Discern: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Discern

                Truth over  lies

                righteousness over deceit

                honesty over manipulation

                is an ongoing battleground

                to keep alert and go

                deeper into actions

                to discern honesty

                and hear words of truth 

                then can recognize His message

                Truth over lies.

Psalm 107:11: "Because they had rebelled against the words of God, And spurned the counsel of the Most High." 

Reflection: Righteousness: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. How do you personally process the word 'to love one another'? Especially with strangers or harsh relationships?

        2. How do you keep your heart open to words and purpose and truth and actions to determine truth from evil.

        3. How do you define His righteousness in order to recognize another's truth from phony lies?

Share: How has the Holy Spirit stepped in to protect you when being lied to?

Righteousness: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1st John 3:11-12: " For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous." 

Righteousness

Lord, please keep our hearts open to Your words and purpose and truth and actions.

Only through Your righteousness can we become able to love one another as You see each of us.

And choose to live into honesty from our hearts with grace and kindness.

Each day--each week--each year may our hearts grow into Your integrity.

Only see others through the guidance as led by Your Spirit.

Your thoughts,

Healing: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Healing 

                From His love

                we are gathered.

                From His wounds

                we are forgiven.

                From His presence

                we are being healed.

                From His sacrifice

                we are soul protected.

Psalm 89:14: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before Thee."

                

Righteousness: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 2:24-25: "He Himself carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we would be dead to sin and live for righteousness. Our instant healing flowed from His wounding. You were like sheep that continually wandered away, but now you have returned to the true Shepherd of your lives--the kind of Guardian who lovingly watches over your souls." 

Righteousness

How easily can our understanding of righteousness be twisted, or confusing, in our world where we are daily bombarded with false information or purposes. And sometimes share like the telephone game that gets a word changed when it passes from one to another. So that even the innocent may become a false messenger.

And righteousness to one person may be completely opposite to the Lord's truth.

We become so sure we know the real truth that we dismiss examining--praying for clarity--ignoring warnings.

So we can often wander away into our own personal versions of lost sheep.

Lord, we ask You to show us how to recognize any barriers that have been raised against your truth, and show us how to dissolve them. Please guide our steps moment by moment to be centered on Your guidance only.

Your thoughts,

Law: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Law

                                                When we do not recognize

                                                the law we cling to

                                                in our hearts

                                                we still become adamant

                                                when it is threatened

                                                resist its removal.

                                                Do not realize that

                                                righteousness only

                                                possible from the Lord

                                                deepens faith,

                                                hope, truth

                                                defeats despair.

                                                When we accept

                                                His righteousness

                                                on eternal terms

                                                suffering turns into

                                                a power beyond

                                                comprehension.

                                                Life replaces law.

                                               

Psalm 18:34, “He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”

Reflection: Righteousness: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How do we define, or see, righteousness?

2. What example of righteousness would you be able to share with someone who asks?

3. What law will be the easiest to let go of?

4. Which will be the most difficult? Why?

Share: How do you measure when righteousness is from the heart or an act of legalism?

Righteousness: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 3: 9-10, “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

Righteousness

Even when in the midst of a busy family, or with friends, or work team, we still always have a sense of being, our own person. From that perspective we choose how we live by laws, by goals, and by beliefs.

All of these are hopefully honest and truth-filled and compassionate, but usually we are still setting for ourselves our own definitions of righteousness—even when we build from Bible verses.

So what changes do we need to make to be sure our righteousness is coming from God and His definition? For our days to walk in faith? To be willing to know Him and all the power of His resurrection seems a lot more complex than to simply be a good person.

Yet, that seems to be what the Lord offers each if us—a life of faith—not knowing what may happen next, but with a inner peace that cannot be shaken by comments, or circumstances, and worry.

Difficult—probably—but not fearful. Confused—often—but not worried (hopefully).

Lord, please teach each of us how to live into Your righteousness.

Your thoughts,

Righteousness: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Righteousness

                        Full life

                        fresh mornings

                        creative thoughts

                        comforted heart

                        fellowship

                        faithfulness

                        calm in storm

                        competent in trials

                        real relationships

                        righteousness provided

                        all by Spirit’s power

                        always a gift of love.

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Reflection: Life: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How much life in the Spirit do you experience each day?

2.     In what ways does the body of sin imprison us from living our days?

3.     In what area of your life do you most desire a fresh beginning this week?

4.     Pray through this week: “The Spirit is life because of righteousness with us.”

Share: How has someone shared the Lord’s righteousness with you recently?

Life: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:10

“But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

Lord, please keep us true to Your words of life.

We are so stuck in our sinfulness that we let circumstances guide our reactions instead of remembering the forgiven life You have bought for us.

Forgive us for continuing to focus on failure and exhaustion and resentment.

Thank you for new life. For new hope. For new beginnings.

Please keep us hungry to seek Your heart’s path.

Keep us abiding in You and sharing the life You give us with others.

Teach us what righteousness really is by Your grace and enable us to walk its path every day with faith and gratitude.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8: 9

“They are all straight to one who understands and right to those who find knowledge.”

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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.”

Reflection Fasten: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     In what situations have you ever had difficulty standing for truth? Why?

2.     In what situations have you ever had to keep the truth hidden? Why?

3.     Why do you think righteousness does provide a covering for us, especially when we have seen its misuse?

4.      Have you seen God’s truth twisted into lies? How and why?

Share: What has given you strength to stand for truth in your life?

