Priceless: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Priceless 

                His Word alone

                provides

                pure light

                nourishes soul

                new strength.

                Living Stone.

                Limitless

                priceless love

                provides

                His Word alone.

Psalm 89:7: "A God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, And awesome above all those who are around Him?"

Reflection: Word: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions: 

        1. Which on this list do you struggle the most to overcome?

        2. Which on this list has been an ongoing attack to you?

        3. How did His word bring a new perspective?

        4. Do you see Him as a Living Stone? How does that give you peace?

Share: How has His words of mercy enabled you to find fresh nourishment?

Word: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 2:1-4: "So abandon every form of evil, deceit, hypocrisy, feelings of jealously and slander. In the same way that nursing infants cry for milk, you must intensely crave the pure spiritual milk of God's Word. For this 'milk' will cause you to grow into maturity, fully nourished and strong for life--especially now that you have had a taste of the goodness of Yahweh and have experienced His kindness. So keep coming to Him who is the Living Stone--though He was rejected and discarded by men but chosen by God and is priceless in God's sight.

Word

He provides ongoing fresh words in all situations to remind us to turn to them and not reach for the negative and accusing attitude that we so often react to--whether in thoughts or retort.

To recognize that when we attack outwardly we attack within ourselves as well.

Yet if we stay on the path of His heart we can stay connected to truth--to guidance--to mercy--in all situations.

Thank you Lord for Your ongoing words for us that will guide us in prayer, in work, in relationships, in decisions, and in daily choices.

Please teach us how to extend Your priceless kindness to others, no matter the circumstances, and grow Your grace within us to pass on to others.

Your thoughts,

Ruin: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

                Ruin

                She did not heed

                warnings given in

                abundance.

                Chose instead oracles

                filled with false

                blessings

                deceptive visions

                misled promises of

                fortune.

                Vast now the ruin

                exposed iniquity

                bountiful

                with fruit from

                forbidden tree.

Psalm 37:8: "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret--it leads only to evil."

Reflections: Word: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions 

                1. Have you ever been caught by false advice, or false vision, which led you into wrong decisions?

              2. What voices of truth do you usually heed?

              3. Looking back, what warnings did you not heed? Why?

Share: How did the Lord break through your personal captivity and allow tears to dissolve your deception?

Word: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Lamentations 2:13-18: "How shall I admonish you? To what shall I compare you? ... For your ruin is as vast as the sea; ... The Lord has done what He purposed; He has accomplished His word which He commanded from days of old."

Word

Forgive us Lord, for the many, many times we only see tumult and ruin and refuse, or fall apart, as we forget Your promises and Your words--both of warnings and restoration.

Your purpose is to restore each one of us and that may first cause total destruction as our lies are exposed.

In this current pandemic we have seen it happen so much as false responses and excuses mix and twist the true words building up more confusion and misunderstandings.

Our personal fears and weaknesses come into the light for each one of us.

We pray to be able to let go of the surrounding tumult and still take steps into You presence and Your purpose. To live into each day on Your road with You.

Please continue to give us Your strength into our hearts and words and prayers.

Your thoughts,

Thankful: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                     Word

                    Do not be anxious 

                    becomes a battleground

                    when we tremble

                    with fears, memories,

                    what if it is a maze

                    blasting weakness

                    describing only failure.

                    By prayer

                    brings unseen support

                    with new attack

                    when we trust His

                     word has power

                    beyond our frailty

                    determines loving strength.

Psalm 18:42, "Then I beat them fine as the dust before the wind; I empty them out as

the mire on the streets 

Design: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

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Design

Advertisements challenge

which is real, which is image.

Advanced technology mimics

world. Grows environments,

    multiple designs changing

    by delete, undo,

    begin again.

Almost taste cornucopia

whetting appetites.

Allow sensory immersion’s

woven spell. Given wide range

    choice, time induced

    entertainment almost

    reality.

Accepted credentials

with admiration for competence.

Admire each new invention

with respect for creativity.

Why then deny original

designer who spoke

universe into being.

Words became substance

    visible—flesh and blood,

    but requires faith to access

    and no control.

Psalm 104:4, He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fires His ministers.”

Reflection Questions: Word: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. Why did we recognize the ‘realities’ that technology can produce yet struggle to recognize God’s realities in our lives?

2. Since often we do realize that human creations can be undone, do we apply that concept to faith and allow doubt to wonder at God’s promises of new beginnings?

3. How can we compare our ability to be creative with God’s spoken creation?

4. How should we not?

Share: From invisible to visible. What words of hope has God spoken into reality for you?

Word: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”

Word

Painters use canvas and colors. Writers use syllables and sentences. Potters shape clay and musicians a symphony. All begin with available materials, then imagine and dream and create things that are new, things that can be touched—tasted—seen—sung, all visible.

