Confident in Hope

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)

Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see. – (Hebrews 11:1, ERV)

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. – (Hebrews 11:1, TLB)

 

Faith is trusting in the unseen and holding hope in that which is not yet fully known. Marriage is an excellent example of faith in action. We may know our spouse-to-be quite well, yet rarely are they fully known as we enter into the very relationship that God has ordained. It takes two people who have confident hope in a lifetime together, as well as the commitment to trust in God and each other for all that lies ahead. When our hope is in God and the good things that He has in store for us, we find assurance in that which is yet to come. Though I know there is no “perfect” nor easy existence with one another, I have confident hope that when two people are pursuing God’s best for themselves and one another, that His grace will be the glue that holds hope steady in each heart. May we ever seek the Lord and have faith in who He is and all that He has in store for those who place their hope in Him.

 

Faith’s the foundation,

Photos by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography. ❤

On which we can stand;

As we seek the Lord,

And all He commands.

For confident hope,

In all that’s unseen;

Exemplifies faith,

And what God’s grace means.

Though we cannot see,

All that lies ahead;

When we trust in God,

Faith rises and spreads.

The Lord is faithful,

In what we can’t see;

Choose confident hope,

Through trust and belief.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can have confident hope in that which we cannot yet see, for You are faithful to all who believe. Forgive us for doubting the good that You have in store for us, and help us to hold firmly in faith all that You are and all that lies ahead. Teach us to trust You more, in our relationships with You and one another. Show us how to love confidently and fearlessly, the way that You intended, so that many may be encouraged and find faith where it has been absent. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we hold confident hope in You and trust in that which is yet to come. Amen.

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

 

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24

Trust in His Words

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. – (Romans 4:20-22, NLT)

He never doubted that God would do what He promised. He never stopped believing. In fact, he grew stronger in his faith and just praised God. Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what He promised. So that’s why “he was accepted as one who is right with God.” – (Romans 4:20-22, ERV)

 

Abraham’s righteousness before God was not based on his following the letter of the law, but rather by his faith in the Father. God looks at us the very same way that He looked upon Abraham. He is not looking for people who cross their “t’s” and dot their “I’s” just so, but rather He wants people who place their trust in Him and believe that He will do what He says He will do. Our faith is both challenged and grown in the wait between the promise and its fulfillment. Few of us have to hold out for seventy-some years to see God’s promises realized, but how we choose to trust in the interim matters just as much. Thankfully, we have countless examples that have gone before us to show that faith is worth the wait. Additionally, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, to encourage our hearts and remind us who He is and how He loves. May we ever trust in our Heavenly Father, as He is faithful to fulfill every promise that He provides.

 

By faith we are seen,

As right before God;

Our trust in His words,

Triumph over flaws.

For righteous to Him,

Belief that He’ll do;

All He has promised,

That His word is true.

Let go of the law,

And focus on Him;

By faith we’ll do right,

As we enter in.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that what You promise, You are faithful to fulfill. Thank You that You count all who trust in You as righteous before You. Forgive us for not believing that You will do what You have promised, and grow in us an unwavering faith that always trusts. Show us how to love others well as we walk forward in the faith that You loving give to us as we seek You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your words and believe Your promises will be provided. Amen.

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

He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:25

Belief in the Hearing

Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? – (Galatians 3:5, NIV)

 

God, in His goodness, gives us the gift of His Spirit, not because we follow the letter of the law, but rather because we choose to believe the truth that we have heard. Our belief, our very faith, can only exist if we hear the good news. It is in the hearing that our faith is established, and the wonder of His works become made known. With eyes and hearts wide open, we recognize the mighty miracles, great and small, that take place in and around us all the time. May our faith be firmly rooted and established in the truth that we hear from Him.

 

May God in His grace,

Continue to show;

That all comes through faith,

His Spirit makes known.

Let our belief rise,

In wonder and awe;

At who the Lord is,

Not following laws.

Free from the burden,

The weight the law made;

By faith we are free,

To walk in His ways.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are no longer tied to the burden of observing the letter of the old laws, but rather we are saved by believing and trusting in You. Thank You that You grow our faith as we listen and trust in the truth that we hear of You. Forgive us for trying to do enough or be enough to somehow earn Your favor. Teach us to trust that investing our hearts into knowing You more, is far greater than a laundry list of doing. Show us how to love others well out of the overflow of what You have given unto us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we walk in the freedom of our faith, trusting You to lead us and guide us in the direction that we are meant to go. Amen.

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

He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:25

Believe to Be Victorious

Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. – (1 John 5:5, NIV)

It is our faith that has won the victory against the world.  So who wins against the world?  Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. – (1 John 5:5, ERV)

The “world” is anything and everything that would tempt us to live in a way that is contrary to the life that Christ is calling us to live.  We have an adversary who seeks to lead us away from the path which we are called to pursue.  It is only when we believe with our hearts and lives that Jesus is the Son of God, and live our lives accordingly, that we are able to overcome that which attempts to steer us off course.  Temptations that seek to suck us in, can be withstood, when we are armed with the truth and invested in a relationship with the Savior of our soul.  May we believe with all that we are, that Jesus is the Son of God, and live out our lives accordingly, so that we may walk victoriously, as we overcome the world.

