Judges: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Judges 

                Our world shouts

                retaliate--fight back

                with words and actions

                demand confrontation.

                Our Lord prays

                reacts by healing

                with forgiveness and honor

                delivers compassion.

Psalm 89:13: "Thou hast a strong arm; Thy hand is might, Thy right hand is exalted."

            

Reflection: Retaliation: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions 

        1. How have you been attacked deceitfully?

        2. How did it fracture your life and your heart towards others?

        3. Did any retaliation bring forth a salvation, or create more hardship?

Share: Do you now trust in the Lord's hands? How?

Retaliation: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

 Reading: 1 Peter 2:21-23: "In fact, you were called to live this way, because Christ also suffered in your place, leaving you His example for you to follow. He never sinned and He never spoke deceitfully. When He was verbally abused, He did not return with an insult; when He suffered, He would not threaten retaliation. Jesus faithfully entrusted Himself into the hands of God, who judges righteously."

Retaliation

What are some of the ways you have seen others abused: physically or verbally? Were you able to intervene or get assistance? Or need to walk away for your own or others safety? But planning revenge when possible?

What about the silent names we call others or ourselves for disagreements, or anger, or failures, or embarrassment, or guilt?

When faced with an attack of any form our instinct is protection, to gauge the level of danger or safety. This is a gift of warning we are given. To choose our next step.

When we can seek for clarity. To try to navigate within and without. Seek guidance. Pray.

When we seek the Lord first we can take a step of faith even in extreme danger.

Your thoughts, 

Conditions: 1 Peter: prayers and Poetry

                Conditions 

                To walk His path

                in trust

                in all circumstances.

                To keep our heart and soul

                in faith

                in commitment.

                To persevere

                in trust

                in all circumstances.

                To walk His path with Him.

Psalm 89:12: "The north and the south, Thou hast created them; Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Thy name."

Reflection: Endure: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions: 

        1. How have you endured mistreatment whether for an accident or purposeful wrongdoing?

        2. How did that change your actions or decisions or payback?

        3. How have you reconciled to unjust treatment when obeying God?

Share: What words do you pray to stay grounded to His guidance?

Endure: 1 Peter 2: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 2:18-20: "Those who are servants, submit to the authority of those who are your masters--not only to those who are kind and gentle but even to those who are hard and difficult. You find God's favor by deciding to please God even when you endure hardship because of unjust suffering. For what merit is it to endure mistreatment for wrongdoing? Yet if you are mistreated when you do what is right, and you faithfully endure it, this is commendable before God."

Endure

How often do we resist conflict by resisting hardship or ignore wrongdoing to avoid mistreatment to ourselves or tho those we care for?

Or sometimes we are so self-absorbed we assume unfairness when we are being called to follow difficult truths.

Too often we allow hardship and suffering to weaken our trust and commitment and truth that You are present. And sometimes hesitate to accept Your will be done.

Lord, keep us connected to You in all situations, no matter how costly, so that we will remain faithful. To stand on Your presence. On Your ground. In trust.

Your thoughts,

Reverence: I Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Reverence 

                A life lived

                in reverence

                gifted to each one

                a choice to accept

                ongoing grace

                for all in kindness

                Holy ground

                every moment. 

                

Psalm 89:11: "The heavens are Thine, the earth is also Thine; The world and all it contains, Thou hast founded them."