Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How open are we to changes in our schedule, especially if on a tight clock driven day?

2.     Do we see interruptions as an opportunity to listen to a different perspective, or as a hindrance to our agenda?

3.     How can we listen for the Lord’s heartbeat throughout a busy day?

   Share: What is one way you are able to stay open to God’s nudges?

Kingdom Manna

Tasks

Matthew 7:24, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.”

Wisdom listens. Wisdom discerns. Wisdom waits.

Listening for the words that communicate truth. Absorbing the knowledge and information necessary to process, to produce a finished piece: a house, a song, a meal, a story.

Discerning when and where and how. When will action bring best results? Where is there need for care and compassion? How to penetrate grief with hope—loneliness with faith—pain with love.

Waiting in the silence of God’s sanctuary for direction. For the right words at the right time. Waiting for the power that prevails, sustains and heals.

Waiting in prayer seems so passive sometimes, Lord. So inadequate to the surrounding bedlam. But without Your touch and Your wisdom, any building is missing its foundation.

Discerning between choices and decisions often feels like groping through fog for my doorway. Yet when I find it the entrance is clear. May my hand be led by Yours’.

Listening to the avalanche of data muddles my thoughts and scatters my focus. But in prayer You remove the clutter and center me in Your heart.

Wisdom listens. Wisdom discerns. Wisdom waits.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 53:2

God looks down from heaven on humankind

to see if there are any who are wise,

who seek after God.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 15:26, And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I the Lord, am your healer.

Twenty bodies sat poised, eyes focused on their teacher, waiting for the signal. As one, they raised their instruments, paused, then played the movement; notes rising and falling, slower then faster in accordance with her hands. She held their earnest attention.

Jesus speaks to Pilate telling him, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” And Pilate replies, “What is truth?” He was not prepared to listen.

Am I listening to You, Lord, in earnest? Or do I come to hear Your word, Your voice, on the run, half-hearted, scattered?

You called Israel to a relationship, a commitment, a healthy life. If they would heed Your voice, obey Your words, walk with You.

Lord help me to heed Your voice in earnest, so that my life will be an act of decision to follow in Your ways. Help me to choose the melody of an obedient walk with You and not a flighty engagement, when I feel like it, which is so easily broken.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 95:7

For He is our God,

And we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.

Today, if you would hear His voice,