Decision: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Decision

A time comes for each of us

to measure paths,

evaluate possibilities

not only for direction

but attitude and purpose,

‘when he was fully grown.’

Time varies. For each the

crossroad differs. Choice same.

narrow—wide

truth—deceit

faith stands as marker to

invisible signpost.

Psalm 104:25, “There is the sea, great and broad, In which are swarms without number, Animals both small and great.”

Reflection: Choices: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1. What situations have resulted in a painful choice for you?

2. On what criteria did you make that decision?

3. Compare the ones where God was not part of the mix and the ones where He was. What were the differences for you personally?

4. Do you think we need to make these choices every day?  Why? Why not?

Share: What word of faith in your life helps you at these crossroad times?

Choices: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

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Hebrews 11:24, “By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter,”

Choices

Pharaoh’s daughter rescued Moses from the Nile. She knew he was a Hebrew baby and yet made her choice to save him. Her heart opened in pity. She named him, gave him life, education, wealth, and influence. She was a key part of his upbringing. How painful for her experience the rejection. How difficult it must have been to reject the good she had given.

Yet, to choose to stay and accept her inheritance and all the worldly power that it encompassed would pull Moses away from God’s call on his heart.  Away from his compassion for his still enslaved people. Did he wrestle with whether he could work from within the power system to bring about change?

So often our choices are not as clear as good versus bad, but a mixture of both. And to step out in faith costs. It’s so hard to let go of relationships or place or opportunity—even in our high tech communication world.

“When he was grown” then Moses’ time for a decision of faith came. Henry T. Blackaby in his book Experiencing God refers to this as a time to adjust our lives to God.

Although he might not have recognized it, Moses did not come unprepared to this crossroad. He had the example of both his own family, whose faith placed him in the river, and the courage of his adopted mother to deny the Pharoah’s edict. Both choosing life—a gift of physical life. Now Moses came to the point of choosing soul life—a faith walk life.

Lord, we each need Your guidance and clarity to discern when Your truth asks us to change our heart into a new step of faith. Even when it means stepping away from blessings.

Your thoughts,

Bird Struck! Stellar Jays

Family Devotional

Day One

“For we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

A familiar bird to California campgrounds is the bright blue, noisy Stellar Jay. They love to swoop down and snatch up pieces of your lunch. Often they are bold and aggressive. They also have the gift of mimicry.

According to the dictionaries, mimicry can be used to represent, copy, or reproduce. It can also be used to disguise, pretend, or impersonate. The difference is in the intent.

Stellar Jays listen carefully to the sounds around them, and then they mimic them with amazing precision.

The jays do this on purpose, but we often copy characteristics of people around us without thinking about it. And sometimes we begin to act in ways that are different from our hearts.

We can learn from the Stellar Jays that by observing and listening, we too can develop mimicking skills. When we are attracted to good things, we strengthen our hearts. When we are attracted to bad things, we hurt our hearts.

The Scriptures tell us “for we have the mind of Christ.” How is that possible? When we love Jesus, we begin to see people and problems with His mind and His vision.

We can observe and listen and copy actions that are caring and honest. We can choose to mimic goodness.

Action

1.Think of someone you admire and someone who makes you uncomfortable. Make a list of their characteristics.

2.Do you also act in some of the ways that they do?

3.This week plan on ways to copy one nice trait and stop one wrong trait

Read More

Romans 12:15-16

Philippians 4:8-9

Reflection Command: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you ever wanted a position or an assignment so badly that you were willing to work in adverse circumstances for the opportunity? Or were forced to?

2.     What gave you the strength or courage to stay the course?

3.     How did the cost affect you personally, spiritually, relationally, or financially?

4.     Did you choose this by prayer or by your own desires? How did that make a difference?

Share: In what ongoing “low estate” has God continued to bring you strength?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What situations have resulted in a painful choice for you?

2.     On what criteria did you make that decision?

3.     Compare the ones where God was not part of the mix and the ones where He was. What were the differences for you personally?

4.     Do you think we need to make these choices every day?  Why? Why not?

Share: What word of faith in your life helps you at these crossroad times?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Choose Path

Forward or backward

decisions clamor

for resolution

design choices.

Further to vision

described by hope,

faith in possibilities, or

depend on past.

Familiar territory

despite pain, brokenness,

forever a companion.

Desire beckons. Choose path.

Refining Words

FEAR

Why does fear

decide our choices

holding fast we

cling to status

real or imagined

censure or affirmation

from others form

our parameters

we walk within lines

carefully drawn

reject the voice

calling us with love

and lose even more.

Refining Words

QUESTION

Despair or hope?

which drew the blind,

lame, paralyzed to

Beth-zatha’s pool.

