To Love the Lord

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. – (Deuteronomy 6:5, NIV)

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. – (Deuteronomy 6:5, ERV)

Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love Him with all that’s in you, love Him with all you’ve got! – (Deuteronomy 6:5, MSG)

If we truly love God as we are called to love, He gives us His eyes to see the world around us. Through Him, we are moved with compassion, kindness, and grace, so that we might love people and all of creation as He intended. To love Him with our whole heart means that all that we are and all that we want becomes shaped by God and His goodness. Our purpose is love, and He equips our heart and soul, and grants us the strength we need to love. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and to grow us to more clearly reflect His heart to the world.

Love the Lord, our God,

With all of our heart;

We’re made with purpose,

We each play a part.

Compassion and grace,

That we give away;

Reflect the Father,

Throughout each new day.

To truly love God,

We must love like Him;

As His love shapes us,

Pours out from within.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love You with all of our heart, soul, and strength. Thank You that You sent Your Son to show us what that means. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to love as You intended. Teach us to seek You and follow after all that You are asking. May our love be evident to all. Show us how to continue to grow in our love for You and all that You have made. Lead us to love everyone like You do as an act of worship to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue a life of loving You with all that we are in all that we do. Amen.

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

But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. – Psalm 86:15

Love in All

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. – (Deuteronomy 6:5, HCSB)

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. – (Deuteronomy 6:5, ERV)

Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love Him with all that’s in you, love Him with all you’ve got! – (Deuteronomy 6:5, MSG)

We are called and commanded to love because God is love. Incredibly, we are created to love, and each of us give and receive love differently. No matter how we best express love, He sees and receives what we offer. If we were to love God with our whole heart and soul, every word we say, every decision we make, and every action we take would be unto Him. Learning to love God completely is a lifelong process. In the same way that we grow to love those around us more as we are intentional to spend time and invest in relationships, the same is true with God. The more we know Him, the more deeply we love Him and want Him to be a part of everything we say and do. May we continually pursue the Lord in love, so that we grow to love as we were created to love.

Lord, teach us to love,

In all that we do;

May our hearts align,

So we honor You.

With all of our heart,

And all of our soul;

With all of our strength,

Lifelong love, the goal.

For how You love us,

Lead us to love too;

With all that we are,

Give praise unto You.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call and command us to love. Thank You that the more we get to know You, the greater our love grows for You and for all those You have placed in our lives. Forgive us for staying stagnant rather than continually seeking to grow. Teach us to lean into all that You have for us. Show us how to love You and those around us best. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we are intentional to learn to love You more in every area of our lives. Amen.

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

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keep the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. – Ephesians 4:2-3

Giving God Room

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – (Matthew 11:28, NIV)

“Come to Me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest.” – (Matthew 11:28, ERV)

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to Me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.” – (Matthew 11:28, TPT)

 

This is the season where it seems that everyone begins to feel a bit weary and burdened with life. Perhaps it is due to shorter days with less light, colder weather, more demands as the year draws to a close; whatever the case may be, the blessing of time off that covers Christmas and into the New Year, is both welcome and needed. Currently, I am in Oregon, spending time with Mom, as my sister and her family were able to get away for a much-needed family vacation. Rest comes in various forms, and despite being wide awake before five this morning, I slept well and feel rested. My sister and her family had a bit of a debacle with their plane departing and a missed connecting flight, so they arrived to their destination less than an hour ago, when they were scheduled to arrive late last evening. Today, at noon, they will attend my brother-in-love’s alma mater’s bowl game. Perhaps the rest and refreshment for them will come in the form of love, laughter and shared stories, after having successfully navigated the crazy frustration of last evening. Sometimes the rest we need for our lives is more for our heart and soul, than for our body. Often, I am most refreshed after a long run or a vigorous hike, despite that seeming counter-intuitive to rest. Rest is really a matter of being aware of God’s presence, wherever we are, and allowing His peace to permeate our entire being. It is a laying down of the weight we are carrying and giving God room to take over and be the One in charge, as He is far better at it than we are. We are all wired differently, and He grants rest to each of us, individually, as we seek Him. May we each go to God in our weariness, and allow Him room to grant us His rest.

As for Mom, it is wonderful to be with her! She is amazing me with her resilience and willingness to do the hard work. Yesterday afternoon we needed to look for a cane for her next step in physical therapy, and Mom was ready to go. I anticipated taking her in her wheelchair, as that is what I have known for outings that required potential long walks with many people around, but Mom said, “no, the walker is fine.” By golly, she totally did it too! We made our way into the store, found what we needed, paid in the pharmacy (no lines!) and returned to the car without incident. We were not fast, but she did it well. After dinner we worked on her speech homework together, and giggled quite a bit. Before long, we were wiped out and ready to call it a day. Both of us slept well, and I actually woke up before Mom.

 

When you are weary,

And in need of rest;

Pursue the Lord God,

For He provides best.

He knows what we need,

Far better than us;

Our heart, soul and mind,

His grace helps adjust.

