The Outlook of the Open

For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face. – (Psalm 11:7)

 

If it were not for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, this verse would be completely daunting. Not one of us is able to be upright on our own; however, in Christ, we are called clean, forgiven and free, and He sees us as upright before Him. That being said, we are charged to live a life devoted to Him. As He loves us, so we too, must love. Christ’s goodness and grace are not our free ticket to do whatever we please, but rather our point of redemption and reconciliation from our wrong living, so that we may turn from our wicked ways and live upright before Him for the remainder of our days. May we receive the gift that the Lord has freely given, and respond with a life lived justly, as He empowers us to be upright before Him. Let us hold fast, knowing that our hope is in the promise that we will one day see Him face-to-face.

 

The Lord is righteous,

in all of His ways;

and He loves justice,

truths that will not change.

Those who live upright,

and receive His grace;

live lives of promise,

and shall see His face.

Christ’s love sacrifice,

created the way;

for us to follow,

and on His path stay.

May we each receive,

all that He’s given;

so we tell of how,

to be forgiven.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are righteous and that You love justice. Thank You that the upright will see Your face. Thank You that righteousness, justice and our status as upright, are not dependent on our abilities, but rather on our willingness to allow You into our hearts and lives to make changes. Forgive us for withholding any area from You, and teach us to trust You more, so that we will release all unto You, granting You full access to clean, refine, restore and renew that which needs to change. Lead us to love others justly and with Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified O God, as we pursue the path You have placed before us with willing hearts, that are open to all that You want to do both in us, and through us. Amen.

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

Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. – Psalm 69:16

Humbly Seeking

If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – (2 Chronicles 7:14)

 

As Solomon dedicated the temple to God, he prayed and asked God to forgive the people if they would seek Him when they had sinned. God, in His great mercy and love, responded as written above. The conditions God gave the people then, are still the same expectations He has for us today. When we sin, we are to: humble ourselves and admit our sin before Him, pray to God and ask Him to forgive us, seek Him continually, and turn away from the sinful behavior. “True repentance is more than talk – it is changed behavior. Whether we sin individually, as a group, or as a nation, following these steps will lead to forgiveness. God will answer our earnest prayers.” – (NIV footnotes – 2 Chronicles 7:14)

 

Not one of us have yet arrived. We all are in need of seeking our Savior continually – for ourselves, for our families, for our communities, and for our nation. May we see His healing touch each of these areas in our lives.

 

May each of us call,

upon our great Lord;

and humbly seek,

in prayerful accord.

Turning from our sin,

changing all our ways;

embracing His truth,

as we seek His face.

Listen to the Lord,

and watch how He moves;

as He heals our lives,

and demonstrates truth.

For the Lord is good,

He’s faithful always;

may we seek His grace,

for all of our days.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promises. Thank You that You are willing to hear us and forgive us and heal us, if we will seek You and pray to You. Thank You that You are loving and kind, merciful and gracious. Thank You that You draw us unto Yourself. Forgive us for our sinfulness, and our self-reliance. Teach us to trust in You and turn to You in all things and at all times. May our dependence on You be contagious, and may our love through You be blaringly evident. Let those who are looking, find a forever faith in You. Be glorified as we humble ourselves and seek You in all that we say and do. Amen.

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

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell

in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6

 

 

Closer Still

image by Mary Beth Volpini

Still closer, Jesus,

I need You to come;

post guard on my heart,

set lock on my tongue.

Let no evil thoughts,

my mind entertain,

keep me from wicked,

and all You disdain.

Surround me with wise,

who’ll come alongside;

correct me in love,

as You lead and guide.

Let evil doers,

reap what they sow;

for justice is Yours,

to have and to hold.

My eyes fixed on You,

You are my refuge;

keep me from the snares,

so I’m safe in You.

(Responding to Psalm 141)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek, we find; and as we ask, we are given.  Jesus, please come closer still, and guard our hearts and minds from the wicked ways that have become so widely accepted by much of society.  Keep us from speaking sinfully, and help our words to bring light and life to all who hear them.  Forgive us for allowing our minds to entertain anything that is evil or unpleasing to You, and please be quick to correct us in love, so that we are led away from all that is unwise, and toward that which builds up the body.  As our eyes are fixed on You, may our actions advocate just how amazing You are to those who are seeking.  May many come to know You as their Father and Friend.  Amen.

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