Consistent Kindness

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. – (Ephesians 4:2, NLT)

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love. – (Ephesians 4:2, ERV)

With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience. – (Ephesians 4:2, TPT)

 

This verse is a go-to for teachers everywhere, especially the week of Halloween. Between the extra sugar infused in the growing bodies of middle schoolers, to the anticipation of what they will do with their time on the day itself (which happens to be early dismissal for them), kids are amped up and struggling to focus in the classroom. Patience, gentleness and kindness, especially toward those who are the most trying, is how we are called to navigate. The beauty in this is that with consistency over time, patience and gentleness prove themselves powerful, and often the most trying of tweens begin to soften. May we ever seek the One who is forever gentle and patient with us, allowing for our faults because of His unending love, so that we may go forth and do likewise.

 

Lord, let Your patience,

Lead us as we go;

So love and kindness,

Are the things we show.

For the most trying,

Oh God, give us grace;

Let each act of love,

Bring peace in our space.

Thank You that You have,

Endless love for us;

Help us do the same,

So others are blessed.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness, kindness and love toward us. Thank You that You only call us to the things that You have shown us already. Forgive us for not walking in humility or patience with those who are most trying. Teach us to trust and rely on You for the patience and love required to walk in Your grace. Show us how to extend gentleness and kindness as we love those whom You have called us to love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to be gentle and kind, extending grace to all whom we encounter. Amen.

 

 

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

 

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

Foolish Grow Silent with Good

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. – (1 Peter 2:15, ESV)

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. – (1 Peter 2:15, NIV)

You see, it is God’s will that by doing what is right and good you should hush the gabbing ignorance of the foolish. – (1 Peter 2:15, VOICE)

 

As we choose to do the right thing and walk in the will of God, those who have ill intentions toward us, or opt to speak without awareness, will not long be heard by those who observe the truth of who we are. Our heart and character speak far louder than either ill-intended or misunderstood murmurings about a mere snapshot of our story. Consistency over time tells a much truer tale than an isolated observation or a limited impression. What matters most is that we seek the Lord and pursue His heart in all that we do and say. If our words and deeds are motivated by love, then all other interpretations of our actions will eventually be silenced. May we rise up and choose love again and again, as this is the will of God that shall silence foolishness that finds faults rather than loves.

 

The will of the Lord, 

Is that we’ll do good;

That we will choose love,

His law, understood.

Foolish are silenced,

As love is given;

His grace overwhelms,

With wrongs forgiven.

So, let us do good,

Make the choice to love;

Silence foolishness,

Show grace from above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You first loved us and that You do good for us, to silence our ignorance and foolishness. Thank You that as we pursue Your will and act accordingly, Your character that is conveyed through our love, speaks for itself. Thank You that foolishness is silenced and the truth will stand. Forgive us for the times that we have not chosen well or have acted in ignorance rather than sought You for answers when we were uncertain about what stood before us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would choose to do good in all things, ever walking out Your will everywhere we go. Show us how to love those around us in such a way that our words and deeds silence the foolishness that would lead them to believe lies about their value. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to do good according to Your will, just as You do for us. 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

Our Constant in Continual Change

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

 

In this day and age where so much changes at a pace that is impossible to track, the place where peace is found is in Christ. His love is constant, and His faithfulness does not waiver. The promises of God that were presented in the beginning, hold true and remain our hope from now unto eternity. Regardless of the rapid rate at which our surroundings switch, our Savior is constant, and we can steady our hearts and our hope in Him. May we trust in the Lord with all of our heart, and lean on Him for understanding. For no matter what comes, His love and presence remain consistent and true for all time.

 

No matter what comes,

Or how things do change;

Jesus is constant,

And His love remains.

What was yesterday,

Holds true still today;

Will be tomorrow,

His faithfulness stays.

