The Light of Jesus

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, shine your light before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

“You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. – (Matthew 5:14-16, ERV)

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” – (Matthew 5:14-16, MSG)

All who know Jesus have His light within. The light within us is meant to be shared wherever we go, for where there is light, darkness disappears. What this means for us is that we are to live in such a way that God is glorified, and that those around us recognize He who is in us by our love. The more that we choose love in all that we do, the more clearly Christ’s love is shown. As we love like Jesus, His goodness is made known and God is given the glory. May we ever seek the Lord to show us how to be His light-bearers wherever we go and through all that we do.

Christ is the true light,

That shines from within;

Chasing the darkness,

As we walk with Him.

He leads us with love,

So that we may shine;

Be light in darkness,

And love all the time.

This is our calling,

To let His light shine;

May we love like Him,

As our hearts align.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call and equip us to shine the light of Your love wherever we go. Thank You that this is not something that we somehow muster up, but rather as we walk with You and spend time with You, Your light shines through us. Forgive us for the times that we have hidden Your light. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may shine brightly on Your behalf in all things and at all times. Show us how to love like You throughout all our days. May many come into a lasting relationship with You and walk in Your ways. Be glorified O God, as we are intentional to spend time with You and give You room to refine and align our hearts to clearly reflect Your goodness and love. Amen.

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

You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. – 2 Samuel 22:29

Made for Good

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do good things He planned for us long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things He has already planned for us to do. – (Ephesians 2:10, ERV)

 

To watch God’s masterpieces in action is such a great joy to behold. When I observe those whom I know and care for deeply doing the very things that they were created to do, I cannot help but be filled with joy. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind, as I prepared my boys for camp and myself for Belize, traveled to Belize for a week of medical mission work, returned to do laundry and pack myself for the birthday adventure extravaganza for my love, and the boys for their Sea Scouts long cruise. As I sit in a rental home near Red Rock, NV, with the sun shining on the aqua water in the pool outside, I am overwhelmed by the good that I have both witnessed and experienced as those around me have lived and loved as they were created to do. Brand new blessings were poured out in Belize, as my dear friends were faithful to follow where God had led them, and I had the pleasure to join them and see how God had prepared and gone before us. Camp was wonderful for my boys, as they branched out and made new friends, despite their trepidation at not having their best friends along. Now, here in Nevada, some of our dearest friends have joined together to celebrate my Viking, and love so well. He has been overwhelmed by the blessings, and I don’t think I have stopped smiling since we arrived. God is so good, and when we walk forward as who He has created us to be, the things He does are beyond what we could hope or imagine. May we ever pursue our Creator the good that He has hand-crafted us to accomplish.

 

We’re all created, 

Hand-crafted by God;

Made new with purpose,

With a path to trod.

Created for good,

That’s how we’re designed;

Be true to ourselves,

Let our hearts align.

Rise up with courage,

Go forth in His might;

He has good in store,

Love well and do right.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are Your masterpiece. Thank You that what You can accomplish in and through us, is not dependent on how we feel. Thank You that when we are willing to go where You call, and do as You ask, good things are accomplished by Your grace. Forgive us for not recognizing the intent with which You made each one of us. Teach us to value those around us and ourselves, as You reveal to us, the masterpiece in us all. Show us how to love those around us in such a way, that they feel valued and celebrated for who You have created them to be. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You and praise You for making us new in You so that we can do good things. Amen.

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

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. – Psalm 67:1

Learn to Live a Life of Love

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 didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that. – (Ephesians 5:1-2, MSG)

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)

 

As God’s children, we are called to go forth and love others as we are loved. The love that we are shown is patient, kind, protective, trusting, hopeful, perseverant and will never fail. Though we are human, and our capacity to carry this out perfectly will fall flat, in Christ, we are equipped and empowered to love like He loves us. We become like the company we keep, so if we are keeping company with Christ, our capacity to love as He loves grows greater. Our hearts become aligned with His, and we more readily recognize His will and how to walk in the light of His love. May we aspire to imitate God our Father, and live our lives filled with love in a way that is pleasing before Him.

 

To learn to love well,

We need only seek;

Our Lord God above,

Love is how He speaks.

As His dear children,

He shows us the way;

To love with our lives,

For all of our days.

As we look to Christ,

Who made love so clear;

May we do likewise,

So all know He’s near.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to do as You have done for us, so that others too, may come to know the power of Your great love. Thank You that as we seek You and spend time with You, You show us how to follow the example that Christ set before us, and You equip us to go and do likewise. Forgive us for not living a life of love as You have called us to do. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would imitate You and Your love in EVERYTHING that we do, because we are Your children. Let our lives speak volumes without our lips having to speak a single word. Show us how to love those around us in a way that pleases You and draws them unto Yourself. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we imitate You in all that we do, through living a life filled with love. 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

See and Be Glad

The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. – (Psalm 69:32, NLT)

The poor in spirit see and are glad – Oh, you God-seekers, take heart! – (Psalm 69:32, MSG)

Those who humbly serve will see and rejoice! All you seekers-after-God will revive your souls! – (Psalm 69:32, VOICE)

 

When we slow down and stop focusing on ourselves, we are able to observe the glory of God at work. As we seek Him, the Lord encourages us with His love and light, filling us with what we need to love and serve according to His plan. Our reasons to rejoice are not always noticed with a quick glance, but rather when our hearts align with He who is greater than all that comes against us. It is in the recognition of God’s greatness, even in the trials, that we are able to take heart and know that His goodness is reason to rejoice. May we look to the Lord in awe and wonder, seeking Him, trusting that He will be our help and encouragement that brings us gladness through His grace.

 

The humble shall see,

The work of God’s hand;

How the Lord will move,

When in faith, we stand.

When we are downcast,

The Lord lifts us up;

Encourages hearts,

And fills empty cups.

All who choose seek Him,

Will see and rejoice;

The move of God’s hand,

As He hears our voice.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we humble ourselves before You and seek You, we are able to see You at work in us and around us. Thank You that You move on our behalf, and encourage our hearts. Forgive us for not humbly seeking You in all things. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would look to You for all that we need, as You are always at work and giving us reason to rejoice. Show us how to love those around us so that they might be encouraged and built up, no matter what surrounds them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we see the work of Your hand all around us, and choose to rejoice. Amen.

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

He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:25

Kept in Perfect Peace

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You. – (Isaiah 26:3, NLT)

God, You give true peace to people who depend on You, to those who trust in You. – (Isaiah 26:3, ERV)

 

Yesterday afternoon, I had a rather rocky stretch, where the series of unfortunate events that occurred, one after the other, were enough to seek steal my peace. Thankfully, I was able to process each event as it came, thus properly prepared to navigate each next thing with His peace intact. The grace of God covers us when we are in unsettling situations, and His peace remains present, even when peace does not make sense. May we place our trust in He who is abundantly able to do far more than we could hope or imagine, as the Lord grants His perfect peace to those who trust in Him.

 

To find perfect peace,

We must choose to trust;

God who is worthy,

So faithful to us.

With thoughts fixed on Him,

Each heart surely finds;

Calm in the chaos,

As our hearts align.

May we each depend,

On He who is peace;

Give the Lord our trust,

As His hope’s released.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You keep in perfect peace, all who trust and depend on You. Forgive us for not depending on You and seeking You in our storms. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would fix our thoughts on You, relying on You for peace. Show us how to love those around us in such a way, that we can extend Your peace to each. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your peace in our storms, and place all of our trust in You. Amen.

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

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. – Genesis 21:6