Judge Not

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – (Matthew 7:1-2, NIV)

“Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. If you judge others, you will be judged the same way you judge them. God will treat you the same way you treat others.” – (Matthew 7:1-2, ERV)

Jesus: If you judge other people, then you will find that you, too, are being judged. Indeed, you will be judged by the very standards to which you hold other people. – (Matthew 7:1-2, VOICE)

Now, more than ever, this is a relevant reminder. There is so much judging and finger-pointing going on over the various issues currently in existence, that it seems no solution is possible. However, that is not the truth. When we listen to learn, rather than to judge, there is opportunity for both sides to recognize how much more they have in common than they differ. Every human has a story and a history that has shaped their beliefs. Until we understand who a person is and what has shaped them, we cannot possibly comprehend the reason for the decisions they make. If we instead focus on seeking to do what is right, and truly listen to others, we will feel less inclined to judge and more inspired to love. We are all a work in progress. Imagine how much more progress all of us would make if we no longer worried about being judged and instead were able to focus on choosing to love… May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in love, not judgement, and then follow all that He asks of us.

 

Let’s choose not to judge,

What’s not fully known;

Instead, let’s seek love,

As the Lord has shown.

No one is perfect,

Without fault or sin;

So none are equipped,

To judge what’s within.

Rather let us love,

Choose listen and learn;

Identify strengths,

What’s given’s returned.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You first loved us. Thank You that Jesus did not come into the world to judge us, but rather to save us. Forgive us for every time that we have made a judgement about another, rather than sought to understand. Teach us to listen in love. Show us how to love when we struggle with the words, actions or decisions of others. Remind us again that You love us all, despite our shortcomings. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we are intentional to love and extend grace, not judgement. Amen.

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

God sent His Son into the world. He did not send Him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through Him. – John 3:17

Commit to Learn and Grow

Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge. – (Proverbs 23:12, NLT)

Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge. – (Proverbs 23:12, MSG)

Develop a disciplined life. Be attentive so you can be well informed. – (Proverbs 23:12, VOICE)

 

Just as this is both necessary and beneficial in our day to day life, it is essential in the ever-changing world of education. Not only are the needs of our students changing, but so too are the standards and the curriculum from year to year. Without self-discipline, I would not make it through a single day. Time in the word each morning instructs my heart and soul with reminders of how to love well, and ongoing instruction and interaction with intelligent, innovative colleagues, continues to challenge and refine my craft in the classroom. It is imperative that my ears be open to students and colleagues alike, and God’s grace carries me through the most difficult of days. May we ever be committed to receive instruction, as we listen carefully to words of knowledge that come our way.

 

Let each heart commit,

To listen and learn;

So knowledge is heard,

And hearts may discern.

A disciplined life,

Attentive, informed;

So through wisdom’s gain,

Lives will be transformed.

Commit to listen,

Let God filter all;

Knowledge shall follow,

To this, we are called.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we commit ourselves to learn, and listen carefully to instruction, knowledge finds us by Your grace. Thank You that You call us to be well informed and attentive, so that we are aware of the world around us. Forgive us for isolating ourselves or choosing to stay stagnant, when You are calling us to grow. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would ever be committed to learning and growing as we are called by You. Show us how to best develop a disciplined life according to the plan and purpose that You have for us individually. Help us to love others well, so that they too, may come to understand the depth and breadth of You great love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we commit ourselves to disciplined instruction, and have our ears open to the words that come from You. Amen.

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

You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence. – Acts 2:28

Clothing the Corners of Our Heart

With the ever growing unrest and tensions in the world around us, it is all the more imperative that we go out prepared, according to God’s standards. It is not about how we appear on the outside, but rather how we clothe the corners of our heart.

 

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

 

Can you imagine what the world would look like if everyone approached one another with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience? Though we cannot expect others to conform to the “clothing of Christ“, we can extend these things to all whom we encounter, modeling the very things that we hope to see in return. Change does not happen with giant waves of conformity, rather it begins with one, or perhaps a few, who choose to be kind or compassionate. Those who opt to walk in humility and gentleness, despite that which surrounds them – these are the agents of change in the world. May we have the patience to press in and seek the Lord, allowing Him to be our Source and our strength to clothe our hearts with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, so that we may go forth and give to others as the Lord intended.

