Disciplined in Love

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. – (Revelation 3:19)

Just as a loving parent corrects and redirects a misguided child, so does our Heavenly Father do for us. It is because of His great love for us, that He does not allow us to stay stagnant in our sinfulness, nor remain rooted in wrong patterns. Christ came to cleanse us from our unrighteousness, and created the way for us to be called clean. Our charge is to come before Him and repent – to admit our wrong doing and turn away from that which pulled us away from the path which He has placed before us. Any time that we feel that nudge of the Holy Spirit, the check from His still small voice, we must listen and act with fidelity so that we do not become steeped in the snare of sin. May we trust our loving Lord, who is our Heavenly Father, as He loves us and only rebukes and disciplines us because He loves us and wants us to walk out the very best that He has for us. His plans are exceedingly greater than we could ever hope for or imagine.

Because we are loved,

let us hear His voice;

for He will correct,

when we make poor choice.

He’ll show us the way,

to walk where He calls;

to escape the space,

of sin’s prison walls.

We must choose repent,

confess, turn away;

admit wrong doing,

return to His way.

Trust in our Father,

His love never ends;

His plans are righteous,

as He forgives sins.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though we may not enjoy being rebuked nor disciplined, You do so in love and for our benefit. Thank You that You love us so much that You do not sit idly by and allow us to stay stuck in our sinfulness. Thank You that You call us out of darkness into Your glorious light. Forgive us for our resistance to correction. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be earnest to repent as soon as we become aware of what You are asking us to do. Help us to embrace with grace, every correction that You bring, as we know that all discipline from You brings us closer to that whom You are calling us to become. Help us to love others with generosity and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace Your correction in love, and repent right away so that we may move forward into that which You are calling us to do. 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

Peace to Pursue His Path

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you!  As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” – (John 20:21)

First, Jesus reminded the disciples by whose authority He had been sent, and in turn, would equip and send all whom choose to trust in Him.  Whatever God asks us to do, we have the authority through Christ, to do that to which we have been called.  Jesus came and modeled how we are to live a life invested in our Source of peace and power, so that we may pursue all that the Father is calling us to do.  Though in our own strength we cannot begin to fathom the things to which we have been called, in Him, we are more than conquerors, and can complete every task that He has asked.  May we invest and be encouraged, trusting that He who sends us, also equips us, and places His peace within us.

                                                                                                                                                                Before He said go,

image by violscraper

He said, “I give peace.”

Not just settled hearts,

but in Him, release.

Set free to be sent,

where we’re called to go;

to do as He asks,

so others may know.

We’ve nothing to fear,

we’re never alone;

He went before us,

and reigns on the throne.

No power on earth,

is greater than He;

we must choose to walk,

and trust we are free.

Free to go in faith,

to answer His call;

in obedience,

tear down prison walls.

All that would hinder,

our hearts from pursuit;

of Christ our Savior,

fulfiller of truth.

 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You first give us Your peace that surpasses all understanding in our hearts and minds, so that we can focus our attention on You and the truth – no matter what lies before us.  Thank You that You sent Your Holy Spirit to equip and empower us to do surpassingly more than we could ever imagine, by Your strength, when we choose to listen and obey.  Forgive us for our fearfulness of what we see with our human eyes, rather than our heart invested in You.  Teach us to trust You more, so that we would fix our eyes on You, the Author and Finisher of our faith, and the One who enables us to do all that to which we have been called.  Lead us to love well, each heart You call us to care for.  May many come into a personal relationship with You.  Be exalted O God, as we receive the peace that You place in our hearts, and go forth in obedience to all that You ask.  Amen.

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

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16