Reflection: Being: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.What triggers remind you when you are out of sync with faith?

2.What reminders bring you back into the Lord’s encouragement and focus?

3.What does seeing through His perspective look like to you?

4.What does being in accord affect, or renew, purpose for you?

Share: What surprised you the most when you did change your mind?

Being: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2:1-2, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Being

Sometimes it seems that we immediately focus on all our difficult situations. In that instant trigger, fear or anger or resentment overwhelms our thoughts and emotions.

Instead we need to recognize that if we would just pause for even a few seconds; that is long enough to turn to the Spirit. Then see through His eyes. See His compassion and forgiveness and support and insight.

Lord, show us how to react first from Your words You have given to us. Teach us how to bring our mind and hearts under Your accord. Being in You, bound in Your grace.

Your thoughts,

Surrendered: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                             Surrendered

                                                Suffering

                                                Conflict.

                                                Struggle to escape

                                                close the door

                                                seek a smoother path

                                                courage to walk away.

                                                Suffering

                                                conflict.

                                                Sought out on purpose

                                                Christ choose to embrace

                                                seeking our salvation

                                                cross His conflict.

                                                Surrendered all for each of us.

Psalm 18:14: “And He sent out His arrows, and scattered them, And lightening flashes in abundance, and routed them.

Reflection: Conflict: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What feelings arise at Paul’s words that suffering and conflict will be expected regularly?

2. How can that change, or impact, your perspective and your faith?

3. How can you apply this point of view to a challenge you are currently facing, or have just come through?

4. What seems different now?

Share: Will that change your prayer focus next time suffering surfaces? In what way?

Conflict: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 1: 29-30, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”

Conflict

The conflict is to be ongoing? As a follower of the Lord as long and wherever He chooses until He calls each of us to heaven?

Although the conflict is often difficult, sometimes it may be more difficult to not know what we are doing, or not doing, in our attempts to obey. And we crumble.

The days fill with uncertainty. Too often fatigue and weakness suffocate our desire and energy to pray. And we crumble even more.

Lord, please show each of us Your light to hold onto wherever we are, and whatever You call us to be and to do. In all conflicts.

Your thoughts

Stand: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Stand

                                                To stand firm

                                                despite fear

                                                forms a strong

                                                foundation built on

                                                gospel’s truth

                                                grounded in Spirit

                                                protected by faith

                                                promise of Scripture.

                                                To stand firm

                                                day by day.

Psalm 18:13: “The Lord also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.”

Reflection: Promise: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What are some of the obstacles that keep us from living with a ‘worthy’ life based on the gospel?

2. What specific word from the gospel can be a daily reminder, or handhold, to keep us focused?

3. What can “standing firm” look like for you?

Share: What has been or will be your first step?