Hard Hearts Made New

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” – (Luke 23:43, NIV)

Then Jesus said to him, “I promise you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” – (Luke 23:43, ERV)

Jesus responded, “I promise you – this very day you will enter paradise with Me.” – (Luke 23:43, TPT)

The response of Jesus to the criminal beside Him who was repentant, reminds us how great His grace truly is. Though He himself was hanging from the cross in agony, Jesus still heard the call of a repentant soul, and let it be known that the promise for all who turn away from their sinful ways and turn to God, remained true, even as they were living out their last breaths of life. No matter how far from God someone may appear, their salvation could be but a few breaths away. God works in mysterious ways. If He can touch the heart of a hardened criminal as he is having his death sentence carried out, God can do the same for anyone. We celebrate Christ’s arrival at Christmas, but this season ought to remind us why He came. Jesus came to bring forgiveness, peace, hope, love and joy to all who are willing to receive. May we fix our eyes on the greatest gift ever given, and celebrate as we walk in forgiveness, extending peace, love, hope and joy to all those around us.

The promise through Christ,

Was given for all;

So love might be known,

Through us, great and small.

For nothing we do,

That’s done with great love;

Goes without notice,

By the Lord above.

The Lord takes our gifts,

In love, multiplies;

The impact they have,

His grace maximized.

Lord, help us to rise,

With purpose each day;

Let our love spread hope,

Lead us in Your way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your one and only Son to save us. Thank You that You receive us as we call on Your Name and recognize our desperate need for You. Forgive us for frustration and lack of faith when things seem impossible through our own eyes and understanding. Thank You that You are so much greater than we realize. Teach us to trust in You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us in ways that grant peace, hope, love and joy to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look at Your birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension in awe and wonder and gratitude. Amen.

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

But with You there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve You. – Psalm 130:4

Knowing Our Own Need

In Luke 7:36-50, the story of Jesus being anointed by the sinful woman is unpacked. I love the scene that my mind’s eye imagines, as the Pharisee, who has invited Jesus to dinner, likely to show Him how “great” he was, was quite put out when this immoral woman showed up and began hanging out at the feet of Jesus. It even went so far as to record what Simon (the Pharisee) said to himself, “If this Man were a prophet, He would know what kind of woman is touching Him. She’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39, NLT)

The sinful woman was fully aware of her sin. She was repentant as she knelt at the feet of Jesus and washed them with her tears and dried them with her hair. Additionally, she anointed his feet with perfume and continued to cover them with kisses.

Simon just did not get it. Jesus wanted to be sure that he did. He stopped Simon in his tracks, and told him a story of two men being forgiven their debts. One was forgiven a small debt, the other, a much larger debt. When Jesus asked Simon which man would love more, Simon was able to reply, “The one who had been forgiven more.”

It does not appear that Simon had some sort of great revelation for himself and his own need for forgiveness, but at least it seems he gained a glimpse of why the woman’s weeping and washing of Jesus’ feet with her hair was an act of worship.

This story has many points, but the two that stand out the most are that we need to recognize our own necessity to repent, and that it is not our position to determine a person’s heart when they come before the Lord. We all have a past, and those who have been forgiven much, love much. May we ever seek the Lord and His forgiveness, so that we may go forth and love as He loves.

 

There’s no “good enough”,

Artwork by Sylvia Carlton

Nor penance required;

Instead, we can come,

Presence is desired.

Jesus says draw near,

Despite where we’ve been;

He longs to forgive,

Wash away our sin.

As we choose take pause,

Truly recognize;

His mercy granted,

Great love realized.

As we’re forgiven,

Let us likewise love;

So others too know,

Hope in Christ above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show us such beautiful examples of forgiveness and gratitude for Your mercy and grace. Thank You that You call us to be gracious and merciful as You are full of mercy and grace toward us all. Forgive us for the times that we either viewed others as less than, or ourselves as more than we should. Teach us to see ourselves and others through Your lens – as loved and in need of a Savior. Help us to love well, all those around us, so that they may see Your heart through our mercy and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love without limits, and forgive as we have been forgiven. Amen.

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

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

Mercy Will Meet Us

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You. – (Psalm 86:5, NIV)

My Lord, You are good and merciful. You love all those who call to You for help. – (Psalm 86:5, ERV)

O Lord, You are good and ready to forgive; Your loyal love flows generously over all who cry out to You. – (Psalm 86:5, VOICE)

 

I am so thankful for the forgiveness and love that are ever available in Christ. We do not have to jump through hoops to prove ourselves repentant enough, or somehow worthy of love. Instead, God calls us to come before Him, just as we are, and be transparent before Him. He already knows all that we have and have not done, and His love is not determined by our own “worthiness“. Christ already paid the price for our sin and shame, and is willing and ready to forgive, if only we choose to ask. He loves us because we are His created, not because we have done “enough” or have become “enough“. In this beautifully busy season, this is just the reminder that I need. Daily, I need to call on Him for help, for forgiveness, and for grace, as I cannot do all and be all that is expected of me on my own. His love is generous; in His kindness, He will meet us in our need. May we ever look to the Lord for His mercy and help, as His love and grace are poured out upon all who call on His Name.

 

O Lord, You are good,

Forgiving and kind;

I am so grateful,

That Your love is mine.

As I call on You,

You’re faithful to hear;

Whatever my need,

As You remain near.

Thank You for the grace,

That You ever give;

Your help and Your hope,

Life to truly live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You for help. Thank You that You love us to life, and provide help and hope so that we may move in the direction we have been called. Forgive us for not crying out to You for help when we are in need. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would call on You in all things, as You are generous and loving, wanting what is best for us. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends goodness and mercy in the same way that it has been given to us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we call on You for help, trusting Your goodness and mercy to meet us in all things and at all times. Amen.

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

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

Equipping the Chosen

Human frailty,

image by Crystal @ The Yellow Space

clearly evident.

Among disciples,

was scorn and contempt.

The greed of Judas,

poor Thomas’ doubt;

Peter’s denials,

arguments for clout.

The final supper,

over broken bread;

fickle promises,

foolish words were said.

Yet the Savior still,

made the painful choice.

For us, bore the cross,

gave hope to rejoice.

By Him all our sin,

is cancelled, erased.

Repentant we come,

we’re washed by His grace.

For those eleven,

repentantly came.

Forgiven, equipped –

to move in His Name.

For each one of us,

the power is the same.

If we call on Him,

and go in His Name.

(Responding to Luke 22 and Exodus 3-5)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You take broken and flawed folks who are submitted to You, and use us as You see fit.  Thank You that throughout Your word, You show us that You do not call the equipped, but rather, You equip the called.  Thank You Jesus!!!!  Forgive us for our doubts, and help us to remember that any good we do, is done through You.  May each of us be equipped to move mightily in Your Name, in whatever direction You are calling.  Use us as Your instruments to bring the sweet sound of salvation to those who are seeking.  Amen.

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