Bearing Burdens

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. – (1 Peter 5:7, NLT)

Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries. – (1 Peter 5:7, VOICE)

 

The weight of worries wear us down, and keep us from being and doing all that God intends for us. Though there are things that have valid reason to cause concern, no good can come from our carrying the weight of worry. However, when we lay our burdens and concerns at the foot of the cross, Christ can carry them for us. His shoulders are far stronger than ours, and He holds the solution in His hands. Our charge is to trust Him and His care for us, and allow Him to bear the brunt of the weight. As we give the heaviness to Him, our hearts are better able to grasp the instruction and direction that He has for us, so that we might move toward resolution rather than fear or frustration. May we lay down our worries before the One who cares most, and trust Him to lead us in the direction that He is calling us to go.

 

Bring Him your worries,

And lay them all down;

Set them at the feet,

Where truth shall be found.

For the Lord alone,

Is able to bear;

The burdens we bring,

For each one, He cares.

Our hearts are each known,

By Christ, our great King;

Let’s trust in His love,

With burdens we bring.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can come to You and trust You with all of our worries and concerns and lay them at Your feet. Thank You that You care for us, and care about what concerns our hearts. Thank You that Your shoulders are far stronger than ours, and that You are equipped and prepared to carry whatever we bring before You; willingly and lovingly. Forgive us for thinking that we are meant to bear our burdens alone, or for working ourselves into a place of panic as we attempt to carry things we are not meant to hold. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would come to You right away, when we feel the weight of worry begin to creep in. Show us how to help bear burdens for those around us, as we love and support those in need. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give all of our worries and cares to You, as You love us and have far more capable hands to carry the load. Amen.

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

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23

 

 

 

Most of All, Love

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

Most of all, love each other steadily and unselfishly, because love makes up for many faults. – (1 Peter 4:8, VOICE)

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

 

We are called to love one another well; deeply, steadily, unselfishly and as if our life depended on it. Our love is not meant to be dependent on what others do or do not do, but rather because Christ first loved us. If we choose to look through Christ’s filter of love, we are better equipped to forgive and forego the faults of others, just as the Lord has done through His unmerited mercy and grace.

This morning, I am about to enter into the last day of a wonderful women’s retreat with the lovely ladies from my church. It has been a weekend of God utilizing women to make His love and grace tangible, through those whom He has placed around me. Each of these ladies with whom I have had the privilege of conversation, has had a heart that was clearly choosing to love deeply, rather than find faults. Just as we have had the opportunity to care well for one another and to choose to love, so too, do we have the choice to go forth and continue doing likewise in our homes and communities. Imagine what our world would be like if we all chose to love steadily and unselfishly… May we each go forth in love, extending the very same grace that we have been given, to all whom we encounter.

 

Go forth and choose love,

Wherever you go;

Steady, unselfish,

So God’s love will show.

When we choose His love,

Our hearts can forgive;

Sin that surrounds us,

Give grace as God gives.

Let us love as if,

Our life does depend;

On reflecting Christ,

So anger finds end.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not call us to anything that You have not already done for us, and are not willing to equip and empower us to do. Thank You that You love us so fiercely, that we too, can go forth and love others as we are loved. Forgive us for making our love conditional or limited. Teach us to love steadily and unselfishly, trusting You to show us how and to give us strength to do that which You ask. Lead us to love those who need to know Your love in practical and tangible ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love one another deeply, just as You love each of us. Amen.

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

You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence. – Acts 2:23

Adorn Our Hearts

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. – (1 Peter 3:4, NLT)

Let your adornment be what’s inside – the real you, the lasting beauty of a gracious and quiet spirit, in which God delights. – (1 Peter 3:4, VOICE)

 

We are constantly bombarded with images and messages about what is beautiful. If we wear this clothing, or have that hair, or fit a certain body type – then, then we will be considered beautiful. That “beauty” is both fleeting and subjective. Fashion and trends come and go, and external beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, the beauty that lasts and matters most to God, is the sort that is developed and upheld in our hearts. When we seek after Him, and are in step with our Savior, a gracious, and settled spirit emerges from us wherever we go. People are drawn to this sort of beauty that lasts. Our hearts, in which the Lord delights, are what attract others to draw near. Interestingly enough, the most beautiful people I know have hearts after God, and what is on the inside overflows to that which is seen. May we invest in adorning ourselves with the lasting beauty of His goodness and grace, as we go forth in the gentleness and quietness of a spirit that is set secure on our Savior.

