Inscribed on Human Hearts

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. – (2 Corinthians 3:3, NIV)

You show that you are a letter from Christ that He sent through us. This letter is not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. It is not written on stone tablets but on human hearts. – (2 Corinthians 3:3, ERV)

You are the living letter of the Anointed One, the Liberating King, nurtured by us and inscribed, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God – a letter too passionate to be chiseled on stone tablets, but emblazoned upon the human heart. – (2 Corinthians 3:3, VOICE)

 

Though this verse is but a portion of Paul’s second letter to the church of Corinth, it applies to all who faithfully pursue the Lord and seek to do His will. Those who invest in the spiritual growth of others, help nurture the truth that Christ engraves upon the hearts of all who follow Him. It is by God’s Spirit that our hearts become more like His. I love the imagery that this presents. We, as followers of Christ, carry the Spirit of God in our heart, and help others discover the same. Our hearts emblazoned with the love, light and truth of the living God… May we ever passionately pursue Christ, as He is the way, the truth and the light, who deposits His heart in ours, so that we may love as He loves.

 

A letter of love,

Inscribed not with ink;

But by God’s Spirit,

Most holy love link.

His Spirit within,

Makes the truth be known;

So as we love well,

His heart shall be shown.

In all that we do,

And all that we say;

May our hearts make known,

God’s goodness and grace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we pursue You, You inscribe truth, love and light within us, so that we may point others to all that You are. Thank You for the people whom You have placed in our lives to show us what it is to have a heart that has been inscribed by You. Forgive us for the times that we have not pursued Your heart or have failed to represent all that You have deposited within us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would further seek Your inscription upon our lives, and go forth investing in others around us, so that they too, may know Your nearness. Show us how to love like You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we allow You to write upon the tablet of our heart. Amen.

 

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

 

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3

 

Humility and Wisdom Go Hand in Hand

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. – (James 3:13, NIV)

Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk that counts. – (James 3:13, MSG)

If you consider yourself to be wise and one who understands the ways of God, advertise it with a beautiful, fruitful life guided by wisdom’s gentleness. Never brag or boast about what you’ve done and you’ll prove that you’re truly wise. – (James 3:13, TPT)

 

Humility and wisdom go hand in hand. Jesus is our ultimate example as to how to walk out a life that is lived accordingly. He loved people as a priority, and was passionate about being in His Father’s presence. As we prioritize time with God, we gain wisdom that comes from Him alone. It is through Him that we are equipped to live and love well, in humility and gentleness, according to His good and perfect will. Talking about living such a life and actually walking it out, are two entirely different things. Wisdom is witnessed in those whose lives model God’s loving kindness and gentleness. Actions always speak louder than words alone. May we ever seek solitude with our Savior, so that we may gain a deeper understanding of who He is and how we are called to love. As we do, we are better equipped to live well, live wisely and live humbly.

 

We’re called to wisdom, 

And humility;

To live our lives well,

Compassionately.

A life of this sort,

Is grounded in grace;

Given by Jesus,

As we seek His face.

A life that’s lived well,

In humility;

Occur when we make,

Love priority.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to live well, live wisely and live humbly. Thank You that this is not something that You simply expect us to know how to carry out on our own, but rather You give us wisdom and strength to follow that which You call us to do as we seek You and invest in knowing You more. Forgive us for not seeking You for wisdom when we need it most, or for not walking in humility and taking credit where the credit due is Yours. Teach us to lead lives that demonstrate Your wisdom through our every action, as we seek to humbly do Your will in love. Show us how to love those around us in a way that grants them eyes to see You through our every word and deed. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever seek You for wisdom, love and direction, so that we may live wisely and humbly, walking out Your will. Amen.

 

 

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

 

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. – Psalm 25:9

Steady in the Storms

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11)

 

I don’t know about you, but for me, this time of transition between winter and spring, happens to be my busiest season of the year. It is the start of a new semester at school, the time of gearing up for state test preparations, gymnastics season, and all the while I attempt to continue to maintain my usual responsibilities at home, church and within the community. Additionally, I have signed on to take a year-long intensive Bible study course. All of these things are commitments that I am passionate about, yet in my own strength, there is no way that I can complete all that is required and still find time to rest. That being said, God gives me the strength to do that which He calls me to do, and shows me what I can let go for a season, and what I am meant to maintain. All the while, despite the seeming chaos, His peace is present.

