The Bearer of Burdens

image by Graham Kraka

Praise to the Lord,

our God who saves.

Who bears our burdens,

all of our days.

He is sovereign,

over the earth.

His love, mighty,

before our birth.

He is our shield,

protective One.

Lighter of dark;

Fueler of sun.

No harm may come,

to guarded soul;

the eternal –

forever whole.

Though illness comes,

and bodies break;

future secured,

in heaven’s wake.

(Responding to Psalm 68:19-20)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You lovingly and willingly bear our burdens so that we don’t have to.  Thank You that You save us from sin, self, and all that seeks to destroy us.  Thank You that You are far greater than anything that would try to come against us.  Forgive us for our fears and doubts, and help us to completely depend on You.  Thank You that You are a shield about us.  Teach us to walk confidently in the covering and light of Your love, so that we too, may love others as You love us.  May many come to know You by our love.  Amen.

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

Inspect My Inmost Being

image by A-GC Wallpaper

Search me, O God,

for You know my heart.

Test me and show,

where I need new start.

My fearful thoughts,

remove them from me.

Point out each place,

offensive to Thee.

Lead me, Jesus,

Everlasting Way.

My heart, Your home,

I need You to stay.

Know me, Father,

for in You I’m known.

You lead and guide;

make Your thoughts my own.

Show me, Spirit,

the very best way,

to follow You,

and do what You say.

My hope is held,

in eternity.

On my last day,

Your glory I’ll see.

(Responding to Psalm 139:23-24)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You know all there is to know about us, and You choose to love us anyway.  Thank You that because of Your great love, You made the way for us to be in relationship with You, through the atoning sacrifice of Your Son, for our sins.  Forgive us for not allowing You access to all of ourselves, and help us to be willing to make David’s prayer our own:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Help us to readily receive correction and direction so that we might become a clearer reflection of You.  May many come to know You as we mirror Your great love.  Amen.

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

The Condition of Clean

image by Things We Heart

It is not what we eat,

nor how we wash our hands,

that deems our condition,

worthy enough to stand.

God looks at our output,

for that which leaves our lips;

clear evidence of heart,

and how we are equipped.

For every sort of sin,

originates in heart.

When we give way to words,

that is the unclean part.

A life that is called clean,

is immersed in our God.

Allows His Spirit reign;

to guide our path to trod.

(Responding to Matthew 15:10-11, 17-20)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that being “clean” before You has nothing to do with what we eat, nor with our physical condition, but instead has everything to do with the condition of our heart.  Thank You that though not one of us would be worthy to come before You on our own, that because we are covered in Christ, by the sacrifice You made on our behalf, we are forgiven as we ask, and found worthy to be with You.  Forgive us for the unclean things that dwell in our hearts, and for those that have left our lips.  Please cleanse us and free us from our own filth so that we might fully fix our eyes and hearts on You.  Lead us to love as You love, and may many come to know You in response.  Amen.

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

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

Established in Grace

iStockphoto/Orlando Rosu

Let not the good news,

stay on surface soil;

from this place in heart,

the devil may foil.

If His word does not,

sink deep in our hearts,

when the troubles come,

we’re lost from the start.

If thoughts of the world,

are planted there too,

confusion will come,

take eyes off what’s true.

The heart that’s ready,

both hears and receives,

lets truth root down deep,

knows what to believe.

In the established,

He pours out His grace;

makes us His vessels,

so all might seek His face.

May our hearts be soil,

ready to receive.

May all that grows here,

both nourish and feed.

(Responding to Matthew 13:18-23)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Spirit and for Your word.  Thank You that by Your Spirit, we may gain insight and understanding that goes from head to heart, so that what flows from us, is a clearer reflection of You.  Forgive us for allowing worries and trouble the time to try and choke us out, and may we be even more dependant upon You.  Thank You that Your hands are large enough and strong enough to hold all things.  Thank You for Your amazing grace that You pour out on us, not because we deserve it, but because You are a good and loving Father.  Use us as Your vessels to pour out the very same grace and kindness to others, so that they too, may come to know Your perfect love.  Amen.

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

Using Words Wisely

image by Jenny Zhang

Our every word,

that we give a voice,

directly reflects,

the depth of heart choice.