 

As the believers,

Let us rise and choose;

To be clothed in Christ,

All unkindness lose.

Be clothed with kindness,

Compassion and grace;

Gentle and humble,

To the human race.

Always be patient,

For God’s been with us;

He loved us to life,

And gave us Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to save us from ourselves. Thank You that when we seek You, You meet us where we are. Thank You that in Your strength, we can be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, so that we may extend the same to others. Forgive us for not seeking You or for not clothing our hearts with Your character. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would more accurately reflect who You are to a world so desperately in need of Your goodness and grace. Show us how to love with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to honor You by clothing ourselves in the character traits of Christ. 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

Seeking Strength and Peace

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. – (Psalm 4:8, NLT)

The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, NLT)

But all who listen to Me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm. – (Proverbs 1:33, NLT)

 

There have been four shootings in the last forty-eight hours in my city – three of which were fatalities. What once was a sleepy little town, is growing and changing, and the bounty of broken and hurting people has blown up. I see it in the schools, where kids come and try to navigate the new, with a very different set of standards guiding them as they go. Many are in crisis, and are simply in survival mode. How do we best meet needs and love all who come, just as Jesus calls us to love? We are not called to be afraid, nor hide away in fear, yet neither are we asked to be foolish. The Lord grants wisdom to all who seek Him, and gives strength where we have none. His peace surrounds us and keeps us safe, despite the seeming destruction of what we formerly knew to be true. There is no easy answer nor simple solution when the safety of one’s city has been stolen by violence. However, change begins with one. One act of kindness. One extension of encouraging words. One person providing peace in the midst of scattered storms… If we seeks the Lord and listen to Him, He will grant us strength and wisdom, removing the fear that has fought to find footing around the brutal acts of broken people. May we let Love be what leads us; not fear.

 

As the day closes,

And fear tries rush in;

I lean on the Lord,

Where comfort begins.

The Source of all strength,

In chaos, our peace;

Protector, Savior,

Where grace is released.

He loves the hurting,

The scorned and broken;

He’s asking of us,

To be truth spoken.

Not just with our words,

But in love, choose serve;

Meet needs before us,

His peace to preserve.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Source of peace and strength, no matter what surrounds us. Thank You that in You, we need not fear – for You keep us safe from harm. Father, I lift my city before You, and ask that You would move mightily in the hearts of all who love You, so that we may seek You and obey whatever You ask of us to bring peace into this place. Forgive us for our fearfulness when we see so much violence in such a short span of time. Teach us to turn to You in trust, so that we would hear what You would have us do, and then we would go forth and obey. Show us how to love all who are hurting around us, so that they might come to know Your perfect peace for themselves. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for strength and peace. Amen.

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

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8

 

 

Right by Faith

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. – (Romans 3:22, NLT)

God makes people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. He does this for all who believe in Christ. Everyone is the same. – (Romans 3:22, ERV)

 

God made the way for people to be right with Him again when He sent His Son. Jesus came to restore what had been fractured in the garden. As He took all of our sin and shame upon Himself, He covered each of us who chooses to believe by faith, and opened eternity’s door. By faith, we are seen as righteous before God – not for what we have or have not done, but rather because we are His, and we choose to embrace the grace He gives. This glorious grace is not limited to those who have lived a certain way, or abide by a set of predetermined standards to “qualify“. God gives to ALL who seek Him by faith and trust that what He says is true. There is no sinner vs. Saint, but rather, each of us who choose to receive what He offers, have been redeemed by His mercy and grace, and are called His own. May we place our faith in Jesus, and trust in Him; for He is merciful and full of grace, ready to restore what is fractured within us.

 

For God made the way,

the way to restore;

all that was broken,

through Him we adore.