 

There are times when God’s strength and peace are provided through other people whom He sends along side me to offer help. Often it is with a simple task, yet typically, it is with the one more thing that has become overwhelming in the moment. We serve a good and loving God, who wants the very best for His children. He desires for us to be strong in Him, and to know His peace as we pursue the path He has placed before us. We will find the Lord and know His strength and peace, when we seek Him with all of our heart.

 

May we seek the Lord,

for all of our days;

Source of strength and peace,

for now and always.

Be not overwhelmed,

but rather, seek Him;

His blessings ready,

to pour out again.

For the Lord is good,

His love never ends;

He’s our place of peace,

our Father and Friend.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give strength to You people, and that You bless us with Your peace. Thank You that Your strength and peace are not dependant on our circumstances, but rather on our posture toward You. Thank You that when we seek You, we find You. Forgive us for choosing to panic and run when chaos and storms come our way. Help us to anchor our souls to the safety of You, so that we may find the security of our safe harbor, no matter what the storms blow in. Teach us to trust You more, so that our response is always to run to You. Lead us to love others with the same sort of love that You lavish upon each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be exalted O God, as we seek You in the storms and receive Your strength and peace. Amen.

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

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. – Psalm 34:8

He Rejoices Over Me

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. – (Zephaniah 3:17)

 

I needed this reminder this morning. Though I know He is with me, always; it is important to remember that He actually delights in us, His children. Jesus’ love is so great, that it will quiet even the most anxious of hearts. If we can simply be still before Him, He rejoices over us with singing! I don’t know about you, but that thought alone sets my heart to soar. He saves us from ourselves, and loves with His life. May we go forth this day with our hearts quieted by His love, knowing He delights in us, and is rejoicing over us in song.

 

He’s mighty to save,

the Lord, our holy God;

Who delights in us,

shows us which path to trod.

His unending love,

will quiet anxious souls;

in silence we’ll know,

it is Christ who consoles.

And more than all that,

He’ll rejoice over us;

imagine the songs,

and the voice of Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are with us and that You are mighty to save. Thank You that You delight in us and that You quiet us with Your love. Thank You that You rejoice over us with singing. Forgive us for forgetting just how amazing and all-encompassing Your love truly is, and help us to receive that which You are offering, even when times are tough. Teach us to love others as You so passionately and purposefully love us, and may many come to know You as Lord and Savior as a result. Be glorified as we go forth in the greatness of Your lavish love. Amen.

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

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

As Iron Sharpens Iron

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. – (Proverbs 27:17)

 

Good company helps sharpen our character. As we spend time with one another sharing ideas, discussing insight, and challenging each other, God utilizes conversation to shape and refine us. The sharper we are, the more effective we become for His purpose in and through us. We ought not shy away from passionate discussions with safe people, but rather check our egos at the door and allow the Holy Spirit to do the speaking to our hearts and minds. May we all find friendships that help sharpen us further for God’s glory.

 

Iron meets iron,

and sparks, they may fly;

yet through the process,

impurities die.

The strengths, they rise up,

and soon they are seen;

as it is with us,

exchanges between.

We’re called to relate,

one to another;

bound as believers,

sisters and brothers.

May we safely speak,

and truly be heard;

sharpen each other,

speak truth from His word.

Let go of ego,

be set free from pride;

allow God to work,

He’ll refine inside.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You change us from the inside out to more clearly reflect who You are to the world. Thank You that You utilize each of us with one another, so that we may sharpen each other to be more effective for You. Forgive us for our egos that get in the way, or for our fears that keep us silent. Lead us to safe friendships where we can sharpen each other with the truth and insight You infuse into our hearts. May many come to know the gift of Your saving grace, as we go forth, sharpened by one another. Be glorified, Lord God. Amen.

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

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5