No Matter What May Come

For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested. – (Hebrews 2:18, HCSB)

And now He can help those who are tempted. He is able to help because He Himself suffered and was tempted. – (Hebrews 2:18, ERV)

Since He has also been tested by suffering, He can help us when we are tested. – (Hebrews 2:18, VOICE)

Because Jesus was tempted in every way, and He suffered beyond what we can even begin to fathom, He understands and knows how to help us when we struggle. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we are completely alone in the midst of struggle or suffering, but the truth is, God is always near. Jesus is ever moving on our behalf. The challenge is to slow down, seek the Lord, and simply sit in His presence. He is faithful to meet us in our seeking, and will hold us up and lead us through the trials that we face. May we ever seek the Lord, for He is faithful, and He will help, hold, and lead us so that we may navigate every difficulty that comes our way.

No matter what comes,

God already knows;

How to best help us,

In His strength, we grow.

Through great temptations,

Or true suffering;

God will be faithful,

Grace and strength He brings.

So, rise up and seek,

Each time you shall find;

More than imagined,

His love does exceed.

Lean into Jesus,

No matter what comes;

He’s present to help,

The great Holy One.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are gracious and kind, and that You understand every trial and suffering that we endure. Thank You that because You have suffered and been tempted in every way, You are able to help and strengthen us to navigate all things. Forgive us for our fears and doubts. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us as You do, so that they too may come to know Your strength and help and hope in all things. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and trust You in all things and at all times, for in You, there is peace and hope and strength. Amen.

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

Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God. – Jeremiah 42:6

Glory Where It Is Due

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your Name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness. – (Psalm 115:1, NIV) 

Lord, You should receive the honor, not us. The honor belongs to You because of Your faithful love and loyalty. – (Psalm 115:1, ERV) 

God, glorify Your Name! Yes, Your Name alone be glorified, not ours. For You are the one who loves us passionately, and You are faithful and true. – (Psalm 115:1, TPT) 

Everything good, everything that is praiseworthy, comes from God alone. We are His created and when we pursue a life lived to please and honor Him, He uses our willingness for good. Nothing that we say or do that is excellent or favorable come from us on our own, but rather is only possible because of God’s love and faithfulness. May we ever seek the Lord and His will, and give all glory to Him. 

All glory to God, 

We lift up Your Name; 

For Your worthiness, 

Deserves our acclaim. 

Glory and power, 

Alone, God, are Yours; 

All good that exists, 

Through love that endures. 

Teach us to seek You, 

To follow Your lead; 

To love as You do, 

So Your glory’s seen. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us and lead us in ways that can lead to incredible good. Thank You that all is because of You. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to give glory to You, or live in such a way that Your good is not being made known. Show us how to live and love in such a way, that You are glorified for all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified O God, as we seek to do the good You intend for us to do, and give You the glory in all things that reflect who You are and how You love. Amen. 

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

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. – Luke 2:14

Hope

“Hope is a confident expectation of a favorable outcome.” – (Pastor Jon MacIntosh)  In Christ, whom is the Source of ALL hope, we find confidence in knowing that the ultimate outcome is good.  We know Who wins in the end, and we have the blessed assurance that our eternity will be spent in His presence.

It is easy to blur the lines between wishing and hoping.  A wish is really just a want, that is not backed by confident expectation in Christ.  Our hopes, dreams and desires need to align with His, and hope in Him, ought to be “the lens through which we view our future”. (PJM)  When we see where He is calling us to go, we move in confident expectation that He will meet us every step of the way, and provide all that is needed to accomplish what He has asked.

In the throes of life’s storms, though I often cannot see the security of the shore, I have hope in Christ, as I know that He is my anchor, steadfast and secure.  He will not allow me to get lost, nor to drift beyond a place where He can safely bring me back to shore.  My hope in Him is not deterred by wind and waves, as my heart is tethered to His.

“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)

In quiet confidence,

let us hope in the Lord.

He is mighty to save,

our strength in one accord.

Expect that He will use,

everything for our good;

even our great struggles,

make His grace understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Hope.  Thank You that in You, we need not fear, regardless of what surrounds us.  Thank You that You are the anchor that keeps us secure through all of life’s storms, and that You are our peace when chaos seems to reign.  Forgive us for allowing the weight of the world to hinder our hope, and help us to hold our every hope in You – not in what surrounds us.  Thank You that our ultimate outcome will be far beyond  favorable, as eternity with You, is more than our hearts can currently hold.  Help us to live in love, looking through Your lens of hope, so that others too, may see that true hope is found in You.  May many come to find hope in You during this blessed season of remembering.  Be glorified in all that we say and do.  Amen.

For more verses on HOPE (per sermon notes from yesterday):

Romans 8:24 (hope saves)

I John 3:3 (hope purifies)

Hebrews 6:13 (hope anchors us)

I Thessalonians 1:3 (hope inspires)

Psalm 62:5 (hope comes from God)

2 Thessalonians 2:16 (hope is good)

Titus 2:13 (hope is blessed)

Hebrews 7:19 (hope is better)

I Peter 1:3 (hope is living)

I Corinthians 13:13 (hope is enduring)

Ephesians 1:8 (we are called to hope)

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