The Father’s Shelter Brings Rest

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. – (Psalm 91:1, NIV) 

You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. – (Psalm 91:1, ERV) 

He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty. – (Psalm 91:1, VOICE) 

God’s shelter is anywhere we choose to seek to intentionally be present with Him. He is in all who invite Him, and we become aware of His nearness as we press in. As we embrace and receive God’s mighty love, we are able to rest in the safety of His nearness. I think that this is why God gives us fathers, uncles, grandfathers, husbands and good men who step up to lead and love well. Good fathers make their families feel safe and protected, creating a sanctuary of safety when they are around. Though I know that there are those whose human fathers did not create such a sense of security, God is able to make up for wherever there is lack. God, in His great love, is able to provide protection and a space where we can rest. May we ever run to Him for refuge and rest in the shadow of His loving strength. 

God’s loving shelter, 

Our place to find rest; 

True sense of safety, 

As the Lord loves best. 

Held in His nearness, 

Hope found in His grace; 

Ultimate Father, 

Through His loving ways. 

All thanks be to God, 

Our refuge for rest; 

And for the fathers, 

Who pursue His best. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the ultimate father. Thank You that You are our safety and shelter, as You surround us with Your love. Thank You for the men who have Your heart to love and protect as You intended. Forgive us for not embracing Your safety and protection, for in You we are able to find rest. Help us to love those around us in ways that make Your safety and security known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your protection and peace that comes as we run to You for rest. Amen. 

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

But whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. – Proverbs 1:33

Wrestling for Blessing

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”  – (Genesis 32:28, NIV) 

Then the man said, “Your name will not be Jacob. Your name will now be Israel. I give you this name because you have fought with God and men, and you have won.” – (Genesis 32:28, ERV) 

You will no longer go by the name Jacob. From now on your name will be Israel because you have wrestled with God and humanity, and you have prevailed. – (Genesis 32:28, VOICE) 

 

After twenty years of hard physical labor and dealing with a father-in-law who had repeatedly changed Jacob’s wages and the agreement that the two had made, Jacob determined to take his wives, children and livestock back to the land from which he had come. After a week of traveling with the massive group of folks and flocks, Leban, his father-in-law, caught up to the caravan and had a discussion with Jacob. After the tension subsided, the two men reached an agreement, and parted ways. As the journey continued, they group neared the land of Jacob’s father. Jacob was afraid of how his brother, Esau, would respond to his return. He selected a large number of his livestock to gift to him, and sent servants with groups of animals ahead, in hope of pacifying his brother. Once everyone had gone on ahead of him, Jacob met a Man, with whom he wrestled all night. The One with whom he struggled, told him to stop, but Jacob insisted that they continue until he was blessed by Him. Verse twenty-eight is the response given by the One with whom Jacob wrestled. Jacob had struggled with man and God, and now was receiving the blessing for which he was asking. Both commentaries that I read surrounding this passage, pointed out that with the change of name, came also, a change of heart. A personal encounter with God changed Jacob forever. Likewise, an encounter with God changes us forever too. Our persistence to persevere, even in the struggle, results in the Lord’s presence and His help. Though it is unlikely that any of us with physically wrestle with God Himself, (or an angel messenger, as different commentaries suggest that it was either God Himself, or one of His messengers) we will however, struggle with our circumstances and our faith. The more we seek Him, the stronger our trust becomes, fueling faith for every future endeavor. May we fearlessly wrestle with the struggles that come our way, as we depend on God to strengthen and sustain us, in all things and at all times. 

 

Though we may wrestle,

With our circumstance; 

Lord God, Almighty, 

Will help us advance. 

For as we seek God, 

He hears our heart cry; 

Strengthens our resolve, 

And hope to choose try. 

The blessings do come, 

As we choose persist; 

Hope, strength and His love, 

Things that prayer enlist. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hear us as we call out to You. Thank You that though we may wrestle with our circumstances and our faith, You never falter, and hear our heart’s cry. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would run to You and lay our need before You, knowing that You hear and help those who seek You. Show us how to love those around us in a way that displays Your faithfulness, strength and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we press on and pursue You in all things and at all times. Amen.

 

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

 

Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart. – Psalm 119:2

The Gift of Salvation

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this, it is a gift from God. – (Ephesians 2:8, NLT)

I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. – (Ephesians 2:8, ERV)

Saving is all His idea, and all His work. All we do is trust Him enough to let Him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish. – (Ephesians 2:8, MSG)

 

Salvation is a gift that God freely gives to us, if only we choose to place our trust in Him. We cannot do enough, nor be enough, but rather it is a matter of making the choice to believe that God is who He says He is, and that He is true to His word. There is no prerequisite to have a certain depth of knowledge in biblical studies or theology, instead, we simply need to have a heart that is open and willing to allow God to be God, because we are not. For those who trust in the Lord, let us give thanks for the gracious gift that He has given; for those who are searching – He is always available and at the ready to hear our heart and love us to life.

 

God saves us by grace,

Not by what we do;

It’s all about love,

For His word is true.

What the Lord offers,

Is a gift that’s free;

It’s given to all,

Who choose to believe.

