Far Greater

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” – (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT)

The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours. Your ways are not like mine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” – (Isaiah 55:8-9, ERV)

This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are My thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts than yours. – (Isaiah 55:8-9, TLB)

 

I am so thankful that the Lord’s thoughts, plans and ways are far greater than my own. So often in my life, I have thought things ought to go in a certain direction or were on a predictable path, and have found myself frustrated or confused as to why things took a turn that led an entirely different direction. However, hindsight is a remarkable revealer of the goodness of God. In the spaces that I assumed things would unfold in certain way, I can look back and see the hand of God in every step, and recognize the blessings and benefit of His plans, as the outcome has been far greater than I would have hoped or imagined. Often, there is a season of struggle prior the beautiful outcome. It is in the time of trials that He shows us more of Himself and strengthens and equips us for the more that He has in store. Without loss, we might never fully know the fullness of His love. Without need, we’d not truly know the Lord’s plentiful provision. In all things, He is good and His way is to lead to the ultimate outcome of an eternity with Him. May we ever trust in the Lord and His ways, for His ways and thoughts hold hope that lasts forever.

 

Though plans may be good,

And thoughts just the same;

Not one can compare,

To what God has claimed.

For the Lord’s great ways,

Are higher than ours;

We reach for the moon,

He gives us the stars.

In goodness and grace,

His ways lead to more;

Things so much greater,

Than ever before.

So, trust in the Lord,

For His plans are good;

Despite what we see,

Or think that we should.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and Your ways, far greater than our own. Thank You that so often we think things ought to go a particular direction, yet Your way always turns out far better than what we could hope or imagine. Forgive us for not trusting the process when things are painful or unpredictable. Teach us to trust You, even when we cannot see how Your hand is moving on our behalf. Show us how to love those around us in a way that encourages hope and trust, even when it is not seen. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You in the process, as Your ways are always for our very best. Amen.

 

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

 

Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. – Psalm 63:3

The Love that Knows No End

But You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. – (Psalm 86:15, NLT) 

My Lord, You are a kind and merciful God. You are patient, loyal, and full of love. – (Psalm 86:15, ERV) 

But You, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and You never, never quit. – (Psalm 86:15, MSG) 

 

Some mornings it is far more challenging to get up and get moving than others. Because I rise quite early, there are morning that I think my body is confused, and I wake up several times prior to my alarm alerting me with an Irish jig. Today was that sort of morning. The actual getting out of bed is not so much the struggle, but rather the seeming ability to function well, prior to my coffee kicking in, is where I find myself right now. As I sit and read the various translations/interpretations of this verse, I am blessed and encouraged, for God is for me and is faithful to meet me, even in my exhausted state. He is not angered that I feel weary, but rather His grace washes over me, and I am equipped with all that I need to continue each step of what He calls me to do. God cares about the minute details just as much as He is concerned with the big stuff. I know this to be true, as His love washes over me while I sit and focus on His word. May we ever seek the Lord and His unfailing love, for His kindness knows no end and His patience does not pass away.  

 

On difficult days,

You still are with us; 

Ever granting strength, 

The love of Jesus. 

You never give up, 

Your love never fails; 

When we’re feeling stuck, 

You’re wind in our sails. 

We thank You, O Lord, 

For all of our days; 

For all that You are, 

And Your faithful ways. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us and meet us, no matter how we come before You. Your love lifts us up and carries us through each day. Forgive us for our moments of doubt or dismay, when all around us seems too much. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would embrace Your grace as we rise each new day. Show us how to love those around us in a way that conveys Your faithfulness and willingness to love without limits. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You each new morning, and praise You for Your faithful and unending love. Amen.

 

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

 

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. – Psalm 103:8

Light Destroys Darkness

He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells within Him. – (Daniel 2:22, NIV)

God is the one who uncovers what lies deeply hidden; He knows what hides in darkness; light lives with Him! – (Daniel 2:22, CEB)

He knows hidden secret things that are hard to understand. Light lives within Him, so He knows what is in the dark and secret places. – (Daniel 2:22, ERV)

 

The truth is that God knows all things. There is nothing that is hidden from Him. Even that which is held in the deepest, darkest recesses of our hearts, are known by God. In spite of what we hide, He loves. When the things that are hidden are what we are meant to discover and deal with, He gently shines His light for us to see. If we are lost or confused and feel as if things are dark and hazy, the light of His truth begins to illuminate what is His will and His way in the midst of our darkness. When we seek Him, we find Him; for darkness no longer exists when light enters in. The two cannot coexist. Light destroys darkness. May we each allow the Lord to shine His light in our hearts and lives, so that darkness will disappear and His light may be reflected to others through us.

 

There’s nothing hidden,

that God cannot see;

for He is the light,

that lives within me.

Even those spaces,

of hurt and of pain;

the Lord, He’s ready,

to breathe life again.

We must choose seek Him,

for He’s gentle, kind;

He won’t force way in,

as we seek, we’ll find.

New understanding,

of deep mysteries;

are gifts that He gives,

so blind hearts might see.

