Rise and Shine

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you. – (Isaiah 60:1, HCSB)

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. – (Isaiah 60:1, NIV)

Arise, shine, for your light has broken through! The Eternal One’s brilliance has dawned upon you. – (Isaiah 60:1, VOICE)

The glory of God lives in all who believe, and His light shines through those who are faithful in pursuing Him. His glory is made evident through our lives as we seek to follow after God and do His will. Just like the candle lighting at a Christmas Eve service, what begins as a single flame, soon can fill an entire space with lights burning bright. That single flame did not lessen, but rather it spread and shined all the brighter. The same is true with us. When we allow the Lord’s light to shine through us, it spreads, and the goodness of God is made visible to those around us. May we ever seek the Lord to shine His brilliant light both upon us and through us, as we rise up in the goodness of His grace and love.

O Lord, may Your light,

Shine bright upon me;

So goodness and grace,

Are made known clearly.

Let all that I do,

And all that I say;

Make love evident,

As I choose Your way.

Lead me and guide me,

With each step I take;

Flood me with goodness,

Each morning I wake.

Ever stay near me,

As I choose abide;

Show me each next step,

With arms open wide.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You shine Your lavish light upon us, and kindle the flame within us, so that we may shine brightly into the world. Forgive us for the times that we have kept the light of Your love hidden, or have withheld love when we were meant to shine. Teach us to trust in You to lead us well, for Your grace and goodness flood our hearts with Your light. Show us how to love those around us like You, so that many may come to understand the depth and breadth of Your overwhelming love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever seek You to shine upon us and through us as we navigate each new day. Amen.

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

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

It’s All About Love

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” – (Matthew 22:37-39, NIV)

Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” – (Matthew 22:37-39, ERV)

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.” – (Matthew 22:37-39, MSG)

If we love God and love people in a way that truly honors and obeys His commands, ALL people will feel valued, seen, heard and known. Sadly, everywhere I look, I see evidence that we are far from this. It is devastating to hear reports of people’s brilliance being overlooked, or of individuals being treated harshly or in a way that is in no way warranted. If I read too much, or look too hard, the heaviness is overwhelming. That being said, what can one human do? The answer is Jesus. If I seek Him to lead me in love, I can be part of the change I long to see. My role is to recognize, listen to, celebrate, encourage, educate, empower, value and honor the next generation. At times, this whole remote teaching gig makes it feel like an impossible task. The kiddos whom I never “see,” I struggle to get to know. Each opportunity I have, I attempt to encourage and care well for each faceless black box, and recognize that I have no idea what their environment is truly like. My hope is that kindness and encouragement will help them feel valued, and that at the end of the day, each is aware that someone cares. Lord, help us to love You and love one another as You intended.

Lord, will You lead us,

To love as You do;

Care for each other,

Let Your light shine through.

Help us be vessels,

Afloat in Your love;

May kindness give hope,

Care that You’re proud of.

Show us the spaces,

For encouragement;

Teach us to listen,

Hear discouragement.

Lead us all in love,

So kindness may reign;

May all voices be heard,

And Your love made plain.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love You and love each other. Thank You that You have shown us what it is to truly love one another. Forgive us for the times that we have not acted or spoken in ways that demonstrate Your love to those around us. Teach us to do and be better. Help us to recognize, value, encourage and love well, all those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to love You and those around us as You first loved us. Amen.

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

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. – Psalm 103:8

Loved Without Limits

You are God’s dear children, so try to be like Him. Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. He gave Himself for us – a sweet-smelling offering and a sacrifice to God. – (Ephesians 5:1-2, ERV)

 

When we give our lives to Christ, we are His children. Our calling is to be a reflection of His radiance to all whom we encounter. His brilliance is best seen and understood through a life of love. Consistent care and kindness with no expectation in return, is the very sort of love that Jesus gave to us. He sacrificed all to create the opportunity for us to come to freely know Him. We too, can give up our own selfish desires to love without limits, and present opportunity for those around us to truly see the light of His love through us. May we embrace that which God has so generously given unto us, and go forth and love others with the very same love that draws people unto Him.

 

We are Your children,

from http://www.truelyselflove.com

beheld as Your own;

loved without limit,

so Your heart be known.

May we do likewise,

our very lives be;

A sweet sacrifice,

of love unto Thee.

May Your heart be clear,

to all whom we meet;

as we love like You,

may love be complete.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are Your children whom You loved so much, that You sent Your One and only Son for us. Thank You that Christ came and showed us what it is to truly live a life of love. Forgive us for our selfishness that withholds love when we ought to give. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will love freely and generously in all situations and circumstances, despite how we feel – allowing You to move in and through us. Show us how to love others as You love us, so that they may come to know You, personally. Be exalted O God, as we live lives of love, just as Christ loved us. Amen.

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

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

 

 

The Splendor of Salvation

It is easy to get a bit freaked out by the whole idea of end times. Lawlessness and chaos are anything but appealing. However, there are several promises that we have to hold, despite the state of society’s moral decay. One such promise packs incredible power as I read it again this morning. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. – (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

 

Imagine a lawless one who has created chaos throughout the earth, overthrown, with a single breath from the mouth of the Lord. Not only that, but the very existence of the lawless one will be destroyed by the splendor, the imposing magnificence, the indescribable brilliance, that will accompany Christ’s coming. There is great comfort when our hearts are securely grounded in Christ. Our peace is not dependant on the circumstances that surround us, nor on the state of order nor lack there of; but rather our security is found in our Savior, who dwells in the hearts of those who choose Him.

 

As lawlessness grows,

and morals decay;

we needn’t feel fear,

despite the display.

Far greater is He,

Who’s dwelling within;

than lawless chaos,

permissible sin.

For a day will come,

when chaos will end;

with a single breath,

what’s broken, He’ll mend.

The splendor of Him,

His magnificence;

shall destroy deceit,

restore innocence.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though not one of us can know the when, we all have access to know how it will end. Thank You that You are all-powerful, and that we can place all of our hope in You. Thank You that You made the way for us to come to You, and enter into an eternal relationship with You, so that we may be assured of our hope both now and forever. Forgive us for fearing the unknown and the unsettled, and help us to hold fast to You – our Rock, who is steadfast and secure. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times. May we live and love without fear, as You hold us in the palm of Your hands. May many come to know the splendor of Your salvation, and hold fast to eternal hope in You. Be exalted in everything that we say and do. Amen.

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

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.

– Genesis 21:6