Cause: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

                Cause

                Power, riches, influence

                lured them away

                prophets, priests chose

                license over commitment.

                Silenced the truth

                with platitudes

                sugarcoated consequences

                watered down principles.

                Righteous died

                their sin the cause

                responsible actions

                turned to soul sacrifice

                now scattered

                blind wanderers

                no honor to defiled

                blood-stained deeds.

Psalm 37:34: "Wait for the Lord, and keep to His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on the destruction of the wicked."

Reflection: Purpose: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions 

        1. Have you ever stubbornly been deaf and blind to the Lord's counsel? Why?

        2. How did your decision affect others close to you?

        3. How empty did you become before returning to His grace?

Share: How do you confirm truth now when you are uncertain?

Purpose: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Lamentations 4:13-18: "... They wandered, blind, in the streets; ... The presence of the Lord has scattered them; ... Yet our eyes failed; ... They hunted our steps So that we could not walk in our streets; Our end drew near, Our days were finished For our end had come."

Purpose

When we come to our ends our lives change whether for good or potential danger. It is hard to break away.

Yet the Lord knows all of our days past and future. We need to listen. So that we can follow the path He chooses next. Even if the next stage brings danger and heart sickness we are only safe in His guidance. In all new beginnings.

Lord, please show us how to pray to see the closed doors and then through Your grace and purpose give us courage to step out into the next open road.

Your thoughts, 

Invitation: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians Closing

 Acts 26:16, "But get up and stand on your feet: for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you as a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I appear to you;" (NASB)

We began our study this past year based on this scripture's theme. To explore the journey of scripture seeds defining purpose as shared from Paul and Timothy. We had no idea how upside-down our months would come. And how purpose could take on many paths.

However we paused to hear the Spirit's powerful words that too often get buried under daily stress. And considered seeing through a new perspective through the challenges and gifts from Him that have entered our lives.

And trusting in His foundation. His ongoing word. His on going invitation to walk moment by moment in faith. He is present.

        Thank you for participating in our journey. New Year Blessings!

                                   INVITATION            (John 1:29-51)

                                   Drawn by heart hunger

                                   one by one came to see

                                   respond to invitation.

                                   Struck by recognition

                                   certainty within

                                   reached to kindred souls.

                                   Listened. Hoped

                                   for promises. Answered

                                   call. 'Follow Me'.

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we  may know Him who is true and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20

                                   "Unless the Lord builds the house,

                                    They labor in vain who built it;

                                    Unless the Lord guards the city,

                                    The watchman stays awake in vain.

                                    It is vain for you to rise early,

                                    To retire late,

                                    To eat the bread of painful labors;

                                    For He gives to His beloved even in his 

                                    sleep."

                                    Psalm 127:1

                                

Reflection: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions:

        1. Is God's grace filling your spirit today? Why or why not?

        2. This passage does not specifically promise an external relief or time frame. How might that compare to a situation you face?

        3. What could be the consequence as a child of God in Caesar's household?

Share: What kind of internal grace have you been given even when the external has brought destruction?

Therefore: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:21-23, "Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

Therefore

"With your spirit." From the inside out. 

How often do we gauge our actions and attitudes from the outside circumstances and turn towards inner spirit only when we realize we cannot handle it on our own strength?

Those in Caesar's household welcomed with an open heart in all situations--and were not in a safe environment. We too actually live in Caesar's household in our world too. And here also we can stay in the light and truth and live into our faith. But that does not mean life will be easy.

However the promise is that the Lord will give us His strength and His guidance in  ALL circumstances. From the inside-out--even when the outcome involves a death: of dreams or freedom or relationships or life.

His grace is timeless. His mercy everlasting.

Your thoughts, 

Glory: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

       Glory

        In the world

        we measure riches as

        abundance expressing

        extreme success

        so different from

        forever supplied needs

        never taken away

        always wrapped in His glory

        gifts of life regardless of

        our circumstance as His hand

        holds us in His glory.

         Grace given love.

Psalm18:49, "Therefore i will give thanks to Thee among the nations, O Lord, And I will sing praises to Thy name."

Reflection: Forever: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions:

     1. What need has overwhelmed you--that turned your life upside-down?

     2. How did you find the Lord's strength through the turmoil?

     3. In what ways did everything change within you while still in the storm?

     4.How has that experience affected new struggles that come--both small and large?

Share: What is your counsel to someone in distress that can remind them of the Lord's supply?

Forever: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:19-20, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Forever

How often--or maybe too often--do we fret and worry before we pray?

Then become anxious as to whether we have chosen the right actions and our worries increase.

Yet, if we would stop and trust, His supply of grace is gifted to each of us. Ready and available to sustain each step-by-step alongside our quivering faith. He doesn't fault us for our anxiety. But He does wait for us to ask. Even while protecting us from ourselves and misunderstandings. 

