Hope is the Anchor

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. – (Hebrews 6:19a, NIV)

This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe. – (Hebrews 6:19a, ERV)

We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God Himself. – (Hebrews 6:19a, TPT)

 

One of the most critical elements to recovery that I am discovering along this journey with mom, is that hope has to be held in her heart. Incredibly, the faithful prayers of so many are being heard and answered, as she is beginning to see and embrace the steps of progress, she is making for herself. I watch in awe, as each new day, mom is able to say and do things that she was unable to accomplish or communicate the day prior. Hope is rising within her, before my own eyes. Mom is rooted and grounded in Christ, first and foremost, however, a blow like this to a very independent, self-sufficient, bright and extroverted woman, is extraordinarily troubling. Though we do not know what the outcome will be exactly, there is great hope as she is on a phenomenal track to recovery. Mom is finding hope in each day. She is strengthened and encouraged, and surrounded by the most positive, encouraging and wonderful team of people I could have ever hoped for. God hand-selected each one, just for her, to encourage, challenge, push, love, lead and care for her the way she needs most. God is good, and He is the hope that anchors our soul; strong and secure, with and unbreakable hold that will never let us go.

 

Hope is the anchor,

That secures the soul;

It grounds and roots us,

In Christ, makes us whole.

Hope moves us forward,

To keep pressing on;

The spark that’s needed,

When our strength seems gone.

Sometimes hope enters,

With a quiet word;

Loving reminders,

Truth needing be heard.

Some days hope floods in,

Like a trumpet’s call;

Miracle moments,

Both the great and small.

No matter what comes,

The sun shall still rise;

God will not leave us,

His grace realized.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the hope that is the anchor for our soul, firm and secure. Thank You that You are the same, yesterday, today and forever. Thank You that Your love and faithfulness know no end. Forgive us for our fearfulness and our distorted vision that loses sight of hope when difficulties make hope hard to see. Teach us to trust You more, so that we NEVER lose sight of hope in You. Show us how to love those around us in a way that encourages and shares Your hope that is held in our hearts. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we hold firmly to You, our anchor, through the storms and in safe harbor; for You are our security and hope forever. Amen.

 

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

 

For I have always been mindful of Your unfailing love and have lived in reliance of Your faithfulness. – Psalm 26:3

To Signify the Start of Something New

Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You. – (Psalm 143:8, NLT)

Show me Your faithful love this morning, I trust in You. Show me what I should do. I put my life in Your hands! – (Psalm 143:8, ERV)

Let the dawning day bring me revelation of Your tender, unfailing love. Give me light for my path and teach me, for I trust in You. – (Psalm 143:8, TPT)

 

I have always had a special appreciation for early mornings, as I crave the quiet stillness found in the sweet solitude of the wee hours before dawn’s first light. The ability to hear my own thoughts with clarity as my other senses are not interrupted, helps get me grounded before I begin each day. As a point of curiosity, I searched the word “morning” in my Bible app and discovered that the word appeared 239 times. Nearly every time that the word “morning” appeared, it was to signify the start of something new: new help, new hope, a new oath, a new promise, a new blessing, a new charge to carry out, new revelation, new provision, new strength, new light, new mercies, new love and new joy. Daily, I see and know His unfailing love that is found each morning, as I turn in trust. God is faithful to show me what I should do as I allow Him room to lead. What I have discovered over time, is that His ways are always better than mine, and trusting Him is far wiser than relying on myself. He is faithful to grant the wisdom we seek and provides people to surround us with strength and hope and help. Each new day brings new light and love as we turn in trust to the One who holds us in His hands. May we ever seek our Savior to show us the way, as He is faithful to lead us by the light of His unfailing love.

 

Early each morning, 

I discover new;

Your unfailing love,

As I trust in You.

You show me the way,

That I’m meant to go;

As You light my path,

In Your loving glow.

Your tender kindness,

Each morning is new;

Your grace unending,

As I trust in You.

I will keep rising,

Before break of day;

To meet You anew,

As You light my way.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your unfailing love is new each morning, and Your faithfulness never ends. Thank You that as we trust in You, You teach us and light our path. Forgive us for the times that we attempt to wander in the darkness on our own. Teach us to trust in You and to recognize the people that You have placed all around us. Show us how to love those around us well, so that we may strengthen, encourage and lift them up with the new that You have for them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we listen for revelation of Your tender, unfailing love this morning, and follow the lighted path that You provide. Amen.

 

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

 

Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. – Psalm 69:16

Present to Hear

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need Your help. – (Psalm 86:1, NLT)

 

As I continue to contemplate prayer, I look to the Psalms and see the sincerity, openness and honesty that flowed from the heart of David as he called on the Lord. When he needed help, he said as much. In times of blessing, gratitude graced his lips. Regardless of what was going on, he brought his prayers before the Lord, and trusted Him for help. I love that God does not need eloquent prayers to hear our heart, but rather wants us to come to Him – in all things and at all times – trusting that He hears and that He is the solution for what we are asking. May we call on Him in need and in plenty, as He hears, answers and helps as we ask.

 

O Lord, help us know,

How You have drawn near;

When we call Your Name,

You’re present to hear.

Thank You for answers,

And help in our need;

You’re the solution,

That sets our hearts free.

Free from the chaos,

That keeps us apart;

Grounded in Your peace,

As You touch our hearts.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we call on You and pray to You, You hear us, answer us and grant us Your help. Thank You that Your solutions are not always our solutions, as You know what is best for us far better than we do. Forgive us for not praying in our places of uncertainty. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be transparent before You, speaking freely of our fears, hopes, needs and praise. Show us how to love others in practical ways, so that they will see Your heart through our words and deeds. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pray to You in all things and at all times – for You are our help and solution to that which we are asking. Amen.

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

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You? – Psalm 71:19

 

 

Affection and Honor

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. – (Romans 12:10, NLT)

To love each other with genuine affection, is to choose to love free from pretense, in all sincerity, devoted to love as Christ loves us. In doing so, to take delight in honoring each other, is to find joy in holding one another in high esteem, and valuing and respecting each other. This is only possible if we receive the love that Christ freely gives unto us, so that we in turn, are able to give it away. May we make the choice to love one another in all sincerity, and take joy in honoring others above ourselves.

Love without pretense,

in sincerity;

delighted to love,

as Christ has loved me.

May my affection,

be grounded in Him;

devoted to love,

set free from my sin.

Now able to find,

His joy and delight;

in seeing others,

through His holy light.

Each has great value,

because He has made;

all with a purpose,

to walk in His way.

Help me to love well,

to honor, esteem;

to love as I’m loved,

show them what love means.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us with Your genuine affection, and that You delight in each of us. Thank You that You give us the capacity to love as we are loved through the gift of Your Holy Spirit within us. Forgive us for not sincerely loving those around us, or for failing to value or respect those in whom You delight. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would view all people through Your lens, and delight in honoring one another. Lead us to love others with the same genuine affection that You show unto us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love as You love us, and take delight in honoring one another. Amen.

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

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23