Good Words and Hard Work

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. – (Proverbs 12:14, NIV)

People get good things for the words they say, and they are rewarded for the work they do. – (Proverbs 12:14, ERV)

Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward. – (Proverbs 12:14, MSG)

Yesterday was one of those days that words spoken brought life, and the reward of hard work was evident. Students were engaged in conversations with enthusiasm for our end-of-the-year project, and my gymnasts had a fantastic practice. New skills were achieved and fears were overcome. As I was preparing for a meet up to run, my Viking sent me a text that he wanted to do a date night. By the time we had gone to dinner, run into and visited with friends, returned home and walked the dogs, my heart was overflowing with the good things spoken and the reward of hard work that had filled my day. Even on the days that things don’t flow as smoothly, or the work seems to be in vain, I can speak good things and remember that there are days that simply knowing the hard work is being done brings its own reward. God is good, and He encourages us to speak blessings and work hard, for through each we witness Him moving in us, through us and for us. May we ever seek the Lord to fuel our hearts with His words, and strengthen us to do the work that we have been called to do.

Our words and actions,

Have power to give;

Goodness and blessings,

As each day we live.

May we speak kindness,

Let our words bring life;

For encouragement,

Ends internal strife.

Teach us to invest,

To work unto You;

Give our very best,

In all that we do.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of people You place around us who speak life and bring good things, and for the reward that is felt as we work as if unto You. Forgive us for the times that we have not spoken life to those around us, or have not worked with our heart invested in what we are doing. Teach us to lean into You to be our strength and our encouragement, for You speak life and love and strength to those who seek You. Show us how to speak good into those around us, and to work in a way that encourages others to invest as well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we use our lips to speak life and our hearts to fully invest in all that we do. Amen.

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

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

Seek to Do Good and Love

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

People who try hard to do good and be faithful will find life, goodness, and honor. – (Proverbs 21:21, ERV)

Whoever pursues justice and treats others with kindness discovers true life marked by integrity and respect. – (Proverbs 21:21, VOICE)

 

The human condition becomes quite ugly when individual agendas are pursued, rather than righteousness and love. If we cannot look past ourselves to extend the same love that we have so freely been given, peace is lacking, and satisfaction never arrives. I cannot help but cringe in today’s political climate. With both sides in seeming pursuit of personal agendas, rather than what is truly right, there is no love extended, and it becomes an episode of adults behaving badly. What if each party set aside their differences and looked for solutions that are founded in love, kindness and justice? Integrity would remain intact, and representatives would be respected, regardless of party affiliation. Currently, all I know to do is pray – for both sides. On a personal level, if I am working hard to do good and be faithful to love, I know peace in my pursuit of right living. May we each pursue righteousness and love, personally, and pray for such for those who have been chosen to lead our nation.

 

We each have been called,

To live right and love;

Choose good for others,

As God does for us.

For as we choose well,

A true life is shown;

Honor and respect,

As grace is made known.

Imagine a place,

Where righteousness reigned;

Love motive for all,

Peace could be maintained.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You reward righteousness and love with life, goodness and honor. Thank You that this is not something that we are expected to do on our own, but rather as we seek You and pursue a life of loving You and loving people, goodness and love are extended according to what is right. Forgive us for the times that we have chosen to withhold good or do anything out of selfish ambition rather than love. Teach us to seek You and follow Your leading, so that love and righteousness will be our mode of operation. Show us how to give good and love well for the good of those around us, and not just ourselves. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to do good and love well. Amen.

 

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

 

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8

Sweet Wisdom for the Soul

My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. – (Proverbs 24:13-14, NLT)

My son, eat honey; it is good. Honey straight from the honeycomb is the sweetest. In the same way, know that wisdom is good for you. Wisdom will give you something to home for that will not disappoint you. – (Proverbs 24:13-14, ERV)

Eat honey, dear child – it’s good for you – and delicacies that melt in your mouth. Likewise, knowledge and wisdom for your soul – Get that and your future’s secured, your hope is on solid rock. – (Proverbs 24:13-14, MSG)

 

Wisdom is to the soul, what honey is to the mouth. The sweet satisfaction that comes from truly knowing and understanding that there is a hope and a future when our hearts are held in Christ’s hands, will not disappoint. There is peace in His presence, and comfort in His company. He provides wisdom where it is lacking if we seek Him, and secures our soul as we pursue all that He is offering. May we seek the sweet satisfaction that comes from the wisdom that God alone provides, and celebrate the security we know when our hope is held in Him.

 

As honey’s to taste, 

So wisdom’s to soul;

There is a sweetness,

As God’s hope unfolds.

For wisdom reveals,

A future secure;

Shows us that in Christ,

We’ve nothing to fear.

Ever seek wisdom,

It won’t disappoint;

As eternal hope,

Is wisdom’s viewpoint.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that knowing You and the future that You have for us is sweet for our soul. Thank You that You have a hope and a future for every one of us. Forgive us for not pursuing You and Your plans, as we often fear what we do not know. Teach us to trust You more, as You are always good. Show us how to love those around us in a way that shares hope and encouragement, so that they too, may recognize the sweetness held in Your wisdom. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue Your wisdom to provide our hope, as it does not disappoint. Amen.

