Seek His Leading

Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. – (Mark 7:15, HCSB)

There is nothing people can put in their mouth that will make them wrong. People are made wrong by what comes from inside them. – (Mark 7:15, ERV)

It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart. – (Mark 7:15, NLT)

We all have to make our own choices about what we allow our hearts and minds to consume, however, what we take in and that which is around us is not what defiles us, but rather it is what comes from our heart and escapes through our mouths, attitudes and actions, that becomes sinful when we choose to act or speak from a space that ought to be given to God. To keep our hearts and minds in the right position with God, it requires intentional time with Him. God is faithful to lead us and guide us in the ways in which we are meant to go, and He shows us what is good. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in our every word, thought and deed, so that we may be blameless before Him by His amazing grace.

Lord, lead us in love,

In all that we do;

Make our hearts like Yours,

With love, ever new.

Let not surroundings,

Taint what is within;

Lead us in Your ways,

Keep us far from sin.

It’s only by grace,

Found as we seek You;

That ugliness goes,

And our hearts love true.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to live in Your love and extend the same to those around us. Thank You that what we take in, the things that surround us, do not make us impure before You, but rather what we think, say or do that does not align with You. Forgive us for every word, thought and deed that has not represented the goodness of Your love and grace. Teach us to immerse ourselves in time with You, so that we live out Your love and rid ourselves of what defiles us from the inside out. Show us how to love all those around us in ways that make Your goodness and love tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love in every word thought and deed that we live out. Amen.

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

This God, our God forever and ever – He will always lead us. – Psalm 48:14

Each Word a Gift

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – (Ephesians 4:29, NIV) 

When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need – whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you. – (Ephesians 4:29, ERV) 

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. – (Ephesians 4:29, MSG) 

And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them. – (Ephesians 4:29, TPT) 

 

Words matter. They have the power to build up, or to devastate; bring tremendous joy, or pierce the heart with pain. I so appreciate the various translations of this verse, as each one clarifies the power of our words. If we consider every word we utter as a gift that we are charged to give away, perhaps we could more easily garnish each phrase delivered in grace, and be mindful of the purpose of our words. Whether our words are those of correction, direction, exhortation, devotion, appreciation, or affection, each can be delivered with grace to benefit the hearer as a blessing; a gift given with the intent of betterment. May we ever be mindful of our words, withholding ugliness, and choosing with intention, to allow our words to become “beautiful gifts that encourage others”. 

Yesterday evening, on my way home from a very long day, that had concluded with Open House at my school, I had the joy of hearing the gift of my mom’s words, as she shared her joy in the blessing of having had both physical therapy and speech therapy on the same day. Speech therapy was an assessment appointment, but physical therapy was her first “getting after it” appointment, as Monday’s time was to assess her need. Mom was encouraged and eager to have new work to challenge her and keep her growing in her recovery. Based on her response, I imagine that she too, had been the recipient of the gift of good words as she worked with the therapists.  

 

May each word we speak,

Be wrapped up in grace; 

Used to encourage, 

Choice loving display. 

Keep the unkind words, 

Where they have no voice; 

God be our filter, 

So love is our choice. 

Help us remember, 

Each word that we say; 

A powerful gift, 

To give love away. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to use our words as gifts to those around us. Thank You that You have given us the treasured gift of Your word, and Your Holy Spirit within us to model and speak to our hearts, the words that bring life and love and light to those around us. Forgive us for the times that our words have been ugly. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would choose to be silent in the moments we want to spew ugliness. Show us Your heart for others in the moments that we cannot see past our own injury. Lead us to love others in a way that our every word is a gift of grace to those around us that builds up and encourages and gives strength. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we depend on You to utilize our words as gifts to those around us. Amen. 

 

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

 

My Lord, I will open my mouth and sing Your praises! – Psalm 51:15

May Good Overflow

 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. – (Luke 6:45, NLT)

Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts. – (Luke 6:45, ERV)

A person full of goodness in his heart produces good things; a person with an evil reservoir in his heart pours out evil things. The heart overflows in the words a person speaks; your words reveal what’s within your heart. – (Luke 6:45, VOICE)

 

God is entirely good. The more we know God and trust in Him, the more we are influenced and transformed to reflect His heart and His character. If we neglect God and the truth of His word, we are susceptible to evil, as it seeps into our hearts and impacts all that we do and say. Either way, what we say and do is directly influenced by where our heart resides. May we ever seek the Lord and His love to fill us, so that what flows from us is a direct reflection of the very heart of God.

 

Wherever our heart,

May choose to reside;

Directly affects,

What comes from inside.

Good comes from a heart,

Set secure on Christ;

When good’s taken in,

We choose sacrifice.

Sacrifice ego,

That causes unkind;

Preferring others,

With their good in mind.

For out of the heart,

Flows what’s held within;

May we clearly show,

Good rather than sin.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace that comes in and transforms the hearts of all who seek You, to reflect Your heart to the world. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to seek You, or have allowed the world to influence our attitudes and actions instead of depending on You. Teach us to pursue Your heart in all things, so that good may be what flows from us. Show us how to love those around us in a way that allows Your good to be poured out upon all whom we meet. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your heart in all things and allow Your good to flow from us. Amen.