God spoke the universe into being: atoms and molecules, oxygen and carbon dioxide, veins and muscles, fish and fowl—humans. Scientists investigate, categorize every substance they can detect or discover. We learn what it is now but not always from where it came.

Planted within us scripture words take a new life under the Spirit’s leading. Stone hearts pulse with love. Stagnant minds grow in contemplation. Weak knees begin to pray. A cycle grows. As nature’s laws wheel the seasons around God’s standards, so prayer words reach heaven’s altar to receive cleansing and return in power.

God speaks new life into our emptiness. Shapes our chaos into beauty. Showers our wounds with balm. Our barren deserts become gardens, a welcome respite for fellow travelers. Not a mirage. An oasis made out of things not visible.

Your thoughts,

Word: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Word

            By His name.

            Word spoken

            shared, confirmed.

            By His presence.

            Walking alongside in

            signs and power.

            By His authority.

            

Word: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Word

            Sword words

            wielded by Spirit

            bring two-edged

            perception

            removing sin’s cancer

            restoring life’s truth

            only under salvation’s

            helmet can we

            stand and face.

.

            With courage.

Helmet: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Ephesians 6:17

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The familiar nursery rhyme “sticks and stones” often ends with, “but names will never hurt me,” or “harm me,” or “break me.” Yet we have all seen or experienced the power behind name-calling and know well the power of words.

Plus there is the plethora of meanings as any dictionary or thesaurus confirm.

Misuse, misdirection, and misunderstandings can create unbearable damage in relationships and purpose.

“What is truth?” Pilate said, as he confirmed he found no guilt in Jesus. And then knowing this truth he accepted the Jewish leaders request to crucify Him. The same words can mean different things to different people and circumstances. Over and over throughout history mankind has used Biblical truths as weapons twisting intent for personal gain.

Yet when the Spirit wields God’s words they become swords to dissolve sin, disease, and hatred. Instead words under the Spirit bring about cleansing and healing and courage. Under His perception and not under our limited manmade perspective.

Lord, by Your Spirit’s power dissolve false words or meanings from within and without us, and give us Your words of hope and truth and light that restores. Cover us with Your helmet to resist false intent and stay true to Your heart.

Psalm of Worship: Isaiah 55:11

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose.”

Power: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           

            Power

            Power spoken.

            God’s deeds

            proclaimed

            not world manipulated

            provision of heart

            redeeming love

            prophesied

            now a reality

            purpose revealed.

            Power His love.

Reflection: Deeds: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How often do you think we confuse speaking our own words instead of God’s when we share our witness?

2.     How often when we share with family and friends?

3.     What could be a filter to keep us as His seed bearers?

4.     Do you recognize God’s words as real power to create changed hearts? Changed circumstances? Changed results?

Share: How has the Lord spoken His words of power into you this week?

Deeds: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:11

“Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”

How often do we hastily speak words we think should be said to another, or think others want or need to hear, and then they are weak and dissolve into air? Because they are our words and not the Lord’s.

His words alone have the power to change lives.  Now and into eternity.

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4: 11

God’s power is love. His love is powerful.

Too often I don’t speak love as I should. Instead too many negative demands and accusations and complaints pour out. These words seed conflict and anxiety and dismay. Tainted word seeds. Self-centered, instead of God centered.

“…nor any created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39

His deeds of power.

Lord, please fill our inner hearts with You so that only Your words can flow out.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:11

“Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed inside it.” And it was so.”

Reflection: Impossible: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How do you first respond to a possible word from the Lord?

2.     Why is it important to be ready to hear and still be responsible to confirm?

3.     What are some excuses you hold to as being an unreliable word?

4.     What are some ways you react faithfully?

Share: How have you experienced God’s “impossible” this week?

Ordinary: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           

           Ordinary

            Not scholars or statesmen

            merchants or interpreters

            instead working class Galileans

            speaking complex languages

            fluently with purpose

            message in the miracle

            delivered by ordinary

            ambassadors chosen

            for that day—that place—that time

            crying out good news

            mysteries.

Belief: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Belief

Although they did not

know themselves this

God of Israel they

believed completely

His word would succeed

chose to become slaves

in His house of worship

to live as servants

than attempt rebellion

so sure of victory they

entered into protection

by promised words.

Reflection Unknown: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How often do you think others evaluate who God is based on our actions and our words?

2.     In what ways can our forgetfulness to seek His counsel affect long-term commitments we make in error?

3.     Is there any way back from impulsive promises that will keep our integrity with the Lord?

4.     How willing are we to do the most menial task if it will keep us in the Lord’s presence?

5.     Why do you think the Lord seemed to accept the Gibeonites actions of guile?

Share: Has another Christian’s actions ever caused you to mistrust the Lord?