 

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

 

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. – Psalm 34:8

 

Wisdom is the Path to Peace

She (wisdom) will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. – (Proverbs 3:17-18, NLT)

Her ways are pleasant; all her paths are peaceful. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who hold her tight are happy. – (Proverbs 3:17-18, CEB)

 

Solomon was speaking of the wisdom that comes from God. When we seek Him and ask for His wisdom and understanding, He provides insight and the path to peace. As we pursue His ways and hold fast to His leading, light and life are revealed to us according to His perfect plan, and the peace of God becomes known as we follow the way He has shown. True satisfaction is found in knowing that we are holding fast to that which we have been called to do, and walking in the way in which He is leading. May we seek the Lord’s wisdom all of our days, and hold tightly to the path which He provides.

 

When we seek the Lord,

He’s faithfully found;

He’ll answer requests,

Grant wisdom that’s sound.

Wisdom from the Lord,

Is life to all who;

Choose to embrace her,

Obey, follow through.

Happy are all those,

Who hold tight to these;

And follow His paths,

As they lead to peace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You and Your wisdom, You show us Your ways and grant us Your wisdom. Thank You that Your ways are pleasant and Your paths are peaceful. Thank You that Your wisdom is life to all who embrace that which You provide. Thank You that happiness is found in listening to the wisdom that You provide. Forgive us for not seeking Your wisdom to know which way we are meant to go, or for choosing to go our own way despite Your leading. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would listen and obey, regardless of what You say, as all Your ways are good and lead us on the path to Your perfect peace. Show us how to love those around us with Your wisdom, so that we share light and life in places that are dark and lacking. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your wisdom to lead us in all Your ways. Amen.

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

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

Faith and Hope in Action

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – (1 Corinthians 13:13)

 

Faith is the foundation and content of God’s message; hope is the attitude and focus; love is the action. – (NIV footnotes) When our faith is assured and our hope is secure, we are free to love as Christ loves us. The more we know God, the more we reflect Him in how we love one another. Love that comes from God is patient, kind, protective, trusting, hopeful, perseverant, and rejoices in the truth. His love never fails. Love from God is the life and breath of our faith and hope in action. May we place our every hope in Him, as He grows our faith in His unfailing love.

 

May we find our faith,

in the Corner Stone;

hold fast to the hope,

by Whom we are known.

For from faith and hope,

come love in action;

the fruit of His grace,

true satisfaction.

The more we know God,

the more that we show;

His love for others,

His heart in us glows.

Let faith, hope and love,

forever remain;

as His light is shown,

as we let love reign.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we place our faith in You, and allow You to be our hope, Your love is made evident in our actions. Thank You that Your love is complete and unfailing. Forgive us for thinking that Your love in any way, resembles humanity’s flawed and limited love. Help us to trust in Your all-encompassing love, so that we may go forth in the hope that we hold, and love others as You so lavishly love us. May many come to know the greatest love of all, as they find faith and hope in You. Be glorified, O God, as our love is poured out as the life and breath of our faith and hope in action. Amen.

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

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. – Genesis 21:6

The Sanctity of Godly Sorrow

image by New Hope Baptist Church

Perfecting holiness

out of reverence for God,

seems quite overwhelming,

and perhaps, a bit odd.

To purify ourselves

is a two-fold action;

we must turn far from sin,

seek His satisfaction.

The sorrow that leads us,

to repent from our sin,

and produces in us,

a heart for serving Him.

As we’ve been forgiven,

set free from all our debts,

may we ever march on;

earnestly, no regrets.

(Responding to 2 Corinthians 7:1-11)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone are holy.  Thank You that Godly sorrow leads us to repentance, and ultimately restores us to a right relationship with You.  Thank You that You do not expect us to achieve perfection, nor be free from failure; but rather You desire that we become wholly dependant upon You.  Forgive us for thinking we have to do or be enough, and help us to really receive Your forgiveness and grace.  As our focus is fixed firmly on You, may we reflect the freedom and forgiveness that is found in You, unto those who need to know.  May we be a blessing before You today.  In Your Mighty Name, Amen.

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

Enveloped in His Grace

Goaded by guilt,

image by Jason Sents

stuck in shame’s scorn.

Life heavy laden,

legalism worn.

Stealer of joy,

producer of stress.

Life under the law,

will make such a mess.

Performance pointing,

keeper of score.

No satisfaction;

always doing more.

Christ came to show us,

not just where we lack;

but how He can save,

His grace brings us back.

He grants us freedom,

He carries our weight.

He forgives and loves,

never hesitates.

We may always choose,

do works or take grace.

On our own – empty;

in Him, safety’s space.

(Responding to Galatians 4:8-15)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that it is by Your great grace that we are saved, and not by what we do or do not do.  Forgive us for allowing guilt to guide us into thinking that we are not enough.  Help us to know and understand who we are in You, and may our faith in You and Your direction be what guides us in all that we say and do.  Teach us to hear Your heart for others, and Your voice, so that we know what it is that You are asking of each one of us.  May many come to know You as we walk in faithful obedience, bathed in Your glorious grace.  Amen.

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