We Are Called Friends

If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of His Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of His resurrection life! – (Romans 5:10, MSG)

I mean that while we were God’s enemies, He made friends with us through His Son’s death. And the fact that we are now God’s friends makes it even more certain that He will save us through His Son’s life. – (Romans 5:10, ERV)

 

The reason I often post a few different versions of a verse, is my way of sharing the process of looking and listening to what He wants my heart to hear on any given day. Sometimes, the words jump off of the page and grab hold of my heart the moment I first read them, however, there are other times that something seems significant and is keeping me stuck on a verse, but it requires repeated reading. Though the main message of Romans 5:10 reminds us that we were saved while we were still sinners because of Christ’s sacrifice, God uses His words that I have read many times, to show me something new, or remind me of truth that my heart needs to hear. This morning, I took pause as I read the portion that says: “now that we’re our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of His resurrection life!” That is a loaded statement. It is rare that I feel that I am at my best, as I am well aware of my own flaws and shortcomings. That being said, whenever I am dialed in on the depth and breadth of the hope I have in Him forever, I recognize how much He has done both in and through me, and know that there is so much more as I choose to faithfully follow Him. May we ever identify the incredible gift that we have been given through the grace of God, and go forth in the hope that we hold in knowing He is with us, for us, and our eternity is secure in Him.

 

What is this great love,

That saw us in sin;

Enemies of God,

Yet still welcomed in?

While stuck at our worst,

He made way to friend;

Greatest sacrifice,

So life would not end.

It is by His death,

And rising again;

We’re forgiven friends,

Life with Christ won’t end.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that while we were yet sinners, Your enemies – You called us friends as You gave Your very best so that we could come to have life everlasting in You. Thank You that through Your resurrection, we are also raised to new life by Your mercy and grace, and empowered to walk in Your way, rather than our own. Forgive us for somehow discounting the depth of what You did and thinking that we do not qualify, rather than receiving the gift that You freely give. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would have a proper perspective as to who we are in You. Show us how to walk out our days in the wisdom that we are Your friends, so that we love those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the grace that You freely give, and walk forward in that which You have given us to share. Amen.

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

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – 1 Chronicles 16:31

Listen and Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. – (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don’t try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. – (Proverbs 3:5-6, MSG)

 

After reading the regularly scheduled passages for today in my year-long plan, I was compelled to search the word “trust“. Unsure as to why, I did it anyway. The very first verse that came up in my search was the above passage in Proverbs. All too familiar, at first I recited it from memory as I glimpsed at my Bible application on my phone. As I often do, I then spent a few minutes reading a variety of versions of the same passage to see if there was some new insight or something that God was trying to highlight for me. Sure enough, when I read the Message, it all became quite clear. In the midst of a circumstance that I am desperately trying to figure out, with some serious concerns as to how exactly I am meant to navigate, His words came to life and I received what He was speaking to my heart. My job is not to figure it out. He is asking me to listen to Him, to trust Him completely, and watch for the way in which He will lead me through. His ways are far higher than my own, and I much prefer things in His loving and capable hands. Sadly, it often takes time spent simply seated before Him, just listening to what He wants to say, before we recognize the spaces where we need to trust, to seek, or to let go and let God. Thankfully, He is patient and kind, and He leads us to the place where we are meant to be so that we can hear His heart, rather than continue to flounder on our own. May we trust the Lord with all of our heart, and lean not on our own understanding. In all of our ways, may we seek Him, as He alone will make plain our path.

 

To trust in the Lord,

requires our heart;

with all that we are,

not just a small part.

When we choose listen,

He makes our path plain;

as we trust in Him,

we allow Him reign.

If we choose to seek,

He’s faithful indeed;

to speak to our hearts,

and meet all our needs.

Our understanding,

shall always fall short;

but God and His ways,

will always exhort.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can trust You with all that we are, and that we need not figure everything out on our own. Thank You that we can listen for Your voice in everything we do and everywhere we go, and You are faithful to keep us on track. Forgive us for leaning on our own understanding rather than trusting in You. Teach us to trust You more in all things and at all times. Lead us to love others in a way that acknowledges Your goodness and grace, and clearly points people to Your path. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we trust in You with all that we are, and listen for Your voice to show us which way we are meant to go 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