Most of All, Love

Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. – (1 Peter 4:8, NLT)

Most of all, love each other steadily and unselfishly, because love makes up for many faults. – (1 Peter 4:8, VOICE)

Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins. – (1 Peter 4:8, ERV)

 

We are called to love one another well; deeply, steadily, unselfishly and as if our life depended on it. Our love is not meant to be dependent on what others do or do not do, but rather because Christ first loved us. If we choose to look through Christ’s filter of love, we are better equipped to forgive and forego the faults of others, just as the Lord has done through His unmerited mercy and grace.

This morning, I am about to enter into the last day of a wonderful women’s retreat with the lovely ladies from my church. It has been a weekend of God utilizing women to make His love and grace tangible, through those whom He has placed around me. Each of these ladies with whom I have had the privilege of conversation, has had a heart that was clearly choosing to love deeply, rather than find faults. Just as we have had the opportunity to care well for one another and to choose to love, so too, do we have the choice to go forth and continue doing likewise in our homes and communities. Imagine what our world would be like if we all chose to love steadily and unselfishly… May we each go forth in love, extending the very same grace that we have been given, to all whom we encounter.

 

Go forth and choose love,

Wherever you go;

Steady, unselfish,

So God’s love will show.

When we choose His love,

Our hearts can forgive;

Sin that surrounds us,

Give grace as God gives.

Let us love as if,

Our life does depend;

On reflecting Christ,

So anger finds end.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not call us to anything that You have not already done for us, and are not willing to equip and empower us to do. Thank You that You love us so fiercely, that we too, can go forth and love others as we are loved. Forgive us for making our love conditional or limited. Teach us to love steadily and unselfishly, trusting You to show us how and to give us strength to do that which You ask. Lead us to love those who need to know Your love in practical and tangible ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love one another deeply, just as You love each of us. Amen.

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

You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence. – Acts 2:23

Trust in Consistency

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. – (Hebrews 13:8, NLT)

 

Knowing that Christ is consistent provides peace and comfort, regardless of what we are going through. Though our circumstances will change, Jesus will not. We can trust in the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father, as His presence is not conditional and grace is not given based on our goodness. Once we place our trust in the Lord, He comes and dwells in us, and lovingly leads us in the ways in which we are meant to go. Christ is not fickle and will not say one thing and do another, nor will He change His mind. We can trust that what He says, He will do, and the places we’re called He will help us break through. May we trust completely in He who is faithful forever, who loves relentlessly and without wavering, regardless of how we come before Him.

 

True and unchanging,

how great is our God;

faithful forever,

let all hearts applaud.

The love of Jesus,

that was yesterday;

remains forever,

it‘s the same always.

His love – relentless,

kind, faithful and true;

draws us unto Him,

in all that we do.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not change – that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank You that when we come to You and place our trust in You, we are Yours. Thank You that our adoption as Your children cannot be revoked because we don’t do enough or aren’t somehow good enough, but rather we are enough, because we are Yours. Forgive us for forgetting just how consistent and faithful You are. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, as You are always present and available to all who call on Your Name. Show us how to faithfully extend Your loving kindness and grace to all those around us, so that many may choose to follow after You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in the consistency and faithfulness that is found in You forever, and share the same with all whom we encounter. Amen.

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

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

A Pleasing Path

There are no words, thoughts nor deeds that are not known by God. He hears, sees and knows all. As a child of God, my desire is to please Him with all that I am. In my own strength, such a daunting task is unobtainable. However, if I am in Christ, and begin my days seeking Him, allowing His love to lead and guide my thoughts, words and deeds, then I allow His Spirit to reign, and my pursuit of His path is pleasing unto Him. Christ’s love for us is not conditional. Because He loves, I long to seek Him and be pleasing before Him in how I live.

 

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. – (Psalm 19:14)

 

As our Rock, Christ is the foundation that shall not be moved. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His faithfulness never ends. We are able to come before Him, because the Lord is our Redeemer; the one who paid the price for all of our sin and shame, so that we are free to live a life that is pleasing in His sight. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing before the Lord.

 

Let each word spoken,

be pleasing to You;

seasoned by Your love,

that builds up, renews.

May our hidden thoughts,

convey light and life;

let too our actions,

dispel thoughts of strife.

For You are our Rock,

the foundation stone;

unshakable truth,

greatest love, made known.

Faithful Redeemer,

You paid such a price;

so we could be free,

holy sacrifice.

O Lord, let us live,

lives pleasing to You;

extending Your love,

and sharing the truth.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You made the way for us to come before You through the sacrifice of Your Son. Thank You Jesus, for taking our place, so that we may enter into a right relationship with You. Forgive us for the words, thoughts and deeds that we have spoken, thought or done, that have not been reflective of our relationship with You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will stand firm in our faith, and choose Your words, Your thoughts and Your ways, no matter what comes before us. Lead us to lay our own agenda before You each day, so that we may be led by Your love instead. Help us to love others as You so lavishly love each of us. May many come into a saving relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we rely on You to choose words wisely and fix our hearts on You, so that we may be pleasing before You. Amen.

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

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16