Serve: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2:22-23, “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,”

Serve

When we accept the Lord’s invitation to know Him personally, He also includes us into His family. No matter how alone we are in our own lives now we discover mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, cousins and aunts, uncles, grandparents to comfort us, teach us His word, pray for us, and help us grow.

Through them He often guides our sense of direction to give us clarity and understanding. Because they share where they have walked in distress and struggle and hope and they pass it on.

Yet too often we miss the opportunities to listen or to pass on our own support to them—to strangers—to share His grace.

Lord, as Your servants please may Your Holy Spirit lead us even when , or perhaps especially, when we are not aware. Show us how to serve—when to serve—where to serve.  Daily.

Your thoughts,

Care: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Care

                                                Climbing the ladder

                                                so ingrained from

                                                childhood to succeed

                                                seek our own interests a

                                                core response even when

                                                self-less deeds

                                                call us to action.

                                                Step out in faith

                                                commitment but often

                                                still forget interests are

                                                called by the Holy Spirit

                                                stretching us to become

                                                concerned for Christ’s

                                                suffering to

                                                carry each of us

                                                so we too

                                                Can bend and

                                                serve other in His genuine love.

Psalm 18:25, “With the kind Thou dost show Thyself kind; With the blameless Thou dost Thyself blameless; “

Reflection: Bend: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What does being selfless look like to you? 

2. To whom do you find it easy to be and towards whom do you struggle?

3. What barriers keep us from becoming like Timothy and seeking Jesus’ interests first?

4. How do we define genuine concern and genuine action according to Jesus’ leading?

Share: What act of selflessness has someone done for you that changed your heart and your situation?

Bend: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2:20-21, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not that of Jesus Christ.”

Bend

How often do we automatically put our own interests first—even when we recognize a nudge from our soul to help someone. We get so caught up in our immediate needs and fears and confusion that, even when we are being kind to others, our own agenda is still our first priority.

Often our busyness and focus prevents us from recognizing or responding to His purpose. Yet if we are willing He will give guidance to us for His purpose, even when unspoken or unseen. Each day into all our conversations and relationships.

Lord, may Your will be done in and through each of us by Your Holy Spirit, regardless of our self-centeredness. But also please show us how to recognize and participate in Your interests without sabotaging them.

Your thoughts,

Encourage: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Encourage

                                                Sharing becomes courage

                                                when we embrace

                                                each other’s grief,

                                                joy, questions,

                                                opportunities.

                                                Sharing deepens truth

                                                when we recognize

                                                failures, worries,

                                                barriers, draining

                                                each of us.

                                                Sharing deepens faith

                                                when together we

                                                gather in prayer,

                                                encouragement, honesty,

                                                worship.

Psalm 18:24, “Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.”

Reflection: Support: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What barriers keep us from sharing our needs and worries? Or our joys?

2. What circumstances cause us to become isolated instead of seeking a friend’s support?

3. In what ways does sharing openly and honestly in all situations strengthen courage?

4. How can we listen better to each others unspoken needs?

Share: What barrier have you most recently dissolved to share your heart with someone you trust?

Support: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2:18-19, “Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”

Support

Sometimes, maybe too often, we find ourselves so caught up in our own needs and worries and agendas that we forget to take the time for those around us—whether those we love and or those with whom we barely know.

Scripture reminds us we are to love one another. Grieve with one another. Joy with one another.

And together go deeper with trust and step out in faith. When we share we are able to give each other courage for whatever next step is ahead.

Lord, we pray to hear You and to be open to each person You send to us whether for a brief moment or committed time. Let us not dismiss each other’s messages but together bring them before You in prayer for clarification as to how to listen.

Your thoughts,