Seeing Past a Sordid Past

People should never be discounted for who they appear to be, or what they may have done in the past. God can redeem and raise up the unlikeliest of people to do great things for His purposes.

This morning, my daily reading covered Joshua 2:1-21, which is the story of Rahab and how she helped the Israelite spies that Joshua had sent ahead to Jericho.

“Rahab is a woman in a male-centered world; and she is a prostitute, the kind of person we typically vilify. But if she doesn’t rescue these men – and help them escape with the information they have gained – this first campaign in the land of Canaan will fail, and the larger outcome may be complicated  – or worse.” (VOICE footnotes)

As a result of Rahab’s protection of the spies when the king had sent his guards to find them, she and her family would ultimately be spared. The spies spoke the following to Rahab: “We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety,” the men agreed. “If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the Lord gives us the land.” – (Joshua 2:14, NLT)

Not only would her life be spared, but all of her family.

I love that a woman with such a sordid past, was used by God to do something so remarkable. Her act of kindness propelled the movement of an entire population into the promise so long sought after. No one should ever be discounted. We all have a past, yet each one has potential. God can do ANYTHING through a heart that is willing. May we rise up and look at the world around us through a lens that sees possibilities rather than just problems. Great things begin with the seemingly insignificant…

 

Do not choose discount,

A colorful past;

For last shall be first,

And first shall be last.

God does not do things,

The way we foresee;

But rather He moves,

To set captives free.

Perceptions at times,

Are the thickest walls;

That limit our sight,

And disrupt His call.

Lord, give us Your eyes,

To see as You do;

Each person with gifts,

That You long to use.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You see every single person as someone with potential to do great things according to Your purposes. Thank You that our past does not discount us, nor does our present status. Forgive us for discounting ourselves or others from being useful to You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may see ourselves and others through Your lens, not our own. Show us the potential in those around us, and help us to encourage and draw out the good in all. Help us to love others well, just as You love us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look for opportunities to move where You are calling, and to encourage those around us as they step out in faith. Amen.

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

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21

Purposeful Petition

The prayers of the people who gather together united in purpose, change things as they earnestly seek Christ. In Acts 12, the story of Peter’s miraculous escape from prison is told, as King Herod had him arrested with the intent to publicly place him on trial, after just having put James to death with the sword.

 

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. – (Acts 12:5)

 

That very night, the people’s prayers were answered, and an angel of the Lord appeared to Peter and led him out of the prison without so much as waking a single one of the sixteen men who were charged with guarding him. Peter went out of the prison, directly to where the believers were gathered in prayer, to show them what the Lord had done. Overwhelmed, it took a few trips to the door, before those gathered could grasp that the man standing at the door was actually Peter in the flesh.

 

When people gather to purposefully pray, there is power in their prayers. We need to be people of faith, trusting that God hears our prayers and will be faithful to answer that which we ask in His Name. When answers come, we ought to give Him all the glory!

 

There is power found,

when gathered to pray;

united purpose,

seeking the Lord’s way.

Asking together,

for captives set free;

for weary and ill,

to gather near Thee.

Present petitions,

with faith in the Lord;

for He is faithful,

answers to afford.

Pray too, with purpose,

seek Him and we’ll find;

He hears our prayers,

all glory Divine.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You assure us that where two or more are gathered, You are present in the midst of us. Thank You that You hear our every prayer, be it alone, or gathered together with a body of believers. Thank You that there is power in the prayers of Your people who gather together to pray, united in purpose. Forgive us for failing to gather, for lacking unity, or for anything else that hinders us from earnestly seeking You with all that we are. Teach us to trust and believe, so that we may know more completely the power present when we pray. Help us to love others as You so completely love each of us, and let those who are looking, find a forever faith in You. Be glorified, O God, as we gather together and purposefully pray. Amen.

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

For the Lord your God will bless you, …and your joy will be complete. – Deuteronomy 16:15

The Essence of Exaltation

The essence of worship,

when our love is outpoured;

giving earthly treasures,

without seeking reward.

He laid down His own life,

price we couldn’t afford;

showing obedience,

our great heavenly Lord.

As we bring our worship,

He looks into our heart;

does He see sacrifice,

or us playing a part?

Like the pure perfume jar,

poured upon Jesus’ head;

may our offering be,

as the Spirit has led.

May our acts of worship,

all honor that we bring;

give glory to our God,

our Hope and Everything.

The great gracious Savior,

is so worthy indeed;

let our life song be sung,

so that captives are freed.

(Responding to Mark 14:3-9)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not want robots that go through rituals, rather You desire disciples who are devoted to loving You and loving others with our whole lives. Thank You Jesus, that You showed us what it is to live a life of loving God and loving people with all that You are. Forgive us for the countless ways in which we have fallen short, and use each one as an opportunity to be refined, so that we may more clearly love like You. Teach us to quiet our hearts before You, so that we are intent to listen, and help us to act on all that You ask. May many be moved toward Your majesty through our ongoing acts of worship. Be exalted in everything we say and do, and let our lives bring praise to You. Amen.

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

As my reflection this morning is based on the story of the Alabaster jar broken and poured out as an offering, I found this song to be a perfect pairing. 🙂 Click the title in green to enjoy: Alabaster Jar by Kari Jobe.

Give Thanks to the Lord

Give thanks to the Lord,

for He is so good;

His love will always

remain as it should.

A love unfailing,

great deeds for His own;

He satisfies thirst,

feeds hunger that’s known.

For those in darkness,

who call out to Him;

He breaks away chains,

brings light to what’s grim.

Give thanks to the Lord,

for His gracious deeds;

for the freedom brought

to captives in need.

Those in rebellion,

who’re suffering so;

cry out to the Lord,

afflictions will go.

Give thanks to the Lord,

for His healing hand;

with songs of great joy,

praise Him for His plans.

For those in the storm,

where peril surrounds;

cry out to the Lord,

so lost may be found.

Give thanks to the Lord,

for He calms the storms;

with a single word,

new hope shall be born.

The afflicted are healed,

the needy are saved;

the upright see God,

and give Him all praise.

(Responding to Psalm 107)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love for us is unfailing and unfathomable. While we were Your enemies in darkness, You chose to love us and send Your only Son to be our light, our hope, and our salvation. Thank You that though we deserve it not, You lavish us with Your love. Forgive us Father, for our rebellious hearts, and please help us to firmly fix our eyes on You. Let us live out our days in the light of Your love, and may many be led unto You as a result of our obedience. All praise and thanks to You, Lord. Amen.

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

The Law and the Promise

The law was given

image by vm0572

so we might know our need.

Stuck in our own sins,

prisoners to be freed.

For by Jesus Christ,

comes our freedom alone.

His death on the cross,

is faith’s foundation stone.

The promises made,

apply to all who trust;

for grace is a gift,

and receive it, we must.

Before Jesus came,

we were captives indeed.

Bound by sinfulness,

unable to be freed.

The law should lead us,

to receive His great grace.

Unbind our shackles,

grant us strength in this race.

(Responding to Galatians 3:15-25)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promises.  Thank You too for Your laws that lead us to understand our desperate need for You and for Your grace.  Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, so that we might be set free from the burden of our own sinfulness.  Thank You that through faith, You empower and equip us to stand strong in You and resist the ways of the world that seek to strangle and destroy us.  Forgive us for trying to resist temptation in any way other than by faith in You.  Teach us to trust You and turn to You in all things and at all times.  Help us to lean not on our own understanding, but in all of our ways, acknowledge You, and trust You to make our paths straight.  May Your majesty be made evident through how we live our lives, and may many come to know You as a result of our faithful grasp of Your grace.  Amen.

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