So Much More

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” – the things God has prepared for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV)

But as the Scriptures say, “No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – (1 Corinthians 2:9, ERV)

But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart all the things God prepared for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, VOICE)

There is great sorrow when we lose someone we love, yet there is blessed reassurance in this verse, as I have seen some beautiful places, heard incredible sounds, and have imagined amazing things. For me, this provides such peace, as I know that those who loved God are with Him in a place that He has prepared for them that is beyond our wildest dreams. Our sadness is for the loss of their presence with us here, yet there is much to celebrate in recognition of the glory they have found. May we ever seek the Lord and learn from Him to grow in His love so that those we meet may know of the glory that is yet to come. He is good, and His love endures forever.

No eye’s ever seen,

nor ear’s ever heard;

the glory promised,

through God in His word.

Beyond our thinking,

much more than we’ve dreamed;

what God has prepared,

for eternity.

Keep choosing to seek,

He’s faithful to show;

His loving kindness,

and ways we should go.

So, trust in the Lord,

pursue all that’s good;

the things of the Lord,

paths made understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have prepared a place for all who trust and believe. Thank You that what awaits us is beyond what we could hope or imagine. Thank You that those who trust in You have the blessed assurance that our eternal home will be with You. Forgive us for losing sight of the hope we have in You when life gets difficult. Teach us to trust and lean into You in all things and at all times. Show us how to be a comfort and encouragement to those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and trust in You in all things. Amen.

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

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. – Psalm 118:1

Blessings Beyond Our Belief

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” – the things God has prepared for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV)

But as the Scriptures say, “No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – (1 Corinthians 2:9, ERV)

But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart, all the things God prepared for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, VOICE)

Many of my peers and I are discovering that we are currently in a strange season of life. In this space of being parents to young adults that are preparing to launch, we are simultaneously in a space of desiring and needing to spend more time helping our parents. For many it is also a season of loss. During memorials and in the time that follows, conversations typically close with comments about the person who has passed being in a better place. In my mind, I can picture many beautiful things and places, as I have been blessed to witness incredible beauty with my own eyes. However, the Word says that I have not seen, heard, or ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. A place that is beyond our most treasured memories, our cherished hopes, and our wildest imagination, is what God has prepared for us. Such a space provides both hope and comfort in knowing that the best is yet to come. Our eternity in Christ is going to be far beyond what we could hope or imagine. I don’t know about you, but for me, that is an incredible hope to cling to throughout each day, especially during dark or challenging moments. We are not home yet. May we ever seek the Lord, trust in Him, and walk in His ways, for His love will be ever-present now and throughout all eternity.

Throughout all our days,

may we ever come;

unto the Father,

so His will be done.

For all those who trust,

such promise awaits;

beyond what’s been seen,

through the pearly gates.

No eye’s ever seen,

nor ear’s ever heard;

no mind has conceived,

promise of His Word.

Beyond what’s been dreamed,

imagined, thought up;

heaven awaiting,

all joy will erupt.

So, keep seeking God,

and trust in His Word;

heaven is waiting,

may praises be heard.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have prepared a place for us that is so much more than we could ever hope or imagine. Thank You that all who trust in You have the blessed assurance that we are not home yet. Forgive us for the times that we act as if this is all there is, rather than remembering that our time here is but a moment in comparison to eternity with You. Teach us to lean into You so that we might have an eternal perspective. Show us how to love those around us in ways that point to the hope that is found in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we follow after You with our whole heart and trust You to lead us all of our days and into forever in Your glorious presence where there will be blessings beyond belief. Amen.

