Grace or Grudge?

When there is dissent

image by Jenny Charlesworth

found among brothers,

God will grant enough

for peace with each other.

No need to seek out

law suit or revenge;

among believers,

such things will unhinge.

For found in the courts,

the ungodly rule.

The decisions made,

make one side the fool.

Better to be wronged,

let God be the judge.

Release the grievance,

hold not to a grudge.

We as believers,

have been sanctified;

set free from our sins,

old nature has died.

Our ultimate prize,

comes not in this place;

our eternal home,

in God’s loving grace.

(Responding to I Corinthians 6:1-11)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that the moment we ask, You forgive us our sins and remember them no more.  Father, forgive us for holding grudges rather than giving grace.  We need Your help to do as You have done for us.  Teach us Father, so that we will be quick to forgive.  Keep us from seeking revenge, and help us to allow You to heal our hearts.  Thank You that we have been sanctified, set apart and freed from our sin, and prepared with a purpose.  May we ever keep our eyes on You, remembering that we are not home yet.  May the grace we grant to those who grieve us, guide them straight to You, God.  Amen.

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

Let Freedom Ring

All throughout time

image by Ryan Scott

there’ve been people oppressed.

Treated poorly,

trapped in the miry mess.

Moses, Esther,

Mandela, Biko, King;

God-called leaders,

so that freedom might ring.

These faithful few,

obedient indeed.

Willing to die,

to see their people freed.

Today, let’s not,

forget courageous fights,

of the faithful

who fought for equal rights.

Dear Dr. King,

if you could only see,

the sea of kids,

learning in unity.

Your faith and fight,

your struggle and your dream;

beauty; motion;

all have come forth to be.

(Reflecting or reading of Exodus 1-2 and Dr. King’s Birthday)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a God of equality and not of oppression.  Thank You that where there is injustice, You raise up leaders to be an audible voice.  Forgive us for sitting idly by, when we ought to have spoken out.  Give us ears to hear when You want us to speak on behalf of those who have no voice, and the wisdom to know what we can do to make a difference for the injustice we see in the world around us.  Father, lead us, guide us, equip and empower us, so that we might accomplish all that You are asking.  Protect the powerless, and use each of us to help keep the little ones safe.  May our obedience lead the lost to Your loving arms.  Amen.

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

Comfort and Compassion through Christ

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

photo by Karel Hadecek

“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah!  Father of all mercy!  God of all healing counsel!  He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” – (The Message)

Herein lies the origin of the “Pay it Forward” phenomenon.  He gives so that we too might give.  He sees our need and provides, then soon after, there seems to be another in need in an area where we have just been supplied the very same help.  Because we know of God’s great love for us, we are able to give it away.  His love is not meant to be hoarded, but instead to be handed to every heart that comes near.  His love is not limited, nor are His resources.  He is our great Provider in every sense of the word, so we need not worry about our own resources running out – be it emotional, physical, or spiritual.  He is our Source and will supply all that we need, as we need it.  May each of us, as we have received from Him, in return, extend the same to another.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who does not walk away when trouble comes, but instead comes close and provides the comfort and compassion that we need most.  Forgive us for hesitating to extend the same comfort and compassion to another, for fear that our soul might somehow be sucked dry.  Thank You that You are faithful, and will supply all that we need, as You know our need long before we do.  Teach us to trust You and to listen to Your leading so that we might be Your hands and heart to those who need Your comfort to come close and be made tangible.  May all gratitude and glory be given to You, God.  Amen.

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

Be Willing to Watch

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.  Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.” – Acts 20:28

image by Krystii Melaine

“Now it’s up to you.  Be on your toes – both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep.  The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people – God’s people they are – to guard and protect them.  God Himself thought they were worth dying for.” – (The Message)

Our charge, each one of us who calls Him King, is to be on guard, not only for ourselves, but for our communities.  He already paid the ultimate price for our protection, so we ought to be brave in His strength, knowing that His plan is that none would perish.

How exactly am I to be an overseer of both myself and my community?

First, I must be in tune with our Beloved so that I am ever aware, and able to discern the difference between deceit and His direction.

Next, He has granted us both the gift and the grace to present our petitions to Him through prayer.  We are called to be people of prayer.  We are equipped and covered to clearly convey Christ, when we are intentional to listen to His leading.  If we are faithful to speak truth in love, our Heavenly Father will fan the flames in every heart that hears.

Any good that is done through us, is only possible because of the perfect sacrifice our Savior presented on our behalf.  We are covered by His blood and called clean; leaving us equipped and empowered to listen to His leading.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not call us to do anything that You are not also willing and able to equip us to accomplish.  Forgive us for our doubts, and help us to never forget that to You, each of us were worth dying for.  May we be ever-listening and always at the ready to do as You ask to protect and preserve our hearts and the hearts of those around us.  Lead us in love Lord, so that not one of us who comes to call You King, should perish.  Amen.

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