True Wisdom

But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest. – (James 3:17, ERV)

But the wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form. – (James 3:17, TPT)

Heavenly wisdom centers on purity, peace, gentleness, deference, mercy, and other good fruits untainted by hypocrisy. – (James 3:17, VOICE)

I know many people who are full of knowledge, yet finding truly wise people is a rare gift. Wisdom from God is exactly that, a filling that comes through trust and dependence on Him. To be pure, we need to understand what is good and what must go, and be willing to go through the refining process. Filled with peace is a process that is the result of ongoing trust in God in every circumstance. Gentleness includes being considerate and merciful, just as Jesus is to us. One who possesses wisdom is teachable and easy to please, ever ready to help and do good for others without prejudice or hypocrisy. Though it is good to pursue knowledge and continue learning, the ongoing pursuit of God brings wisdom that leads us to love others as He intended. May we ever seek the Lord and be willing to allow Him to refine us, so that we may walk out our days in wisdom that knows how to love well.

Lord, grant us wisdom,

So we too may learn;

Mercy and goodness,

To love and discern.

Father, teach our hearts,

To stay true and pure;

Peaceful and gentle,

As grace is assured.

Choose never withhold,

Mercy, love and grace;

Give as we’re given,

To all whom we face.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that true wisdom comes from You. Thank You that wisdom is granted to those who seek You and pursue a life lived in the light of Your love. Forgive us for our lack of wisdom as we navigate our days. Teach us to be wise in You, so that we might love as You intended. Show us how to be pure, peace-loving, considerate, gentle, easy to please, ready to help, and ever fair and honest. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue a life lived in Your wisdom that leads us to love well. Amen.

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

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12

Responding to the Remarkable

The heavens declare His glory

image by Kevin Freitas

the skies show of His hand.

Forever creation’s speaking

if we look upon the land.

The mountains and the valleys,

the oceans and the shore,

the heavens in their splendor,

clearly cry out, there is more.

Sun soaring in the vast sky

then setting just on cue.

It is no sort of “accident”,

that told it what to do.

Faithfully its eastern rise

begins each brand new day.

Warmth as it traverses sky,

providing light on our way.

The laws of God are perfect,

reviving weary soul.

Removing chains that bind us,

and guide us to the goal.

His statutes are trustworthy,

making the simple, wise.

His commands are radiant,

giving light to blinded eyes.

His precepts are provision,

giving joy unto the heart.

Fear of Him in purity –

a healthy place to start.

His love endures forever.

His ordinances sure.

They are sweeter than honey.

More precious than gold, pure.

His words serve as a warning,

to keep us on the path.

Forgive our hidden faults,

protect us from Your wrath.

May every word I speak,

and every whisper of my heart,

be pleasing in Your sight,

as each day begins a fresh start.

(Responding to Psalm 19)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that everywhere we look, there is evidence of You.  We need not look beyond the eyes of a child, nor further than the sound of our own beating hearts, to know that You are.  Forgive us for taking anything that You have made, for granted; as each and every part of creation is a gift.  Teach us how to glorify You in all that we do, and to appreciate with grateful hearts, the magnificent gifts that we have been given.  May our every spoken word and whispering of our hearts be pleasing to You, and may our actions lead the lost to Your loving arms.  Amen.

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

Called Clean in Christ

Centurion man

image by Al

seeking in prayer.

Gave generously,

called on God “out there”.

Angelic visit

to Cornelius.

Prayers being answered,

by our God with us.

Sent men to Joppa,

for Peter to find.

Housed with the tanner,

ready, set, and kind.

Peter on rooftop,

who’d gone up to pray.

Learned a new lesson,

about pure that day.

Directly He spoke,

the voice of the Lord.

“Call nothing impure,

that I have restored.”

Three times this happened,

and then Peter knew,

that God was for all –

not just for the Jew.

Peter went with them,

to Cornelius.

Who had gathered all,

to hear of Jesus.

He fell at his feet,

Peter said, “Stand up,

I am just a man,”

to God, raise your cup.

Peter clearly spoke.

Spirit presence near.

Mighty did He move.

Evidence so clear.

Empowered in gifts.

Spirit pouring out.

Baptism, new life –

the God-ordained route.

(Responding to Acts 10)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though none of us deserve to be deemed clean before You, because of the sacrifice of Your Son on the cross, all who ask, are covered and considered clean before You.  Thank You that when You look at us, You see Your spotless Son rather than our sinful selves.  Please forgive us for seeing ourselves or others as “unclean”.  Help us to remember that the only way that anyone is called clean, is in You.  Lead us to live lives of love that honor You by loving You and loving people well.  Teach us to trust You to lead us well, and to provide what we need to go wherever we are asked.  Thank You for Your goodness and grace, and may You be ever evident in this place.  May many come to know how deeply You love and long for relationship with Your created.  Amen.

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