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

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior , and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

Hope for Forever

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” – the things God has prepared for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV)

But as the Scriptures say, “No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – (1 Corinthians 2:9, ERV)

But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart all the things God prepared for those who love Him.  – (1 Corinthians 2:9, VOICE)

This passage reminds us that what is waiting for us in heaven is beyond what we could ever hope or imagine. For me, this blows my mind, as there is so much beauty in God’s creation on earth. The love of God is so great, that He has prepared a place even better than the most wonderful, beautiful spaces we have ever seen or experienced. That is part of the promise held in the hope of knowing God. Those who have gone before us who believed, are already in paradise with Him. Though I want my years on earth to be many more, I know that when my end comes, there will be great joy in the place that is far more than I can fathom and the reunion with loved ones who have gone before me will be beyond beauty that I can take in or hold in my heart. No more pain or suffering, no heartache or tears – joy, peace, and wonder at the brilliance of being in the Lord’s presence and worshiping among family in the faith is a glimpse of all that lies ahead. May we ever seek the Lord to grow us more in Him, and to increase the hope we hold in forever that lies ahead.

No human has seen,

All that lies ahead;

Paradise beyond,

What’s known or what’s read.

God the Creator,

Has prepared a place;

Glorious wonder,

By His lavish grace.

Open arms welcome,

Those who trust in Him;

The Father’s embrace,

Will usher us in.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

For all that’s to come;

The good here and now,

And when our day’s done.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope we hold in knowing You. Thank You that our hope is not only for the here and now, but is found in eternity with You in a place that You have prepared for us. Forgive us for the times that our hope fades based on what we see. Thank You that Your ways are higher than ours, and You plans, so much greater. Teach us to hold fast to the hope that is found in forever with You. Give us glimpses of Your glory here, as such things remind our heart to cling to the wonder that will be forever with You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that help them recognize the hope that is found forever in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize the incredible hope that we have in You, both now and forevermore. Amen.

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

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. – John 14:2-3

Imagine the Hope

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” – the things God has prepared for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV)

But as the Scriptures say, “No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – (1 Corinthians 2:9, ERV)

But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart all the things God prepared for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, VOICE)

In my lifetime thus far, I have beheld the incredible beauty of God’s creation in numerous places around the globe. I have heard singing that moved my heart and mind to the incredible majesty of our Maker, and I have imagined a place where peace, love and joy abound and pain and sorrow are no longer found; yet, my experience and imagination do not even begin to compare to that which lies ahead. God has prepared a place for all who love and call on His Name, to join with Him for forever. This is what brings peace and comfort in seasons of loss or seeming hopelessness. Though we may not see it now, there is a place that has been prepared for us that is beyond our wildest dreams. Beloved friends and family members who have gone before me, are already there. Despite the grief from loss in the here and now, there is such hope, peace, comfort and joy in what is promised for eternity. May we ever seek to learn and grow in our love for the Lord, as He reveals more and more of who He is and how His love shall not end. His promised future for us is hope that we can cling to, no matter how the here and now appear.

Lord, show us the hope,

That is found in You;

Forever granted,

To all who love true.

The seeking shall find,

True joy that is found;

Blessed assurance,

Great faith that abounds.

Imagine a place,

A future so bright;

No sorrow or grief,

Just joy and delight.

The lasting presence,

Of God up above;

Preparing a place,

Abounding in love.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have prepared a place for all those who love You that exceeds our wildest imaginations. Thank You that the beauty and majesty that we have seen, heard and imagined, pales in comparison to all that lies ahead. Forgive us for losing sight of the hope we have in You. Teach us to trust the journey we are on, ever holding fast to all that lies ahead. Show us how to love those around us in ways that give glimpses of the hope that is found in forever with You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we set our entire being on loving You and those You have placed around us with hope securely set in our hearts. Amen.

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

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

An Eternal Perspective

But as the Scriptures say, “No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – (1 Corinthians 2:9, ERV)

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT)

That’s why we have this Scripture text: No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it – What God has arranged for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, MSG)

 

As humans, we are creatures who crave comfort. Often, our desire to be comfortable leads us to labor and toil, fret and fear, to the point that we neglect to recognize the blessings we already have, and the hope held in what is yet to come. We are called to live and love well with each of our days as they come, as God has our ultimate destination prepared for us. Yes, we need to be wise with what we are given, but we need not worry about the final outcome, if we have placed our lives in His hands. May we lean into the Lord and trust in His leading, knowing that what lies ahead is far greater than anything that we could ever hope or imagine.