Where things are heavy,

He’ll carry the load;

Take us by the hand,

On challenging roads.

For things of the heart,

He blesses with peace;

Grants love and laughter,

Ease burden’s release.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can come to You, no matter what shape we are in. Thank You that when we are weary, You grant us Your rest. When we are burdened, You lighten our load or grant us the strength needed to sustain us. Forgive us for attempting to shoulder heaviness on our own, or power through when we need rest. Teach us to trust You more, as You are our great Provider. Show us how to love those around us in practical and tangible ways, so that they may experience rest and a lightening of their burdens when we draw near. Help them to see that it is You in us that loves well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your provision of rest and relief when we are weary and burdened. Amen.

 

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

 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. – Psalm 62:5

As Unto You

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. – (Colossians 3:23, NLT)

Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. – (Colossians 3:23, CEB)

Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord Himself and not merely for others. – (Colossians 3:23, TPT)

 

After student-led conferences, there is a sort of shift as we are race forward into the holiday season. We have a four-day week this week, less than three-day week next week, then we are only a month away until Christmas Break. Calendars fill rapidly, and it is easy to over-commit. That being said, my intent going into this busy, but beautiful season, is going to be – if I cannot put my heart and soul into whatever it is, as if unto the Lord, then my answer to the invitation will need to be a “no”. My family, my job, and my existing commitments to that which I am called, have to be my priority as I go. I love people deeply, and grew up as a “pleaser”, so I must be certain that my motivation is as unto the Lord. He is well-pleased with us because we are His, not for anything that we do or do not do. May we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord as we walk into this wonderful season, and allow Him to lead us into the things that we can do with our whole heart.

 

In all that we do,

May it be done well;

As unto the Lord,

Love’s own personnel.

As we choose commit,

To events and tasks;

We need make certain,

Our heart in it lasts.

How we choose to work,

The care placed in things;

Is our way to show,

The good that God brings.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to do all things as unto You. Thank You that we are not created to please people, but rather to be obedient to You. Thank You that as we live and love according to Your call, work is done well and people are loved as You love. Forgive us for the times that we have over-committed ourselves and have been pulled in so many different directions that we were unable to fully invest in anything. Teach us to balance our time and place our whole heart into the things that we are called to do. Show us how to love and prioritize people as we work as unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we put our heart and soul into every activity that we do, as unto You. Amen.

 

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

 

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24

 

In Sweet Certainty

My heart is confident in You, O God; no wonder I can sing Your praises with all my heart! – (Psalm 108:1, NLT)

God, I am ready, heart and soul, to sing songs of praise. Wake up, my soul! – (Psalm 108:1, ERV)

My heart, O God, is quiet and confident, all because of You. Now I can sing my song with passionate praises! – (Psalm 108:1, TPT)

 

Praise is the outpouring of gratitude that comes from knowing in our hearts and minds, the Source of our help and hope. The more I know God, the more confident I am in His presence and the hope that I hold in Him. It is from a space of knowing His nearness, that I find my soul full of both peace and praise. May we rest in quiet confidence in the One who holds us in the palm of His hands, and sing praise with grateful hearts for the goodness found in Him.

 

In sweet certainty, 

My heart and my soul;

Lift praises to You,

Your love makes us whole.

With all of my heart,

I can’t help but sing;

So much gratitude,

For blessings You bring.

You’re my strength and help,

When life seems too tough;

Your love and Your grace,

Are always enough.

In quiet retreat,

I’ll lift praise-filled song;

To offer my thanks,

To Whom I belong.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can be confident in You, as You are our strength, our help and our hope. Thank You that because of this, our souls cannot help but sing praise unto You. Forgive us for the times that we have overlooked the goodness in our lives that You have given and focused on the struggles. Teach us to offer praise for who You are and how You love, regardless of our circumstances. Show us how to love those around us in a way that helps them recognize their reasons to sing. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we become confident in who You are and how You love and offer our whole-hearted praises unto You. Amen.

 

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

 

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. – Ephesians 2:4-5

An Act of Praise

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His Holy Name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me. – (Psalm 103:1-2, NLT)

My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise His Holy Name! My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind He is! – (Psalm 103:1-2, ERV)

O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless His Holy Name! O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing! – (Psalm 103:1-2, MSG)

 

After digging deeper into the Christmas story, and the stories of those involved, my heart is flooded with gratitude – both for all that God has done for us to make Himself accessible to us, and also the numerous ways in which I see and know His tangible blessings in my life. God is good, no matter what goes on around us, and when we seek Him, we become acutely aware of His hand in the help and blessings that He bestows upon us every day. May our lives be lived as an act of praise to He who gives us life and breath and our very being.

 

With all that I am, 

My heart gives God praise;

For love, life and health,

Provision each day.

So many blessings,

Fill my heart and soul;

His goodness and grace,

End each day so full.