When He sent His Son,

He opened the way;

for mercy and grace,

to enter each day.

We need not perform,

nor rise and excel;

He wants us to trust,

that He fends off hell.

It is through our faith,

that we are made right;

our past is the past,

we’re now His delight.

His love runs so deep,

that He chose to give;

His very own Son,

so we all might live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are made right before You by placing our faith in Christ. Thank You that this is true for everyone everywhere. Thank You that there are no qualifications of being “good enough” or “doing enough” to somehow earn Your favor. Thank You that it is a matter of trusting You. Forgive us for our lack of faith at times, and help us to completely trust in You. Teach us to place all that we are in Your hands, for You alone are worthy of all of our trust. Show us how to love others with a love that leads them to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place all of our faith in You, because You are good and loving, and You restore all that is broken within us and make us whole. Amen.

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

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8

To Live a Holy Life

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. – (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

 

Impure is a state of not abiding by how we know the Lord is calling us to live. God invites us to walk with Him, and as we do, He shows us what it means to abide by His standards, rather than those set forth by society. As we choose to answer the Lord’s call and obey what He asks of us, we are empowered by His Spirit to live a holy life in Him. This does not mean that we have somehow arrived; but rather we are on the road that is marked by redemption, and we continue to travel in His forgiveness and grace, ever seeking to stay submitted to His standards, rather than our own. May we each rise up and heed His call to live pure and holy lives, according to His good and perfect plan for each of us.

 

For God has not called,

us to be impure;

He’s taken our sin,

and made our way clear.

His great forgiveness,

has granted the way;

to live life holy,

and in His will, stay.

Not by our own strength,

but rather by love;

He helps and leads us,

to choose rise above.

Lord, help us to live,

pure and holy lives;

extending Your grace,

so others too, thrive.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You not only have a higher standard for us to live by, but You empower and equip us to do so. Thank You that in You, we can live pure and holy lives. Forgive us for the times that we abide by society’s standards rather than Yours, and help us to easily differentiate what You are asking of us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will stand firm in the truth that You have planted within us, and not allow any of the pressures or temptations of the world sway us from the truth. Lead us to love others with Your pure and perfect love, so that they too, may come to know the fullness of Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we live pure and holy lives by the power of Your Spirit within us. Amen.

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

Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13

Agreeing to Abide

In Paul’s final warnings to the Corinthians at the close of his second letter, he encourages them with the following: Now, brothers and sisters, be filled with joy. Try to make everything right, and do what I have asked you to do. Agree with each other, and live in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. – (2 Corinthians 13:11, ERV)

 

With these words, Paul was not encouraging the church to ignore nor agree with sin. In fact, he had in just a few verses prior, given specific instructions for how to deal with intentional sin that was continuing among the body of Christ. Once the air has been cleared, and repentance has been sought, each ought to seek to live right with one another, agreeing to abide by the Lord’s standards, which lead to peace. As we adhere to what God has set in place, His love and peace are present, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. May we seek to serve the Lord with our whole heart, and follow Him all of our days. Let His love and peace be present, as He guides us in all of His ways.

 

Let’s keep short accounts,

with those in the Lord;

filled with God’s great grace,

and love He affords.

Seek to make things right,

repent when we’re wrong;

forgive those who ask,

His grace makes us strong.

In things of the Lord,

set hearts to agree;

allow the Lord’s peace,

to guide and to lead.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone fill our hearts with joy, regardless of our circumstance. Thank You that You call us to make things right before You with one another, and lead us to keep short accounts before You and others. Thank You that as we do, Your peace and love is present with us. Forgive us for not seeking peace in spaces of turmoil, and help us to trust You more, so that we will know what we are meant to do, and what we are to wait and allow You to do. Lead us to love others well, just as You so completely love each of us. May many come into a saving relationship with You, Lord. Be exalted O God, as we keep short accounts with one another, agreeing with each other in the things of You, as we walk forward in Your love and perfect peace. Amen.

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

Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13

Where Are You?

