Abyss: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 3:7-8, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

 

Abyss

 

In our most difficult times when all around us is lost whether by health, or nature’s destruction, or the death of a loved one—everything takes on a new meaning.

 

Time stops.

 

We are forced to reassess.

 

Often we are surprised that many things we thought were so important no longer have any life value to us.

 

We cherish our loved ones more.

 

We begin to pause and to inhale the beauty within each day.

 

And then throughout all this is when we recognize that the Lord is holding onto each of us. Sometimes carrying us. He is keeping our hearts and our souls safe in His protection and truth.

 

We can see real love through His eyes.

 

And begin to walk step by step again.

 

Your thoughts,

 

 

Plant: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Plant

                                                Heart seeds

                                                sprinkled by Spirit

                                                prepare special

                                                ground to grow.

If we follow

listen to soul’s

whisper to

go deeper.

His wisdom

a gift

a harvest

blessings overflow.

                       

Psalm 18:32, “The God who girds me with strength And makes my way blameless?

Reflection: Resume: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How do you separate, or define, worldly accomplishments and Spirit driven purpose?

2. Do you think they can be mingled? How?

3. How do you define self-confidence and Spirit confidence? How can they also become blended and not opposite?

4. What tools has the Spirit given you? Are you using them to full capacity?

Share: How has the Spirit’s confidence enabled you most recently, to your surprise?

Resume: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 3: 5-6, “circumcision on the eight day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”

Resume

Outward appearance and actions can become so deceiving when we translate them into thinking we have it all together. Like the accomplishment of crossing out our to-do lists. We must have done it right.

But if our heart and soul and obedience does not first belong to the Lord, it is all in vain. Self-conceit can bury the truth of our perspective. And we become attached to our resume as value.

Our world measures from our skills and accomplishments. And dismisses soul.

Jesus begins within our hearts and then brings to us the tools and gifts we need to develop His plans and His wisdom into all daily commitments.

Lord, please show us Your truth and Your measure so that our accomplishments, whether miniscule or large, are all grounded in Your purpose and Your will.

Your thoughts,

Gift: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Gift

                                                Ability a blessing

                                                opportunity to learn

                                                to grow to share

                                                gifted by the Spirit.

                                                Until it becomes

                                                our comfort our purpose

                                                our safety net.

                                                Ability a gift

                                                meant to be given

                                                under the Lord’s power

                                                His call for each to serve.

Psalm 18:31, “For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?”

Reflection: Ability: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How would you define human confidence versus Spirit led confidence?

2. What part of your confidence, in success or ability, do you have the most difficulty letting go of as a possession? Why?

3. What relief do we gain when we surrender all our confidence to the Holy Spirit?

Share: What word or memory do you keep as a reminder?

Ability: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 3: 3-4, “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:”

Ability

Have you experienced, even in times of the least possible confidence in ourselves, that there are one or two places where we might boast if we had the courage? Especially if there are only one or two to boast about.

We will cling to them for self-affirmation. And in some ways that is okay, especially when others bully, or we need a safe hope in a frightening relationship.

But not when we then begin to refuse to let it go completely and instead put all our faith in the Lord. To let go and trust only in His Spirit to guide through His confidence

Lord, please continue to show us how to keep moving forward—to hold onto faith in You—and to worship with a whole heart.

Your thoughts,