Mindset: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:5

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”

We usually recognize when we go into automatic pilot mode for chores and meetings, for greeting strangers, or dealing with polite surface chitchat when in public settings. We all have built-in coping methods for impersonal situations. Over the years some of them become instinctive.

But how often do we recognize our inner coping modes within our hearts and thoughts on a normal day-to-day schedule. Instead we might notice that we are overtired or grumpy, craving sweets, feeling anxious over a minor comment or thought.

What pilot mode is our heart synchronized toward? What voice are we listening to throughout each day? What words keep us grounded?

Blessed by the Lord with His Spirit daily. Moment to moment mindset if we choose to listen to soft prompts and discernment. But too often we forget to pay attention until a crisis—a moral or spiritual battleground erupts and then we seek guidance.

We wonder why peace eludes us. Why we struggle so often over so many situations that weaken our daily lives.

But when we remember to set our minds on His Spirit, we have hope regardless of circumstances. Even in the midst of a day’s drudgery or a battleground. And extra joy with loved ones and pursuits. The wonder of life through His lens.

Lord, please set out minds on Your power and Your presence today.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:4

“To you O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.”

Decision: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Decision

                        Law now fulfilled

                        choice now to accept

                        live each day either

                        by flesh or by Spirit

                        leave self cravings

                        that manipulate

                        larger instead of

                        restoration by

                        love’s eternal caress

                        crossroad decision

                        leaves permanent markings.

Reflection: Portal: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What significance does the position beside the gates imply for wisdom waiting?

2.     What heart actions do we need to take to choose Spirit living?

3.     How does sin continue to harass in spite of the Spirit’s presence?

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Share: What gate are you trying to enter today?

Portal: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8: 4

“So that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Fulfillment. Decision. Choice. Hesitate. Why?

The requirement has been fulfilled—a done deal—whether we participate or not. Grace still waits for our willingness to commit. No coercion. No forced action.

The door is open and the good news is cried out to all who will hear. And yet we often linger, wait a bit longer to choose whether to accept, to enter into a new relationship that will upend our lives forever.

Still in shock at the magnitude of love? Still trying to absorb a gift that cannot be grasped and managed into our self-control? Still clinging to the possibility that we can be fixed by our own determination?

So we hesitate at the gate. Wondering. Hoping. Waiting for courage to accept.

Maybe we take the first few steps thinking we can do both. Listen to wisdom prompts but then adjust them to our personal style—still be in charge. Limited by the power we can recognize. We try to hide pieces of our hearts, just in case this new relationship fails.

Except then we are still not walking in fellowship freedom because we know not to fully trust ourselves and we don’t know how to trust the unknown path before us.

A daily crossroad. A daily decision. A daily opportunity. Walk in the Spirit.

Lord, show us how to listen and to trust where Your Spirit leads.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:3

“Beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out.”

Conquered: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Conquered

                       

                        Flesh withers

                        through time

                        famine and disease.

                        Tangible decay

                        common ground

                        of all humanity.

                        Often do not

                        recognize internal sin

                        oppression of soul.

                        Conquered by Savior

                        waged battle for all generations

                        forgiveness bought.

Reflection: Done: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How clearly do we understand that God has condemned and conquered sin?

2.     Do we accept it daily in our personal lives? Why or why not?

3.     What can acceptance look like in practical action?

4.     Are we willing to let go of our own methods and trust His?

Share: How has His gift given you the ability to stand firm in battle this week?

Done: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:3

“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.”

How many times have we become discouraged over our attitudes and actions, towards ourselves and others knowing they are not acceptable or kind or caring? Plus these daily struggles may not even come close to acknowledging the even deeper sins we keep buried from our own sight.

Even when we honestly take on the battles we recognize Psalm 127:1 reminds us that, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

Yet how often do we trudge along on our own solutions expecting ongoing success? We may well win long and often and yet, since we cannot eradicate them, our sins continue to hibernate and wait for the opportunity to strike again.

And those are the ones we admit and recognize. How deep do our secret ones go—especially the ones we have never encountered.

No matter how many rules and intentions we set for ourselves they are useless apart from His condemnation of sin. We will still be in a battle but now we know there is true victory and relief in sight. Even if we experience external loss as a result, our hearts and souls belong to Christ. He enables us to stand firm.

All our brokenness can be brought into healing light. We are no longer left helpless. He lifts us up out of sin’s grasp into new life.

Lord, by Your power, please enable us to stand firm in Your truth and face our sin with boldness, especially in our weaknesses.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:2

“On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;”