The Seeming Lunacy of Lavish Love

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – (1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV)

The teaching about the cross seems foolish to those who are lost. But to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – (1 Corinthians 1:18, ERV)

To preach the message of the cross seems like sheer nonsense to those who are on their way to destruction, but to us who are on our way to salvation, it is the mighty power of God released within us. – (1 Corinthians 1:18, TPT)

 

Without the cross, we would have a lengthy laundry list of laws that we would be required to follow to find way to heaven. The cross changed all that. Laws show us our sinfulness, yet Christ went to the cross to bear the burden of our every failure to follow. Rather than rules and rituals requiring strict adherence to look to the Lord, we now have hope in a Savior who calls us to love. The saving power that was presented at the cross, provides the desire and strength to look to the Lord and be in relationship with Him. Before, there was a veil that separated people from God. Torn in two, as Jesus took His last breath, His decision to die for us all destroyed the barrier between God and mankind, and made the way for us to know Him, personally. The more we know the Lord, the more we are compelled to let go of our former foolishness and follow after Him. He who knew no sin, wore all of our sin upon Himself so that we could come to know His power, individually. His mercy and grace provided us with a fresh start and a call to two things: love God and love people. When we do the two, we reflect the goodness of God to the world, and make salvation tangible for those who do not know Him. May we ever embrace the goodness and grace that was granted at the cross, and receive His power that is presented to us as we come to Him in faith.

 

Seemingly foolish,

God sent His own Son;

To take away sin,

This Most Holy One.

Bearing our burdens,

In love, chose to die;

So we might know Him,

All sins rectified.

Such power and love,

Laid bare on that cross;

All to offer life,

Horrifying cost.

Yet freely He chose,

So we could know grace;

Receive and believe,

Daily, seek His face.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the radical and unfathomable love that You have for us. Thank You for making the way for us to come to know You, personally. Forgive us for all that we think, say and do that led You to choose the cross so that we might live. Teach us to trust You more, ever coming before You with gratitude and eyes to see the depth and breadth of Your love. Show us how to love those around us in a way that makes Your goodness and grace visible to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You praise for who You are and how You love, trusting our very lives into Your holy hands.  Amen.

 

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

 

When we were overwhelmed by sins, You forgave our transgressions. – Psalm 65:3

Breaking Free from Barriers

For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered Heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. – (Hebrews 9:24, NIV)

 

Christ went into the Most Holy Place. But it was not the man-made one, which is only a copy of the real one. He went into Heaven, and He is there now before God to help us. – (Hebrews 9:24, ERV)

 

Before Christ came and sacrificed Himself on the cross, the high priest was only allowed to enter the Most Holy Place once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people with a blood offering. When Jesus came and suffered on our behalf, He broke down the barriers that limited our access to the presence of our great High Priest. When Christ sacrificed Himself, the price was paid – once and for all. No longer do we have need for an earthly mediator to communicate with God. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, continually contending for us. We are seen through the veil of His righteousness, and received as coheirs with Christ. Let us boldly approach the throne of mercy and grace, as we seek to serve Him all of our days.

 

No barrier,

exists between;

a longing heart,

and Christ unseen.

Each honest cry,

by Heaven’s heard;

our great High Priest,

values each word.

Look to the Lord,

in suffering;

let gratitude,

from our lips, sing.

Direct access,

to His mercy;

let love and grace,

set our hearts free.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your one and only Son to make the way for us to have direct access to You. Thank You Jesus, for enduring our sin and shame on the cross. Thank You for conquering the grave and returning to the right hand of the Father, so that You can advocate for us. Forgive us for our foolishness that thinks that we have to do or be enough to somehow earn what You freely give. Teach us to embrace Your mercy and grace, and to go forth in gratitude to serve. May we extend Your love and light to all those whom we encounter, and may many come to know You, personally, as a result. Be magnified as we move past every barrier that might hinder us. Amen.

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

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things.  Who, O God, is like You? – Psalm 71:19

 

Loving through Loss

photo by Sea Greene

No time to grieve,

His family loss.

He set aside,

and bore His cross.

Compassion felt,

for all who came.

He cured the ill.

He healed the lame.

The crowd knew not,

of all He’d lost.

Nor what He’d pay,

upon the cross.

For each of us,

He’d set aside,

His royal crown,

so we’d abide.

With each nail strike,

His love poured out.

The sacrifice,

our life’s about.

And more than that,

when He did die,

the veil was torn,

to hear our cry.

It was for us,

His sacrifice;

for God’s great love,

has paid our price.

(Responding to Matthew 14:13-14)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible example of sacrificial love that we have in Jesus.  Jesus, thank You that You chose to love and to heal, despite great personal loss.  And so much more than that, thank You for Your love that bore our sin and shame on the cross.  Thank You that You made the way for us to be in relationship with You – that we can come close without fear nor needing to present a sacrifice – we can just come as we are before You, and be real.  Forgive us for being flippant about the magnitude of Your sacrifice, and please help us to keep proper perspective so that our hearts may be ever full of praise for You.  Teach us to love like You, in all things and at all times, regardless of what is going on in our own lives.  May Your love in us, lead many unto You.  Amen.

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

Reflecting God’s Glory

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” – (2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – NIV)

“We’re free of it!  All of us!  Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of His face.  And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become more like Him.” – (2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – The Message)

Where the Spirit rests,

image by Bronlynn

true freedom is found;

no longer a veil,

the wall’s been torn down.

The more that we seek,

the more we shall find.

True transformation –

of heart, soul, and mind.

Reflecting glory,

grows brighter each day,

give Him our whole heart,

as we live, love and pray.

Let our lives burn bright,

showing God’s glory.

May His heart be heard,

as we share our story.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that true freedom is found in You.  Thank You that as we walk with You and our relationship deepens, we more clearly reflect who You are to those around us.  Forgive us for discounting Your ability to use us as You see fit, even when we cannot see ourselves from Your perspective.  Help us to remember that You are the author of our story, so we are indeed meant to use it for Your glory.  Lead us to live and love as bright beams of light for You.  May many come to find true freedom through the forgiveness You freely offer to all who ask.  All honor and glory to You.  Amen.

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