Reflection: Power: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.When have you faltered because the situation you were in strangled you?

2.When have you faltered but, in spite of fear, found courage in the Lord?

3. How will these experiences impact your response to future needs of deliverance?

Share: Is there a Scripture verse you hold onto for this struggle?

                       

Power: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1:19-20, “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn our for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Power

Too often we come ashamed before the Lord because we have given up hope, or focus only on what is difficult ahead, and failed, instead of coming first to Him for guidance and strength.

Yet He will break all of the chains and fears that still hide within us waiting to bind us again. Sometimes even with a tiny trigger the attack shatters.

He is always ready to free us from the chains that distort our perception. He gives us His sight and strength in our blindness.

Thank you, Lord, for Your prayers and Your Spirit that uphold us. Please open our hearts and vision; step-by-step so we can stay in Your protection.

Your thoughts,

Bird Struck! Eagle

Family Devotional

Day Twenty-Four

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:10

Eagles are among the longest living birds. They are known as faithful partners and parents. From the times of ancient history they have become a symbol of power, whether in military terms, or in legends.

However, the bald eagle is also known to steal prey from other birds. So because of this habit there were objections to it becoming the national emblem of America.

The golden eagle has neck feathers that reflect light. So they have become a symbol of rebirth.

Jesus said, “But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:21

Jesus reminded His disciples that those who do not want their deeds to be seen hide in darkness.

People see our actions and make judgments on our character based on these observations. Then what we do and how we act also reflects on Jesus’ name when others know we choose to follow Him.

Eagles don’t always steal food and they don’t need to steal food to eat. They choose how to behave towards other birds.

We also make choices everyday that either highlight the light in us or the darkness we choose to hide behind.

Action

1. Pay attention to some decisions you make today. Which ones give light and which one are dark?

2. What reasons did you have for making those choices?

3. Which ones do you think would please Jesus? Why?

Read More

Ephesians 5:1-2

Ephesians 5:8-10 (fruits of the Spirit)

Clay: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Clay

            In His mercy

            we are gifted

            with His light

            truth, hope

            delivered daily

            despite our weakness.

            In clay jars

            we proclaim

            who is Lord and Savior

            knowledge of His glory

            ministry heart to heart

            mending broken lives.

            In His power.

            

Reflection Earthen: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How has the Lord used a person’s brokenness to show you His mercy?

2.     How has the Lord used your brokenness to give hope to someone else?

3.     In what ways would you like to be shaped and molded to proclaim His light more?

4.     In what ways is it a relief to remember it is His power that changes lives and not our competence or lack of?

Share: What word of hope did you receive this week?

Earthen: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 2 Corinthians 4: 1-7

“Therefore since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. …. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. …. ‘Let the light shine out of darkness.’… But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”

“Does not come from us.”

How often do we forget that aspect of ministry, especially when we are trying so hard to be faithful and see results? Whether in designated positions or ordinary day to day sharing we often begin to think success or failure is all on our shoulders and reputation.

When it might really should be based on just how broken we are and if we willing to share from our emptiness. Are we willing to be cracked pots? Are we willing to be identified as cracked pots?

I read a devotional years ago from a potter sharing how her clay pots often sat on shelves waiting for the next stage and when the sun shown through the windows she could see the cuts and scraps, defects and holes more clearly. And those flaws gave her insight as to how they could be finished—what shape—what purpose—what use.

Or some needed to be melted down to begin again.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us, “We are the clay, and Thou our potter; And all of us are the work of Thy hand.” Isaiah 64: 8 NAS

Lord, thank you for Your mercy that shapes and molds us by Your Spirit. And then gives us Your grace words to share with others. And thank you for keeping us as clay so that we do not presume to touch Your holy power.

Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:7

“But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Lightning: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Lightning

            Recognize the power

            of the storm

            lightning piercing

            through dark skies

            ground shaking turmoil.

            Realize power

            of Spirit’s prayer

            loosening sin shackles

            timeless fire

            guarding alter of grace.

            

Admit: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Admit

            Man’s methods use

            sabotage, lies, murder

            to erase competition

            distance ourselves from

penalities. Hide behind

alibis.

God’s way enters

sin’s territory

tears façade open to

die innocent, blameless

purges death’s grip

Altogether.

