Called to Serve

They took not lightly

image by Josh & Anna Dunagan

what their people said.

They gathered to hear,

that widows weren’t fed.

Together they prayed,

and seven they chose.

To hand out the food,

fulfill godly roles.

The twelve laid on hands,

and then they did pray.

Blessing the seven,

and sent on their way.

The twelve knew their role

was to keep on teaching;

and they needed help,

to impact, keep reaching.

(Responding to Acts 6:1-6)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have a role for each of us to play in the expansion of Your kingdom and in the body of Your church.  Thank You that we don’t have to all be pastors or teachers or church leaders to make a difference for Your kingdom; we simply must come with a heart willing to serve.  Forgive us for neglecting or comparing our gifts to others, and help us each to see our value is in You alone.  May we each be willing and available to be used mightily to further Your kingdom and meet the needs of the poor, the widows and the orphans.  Let our light shine bright before all, so that many may come to know You as Lord.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Rejoicing in Suffering

High priest, jealousy,

image by nooutcasts.org

wanting for center stage.

Apostles arrest,

reaction in their rage.

Though placed in prison,

the Lord unlocked the door.

He then brought them out,

leaving chains on the floor.

To the temple courts,

to tell of this new life.

Boldly they went,

despite the coming strife.

Puzzled officers,

chief priests who were confused;

cells still tightly locked,

yet here they preached the good news.

Again brought to court,

for truth, put on trial.

“We must obey God!

In Him, no denial.”

Furious though they were,

one spoke, a voice of reason.

Consider with care,

the time, place and season.

For if it’s from man,

it will surely die out.

But if it’s from God,

you might choose another route.

So they called them in,

and sentenced them a flogging.

The faithful rejoiced,

counted worthy such suffering.

(Responding to Acts 5:17-41)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Your early church.  Thank You that the very same Holy Spirit that equipped and empowered them to do all that they did in Your Name back then, is the very same Spirit that dwells in the hearts of us who invite You in today.  Forgive us for taking too lightly, the significance of Your Spirit in us.  Teach us to live boldly for You, so that we might see Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Lead us Lord in the way we are to go, and teach us to listen and obey.  May many come to know You as we walk in faithful obedience to Your calling.  Thank You that You are always good.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Complete Confidence

Peter and John healed a man

soon the priests and temple guard ablaze.

Those fearful Sadducees,

thought they had crucified this craze.

Peter and John were seized,

and taken off to jail.

Despite their detention,

attempts to silence, were a fail.

Many who had heard that day,

found faith, trusted and believed.

Annas and his questions,

these events he could not conceive.

Full of the Holy Spirit,

image by Paths of ReTurn

Peter boldly replied,

“I act in Jesus’ Name,

the One you crucified.”

“God raised Him from the dead,

and brought Him back to life.

He is my Authority,

that no one can deny.”

Though ordinary men,

unschooled, untrained, yet here.

They stood in His authority,

and spoke without any fear.

They were told to teach no more,

but those boys, they replied,

“Judge for yourselves what’s right,

but our God won’t be denied.”

(Responding to Acts 4:1-20)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our reason to be brave and bold in the face of adversity.  Thank You that in Your Name, mountains can be moved and fears can be faced.  Forgive us for not trusting You completely, and lead us to learn how to have complete confidence in You in all things and at all times.  Teach us to trust You with our whole lives, and as we do, may we be used as Your vessels to deliver peace and hope to people who need to know You.  May many come to know Your nearness.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The Ten Commandments

Have no other gods,

image by Gina Burgess

serve only the Lord.

Make not an idol,

to worship, adore.

Use proper His Name,

don’t speak it in vain.

Set aside Sabbath,

these truths we proclaim.

Honor your parents,

and thou shall not kill.

Don’t give into lust,

nor bend to your will.

Steal not from others,

and keep far from lies.

Be not envious,

for sinful soul dies.

(Responding to Exodus 20:1-17)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have given us a guide for right living.  Thank You that You do not expect us to accomplish nor master obedience in our own strength.  Thank You that You sent Your Son for the forgiveness of our sins for every time that we have failed – be it in word, thought, or deed; and thank You that You empower every heart that invites You in, with Your Spirit to lead us and guide us to what is right.  Forgive us Father for where we have fallen short, and lead us to lean on You to learn how to walk in faithful obedience all of our days.  Be glorified in all that we do and say, and may many come to know You by our love.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Parting a Path

The Lord told Moses

image by Kristine Asay

He’d handle the plan.

Chariots nearing,

Lord, how will we stand?

Pharaoh’s vast army,

had nothing on God.

Despite the complaints,

He gave him the nod.

With arms lifted up,

he raised high his staff,

and what happened next,

makes me want to laugh. (in awe)

God in His power,

parted that great sea.

Gave dry ground to cross,

escape to safety.

Foolish Egyptians,

tried following in.

Godly distractions,

too far in to swim.

Staff back in the air,

watery walls fell,

God’s people all safe,

and the others, well…

(Responding to Exodus 14)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, all things are possible.  Please forgive us for forgetting just how mighty and powerful You, the Creator of all things, really are.  Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, even when we seem to be standing before an uncrossable pass.  Thank You that You had a plan and a purpose for the seemingly impossible, long before we came upon it.  Thank You that You are always good and that Your love for us never fails.  May we faithfully live and love as we are loved, so that many might come to call You King.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Passover

God gave His warning

image by Marilyn Barbone

told how all would be done.

Commanded they tell,

how this battle’d be won.

Tell every household

to go slaughter a lamb.

