Belong: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:9

“But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

Credentials. Associations. Family. Activities.

To whom do we belong?

We are all considered admired or tainted by others who examine who they think we are. And perhaps too, by whom we think we are, because of our heritage, education, and life decisions. A mix of personal choices and passed down history.

Our version and perception of ourselves is clouded by both past and present. But the Lord’s view of each of us is different. He sees us as His creation woven in the womb, as who we are in His redemption, as who we will be as we live by His Spirit. Psalm 139

We focus on all that is wrong—all the loss and failures we so often repeat. Our sight is blurred when we trust only in ourselves—in the flesh.

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (NRSV)

His Spirit breaks through our charred hearts and faithless will. He sets us on His path. New hope—new beginnings—new heritage.

Thank you, Lord, for searching out each of each to belong to you. Thank you for Your ongoing protection in Your Spirit. Please keep us listening to Your nudges of life and keep us from falling back into old ways.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:8

“All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.”

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Separate: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                        Separate

                        When our fists are clenched

                        we cannot receive a

                        friend’s warming hand  of

                        mercy softly caressing

                        away fear and sorrow

                        replacing dismay with hope.

                        When our heart and mind are

                        filled with only ourselves

                        our demands or interests

                        we cannot hear God’s

                        wisdom and counsel,

                        become separated from grace.

Reflection: Serve: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How can we discern if our goals and plans have become things of the flesh?

2.     What are some ways we can examine our purposes to align with Scripture?

3.     How can resisting another’s advice become a warning sign? Or a confirmation?

4.     What steps have you taken this week to choose solutions that would please God?

Share: What was your first step?

Serve: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8: 8

“And those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Have you ever been on such a tight agenda that you cannot even speak to another person for fear of being late or missing a connection? Or being derailed from your immediate goal?

Sometimes we do need to push through for an immediate deadline, but what happens when we begin to block out or ignore wisdom that can open doors to better possibilities?

We can get so caught up in accomplishment and agendas and deadlines that we forget to include people and ideas and relational connections. Self-centered instead of God-centered.

Jesus reminds his audience, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (NKJV) Mammon is often translated as money or wealth or earthly possessions.

What does our heart covet most?

Sometimes we may need to pause long enough to evaluate if we have unknowingly put up barriers against God’s will in order to be self-sufficient and productive in our desire to be His worker. Except somewhere along the path we became our own manager. And have become deaf to His words and purpose.

Lord, please keep all our moments open to the nudges of Your Spirit so that we keep even our good intentions in Your will.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:7

“For my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”

Strings: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Strings

                       

                        Submission not a word

                        we embrace unless

                        for our own pursuits

                        on our time and pleasure.

                        Yet unseen we are

                        still bound to the

                        inner desires pulling

                        actions like puppet

                        strings hidden behind

                        decorated curtains.

                        Unless we accept

                        grace’s gift.

                        Then love abounds

                        gathering all our threads

                        into words of art.

                       

                       

Reflection: Submission: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you feel that you submit to God’s law willingly? Why or why not?

2.     Scripture says we cannot on our own. How have you experienced that defeat?

3.     What makes the difference in this verse?

4.     What would that require by you yourself?

Share: What words would you like to speak to others?

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Submission: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:7

“For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot.”

Several musicians have used the phrase “puppet on a string” in their songs to express their helplessness to resist the love that entangles them whether for good or not.

We often can have an instinctive reaction to any other form of submission too, especially if we have experienced any cruelty emotionally or physically. The human drive for self power instills a caution to protect ourselves from any hint of perceived servility.

So even when gifts of love and grace and hope and new beginnings are expressed we hesitate. What will it cost us? Are there any hidden motives? What are the risks? Why do I have to give up part of myself? We want to stay in control or think we are in control. Even though we are often not, but don’t recognize the influence our inner cravings and threats already have over us.

We cannot break the cords on our own. But we can choose who will control them.

Submission is not the enemy when given to the Spirit’s knowledge and strength and protective love. Then our minds and hearts are sustained by truth even in the darkest moments of our lives. When we are weak, He is strong for us.

We are never left alone. If we wander away we are found. Always. With healing.

Lord, please give us Your boldness to submit to Your law in trust and thankfulness for Your sacrifice.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:6

“Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right.”