Come: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Come

            Crowds eager to follow

            name dropping headlines

            catch a glimpse of show

            nice reviews

            stumble into power

            wonder beyond expectation

            signs of Messiah come

            whisper questions at edges

            choice to be made

            nervously pretend ignorance than

            connect—commit in public

            need to blend instead.

            Still cannot deny truth.

            Word remains, speaking ‘Come’.

            

Reflection Listen: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What are some reasons we hesitate before accepting or acting on things we know to be true?

2.     In which areas of our lives do you think peer pressure, or the possibility of misunderstanding, keeps us from living out our belief?

3.     Is there any situation in which silence in the face of truth is appropriate?

4.     Jesus spoke truth to Pilate but stayed silent before Herod. What was the difference between the two?

Share: What barriers make it difficult for you to listen to God’s words?

Hear: Word Ambassadors:Prayers and Poetry

My apologies for the long delay. And thank you for your prayers for myself and my family as we dealt with cancer. The blog will continue to discuss what we began last year’s August if you would like to reread the introduction for this portion of the series. What does it mean to be sent back into the world as Jesus said only now as ambassadors for God. How does He define the role of envoy or messengers of His words? What does He mean by all the world and the whole creation?

Hear: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:22

“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say! Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, works and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know---.”

Peter called out a challenge to the Israelites to acknowledge words of truth.  To be accountable. To not hide from the scriptures and prophecies that to them were as natural as breathing. Words from history. Words from worship. Words from Yahweh Himself.

He called on them to take a stand on a personal faith. To own their heritage as individuals and not simply as theoretical bystanders.

He called on them to step out from the curious crowd and to act on words they already knew. Attested to by God in ways they were privileged to understand and connect the dots that to many in the crowd seemed confusing.

He called on them to respond to truth with honesty. To have the courage to follow. Regardless of the Roman occupation. Regardless of the betrayal of their own spiritual leadership.

If we substitute “Christians” for “Israelites” what will we hear? Will we remember what we know?

Lord, please give us heart and soul courage to come before You with honest hearts, and be willing to listen and to obey and to follow Your words of life.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:22

“God blessed them saying, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.’”

Advent Interlude

“So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I send it.” Isaiah 55:11 NAS

My plans post Thanksgiving weekend, after special time with family and worship community, were as usual for this time of year: to prepare for Christmas and once again try to find time to let the meaning of the season be an anchor in the usual busyness. 

My plans changed that Friday with a trip to  the emergency room followed by admittance to the hospital.

My plans for this holiday season have been completely upended by the unexpected.

And yet as I've begun to adjust to this year's reality I find myself once again seeing and hearing Christ's gift once again as brand new, with the fresh life giving joy of a new born babe.

His entrance into our darkness in whatever form that might look like.

His SO unexpected grace that defies our sinful, selfish hearts.

His promises that are eternal, merciful, life giving, and fulfilled by His birth, death, and resurrection.

His Presence and hope upending our fears.

His surrounding protection of prayer and support of family and friends and total strangers that breathe mercy and care and time and understanding.

His understanding of how much we are broken. Of His poured out life for us. 

Gift beyond measure. Grace beyond comprehension. Christ our Saviour is born.

Advent invites us to recognize the shadows and barriers we have set around God’s promises and reopen His call to pursue life under His influence. And watch our hope soar into new territory as we see His glorious ‘impossibles’ unfold.

            “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.”

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

Blessing on this Advent. Blessings on your new beginnings ahead.

Call: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

                        Call

                        We are quick to call out

                        complaint—condemnation

                        put each other into boxes

                        good—bad, in crowd—out.

                        Grace declares

                        everyone who calls

                        on His name alone

                        shall be saved—

                        no other measure.

                        Love searches darkness

                       

                        waiting to embrace

                        accepts all voices

that respond with hope.

            

Reflection: Everyone: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you believe that everyone who calls on His name will be saved? Why or why not?

2.     In what ways does that make you uncomfortable?

3.     How can our actions and speech influence other people’s perception of God and Jesus?

Share: What is the most meaningful name of God to you?

Everyone: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:21

“Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Everyone.

We are so busy categorizing each other. Putting each other in boxes, including ourselves that we daily reject—sin—against the Lord’s absolute, eternal, invitation. And sometimes we know that we do.

Who calls.

A choice. His gift of free will is not overridden. He calls everyone. Not everyone responds. He alone knows whether each heart has fully answered or is still struggling with whose name to follow. As Creator He alone knows everyone most personally from the inside out.

 On the name of the Lord.

How do we speak His name with or without words? Do others see His truth, invitation, mercy, and desire to call on His name? Or do they see us giving lip service while we hold tight to our personal likes and dislikes, our self management of our own lives?

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable.”  Isaiah 40:28 NAS

Lord, please build Your house into each of us, and build us into Your house, that our diversity and uniqueness honor Your gift of life and Your grace that alone saves.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:21

“So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good.”