Lord, may You alone receive the glory for every provision You give.

Your thoughts,

Focus: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                Focus

                Too often

                turn away

                from an obvious need

                friend shares.

                Look too often at

                limited resources

                feel guilt and sorrow

                forget to ask in prayer.

                To find a way

                to support

                from trust and love

                focused on His direction.

Psalm 18:48, "He delivers me from my enemies; Surely Thou dost lift me above those who rise up against me; Thou dost rescue me from the violent man."

              

Reflection: Testify: Purpose" Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

     1. How much time each day do we find ourselves worrying instead of praying?

     2. Not worrying does not mean not doing anything either, so how do we prepare in trust?

     3. Who do you know right now that needs support whether financially or emotionally?                 What kind of 'increase' can you give no matter how small in words or labor?

Share: What has someone most recently done for you to encourage you when in a struggle?

Testify: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:17-18, "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

Testify

Forgive us Lord, for the many times we still fret over our needs. Especially when we have experienced Your giving grace to always cover us in so many ways. And we are grateful.

Please show us how to learn to trust before the need because we now know and have experienced Your on going protection.

And remind us to pray for all who have held us up in our times of need with their time and money and care and understanding. To lovingly testify Your grace to them also in action.

May their needs also be met without worry when their own difficulties come. And whether we  have little or much to offer, we ask to never forget to have a sharing heart and selfless attitude as You have given to each of us.

Your thoughts, 

Solace: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                     Solace

                    Support from others

                    in times of need a solace

                       regardless of circumstances.

                    Strengthens weary souls

                    increase trust

                    revives hope.

                Spirit will direct

                    in each situation to give

                    reason to act.

                    Soul to soul

                    impacts time of despair

                    restores mercy.

Psalm 18:47, "The God who executes vengeance for me, And subdues peoples under me."

Reflection: Faith: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

     1. How do you determine when to assist and when to not--whether time or money or emotions?

     2. In what ways has the Lord directed you to either a yes or a no response?

     3. What has been the oddest request you stepped out in faith to walk alongside? How did the outcome strengthen or weaken your faith walk?

Share: What scripture do you think can help us to know when it is the Holy Spirit directing the situation?

Faith: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:15-16, "And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macadonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again."

Faith

Sometimes we find ourselves seeking forgiveness because we feel we have not listened or obeyed the Spirit's nudges to assist another. We may want to but due to our own emptiness financially, or emotionally, or physically, we remain quiet.

And sometimes we are the ones on the receiving end and know we will never be able to return the gift to help to all those who have carried us, and we feel helpless.

Yet the Lord knows each of our needs and stages and though we may not be able to return now there will be opportunities in other circumstances when we can. Maybe to pass the kindness on to another, maybe days or weeks, or years ahead.

He enables us to give and to receive. He will direct us when and how. He will guide us heart to heart with gratitude and willingness.

Lord, thank-you that You provide rescue into each of us and through each of us in Your time. Please keep us listening to Your nudges for when and how, and trust in Your provisions.

Your thoughts,

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."

            

Reflection: All Things: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions:

        1. On a difficult day have you ever had a perfect stranger help you? How did you react? How did it change your day?

        2. What words, or acts of comfort, have you shared with someone in need recently? What prompted you to comment?

        3. Think back this week or month and remember situations that seemed overwhelming, and yet you found the courage, or support, to move forward. Did you see the Lord's  guidance in the strengthening?

Share: How might you bring this recognition to support another? In words, or in actions, or prayers, or all?

All Things: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Philippians 4:13-14, "I can do all things through Him that strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble."

All Things

Jesus gifts us with ongoing protection from without and within. His peace is present in our turmoil. And often works through the supportive care of family and friends and sometimes perfect strangers.

Too often, though, we can get so caught up in our troubles that we not only not recognize His care, but are blind to those around us who need support as well.

When we accept this reminder that we cannot do anything apart from Him, then we can let go of the struggles whether big or small. He offers His power and His strength in all things--always.

Thank you, Lord that You will always guide. Please help us to remember that first before despair and fear take root. And choose kindness within and without daily.

Your thoughts,

Lean: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

         Lean

        To be content

        in any situation

        requires letting

        go of ourselves

        relinquishing control

        instead lean on Spirit

        trust invisible solid ground.

Psalm 18:45, "Foreigners fade away, and come trembling out of their fortresses."

Reflection: Friction: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

        1. How do  you define content?

        2. How important is it in your daily life and how do you react when it is not possible?

        3. In what ways can our definition of content clash with the Lord's relationship with each of us?

Share: What had been the most recent low experience you have dealt with? How did it turn to hope?