God is the pure light,

He knows all there is;

He loves and He gives,

so all might choose live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You reveal deep and hidden things, and that You know what lies in darkness because You are the Light. Forgive us for attempting to keep our hurts and our transgressions hidden from You, for You already know each one. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be quick to confess our need for You and Your help, forgiveness and light, as we navigate the often darkness that surrounds us. Show us how to be Your light unto the world through loving others with the very same love that You give unto us. Let Your grace and peace be what we extend to all whom we meet, so that they can clearly see Your light through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and Your light to illuminate the places that seem so dark – for darkness disappears when Your light enters in. 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

Watching for Wisdom

In Acts 11, just after Peter had gone into the home of Cornelius – the generous, God-seeking, Roman centurion, and had witnessed the mighty move of the Holy Spirit among Gentiles, he faced Jewish believers and their countless questions as to why on earth he had gone into the presence of those considered unclean. Peter unpacked all that had transpired prior to his encounter with Cornelius and company, followed by all that God had done while he had been with them in obedience. When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” – (Acts 11:18)

 

The example set by the early church models how we ought to handle disagreements today. Though they were shocked at the very idea that Peter had done something so counter cultural, they asked questions, then listened to his answers before going off the deep end. In fact, once they heard the entire story, they praised God. Rather than judging behaviors of fellow believers, it is critical that we hear one another out. We never know what the Holy Spirit is doing in and through others, until we ask and listen. May we listen well so that we learn all that He is trying to teach us through others.

 

Often the way things,

seemingly appear;

are not what we think,

but God’s new frontier.

The way that He moves,

is not to be mapped;

instead His power,

should be sought and tapped.

When we are confused,

unsure of what’s seen;

He calls us to ask,

find out what things mean.

If we then listen,

He will make it known;

if the move is His,

or one on their own.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a loving and all-inclusive God. Thank You that no one is excluded from Your love. Thank You that You desire to reach everyone – people from every nation and walk of life, regardless of where we have been. Forgive us for being judgmental or leery of the new or unknown, rather than asking questions and truly listening to hear what You have to say. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may ask and listen for answers. Help us to love as You so graciously love each of us. Let those who are looking, be found forever in You. Be exalted, O God, as we seek to hear Your will, even in the new. Amen.

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

Father, I thank You that You have heard me. – John 11:41

Give Ear to Hear

“So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” – (Acts 11:3)  Though this may not sound like much to us today, at the time, the Jewish believers were shocked and confused at the potential scandal that Peter would dare enter the home of one who was considered unclean.  Far worse, he had not only gone into the home, but he had eaten there – which was a huge cultural faux pas at that particular point in history.

That being said, the early followers of Christ did something very right – they chose to hear him out – to truly listen to what he had to say first, before they began throwing stones.  As Peter shared with them, all that God had shown him, they were in awe and realized that God had sent His Holy Spirit and the message of salvation for all people, not just the Jews.  “When they had heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” – (Acts 11:18)

What if all people in the church were given the same opportunity to share their story?  Imagine the misinterpretations that would become clear, and the skewed perspectives that might be seen through His lens rather than our own…  Perhaps the solution can begin with each of us.  If we are uncertain about something that another says or does, we can go directly to the source and ask for clarity with kindness.  Humbly, we can seek to understand.  Beyond that, we are meant to extend grace to one another.  Each of us are in the process of being made more like Him.  However, not one of us has yet arrived.  Some days will be better than others, and on those “other” days, grace is the best gift that can be given.

Give ear to hear,

what the heart does hold;

the unspoken,

the truth to behold.

Only by grace,

will story be known;

in the safety,

where kindness is shown.

Let our hearts hear,

what others need speak;

so truth is told,

when answers, we seek.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace, and that no matter what we have done, we can always seek Your throne.  Thank You that You receive us as Your children, covered and cleansed, the moment we turn away from our sin and toward You.  Forgive us for not extending grace to others, as You extend it to us, and teach us to ask if we have questions, and to give grace and listen.  Teach us to trust You more, so that we may move as You call us to move.  Help us to lavishly love and extend grace in such a way, that others are pointed directly unto You.  May many come to know You as Redeemer and King.  In Your mighty Name, Amen.

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

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8

Gather Together

“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.  They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.  As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them.” – (Luke 24:13-15)

Though these men were confused and upset about what had happened, they were talking together, genuinely seeking answers.  As they were attempting to make sense of that which seemed so unclear, Jesus showed up.  He did not reveal Himself right away, but He spoke to them, giving them insight and understanding as to what had previously been unclear.  Eventually, the men did recognize Him, as He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.

Jesus is still the same today.  When two or more of us gather, and genuinely seek Him for answers, He shows up, and provides wisdom and insight.  Though His presence is never-ending in the hearts of those who believe, there seems to be something powerful about gathering together as His people, to pray and to seek His wisdom and will, for whatever lies before us.  “For where two or three gather in My Name, there am I with them.” – (Matthew 18:20)

Gather together,

partner in prayer;

united in heart,

the Lord will be there.

In unity seek,

ask Him what we need;

trust He is faithful,

our requests, He’ll heed.

As we are seeking,

we must listen too;

to hear God’s own heart,

and know what to do.

Lean not on ourselves,

but fully on Him;

for His way is best,

to find peace within.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, we find You.  Thank You that You tell us that gathering together in Your Name is good.  Thank You that as we do, You are faithful to speak to our hearts, as we are willing to listen.  Forgive us for not slowing down to truly listen, and for neglecting our need to gather with other believers to seek You together.  Teach us how to trust one another, and how to pray and commune together in a way that honors You.  Lead us and guide us I pray.  May we love one another as You love us, and may the fullness of Your goodness and grace in us, overflow and pour out to all of those who are around us.  May many come to know of Your great love, and enter into a relationship with You.  Be magnified, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

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