 

Let us choose be clothed,

In traits of the Lord;

For internal light,

Is beauty adored.

The things of this world,

Are fleeting at best;

For external fades,

When time puts to test.

A gentle spirit,

Quiet and at peace;

Is precious to God,

And shall never cease.

This is true beauty,

That draws others near;

A heart after God,

Walking without fear.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are not so interested in how we adorn the external, but rather how we invest our hearts in You. Thank You that as we seek You and trust You, You create a beauty from within. You place in us a gracious and quiet spirit, that is secure in whom You have created us to be. Forgive us for our insecurities that cause our focus to shift to the external rather than within. Teach us to prioritize our focus on the beauty of our hearts according to Your standards, rather than the external according to the world. Show us how to love those around us with gracious and gentle spirits, so that we would be quick to recognize the beauty in those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to adorn ourselves with beautiful hearts. Amen.

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

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. – Genesis 21:6

 

Chosen Representatives

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you – from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. – (1 Peter 2:9-10, MSG)

 

If we are followers of Christ, we are among those considered His chosen people. Those who are chosen, are also now called. Our calling is to be representatives of Christ – to be His instruments of peace, telling others of all that He has done in us and for us. Both our words and our deeds should demonstrate the dramatic difference that an identity in Christ makes in how we navigate. May we represent well the wonders of the work of His hands, so that many may come to know Him.

 

For we are chosen,

To represent well;

A life changed by God,

Our story to tell.

In all that we do,

And words that we say;

May His light be seen,

As we walk His way.

Once we were nothing,

Headed for demise;

Then God made the way,

And loved us to life.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, we find You, and You call us Your own. Thank You that You choose us to be Your instruments of peace, to represent You to those around us. Thank You that You qualify and equip us to do so. Forgive us for staying silent when we have so much to say about all that You have done in us and for us. Teach us to trust You more so that we would be bold on Your behalf. Show us how to love others where they are, so that they may seek to find the Source of our love too. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we do and say the things You call us to on Your behalf, allowing us to represent You well. Amen.

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

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

The Word is Alive

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. – (Hebrews 4:12, NLT)

 

Whether we are in need of words of encouragement or correction, God’s word is real and relevant, and the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts as we invest time in reading His word. So often, I am in awe of how timely the truth of His word applies to whatever is going on in my own life. God sees and knows us, individually. No thought, desire, prayer nor concern, escapes the attention of our Savior. Though at times it is a bit unnerving to know we are known, ultimately, we can trust that the motivation is love, and the purpose is to provide the path to His perfect peace, despite the pain and pandemonium that sometimes surrounds us. May we trust in the truth and continue to seek Him, as we allow His Spirit to speak to our hearts through time spent investing in the word.

 

The word of the Lord,

Is power, alive;

It shows us the truth,

So that we might thrive.

Sharper than a sword,

It’s used to divide;

His truth from the lies,

Where our fears reside.

He shines forth His light,

And shows us what’s true;

So that we may rise,

By grace, choose push through.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your word is alive and powerful. Thank You that it shows us where we are walking upright before You, and where we are desperately in need of Your correction and redirection. Forgive us for not seeking and asking, or for neglecting to listen and obey, despite knowing the way in which You are calling us to go. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will invest time in Your word, and listen to Your leading – be it correction or exhortation. Show us how to love those around us in a way that points people to the path that leads to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we invest time in Your word and allow Your Spirit to direct our steps. 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

Living Among Us

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. – (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT)

The Lord your God is in your midst – a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing. – (Zephaniah 3:17, CEB)

 

God is not far off and unreachable, He is near – living among us. There is such reassurance in this. Beyond His nearness, He fights for us. The Lord calms our fears with His great love, and He delights in us. It is mind blowing to think that He, the Creator of ALL, would rejoice over us with joyful songs. Despite our doubts, our fears, our brokenness, and our sinfulness – He loves, and He is for us. May we hold fast to the truth of His word, trusting that He is near, He will fight for us, He delights in us, He will calm us with His love, and He will rejoice over us with singing.

