Reflection: Accept: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How does the reminder that Jesus has made you His own bring you insight today?

2. How can this reminder influence your decisions and attitude today or this week or month? Why? What has changed?

3. How does expecting perfection in ourselves, or others, shape our actions and words?

4. To whom can we extend His gentleness this week?

Share: When has someone gifted you with gentleness?

Accept: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 3: 11-12, “that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

Accept,

Thank you Lord, for Your never ending gentleness to each of us. And Your upholding presence. Even the most beloved friends and family may drift apart for many reasons, but You do not drift away from us—ever.

Even when we stop listening for Your voice, or think You have left because of  the silence.

Lord, please enable each of us to hold onto You in response to You holding onto us. So that whether our time is in difficulty or smooth we will live into a heart filled with trust and joy in Your presence.

Your thoughts,

Law: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Law

                                                When we do not recognize

                                                the law we cling to

                                                in our hearts

                                                we still become adamant

                                                when it is threatened

                                                resist its removal.

                                                Do not realize that

                                                righteousness only

                                                possible from the Lord

                                                deepens faith,

                                                hope, truth

                                                defeats despair.

                                                When we accept

                                                His righteousness

                                                on eternal terms

                                                suffering turns into

                                                a power beyond

                                                comprehension.

                                                Life replaces law.

                                               

Psalm 18:34, “He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”

Reflection: Righteousness: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How do we define, or see, righteousness?

2. What example of righteousness would you be able to share with someone who asks?

3. What law will be the easiest to let go of?

4. Which will be the most difficult? Why?

Share: How do you measure when righteousness is from the heart or an act of legalism?

Righteousness: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 3: 9-10, “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

Righteousness

Even when in the midst of a busy family, or with friends, or work team, we still always have a sense of being, our own person. From that perspective we choose how we live by laws, by goals, and by beliefs.

All of these are hopefully honest and truth-filled and compassionate, but usually we are still setting for ourselves our own definitions of righteousness—even when we build from Bible verses.

So what changes do we need to make to be sure our righteousness is coming from God and His definition? For our days to walk in faith? To be willing to know Him and all the power of His resurrection seems a lot more complex than to simply be a good person.

Yet, that seems to be what the Lord offers each if us—a life of faith—not knowing what may happen next, but with a inner peace that cannot be shaken by comments, or circumstances, and worry.

Difficult—probably—but not fearful. Confused—often—but not worried (hopefully).

Lord, please teach each of us how to live into Your righteousness.

Your thoughts,

Loss: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Loss

                                                Seasons of loss

                                                batter and howl

                                                like an angry storm

                                                smashing against waves.

                                                Darkness hides

                                                rays of light

                                                ready to rescue

                                                cutting through the grief.

                                                Memories of grace

                                                remind us to hold

                                                firm to lifeboat

                                                His ongoing presence

                                                never lets go.

                                   

Psalm 18:33, “He makes my feet like hind’s feet, And sets me upon my high places.”

Reflection: Abyss: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What circumstance has caused you great loss that overwhelmed you?

2. What insight from the Lord enabled you to transition from grief, or loss, to hope?

3. In what ways has your overall perspective of daily life changed? Or not?

4. In what way do pause breaks throughout your day enable you to stay in a peaceful heart regardless of chaos?

Share: Did the Lord use someone you trusted as His voice to reach you, or did He speak directly into your heart?