Be Transformed

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – (Romans 12:2, NIV) 

Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect. – (Romans 12:2, ERV) 

Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His eyes. – (Romans 12:2, TPT) 

Last night, my husband and I began watching “The Social Dilemma”. As we took in the ugly truth that was made all the clearer, we sat there exchanging looks of both horror and agreement, as we see, all too clearly, the evidence of the effectiveness of the algorithms. One of the patterns of this world is the constant need to be connected on our devices. At one point, someone in the documentary said something to the effect of, “it is not a matter whether a person will wake up and check their phone, but rather they either check it before they use the bathroom, or while they use the bathroom.” That struck a chord, and I made a conscious effort to not begin my day with social media apps. I was intentional to begin only with my own devotional time, rather than detour with various social check-ins. As the day wore on, and I was stuck staring at a computer screen for hours on end for remote teaching and meetings, the last thing I wanted to do was spend more time looking at a screen. My life feels the most beautiful and satisfying when I am able to fully engage in whatever I am doing, especially when it is time spent with beloved family and friends. I do not want divided time, shared with a screen in someone’s hands, but rather I want face-to-face or side-by-side conversation and companionship. Honestly, I am certain this is what we were designed for – to be in relationship with God and those around us in a way that leads us to see and know and love completely. Perhaps that is why my best days are simple escapes or spontaneous visits with loved ones, as the time feels filled with goodness and grace, much in the same way my time in the word, worship or prayer feels with God. Our mind is only renewed when we seek He who renews us, and we are only able to know God’s perfect and pleasing will if we ask Him. May we ever pursue the heart of God and His will for our lives, so that we may live lives that are transformed and renewed to live out our days in a way that is good and pleasing to the very One who grants us breath. 

Choose not to fall prey, 

To the things of earth; 

Instead look to God, 

Where we find our worth. 

Let not the common, 

Lead you on your path; 

Instead seek the good, 

And love’s aftermath. 

For in God we find, 

Transforming power; 

Beauty from ashes, 

Through our Strong Tower. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You our hearts and lives are transformed and our minds are renewed. Thank You that we are able to know and walk out the good You have for us when we seek You first. Forgive us for the ways that we get caught up in popular culture, rather that pursuing that which You have for us. Teach us to seek You first, so that we may lead lives that are good and pleasing before You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that honor You and spread light and life to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever seek You first to lead us and guide us in the way that is pleasing and perfect before You, as You intended. Amen. 

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

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:17

Pleasing Words and Thoughts

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

May my words and thoughts please You. Lord, You are my Rock – the One who rescues me. – (Psalm 19:14, ERV)

 

Left to our own devices, our words and thoughts wander far from where we represent our Redeemer well. It takes mere moments in tough traffic, or the span of several seconds in strenuous social settings, for our thoughts, if not our words too, to become curt, callous, or downright cruel. We need Jesus and His grace to keep our thoughts and words aligned with His. If the meditation of our heart is first and foremost fixed on Him, then that which comes out of us, is more likely to be pleasing before the Lord. Thankfully, He is merciful and full of grace, and everyday is a new start. The Lord does not look at where we were yesterday and remind us of how we should have been, but rather He loves us and leads us forward, so that we may be better today. May our words and thoughts be pleasing to the Lord today, as He is our help and our hope.

 

May each word I speak,

Be pleasing to You;

Let my thoughts as well,

To You, Lord, be true.

For You are my Rock,

My rescuing One;

Unto You, Father,

May Thy will be done.

Let not surroundings,

Steer my heart off course;

In all things, always,

Be my Strength and Source.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, we find You. Thank You that as we ask for Your help, You answer us. Forgive us for not fixing our hearts on You, and allowing our thoughts and words to drift in directions that do not honor You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would set our hearts and minds on You in all things and at all times, and be obedient to all that You ask; always. Show us how to love those around us, as we speak words that are pleasing unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to please You with the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts. 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

 

Hope in Early Rising

I wake before dawn and call for help; I hope in Your words. – (Psalm 119:147, VOICE)

I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in Your words. – (Psalm 119:147, NLT)

 

From the moment I first rise, my mind begins to race with all that I have to do throughout the day. If I were left to my own devices, I would surely self-combust on most of them. However, for me, each day begins with what matters most, as I am intentional to slow my heart and mind, and settle in to focus on God and His word. In the quiet stillness of the early morning, while the world still sleeps, I read the words written from His heart to mine, and He whispers encouragement, instruction, and correction that draw me ever closer unto Him. My hope continues to grow, the more I come to see and know, just how great our God truly is. He is my help and my hope, and He hears every word whispered from the depths of my heart. May each new day greet you with a revelation of His presence, as you become more and more aware of how He is at the ready – waiting and willing to hear every cry of your heart.

 

Before the dawn breaks,

the Lord is so near;

ready as we wake,

as we speak, He’ll hear.

When we call on Him,

our hope is assured;

the truth of His word,

where peace is secured.

No matter what comes,

or what lies ahead;

when Christ is with us,

we‘ve nothing to dread.

Even in trials,

in hardships and pain;

the Lord takes our hand,

His hope shall remain.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we rise early to call on You, You meet us, and provide Your promises of hope in Your word. Thank You that Your presence is assured when we place our trust in You. Thank You that no matter what comes, You promise to never leave us nor forsake us. Forgive us for not bringing our needs before You and trying to take Your rightful place. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will place all things in Your hands, and trust You to lead and guide us in the ways in which we are meant to go. Show us how to love people through their pain, so that their hearts might seek after You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we rise early to spend time with You and study Your word, as it is in this space where our hope grows greater in You. 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

His Righteousness

As I watched the world seem to wake up on this beautiful Easter morning, I am once again in awe, as I consider all that was covered on the cross, and the significance of the stone that was rolled away. He is risen! These three words are the game changer for all of eternity.

 

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. – (2 Corinthians 5:21)

 

Jesus took it all. Every. Single. Sin. Our every shortcoming, mess-up, and malicious malfunction, He bore on the cross so that we could be called clean before Him. More than that, in Christ, we become the righteousness of God. That is a weighty responsibility. Thankfully, Jesus does not leave us to our own devices to attempt to be righteous. We are given His Spirit to dwell within us, so that we are led, comforted, and corrected by the Spirit of the living God, Himself. As we choose listen to His leading, we have the privilege to represent our Redeemer through how we live our lives. May we go forth this sacred day as His righteous representatives, living and loving as He first loved us.

 

He who had not sinned,

took up all of ours;

for our salvation,

He bore the scars.

In Him we become,

the Lord’s righteousness;

not for what we’ve done,

but Jesus in us.

Let us each go forth,

in His holiness;

so others may see,

the love of Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You does not begin to express the gratitude for what You have done for us. The gift You poured out to offer hope and life for all who choose to believe, is beyond comprehension. Thank You that You love so much. Forgive us for not standing amazed at all that You have done for us, and for not giving You proper thanks and praise. Teach us to trust You completely, and to honor You well in all that we say and do. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they may see Your light and love through all that we say and do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified O God, as we worship and honor You on this most sacred day. Amen.

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