So fear not, dear ones,

The Lord’s ever near;

Though life’s uncertain,

In God, there’s no fear.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the same yesterday, today and forever. Thank You that we need not fear when everything around us changes before our eyes, as long as we place our hope in You. Thank You that You hold us in the palm of Your hands, and steady us when we feel weary. Forgive us for our fear of change that continues around us. Show us Your presence in the new that surrounds. Teach us to trust You, even when we cannot see how change could possibly be a good thing. Lead us to love those around us well, so that we may provide consistency in an ever-changing world. Help us to be Your light before all those whom we encounter. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we cling to You to be our constant in this ever-changing world. 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

To Run With A Race Plan

For me, running has been a parallel to my Christian walk. Some runners jump out of the gate with enthusiasm and train hard for a short season. Some burn out before they even attain their goal of reaching race day, while others arrive on race day, run, then are over it. Then there are those of us who recognize the need for consistency over time. Accountability and a buddy help too. When discipline and decision enter in, and training is turned into a lifestyle, running becomes a part of who you are, rather than something you once did.

 

Our faith walk is the same way. Some eagerly join Bible studies or participate in activities, yet until there is a commitment to make Christ a priority, time with Him will go by the wayside. When a choice is made to create the intentional time to be with Him, to spend time in His word and in prayer, it becomes a part of who we are, and our day will no longer feel complete without it.

 

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. – (1 Corinthians 9:25)

 

The race we are running is a marathon, not a quick sprint. This race requires purpose and discipline. If we are to gain the crown that lasts forever, we must seek and follow the Lord’s race plan, rather than our own. His plan requires hard work, self-discipline and stamina. However, each of these things He will provide as we are dependent on Him. May we seek the Lord daily and depend on Him as we each run the race He has called us to run.

 

Let’s not grow weary,

in this race we run;

it takes a lifetime,

before it is done.

Training is needed,

to finish our race;

time spent with the Lord,

as we seek His face.

We seek not the crown,

that soon fades away;

but rather the one,

for heaven’s display.

Don’t go it alone,

instead, invest well;

united bodies,

together impel.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us not to a sprint, but to a lifelong race. Thank You that You do not just say “GO” and expect us to figure it all out as we go, but rather You have given us all that we need to run well with endurance, the race You are calling us to run. Thank You for Your word, Your Spirit, and the body of believers that surround us. Forgive us for trying to run ahead of You, or for falling behind, for fear of what lies ahead. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will run our race – that which You have called us to – individually. Lead us to love others well, just as You so wonderfully love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they recognize just how faithful You are in each of our lives. Be glorified O God, as we run our race with endurance, trusting You and Your race plan for our every step of the way. 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 2:28

Character Testifies Truth

Our faithfulness where we are planted, matters. People notice consistency over time. When our character testifies truth through our ongoing actions, Christ is seen through us. Daniel was an incredible example of this. He was an exile in a foreign land, torn from all that he knew. Though he entered the land under less than ideal circumstances, he was honorable to complete every task assigned to him, and faithful to honor God first, in all that he said and did. Never did he compromise his beliefs for what was asked of him. Daniel found favor before God and men, through his ongoing commitment to the Lord. Ultimately, after a series of unfortunate events and some jealous satraps seeking to destroy him, King Darius was so moved by what he witnessed in and through Daniel that he commanded his kingdom follow God.

 

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.  For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end.  He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” – (Daniel 6:26-27)

 

How do we impact those around us? Do our words and actions align in a way that is a positive witness for Christ? Our faithfulness in even the smallest of circumstances, can speak volumes to those who do not yet know Him. May we walk in His truth, as our words and deeds align with all that He would ask of us.

 

May we stay true,

to You, O Lord;

in word and deed,

Your love outpoured.

Let love and light,

both freely flow;

so all we meet,

may come to know.

Allow Your grace,

be evident;

and all desire,

You be present.

For You endure,

our Holy One;

forevermore,

O Three-in-One.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are for us, and that You remain present with those who are faithful to follow You. Thank You that even in the most dire of circumstances, You remain present. Thank You that You can use our faithfulness to follow You, in all things at all times, as a testimony before those around us. Forgive us for the times when we have been inconsistent, and help us to remain steadfast in Your strength. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may more clearly reflect Your love and light to all whom we encounter. May many come to know and revere You as their Savior and King. Be exalted, O God, as we are faithful to You in our words and deeds. Amen.

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

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14