Radiance of His Nature

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. – (Hebrews 1:3, NIV)

The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature, and He holds everything together by His powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then He sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven. – (Hebrews 1:3, ERV)

The Son is the dazzling radiance of God’s splendor, the exact expression of God’s true nature – His mirror image! He holds the universe together and expands it by the mighty power of His spoken word. He accomplished for us the complete cleansing of sins, and then took His seat on the highest throne at the right hand of the majestic One. – (Hebrews 1:3, TPT)

Though no one has ever seen God, numerous people spent time in the presence of His Son, and witnessed His power and His very being. Jesus lived out a perfect life so that He could be the ultimate sacrifice, once and for all. After His death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus took His place at the right hand of the Father to continue to move on our behalf, as He provided His Holy Spirit for all who invite Him in. The more we pursue the path that He has placed before us, the more our hearts begin to mirror His. May we ever seek the Lord and be intentional to invest our time into growing in our understanding of Him, so that we may more clearly reflect His radiance to the world.

God’s great radiance,

What’s holy and true;

Shown to all the world,

Through Christ who makes new.

His power, perfect,

Held up in His hands;

Seated on His throne,

With purpose and plan.

Cleansed by His mercy,

Made new in His love;

May we ever seek,

Christ the Lord above.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to show us who You are and how You love. Thank You Jesus, that You demonstrated what love truly is. Forgive us for neglecting our relationship with You, as You are the way to live and love in a way that reflects Your heart to the world. Teach us to trust You and follow after You with all that we are. Show us how to love those around us in the same way that You love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we see You through the Savior, Your Son, and ever seek to be a clear reflection of Your love to the world. Amen.

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

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. – Colossians 3:1

A Fitting Reply

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! – (Proverbs 15:23, NLT)

People are happy when they give a good answer. And there is nothing better than the right word at the right time. – (Proverbs 15:23, ERV)

Everyone enjoys giving great advice. But how delightful it is to say the right thing at the right time! – (Proverbs 15:23, TPT)

 

Our capacity to give good advice is directly connected to both our wisdom and life experience. If we look for the lesson in the difficulties we walk through, we gain insight and understanding that might be helpful to another. Additionally, if we seek wisdom from the word of God and His heart to understand, our heart becomes better equipped to reach out and speak life to another. The incredible peace found in this is that God will use a willing heart to give the right words at the right time. In as much as the words are intended to bless, encourage or build up another, when they are well-timed for the recipient, the speaker is blessed and encouraged as well. May we ever seek the Lord for wisdom as we walk through our days, and glean from the insight that trials display, so that we may give fitting replies to those needing to hear from Him.

 

A fitting reply,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Brings joy to the heart;

Provision of peace,

Through us, God imparts.

Such delight is found,

At just the right time;

When the Lord is sought,

His wisdom we find.

And all the more joy,

To know that our words;

A fitting response,

That’s meant to be heard.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You utilize every experience that we walk through to grow us in Your wisdom and grace. Thank You that as we seek You to deepen our understanding, You are faithful to impart Your wisdom upon us. Forgive us for not seeking You or for neglecting to depend on You in how we respond to those around us. Teach us to trust You more, so that our words and actions would be a clear reflection of Your heart. Show us how to love those around us in a way that reflects Your wisdom in our words of response. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they recognize the glory of Your goodness and grace. Be glorified O God, as we depend on You to grant us wisdom to reply to those around us in the same way that You would. Amen.

 

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

 

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1

Able to Answer

Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers. Use your time in the best way you can. When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. – (Colossians 4:5-6, ERV)

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. – (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT)

 

The things that we say and do matter. In some circles, the only Jesus people have ever seen is that which we display through our words and deeds. If we show love and kindness and wisdom with our words and actions, the grace of God within us will draw others unto Himself. This is not something that just flows out of us at will, but rather is a capacity within us that is nurtured and grown as we seek and spend time with our Savior. The more we know Him, the more we reflect His heart through our words and way of being. May we ever seek the Lord and His grace, so that our lives are a clear reflection of His goodness and grace as we respond according to the Lord’s leading.

