Love Completely

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV)

You are God’s dear children, so try to be like Him. Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. He gave Himself for us – a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God. – (Ephesians 5:1-2, ERV)

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He did not love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that. – (Ephesians 5:1-2, MSG)

Yesterday’s message at church was grounded in the story of Jesus’ first miracle, when He turned water into wine at a wedding. There were many outstanding points, but what continues to resonate with me is how the servants did what Jesus asked and filled the water jars. Not only did they fill them, but they filled them to the brim (which was no easy task back then). That act of trust turned into the first miracle of Jesus’ ministry and reminds us of how completely we ought to follow what He asks of us. His greatest command is to love God and love people. If we chose to do so “to the brim”, we will be walking in the way of love, just a Christ did for us. Love sees, love sacrifices, and love gives completely with no expectation in return. This is an ongoing, lifelong process, to live and learn how to love like Christ. Every day is new, and we have a new opportunity to live the life of love that God intended. May we ever seek the Lord, study His word, and spend time with Him, so that we may learn and grow to reflect His love and light more clearly to the world.

Lord help us to love,

As Christ has loved us;

Sacrificially,

The way of Jesus.

Teach us to trust You,

To walk in Your ways;

Love without limits,

Throughout all our days.

Each blessing given,

Show us how to share;

Generously give,

Love and truly care.

Lead us each day, Lord,

To love as You do;

Fill us each morning,

So that we love true.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to show us what real, complete, and sacrificial love really is. Thank You for the beauty and blessing we receive as You claim us as Your own. Forgive us for the times that we have not loved like You. Teach us to trust Your more so that our every word and action would be a reflection of Your goodness, grace, and overwhelming love. Show us how to love each person we encounter so that Your heart is made tangible through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and trust You to lead us to love as You intended. Amen.

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

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34

Love Builds Up

We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. – (Romans 15:2, NLT) 

But do what pleases them and is for their good. We should do whatever helps everyone grow stronger in faith. – (Romans 15:2, ERV) 

Our goal must be to empower others to do what is right and good for them, and to bring them into spiritual maturity. – (Romans 15:2, TPT) 

In order to help others and build them up in the Lord, we must be invested and growing in the Lord ourselves. The more deeply we understand and receive the love He has for us, the better equipped we are to empower others to do what is right and encourage them to be their best selves. I know I keep coming back to loving God and loving people, but this is the greatest command. If we do this, all else will follow. When we love people, we want to help them do what is best for them. When we love God, we want others to know and understand the beauty and blessing that is held in a relationship with Christ. May we invest in our relationship with the Lord and allow Him to grow us in our love, so that we may go forth and love others in the way that He is calling us to love. 

May we choose to love, 

In Christ’s righteous way; 

Building others up, 

God’s grace on display. 

Empower others, 

To do what is right; 

Support, encourage, 

Shine bright, God’s love light. 

For as we love God, 

And love each other; 

Good and grace rise up, 

One to another. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to build each other up and encourage one another. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to build others up. Teach us to invest in our relationship with You, so that we might love as we are called to love. Show us how to best encourage and build up those around us in Your love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to love like You. Amen. 

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

In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling. – Exodus 15:13

Where Treasure Lies

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – (Luke 12:34, NIV)

Your heart will be where your treasure is. – (Luke 12:34, ERV)

Where you deposit your treasure, that is where your thoughts will turn to – and your heart will long to be there also. – (Luke 12:34, TPT)

 

My heart, as I have discovered more deeply than ever before, is for God and people. Each morning, my priority continues to be to seek the Lord and spend time in His word to set the tone for the day. What I miss most in this time of “stay at home”, is the ability to get out and be with people whom I enjoy most. I think many of us took for granted, and we are now finding out, how much we truly treasure the luxury of navigating a “normal” day among a vast array of individuals. My time with my husband and children has been really good, and I am grateful for the time together that would likely not have occurred otherwise; yet I struggle with the sedentary staying in place, when I am accustomed to walking about campus before school, during my planning, at lunch, and when the school day closes. Each walk about would result in friendly exchanges with different staff members and students, that I value and enjoyed each day. Now, I am often seated in silence for hours at a time, as I attempt to navigate the new, eagerly waiting for the next collaborative Zoom meeting, so that I will see and work together with my friends and colleagues. My boys are present in my work space with me until their work for the day is complete, then they disappear to do their own thing, while the other two members of our household are essential workers, and spend their days away from home. All this to say, though I was intentional most of the time to say hello or at least smile and wave to people as I passed by, I imagine that I will treasure the freedom to do so all the more when the stay at home orders are lifted. In the meantime, I will look for ways to reach out and connect with people as they come to mind, and continue to lean on the Lord for strength and sanity. May we all place our treasure in the gifts of people whom God has given us, and in the Giver Himself.

