Faith Seeds: 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.

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

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

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.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 25:4-5

“Make me know Thy ways, O Lord; Teach me Thy paths.

Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, For Thou art the God of my salvation;

For Thee I wait all the day.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

   
           Birth

Born under an edict of death

helpless to effect decision

carried by arms of love

protected for life

based on faith beyond

human plots or power

consecrated with trust to

promises foretold. Fulfilled

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What dangers frighten you? For yourself? For loved ones?

2.     How do they affect your spiritual trust in the Lord?

3.     Both Abraham and Moses’s parents were willing obey God’s words regardless of the consequences?  What do you think brought them to that moment of commitment?

4.     Write out a prayer for each of the children in your life this week. Look for ways to pray it over them.

Share: What step of faith encouraged you this week? Either your own or by someone else for you.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:23, “By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”

All newborn babies are completely helpless. Just holding a newborn for the first time can be a daunting experience. We have experienced stories of people who have overcome terrible circumstances to survive those early months. And we have heard the heartbreaking stories of babies who had every medical assistance possible and could not survive.

Moses’ parents also faced a hostile edict set on murder. Yet they managed to hide him for three months. I can’t imagine how. My newest grandson just turned that age and he is on the quiet side, at least quieter than my children were. Yet there is no mistaking or ignoring his cry when he so chooses.

These parents chose the danger of crocodiles over the danger of the edict.

Their actions could mean death.  By their own decisions—what if they were wrong? We struggle day by day with our own faith steps, but usually for ourselves only, not life and death situations for our loved ones. Or do we?

Acts 7:20, says the parents saw that he was lovely in the sight of God. Not just a beautiful baby boy, but lovely in God’s sight.  And so they had the courage to trust. As a parent I can’t help but wonder how often I trusted wholly in the Lord for my children or tried to fix things in my own strength out of fear for the ‘king’s edict.’

Moses’ parents chose faith in God’s provision. Love and trust over malice and fear.

Only when we as parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and teachers, recognize and lift our children up into God’s promises can we give them a life that is eternal. Then they grow up in His provision and protection. And we can marvel at their beauty too.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 67:1-2

“God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us—

That Thy way may be known on the earth, Thy salvation among all nations.

Let the peoples praise Thee, O God; let all the peoples praise Thee.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Instructions

            No wonder children become confused

            when encouraged to be amused by

            comics and cartoons and yet

            admonished to remember

            it’s only pretend.

           

            Stories, movies, theater all

            make believe.

           

            Next we wonder why as they grow

            scoff at faith stories, analyze each

             by cynicism. Can maybe see only

            momentary fragments, glimpses

            of gift, question eternity.

           

            Resurrection life beyond comprehension,

            promises blemished by facts.

            Need to capture creation’s beauty,           

            with fresh imagination.  Life anew

            fresh from decay, seasons change,

            discover  soul heritage  in

            breathless histories.

           

            Imagination and reality build bridges,

           

            connect the impossible.