Train in Trustworthy Traits

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

God has chosen you and made you His holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. – (Colossians 3:12, ERV)

Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. – (Colossians 3:12, VOICE)

If we know God, we are His chosen people. It is only by His great love that we are made holy through Him and equipped to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. This way of life is a choice and it requires us to invest our heart in Him. As we do, we grow in our capacity to be kind and loving, gently and patient, humble and full of mercy for those around us. The process is an ongoing, lifelong journey to ever be refined to more clearly reflect the Father. May we ever pursue the Lord with passion, being intentional to seek Him anew each day, for it is through our seeking that we come to find the One who gives us all.

Because we are loved,

We know to love too;

With patience, kindness,

As mercy shines through.

Ever we’re to walk,

In humility;

With a gentleness,

That brings sweet relief.

Relief from the harsh,

That the world does bring;

A generous love,

In everything.

O Lord, please lead us,

Throughout all our days;

With Your tender love,

To walk in Your ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us Your children and teach us to live as Your own. Thank You that Your love equips us to be compassionate, kind, patient, humble, and gentle with those around us. Forgive us for the times that we have been lacking any of these in our interactions with those around us. Teach us to listen to Your loving leading in all things. Show us how to love those around us with kindness and compassion, patience and gentleness, ever walking in humility knowing You are our Source for all things. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the grace that You alone give, and continually pursue the traits that You call us to carry throughout all of our days in every circumstance. Amen.

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

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promises for both the present life and the life to come. – 1 Timothy 4:8

The Intended Target in Training

Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. – (1 Timothy 4:8, NLT)

Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotion to God helps you in every way. It brings you blessings in this life and in the future life too. – (1 Timothy 4:8, ERV)

Although training your body has certain payoffs, godliness benefits all things – holding promise for life here and now and promise for the life that is coming. – (1 Timothy 4:8, VOICE)

 

Just as physical training provides benefit to our body, devotion to God (spiritual training), benefits our mind and spirit. Though both types of training have value, the latter lasts forever. What we know and how we grow, impact our eternity. Training our body can help us be our best self, so that we are physically equipped to do all that the Lord asks of us. However, if we do not train our heart and mind to be in tune with Christ, how will we know and recognize His voice in our lives? May we ever pursue the path of righteousness, for it holds promise in the Lord both for now and forever more.

 

Training has purpose, 

In all that we do;

For what we practice,

Leads to what’s pursued.

If we train for good,

Seek align with God;

We’re aptly prepared,

Despite how we’re flawed.

We’ll learn how to walk,

In His righteousness;

Allow God to reign,

By His faithfulness.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we pursue Your path prepared for us, You meet us, lead us and bless us both now and for all time. Thank You that You are faithful to all who seek You. Forgive us for our inconsistency in training in our pursuit of You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would make time to fix our eyes, hearts and minds on You. Show us how to love those around us well, as we grow in our likeness to You through continued pursuit of Your path and purpose for our lives. Be glorified O God, as we train our hearts, minds and entire beings to become who You intended us to be. Amen.

 

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

 

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. – Proverbs 21:21

 

 

Our Source of Inner Strength

I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. – (Ephesians 3:16-17, NLT)

I ask the Father with His great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you strength through His Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. – (Ephesians 3:16-17, ERV)

 

Though physical training is beneficial to our bodies, and external strength can serve us well; far greater still is when we gain strength within from the Holy Spirit whom resides in the hearts of all who trust in Him. A life lived strong is one that is built on the love of Christ, and then lived out accordingly. May we invest our hearts and lives in the Lord so that would be a people deep-rooted in the love of God, and able to extend love through the strength He has grown within us.

 

When we seek the Lord,

He does hear our prayer;

Granting our hearts strength,

As we choose draw near.

He’ll enter our hearts,

Where He shall remain;

Planting our roots deep,

Making our path plain.

Though the Lord has all,

In love, chooses you;

Makes your heart His home,

And grants strength anew.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You empower us internally with Your strength, so that we may trust in You and love others as You love us. Thank You that You make our hearts Your home when we invite You to enter in. Forgive us for attempting to rely on any strength other than that which comes from You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You in all things, allowing You to lead and guide us every step we take. Show us how to allow You to grow our roots deeper in You, so that we may be strong and steady in the truth. Help us to love others as You so faithfully love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we allow You to be our Source of strength, and the One on whom we depend. Amen.

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

Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. – Psalm 69:16

Tending to His Temple

You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. God paid a very high price to make you His. So honor God with your body. – (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ERV)

Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who comes from God and dwells inside of you? You do not own yourself. You have been purchased at a great price, so use your body to bring glory to God! – (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, VOICE)

 

I have been an athlete for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was blessed with parents who invested in my physical being as well as my spiritual training. Soccer, gymnastics, skiing, and softball were staples in my growing up years, then in college I discovered a passion and natural aptitude for crew. As an adult, I enjoyed jujitsu and kickboxing, then later discovered a love for running. Most recently, a bit over a year ago, a friend plugged me into kettlebell training. Today, I will be participating in my first Tactical Strength Challenge Competition. My hope is that just as I seek the Lord each day to train my heart and mind so that I may honor Him with my words and deeds; so too, I long to give Him glory with my body, as He has blessed me with a body that is strong and healthy, and I desire to use it wisely. This temple of the Holy Spirit that I have received, is not my own. I have done my best to tend well the temple, through healthy eating and rigorous physical training. Though I have personal goals for today’s outcome, my ultimate goal is that I might bring Him glory in all that I say and do, regardless of the environment. May this temple that I have been given to tend, offer light and hope to all whom I encounter.

 

Within a temple,

each of our hearts dwell;

home to God’s Spirit,

we‘re called to tend well.

Purchased at a price,

our life didn’t come free;

for Christ’s love alone,

is for you and me.

For all we’ve received,

and to God’s glory;

let us honor well,

God with our bodies.

Help us to go forth,

and shine well Your light;

so others may see,

the path that is right.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You paid the price for us, so that we might know what it is to have the Holy Spirit dwell within us. Thank You that our bodies are the temple of Your Holy Spirit, and that we are trusted to tend Your temple well. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected any part of the temple that we have been given – be it body, heart or mind. Show us how to honor You with what we have been given, so that all glory goes to You. Teach us how to love others in such a way, that we are light and life that lead those who are looking, unto You. Help us to lift up and encourage all those around us, as You so lovingly do for us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we honor You with our bodies. Amen.

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

Father, I thank You that You have heard me. – John 11:41