameless when Thou dost judge.