 

May we seek treasure,

Things of the most worth;

Not things, but people,

Greatest gifts on earth.

Love God and people,

The greatest command;

Purpose intended,

What the Lord had planned.

For what we value,

Where our hearts are found;

Let’s choose what matters,

So good may abound.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show us where our treasures lie, as we look at what has our time, attention and affection. Thank You that You treasure people first, and show us how to do the same. Forgive us for the times that our priorities get out of order, and we set aside what matters most. Teach us to seek You first in all things, so that we may live and love according to Your perfect plan. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your goodness and grace tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You first so that we may love You and love those around us in the same way that You love us. Amen.

 

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

 

He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” – Luke 10:27

Righteousness Through Love

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. – (Proverbs 14:34)

 

Righteousness, to be right before God, requires that we do as the Lord calls us to do. God does not call us to condemn, but rather, He calls us to love. The greatest command is this: to love God and love one another. Our lack of love towards God or each other is a sin, and that will be our downfall. If we have a neighbor in need, and are too busy looking at what is wrong in the world to make right what is before us and within reach, we are not walking in love. May we rise up and reach out to those standing before us, and extend the same love that the Lord has given unto us. It is in His love, that we will be walking in righteousness before Him, lest we stand condemned in our own prideful sin.

 

There’s only one way,

to walk righteously;

to love as God loves,

so trapped are set free.

Not one who is stuck,

in the mire of sin;

will want to get out,

if they feel condemned.

We must offer love,

with God’s endless grace;

so those who are lost,

may soon see His face.

Let our lives model,

compassion and love;

so pursuing God,

is sought far above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You exalt those who walk right before You, but condemn those who stay in sin. Father forgive us for our sinfulness and our self-righteousness. Forgive us for not loving as You call us to love. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will reach out to the need that is before us, and choose to love as You love us. Lead us to those who are in need, and show us how You would have us love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as Your loving kindness is made evident before them, again and again. Be glorified O God, as we choose to walk out our days, loving You and loving people, as You have called us to do. 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 25:6

Nothing Without Love

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. – (1 Corinthians 13:2)

 

God gives gifts to each of us. The intent of these gifts is that we would use them to love and bless others in such a way, that they may see Him through us. Just having the gifts is not enough. Our motivation and purpose must be fueled by love. For if we have not love, we cannot accomplish the purpose that God has set before us. In fact, the greatest command we are given is to: love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself. – (Luke 10:27) If we are loving God and others as we utilize the gifts that He has placed in us, the mountains will be moved, and much shall be accomplished in His strength. May we go forth and love well with all that we have been created to be.

 

Despite the great gifts,

found in each of us;

if we have not love,

they are meaningless.

For each of the things,

that God has granted;

purposefully placed,

love’s power planted.

May our focus be,

on those who surround;

and how to love well,

so lost may be found.

With all that we are,

heart, soul, strength and mind;

may we love and serve,

the Lord and mankind.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us good gifts, but even more than that – You give us Your unconditional, incomparable, outrageous and lavish love. Thank You that it is Your love that covers and carries us, and gives us worth. Thank You that when we act in love, we honor You. Forgive us for the times that we have been nothing but ugly noise or empty actions, as we did not act in love. Teach us to trust You more, so that everything we do, will be done in love. Lead us to love others as You so completely love each of us. May many come into a saving relationship with You, as they recognize the magnitude of Your mighty love for them, individually. Be glorified O God, as we do all things in Your love. Amen.

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

They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7

Called to Love

If we long to follow,

the greatest command;

it is all about love,

for God and for man.

We are called to love God,

with heart, strength and soul;

and love well our neighbors,

our worship made whole.

This love is not showy,

it is kind; sincere;

all glory points to Christ,

His presence so near.

May our every action,

line up with belief;

even when no one sees,

let love bring relief.

To live our lives for Christ,

an eternal gain;

those who deny the truth,

suffer senseless pain.

So let us rise up, church,

be people who love;

may the difference they see,

reflect God above.

(Responding to Mark 12:29-31, 38-40)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You first loved us. Thank You that You created us to give and receive love. Thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to model how we might love with all of our heart, soul and strength; and how to love our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us for not loving as You love. Remove any wrong motive in us, and help us to love with pure hearts, expecting nothing in return. Teach us to rely on You for our filling, as You alone can satisfy the empty spaces within us. Lead us to love well, even when no one sees. Thank You that the only opinion of us that matters, is Yours. Thank You that You already love us beyond what we can fathom, just as we are, yet love us enough that You are willing to walk beside us in all things, so that we may more clearly be reflections of You. May many come to know Your saving grace through our obedient outpouring of Your love. Amen.

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

We truly are made to love. Enjoy Made To Love, by Toby Mac. (Click the title in green.)