Clothed with His Character

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – (Colossians 3:12, NIV) 

God has chosen you and made you His holy people. He loves you. So, your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle and patient. – (Colossians 3:12, ERV) 

You are always and dearly loved by God! So, robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. – (Colossians 3:12, TPT) 

 

When we know God, we are called and chosen to walk in His ways. This past week, I have been intentional to pray for specific students before the school day has even begun. What I have observed this week, has been a shift in a few individuals who were my most difficult. Two eighth grade boys have caused much struggle and strife this semester. For the first time in a long while, they were calm and attempting to actually work on the projects that have been assigned. Each one was given room to enter and settle, allowing them to get set in their space. Once students are set and working, I have sought to be compassionate and gentle in my approach. With one, I gather the materials needed for the day’s project and set them before him, extending my availability to answer questions or provide help if needed. For him, it seemed to make a way to focus and complete work. With the other, I have likewise chosen compassion, and simply asked what project he would like to work to complete each day. He too has been calm and attempting to work, rather than sitting idly by on his phone. Though I was gentle and kind previously, a slight shift in my approach seems to have been met with a shift in them as well. There are still others in that class that are “acting a fool”, but the simple transformation in the two is an example of my prayers heard and answered. May we ever seek the Lord to be our Source and Supply, allowing Him to clothe us in compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience and humility, keeping us from becoming offended by the actions of others. 

 

Because we are loved,

We also are called; 

To be the Lord’s light, 

For one and for all. 

Called to compassion, 

Equipped to give grace; 

Kindness and patience, 

Granted in our space. 

With a humble heart, 

Let no one’s offense; 

Deter us from love, 

His grace is immense. 

So, be clothed in love, 

That chooses extend; 

The heart of our God, 

On Whom we depend. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hear our prayers and equip us to carry out all to which we are called. Forgive us for our frustration when we cannot see the change You are making. Teach us to trust and rely on You more, as Your love covers all. Show us how to love those around us, especially those who are most challenging to love. Grant us Your eyes to see them, and Your heart to extend kindness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we rely on You to supply us with kindness, patience, humility and love for all whom we encounter. Amen.

 

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

 

You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in Your providence watched over my spirit. – Job 10:12

Justified, Not Qualified

Clean up your act – the way you live, the things you do – so I can make my home with you in this place. – (Jeremiah 7:3, MSG)

This is what the Lord of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, says: Improve your conduct and your actions, and I will dwell with you in this place. – (Jeremiah 7:3, CEB)

 

God gave this warning to Jeremiah to deliver to the people of Israel, as they were not following the path that He had placed before them according to His will. Thankfully, today, we do not have to clean up our act or the way we live to come to Jesus, but rather when we come before Him and invite Him to be Lord of our lives, He comes and dwells within us and shows us how to clean up our conduct and do right by Him. The tables were turned and the process flipped upside down, when heaven came down and made the way for us to be restored to a right relationship with our Redeemer. I am so grateful for the mercy and grace that we have been granted to come before our King as we are, and then He cleans us up and shows us how to live right, according to His good and perfect will. May we embrace the grace that He has freely given, and seek our Savior to show us the ways in which we are meant to move.

 

It’s not on our own,

That we get things done;

But rather by grace,

As we seek the Son.

Though there was a time,

Needed qualify;

That all changed in Christ,

His life justified.

Now we’re called to come,

To God each new day;

Where He makes us clean,

And shows us the way.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the glorious gift of Your Son, Jesus, who changed everything. Thank You that we no longer have to clean up our act and the way we live to somehow convince You to draw near, but rather we can come before You with a humble heart, seeking change, and You will cleanse us of our sin and shame, and show us the way to a new life in You. Forgive us for not seeking Your direction when we are uncertain which way we are meant to go. Teach us to trust You more, as You gave everything so that we could be in relationship with You. Show us how to love those around us with kindness and generosity, just as You have loved us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we come before You again and again, allowing You access to all so that we might live right by You. Amen.

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

The joy of the Lord is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10

External Appearance

God’s economy is not the same as that of man.  Where people may look at position or possessions, God looks directly at the heart.  He will use the least of us to do great things, for His glory, if we are only willing.  A humble heart that is ready to serve, is far more valuable to God, than one with much amassed wealth or a position of power.

“As for those who seemed to be important – whatever they were makes no difference to me.  God does not judge by external appearance – those men added nothing to my message.” – (Galatians 2:6) Paul spoke these words before the apostles and other leaders, as he was sharing his call to preach the gospel before the Gentiles, as there had been some in power positions attempting to burden new believers with the yoke of circumcision, when they were not even Jewish.  God had shown him that He looked at the heart condition, not the outward appearance.  It is our hearts that need to prepare to come before the Lord, not our bodies.

With a heart to serve,

may we humbly come;

offer hands and heart,

to the Holy One.

With all that we are,

let our whole lives be;

willful submission,

for the Lord’s glory.

Seek not position,

nor power nor fame;

seek only Jesus,

the truth we can claim.

