Resist: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

 Reading: 1 Peter:5:9-11: "Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure. And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in His eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, He will set you firmly in place and build you up. And He has all the power needed to do this--forever! Amen."

Resist

How often do we still so easily fall, even over minor difficulties when they come? Even knowing without any doubt that our Lord is present, and will bring peace, and give direction.

The worry and fear still come first into our thoughts too often again.

Our need of learning to pause and pray first in all circumstances is ongoing until it becomes permanent. How?

To receive His ongoing mercy and healing and protection. To be willing to let go resisting His restoration and ask for His sight to recognize the false attacks and refuse fear. To instead remember He gives us strength every moment if we will accept.

Lord, we ask to stand firmly in all of Your choices for us and not resist where and when You lead. To walk Your direction in trust.

Your thoughts,

Prey: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Prey 

                Always alert

                requires discernment

                to recognize the subtle

                murmurs that pull us 

                away from our purpose

                our work gifted

                to us for each one

                to share truth and hope

                as led by timeless mercy and love.

Psalm 89: 30: "If his sons forsake My law, And do not walk in My judgements,"

                

Reflection: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. When have you poured out all your stress and fears to Him and then taken it back? Why?

        2. When have you poured out and then let go?

        3. In what ways have you received His tenderness by trusting in His timing? Whether long or short?

Share: How has receiving His tender mercy now enables you to face worries that attack?

Worry: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter:5:6-8: "If you bow low in God's awesome presence, He will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in His hands. Pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there for He always tenderly cares for you. Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour."

Worry

How often do we instinctively still not "leave the timing in His hands" until we reach rock bottom?

He offers us ongoing mercy and forgiveness and guidance. Yet we still allow stress and worry to take hold of us even though we also know that His grace abounds.

Lord, please continue to teach us to pause and pray, to keep alert to listen and follow, only into the direction You say.

We so easily manage to drift away even though we don't mean to or don't even realize we are. In all situations and circumstances may we learn to lean only on You and act only on the words You give as our next step.

Please keep us on Your path--in Your direction--overflowing with Your purpose--especially when we cannot see it. May we learn to recognize the stabs of worry immediately and return to Your words instead.

Your thoughts,

Care: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Care 

                All relationships

                carry struggles

                trying to blend

                often from opposite

                opinions even in love.

                And more difficult with

                conflict from others like

                tyrants sometimes

                abounding with stress

                arrows into our hearts.

                Almost forget

                Christ's presence bearing

                truth His words

                always offering light

                always caring for each one of us.

                All in His mercy.

Psalm 89:29: "So I will establish his descendants forever, And his throne as the days of heaven."

                

                

                

Reflection: Control: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions 

        1. How often have you been in situations when someone continues to control you?

        2. In what situations have you attempted to control others? For what reason?

        3. How did either affect your attitude, compassion, or resentment, towards others or yourself?

Share: What was your first recognition of the Lord's presence supporting you?

Control: 1 Peter:Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1 Peter 5:3-5: "Don't be controlling tyrants but lead others by your beautiful examples in the flock. And when the Shepherd-King appears, you will win the victim's crown of glory that never fades away. In the same way, the younger one should willingly support the leadership of the elders. In every relationship, each of you must wrap around yourselves the apron of a humble servant. Because: God resists you when you are proud but multiplies grace and favor when you are humble"

Control

Being a humble servant is not seen as a strength in our world but instead often as a weakness or disdain. In every part of our thoughts and actions and choices we are expected to be in control of ourselves, and often others around us.

Me first is the expected ground rule. So opposite the humbleness Jesus walked consistently. In strength and mercy and truth.

Every day He offers us the gift of walking with Him--in His purpose--in His support.

When we lean into His nudges and directions we find true control with our decisions and with our heart.

Thank you, Lord, for Your generous gift of Your presence in all situations. Please teach us Your definition of living honest humility.

Your thoughts,