Dip hyssop in blood,

and paint ’round the door jam.

This will be the sign

the destroyer will know,

to pass by your homes,

he shall turn and just go.

The lamb you offered,

atoning sacrifice.

The death of the clean,

paid in full, debtors price.

From that day forward,

all the Jews understood,

need for atonement,

and that God was so good.

(Responding to Exodus 12)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we no longer have to slaughter animals to make atonement for our sins, but rather You sent Your Son, who was without sin, to die in our place.  Thank You that His sacrifice paid the price for all people for all time who call on Your Name and receive what You have freely offered.  Forgive us for thinking that it is somehow not enough, and please remind us again of just how far away and forgotten are all things that have been forgiven.  Thank You for Your grace.  May Your forgiveness and grace propel us to be people who love and serve in Your Name, and may many come to know You through our faithful obedience.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Pharaoh’s Follies

God said to Moses,

“I send you, now go;

to free my people,

from Egypt’s Pharaoh.”

With fear and trembling,

refusing alone.

Aaron went with him,

they headed for home.

Back to the palace,

from which he had run,

to call forth freedom,

for God’s chosen ones.

Hard-hearted Pharaoh,

image by Top Travel Lists

flat-out refused.

Water became blood.

His heart was unmoved.

Next from the water,

up onto the land,

came countless the frogs,

to force Pharaoh’s hand.

Soon after the frogs,

came gnats and the flies.

Followed by livestock,

of Egypt, all dies.

Still that old Pharaoh,

hard-hearted he stayed.

So boils and hail,

came in latter days.

Next came the locusts,

devouring ones;

then three days darkness –

no sight of the sun.

The worst and the last,

the death of firstborns.

Anguish of Egypt;

resolve at last, worn.

(Responding to Exodus 7-11)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to make the way once and for all so that we might become clean and covered, and come into relationship with You.  Thank You that You sent Your Spirit to live in us, so that we have a Comforter and Counselor who is ever-present.  Please forgive us for our own hard-heartedness, and help keep our hearts soft and tender toward You, so that we may be easily led, corrected and directed by You, as You love us so well.  Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times.  Use us as Your instruments of peace to present Your hope to those who have none.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Trust in the Tension

image by Linda Beach

People pleasing

political pawn.

His innocence –

Pilot’s verdict, wrong.

At first, he knew,

the choice that was right.

But jeering crowds,

stole his will to fight.

Rather than stand,

he bended, he caved.

Gave way to hell,

and its wicked ways.

Freeing sinner,

crucifying God –

Could he have stood,

and defied the odds?

We’re no different,

than that sinful man.

We cave and fold,

and defy God’s plan.

The difference now,

from what was back then,

is what came next –

to free ALL from sin.

When we fall down,

if we turn to Him.

He’ll lift us up,

make us whole again.

No longer stuck,

we have been set free.

The death He died,

was for you and me.

(Responding to Luke 23:13-25)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son so that we might be set free from the bondage of our sinful selves.  Forgive us for giving in to the pressures of the world, and help us to stand firm in the truth.  May we stand strong in Your strength, and remain true to You in all that we say and do.  Teach us to trust You more, and lead us to love others well.  May many come to know Your heart for us, individually.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Equipping the Chosen

Human frailty,

image by Crystal @ The Yellow Space

clearly evident.

Among disciples,

was scorn and contempt.

The greed of Judas,

poor Thomas’ doubt;

Peter’s denials,

arguments for clout.

The final supper,

over broken bread;

fickle promises,

foolish words were said.

Yet the Savior still,

made the painful choice.

For us, bore the cross,

gave hope to rejoice.

By Him all our sin,

is cancelled, erased.

Repentant we come,

we’re washed by His grace.

For those eleven,

repentantly came.

Forgiven, equipped –

to move in His Name.

For each one of us,

the power is the same.

If we call on Him,

and go in His Name.

(Responding to Luke 22 and Exodus 3-5)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You take broken and flawed folks who are submitted to You, and use us as You see fit.  Thank You that throughout Your word, You show us that You do not call the equipped, but rather, You equip the called.  Thank You Jesus!!!!  Forgive us for our doubts, and help us to remember that any good we do, is done through You.  May each of us be equipped to move mightily in Your Name, in whatever direction You are calling.  Use us as Your instruments to bring the sweet sound of salvation to those who are seeking.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Let Freedom Ring

All throughout time

image by Ryan Scott

there’ve been people oppressed.

Treated poorly,

trapped in the miry mess.

Moses, Esther,

Mandela, Biko, King;

God-called leaders,

so that freedom might ring.

These faithful few,

obedient indeed.

Willing to die,

to see their people freed.

Today, let’s not,

forget courageous fights,

of the faithful

who fought for equal rights.

Dear Dr. King,

if you could only see,

the sea of kids,

learning in unity.

Your faith and fight,

your struggle and your dream;

beauty; motion;

all have come forth to be.

(Reflecting or reading of Exodus 1-2 and Dr. King’s Birthday)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a God of equality and not of oppression.  Thank You that where there is injustice, You raise up leaders to be an audible voice.  Forgive us for sitting idly by, when we ought to have spoken out.  Give us ears to hear when You want us to speak on behalf of those who have no voice, and the wisdom to know what we can do to make a difference for the injustice we see in the world around us.  Father, lead us, guide us, equip and empower us, so that we might accomplish all that You are asking.  Protect the powerless, and use each of us to help keep the little ones safe.  May our obedience lead the lost to Your loving arms.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present