An Act of Praise

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His Holy Name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me. – (Psalm 103:1-2, NLT)

My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise His Holy Name! My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind He is! – (Psalm 103:1-2, ERV)

O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless His Holy Name! O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing! – (Psalm 103:1-2, MSG)

 

After digging deeper into the Christmas story, and the stories of those involved, my heart is flooded with gratitude – both for all that God has done for us to make Himself accessible to us, and also the numerous ways in which I see and know His tangible blessings in my life. God is good, no matter what goes on around us, and when we seek Him, we become acutely aware of His hand in the help and blessings that He bestows upon us every day. May our lives be lived as an act of praise to He who gives us life and breath and our very being.

 

With all that I am, 

My heart gives God praise;

For love, life and health,

Provision each day.

So many blessings,

Fill my heart and soul;

His goodness and grace,

End each day so full.

Let me not forget,

The good that You bring;

All praise unto You,

Each song that I sing.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the countless reasons You have given me to give You praise. Thank You for the help and hope and blessings that You have bestowed upon me. Forgive me for not giving enough gratitude for Your goodness and grace. Teach me to praise You throughout all of my days. Show me how to love others with my life, just as You have done for all of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You with our whole heart with thanks for all that You are and all that You have done. 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

Light My Path

Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take. – (Psalm 119:105, ERV)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. – (Psalm 119:105, NIV)

By Your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. – (Psalm 119:105, MSG)

Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of Your word makes my pathway clear. – (Psalm 119:105, TPT)

 

Just as we need light to direct our steps in the darkness, we need the light of the Lord to guide us in the ways we are meant to walk throughout our day. His love leads us to choices and decisions that reflect His love to those around us, if only we are willing to look to Him and listen to His leading. Though we can stumble our way through the darkness and get by, it is far easier and more pleasant if we have light to guide us. It is the same in our daily lives. Though we can navigate our days on our own and get through, the light of the Lord is the difference between thriving and just sort of surviving. When I commit all my ways to Him, I find that I have the patience and perseverance that is needed to navigate my day. Kindness and love are in steady supply, regardless of what is directed toward me. God is good and faithful, and ever willing to lead and guide us in the direction we are meant to go, if only we are ready to follow. May we ever seek the Lord and His word to be the lamp that guides our steps and the light that shows us which paths we are meant to take.

 

O Lord, may Your word, 

Be my guiding light;

What directs my steps,

Shows me what is right.

Whenever we seek,

Wisdom in Your word;

You meet us in love,

And make Your way heard.

The light of Your truth,

Makes our pathway clear;

Your love lights the way,

As You show You’re near.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word that guides us in the ways in which we are meant to go. Thank You that Your truth is recorded and accessible to us to read and hide in our hearts. Thank You that as we commit ourselves to spending time in Your word, You bring reminders to the forefront of our minds when stand at a crossroad or are unsure of which way we are meant to go. Forgive us for not seeking You to lead us in the ways in which we move forward. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You to light the way in all of our choices and decisions. Show us how to walk Your path that illuminates love to all whom are near us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and Your word to light our path and guide our steps, so that we walk according to Your will. Amen.

 

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

 

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21