To seek release

from illness or from scorn

chance of healing or

community of peers

“Do you want to be

made well?”

question shook

invalid to his core

A choice. Long years

day by day came in

pain, situation hopeless

always another before him

Today a different

opportunity, new hope

listened

stood up—walked.

John 5

Kingdom Manna

Cost

Acts8:12, “But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”

Awed by God’s display of power, filled with confidence in Moses, Israel left plague-torn Egypt fixed on new horizons. But when they entered the wilderness grumbling began to eat away their faith.

Doubts> disbelief> disobedience.

Announcements filled with good news, with old truths re-spoken; Philip’s audience faced a decision. How to choose? Would they be considered fools? Where was this kingdom? They trusted and stepped out in faith.

Belief> baptism> blessing.

Also filled with opportunities to live by faith. I too can walk in doubt or in trust. Despise my situation, blame God, or curse others. Let bitterness erode my witness. Or sink deeper into prayer and watch for God’s leading and embrace comfort from fellowship.

Choice> compassion> Christ.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 106:24-25

Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise.

They grumbled in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the Lord.

Kingdom Manna

Found

Luke 21:31, “So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”

We all try to live by our convictions. They resonate within us—who we are—why certain choices—how we react. They are the fuel that burns within us. Without them we can shrivel, become robots, empty.

“Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness.”

What do I see, Lord? Do I see You at work in my life? In Your world? Or is my vision clouded by bias or ignorance or self-centeredness? Am I blind to Your touches of grace and mercy that soften rough edges? Without recognizing them I can become bitter, close-minded, narrow.

Your light transfuses our senses. It spreads out in rainbows, scatters in prisms, shatters in diamonds. Sear Your light into my heart and will and vision, Lord.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 36:9

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Matthew 13: 45-46, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Choices besiege us daily. Advertisers bombard our senses. Like bees in a hive they buzz. What to eat, to drink, to wear. But, still, we are grateful we can make our own choices, for the freedom to decide.

Time to deliberate. Time to spend. Twenty-four hours a day to choose. Gift of time. How to act, to work, to live. Freedom to barter our goods or cherish our belongings. Freedom to squander our talents or pursue professions. Freedom to follow or not.

Cross at the center.

Two-edged sword cutting across our decisions, calling us deeper. Away from the hum and clatter to a quiet center. Gift of repose. To talk, to laugh, to pour out our hearts. To be still.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Jesus invites. And then waits for our answer. Freedom to choose.

Lord, You offer me pearls, the riches of Your inheritance, the promise of kinship, the treasure of a lifetime. But too often I am distracted by the baubles and glitter that fade. Help me to recognize true wealth. And choose Your ways.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 105:3-4

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.

Tabernacle

Scarlet

Sin hardened hearts

pump crimson blood

through our days

choose self-camouflage.

Stripped beaten body

wears scarlet robe

public denunciation

crushes sacrifice.

Sprinkled blood

whitens as snow

heart pours grace

covers every breath.

Matthew 27:28, “They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.”

Tabernacle

Covering

From the beginning,

when sin first emerged,

He prepared the price.

Knowing He alone

could enter heaven’s

holiest sanctuary.

Became threefold covering

High Priest, Ruler, Sacrifice.

Created entrance to

atonement

readied moment we

see our sin,

recognize consequence

death, despair.

Nail scarred hands hold us.

Whispers, choose life, come.

Hebrews 9:12, …“He entered once for all into the Holy Place,” …

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 40:15, “….that they may minister as priests to Me; and their anointing shall qualify them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”

Special anointing qualifying Aaron and his family for the priesthood. A special designation by God for a tribe. Without this consecration they could not serve the Lord. This special blessing passed through the generations, not because of the worth of the men so charged, but the value of the ministry they performed. A consecrated tribe. Serving as God’s representatives to a new born nation.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifest grace of God.”

Spirit anointed gifts bestowed on each newborn believer. For the common good. For the building of the body of Christ. For spreading the gospel.

So many of us stumble along in ministry not even aware of our blessings. We lean on our talents, (also God given) on our experience, on our education, on need. And we misuse the counsel of the Holy Spirit. We focus on ways and means, instead of prayers and leads.

As the Spirit leads. If we open our hearts and minds, we can participate in anointed ministry. By making ourselves available, we may experience the excitement of using a Spirit given gift once, or for a lifetime. As the Spirit moves.

