Great Comfort in Knowing

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)

Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love – not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us – nothing in the whole created world – will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord. – (Romans 8:38-39, ERV)

For I have every confidence that nothing – not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, height, depth, nor any created thing – can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord. – (Romans 8:38-39, VOICE)

 

There is great comfort in knowing that there is nothing that surrounds us, comes against us, nor that we could go through, that can separate us from the love of God. His love is eternal and knows no limits. Whether we are having a wonderful day or a day that we would rather have remained in bed, God’s love for us is constant, consistent, and secure. Being loved when we are least lovable, demonstrates the true depth of love granted to us. It is not earned nor somehow rewarded, but rather freely given as the Creator loves His created. May we receive and recognize the remarkable love of our Redeemer, so that we may go forth and love others in the same way.

 

O Lord, as I rise,

Make Your love so clear;

No matter what comes,

Show me that You’re near.

There’s no height nor depth,

That can keep away;

The goodness You give,

When to You, we pray.

Go before us Lord,

With Your love and light;

Be near and guide us,

To choose what is right.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that there is nothing that can separate us from Your love. Thank You that as we receive the love You offer, You equip us to go forth and love others in the same way. Forgive us for the times that we have either not received what You freely give, or have withheld what we were meant to extend to those around us. Show us how to love one another well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your limitless love, and seek You to love others in the same way. Amen.

 

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

 

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. – Titus 3:4-5a

Wait for the Lord

David, the author of the 27th Psalm, encourages us to: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – (verse 14)  He knew well, what it meant to wait for the Lord.  David had been anointed king as a teen while still tending his father’s flocks, yet did not don royal robes until he was much older.  As he waited, he faced giants, fled from a friend turned foe, overcame countless obstacles,  and all the while, trusted the Lord to be his strength and believed that what God had spoken, would come to pass.

When we hear a promise, it is never easy to wait.  At times, it can even seem as if God isn’t answering our prayers, because nothing seems to be happening toward the fulfillment.  However, we are not privileged to view things through God’s lens, so what He is doing, may easily escape us.  Often the series of seemingly unfortunate or unplanned events that are occurring, are a sort of preparation for our hearts and minds, to teach us to further trust, and strengthen our faith in the Father alone.  God’s promises are always worth the wait.  The time we have between the promise and the fulfillment, can be our time to hold hope, and allow the Lord to refresh us, renew us, and teach us.  Be strong and take heart, for He is always worth the wait.

Wait for the Lord,

be strong in the wait;

in Him, take heart,

do not hesitate.

Wait for the Lord,

He is always good;

trust in the Lord,

our pain’s understood.

Wait for the Lord,

no matter what’s seen;

call on His Name,

in the time between.

Wait for the Lord,

the day soon will come;

the fulfillment,

His promises done.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength in the waiting, and that we can always trust in You.  Thank You that You are faithful to fulfill what You say You will do, and that You have purpose when there is a time of waiting.  Forgive us for our impatience, and help us to learn how to be refreshed, renewed, and to grow in our understanding of You, as we wait.  May we grow in mercy and grace, as we have so lavishly been given these gifts by You.  Let us love others, as You love us, and may many come to know You as a result.  Be magnified through all that we say and do.  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

*(NIV footnotes for Psalm 27:13 utilized as a resource too.)

Pray

Has trouble come near?

Distress in today?

Lift heart to heaven,

on bended knee, pray.

Is your heart happy?

Has joy come your way?

Lift hands of praise,

with thanksgiving, pray.

Is anyone sick,

in darkness this day?

Call on the elders,

and ask them to pray.

Be then anointed,

with oil today;

in the Name of God,

in faith, we must pray.

The Lord is Healer,

removes our decay;

grants us forgiveness,

as we choose to pray.

Confess all our sins,

the ugly array;

power is granted,

when the righteous pray.

(Responding to James 5:13-16)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that through the sacrifice of Your Son, You removed the barrier that kept us from You, and granted us direct access to You as we pray. Thank You that You hear our every prayer, and thank You that nothing is impossible for You. Thank You Jesus, for being our example as to how we are called to be prayerful always. Forgive us for attempting to forge forward without faithfully turning to You, and help our automatic response to all things – good or bad – be to turn our hearts to You and pray. May our prayers of faith point people to a place where they can see that perfect peace is found in You alone. Thank You that You are our Healer, Redeemer, and powerful Prince of Peace. Amen.

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