See: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                See

                                                To look only through

                                                our eyes can overwhelm

                                                at the day ahead

                                                feel burdened or tired

                                                before it begins

                                                gathers frustration

                                                as more is added.

                                                To look through Spirit’s view

                                                our hearts see

                                                a different perspective

                                                from calm and hope

                                                become strong in challenge

                                                grace carries us

                                                as His words take root.

Psalm 18:30, “As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”

Reflection: Recognize: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What view gives you sight to rejoice in the Lord on the most difficult days?

2. How do you recognize when the darkness is seeping into your heart, pushing out trust?

3. How can we build words of foundation to repell the worry and weight of lies?

4. What focus helps you see with clarity?

Share: What word or hymn gave you trust most recently?

Recognize: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 3:1-2, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evil doers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.”

Recognize

How often do we not look out for, or recognize, the subtle evils—the ones that appear harmless yet can eat into our soul?

Then they whittle away at our gift to rejoice in the Lord, without our even realizing it until the darkness begins to take over.

Yet if we remember to look out through the Lord, He will enable us to step out into each day, each new possibility, with thanksgiving and hope and courage; instead of focusing on the weight ahead of us.

Lord, please strenthen us to keep our eyes, our hearts, and our words, centered on You.

Your thoughts,

Anxious: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Anxious

                                                Anxiety a reality

                                                not to be accepted

                                                or ignored

                                                but recognize

                                                in order to break

                                                its hold.

                                                And step out in

trust knowing the

Lord will give us

direction.

Action opens

insight to next

steps one by one

to leap over walls

by His power.

Psalm 18: 29, “For by Thee I can run upon a troop; And by my God I can leap over a wall.”

Reflection: Burden: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How much does anxiety influence your life? Why?

2. In what way does Paul’s confession of anxiety give you hope but also challenge you?

3. In what ways are we willing—or not willing—to risk our lives if God calls?

4. How can either reply affect our faith?

Share: Have you ever had to risk a relationship to answer God’s call? What was the outcome?

Burden: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2: 28-30, “I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”

Burden

There are two surprises in this passage. One, that Paul admits to being anxious, and then second, that he seems to imply that Epaphroditus almost died because of the lack of other believers? There is definitely more behind his words than we have access to.

Paul seems to share that anxiety may not dissolve at all, but it still needs to be given to the Lord and trust Him. That whenever possible, and under even extreme circumstances, we are to carry out our commitments. And not weigh them down on others who are already carrying their own concerns.

Perhaps it is like the up and down of a roller-coaster. We have no real control over the twist and turns. We may be capable one day and then the next be unable to function for various reasons whether health or heart or hurdles. We might gravitate between being calm or cranky.

Lord, please help us to really see what You are calling each of us to be and to do each day; and to be committed to the tasks You chose for us—regardless of the cost.

Your thoughts,

Time: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Time

                                                To stay or go

                                                a decision

                                                too hard to make

                                                must be from

                                                the Lord’s perspective

                                                only He can gauge

                                                time from earth

                                                to heaven.

Psalm 18:28, “For Thou dost light my lamp; The Lord my God illumines my darkness.”