Cannot Be Shaken

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. – (Hebrews 12:28, NIV)

So we should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please Him. We should do this with respect and fear. – (Hebrews 12:28, ERV)

Therefore, let us all be thankful that we are part of an unshakable Kingdom and offer to God worship that pleases Him and reflects the awe and reverence we have toward Him. – (Hebrews 12:28, VOICE)

This is the hope that we can hold forever, no matter what happens here, we have a home we are headed to that cannot be shaken. The very One who created the heavens and the earth, created us and made the way for us to have Him with us now, and spend eternity in His presence. Our gratitude to God ought to pour out through worship as we are intentional to reflect on who He is and how He loves. The way we live, the way we speak, and the way we treat people all can be ways that we worship God with our lives. Such worship reflects our awe and reverence for the King of kings. May we ever seek the Lord to show us how to allow our lives to reflect His goodness and live out a lifestyle of worshiping Him. 

The Kingdom of God,

Goes beyond what’s seen;

Glory imagined,

Much more than a dream.

For He has prepared,

A place for us all;

Amidst His glory,

Where we are each called.

Come let us worship,

In awe we bow down;

Before our Maker,

In Whom hope is found.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we receive Your kingdom now and for all eternity. Your kingdom dwells in our hearts and grants us strength and hope in all things. Thank You that You are as near as our next breath. Forgive us for our fears and doubts as circumstances shake us. Teach us to put all of our trust in You, the only One who cannot be shaken. Show us how to love like You so that those around us come to know Your loving kindness and limitless power. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we worship You with all that we are in reverence and awe. Amen.

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

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. – Psalm 125:1

Worship Anyway

Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped. – (Job 1:20, MSG)

When Job heard this, he got up, tore his clothes, and shaved his head to show his sadness. Then he fell to the ground to bow down before God. – (Job 1:20, ERV)

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. – (Job 1:20, NLT)

 

A few days ago, I passed the one-month mark with my back injury. Typically, I am extraordinarily active, and I participate in high impact workouts at least six days per week. In order for my compression fracture to heal, I was instructed to do no high impact activities. This has left me with few options, and the lack of adrenaline and endorphins released from merely walking, seem to be taking its toll. I am weary, restless, and fighting the darkness that tries to pull me down. The only thing that has kept me somewhat sane in this state of waiting, is an abundance of walking, encouraging friends, and the turning up of my worship music and singing along with all that I am.

This morning, as I read about Job and all of the horrible loss that he endured, as well as how he responded, I am again reminded of what matters most, and how to best combat the fear and frustration. Worship does wonders. As we remove our focus from ourselves and our own situations, and instead fix our eyes and hearts on Him who deserves all of our attention, something shifts and the unbearable becomes bearable. Our burdens are no longer ours alone, and we see Him who is seated on the throne. God who is worthy of all of our worship, is the only One who can see us through our storms. May we mourn what need be mourned, then, despite our sorrow, set our hearts to worship the One who will carry us until our strength is renewed. Let every heart lift praise to our Prince of Peace.

 

When all’s going wrong,

The struggle is new;

There’s one place to turn,

Where Love sees us through.

The Lord is our strength,

No matter our state;

As we choose worship,

His love lifts the weight.

He helps bear burdens,

Too heavy for us;

Shines light in darkness,

Grants peace through Jesus.

Despite the struggle,

God is always good;

Let us choose worship,

His grace understood.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always good and worthy of our worship. Thank You that despite what we have going on in or around us, You are with us and willing to remain present. Forgive us for allowing our circumstances to dictate our view of You, rather than allow You to shape our view of what is going on in and around us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You and worship You in all things and at all times. Show us how to worship You in spite of what we see, and lead us to love others in such a way, that they too may see how kind and loving You are to all who seek You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we mourn what need be mourned, but recognize in all things, that You deserve our worship. 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

In You

I praise You, O Lord,

with all of my heart;

for Your faithfulness,

promised from the start.

To You, I bow down,

for Your love is great;

exalted above,

before You I wait.

Your Name and Your word,

far beyond all things;

in You, boldness found,

where true freedom rings.

May You be now praised,

as Your words are heard;

let all hearts declare,

this hope undeterred.

Honor for humble,

low place for the proud;

in trouble, You save,

hide us in Thy shroud.

All purpose fulfilled,

through Your love for me;

stay close forever,

in Your arms, I see.

(Responding to Psalm 138)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone are worthy of all our praise. Thank You that You are faithful and Your word is true. Forgive us for allowing fear or discouragement to cloud our perception of Your perfection, and help us to humbly come before You and trust in Your unfailing love. May our mouths be full of praise, and our hearts hold fast to Your glorious ways. Help both our word and deed honor You, and may Your perfect love be that which shines through us. May every troubled heart both hear and hold fast to the hope that is found in You. Lead us Lord, so that we may love like You. Let our every hope be held in You. Amen.

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

Love Endures Always

Your kingdom, everlasting,

Your dominion will endure;

through all the generations,

our hope in You is secure.