Reflection Power: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     In what ways do we still hide our sins behind guilt and facades, often to ourselves?

2.     Why do we hesitate when truth is made evident in situations before us?

3.     What barrier of fear or disbelief still keeps you from accepting Jesus’ power?

4.     Where do you most need His freeing grace right now?

Share: How have you experienced His creative love recently?

Power: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:23-24

“this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.”

Handed over to you, Peter says.  He goes beyond heritage now and includes the entire crowd. Making Jesus’ actions personal, individual, powerful.

Making the choices each listener now makes individual.

No excuse for confusion or misunderstandings. No hiding behind ignorance or peer pressure. No hiding behind our own sins.

God has upended man’s concept of power and sovereignty. He has replaced political and geographic and religious facades with a staggering fact. Jesus conquered death.

As a victim.  And as Creator. Giving new life each day.

Splitting wide open death’s consequence. Shattering sin’s regime.

Who will listen?

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:23

“And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.”

Reflection: Display: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you think our world today, our personal culture, and our houses of worship are in more danger of false ‘gods’ than previous believers? Why or why not?

2.     Why does a façade need wisdom and honest clarity to expose?

3.     Are there seasons or situations in our lives when we are most vulnerable?

4.     How can we help to sustain an obedient, believing faith for ourselves and for each other?

            Share: What is one way you screen authentic from false worship?

Display: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:20

“The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.”

Signs that the Lord alone can bring about.

Regardless of our advanced sciences or technology. Far beyond the capacity of special effects. Impossible for our most ingenious imaginations to conceive.

Impossible to be manufactured by man or imposters. His display alone. His power.

Centuries earlier God unveiled the weakness of the Egyptian gods revered and feared by multiple cultures of that era. “One by one, the Lord turned their idols of worship into symbols of disease, destruction and loathing. Plague by plague He challenged each Egyptian god. He stretched forth His hand and proved their gods false and powerless before Him, the Creator, the true source of life-giving waters.”

Scripture reminds us that our world will again be called to choose, “For a time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.”

2 Tim 4:3

Keep us, O Lord, from the allure and intimidation of false power. Open our eyes to see Your wonders every day and trust only in You.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:20

“And God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.’”

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: Battle: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What spiritual and relational battles have you been fighting on your own?

2.     Are you struggling in your own strength or in the Lord’s power?

3.     Is it difficult to trust if the outcome is not immediately visible? What do you do when doubts overwhelm?

4.     Are you willing to do it God’s way—even if the process is painful?

  Share: Have you experienced the Lord fighting for you? How?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Weakness

The record stood

Asssyria wins

all other nations lose;

laid waste

lands decimated

beliefs shattered alongside

their pottery idols.

Messengers boasted

resistance futile

so Hezekiah

laid Assyria’s contempt

before God alone

not against the odds.

Asked instead that

all nations might witness

God’s sovereign power.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Scepter

Bits of power merge

together like scattered

metal magnetized into

a cohesive plan

building strength

attracting like interests

forms into shape; creates

illusion of control.

Buys more people,

rulers establish systems

grow prominence, believe

own scepter strength

forget veil source

of all existence who

silently watching

holds the throne.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Isaiah 14:5, “The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers”

In our advertisement-laden world, it is often difficult to separate the truth from the rhetoric. And that’s from the outside in—not from our own self-centered illusions. How often do we find ourselves claiming control when really we have inhaled a false reality? Or someone else’s interpretation of how we should conduct ourselves.

History is replete with examples of both earned and designated power run amok.

New ideas—dreams—visions are wonderful gifts of creativity in so many areas of our lives. Unless they begin to become the authority by which we legislate our perceived power of time and talents and responsibilities.

We all like to think we’re in control, but the true reality is that the Lord alone is the source of all power and strength and only under His guidance can genuine direction and truth flourish with life-giving results.

Psalm 27 reminds us that, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.”

The gifts are given in trust. And sometimes when we protect and provide we are tempted to hoard and hide for our own personal status.

Lord, help me to be grateful that You are in control, for Your wisdom that guides and for Your sustaining grace that enables us to live freely with generosity.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 49:15

“But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; for He will receive me.”