The God of Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, NIV)

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)

Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope! – (Romans 15:13, TPT)

 

God’s hope fills us with joy and peace, and empowers us to trust in Him. As our trust grows, hope flows from us, and becomes a beacon in our lives. This process is ongoing, and there is always room to grow. Though I trust God, I certainly find myself in moments where I lose sight of His peace and have to take pause to remember what matters eternally. Yesterday at school, this was my reality for a few minutes. Just as my students had left my classroom and I was beginning to settle in and make preparations during my planning period, one of my colleagues entered my room and handed me a sub folder for a class. I took pause, in frustration asked, “Are you kidding me, right now?” And then proceeded to process the fact that I was losing my planning with no notification. At first, I was completely stressed about how I would get everything done, but then stopped and settled into trust, recognizing that I could utilize my lunchtime to do the planning I still needed to do. Peace arrived, the moment I slowed down and chose trust. The lack of notice was an oversight on the part of very busy, lovely humans, and grace is the only thing warranted in such circumstances. All worked out and the planning required was completed, reminding me, yet again to trust and keep my hope in He who gives me strength. May we ever hope in God, our ever-trustworthy place of peace.

Mom is continuing to push along on her road to recovery. Yesterday, my brother-in-love posted the best photo of my sister and mom that I have seen in a long while. Mom was actually at the island helping Megan prepare dinner! This is huge for so many reasons; mom standing and balancing, engaging in what she used to love to do, and recognizing that she is able to do exceedingly more than she may have thought possible. My prayer is that His peace would continue to flood their home as trust and hope grow greater still.

 

May the God of hope,

Fill you with all joy;

May peace be present,

As hope is employed.

May His hope rise up,

Flood each heart and mind;

To overflowing,

As God’s love is kind.

Let God empower,

Your mind and your heart;

Hope overflowing,

Where peace and joy start.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your peace and joy that come and fill us with all hope as we trust in You. Thank You that hope rises and overflows. Forgive us for the times that we take our eyes off of You and lose sight of where trust belongs. Teach us the power found in trusting You, so that we would not waiver in our faith. Show us how to love those around us in a way that spreads Your peace and joy, where by hope overflows where it is needed the most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust all in Your hands and hold fast to the hope we know in You. Amen.

 

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

 

Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. – Psalm 9:10

Strength and Peace Supplied

“The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.” – (Psalm 29:11)

Strength and peace supplied by the Lord, make all the difference.  At the close of Mark 4, when a squall suddenly came upon the disciples as they were crossing the sea, and Jesus was sleeping in the stern of the boat, fear and desperate need were their reality.  When they called to Jesus, He spoke to the wind and waves in His strength, and said, “Be still.”  Peace promptly followed.

How many times have we found ourselves in a similar situation?  Wind and waves far larger than our own sense of security looming ever closer, and panic present where peace belongs…  It is only when we take our eyes off of the wind and waves, and seek the strength of our Savior, that the peace that surpasses all understanding, becomes present.  He provides what we are lacking.  His strength grants the fortitude to face the storm and continue rowing, and the wisdom to know that eventually, the sea will again be still.  The Lord is our safe harbor, our beacon, and our anchor, and He alone knows which is needed and when; we must trust in His strength, and allow His peace to wash over us in the midst of the storms.

When the wind and waves,

are whipping about;

when all that surrounds,

is drowning us out,

the Lord gives strength.

When desperate need,

knocks upon our door;

when our eyes can’t see,

security’s shore,

the Lord grants peace.

When chaos ensues,

and fear enters in;

let our hearts hold hope,

and choose to seek Him,

He’ll say, “Be still.”

Our Safety in storm,

our Light in the dark;

our Anchor secure,

grants flame to our spark,

the Lord is good.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give strength and peace to Your people, as we seek You.  Thank You that there is no storm too great, nor situation too strenuous, for You are Lord of all.  Forgive us for trying to take things on ourselves, or for somehow thinking that we are meant to endure things in our own strength.  Teach us to trust You more, so that we may give all to You, allowing You access to every struggle and storm, as well as every celebration.  Thank You that You never leave us nor forsake us, and that You are always present, ready to provide Your strength and Your peace, even in the midst of life’s storms.  May our trust in You lead us to love others well, so that many may come to know You personally.  Be glorified in all that we say and do.  Amen.

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

And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you.” – Exodus 33:19

The Sovereign Shepherd

image from http://www.fministry.com

For when we are sheep,

Great Shepherd is ours;

defending our hearts,

from that which devours.

We are His people,

the work of His hands;

given safe pasture,

in dangerous lands.

Our God is sovereign,

He reigns over us;

meeting our great needs,

holy and righteous.

For none can compare,

to the great I Am;

Who forgives our sin,

grants us grace again.

May we place all hope,

in His mighty hands;

let our hearts rise up,

follow His commands.

For none can compare,

to our loving Lord;

Who heals the broken,

and makes lives restored.

“You My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, are people, and i am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.” – (Ezekiel 34:31)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not leave us lost and looking for light; rather, You come close and draw us unto Yourself. Thank You that when we come to You and give You our trust, You shepherd us in the safe pasture of Your sweet presence. Thank You that no predator can penetrate Your protection when we allow You to guard our hearts and minds. Forgive us for allowing our hearts and minds to wander outside of Your safe space, and lead us back to the safety of Your embrace. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will follow wherever You lead and shine Your light in the dark spaces. Let the light of Your love in us, be a beacon for those ready to believe. May many come unto You, our great Shepherd. Amen.

Sassy Miss at the car show. 🙂

Anne update: I am at a loss right now. Anne was exhausted after her long appointment and traffic-filled return trip home yesterday, so she needed to simply rest. My heart is torn, as I desperately wanted to see her, yet am thankful she was meant to rest, as I’m not sure how to hold seeing her far weaker still. Please pray for rest and refreshment for both Anne and those who are providing such loving care. May His peace and His presence be powerfully felt, and may her pain pass quickly. Thank you, wonderful warriors. Allowing His Light to shine in this darkness, Shannon

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