Rise up and have faith,

In God You can trust;

For He alone saves,

God’s loving and just.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You save us by Your grace if only we choose to believe. Thank You that we do not have to do “enough” or be “enough” to somehow earn Your favor, but rather You love us where we are and accept us because we are Your created. Forgive us for thinking that we have to somehow get ourselves cleaned up or do things a certain way before we can approach You. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, as Your grace is greater than all of our shortcomings and failures. Show us how to love without limits, all those whom You place in our charge, so that they too, may come to know the greatness of the gift of Your grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the gift of salvation, and trust You with all that we are. Amen.

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

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14

Faithful Tree Tending

But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. – (Galatians 5:22-23, ERV) 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! – (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT)

 

No human is all of these things, all of the time. However, I imagine we all can come up with a few folks who come close. Typically, those who exhibit abundant fruit, are those who have been faithful to tend their “trees” and nourish the soil of their hearts well for many years. If we are consistent in our seeking and allow the Almighty access to all areas of our hearts and lives, the evidence of His hand becomes clear by the fruit that we produce. When we are given hate, we respond in His love; when sorrow comes, His joy soon follows in the faithful. Where there is chaos, peace is held in the hearts of those who depend on Him. In trying times, patience is provided, and kindness escapes the lips of those leaning into the Lord. No matter what lies before us, when we give all to Him, God’s goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are available in us by His Spirit, and it is up to us to listen and obey as we walk out each day. We all are a work in progress. On those days when I feel my patience growing thin, I recognize my desperate need for the Lord, and have to choose to either seek Him, or snap at everyone who pushes my limit. May we ever seek the Lord and His fruit, for that which the Spirit provides is desirable and will draw others unto Himself.

 

The fruit the Lord gives,

Is sweet and so good;

It draws others near,

As the faithful should.

The Spirit within,

Chooses to grow well;

Love, joy, peace, patience,

Goodness, self-control.

Also there’s kindness,

And sweet faithfulness;

So much is given,

With His gentleness.

There’s no law that stands,

Against these great things;

So let us pursue,

The fruit that Christ brings.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You and allow You access to our hearts and lives, You grow in us the fruit of Your Spirit, as it is sweet and desirable to all. Thank You that we all can have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in You. Forgive us for not seeking You or trusting You when things go awry. Teach us to trust You more so that we would lean into You and allow Your Spirit within us to prune the places that are lacking life, and grow greater in us, the fruit that gives light and life to all who come near. Show us how to love according to the fruit of Your Spirit, so that many may come to know Who You are and how You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to tend the trees of our hearts so that we produce the fruit that You have for us. 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

Hope’s True Source

I pray that God, the Source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, NLT)

I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in Him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, ERV)

I pray that God, the Source of all hope, will infuse your lives with an abundance of joy and peace in the midst of your faith so that your hope will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, VOICE)

 

These words were among Paul’s letter to the Romans, as he gave them glimpses of his faith prior to visiting them in person. His prayer for the people was powerful, for who would not appreciate a life infused with an abundance of joy, peace and hope? Such prayer is still available and applicable to us today, as we are filled with hope, peace and joy when we trust in Him. Furthermore, we become infused with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit within us when we allow our hearts and minds to align with His. May we ever place our trust in God, as He fills us by His Spirit to overflowing, with hope, peace and joy.

 

 

When we come and pray,

Seek God, hope’s true Source;

We find joy and peace,

As He guides our course.

In our space of trust,

He’ll faithfully show;

That confident faith,

From our hearts shall flow.

Be filled with His peace,

And joy trusting Him;

As we share His hope,

We’re filled up again.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Source of hope, and that You fill us completely with Your joy and Your peace when we trust in You. Thank You that by Your Holy Spirit, You grow in us a confident hope that overflows. Forgive us for our fickle faith that falters when the unexpected occurs. Teach us to have an unshakable, unwavering confident hope in You, that trusts no matter what we see. Show us how to love in a way that overflows the hope that we have through the power of Your Holy Spirit within us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our joy and peace, and to fill us to overflowing with hope in You. Amen.

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

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14

What We’re Meant to Wear

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)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. – (Colossians 3:12, MSG)

 

As followers and disciples of Christ, we are made holy and among His dearly loved. Just as Jesus is merciful, kind, humble, gentle and patient with us, we are called to do likewise with others. We ought to clothe ourselves with Christ’s characteristics, so that those around us might come to know the lavish love that is available to all who call on His Name. May we each be adorned in the attributes of the Almighty, so that compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline are our everyday orders of operation, granting opportunity for the lives around us to come to know the mercy and grace that give new life.

 

As we’ve been chosen,

Made holy in You;

Help us to rise up,

Walk well in the new.

Help us show mercy,

Be gentle and kind;

Humble and patient,

With Your will in mind.

Let what matters most,

Be that we wear well;

The garments of grace,

That Your story tell.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You and place our lives in Your hands, You call us Your chosen and holy people. Thank You that as such, You grant us the grace to be clothed in kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, just as You so generously give unto us. Forgive us for not extending these to those who offend, hurt or irritate us as we should. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would show mercy to others, just as You have been merciful to us. Show us how to love those around us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, so that they might come to know the depth and breadth of Your amazing love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to clothe us in the wardrobe that You have designed for us, and trust You to help us wear it well. Amen.