The Lord will receive,

whatever we bring;

as He sees our heart,

through our offering.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not judge us by external appearances, but rather by the condition of our heart.  Thank You that as we come to You and give our heart to You, You cleanse and make our heart holy and acceptable before You.  Thank You that it is by Your grace, and not by anything that we can or cannot do in our own strength.  Forgive us for trying to do enough or be enough, when really, YOU ALONE, ARE ENOUGH.  Teach us to trust You with our whole heart, soul, mind, strength and life, so that all we do, is in and unto You.  Lead us and guide us by Your lavish and unending love, so that we may love others in a way that leads them straight to You.  Be magnified through every move we make.  We love You, Lord.  Amen.

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

Because of the tender mercy of our God, … the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78

Realistic Assessment and Commitment

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – (Luke 14:11)

Humility is not about outward appearances in so much as it is an inward working of the heart.  A humble heart compares oneself to Christ alone, and recognizes one’s own sinfulness and the unquestionable desperate need for a Savior.  In the same state of self-reflection, “a humble heart also recognizes their gifts and strengths, and is willing to use them as directed by Christ.  Humility is not self-degradation; it is realistic assessment and commitment to serve.” (NIV footnotes)

So, how do we do this?  In a society built upon appearances, how do we keep our priorities in order?  It seems that the most straightforward way to keep our focus in the right direction, is if we view everything through the lens of loving God, and loving others.  If we are looking up, and then looking out, there is little time to look down.  Proper perspective keeps the main things the main things, as He is quick to enlighten, encourage, correct and redirect, as we fix our eyes on Him.  When our communication with Christ is constant, we are available to hear what He has to say, and we are less likely to become too puffed up, or conversely, to listen to the lies that would try to destroy our worth in Him.  May we hear Him clearly, so that we are able to realistically assess and commit to serve.

Humble in heart,

may not mean bow down;

listen to Christ,

for way to be found.

Seek only Him,

compare not to man;

only to Christ,

Revealer of plans.

Recognize gifts,

He’s given to you;

ask Him to show,

serving we’re to do.

Take not the best,

offer to others;

honor each as,

sisters and brothers.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to show us what humility looks like.  Thank You Jesus, that You are gentle and humble in heart, yet not lowly and meek.  Thank You that You showed us strength of character and grace, yet never considered anyone nor any task, beneath You.  Thank You for modeling what true humility ought to be.  Forgive us for attempted appearances or for making comparisons, and help us to fix our eyes on You.  Teach us how we are to love You and others well, and in the process, teach us how we can continually assess where we are as opposed to where You are calling us to go, and that we may commit our lives to serve one another in love.  May many come to know who You are, as we love and serve You with our lives.  Let the lost be found, and the hurting be held in Your hands.  Be glorified, Lord God.  Amen.

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

Embracing Our Thorns

image by Alphonse Karr

If I look at a thorn,

with the mere eyes of man,

I will tend to panic,

beg removal again.

But if I can slow down,

and allow myself weak,

then my true Source of strength,

is the One whom I’ll seek.

Of my mighty Savior,

in weakness, I need more,

of His strength and power,

all that I’m searching for.

So, I pray I delight,

in the trials that come,

knowing that He’s alone,

the victorious One.

His grace is sufficient,

He is all that we need;

to conquer our trials,

we come on bended knees.

(Responding to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thank You for the thorns that keep us humble and dependant on You.  Forgive us for trying to stand in our own strength, and help us to remember that Your strength is far greater than ours.  May we embrace our trials and difficulties as opportunities to learn how to draw closer still, to You, our Strength and our Comforter.  May others see the greatness of Your grace that is granted in our lives, and may that be what draws them unto You.  May Your power be made perfect in our weaknesses, so that Your glory may be seen more clearly.  Amen.

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

Inner Beauty

image by Shane Eubanks

Death of Sarah

burial land.

Faithful servant

crossing sand.

Prayerful seeking

trusting wait.

Beauty with water

did not hesitate.

One request

a simple sign,

to demonstrate

a heart that’s kind.

Before him stood

one offering

all he had asked,

O praise the King!

Weary traveler

granted rest.

Faithful seeker,

fully blessed.

Beauty found

with humble heart.

Faith to follow

and do her part.

Rebekah went

to meet her groom.

No sorrow, fear

nor sense of doom.

With faith and trust

Isaac came into view,

veiled in faithfulness,

she said, “I do.”

 

(my response to Genesis 24 – the story of Isaac and Rebekah)

 

Though Rebekah was beautiful according to the biblical account, what is inspiring about Rebekah is her inner beauty.  She clearly had the heart of a faithful servant, that fully and completely trusted her Heavenly Father.  She willingly left all that she knew – her home, her family, her friends – to marry a man she had never even met.  Though arranged marriages were customary at that time, it took tremendous courage to not delay even a day or two so that she could say her goodbyes.  Instead, she boldly and obediently went.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for examples of women in Your word that demonstrate the only sort of beauty that lasts – inner beauty.  Teach us to trust more deeply, so that we might move more freely, when You say, “Go.”  Forgive us for our fears, and lead us in boldness before You.  May the beauty that You grow in us, radiate through us in a way that leads the lost unto You.  Amen.