 

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

 

Surely Your 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

Numbered Days and Wise Ways

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. – (Psalm 90:12, NIV) 

Teach us to number our days so we can have a wise heart. – (Psalm 90:12, CEB) 

Teach us to number our days so that we may truly live and achieve wisdom. – (Psalm 90:12, VOICE) 

 

When I think of numbering my days, it leads to a place of valuing each new day as it comes. It is an intentional act of the will to choose to be in the moment and appreciate the time that we are given. The older I get, the more I try to be intentional with my time. Last evening, though I wanted to join the ladies at church for the Sisterhood Christmas, I knew I needed a quiet evening with my husband and time to check in with my children, after a long week, and prior to my escape for a girls’ weekend with my best friend. A heart of wisdom is a gift that God grows within us over time, as we seek and invest time with Him. There is no “arrival”, but the more in tune we become with the Lord, the quicker we are to hear His voice and know His heart when navigating things that require wisdom and insight. May we value each day, savor each moment as it comes, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom through the loving grace of God. 

 

Lord, help us to know,

How to count our days; 

To treasure each gift, 

That You send our way. 

Each day we draw breath, 

Is a gift from You; 

Lord, grant us wisdom, 

To love as You do. 

Grant us new insight, 

To walk in Your ways; 

So that we value, 

Each blessed new day. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of this life that You have given. Thank You that as we seek You and ask You, You show us how to number our days and treasure the gift that we are granted in You. Thank You that You grow within us Your wisdom and grace, as we pursue a life lived with You. Forgive us for taking the time that we have been given for granted, or for neglecting the wisdom that You are set to establish within us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would listen to Your leading and ever grow in Your wisdom and grace. Show us how to love those around us in a way that blesses each with value and grace, so that they too, may recognize the treasure of each day. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You praise for the gift of each of our days, and ever seek You to grow in wisdom. Amen.

 

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

 

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. – Psalm 37:30

Rejoice and Be Glad in the Seeking

But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who long for Your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” – (Psalm 70:4, NIV)

Let those on the hunt for You sing and celebrate. Let all who love Your saving way say over and over, “God is mighty!” – (Psalm 70:4, MSG)

 

When we seek the Lord, we find Him, and therefore have much reason to rejoice. He helps those who ask, and is mighty to save. May our hearts ever remember that we always have reason to rejoice in our Redeemer, for He is our help and our hope forever. Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts reflect the remarkable that is granted by God.

 

Oh Lord as I seek,

May I sing to You;

For You are faithful,

And Your word is true.

Each time I ask You,

I seek and I pray;

You show me Your help,

As You light the way.

Lord, You are mighty,

In You, I rejoice;

Help me ever praise,

To You, lift my voice.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our reason to rejoice. Thank You that as we seek You, we find You, and You are available to help and make Your presence known to us. Thank You that You are great and mighty, and that we can always come to You for help. Forgive us for attempting to navigate things on our own, or for neglecting to give You proper praise for all that You have done. Teach us to keep a proper perspective, so that we would seek You and praise You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us in a way that provides help and hope and points to the path that leads to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and rejoice in You for who You are and how You save. 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

Use Your Body to Glorify God

You have been purchased at a great price, so use your body to bring glory to God! – (1 Corinthians 6:20, VOICE)

 

When we are in Christ, our bodies are not our own. We have made room and extended the invitation for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within us. If I am mindful of that, I operate far more intentionally with my body, than I might otherwise. I know that my body operates best if it is well-nourished, given plenty of exercise and ample rest. Additionally, my body benefits from being trained to submit to whatever schedule is necessary to create time and space to begin my day in the word and with prayer. The price that was paid for my freedom in Christ can never be repaid, so the least I can do is glorify Him with all that I have. May we each use the body we have been given to bring glory to God. Let our hands serve, our hearts be open, our mouths speak, our ears hear, and our feet be willing to go wherever He is calling.

 

We each are body,

Redeemed at a price;

That we can’t afford,

We’re given new life.

Because of this gift,

The least we can do;

Is glorify God,

With the things we choose.

Let our bodies be,

Instruments of peace;

Giving God glory,

All praise be released.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son. Thank You Jesus, that Your sacrifice provided life for all eternity for all who choose to believe in You. Thank You for a healthy body that can do incredible things. Forgive us for not using our bodies to bring glory to You. Teach us how to honor You with our bodies in all things. Help us to love others in such a way, that they see You through our offering. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we use our bodies to bring glory to You. Amen.

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

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1:3

Good In, Good Out

Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts. – (Luke 6:45, ERV)

 

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. – (Luke 6:45, NIV)

 

For good to be found within us, our hearts must be firmly rooted and established in Christ. It is only through Christ dwelling in us, that we are able to act according to His good and perfect will. As we trust in Him and abide in Him, the overflow of our time, energy and heart invested, will be made evident to those around us. May we seek to know Him more each day, and may we reflect His heart in all that we do and say.

 

Whatever’s consumed,

by our heart and mind;

is the very thing,

that our voice shall find.

If we take in junk,

things that don’t uplift;

our hearts become hard,

and further we drift.

Yet if we seek Christ,

pursue what is good;

then out of us flows,

the good things that should.

Let us seek the Lord,

in all that we do;

so we are steadfast,

to Him, remain true.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, good may come from us. Thank You that we may be Your instruments of peace, if we are only willing to allow You to transform our hearts and minds. Forgive us for any garbage that we have allowed in, and cleanse our hearts and minds of that which does not build up and reflect clearly who You are to the world. Help us to bring good things to those around us, out of the abundance that You have so generously given unto us. Let Your love be evident in us, as we seek to love others as You so lavishly love each of us. Be glorified, O God, as we allow Your good to flow from us. Amen.

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

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