 

No matter what comes,

We need never fear;

For the Lord our God,

Is present, so near.

He’s mighty to save,

The battle is His;

He delights in us,

And does what He says.

The Lord will bring calm,

By His love, bring peace;

As His songs resound,

With joyful release.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You live among us. Thank You that You are not God out there, but rather You are as close as our next breath. Thank You that You fight on our behalf, and that You delight in us. Thank You that You calm all of our fears. Thank You that You sing over us with joy. Forgive us for forgetting all of these things, as they are the reassurance that can soothe even the most stirred of souls. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on You, as You are for us, and love us through whatever we face. Show us how to love others in the same way, so that Your comfort and calm is extended to those whom we encounter. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we delight in the promise of Your presence, and listen with our hearts for the songs that You sing over us. Amen.

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

Because of the tender mercy of our God, …the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78

Meditate on His Mighty Deeds

I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds. – (Psalm 77:12, NIV)

I’ll ponder all the things You’ve accomplished, and give a long, loving look at Your acts. – (Psalm 77:12, MSG)

 

Right now, I find myself in a strange sort of holding pattern. God has brought me through a long, stormy season, into a space that feels settled and secure. That being said, there is a sense of unrest in the wait for what is next. Settled is never really settled, but rather a season of preparation for what is yet to come. It does not mean another storm is brewing, but there is an anticipation of change on the horizon. Some of the change to come is known, yet there is much that is not. This is a space where I have a choice to either fret about the future, or look back at the faithfulness of God thus far, and trust Him in all that is yet to come. David, despite the struggle he was dealing with as he wrote Psalm 77, chose to remember the things that the Lord had done already, and look at the love with which God had operated thus far. It is no different for us today. The very same God who was faithful to fulfill His promises to David, is true to His word for us. We can ponder that which He has done, and meditate on His mighty deeds. The Lord is faithful, and we can trust Him to lead us where we are meant to go, and to be present each step that we take. May we remember all that He has accomplished in us, through us and around us, so that we will trust Him for all that lies ahead.

 

I will consider,

All that You have done;

For You’ve been faithful,

God, Most Holy One.

When I am anxious,

Or I feel afraid;

I must remember,

To trust You, always.

In every storm,

You have remained near;

My strength and shelter,

Voice of hope made clear.

Help me remember,

O Lord, that You’re near;

In times of waiting,

Help my heart to hear.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful forever, and that we can trust in You. Thank You that when we are afraid or uncertain, we can look back on all that You have done in our lives, and know that You are who You say You are. Forgive us for our fearfulness and lack of faith. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would look forward in faith, with the memories of Your former faithfulness fueling our fortitude in knowing that You will be faithful for what lies ahead. Show us how to love those around us well, so that we might build up and encourage, just as we are encouraged by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ponder all that You have accomplished, and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Amen.

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

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. – Psalm 67:1

To Be Humble and Kind

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. – (Colossians 3:12, NLT)

God has chosen you and made you His holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. – (Colossians 3:12, ERV)

 

When we invite Christ to be Lord of our lives, we become His people; holy and righteous before Him. Our status is not something that we somehow earn, but rather it is by God’s mercy and grace that we are forgiven and made right. As we are loved, the Lord asks us to go and do likewise to others. He asks that the very nature of He who dwells within us, be displayed before those around us, so that they too, may come to know His grace. Let us go forth and love others as we are loved, showing mercy, as God is merciful, and extend kindness, humility, gentleness and patience to all people.

 

For we are chosen,

As people of God;

To be merciful,

Not a firing squad.

Because we are loved,

We’re meant to love too;

Be kind and humble,

In all that we do.

He wants gentleness,

And patience given;

Help all come to know,

Hope for forgiven.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we place our trust in You, You choose to make us Your holy people whom You love. Thank You that if we seek You, You clothe us with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience to extend to those around us. Forgive us for our lack of seeking, and for operating in our own strength; for on our own leads to anger, arrogance, harshness and impatience for those who cross our path. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You in all things and at all times, depending on You to provide all that we need to operate according to Your will. Show us how to extend mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience in love to those around us, just as You so generously give unto us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as they recognize the mercy and grace that You so lovingly pour out upon all who call on Your Name. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to help us show mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience to all whom we meet. Amen.

