We Need Not Worry

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. – (Philippians 4:6, NLT)

Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. – (Philippians 4:6, ERV)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers. – (Philippians 4:6, TLB)

 

This is a timely reminder for me. Though I pray, I do worry too. It is a challenge to push pause, and immediately pray, every time that worry begins to enter in. So often worry starts as simple wonderings about things that lie before us, and when we fix our eyes on the wonder rather than on He who is the solution, worry walks right into our hearts and minds. May we boldly go before God and present our needs, as He hears our every request. Let us forget not to give Him thanks for all that He has done, as He is faithful to answer as we call on His Name.

 

Let us not worry, 

About anything;

Instead choose to pray,

Bring all to our King.

For God hears our need,

He’s faithful to hear;

And provides answers,

As we choose draw near.

Remember give thanks,

For all He has done;

For all that we have,

For each battle won.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to hear us and meet us in our need. Thank You that we need not worry, but rather we are meant to pray about all things. Forgive us for allowing our minds to wander to the “what-ifs“ that cause worry, instead of fixing our eyes on You, our solution. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You and tell You all that we need and give You thanks for all that You have done. Show us how to love those around us well, so that we extend an attitude of gratitude toward You and all that You have done and bring peace and assurance when all seems worrisome. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pray about everything rather than worry, and give You thanks for all of the answers that You have so faithfully provided. Amen.

 

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

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. – Ephesians 2:4-5

Bold Grace

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – (Hebrews 4:16, NLT)

With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it. – (Hebrews 4:16, ERV)

So let us step boldly to the throne of grace, where we can find mercy and grace to help when we need it most. – (Hebrews 4:16, VOICE)

 

Shame is a horribly heavy burden, especially when others have helped add weight to that which is constantly carried. Each time I have a conversation with someone who feels as if there is not a place for them to plug into a church, either because of their past or due to their current circumstances, my heart breaks a bit more. If we are truly loving God and loving people, shouldn’t we have open arms to all who choose to wander our way? Yes, there are precautions and wisdom that need be established for safety (we cannot be unwise) but we all have sinned and fallen short, so we are all equally eligible for the grace of God. His mercy and kindness are the very things that remove the burdens that we are not meant to bear. When we love people well, it often is the nudge needed for them to recognize that they are not beyond the reach of God’s mercy and grace. May we seek our Savior with open hearts and arms to receive His mercy and grace, so that we may in turn, go forth and extend the same to those around us.

 

Let us boldly go, 

To the throne of grace;

Where God in mercy,

Our shame shall erase.

The weight we carry,

In love, He removes;

As His help He brings,

And faithfulness proves.

Choose ever seek God,

Go straight to His throne;

Give as He gives us,

So His love’s made known.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your Son to bear the weight of all of our sin and shame. Thank You that because of Your sacrifice, we can come boldly before Your throne of grace to receive mercy and help whenever we need it. Forgive us for not extending the same mercy and grace to those around us that we have been given by You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would love fearlessly and without basing our love on what has or has not been done by those around us. Show us how to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we come boldly to Your throne of grace to receive Your mercy and extend the same to others. 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