Everything With Love

And do everything with love. – (1 Corinthians 16:14, NLT)

 

Everything should be done in love. – (1 Corinthians 16:14, CEB)

 

And whatever you do, do it with kindness and love. – (1 Corinthians 16:14, TLB)

 

Let love prevail in your life, words, and actions. – (1 Corinthians 16:14, VOICE)

 

 

We are called to love. If we love others, our motivation for all that we do – our words, actions and our very lives, will be laden in love. For those who love us well, this is an easy call to answer. However, when we are met with unkindness, abrasiveness or seeming rejection, it is far more difficult to decide to do everything with kindness and love. Incredibly, when we choose love anyway, we often discover that what we perceived was not reality. Sometimes, people are completely guarded due to their own past hurts and are not willing to extend kindness until kindness is demonstrated toward them. Making the first move can create opportunity for love to prevail where it before may have failed. May we ever choose to do everything with love and kindness, just as Christ does so lavishly unto us. Let every word, deed and our very lives be an instrument to make His love tangible to all.

 

Let us choose to love, 

As we’re called to do;

For kindness given,

Can lead to breakthrough.

In places where love,

Has clearly not been;

Can change by small acts,

Persistence will win.

For a life of love,

In word and in deed;

Is hard to reject,

For those who have need.

In everything,

Let love lead the way;

For our love matters,

Throughout all our days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can love because You first loved us. Thank You that You call us to do everything with love. Thank You that as we do, You take our lives of love and reach others in ways that makes Your love tangible. Forgive us for not doing all things with kindness and love. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would let love prevail in our words, actions and every aspect of our lives. Show us how to do everything in love as we interact with those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose kindness and love in all things. Amen.

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

 

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

Chosen Representatives

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you – from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. – (1 Peter 2:9-10, MSG)

 

If we are followers of Christ, we are among those considered His chosen people. Those who are chosen, are also now called. Our calling is to be representatives of Christ – to be His instruments of peace, telling others of all that He has done in us and for us. Both our words and our deeds should demonstrate the dramatic difference that an identity in Christ makes in how we navigate. May we represent well the wonders of the work of His hands, so that many may come to know Him.

 

For we are chosen,

To represent well;

A life changed by God,

Our story to tell.

In all that we do,

And words that we say;

May His light be seen,

As we walk His way.

Once we were nothing,

Headed for demise;

Then God made the way,

And loved us to life.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, we find You, and You call us Your own. Thank You that You choose us to be Your instruments of peace, to represent You to those around us. Thank You that You qualify and equip us to do so. Forgive us for staying silent when we have so much to say about all that You have done in us and for us. Teach us to trust You more so that we would be bold on Your behalf. Show us how to love others where they are, so that they may seek to find the Source of our love too. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we do and say the things You call us to on Your behalf, allowing us to represent You well. Amen.

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

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – 1 Chronicles 16:31

Walk in Grace

Despite Paul’s influence on the people who were following Christ, he recognized that nothing he did was his goodness given to God, but rather any good that was granted, was in fact God working through him to give grace and peace and truth to those around him. Any good that we can observe, either in us or through us, is God’s gift to us, and all the more reason for us to give Him praise. The following is Paul’s explanation in the Message:

 

I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what He does for us, not by what we are and what we do for Him. – (Romans 12:3, MSG)

 

The very idea that we get to participate in anything of God is incredible, in and of itself. Nothing good that we do could ever be done by our own volition, but rather is endowed by our Creator. God empowers those who seek and trust in Him to do His will. It is Christ in us that brings good, rather than good in us being brought before Him. May we rise up and pursue the path He has placed before us, so that we might be instruments of His peace to people everywhere. Let God’s goodness flow through us, so all might come to know Him.

 

When we walk in grace,

The love of God shows;

Not by our own good,

But through Him who rose.

All that is lovely,

And all that is pure;

Everything righteous,

Is Christ drawing near.

Let us remember,

Our role and our place;

As people of thanks,

And givers of grace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for who You are and all that You have done for us. Thank You for light and life, hope and help, in all things and at all times. Thank You that You are good all of the time, no matter what comes our way. Thank You that You see us and know us, better than we know ourselves. Forgive us for forgetting the role we were created to fill, and help us to trust You enough to walk forward in that which You are calling us into. Show us how to live fearlessly in the light of Your love. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they may see You through the things we say and do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give all of our gratitude to You, and allow You to move through us as we get out of the way. Amen.

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

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14

Planned With Purpose

Before we were formed,

by God, we were known;

planned with a purpose,

set apart, His own.

Though we’re ill-equipped,

oft feel like a child;

God claims us as His,

prepared and inspired.

Whatever He asks,

where He commands, “GO”,

He will be with us,

our strength, it is so.

Though the storms will come,

we need never fear;

He will be with us,

His presence, so clear.

All that is needed,

the Lord will provide;

to answer His call,

His grace realized.

For He is so good,

and loves us so much;

He lets us partake,

in sharing His touch.

(Responding to Jeremiah 1:5-10)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that long before we were born, You knew us, and had a purpose planned for us. Thank You that You do not call the qualified, but instead, You qualify the called. Without You, we are ill-equipped to walk in the way You have prepared for us, yet with You, we can do all things, as You grant us strength, and supply all that we need. Forgive us for focusing on the obstacles, rather than on You, our Overcoming One. Teach us to trust You more, and to answer whatever You ask. Use us as Your instruments to share Your love and light with those who have no hope. May many come to know Your voice, as we are faithful to answer Your call for our lives. Be glorified in all that we say and do. Amen.

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

The Credence of Christ

God who’s unchanging,

makes His purpose clear;

to His, He’s promised,

He’ll always be near.

Two things never change,

we can rest assured;

nature and promise –

God sticks to His word.

He is our great hope,

and anchor for soul;

stays firm and secure,

High Priest to extol.

He goes before us,

forever is true;

grants eternal hope,

shows us what to do.

So hold onto hope,

in Him, it’s certain;

our future secured,

torn was the curtain.

(Responding to Hebrews 6:17-20)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your nature and Your promises never change. Thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Thank You that through the death and resurrection of Christ, the curtain that kept us from coming close to You, was torn. Thank You Jesus that You are our great High Priest, who goes before us and makes the way for us to be called clean – worthy to enter Your eternal presence. Forgive us for not always behaving as Your people of promise, and help us to walk in Your way and be instruments of Your truth. May many come close and lay hold of the hope that is held in You alone. Amen.

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

To Him Be True

image by K.H. @ kjvchristianwallpapers

In life and in death,
live unto the Lord;
endure all that comes,
stay in one accord.
If we are faithful,
with Him we will reign;
if we disown Him,
life will end in shame.
Though when we’re weary,
when faith has run out;
He remains faithful,
to self He’s devout.
May we do our best,
present selves approved,
no shame found in Him,
He shall not be moved.
God’s firm foundation,
will ever stay true;
He knows who are His,
shows us what to do.
Be cleansed from all sin,
confess to the Lord;
He forgives and loves,
His grace He’ll afford.

(Responding to 2 Timothy 2:11-21)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we give our lives to You, You come near and are faithful forever. Thank You that Your faithfulness is not dependant on whether or not we do “enough”, but You are true to Your Spirit who dwells within all who choose to trust in You. Forgive us for the times that our faith seems fickle, and grant us Your steadfastness, to forever remain in You. Equip and empower us to always do our best unto You, and may many see You in us, and desire Your light and love that dwells within. Lead the lost unto Yourself, and use us as Your instruments to pass on Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.

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