Extend Love

God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. – (Hebrews 6:10, NIV)

God is fair, and He will remember all the work you have done. He will remember that you showed your love to Him by helping His people and that you continue to help them. – (Hebrews 6:10, ERV)

For God, the Faithful One, is not unfair. How can He forget the beautiful work you have done for Him? He remembers the love you demonstrate as you continually serve His beloved ones for the glory of His Name. – (Hebrews 6:10, TPT)

We are called to love God and love people. God, in His great love, remembers the love, kindness and help that we extend to those around us. When we love people well, it is an extension of our love for Him. Throughout this entire pandemic, there has not been a lack of need for help. Help can be expressed in the form of reaching out to a neighbor in need, checking in on those who are isolated, and extending patience and kindness to all. We know not the story that those around us are walking in. If we choose to meet each person we encounter with kindness and grace, we are loving as we have been called to love. God sees and knows our heart and is willing to make it more like His. Our charge is to seek and depend on Him, for it is in that space of reliance that we are transformed to love, help and extend grace in the same way that He does for us. May we ever pursue the heart of God to love those around us well, for He sees and remembers a heart that is faithful to love.

The God of justice,

He sees and is pleased;

When we extend love,

Perpetuate peace.

Kindness and goodness,

With love and God’s grace;

A faithful service,

To walk in His ways.

So, rise up in love,

In all of our ways;

Let the Lord’s love lead,

Throughout each new day.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God who sees and knows our hearts. Thank You that You are willing to transform us to more clearly reflect You if only we walk in Your ways and do Your will. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to live and love as You intended. Teach us to see the need around us and to act on it. Show us how to love in practical and tangible ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us how to love, help and extend grace to all those around us. Amen.

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

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

The Why for Worship

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. – (Psalm 29:2, NIV)

Praise the Lord and honor His Name! Worship the Lord in all His holy beauty. – (Psalm 29:2, ERV)

Honor the Lord for the glory of His Name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. – (Psalm 29:2, NLT)

 

On Sunday, our worship pastor, Kristi, spoke on one of our foundational beliefs, as she concluded our current Sunday series, “DNA” (the core beliefs that define who we are). Her message was packed with purpose and the biblical evidence as to why worship matters. One of the most important reasons that we worship God is because He is worthy. For me, Psalm 29:2 is two-fold in how it is phrased. First, it reminds us that we are to praise God because He deserves our worship. Second, David speaks of the splendor of God’s holiness; His holy beauty. I don’t know about you, but for me, there are certain things that I do that remind me of His beauty and holiness far better than others. That was another point mentioned on Sunday, as worship can take place whenever, wherever, and however we are drawn into His presence. Sometimes, it is on a long run outside, as I admire the beauty of creation all around me and appreciate a strong and healthy body that is able to participate in an activity that some are unable to do. At other times, it is while I am driving my car, listening to and singing along with worship music. As I go, God brings to mind His goodness and the blessings He has betrothed unto me. Still other times, there is worship in the intentional gathering together with fellow believers on a Sunday morning to praise Him corporately. This too, this intentional time each morning to spend time in His word and record what He is speaking to my heart, is also an act of worship. May we each continue into this week with a heart to worship, finding ways to turn our attention to God and honor Him for who He is, in the splendor of His holiness.

 

Ascribe to the Lord,

https://relevantmagazine.com/god/true-worship-more-singing-church/

Glory due His Name;

He alone is worthy,

All praise we proclaim.

The splendor of God,

Holiness indeed;

Who sees and hears us,

Cares about our need.

Because the Lord loves,

In infinite ways;

May we seek honor,

With our lives, give praise.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and kindness and grace. Thank You that You alone are worthy of all of our worship and praise. Thank You for making the beauty of Your holiness tangible through all that You have created, so that we would begin to understand our countless reasons to worship You. Forgive us for neglecting to give glory and honor where it is due, as all praise and worship belong to You alone. Teach us to be intentional in our worship, and to recognize how we can honor You in ways that You have created us to be. Show us how to love others well, so that they too may see Your heart in the blessings they behold. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to worship You and the splendor of Your holiness in all that we do by giving our best, unto You. Amen.

 

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

 

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. – Hebrews 12:28