 

Be wise with actions,

Wherever you go;

For our words and deeds,

Are how God’s made known.

Help every word,

Be gracious and kind;

So we always speak,

With Your heart in mind.

If we seek the Lord,

For wisdom and grace;

He’ll help us respond,

And walk in His ways.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You will give us wisdom to act according to Your will and use our time wisely, if we seek You for help. Thank You that You do the same for how we speak with others, as You grant us Your grace to extend kindness and wisdom in how we answer everyone. Forgive us for acting according to our own will, rather than Yours, or for attempting to be kind without seeking You and Your grace. Teach us to trust You more, as You are our Source and Supply in all things. Show us how to love with kindness, wisdom and grace, so that people see You through how we love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your wisdom to act according to Your will wherever we go. Amen.

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

Shout aloud and sing for joy. – Isaiah 12:6

Cleanliness From the Inside Out

“Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean’.” – (Mark 7:15)

Our “cleanliness“, which is how we are seen through the eyes of our Savior, is not dependent on what we eat or drink, but rather on what we do and say. The words we speak and deeds that we do, determine whether we are in right standing with God. If we are walking with Him, our words will represent well, our Redeemer who dwells within us. However, if we are opting to be ruled by our own evil thoughts, then the ugliness that escapes, makes us unclean. May we choose to tend well to that which we feed to our hearts and minds, so that all that comes out of us is a clear reflection of our radiant Redeemer.

It’s not what we eat,

that makes us unclean;

but rather our words,

and unkind acts seen.

For the Lord calls us,

to represent well;

His Name as His kids,

our words and deeds tell.

Let us choose wisely,

what we do and say;

as our righteousness,

is shown in this way.

May we all tend well,

our hearts and our minds;

so that which escapes,

is righteous and kind.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that our righteousness is not determined by what we eat or drink, but rather by that which we say and do. Thank You that our words and deeds are not directed by us alone when we invest our hearts in relationship with You. Forgive us for allowing our own evil thoughts to rule our words or actions, and teach us to trust You more, so that we depend more fully on You to keep our hearts and minds free from the fuel that leads to ugliness. Lead us to love others as You so generously and completely love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we allow You to cleanse us from the inside out, so that all that comes out of us is a radiant reflection of You. Amen.

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

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. – Ephesians 2:4-5

The Power of Choice

One of the greatest strengths that we have, is found through the power of choice. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God gave Moses a choice, and the choice that was offered to Moses, is the same choice that we are offered still, daily. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. – (Deuteronomy 30:19)

 

In order to choose life and blessings, we must choose Him. If we choose God, we also choose to follow His commands. Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. – (Deuteronomy 30:11) Christ does not ask anything of us, that He is not also willing to strengthen and equip us to do. We have been granted a free will, yet if we truly believe that we are His workmanship, created to do good works for Him, then our choices should be a clear reflection of such. May we go forth this day choosing life, so that His light may clearly shine through us.

 

A mighty strength,

in each of us;

power of choice,

through Christ Jesus.

Free will granted,

we each may choose;

to walk in light,

in all we do.

No task too great,

nor out of reach;

if we depend,

on Him to teach.

For each new step,

He will make known;

how we’re to move,

way shall be shown.

For He is good,

His love endures;

He grants His strength,

and hope secured.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us a free will to choose which way to go. Thank You that when we choose You, we are choosing life. Thank You that You bless and equip us to do all that You ask, and that nothing is too difficult nor beyond our reach, if we are empowered by You. Thank You that we are Your workmanship, created by You, to do good things. Forgive us for making choices that do not reflect who we are in You, and help us to choose wisely, as we listen and learn through Your Holy Spirit within. Make us strong to trust You more. Lead us to say yes and amen to all that You ask, and may many come to know You as a result of our obedience. Help us to love others as You so completely love each of us. Be exalted, Lord God, as we choose You in all that we say and do. Amen.

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

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. – 1 Peter 2:19