Crisis: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:28, “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.”

Crisis

Moses trusted God. He had heard His voice and seen the unbelievable. Moses saw God work through tangible things—a burning bush, a shepherd’s staff, the river Nile. Even when Pharaoh’s sorcerers mimicked him, Moses could identify God’s power.

Now, in the face of the plagues, he was called to enact a ritual with no understanding of why or what or how.

Still he obeyed—knowing the one who spoke the words—even when they didn’t make any sense. Knowing only the Lord had the power to free them forever.

Neither Moses nor Israel knew this Passover would also become a sustaining ritual for their people. An ongoing picture book of hope and grace and redemption and restoration. A ritual so complex that theologians have wrestled with its meaning for centuries, and yet, still one that a young child could grasp its truth.

How often do we face a crisis, seek help through prayer, and receive an answer that seems to make no sense? Then think we misunderstood and find a different solution. Instead of embracing the unfathomable we accept only the measurable and concrete. And lose the opportunity to experience a rescue with story power. A story of meeting God that will last us our whole lives. A story that will sustain our faith throughout all the crises yet to come.

Lord, please give us eyes to see Your refuge and courage to trust in You alone.

Your thoughts,

Invisible: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Invisible

Set forth in

calm confusion

surrounded by fears

ceaseless challenge

swirling.

Resisted angry buzz

focused solely inward

listened intently to

obey invisible call

Moses followed.

Psalm 104:28, “Thou dost give to them, they gather it up; Thou dost open Thy hand, they are satisfied with good.”

Reflection: Nudges: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1. What gives you a sense of security? Of refuge?

2. In whom or in what do you find it difficult to trust? Why?

3. Has fear of circumstances paralyzed you in the past? What changed?

4. What major step of faith strengthened you with a difficult decision? How will it impact your next challenge?

Share: How do you recognize nudges from the Lord?

Nudges: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:27, “By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible.”

Nudges

There are times in our lives when either opportunity or catastrophe invades our lives along with the challenge to change. And fear can paralyze our response. Unless.

Richard Foster in his book Prayer notes, “As we begin to follow these nudgings of the Spirit, we are changed from the inside out.” From the time Moses began to examine his choices and decisions under God, he took stronger and stronger steps of faith. From his first encounter where he genuinely tried to explain to God why he wasn’t equipped for this role of leadership until the time came to put God’s plan into effect, he became not only the leader God called him to be, but also a leader no longer afraid of Pharaoh.

 Foster also says that in response to God’s overture of love that we can respond by a covenant of holy obedience. “Without reservation we vow to follow the Father’s faintest whisper.” What was ahead of Moses now became more important than what was behind.

Lord, please give us the strength to move into each new day and persevere under Your power and guidance.  Please remove any fears that chain us from fully following You or hearing Your words speaking into our hearts. Help us to truly see.

Your Thoughts,

Wealth:By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Wealth

Wealth receives a respected

nod. Abundance a murmured

awe. Struck by opulence

beyond ability deserves

distinguished note in history,

whether private or public.

A greater wealth though often

resented or ignored.  Cannot be replicated

or bequeathed. Stands one to one.

Almost impossible to comprehend

until own heart discerns by

choosing servant road

weather personal cost,

jeers, contempt, and

receives lasting treasure.

Psalm 104:27, “They all wait for Thee, To give them their food in due season.”

Reflection: Treasure:By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What has been the most difficult abuse you have ever suffered?

2. How did it affect and effect your values and choices?

3. Did you become a more compassionate person or a more isolated person?

Share: What resulting attitude from that abuse do you regret holding onto? Why?

Treasure:By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:26, “He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward.”

Treasure

Conflict, humiliation, chastisement, and arguments are all things we do not often actively seek out. Nor participate in willingly. Sometimes we even hide to avoid the possibility, both literally and emotionally.

It’s not only the discomfort of a shattered peace, but also lashes of emotional pain against our heart that can cause deep wounds of injustice and memories of rejection. It begins young with pre-schoolers and kindergartens shouting out words to each other as labels to show their anger. The words may be as ordinary as calling someone a sandwich, but whether the tone is intended to be mean or meant to be silly the words bring on tears. As we get older the slurs become sharper, whether racial, or national, financial, or religious.

Labels have power. Jew, Gentile, Slave, Free, Man, Woman, Rich, Poor.

The world restricts and Christ sets free. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:28-29.

Moses chose heart treasure over world treasure. Eternal rewards over temporary pleasures. Personal abuse over false security.

Lord, please give us the strength to measure our days by Your standards.

Your thoughts,