Strength: 1 Peter: prayers and Poetry

                Strength 

                His power an

                ongoing foundation

                to hold in faith

                when troubles attack

                knowing

                His presence is

                timeless

                never abands us

                will restore with

                mercy

                His protection

                often invisible

                need to trust

                eternal grace

                constant.

Psalm 89:31: "If they violate My statues, And do not keep My commandments,"

Strength: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

             Strength

            Can not do anything

            although we think

            all is possible if we

            commit diligently.

            And sometime we

            can due to gifts

            created within our beings

            as part of our soul genes.

            Concentrate with repeated

            attempts alone or with

            able support we

            consider our success.

            Applaud perseverance

            concentration not seeing

            completion's silent strength

            all through His mercy.

            And creation

            always holding onto us

            always protecting

            all through His love.

Psalm 18:46, "The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the Lord of my salvation."

            

Caleb: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Caleb

Forty plus years

did Caleb stay

strong in faith

waiting upon

the Lord’s word

still trusting

as from the beginning

when he wholeheartedly

committed to God’s plan

knowing promise

would not fail

so he too did not falter

always ready to serve

forever.

Reflection: Strength: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What is the longest you have had to wait to see a personal promise fulfilled?

2.     What circumstances trigger a stumble in faith for you?

3.     How do you restore yourself in God’s words?

4.     In what ways does trust determine your reactions and actions to new opportunities or in continuing towards a goal you cannot yet see?

Share: When has the Lord given you strength beyond your physical or emotional ability?

Strength: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 14

“I am still as strong today as I was on the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.” Joshua 14:11

Although Joshua was old and advanced in years the Lord still gave him the directions for the land that had yet to be taken. Though Caleb was now eighty-five years old he remained as strong in body and spirit, as at age forty when he and Joshua stood firm on God’s promises and were the only two to trust God to enter Canaan then. And now they are the only two surviving leaders of the exodus from Egypt to enter the new land.

Still ready to obey whatever God intended. Ready to participate in God’s purpose.

Fatigue of body and spirit often influence us to let go of dreams, or ministries, or hope, thinking we are now too old, or unproductive, or too dry. Yet those aren’t the criteria for relinquishing a promise or a commitment. Sometimes we base our decisions on human strength alone.

“If God is for us, then who is against us?” Romans 8:31

The NAS version highlights the ‘is’ in the question. I can’t help noticing it is an active and present confirmation.  Too often I measure whether I should move forward or not based on past failures as the standard for my decisions. But a confirmation to move ahead, or to wait even longer, is not based on our steam power but on the Lord’s.

Now—each day. Whether a time of rest or a time of action, a season of desert solitude or a season of war. Whether prior gifts and talents are to be revived or completely new ones given.

His plans—His purposes—His promises.  Ours to trust—to follow—to believe.

In His strength and power. For going and for coming whatever each day brings—to  serve.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 134: 1

“Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord;

who stand by night in the house of  the Lord!”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How difficult is it for you to simply stand in place when there is danger or oppression approaching?

2.     What helps you discern whether a situation requires more or less resources?

3.     What battleground are you standing on right now? In whose strength are you standing?

Share: What unlikely weapon has God given you to use in a time of battle?

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 15:2, “The Lord is my strength and my song,

And He has become my salvation;”

Through a week of difficult decisions, the sun shone. The next morning I wakened to a deluge of rain, wind, and cold. As I sipped tea next to the cascading stream on the window, a sense of despair crept throughout me. The situation was already fragile. To add worrisome driving conditions and health concerns was more than I could handle.

Then through the sheets of water I detected a clear vibrant note. Buried in the tree branches outside a lone bird was trilling joyously. His song pierced the storm’s symphony. His delight poured out to his Creator.

To the Lord be the glory. It is His doing, His work, His plan. He is our salvation, from beginning to end. His name is to be praised above all others.

The day ahead did stretch beyond my capabilities but as I listened to my invisible companion I realized I had forgotten my place. I was responsible to meet my obligation only, and to trust God for the outcome.

Thank you Lord for reminding me to praise You as much in the storm as in the sun, for You are present in both. It is in the storm when I most recognize Your victory and Your salvation.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 66:1

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;

Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious.