So Love Shines Through

For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints – and you continue to serve them. – (Hebrews 6:10, HCSB)

God is fair, and He will remember all the work you have done. He will remember that you showed your love to Him by helping His people and that you continue to help them. – (Hebrews 6:10, ERV)

Because God is not unjust or unfair, He won’t overlook the work you have done or the love you have carried to each other in His name while doing His work, as you are still doing. – (Hebrews 6:10, VOICE)

When we love and serve those around us like Jesus, He sees, knows and remembers. He is pleased when we love others as He has loved us. We do not do these things to get something, but rather it is out of the overflow of all that He has done for us that we are propelled to do likewise. May we ever be aware of the goodness of God and how He loves us, so that we may go forth and serve in love, helping those around us like Him.

The Lord is faithful,

He sees what we do;

Not for a reward,

But so love shines through.

Each time we choose love,

Show kindness and serve;

The Lord is well pleased,

For good is observed.

Not our own goodness,

But rather, it’s His;

To do what He’s done,

And give as He gives.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show us Your goodness, kindness, mercy and love, over and over again. Thank You that it is from that place of knowing Your grace, that we are equipped and empowered to love and serve like You. Thank You that You see and remember and are pleased when we love others as You intended. Forgive us for the times that we have not. Teach us to seek You and trust You to lead us to love and serve well in every situation and circumstance. Show us how to love and serve each person we meet, so that they might gain glimpses of Your goodness. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to love and serve out of the overflow of all that You continue to pour into us. Amen.

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

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

Seeking in the Specifics

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. – (Colossians 3:17, NLT)

Let every detail in your lives – words, actions, whatever – be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. – (Colossians 3:17, MSG)

Surely, no matter what you are doing (speaking, writing, or working), do it all in the name of Jesus our Master, sending thanks through Him to God our Father. – (Colossians 3:17, VOICE)

 

If we truly think about everything we say and do being a representation of Jesus to those around us, our approach changes in how we interact with others and operate throughout our day. Often, the only Jesus that people see is that which we present through how we live our lives. Are we propelled from a place of gratitude that gives glimpses of God’s glory, or do we grumble and withhold grace? Thankfully, we all are a work in progress. God does not expect us to get it right every moment of every day. We are called to seek Him, and pursue a life lived according to His purpose. As we walk it out, our words and deeds become more aligned with His. The more we recognize the loving kindness and grace that God has given us, the easier it becomes to do likewise with those around us. May we give God thanks for all that He has done, and pursue a life lived like His Son.

 

Let each word spoken,

And every deed;

Be done unto God,

Planting faithful seed.

For where there is love,

And undeserved grace;

Gratitude rises,

For sweet is such space.

Our words and actions,

Opportunity;

To let Christ’s light shine,

And His grace set free.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we invite You to be Lord of our lives, You are with us and influence all that we say and do. Thank You that You empower and equip us to follow You as You call us to do. Forgive us for not honoring You with all that we do and say. Teach us to trust and rely on You more, so that we would give You all of ourselves, withholding nothing from You. Show us how to allow You to lead us where we struggle to give You the reigns. Guide our words and actions so that we love those around us in a way that shows Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to allow You to guide all that we say and do, so that all is done unto You. 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

Seeing Past a Sordid Past

People should never be discounted for who they appear to be, or what they may have done in the past. God can redeem and raise up the unlikeliest of people to do great things for His purposes.

This morning, my daily reading covered Joshua 2:1-21, which is the story of Rahab and how she helped the Israelite spies that Joshua had sent ahead to Jericho.

“Rahab is a woman in a male-centered world; and she is a prostitute, the kind of person we typically vilify. But if she doesn’t rescue these men – and help them escape with the information they have gained – this first campaign in the land of Canaan will fail, and the larger outcome may be complicated  – or worse.” (VOICE footnotes)

As a result of Rahab’s protection of the spies when the king had sent his guards to find them, she and her family would ultimately be spared. The spies spoke the following to Rahab: “We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety,” the men agreed. “If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the Lord gives us the land.” – (Joshua 2:14, NLT)

Not only would her life be spared, but all of her family.

I love that a woman with such a sordid past, was used by God to do something so remarkable. Her act of kindness propelled the movement of an entire population into the promise so long sought after. No one should ever be discounted. We all have a past, yet each one has potential. God can do ANYTHING through a heart that is willing. May we rise up and look at the world around us through a lens that sees possibilities rather than just problems. Great things begin with the seemingly insignificant…

 

Do not choose discount,

A colorful past;

For last shall be first,

And first shall be last.

God does not do things,

The way we foresee;

But rather He moves,

To set captives free.

Perceptions at times,

Are the thickest walls;

That limit our sight,

And disrupt His call.

Lord, give us Your eyes,

To see as You do;

Each person with gifts,

That You long to use.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You see every single person as someone with potential to do great things according to Your purposes. Thank You that our past does not discount us, nor does our present status. Forgive us for discounting ourselves or others from being useful to You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may see ourselves and others through Your lens, not our own. Show us the potential in those around us, and help us to encourage and draw out the good in all. Help us to love others well, just as You love us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look for opportunities to move where You are calling, and to encourage those around us as they step out in faith. Amen.

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

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21