Demonstrated through Deeds

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. – (1 John 3:18, NLT)

My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do. – (1 John 3:18, ERV)

Beloved children, our love can’t be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of life demonstrated through our loving deeds. – (1 John 3:18, TPT)

 

Love is a verb. To truly make the love of God tangible, we must love with more than words. Acts of love done without expectation of anything in return, reveal the remarkable heart of our Redeemer. We have a Secret Pal system in place where I work. Prior to the onset of random acts of kindness, all who opt to participate complete a simple survey that includes information about the person we plan to bless throughout the school year. There is much joy in finding out more about the person we have chosen, so that we may demonstrate love through kind acts that remind the person that they are known and that they matter. Additionally, when we demonstrate our love for those around us – our family, friends, colleagues, and the like – we are exhibiting glimpses of God’s love made tangible. Each act of love shows the recipient that they are known and valued. Whenever we prefer one another in love, we model the truth of the love of the Lord, and give rise to the goodness of God. May we never limit our love to mere words, but rather demonstrate the lavish love of the Lord through loving deeds.

 

The love of the Lord,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Is ours to display;

Through more than mere words,

Love’s a verb each day.

Called to take action,

To show with our deeds;

Each done with a love,

That meets others’ needs.

So, let us rise up,

in love, take action;

Choose to move in love,

Holy transaction.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace. Thank You that You have shown us in countless ways, how love takes action. Thank You that all can come to know You and be the recipients of Your love. Forgive us for not acting in love at times when we have the opportunity. Teach us to trust You more, so that we gain greater insight as to how we may put love into practice. Show us how to make love tangible for those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love You and seek to love those around us with more than mere words. Amen.

 

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

 

May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You. – Psalm 33:22

Found in Our Seeking

Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. – (Psalm 105:4, NLT)

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. – (Psalm 105:4, NIV)

Depend on the Lord for strength. Always go to Him for help. – (Psalm 105:4, ERV)

Pursue the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. – (Psalm 105:4, CEB)

 

David, in his recollection of God’s faithfulness, reminds us again of our need to take action in the pursuit of the Lord. We are not meant to sit stuck in our circumstances, rather it is our charge to search, pursue, look for, and depend upon the Lord for our strength. Our seeking His face is meant to be ongoing, not just a “go-to” in our trials. Daily, we ought to go to God, as He is our source of help and strength, and He never leaves us nor forsakes us. When we seek, we find; for He is waiting, patiently, for us to ask. God is gentle and kind, and will not force His way into our hearts and lives. As we invite Him, He shows up – mightily and miraculously. May we always seek the Lord, for He is the One on whom we can depend, and our true source of strength.

 

I searched for the Lord,

and He heard my cry;

met me in my need,

no hope was denied.

For He is our source,

of strength and of hope;

He’s with us through storms,

our sure safety rope.

As we choose pursue,

to seek the Lord’s face;

we find what we need,

in His loving grace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can search for You and find You, when we seek Your face. Thank You that You are our source of strength and help, and that we can always come before You. Forgive us for not looking to You and Your strength in our struggles. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would pursue and depend on You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love others in such a way, that they come to understand that You are where our strength comes from, and that You are always available to the seeking. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we depend on You for strength, and continually seek You in all things. Amen.

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

Shout aloud and sing for joy. – Isaiah 12:6

Sharing Ourselves

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – (Hebrews 13:16)

Community is critical, and I am so thankful that both my school and church community are heavily invested and committed doing good and sharing with others, as these two arenas are the areas where both my boys and I spend the majority of most of our days.  Teaching kids the importance of looking outside of themselves to see that there are needs right here in our own community, and empowering them to rise up and take action, is a common occurrence throughout the year, as my school holds a food drive prior to Thanksgiving, and then sponsors families in need prior to the Christmas break, so that children will have gifts to open and families will have meals to share.  Similarly, our church creates Thanksgiving baskets for families in need in the community, and then holds an incredible evening event where many businesses and the police department partner with our church to turn the sanctuary into a space where parents are able to come in and select several gifts for each of their children, and then have them wrapped and tagged, while their kiddos are being cared for in another area, unaware of the surprises that will soon be theirs to open.

The good and sharing that we do with others, goes beyond big events.  Our time, our resources, and ourselves – these are what He is asking us to share with others, so that they too, may come to call Him King this Christmas.  For the time that you have invested in others, even when it was not convenient, know that He is pleased.  As you chose to give, even when it meant you did not get something that you may have wanted, He is pleased.  Each time you truly listened and heard the heart of another, He has seen you, and with you, He is well pleased.

This is but a fraction of the parent shop… 🙂

Forget not to do good,

and give yourself away;

as we extend our hearts,

that’s the choice to obey.

Giving that which we have,

of our talent and time;

God sees and He honors,

each kindness to mankind.

May we go forth and give,

as we have been given;

may His Name be made known,

on earth as in heaven.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have done the ultimate good for us, as You shared Your Son so that we might have the hope of eternal life.  Thank You that this is a season, more than any other, that people are receptive to receive the good and sharing that others extend.  Forgive us for not making the most of the opportunities You provide, and help us to have open hearts, so that we will hear and obey whatever You ask of us.  Teach us to trust You completely, knowing that You are good, and that You are pleased each time we choose to do as You ask of us.  Just as a parent is proud of their child when they share and are kind to others, help us to remember that You too, see us through the eyes of a loving Father.  May we share with others and do good, not only in this sacred season, but throughout the year – as an offering unto You.  May many come to know You as their Savior, as we seek to serve You with our lives.  Be exalted, O God.  Amen.

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