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.”

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.