To rise, overcome,

it takes great belief;

in Jesus the Son,

our hope and relief.

No battle is won,

unless we choose cling;

to Christ our Savior,

Overcoming King.

No foe can withstand,

the power of God;

in Him we will win,

as heaven applauds.

So rise up, dear ones,

and trust in the King;

for we’ll overcome,

that’s what the truth brings.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that if we choose to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and place our trust in You, we are able to overcome all that would come against us.  Thank You that every victory is ours through Christ.  Forgive us for making our adversary too big, or making You too small, as You are far greater than anything that would come against us.  Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be confident in Your mercy, grace, strength and power that You provide in every situation.  Lead us  to love others as You call us to love.  May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord.  Be glorified O God, as we rise up and overcome the world in Your strength as You call us to keep pressing forward.  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

Hope Brings Renewal

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – (Isaiah 40:31)

 

Those who look to the Lord with trust and belief that He is who He says He is, will be renewed, as He is our Source of strength when we grow weary. This is a promise that I can hold onto; for just as I think that I cannot possibly complete that to which I am called, the Lord provides the strength that is needed, and I am able to do immeasurably more than I ever thought possible.

 

To soar on wings like eagles is such beautiful and vivid imagery. It is not to fly like a small sparrow or tiny hummingbird, where continual wing flapping is necessary to fly, but rather, Christ’s love allows us to do some hard work, then to soar and take in the beauty of what He has done. He grants us moments, days, and even seasons of rest, in spite of what is required. We may have to flap, but when we get to soar…

 

To run and not grow weary is the best feeling ever! As a runner, when a distance that once left me winded and weary is now easily run, I am in awe of how the human body is designed. Our life is often compared to a race in scripture, and God does not intend for us to sprint ahead and burn out, but rather to run at a reasonable pace so that we might continue for the entirety of the race to which we are called.

 

Imagine the miles that Jesus and the disciples covered as they went from village to village to share the good news. They walked everywhere, yet scripture never speaks of them growing faint. Because God had called them, He also equipped them to carry out that which He was asking them to do. The same still holds true for us. He will never ask us to do anything He will not also equip us to do. He provides what we need to accomplish that which He is asking. May we hope in the Lord who renews our strength, soaring on the wings He has provided, as we run without growing weary, and walk without growing faint.

 

May we hold all hope,

in the Lord who will;

renew all our strength,

by His Spirit fill.

He’ll teach us to soar,

where struggles once stood;

like eagles we’ll fly,

because God is good.

We’ll not grow weary,

as we run in Him;

nor will we grow faint,

when fueled from within.

So trust in the Lord,

the granter of dreams;

and seek after Him,

our God who redeems.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we hope in You, You renew our strength. Thank You that You grant us not only the strength to stand, but the strength to soar. Thank You that in You, we will run the race to which we have been called without growing weary, and walk where You call us to go, without growing faint. Thank You that though we may tire, You sustain us. Forgive us for our lack of faith when we feel worn or struggle to see the hope in the situation before us. Teach us to trust You more, as You are our hope and strength; and all that we need comes from You alone. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they too may come to know that You are the Source of all hope and strength that gives and sustains life. Be glorified O God, as we hope in You all of our days. Amen.

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

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. – Psalm 67:1

Overcoming Our Unbelief

So often the mountains that lie before us seem insurmountable. We look at the grade and terrain, forecast and trail conditions, yet fail to look to Him who created the mountains before us. Regardless of what stands before us, Christ who is in us, is greater. In essence, we observe the obstacle, then perhaps, hesitantly, ask God, “If You can help, will You?”

 

Just as Jesus responded to the father of the demon-possessed boy, who sought Him for the healing of his son, Christ answers us in the same way today. “If you can?” said Jesus, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” – (Mark 9:23-24)

 

We serve a loving and faithful God. He longs to grow and expand our faith, and lead us to understand all the more the depth and breadth of His power and grace for those who earnestly seek Him. May we rise up in faith and seek His help in overcoming our unbelief. Lord, let us see possibilities where the obstacles currently lie before us.

 

Troubles and trials,

insurmountable;

we ask but don’t know,

all things possible.

Though man on his own,

cannot overcome;

through the Lord, Jesus,

impossible’s done.

Despite our belief,

we need faith to rise;

Lord Jesus, help us,

Your strength, realize.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that despite what lies before us, all things are possible in You. Thank You that You are loving and faithful and that You want the very best outcome for Your children. Forgive us for our focus on the obstacles, rather than on You, the solution, and please help us to overcome our unbelief. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will seek You and find You regardless of what lies before us. Lead us to love others well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as they find new possibilities through a hope and a future with You. Be glorified O God, as we believe in word, thought and deed, and help us to seek You to overcome our spaces of unbelief. 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

A New Name

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). – (John 1:40-42)

 

There are several remarkable occurrences in this short passage of scripture. First, Andrew, after only hearing what John the Baptist had said, and then meeting Jesus, he immediately believed and felt compelled to act on his belief. He wanted to not only follow Christ, but he wanted to be sure to share the good news with his brother as well. Second, Simon trusted his brother enough to listen to what he had to say, and chose to follow him to where Jesus was staying. When Simon met Jesus face-to-face, Jesus saw Simon not only for who he was, but for who he would become. The name Peter, in Greek, means “a rock“.