 

No eye’s ever seen,

All God has prepared;

Glimpses of greatness,

Found in love that’s shared.

No ear has yet heard,

Heaven’s full glory;

Yet we know the hope,

Salvation story.

Our minds can’t conceive,

All God has prepared;

For those who love Him,

Our hearts can’t compare.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the love and grace and hope that You give us now, and the promised future that we cannot even begin to imagine. Forgive us for forgetting how temporary our time here is compared to all of eternity with You. Teach us to have an eternal perspective, so that we would keep our priorities where they belong. Show us how to live and love in a way that gives others help and hope. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we live each day with an eternal perspective. Amen.

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

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; …write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3

With Forever in Mind

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT)

But this is precisely what is written: God has prepared things for those who love Him that no eye has seen, or ear has heard, or that haven’t crossed the mind of any human being. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, CEB)

 

There is such hope for those who place their trust in Christ. Not only do we have His presence through His Holy Spirit now, but we have the promise of eternity in a space of such majesty, that our minds and hearts cannot even conceive all that our future glory holds. To be in God’s very presence, unashamed and unafraid – welcomed with open arms… Imagine the peace and rest in that glorious space of God’s tangible grace. We get but a glimpse on earth, of all that is yet to come. When we imagine the people and places that we love the most, they are but a foretaste of all that is yet to come. God is so much more. May we embrace the grace that our God freely gives, and love Him and others as we are loved.

 

In each of our hearts,

God places a piece;

a longing to know,

love that does not cease.

Eternity’s set,

somewhere deep within;

that creates longing,

to be called Christ’s kin.

The glorious truth,

is that when we come;

and trust in the Lord,

we‘re daughters and sons.

What once was a hole,

is filled with His grace;

hope in forever,

where we’ll see His face.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that there is a glorious future that we cannot even begin to conceive for those who love You. Thank You that You receive us as we seek You, and You give us Your Spirit to follow after You. Forgive us for not upholding an eternal perspective when struggles come in the here and now. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would see all things through Your lens, remembering that this is not our home, but rather our space for a season to love You and love those around us with all that we are. Show us how to love as we are loved by You. Be glorified O God, as we operate with an eternal perspective. Amen.

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

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

 

 

Persevere to the Promise

God has great plans in store for those who love Him. However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – (1 Corinthians 2:9) We cannot even begin to fathom all that the Lord has in store for us, both now and for all of eternity. The more we know God and invest time in His word, the greater the glimpses we gain of what is yet to come.

 

Even through hardships, trials and temptations, when we are in Christ, we have His Spirit with us to comfort and guide us as we press on and persevere. In fact, God uses the hard stuff to stretch and grow us into who He is calling us to be. For that reason alone, we can embrace the trials, trusting that He is using them to make us more like Him. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. – (Romans 5:3-5) May we hold fast to the promises of God, trusting that all that we go through is for a purpose. More than that, what awaits us for all of eternity, is beyond anything we may ever endure on earth.

 

Times of great trial,

and tempting shall come;

yet not on our own,

but in Christ, are won.

As we persevere,

our character grows;

as hope rises up,

the Lord’s glory shows.

May we each embrace,

all that comes our way;

the Lord can use all,

as hopeful display.

Let glimpses be gained,

of the hope to come;

as we love the Lord,

may battles be won.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though we have not seen, heard, nor conceived all that You have prepared for us who love You, we can trust that it is very, very good. Thank You that when we choose to place our trust in You, our hope is secure forever. Forgive us for our fearfulness in the throes of the trials, and please grant us Your strength to persevere. Thank You that as we rely on You, You grow in us character, and through character; hope. Lead us to love others well, just as You so perfectly and completely love each of us. May many come into a saving relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we persevere in the push, and hold fast to our hope of heaven with You, forever. Amen.

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

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