Sticks and Stones

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. – (Matthew 12:36, NIV)

I tell you that everyone will have to answer for all the careless things they have said. This will happen on the day of judgment. – (Matthew 12:36, ERV)

You can be sure of this: when the day of judgment comes, everyone will be held accountable for every careless word he/she has spoken. – (Matthew 12:36, TPT)

 

Yesterday, my pastor kicked off a series titled, “Sticks and Stones”. The main point that he was conveying in his message was the power held in our words. What comes out of our mouth, our very own words, have the power to direct, control and penetrate hearts. Our tongue has the power to heal or the power to wreak havoc all around us. Though small in size, it cannot be tamed by us on our own. In order to use our words for good rather than harm, we need His grace and His Holy Spirit. When we are slow to speak and weigh our words, we are far more likely to choose wisely that which we give a voice. I have been the recipient of both destructive and life-giving words, and receiving the latter leads me to go and do likewise. May we ever seek the Lord and His grace, so that our words are life-giving and bring healing to all those around us.

 

Our words have power, 

To change people’s lives;

Harsh words can destroy,

Yet kind words revive.

Gentle words stop wrath,

And love overcomes;

Wisdom will listen,

By grace, change outcomes.

We must use caution,

Use care when we speak; 

Choose words that build up,

Give strength to the weak.

May we choose the words,

That heal the broken;

Let love lead the way,

In each word spoken.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You remind us in Your Word how very powerful words can be. Thank You that when we seek Your grace and Your Holy Spirit, we find help to control our tongues that are impossible to tame on our own. Forgive us for the words we have spoken carelessly, as words without thought often leave a trail of pain. Teach us to slow down and seek You and listen for the words that You would have us speak, as Your words are life-giving and full of love, even when they are for correction or redirection. Show us how to love others with our words in a way that brings healing, help and wholeness to the broken places. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your wisdom for the words we are meant to say. Amen.

 

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

 

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23

The Hope of the World

And His Name will be the hope of all the world. – (Matthew 12:21, NLT)

The mere sound of His Name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers. – (Matthew 12:21, MSG)

All the world will find its hope in His Name. – (Matthew 12:21, VOICE)

 

So often we use the word hope with little thought of where our true hope lies. We use the word as: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. (dictionary.com) However, our true hope lies not in things nor upcoming events, but rather in the One in whom and through whom all things were made. This is our true hope: The One in which expectations, longing and trust belong. May we enjoy the present for the gift that has been given, and keep our hope held in The One who is our Hope.

 

The Light of the world, 

Our hope for all times;

The One we can trust,

Most Holy, Divine.

For He is the gift,

That showed us the way;

To have peace right now,

And faith for always.

Let all our longing,

Be placed in His hands;

And trust in His Name,

As He understands.

For all near and far,

Will one day come know;

The light of His love,

And how His grace grows.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the hope of all the world. Thank You that You are our hope, the very One in whom we can place all our trust. Forgive us for placing our hope in people or things, as all else will fall short of You. Teach us to trust You more, as You are greater than all. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends Your hope where it is needed most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we find all of our hope in Your Name. Amen.

 

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

 

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

Come Close to Rest

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. – (Matthew 12:28-30)

 

The burdens that we take up and try to carry are far too heavy and not meant for our shoulders. Some of these may include: our sin, excessive demands, oppression and persecution, and weariness in the pursuit of paths we were never meant to walk alone. Christ sets us free from the weight of the yoke our shoulders should not bear, and grants us rest in Him. Through our relationship with Jesus, the seemingly meaningless and mundane, can become spiritually productive and purposeful, as Christ comes and provides us with His peace, love, healing and help. He makes our yoke easy and our burdens light, in comparison to the weight of the way we were attempting to walk alone. May we lay hold of the rest Christ provides for our souls as we sincerely seek Him.

 

When life’s burdens,

are weighing us down;

we need seek Christ,

where answers are found.

Jesus is kind,

and humble in heart;

He is gentle,

where solutions start.

Rest for weary,

strength when we feel weak;

gone are burdens,

we’re not meant to keep.

His peace given,

healing and help too;

restored purpose,

refreshed and renewed.

Come near, dear ones,

He will grant us rest;

sweet interlude,

Christ’s great faithfulness.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not desire for us to carry the weight of the world. Thank You that You ask us to come to You and give You our burdens, and allow You to carry the weight that was never meant for us, and You replace it with that which You equip us to bear. Thank You that You are gentle and humble and have rest ready for our weariness. Forgive us for trying to carry things that we were never meant to bear, and help us to lay down the loads before You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may continually come before You and hear clearly what we are meant to carry, and what we are to hand over to You. Lead us to walk in love, unburdened by loads not meant for us. May many come to know You, as they witness the freedom we have found in the ease of Your yoke. Be exalted, Lord God, as we learn from You each new day. 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

In or Out?

“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” – (Matthew 12:30)

 

There is no middle of the road with Christ. We cannot linger on the line of indecision and expect our souls to be secure. The word clearly states that we are either actively pursuing Christ, or we are against Him. Inactivity and idleness are equated to the rejection of our Redeemer. Choosing to be separated from God, who alone is good, is not a viable option. There is no room for neutral in an authentic relationship. He asks for all of us, and in return, gives us: forgiveness, love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control, hope, and the promise of His presence both now and forever. For me, the choice is clear. I am all IN. My life is not my own…

Identify with Christ,

Name above all names;

Or reject the Lord Jesus,

Redeemer, the same.

Options are presented, it is

Up to each of us,

To receive or reject, Savior, Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You don’t love us just a little, but rather You love us so much that You sent You only Son, so that we might choose life in You. Thank You for making the way for us to come to You, wholeheartedly, and be received as Your own. Forgive our places of indecision, or seasons of settling, thinking that sitting idly by would be okay. Help us to passionately pursue You, daily, so that we may know You more. Lead us to love others as we are loved by You, and grant us Your grace and goodness to give. May many come to know You as their Savior and King, as they too, passionately pursue You with their whole being. Be glorified as we choose to be all in each day we draw breath. 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