 

When we encounter Jesus, He sees us the same way. Christ knows who we are today, but He also knows what we will become. Each one of us has a new name from the moment we are saved. He calls us confident, joyful, overcoming ones, faithful, friends of God, and ones who seek His face. He counts us as His children, and we are adopted into His holy family forever.

 

No matter our name,

or state when we come;

Lord Jesus, He hears,

and all are welcome.

He loves us right now,

wherever we are;

and knows what’s ahead,

our bright Morning Star.

He takes what’s been crushed,

and grants us His strength;

joy for our sorrow,

He’ll go to great lengths.

He calls us His friends,

despite what we’ve done;

He forgives, makes new,

the battles, He’s won.

Let go of the things,

that will hold us back;

surrender it all,

and nothing we’ll lack.

For in Him, all things,

we have all we need;

an eternal hope,

from our past, we’re freed.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love and accept us as we are, yet You see where we are going and all that we can become. Thank You that You give us a new name in You. Thank You that You bring beauty from our ashes, and hope from our despair. Thank You that You utilize the things that we once thought were the most ugly or broken, to help others for Your glory. Forgive us for allowing the old names to have a voice, and help us to silence the lies and allow Your voice to be heard. May our hearts hold fast to what You call us – confident, overcoming ones – Your children. Let us live and love as such, and may many be led unto You as a result. Be glorified as we walk boldly in the new names that You call us. Amen.

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

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

To watch a lovely visual to an old favorite, I Will Change Your Name, click the highlighted song title in green.

Stand Firm or Fall

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. – (Isaiah 7:9b)

 

These words of warning were given by God to Isaiah, to go and speak to Ahaz, the king of Judah. His words, are still sound warning for us today. We cannot allow shifting ideals to sway what we know to be the truth of God’s word. He calls us to a higher standard. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, so the truth of His word remains for all time. Our faith, our very belief in who God is, and what He says is true, are what we must hold fast to – stand firm in – or we will ultimately fall. To stand in faith is not an exercise of our own sheer strength, but rather our willingness to be dependent on Christ. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, with fortify our faith, and provide all that we need to stand firm, if we are willing to give ear to His still small voice and invest our hearts in the truth of His word. May we each stand firm in our faith, and be a help to keep others from falling as well.

 

We each are called,

to rise up, stand firm;

listen to God,

cling to what we learn.

He is our strength,

our power to stand;

keeps us afloat,

far from sinking sand.

May the Lord’s truth,

set deep in our heart;

let nothing sway,

nor tear us apart.

Cover us, Lord,

protect and preserve;

let us not fall,

nor get what’s deserved.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we may stand firm in our faith, not by our own strength, but by Yours. Thank You that it is not up to us to muster enough faith to follow through, but rather You take our willing hearts, and You grow our faith so that we may stand secure in You. Forgive us for not investing in our faith, and open our eyes, ears and hearts to all that You have for us to grow in Your grace, so that we may have a faith that is firmly founded in You. Let us love others as You love us, and may many come to know how to stand firm in all that You offer, as a result. Keep us from falling as we seek to stand firm in our faith in You forever. Be glorified, O God, as we forge forward in faith. Amen.

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

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. – Psalm 67:1

Called to Love

If we long to follow,

the greatest command;

it is all about love,

for God and for man.

We are called to love God,

with heart, strength and soul;

and love well our neighbors,

our worship made whole.

This love is not showy,

it is kind; sincere;

all glory points to Christ,

His presence so near.

May our every action,

line up with belief;

even when no one sees,

let love bring relief.

To live our lives for Christ,

an eternal gain;

those who deny the truth,

suffer senseless pain.

So let us rise up, church,

be people who love;

may the difference they see,

reflect God above.

(Responding to Mark 12:29-31, 38-40)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You first loved us. Thank You that You created us to give and receive love. Thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to model how we might love with all of our heart, soul and strength; and how to love our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us for not loving as You love. Remove any wrong motive in us, and help us to love with pure hearts, expecting nothing in return. Teach us to rely on You for our filling, as You alone can satisfy the empty spaces within us. Lead us to love well, even when no one sees. Thank You that the only opinion of us that matters, is Yours. Thank You that You already love us beyond what we can fathom, just as we are, yet love us enough that You are willing to walk beside us in all things, so that we may more clearly be reflections of You. May many come to know Your saving grace through our obedient outpouring of Your love. Amen.

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

We truly are made to love. Enjoy Made To Love, by Toby Mac. (Click the title in green.)