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

Shout aloud and sing for joy. – Isaiah 12:6

 

 

Courage Comes with Presence

This morning, as I reflect on last evening’s outing with dear friends, I am in awe, as God unpacks the parallels between what I experienced, and the truth of His word.

 

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. – (Deuteronomy 31:6, NLT)

 

Yesterday evening, some sweet friends and I went to a delicious dinner at a favorite restaurant of ours, and then headed north into the city to go on a “haunted tour“. I am no fan of the whole haunted house scene; though I do not have a high startle reflex, what goes on internally, is not exactly my favorite. Fear does funny things when we cannot control our surroundings. Anyway, because I love my friends, and they promised to go in front of and behind me as we walked through (holding my hands), I agreed to participate. At first, fear tried to gain a grip, but I soon realized that I could just speak out reality, and it wasn’t such a fearful thing. When an actor would jump out in creepy costume, I looked at them, and then spoke out whatever came to mind. Sometimes it was a bit of sarcasm, such as “classy“, or “lovely” and other times it was merely a “well done, pal“, and we continued on. What I found was that as I utilized my words, the weight of the fear disappeared. In life, the very same holds true. When we speak out the reality of what we are afraid of (confident in the truth that we know), or begin to anticipate that all things do not always go according to plan, we are prepared for that which may try to derail us. Additionally, just as I had those who were ahead of me and behind me, knowing that they would never leave me alone and had my back, God does the very same thing as we navigate our days. No matter how we feel, He goes before us and will never abandon us. Though it may seem a bit odd to find truth in an adventure going through a haunted house with friends, God used the experience to show me in a very tangible way, how weighty His words truly are. May we all gain strength and courage as we walk out our days, knowing that the Lord our God, personally goes ahead of us, and will neither fail us nor abandon us.

 

Be strong, have courage,

Wherever you go;

God goes before us,

The Bible says so.

He will never leave,

And Love does not fail;

We need not panic,

For God shall prevail.

When God is for us,

There’s no room for fear;

Take courage by faith,

For He’s always near.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can be strong and courageous in You because You go before us and will not fail us nor abandon us. Thank You that You use ordinary experiences to teach us extraordinary truth. Forgive us for our fearfulness that is fueled by lack of trust. Teach us to trust You more, as You are worthy of all of our trust. Show us how to love those around us in a way that grants strength and courage, and demonstrates the faithfulness that is found in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we go forth in strength and courage, knowing that You will go before us and never leave us. Amen.

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

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8

Joy in Answers Spoken

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is! – (Proverbs 15:23, NKJV)

People are happy when they give a good answer. And there is nothing better than the right word spoken at the right time. – (Proverbs 15:23, ERV)

 

I imagine we all have been both the bearer and the recipient of a well-timed word that brought joy. It is a treasure to have the privilege of being the one whom God utilizes at just the right time, to deliver that which someone most needs to hear. So often, the words that are received in this way, are simply those that flow freely from us, as we interact with others in love. As we walk in step with our Savior, and have our heart open to His, we are more apt to love as He loves, and speak as He speaks to us. May we invest our hearts in hearing His, so that we might be bearers of joy through the words that we speak to others.

 

As we follow God,

He’ll use words spoken;

To bring others joy,

Hope to the broken.

For at the right time,

The words that we speak;

Offered in His love,

Shine light others seek.

So let there be joy,

Through our spoken word;

As we offer love,

May His heart be heard.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the times that You have utilized the words that we speak to bring joy to another, and for the times that others have brought us joy through their spoken words. Thank You that You lead us and guide us in Your words and Your timing, if we choose listen to You. Forgive us for not seeking or listening as we should. Teach us to trust and rely on You for words to speak in every season, as You alone, have the words that others need to hear. Grant us Your words to speak that offer joy to those around us, so that we may build up, encourage and point people to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to give us the words to speak, so that we may answer in due season, and bring peace and joy to those around us. 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