True Community

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. – (1 Corinthians 12:26, NIV) 

If one part of the body suffers, then all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part is honored, then all the other parts share its honor. – (1 Corinthians 12:26, ERV) 

In that way, whatever happens to one member happens to all. If one suffers, everyone suffers. If one is honored, everyone rejoices. – (1 Corinthians 12:26, TPT) 

If we are truly living in community as we are called to do, our love for one another compels us to know and love each other so deeply, that when one is hurting – we all hurt; and when one is honored, we all rejoice with them. In a close-knit family, this is a natural response to one another. However, to become a body that cares for one another in the way that God intended, requires an investment of time and devotion to each other. As we grow in understanding and care for one another, we naturally mourn with those who mourn, and celebrate with those who celebrate. As a body, a true community, we come together with compassion and empathy. May we seek the Lord to show us and grow us in how to be in community with those around us. 

Lord, teach us to love, 

 One to another; 

With Your compassion, 

For sisters, brothers. 

Show us how to love, 

In ways that are clear; 

Through mourning and joy, 

Let all know You’re near. 

Show us how to mourn, 

With those stuck in grief; 

And how to rejoice, 

As they find relief. 

Help us walk beside, 

Helping each other; 

As You do for us, 

One to another. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to community in such a way, that we have empathy for those around us. Thank You that You call us to both mourn with those who are suffering, and to celebrate with those who are experiencing blessing. Forgive us for neglecting one and embracing the other, or for not investing well enough in those around us to know when either is taking place. Show us how to love as You love; for You walked among the broken and lifted up the downtrodden. Lead us to have compassion and empathy for those around us, no matter what season they find themselves in. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we learn to have compassion and empathy for all those around us. Amen. 

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

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. – Ephesians 4:2

Why Worry?

When unknowns stand before us, worry is a natural response for many of us. The “what ifs” find way to wander in, and fear finds its footing, granting a way in for worry. Sadly, worrying does us absolutely no good.

 

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life. – (Matthew 6:27)

 

Rather than worry, we are meant to confess our concerns before Christ. He is our answer, and supplies what we need, regardless of our situation. He knows what lies before us, and He already sees the outcome. We need not worry about the path we travel to get from here to there, so long as we walk beside Him and listen to His voice. The Lord will lead us and guide us in all of His ways, and will provide what is needed as it is needed along the way. May we rise up in faith and trust Him, leaving worry behind as we follow the Lord wherever He calls us to go.

 

Despite the unknowns,

leave worry behind;

for trust in the Lord,

is heart, soul and mind.

Let’s give Him our all,

no matter what comes;

for His ways are best,

the Most Holy One.

Allow not worry,

from any life take;

peace and His promise,

granted for our sake.

In faith, let’s rise up,

and trust in His Name;

leave worry behind,

and His truth proclaim.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we need not worry about anything. Thank You that You see and know our needs before we do, and that You will provide for us as we seek You. Thank You that You speak to us, lead us and guide us, if we are willing to listen for Your voice. Forgive us for allowing our fears to entertain worry, rather than choosing to run to You. Teach us to trust You more, so that our immediate response to our known needs, is to present our requests before You, trusting that You are good and loving, and that You will provide what we need as we need it. Lead us to love others well, so that we may be Your hands and heart to the hurting. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to give all of our worries to You. Amen.

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

Shout aloud and sing for joy. – Isaiah 12:6

The Greatest Love of All

photo by Robin @ Heart of Wisdom

“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” – 2 John 1:6

We are called to walk in obedience to His commands.  His commands, as they have been from the beginning, can be summed up in this: we are to love God and love one another.

Though a simple statement, it is not always easy to do.  Loving God, because He first loved us, is more easily obeyed than the latter.  To return love to One who loves us, is a rather natural response.  However, to love those who hate, persecute, defile, slander use or abuse, is an entirely different animal.  To love where we are loathed is only possible if we are powered by our Provider.  He helps point out the plank in our own eye, so that we may see past the sin against us, and become aware that we too, hurt those around us.

I have found that what helps me most, when it comes to loving the “less loveable”, is that as I ask for His eyes to see them, I am made aware of the awful aches that fuel the less than fantastic behaviors and attitudes of my adversaries.  As I allow His heart to guide my sight, I find that my heart softens toward them, and I am empowered to forgive and extend kindness, fueled by my Father’s lavish love toward me.

No, this does not mean we are to leap into the lion’s den and expect not to get eaten, rather it is an exhortation to be open to hear what He is asking.  How am I meant to show His love to others today?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are equipped to extend love because of the enormous love You have for us; as You did not withhold even Your own Son, so that we might know Your love, and lavish the love You’ve given, on the lonely and the broken before us.  Forgive us for withholding love, as You do not withhold love from us.  Teach us how to love like You, so that our world in need may come to know You – the greatest Love of all.  Amen.

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