But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” – (Genesis 3:9)

 

After Adam and Eve had sinned and eaten of the fruit in the garden, they recognized their nakedness and hid in their shame. God, despite His knowledge of their wrongdoing, still desired to have fellowship with them. Their sin broke the close relationship He had created them to have, but Jesus came and created the way for our fellowship to be restored to what it once was. God so loved, that He sent His Son. His sacrifice supplies us with His unconditional love. Though our natural inclination, like Adam and Eve’s, is fear, (as not one of us can live up to His standards), we needn’t be afraid as we are loved and received regardless of our faults, because we are covered and claimed by the blood of Christ’s sacrifice. Let us rise up in confidence to answer His call, and go forth in all He has prepared for us to accomplish in His Name.

 

It’s hard to believe,

the great Lord of all;

wants time with just us,

to answer His call.

He opened the way,

to mend and restore;

to heal the broken,

through Christ, we adore.

He makes way for us,

to come close, be near;

as we seek His face,

His Spirit is here.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You created us to be in relationship with You. Thank You that even though it is in our very nature to blow it, You made the way to restore us unto Yourself. Thank You Jesus, for making the way for us to enter into a close relationship with You, despite our brokenness and our faults. Thank You that You love us as we are, and You make us more like You as we invest our lives in pursuing You. Forgive us for thinking that we have to somehow measure up, or for taking Your grace for granted. Teach us to keep our eyes and hearts securely fixed on You, so that we have a proper perspective at all times. Lead us to love others as You so lavishly love each of us. May many come into a saving relationship with You. Be glorified Lord God, as we give and receive Your love. Amen.

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

When times are good, be happy. – Ecclesiastes 7:14

Supplied by the Spirit

Each of us, whether we are aware of it or not, has an assignment.  God has created and gifted each one of us with something special in mind.  However, we are not born with an instruction manual, nor do we receive a special guide book at our moment of redemption, thus we find ourselves in a space of needing to seek Him to find out what He has planned.

We do have an instruction manual of sorts for our lives, as the Bible shows us how to live in love and trust in Him, among other essential things found in a life formed by faith.  Also, because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are able to call out to God in prayer, any time, and ask whatever we need.  The critical element in helping discover our given assignments, is the gift of the Holy Spirit.  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – (Acts 1:8) When we invite Christ into our lives, we invite the Holy Spirit as well.  Just as the early disciples received God’s power to do as He had called them to do, we too, can receive the very same power to do all that He is asking of us.

Three things that the disciples did, that we must still do today, are: to join together with fellow believers, pray together in faith, and wait.  It seems that the first two are the easier of the three to manage.  In this instant gratification society, waiting is a tough sell.  Patience and perseverance are characteristics that seem a rarity, rather than the norm.  The standards that were established all those years ago, still apply today.  All things that are worthwhile take work and waiting.  We are told that the same is true with our walk with Him.  “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” – (Romans 5:3-5)

The disciples were told to go and wait after Jesus had ascended into Heaven.  We also, are meant to wait on Him, when we need to know what comes next.  As we are faithful to wait, the blessings discovered by spending time intentionally in His presence, are well worth the investment.  He is faithful to answer as we ask, we simply must press in and persevere, trusting that He hears our every prayer.

Call on the Lord,

then faithfully wait;

for His answers,

not early nor late.

Patiently pray,

for the Lord is good;

He knows our need,

we are understood.

Allow access,

to both heart and mind;

trust Him to touch,

He is gentle, kind.

God will equip,

us to do each task;

know what He says,

and do as He asks.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You made the way for us to be in a relationship with You, and that the very same power You poured out on the early disciples, is available, ready and dwelling in the hearts of those who believe.  Thank You that You equip us for all that You ask, and that You strengthen and encourage us as we listen and wait on You.  Forgive us for forgetting to slow down, or for growing impatient in the waiting.  Teach us to trust in the wait, and help us to persevere, so that we may hold the holy hope You have for us.  May we live in love as we walk in obedience to all that You ask, and may many come to know You as a result.  Be glorified in all that we say and do.  Amen.

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