Weighing the Why

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. – (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV)

In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too. – (Philippians 2:3-4, ERV)

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. – (Philippians 2:3-4, NLT)

 

I am so thankful that God is gentle as He comes alongside us to remind us of what matters most. This past weekend, I was wrestling with a decision that I thought I had already made. After much prayer and a loving and supportive ear from my Viking, I discovered that I was meant to navigate a different direction than I had determined I would go. Weighing the “why” brought me to a place of peace with the decision that is best for my family. Because I had unconditional support, I had not previously given much consideration to the choice I thought I had already made. It was the gentle prompting in my heart that led me to wrestle with my “why”, and ultimately choose differently.  May we ever seek our Savior to lead and guide us in our every decision, allowing Him room to show us the way that is best for others and not just ourselves.

 

Let each decision, 

Be unto the Lord;

Set aside all pride,

And seek the Adored.

For all that we do,

Impacts more than us;

We need consider,

Others and adjust.

God, help us be wise,

And allow You room;

To show us what’s best,

So Your love may bloom.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us and lead us in the ways that are best for all. Thank You that You come alongside us and guide us when we determine to go a direction that You do not intend for us to go. Forgive us for our selfishness and pride that lead us to make decisions that are less than the very best You have for us. Teach us to hold our plans loosely, so that we are willing to allow You to interrupt and reroute us as we go. Show us how to love those around us in a way that considers their best interest in all that we say and do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your wisdom and grace to lead us in the ways we are meant to go to best love, support and encourage those around us. Amen.

 

 

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

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:4 & 7

Made With Purpose

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, NLT) 

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things He had already planned for us to do. – (Ephesians 2:10, ERV) 

For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, VOICE) 

 

This is an incredible thought. WE – you, me, and everyone we see – have been created with purpose for good! When we seek Him, He makes us new and through Jesus and equips us to accomplish the good things that He has planned for us already. It is easy to get frustrated when we do not accomplish that which we think we ought to, but God, in His goodness and grace, wants us to faithfully seek His face. As we do, and continue to move forward in that which He has called us, we are completing the things He has planned for good. The timeline is His, not ours, and we have to trust that He will accomplish the good He intends through our faithful pursuit of Him as we walk out our days. May we ever seek the Savior who considers us His masterpiece, who has a plan and purpose for each of our lives. 

 

God’s own masterpiece, 

We’re each works of art; 

Made with true purpose, 

From finish to start. 

He long ago planned, 

The good meant for us; 

And brings it to pass, 

Through His Son, Jesus. 

May we each pursue, 

His glory and grace; 

Walk in His purpose, 

As we seek His face. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have created each of us with purpose as Your own work of art. Thank You that as we pursue You, You direct and equip us to walk out Your plan for good. Forgive us for doubting our worth or ability to contribute. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would fearlessly and faithfully walk in the direction to which You have called. Show us how to love those around us in a way that supports and encourages each to move in the direction and purpose for which they are created. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You daily, and continue to move forward in the direction which we have been called. Amen. 

 

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

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Known and Loved

I look at the heavens You made with Your hands. I see the moon and the stars You created. And I wonder, “Why are people so important to You? Why do You even think about them? Why do You care about them? Why do You care so much about humans? Why do You even notice them?” – (Psalm 8:3-4, ERV)

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is mankind that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them? – (Psalm 8:3-4, NIV)

 

God, the Creator of the entire Universe, cares for us, individually. That is an astounding and overwhelming thought. Our mere mortal minds can hardly fathom such care and concern from One so great. Fortunately, there are examples throughout scripture that make this love a bit more conceivable. His great love rescues, is good, is merciful, is unfailing, works all things together for good, is gracious, surpasses all understanding, and endures forever. He is our Father and we are His children. Just as we love our own children fiercely, so too does the Father love each of us. We are flawed and sinful, and yet we still love our children with our whole heart. Imagine the depth and breadth of the Father’s love, as He is perfect, and who He is, is love. May we go forth this day seeking to soak in a bit more of the lavish love of the Lord. As we continue to gain greater glimpses of who He is and how He loves, may we go forth and love likewise.

 

Oh what love is this,

That considers me?

The very same God,

Who called all to be.

When I see the moon,

The stars in the sky;

I gaze up in awe,

He love me, but why?

God loves His children,

All created ones;

His heart is for us,

May Thy will be done.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You, the Creator of all things, love each of us, individually. Thank You that not one of us goes unnoticed nor unloved. Forgive us for not recognizing the depth and breadth of Your care for each of us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would hold fast to the truth of Your word, and trust You to lead us and guide us all of our days in Your love. Show us how to love those around us, so that they may come to know their significance to You and the world around them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we stand in awe of Your lavish love, and receive all that You give so that we may give likewise. Amen.

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

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. – Psalm 34:8

Precious Peace

“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” – (Daniel 10:19a, NLT)

Do not be afraid, you who are highly regarded by God. May peace rest on you and make you whole; be strong; be brave. – (Daniel 10:19a, VOICE)

 

Though these words were spoken by a messenger of God to Daniel when he had been praying on behalf of his people, God still speaks these words to us. Because of His great love, He considers us precious unto Himself, and is ready to give us that which is needed when we choose to call on His Name. As we come before the Lord in prayer, trusting that He hears, He grants peace and strength and courage to face whatever lies before us. We need not fear, for the Lord above all is always near. May we choose to humble ourselves before the Lord in prayer, seeking His help and His heart in all things.

 

Do not be afraid,

Instead, choose to pray;

For the Lord, He hears,

And will guide our way.

We each are precious,

In the Lord’s own sight;

Take strength and courage,

He grants us to fight.

His peace makes us whole,

Removing all fear;

Power to press on,

His love is made clear.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You and pray to You, You meet us with Your peace, encouragement and strength. Thank You that we are precious in Your sight, not because we have earned Your favor by doing or being enough, but rather because we are Your created. Forgive us for not seeking You in all situations, as You are the answer to all that we need. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would know Your peace, encouragement and strength in every situation, regardless of what surrounds us. Show us how to love those around us so that they may feel loved and encouraged, and sense a peace and strength that comes from You alone. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we prayerfully seek You, trusting You for all that we need. Amen.

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

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6

An Excellent Exchange

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. – (Psalm 55:22)

 

When we give our cares and concerns to Christ, He upholds us and supplies what we need as we need it. As we choose to give our heart to Him, we are considered right before Him, righteous in His eyes; and He will not let us fall. The Lord’s ability to sustain us, is not dependent on our concept of what Christ can or cannot do. We need only to run to Him, relying on who He is; our job is to trust that He is God and we are not. This space of trust, where we have exchanged our cares for His sustenance, is where we see the mighty movement of our Maker on our behalf. May we cast our every care upon the Lord, trusting that He will sustain us and keep us from falling, as He considers us righteous because we rely on Him.

 

Let us cast our cares,

upon Christ the Lord;

for He shall sustain,

all strength He affords.

He’ll not let us fall,

for all who have come;

are seen as righteous,

made right by the Son.

No matter what comes,

give it all to God;

His love is greater,

than paths we must trod.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can cast our cares on You, and You sustain us. Thank You that You consider us righteous, and that You will not let us fall. Thank You that no matter what comes against us, You are for us, and You are far greater. Forgive us for not relying on You in all things, and teach us to trust You in such a way, that we would run to You regardless of what lies before us. Help us to hear Your still small voice that calls us to cast our cares upon You. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they too, will come to know just how faithful You are. May many enter into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we cast our cares upon You and trust You to sustain us and keep us from falling. Amen.

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

When times are good, be happy. – Ecclesiastes 7:14