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

For the Lord your God will bless you, …and your joy will be complete. – Deuteronomy 16:15

The Love of a Father

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. – (Psalm 91:1)

 

For many, this is an excellent promise to remember, as today can be a day of mixed emotions. Though most of us have had the good fortune to have been blessed with either a father, grandfather, uncle, spouse or some male that has held a positive and encouraging role in our lives, not all have had such a gift. The beauty of this day, Father’s Day, is that we all have a Father in Heaven who is perfect in how He loves. His love never fails, and He will always be ready when we run to Him. When we choose to dwell in Him, we find rest, regardless of what is going on in us, or around us. He provides what we need, despite what we seem to desperately be lacking. May we honor Him who is the greatest Father of all, and encourage the men who are seeking after God’s own heart to do likewise. Let us raise up the next generation of young men to do the same, as we show them how to dwell in the shelter of the Most High, and know for themselves, what it is to find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

 

The love of a father,

for what can compare?

All seek such approval,

without it, despair.

No matter the father,

you’re granted on earth;

our Heavenly Father,

claims infinite worth.

He sees us and knows us,

and still chooses love;

no matter our failures,

in Him, rise above.

For all is forgiven,

as we hide in Him;

and rest in His shadow,

made strong from within.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we choose to dwell in You, we find rest in You. Thank You for the men that You have raised up to lead and father well, and thank You for those whom You are refining and restoring so that they may move mountains on Your behalf. Thank You that whether we have had wonderful fathers or not, You have always been our perfect Father; ever present and always available to us. Forgive us for allowing earthly errors to skew our view of You, and teach us to trust and hold fast to the truth of who You are, and how You love. Lead us to love others well, and to aid in the raising up of the next generation of young men who will father according to Your will. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, in which their heart is set on serving You. Be glorified O God, as we dwell in Your protective shelter, and rest in the shadow of Your loving kindness. 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

The Splendor of His Glory

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. – (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

 

The lawless one is every force of darkness that would try to come against us.  The imagery in this one verse is both powerful and promising.  Imagine with but a breath from our Savior, every knee bowing, and every foe, falling from power?  More than that, the structures that are set in place that seem so certain, destroyed, the moment He comes in His glory.  What a wonderful and powerful God we serve!  It is easy to forget that Christ, who cleared the temple, is also Christ our coming King.  At His Name, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He alone, is Lord.  May we rise up in faith, and embrace the strength of our Savior, as He is our Warrior and the Defender of our souls.

 

The powers that rise,

and seek to destroy;

have no place to stand,

no strength to employ.

For greater is He,

who dwells within us;

our Savior and Lord,

soon coming Jesus.

It takes but a breath,

from our Savior’s mouth;

and lawlessness ends,

all evil flees south.

When Jesus returns,

in splendor and might;

dark forces destroyed,

there won’t be a fight.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your power is far greater than we realize.  Thank You that though there are forces working against us, You, who are for us, are far greater!  Thank You that Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth, and that the splendor of His coming will destroy that which fights against us.  Forgive us for making You too small in our own eyes, and help us to see You as the All-Powerful, Almighty, Creator of All, that You truly are.  Teach us to trust You more, so that we may go forth in faith, depending on You in all things and at all times.  Lead us to love as You love us, and may many come into a saving relationship with You.  Be glorified O God, as we embrace the greatness of who You are.  Amen.

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

When times are good, be happy. – Ecclesiastes 7:14

 

 

Unto His Own

When we enter into a relationship with Christ, He claims us as His own, and sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, so that we will know His presence and His promises. “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” – (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

 

Our strength to stand firm in Christ, comes from God. It is not something we need to somehow muster on our own, but rather through our dependence on Him who gives us life and breath; He is our Source to remain firm in our faith. As we commit our lives to Him, He anoints us, and claims us as His own. Our identity becomes that of sons and daughters of the Almighty, not just people following from afar. Beyond that, God gives us His Holy Spirit to come and dwell with us for all of our days. His presence is our promise and ever-present reminder of not only our hope for now, but our guarantee of the goodness that is yet to come. What a mighty and loving God we serve!

 

Not by our strength,

but through Christ the Lord;

firmly we stand,

by grace He affords.

He anoints us,

and calls us His own;

sends His Spirit,

so our hope is known.

Not just for now,

too, for what will be;

He grants us sight,

so His hope we see.

Hold fast, dear ones,

for our hearts are known;

He’s given all,

all unto His own.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us and know us completely. Thank You that when we come to You, You receive us with open arms, and call us Your own. Thank You that when we are Yours, You give us Your Holy Spirit to lead, guide and grant us hope. Forgive us for not relying on the Resource within us, and help us to seek You to be our Source of strength in all things. Teach us to trust You more. Lead us to love as we are loved by You, and may many come to know You, personally, in the process. Be magnified through all that we say and do. May our every word and deed give glory unto You. Amen.

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

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy.

– Hebrews 4:16