Reflection: Gift: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you been in a situation where you believed that making amends was impossible?

2.     Did it change? How?

3.     How difficult is it for you to give the gift of forgiveness to others? Why?

4.     In what ways has the Lord’s gift to you helped you bridge conflict and personal injury?

Share: What is one way that you have experienced the Holy Spirit’s indwelling?

Gift: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:38

“Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Repent—Baptized—Forgiven—Receive.

Not the known ritual repentance of synagogue and temple worship to be made right in God’s eyes. Not any less accountable. Not any less to commit to by heart and head.

Yet so much more given by grace instead of by works. A new foundation of relationship. Astonishing! Holy Spirit given as a gift. To walk alongside. To assist in keeping God’s laws within and without. To abide forever! Washed and forgiven.

How trustingly do we accept this gift? How trustingly do we extend it to others? Especially those against us. When we are wronged by either friend or foe? Do we mirror God’s gift of grace to us or expect a long list of emotional legal restitution before we agree to consider forgiveness?

What about when we sin again to others? Or against ourselves. How willing are we to accept God’s restoration His way instead of substituting our version of being sorry? Because we can’t quite believe His ongoing grace.

Lord, your gift of Your Spirit continues to astonish us when we are willing to listen. Guide our hearts into Your  repentance, mercy, and forgiveness.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Life: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Life

                       

            Word that cuts to the heart

            as sharp as a two-edged sword

            and a terror of guilt.

            Instead a surgeon’s precise

            knife to bring healing

            accountability removes disease.

            Before spreading, before cold

            refusal can stop truth or

            barricades sanctuary.

Reflection: Pierced: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What truth has pierced your heart recently?

2.     How did you respond? With refusal to listen or gratitude for honest accountability?

3.     What changed for you re your acceptance or denial?

4.     What barricades against truth have you set up in the past?

Share: What is one warning sign for you that you are avoiding a word of truth?

Pierced: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2: 37

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’”

What an honest response. An open willingness to accept the chastisement and look to make amends. Heart and action together.

Over and over our present world shouts blame, cover-up, excuses, and silence when a truth is clearly brought to light. Or we blame others silently letting denial seep into our thoughts and souls to avoid taking our own responsibility.

Why are we so eager to willingly receive words of grace but not words of chastisement? Especially under God’s love and forgiveness that will root out the falseness and poison we often carry unknowingly.

Like a surgeon’s knife God’s light offers reconciliation and restoration. New life. Hope. Breath.

When we listen. When we accept. When we welcome the work of the Holy Spirit within honestly.

Lord, guide our steps that we will measure our days by Your values and Your healing.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:30-31

“And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food. And it was so.”

“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”

Crucified: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

                        Crucified

                        The one you pray to

                        give lip service to

live your life around

is the same one

you have crucified!

And still continue

as we ignore, pretend

evade the sins that

mar our thoughts

actions, days.

Unless we too believe

accept daily grace

walk in true fellowship

Astonishing!

            

Reflection: Messiah: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Why do you think we continue to ignore or hide our sins from ourselves despite the evidence of Jesus’ grace and forgiveness?

2.     What are some of your personal reasons not to acknowledge your sins to Him?

3.     What harm does hiding our sins do to our hearts? Our thoughts? Our souls?

4.     In what ways does our choice of ignorance affect those around us?

Share: How do you accept His daily grace?