Anoint me I pray, Lord, to serve at Your call. I ask to be a clean vessel for Your Holy Spirit’s use, perpetually.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 92:10

But Thou hast exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;

I have been anointed with fresh oil.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 39:1, Moreover, from the blue and purple and scarlet material, they made finely woven garments for ministering in the holy place, as well as the holy garments which were for Aaron, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Vivid robes. Holy robes. Priestly robes. Visible garments splashed against the desert background. Clear roles and rules established. To put on the priestly clothes set Aaron and his sons to special tasks. Seen by the entire camp. A visual reminder of the sanctity of worship. A visual reminder of purpose.

Actors wear apparel to depict the time, place, and occupation of the characters they represent. Their costumes assist the audience to make the mental and emotional connections to the historical and fictional stories. We hear the clanking armor as the soldiers arrive on stage. We smell the hay in the wagon. Every piece of material contributes to the set.

“Ask what I shall do for you,” said Elijah, and Elisha replied, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” And Elisha received Elijah’s mantle, put it on, and continued to minister, wearing the priest’s garment.

Veil Your church with Your Holy Spirit, Lord, that we together might “put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Cover each of us in Your garments that we may be visual reminders of Your victorious love.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 132:9

Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness;

And let Thy godly ones sing for joy.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 34:12, Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, lest it become a snare in your midst.

When we drive to the ocean, we have two choices. They begin at the same point and, for approximately two miles, they parallel each other separated by just a few blocks. Gradually each road begins to curve away and when we reach the ocean, they are separated by an hour’s distance. One beach is barren, rocky, narrow, bitterly cold on a windy day. The other is sandy, wide, sheltered by grass tufted dunes, warm crannies. At the beginning point there are no distinctive differences between the two routes.

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

Wrappings on boxes hide their contents. Worldly values often conceal themselves behind attractive packages, alluring advertisements. Shared goals, common concerns, mutual motives begin at a similar point but can curve in opposite directions. One is the path of the land; one is the path of God.

Warn me Lord, I pray, when I approach the snares. Keep me from barren destinations.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 124:7

Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper;

The snare is broken and we have escaped.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 28:3, And you shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me.

Service for the Lord starts with the Spirit of the Lord. Endowed skills. Endowed wisdom.

Aaron required consecrated garments to serve God and to serve his people. Accomplished craftsmen responded in ministry. They prepared their high priest, who, in turn, would act for them. A concert of abilities, gifts of the spirit of wisdom, selflessly given.

Spirit guided that their work would meet God’s standards. Spirit filled that God would be honored. “Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.”

Anchor my work in Your Spirit that it does not become self-seeking. May I faithfully serve whatever work You assign me, and do it unto You. Make my life, Lord, an offering of service to You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 116:12

What shall I render to the Lord

For all His benefits toward me?

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 24:7, Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!”

Covenant from God. Words of life streaming through generations. Choice to accept, obey, reject, rebel. Israel chose all His words, promised to comply in full.

Generations later people of Israel gathered before Ezra the scribe, returned exiles again, ready to hear God’s covenant. Ezra brought the law to “the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding,…from early morning until midday; they answered ‘Amen, Amen!’” and worshipped. Then the law was explained to them so that they could understand the reading.

Eager for fellowship, eager to obey I too say amen before I even understand. As expectations and realities of my commitment become clear I backpedal fast, reneging on my pledge, claiming mis-information. Like Israel I keep falling away, and graciously God speaks His words once more, explaining, encouraging, exhorting.

Speak Your words deep in my heart Lord that I perceive and obey with Your power to perform. Otherwise I am like the soil that accepts Your seed, springs immediately with no depth and withers away. Give me deeper roots I pray.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 105:8

He has remembered His covenant forever,

The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 19:8, And all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!”

Excitement and enthusiasm in a crowd can be contagious; a mob can be dangerous. And they both may be made up of the same attendees. World sport events witness to the carnage of towns and property when a team loses. The party turns to plunder.

What induces citizens to participate? Why mass dis-order? A sense of anonymity, fear of rejection, peer pressure? When the purpose is ugly, devastation follows. But what of a generous purpose? Then does mob mentality produce positive results?

All the people-all Israel-accepted and agreed to God’s invitation. All spoke together. All chose obedience. All chose God. Good decisions-good intentions.

How many individuals prayed through, reflected through, planned through, God’s invitation to life and health and ministry? Positive steps towards God’s call and His character; for Israel and for us.

But if I accept God’s gift in the throes of excitement, what do I do when His reality doesn’t match my expectations? Do I turn away, reject Him, blame Him? Turn angry and destructive?

Lord, may I examine my motives each time I burn effervescent, especially in a group. Prayerfully lead me through the cost before the commitment, so I will have staying power, and not crumple in a defensive tirade against You. Speak Your words deep within me, so that my walk is grounded in You, in honest obedience, not fickle feelings.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 37:5

Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him and He will do it.