Righteousness: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Righteousness

measure

judge

adjust

strive

compare

disparage

seeking righteousness

good standing.

instead fill heart

with love—faith

then hope will sustain.

Reflection Righteousness: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What is your definition of righteousness on a day-to-day basis?

2.     Does it lean more to God’s version or the world’s?

3.     How does it affect your relationship with family, friends and coworkers?

Share: What do you think would be a first step towards living in Jesus’ point of view?

Hope of Righteousness: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Galatians 5:5-6, “For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that matters is faith working through love.”

Righteousness—right standing—right living—right connections—right place.

All good desires for Kingdom living. For living a life worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. Yet how often do we measure our definitions and standards of righteousness by God’s perspective instead of our worldly slant viewpoint?

Even Jesus’ own disciples saw right standing as what position they would occupy when His reign began. The sons of Zebedee brought their mother to ask for them, much to ire of the other disciples. (Matt 20)They thought authority and judgment and rule as external power would bring about a righteous government where foreign enemies would be expelled from Israel.

However God had even more radical love in mind. He saw hearts filled with love willing to be malleable under the Holy Spirit’s shaping hands. Living in hope every day. Faithful regardless of position. Not seeking the approval of others or defining others with empty titles. Expecting an eternal measure and not a temporary reward.

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Lord, please keep us resistant to any influence other than Yours, so that our hearts will live in your true hope of righteousness.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 96:13

“Before the Lord, for He is coming; For He is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness, And the peoples in His faithfulness.”

Waiting: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Isaiah 59:11, “We all growl like bears, like doves we moan mournfully. We wait for justice but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us.

Like Israel, we often growl, moan, sorrow, complain, and grow restless waiting for justice. Even if we don’t show our frustration visibly there is often a toe-tapping impatience. And when we witness injustice to the helpless we become angry.

Angry enough to turn from waiting upon God and take matters into our own hands?

Sometimes it is for personal satisfaction and other times a worthy cause, but what Israel did recognize was that God alone could provide the right kind of justice. He seeks restoration first. We have a tendency to seek punishment first—unless, of course, it is us who need forgiveness.

In Revelation chapter 5 the writer weeps in heaven at the book no one can open because no one is worthy to open the seal. “Stop weeping,” he is told, “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and it seven seals.”

We may need to wait for an external justice and, in some situations, the solution may not come in time for us to see beyond horizon’s reach. But we can choose internal integrity and trust in God’s promise of justice His way regardless of the circumstances in the meantime.

Hope that seeks the Lord’s will and waits with compassion and prayer.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 98:2-3

“The Lord has made known His salvation;

He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.

…. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”

Destitute: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:37, “; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute….”

Destitute is not a choice we tend to make willingly. There is a badge of shame attached, even if we become victims of fraud or scams or embezzlements due to organizations and policies far beyond our control, or sometimes even knowledge.

The attitude towards the homeless in our midst ranges from sorrow to derision, and our actions from compassion to rejection. We cringe when our financial circumstances shrinks drawing us closer to their circumstances.

Complete destitution goes beyond financial security though to encompass emotional, spiritual, and relational connections as well. So we naturally resist.

In Jewish history there are stories of a national group who rose up against Antiochus Epiphanes, a king, who came to power in a time between the prophets, and sought to abolish all Jewish worship. When Mattathias, an aged priest residing in Modein, saw the blasphemies being committed, he first mourned in sackcloth.  When the kind’s officers began to enforce the apostasy, he outright refused to bow to the king’s commandments and abandon the covenant of their ancestors.

“Then he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town. At that time many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to live there.”

In order to remain completely faithful to God, they were willing to give up everything immediately. A desire for righteousness superseded all other concerns.

If asked to willingly become destitute, I think there is a part of me that would be asking, “Can I still keep this?”

Lord, please clean our hearts to desire Your words, Your ways above all else—even if that requires a wilderness lifestyle dependant solely on You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 86:1-3

“Incline Thy ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy.

Do preserve my soul, for I am a godly man;

O Thou my God, save Thy servant who trusts in Thee.

Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to Thee I cry all day long.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What does administering justice look like to you?

2.     Why does justice need to be combined with righteousness?

3.     What could the look like publicly today?

4.     What could it look like privately in families?

Share: From whom have you experienced God’s way of lovingkindness blended with truth?

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Matthew 5:20, For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Perfection. A goal we all reach for in different ways. Some paragons drive themselves and those around them to distraction in their search. Some display extreme patience and understanding with errors and mishaps, except in one special section of talent or gift or service when nothing less than excellence will be accepted. And there not the smallest detail escapes notice.

Artists often sigh at the end of a work because the vision that impulsed the idea could not be fully caught.

We strain. We stretch. We strive.

Pharisees and scribes purposed to keep the Law, to live holy lives, to maintain righteousness. As keepers and teachers of God’s words they knew His many promises to all who would be righteous. And they added codicils to the commandments to give themselves and Israel clearer boundaries.

To reach God’s standards. To be worthy of so great a love, so great a trust.

White washed tombs, Jesus said.

Perfection gone astray. The plan replaced the purpose. “For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

Wrap me up in Your righteous robes, Lord. Forgive me for looking for any excellence apart from You. Cover my heart.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 132:9

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,

and let your faithful shout for joy.