Choose to Do Good

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. – (Proverbs 14:22, NIV)

Whoever works to do good will find love and loyalty. It is a mistake to work at doing evil. – (Proverbs 14:22, ERV)

Haven’t you noticed how evil schemers always wander astray? But kindness and truth come to those who make plans to be pure in all their ways. – (Proverbs 14:22, TPT)

 

We reap what we sow. If our plans are for the good of others, love and faithfulness find way back to us. However, if our intentions are to harm or are unkind in any way, we begin to veer off of the path that God has for us. It is a slippery slope, and one ill-intended word, deed or action, can lead to many more. Thankfully, the same is true of operating in kindness and truth. The more we seek to be pure in all of our ways, the more we recognize the good in walking out our lives according to God’s perfect plan for us. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in what is good, so that we may operate in kindness and truth for all of our days.

 

The ways of the Lord,

Are good and with love;

Led by faithfulness,

Graced from God above.

Choosing unkindness,

Is far from God’s way;

Those who plot evil,

Find they’ve gone astray.

Instead, seek the Lord,

And choose to do good;

In kindness and truth,

Do as Jesus would.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You and trust in You to lead us to do good, love and faithfulness find way back to us. Forgive us for the times that we have chosen poorly in word, thought or deed. Teach us to turn to You for strength to do the right thing; always. Show us how to do all things with kindness in truth for all whom we meet, so that each may come to understand the power of Your love for themselves. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to do good in kindness and truth as we walk out each day trusting You. Amen.

 

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

 

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

All in Love

Do everything in love. – (1 Corinthians 16:14, NIV)

Let love prevail in your life, words, and actions. – (1 Corinthians 16:14, VOICE)

Let love and kindness be the motivation behind all that you do. – (1 Corinthians 16:14, TPT)

 

It is amazing how much better life goes when love is the motivation behind every word and deed. Though there are times that love feels like the farthest thing from what we want to extend, it is a choice. Last night, my Viking and I landed in Reno, shortly before midnight. His brother and the love of his life greeted us at the airport and handed off one of their vehicles, so that we would not have to rent one. They are early risers, so not only was the sacrifice of a vehicle an act of love, but the decision to stay up late and abandon opportunity for a full night’s sleep, also demonstrated a clear choice of love in action. When we arrived at our accommodations for the night, a lovely occasion to choose to speak and act in love, presented itself. Exhausted, the Viking and I quickly checked in and received our room keys. Upon arrival at our door, we soon discovered that the key cards did not work in the door to which they were assigned. Frustrated, we walked the quarter-mile back to the office with our things, with a less-than-loving attitude, only to communicate kindly to the gentleman who apologetically reprogrammed our room keys and sent us back to our room. Sadly, the keys still would not work. With even more aggravation, combined with the lack of sleep, I was not sure how it would go, as we walked back, yet again, to the office to remedy the situation. This time, Mark simply asked if we could please be placed in a different room, as it appeared that there was a problem with the lock on the other room’s door. The concierge obliged willingly, and we thanked him and were on our way. Sometimes love is found in what we choose to not say as well. We are grateful for the blessing of time with family, and the opportunity to love and be loved well. May we all seek our Heavenly Father for His strength and grace, so that we may go forth in love in every word and deed.

 

To love is a choice,

We have all our days;

In word, thought and deed,

At work, home and play.

Each time that we choose,

To love and be kind;

We show the Lord’s heart,

For all of mankind.

Lord, help us to love,

To choose love like You;

Prefer each other,

Let Your light shine through.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love. Thank You that You do not call us to anything that You are not also willing to equip and empower us to do. Thank You that You loved us first. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit that dwells in us and reminds us what it is to love in each circumstance we encounter. Forgive us for the times that we have chosen poorly and have not spoken or acted in love. Teach us to trust You more, so that we clearly reflect Your heart to the world. Show us how to love those around us in ways that communicate love to them best. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and love You, so that we may in turn love others too. Amen.

 

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

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. – 1 Corinthians 13:4

Shown Good

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. – (Micah 6:8, NLT)

Human, the Lord has told you what goodness is. This is what He wants from you: Be fair to other people. Love kindness and loyalty, and humbly obey your God. – (Micah 6:8, ERV)

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – (Micah 6:8, NIV)

 

This is a great reminder, as what is required of us is not dependent on what people do, but rather on who God is. If we love God, we long to serve and honor Him. To honor God is to do what is right by being fair to other people, extending mercy, love and kindness and walk in humility as we obey that to which we are called. Our obedience is not determined by the path of others, but by our own decision to walk with God. Being just does not require us to remain in toxic environments, yet love requires we forgive as we move forward. Often, a decision to extend love and kindness can change the entire setting of a space, from where it began. May we be ever open to hear the heart of God in all circumstances, so that we may extend His loving kindness to others, just as He has done for us.

 

What the Lord requires, 

Is to do what’s right;

Do good and choose love,

Humble in His sight.

All grace and mercy,

That He freely gives;

Are granted in love,

As He chose forgive.

We are called to go,

And do just the same;

Give love and mercy,

Because Jesus came.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and mercy that You freely give to us if we are willing to seek You and receive what You offer. Thank You that You tell us what is good, and show and equip us to do that which You ask of us. Forgive us for the times that we have chosen poorly. Teach us to trust You more, so that we walk humbly with You, extending mercy and doing what is right in Your eyes. Show us how to love others as You have loved us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to do what is good. Amen.

 

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

 

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; …write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3

Model the Good

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. – (3 John 1:11, NLT)

My dear friend, don’t follow what is bad; follow what is good. Whoever does what is good is from God. But whoever does evil has never known God. – (3 John 1:11, ERV)

Friends, don’t go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God’s work. The person who does evil falsifies God, and doesn’t know the first thing about God. – (3 John 1:11, MSG)

 

When we choose to do good, despite what is going on around us, our actions and attitude are a witness to the truth of who God is and how He loves. Conversely, when we succumb to the ill influences that envelop us, the truth of who God is and how He loves is not seen or known at all. Our daily decisions matter. For some, we are the lens through which glimpses of God are first viewed. How do we want Him to be known? May we ever seek to follow that which is good, so that His love may be made evident through us.

 

Do not allow bad, 

To sway what you know;

Keep choosing the good,

Allow His love grow.

When we choose give in,

To things that are wrong;

The hope we long show,

Has faded and gone.

Rise up and choose well,

In love, model good;

It’s here hope is shown,

And grace, understood.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to follow You and do what is good. Forgive us for the times that we have given in to the influences around us and chosen poorly. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You and Your strength to choose good every time, as we want to represent You well. Show us how to love others in a way that extends the good that blesses and encourages them according to what they need most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to do what is good because You are good. Amen.

 

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

 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6