Immersed in Grace

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. – (Philippians 2:14-15, NIV) 

Do everything readily and cheerfully – no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. – (Philippians 2:14-15, MSG) 

Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves. For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining lights in the universe. – (Philippians 2:14-15, TPT) 

It seems that this is particularly timely, as there is much grumbling and arguing going on everywhere. With the limitations set in place as we crawl forward in stages of reopening, there is complaining and arguing on both sides. The crazy thing is that everyone is ultimately desiring the same thing; as life in a lockdown of sorts, has grown exhausting. We cannot please all people, all of the time. However, we can live cheerfully, without complaining, to keep division at bay. I don’t know about you, but I would certainly prefer to be thought of as a light or a breath of fresh air, rather than one who bickers and causes division. Yes, there is a time and a place to take a stand, yet there are small, simple things that we can all do to be without blame and bring light and life to those around us. Wear the mask, give people grace, check in on loved ones and the lonely, and be kind and generous in all things. Each of us has the power within us to live as light, as we intentionally seek and follow what God asks of us. In all things, if we are prioritizing loving God and loving people, we cannot help but be cheerful and kind, shining His light before all those around us. No, none of us will get it right all the time, but we can choose to not complain or argue over things that eternally, will not matter. May we ever seek the Lord and His grace, so that we can live as light and grace before all, without grumbling or arguing. 

Choose not to grumble, 

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Argue or complain; 

Instead, love purely, 

Lift high, Jesus’ Name. 

Let words and actions, 

Be immersed in grace; 

Choose love like Jesus, 

Throughout all our days. 

For as we choose love, 

Give grace and refrain; 

We reflect God’s light, 

And honor His Name. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You remind us what it is to love like You. Forgive us for our complaining or arguing over things that have no eternal value. Show us how to be light and a breath of fresh air to all, despite the turmoil and ugliness that transpires all around us. Show us how to love as You call us to love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to walk blamelessly and lovingly. Amen. 

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

And this brings praise to God because of His wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the One He loves. – Ephesians 1:6

Lavish Love Gives Glorious Grace

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. – (1 Peter 4:8, NLT)

Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins. – (1 Peter 4:8, ERV)

Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. – (1 Peter 4:8, MSG)

 

When we choose to love others, we see their strengths far more clearly than their weaknesses. Just as we are so lavishly loved by the Lord, we are able to pour into others as we are willing to receive that which is freely given by God. Though we may get hurt, irritated or frustrated with choices that our loved ones make, we are far more easily empowered to forgive, as we commit to the choice to love. Not one of us is without fault, yet God loves each of us as if we were the only one to love. He knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we speak them, and still He loves us in spite of ourselves. As we choose to love others deeply, we are able to love likewise. May we seek to love others as we are loved by the Lord, for love like His makes up for practically anything.

 

With intention choose,

-Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Deeply love others;

For love looks past faults,

Dear sisters, brothers.

It’s grace to forgive,

When others do wrong;

Love like we’re given,

Strength to choose love on.

Because we’re loved well,

We can do the same;

Prefer each other,

For by love, we gain.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can love because You first loved us. Thank You that Your love is so deep, it covers our faults and failures. Thank You that as we choose to love deeply, we too are able and willing to forgive as we are forgiven. Forgive us for not choosing love when things get difficult. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would love others as we are loved by You. Show us how to love others as if our lives depended on it, for by such love others with come to know the greatness of Your grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to love each other deeply with the same love that You pour out upon us. 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

Cut Complaints to Give Glimpses of Good

Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. – (Philippians 2:14-15a, ERV)

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God. – (Philippians 2:14-15a, NLT)

Do everything readily and cheerfully – no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. – (Philippians 2:14-15, MSG)

 

In a world where it is commonplace for people to complain and argue, we have the opportunity to be different. When we choose to love and extend kindness, rather than argue, we offer a glimpse of God’s goodness. Likewise, when things are challenging or overwhelming, if we opt to seek answers or assistance rather than complain, a clear anomaly is observed. God calls us to be love and light to the world, and one of the ways in which we are asked to do so, is to be a breath of fresh air in places where perhaps the normal mode of operation is less than kind and often full of conflict. May we choose to do everything without arguing or complaining, recognizing that our Redeemer calls us to be love and light to grant glimpses of Him in spaces where He otherwise might not be seen.