For You, O Lord, are faithful,

Your promises all are true;

Your love You pour out upon,

lift fallen that trust in You.

For when we choose to bow down,

before Him on heaven’s throne;

He provides and loves and leads,

each of us He calls His own.

The Lord is truly righteous,

and loving to all He’s made;

near to the broken-hearted,

from all darkness we’ll be saved.

Let every heart cry out,

and call upon Him in truth;

He fulfills righteous desires,

salvation is our great news.

(Responding to Psalm 145:13-19)

Dear Heavenly Father, Your faithfulness never ceases to amaze me, and Your provision is never late. Thank You that Your goodness and kindness are without end, and that Your promises do not change. Father we bow before You and place all our cares in crook of Your hand, and trust that You are more than strong enough to carry the weight of the world. Forgive us for thinking it is ours to carry, and help us to let Your love lighten our load. Thank You that Your yoke is easy, and Your burden is light. Thank You that salvation is available to all who believe and place their trust in You. May we model a trust that moves mountains through You, and may many come to embrace Your grace, as we extend Your love through our heart and hands. Lead us and guide us we pray, Amen.

Anne update: Anne has grown far weaker still, and the pain continues to be amplified. Dear friends have traveled up from California to spend time with her, and the doctor has prescribed stronger pain medication that can be given more often. Our hope and prayer is for Him to provide relief. The sorrow is so heavy as I look at her once strong hands, now so frail and fragile when held in my own. Please pray that the Lord will walk her home quickly, rather than having her hold on in such anguish. Praise Him for His ongoing provision fore her care, and for the kindness and compassion poured out upon her as she lies in wait for the transition from this life to the eternal. God bless every faithful heart, for your prayers are sustaining Anne and all who gather ’round her.

Holding the hope for her homecoming in heaven, Shannon

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

Welcomed to Worship

image by Ann Voskamp

Come let us sing for joy;

unto the Lord, all praise.

Shout aloud to the Rock;

Salvation of our days.

Let us bring Him our thanks,

honor with joyful song.

He is our mighty God,

due worship all day long.

All that is formed is His.

He holds all in His hands;

the mountains and valleys,

waters, life; every man.

Let’s bow down in worship,

and kneel before our King;

for we are His people,

all praise to Him we bring.

When we do hear His voice,

let not our hearts grow cold;

learning from forefathers,

break the cycles of old.

Instead, may we rise up,

with hearts set right to hear;

as we listen, obey –

may many be drawn near.

 

(Responding to Psalm 95)

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone are worthy of all our worship and praise.  Thank You that You are our Source and Supply, and our very reason to sing.  Forgive us for turning a deaf ear to what You are speaking, or for not honoring You as You deserve with our worship.  Train our hearts to hear Your still small voice clearly, and raise up in our hearts, the ability to release praise that honors You.  Help us to learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, and lead us to live and love with total trust in You.  May Your light and love in us, shine brightly before others, so that they too, may come to know You as their Savior and King.  May we honor You with our worship today.  Amen.

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

Our Offering

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and incense and of myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11

image by Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis

The “they” that is found in this passage were the Magi, or wise men, sent on ahead by King Herod to find the whereabouts of this child about whom the Scriptures had foretold.  When the Magi found Him, they did as was done in the presence of royalty, and they bowed down and worshipped Him.  Not only did they offer worship and make themselves low in posture (despite their lofty position in society), but they gave Him gifts that were worthy and appropriate, upon finding He who had been foretold as the coming King.  Even the gifts the Magi gave were significant – both symbolically and financially.  “Gold was a gift for a king; incense, a gift for deity; myrrh, a spice for a person who was going to die.  These gifts may have provided the financial resources for the trip to Egypt and back.” (NIV Study Bible footnotes)

When we approach the living God who came near and now dwells within us, how much more ought we bow down and worship Him, bringing our very best treasures to be trusted unto our Savior?

Do I think we are to always posture ourselves down low every time we come before Him?  No, physically it may or may not be possible in each moment that we call out to Him.  It seems that as long as we are posturing ourselves as such in our hearts, we are granting Him the rightful position of authority in our hearts and lives as God and King.  Do we see that He alone is worthy of our worship, and understand that He alone should sit on the throne to rule and reign in our lives?  Are we willing to offer ALL to Him, and allow Him to direct our path?

There is much we can learn from the Magi…

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You foretold of Your Son’s coming, created signs and wonders to show the way, and granted great wisdom to the gift givers so that they would return home by a different route, not disclosing the location of the infant King.  Lord, You alone are worthy of all of our worship, and to You, all our treasures are due.  Forgive us for allowing our treasure to be in anything other than You.  Please come and help our hearts to hear You, honor You, and may our every gift and offering give glory to You alone.  May we bring before You the very best that You have given in each of us, and my it be made worthy as we worship You alone.  Let our lives lived in reverence of You, reveal the reason You reign above all in heaven and on earth.  May many come to call You King, as even creation cries out of Your credentials as our Almighty.  Amen.

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