Are we invested,

rooted in His word?

Is God’s own Spirit,

the voice that is heard?

Do my words build up?

image by PuraEco

Or do they tear down?

Am I reflecting,

one wearing His crown?

As His own daughter,

may my words reflect,

His heart for people;

in honor, respect.

May love be the sound,

that’s most clearly heard,

as I trust in Him,

to choose every word.

“… For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” – (Matthew 12:34b)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your word, and for Your Spirit – who grants us understanding as we spend time studying Your word and listening to Your voice.  May our every word be salt and light, used to build up and encourage one another in love.  Forgive us for unkind words, spoken in frustration or anger, and guard our hearts so that we only give voice to that which is good and pleasing to You.  Let our lives be a clear reflection of our relationship with You.  May many come to know You as they are washed in Your words of truth.  Amen.

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

Laying Down Our Load

image by BBHB

Come if you’re weary.

Come if you feel worn.

Come with heart tattered.

Come targets of scorn.

It does not matter,

to God how we come.

But rather we seek Him,

so battles are won.

The yoke we’re bearing,

let Him take and toss.

For He already,

bore it on the cross.

Take off the burden,

let loose heavy chains;

His strength is enough,

to carry our pains.

Extend Him your hands.

Give your whole heart too.

For this is where rest,

is granted to you.

His yoke is easy.

His burden is light.

You are His treasure;

His child, His delight.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – (Matthew 11:28-30)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we find rest.  Thank You that when we are weary and worn out, or burdened beyond what we can bear, You say, “come, let Me carry that.”  Forgive us for trying to power through in our own strength, and help us to be completely dependant on You.  Thank You that every battle we face and every burden we bear, You have already bore on the cross.  Help us to set down our “stuff” so that we can extend our arms to You.  May we recognize the rest You provide, and please keep us from picking our burdens back up again, once we have laid them down.  Help us to extend Your hope to the hurting and the hopeless, so that they too, may come to know Your perfect peace and provision.  Amen.

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

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

Refreshing Radiance

image by Ward Smith

Oh God, You’re my God,

I want more of You;

with all that I am,

in all that I do.

When parched in dry land,

for You, I do thirst.

Only Your water,

refreshes on Earth.

Here I am standing,

before You with praise.

All of my worship,

for all of my days.

In Your love there’s life,

strength, hope and power;

with each breath I take,

faithful Strong Tower.

I lift up my hands,

surrendered to You;

Your love, far greater,

nothing else will do.

Satisfaction found,

in Your Name alone.

You watch through the night,

make my heart Your home.

Because You’re my help,

I sing in Your wings,

You gently hold me,

as I tightly cling.

(Responding to Psalm 63:1-8)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone satisfy all that we are longing for.  Forgive us for seeking anything other than You.  Thank You that You are all that we need.  When we are weary, You are our strength.  When we are parched, You saturate us with Your love.  Thank You that we have the privilege to come freely before You in worship.  Thank You that as we come to praise You, we are blessed by Your overwhelming presence and Your peace.  All praise to You, Jesus.  May we move in loving kindness today, and may many come to know You through the evidence of You in our lives.  Amen.

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

Identity in Him

Our value is not

in what we can do;

it is determined,

by Who dwells in you.

For in our own strength,

we’ll not be enough.

But our loving God,

grants strength for the rough.

If we’d only see,

through His loving eyes,

we’d learn our value;

the ultimate prize.

For you, you alone –

He still would have died.

His love is that deep,

His grace is that wide.

You are His treasure,

of infinite worth,

He’s loved you always,

even before birth.

Beloved sweet child,

such wonder to hold,

nothing can compare,

you’re worth more than gold.

You are anointed,

He’s called you by name.

Receive His embrace;

of His love, proclaim.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that our true identity lies in You and not in what the world says that we are or are not.  Forgive us for giving ear to the lies of the enemy that attempt to tell us that we are not enough, and grant us the wisdom and strength to know that in You, we have all that we will ever need.  Keep discouragement far from us, and help us to be an encouragement to others on Your behalf.  May we clearly reflect Your love and light to others through all that we say and do, so that they too, might be guided unto You.  Amen.

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