Pay Back With Blessing

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. – (1 Peter 3:9, NIV)

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with blessing. That is what God had called you to do, and He will grant you His blessing. – (1 Peter 3:9, NLT)

Don’t do wrong to anyone to pay them back for doing wrong to you. Or don’t insult anyone to pay them back for insulting you. But ask God to bless them. Do this because you yourselves were chosen to receive a blessing. – (1 Peter 3:9, ERV)

 

We are called to respond in the opposite spirit when we are hurt by the words or actions of another. Though this contradicts the very nature within us, when we choose to bless when we want to curse, extend kindness when we’d rather kick, and offer hope where we’d rather return harm, so often the situation turns around and we are blessed by the outcome. Even when we are not, we can go forward knowing that we have walked in obedience with a clear conscience, rather than agonizing over what we should or should not have said or done. The ultimate outcome is in God’s hands, so we need not worry when blessing seems to do nothing to help. A prime place where this practice plays out in my life is in the classroom. When a student behaves poorly and I try to redirect with kindness and calm, identifying their strengths and abilities, often it is enough to get them to snap out of their funk and return to what is appropriate. We all have days where we choose poorly or are less than kind, and the very things that help us to reset and choose better are the blessings that come through the kindness of those around us. May we ever choose to extend blessings, even to those who wrong us, as God has chosen to give abundant blessings unto us.

 

Don’t repay evil, 

With more of the same;

Firing back insults,

Or pointing out blame.

Instead, give blessings,

To all whom you meet;

This is our calling,

Mission to complete.

As we choose to bless,

We become blessed too;

Because we’ve obeyed,

As we’re called to do.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your kindness and blessings unto us. Thank You that You direct and instruct us to steer clear of retaliating for the harm that people bring our way, and that instead, You arm us with strength to bless those who insult or do wrong against us. Forgive us for the times that we have repaid wrong with wrong, or returned insults instead of extending blessings. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would listen for Your voice and heed Your instruction as to how we can bless when we feel wronged, and give grace instead of retaliation. Show us how to love sincerely, even those who insult us or irritate us, as each is Your treasured creation. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ask You to bless those who bring us pain. Amen.

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

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

He Looks At Us

When people came to Jesus and earnestly sought Him for answers or for healing, He took the time to truly listen and love each who came before Him as they came.  For those who were prepared, He healed.  For those whom were still searching, He provided further food for thought.

Jesus looked at him and loved him… – (Mark 10:21) This was Jesus’ response to a rich young man who had come to ask how to inherit eternal life, yet was not yet prepared to act on that which Jesus had asked of him.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God; all things are possible with God.” – (Mark 10:27)  The disciples were perplexed at the seeming complexity it required to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus let them know that it really had nothing to do with their own ability, but rather, everything to do with the power of God, present within them.

We too need to remember that the seemingly impossible is only possible through the power of God that is present within us.  Whatever is asked of us will be made possible as we seek our Savior.  Each time we seek Him, He stops and looks at us and loves us.  He is never too busy, nor bothered by our requests.  He hears and knows what we need, and is our source and supply, even if things do not appear in the way we might have hoped or imagined.  May we seek Him, and trust that He is looking upon us in love, ready to move on our behalf.

He looks upon us,

with love in His eyes;

no matter our stance,

hope, fear or disguise.

The impossible,

is made doable;

for Christ within us,

makes our supply full.

Always there’s enough,

when we trust in Him;

He hears and He knows,

gives strength to begin.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You see us and love us, no matter what state we are in.  Thank You that nothing is impossible with You.  Forgive us for our lack of faith, and our attempting to do things in our own strength.  Teach us to trust You more, so that we will seek You and depend on You in all things and at all times.  Lead us to truly look at those around us, so that we might love as You love.  May many come into a lasting relationship with You.  Be glorified O God, as we trust in You to make the impossible, possible.  Amen.

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

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

Promises to Pass On

Mark 10:17-31, reveals the story of an exchange between a rich young man and Jesus.  The young man, who had amassed great wealth, came to Jesus and asked what he could do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus, despite how the man had appropriately addressed Him, saw past the list of laws he claimed to have upheld, and recognized the root of pride held in his heart.  “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” – (Mark 10:21a)  In His great love, Jesus told him truthfully, what it would cost for the young man to follow Him.

Jesus does not ask all of us to sell everything we own, nor are we often expected to give it all away.  However, He does ask that we place Him above all else.  He saw that wealth was in the highest position of honor in the young man’s life, so He directly exposed its root.  Our eternal security is not something that we can earn, but rather a gift that is freely given, if only we are willing to believe and receive in faith.  As we trust Him, He directs our heart in the ways we are meant to go, and keeps our path straight.  When we are submitted to our Savior, we will hear what He is asking of us along the way.  We are not promised wealth, nor security, nor a cushy bank account; but we are promised hope, faith, love, and a peace that surpasses all understanding, as we have His Spirit with us to navigate this adventure of a life.

‘Tis not to be earned,

this glorious gift;

our treasure to hold,

all praises we lift.

Forever our hope,

is founded in Christ;

not temporal things,

though they can be nice.

For Jesus alone,

is our only Source;

redeeming Savior,

our holy true course.

As we fix our eyes,

our hearts and our minds;

true treasure is found,

the eternal kind.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You look upon us with love, regardless of where we are in the process of moving closer to You.  Thank You that You lovingly show us the way we are meant to go, and that You redirect us when we get off course.  Forgive us for not fully submitting all that we are and all that we have, unto You.  Teach us to trust You completely, as You alone are our true Source.  May we recognize all that we have and all that we are is a gift from You that is meant to be shared.  Help us to hear You well, so that we love as You call us to love.  May many come to know the eternal hope that is held in You alone, as we live in the love You have so generously poured upon us.  Be glorified, our great and mighty God.  Amen.

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

Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13

The Reason for Reverence

The fear of the Lord

image by Sava Alexandru

is to revere Him.

Acknowledge His ways,

let love dwell within.

Serve the Lord only,

with heart, soul, and mind.

Obey His precepts,

His grace is divine.

The heavens are His,

so too is the earth.

All of existence,

He’s crafted from birth.

Each of us chosen,

by God, set apart.

So we ought to serve,

and offer our heart.

(Responding to Deuteronomy 10:12-16)

Despite the exhaustive lists of laws found throughout the Old Testament, Moses simplified the list by letting the people know that what God was truly asking was: “Fear the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, love Him, serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and observe the Lord’s commands and decrees I am giving you today for your own good.” – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Regardless of the “rules”, God was still seeking the same thing He seeks today – a heart that is after His.  The words from Deuteronomy sound strikingly similar to those spoken in Luke as the answer correctly given to what is required to inherit eternal life.

“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

He wants our hearts through a personal and intentional relationship with Him, not ritualistic rule following that is devoid of personal devotion to His deity.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son and made the way for us to enter into a personal relationship with You.  Thank You that we are free to come before You to confess our careless ways, and that You forgive us and free us from the burden of our own brokenness.  Teach us to love You with all that we are, and may many come to know You as we do.  Amen.

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