 

 

Lord, help us to choose,

Do everything;

Without complaining,

And trust grace You bring.

Try not to argue,

Be ready with cheer;

For our attitude,

Can show God is near.

Let Your love light shine,

A breath of fresh air;

As we choose live right,

And show that we care.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to show us what it is to live a blameless life without complaining or arguing. Thank You that when we choose to do things readily and cheerfully without bickering or second-guessing, we give glimpses of Your goodness to the world. Forgive us for the times that we have chosen otherwise. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would present our concerns to You, and trust You to show us how to navigate, rather than complain or argue. Show us how to love those around us so that they would gain glimpses of Your heart for them, individually. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to do everything readily and cheerfully, according to Your good and perfect will. Amen.

 

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

 

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. – 1 Peter 2:19

He Chose Us

Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. – (Ephesians 1:4, NLT)

God chose us to be in relationship with Him even before He laid out plans for this world; He wanted us to live holy lives characterized by love, free from sin, and blameless before Him. – (Ephesians 1:4, VOICE)

 

When I read this verse, I am a bit overwhelmed. I am very aware of my faults and sinful nature, and know that what He gives, is the last thing that I deserve. However, God does not base His love for us on what is deserved; there are no conditions. He loves because we are His created, and when we choose to place our trust in Him, He forgives all our sin and views us through a fault-free filter. As His Spirit comes and covers us, making us holy before Him, we are able to live according to His plan, and go forth and love as we are loved. No, we will not be without fault or flaw, but we will be forgiven and loved as we forge forward in our pursuit of His plan. May we invest well in our relationship with the Lord, and allow His love to cover and transform us, so that we may recognize the remarkable in relationship with Him, and live out a life of love.

 

We each are chosen,

Called and loved by God;

Fault free and holy,

As our path we trod.

Before time began,

God had thought of us;

He knew that we’d fail,

So He sent Jesus.

Oh what love is this –

To be chosen, known?

God’s love sets us free,

As we’re called His own.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You loved us and chose us to be holy and without fault before we even came into being. Thank You that Your love, mercy and grace are far greater than we can even begin to grasp. Thank You that we are forgiven and free in You; able to stand blameless before You, despite the things we have done before. Forgive us for not receiving what You offer, or for not seeking that which You freely and lovingly give. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would invest well in our walk with You, and reflect Your character in our actions. Show us how to love those around us, so that they may come to know the depth and breadth of Your mercy and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose You, just as You have chosen us. Amen.

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

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. – Psalm 34:8

Without Complaint Nor Argument

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. – (Philippians 2:14-16)

 

Paul was encouraging the church in Philippi to uphold a higher standard. He knew that if people could see a difference among the believers in how they lived, those who did not yet know Christ, would be more apt to hear and receive the words of life that they were openly offering.

 

I imagine we each can picture a person who willingly serves behind the scenes, that never has a complaint nor argument, and somehow has a bit of a glow about them. The Spirit dwelling within them, is evident, and people want to be near. May we each become more and more like Him, as His blameless and pure children – without complaining nor arguing, so that we may shine brightly, offering forth His words of life.

 

Let not a complaint,

leave these lips of mine;

nor arguing be,

a way to pass time.

Make me more like You,

one blameless and pure;

Your child without fault,

whose hope is secure.

Keep me from crooked,

depraved sorts of things;

allow me to shine,

Your word of life bring.

When my days are done,

I so long to hear;

“Well done, faithful child,”

“Come close and draw near.”

With arms extended,

reaching to embrace;

I’ll run to You, Lord,

as I see Your face.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that our hope is found in You alone. Thank You that You give us instructions as to how we are to be effective for You. Forgive us for our complaining and arguing, and help us to set aside our wicked and warring ways, and fix our eyes entirely on You. Help us to become Your blameless and pure children, without fault, so that we may be a mighty witness of Your word. Let Your light shine brightly through us, as we seek to serve You in all that we say and do. May many come to know You as their Lord and Savior. Be exalted as we are made blameless by the glorious gifts of Your mercy and grace. Amen.

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

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5