Let me not forget,

The good that You bring;

All praise unto You,

Each song that I sing.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the countless reasons You have given me to give You praise. Thank You for the help and hope and blessings that You have bestowed upon me. Forgive me for not giving enough gratitude for Your goodness and grace. Teach me to praise You throughout all of my days. Show me how to love others with my life, just as You have done for all of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You with our whole heart with thanks for all that You are and all that You have done. 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

Confidence to Praise

My heart is confident in You, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing Your praises! – (Psalm 57:7, NLT)

God, I am ready, heart and soul, to sing songs of praise. – (Psalm 57:7, ERV)

O God, my heart is quiet and confident. No wonder I can sing Your praises! – (Psalm 57:7, TLB)

 

Because I know the character and faithfulness of God, I am confident in who He is and able to praise Him in all things and at all times. Even when my heart is heavy, weary or worn, I have reason to sing praise, for my hope is not held in the here and now, but rather rests in what is yet to come. May we ever remain confident in the truth of who God is, and how He is for us, even when that which surrounds us is not.

 

Let my confidence,

Forever be found;

In You, O my God,

Where all grace abounds.

My heart can’t contain,

Your glorious ways;

All I know to do,

Is offer You praise.

For my heart must sing,

Of all that You are;

My light, life and hope,

O Great Morning Star.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can be confident in You, no matter what is going on in or around us. Thank You that we always have reason to sing songs of praise unto You. Thank You that we can hold fast to the truth and trust You to be God. Forgive us for attempting to fill that role ourselves, or for neglecting to seek You in our storms. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rest assured in confidence in who You are and how You love. Help us to love others in such a way, that they too would see Your character through how we conduct our lives. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we confidently sing Your praises in all things and at all times. Amen.

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

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

What He Requires

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul. – (Deuteronomy 10:12, NLT)

Now, Israelites, listen! What does the Lord your God really want from you? The Lord your God wants you to respect Him and do what He says. He wants you to love Him and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. – (Deuteronomy 10:12, ERV)

And now, Israel, what is the Eternal your God asking of you? Only that you fear Him, live as He wants you to, and love Him; serve Him with every part of you, heart and soul. – (Deuteronomy 10:12, VOICE)

 

What God asked of Israel, is still what He asks of us today. He desires our hearts and souls to be committed to Him in all of our ways. When we come to know God, and who He is, we cannot help but stand in awe of His power and majesty – for He is God and we are not. If we live in a way that places the Lord on His rightful throne in our lives, then we will be living in a way that is pleasing to Him. God gives us a free will. We must choose to either follow Him, or walk away. Unless we are purposefully pursuing the Lord, we are moving further away from Him and His will in our lives. May we seek the Lord in awe and reverence, giving Him all of our heart and all of our soul as we love and serve Him for all of our days.

 

More than anything,

God longs for our hearts;

to seek and to trust,

in ALL, not just part.

For the Lord is good,

in all of His ways;

worthy of our awe,

throughout all our days.

May we live our lives,

pleasing to the Lord;

loving and serving,

through grace He affords.

With all of our heart,

and all of our soul;

may we stand in awe,

and yield our control.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that there is a remarkable exchange when we choose to follow You. Thank You that when we choose to submit to Your will and way, we gain Your presence and promises forever. Thank You that You do not ask anything of us that You are not also willing to empower us to do. Thank You that You give us Your Spirit to love and serve as You ask of us. Forgive us for not having a healthy fear and reverence of You, as You are God and we are not. Teach us to have a proper perspective, so that we will seek to love and honor You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love others in the same way that we are loved by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to live, love and serve in a way that is pleasing unto You. Amen.

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

Listen… be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. – Proverbs 23:19

Asking for Answers

There are times when we find ourselves in a position where we need to hear a specific answer from God. It is often in these times, that answers seem to elude us. Though the author of Psalm 83 was praying for God to do whatever it takes to convince the world that He is indeed God, I think that the words echo the cry of my heart, when I find myself in a space of seeking an answer from Him.

O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. – (Psalm 83:1)

 

As I seek Him, I anticipate answers, and trust that He will move as only He can do. When it seems all that is heard is silence, a sense of urgency rises within me, to press in and persist in my pursuit of His very best for me. His word assures us that: if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul. – (Deuteronomy 4:29) Therefore, let us set our hearts to seeking, even when the Lord seems silent. For He is faithful to answer all who earnestly seek Him.

 

God be not silent,

let Your voice be heard;

for I need to know,

the truth of Your word.

I’ll seek You, Lord God,

with all of my heart;

my soul is searching,

where I’m meant to start.

Let not Your stillness,

be viewed as my wrong;

help me to pursue,

in prayer, carry on.

When You choose to speak,

help my ears to hear;

so my heart receives,

as You remove fear.

Help me trust in You,

for each faithful move;

as You take my hand,

may resolve improve.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not keep silent for long. Thank You that You are faithful to answer as we earnestly seek You. Thank You for Your word, for Your promises, for Your love, and for Your grace. Forgive us for our lack of fortitude in seeking You for answers, and grant us strength and resolve to continue pressing in until we have clear direction from You. Help our hearts receive and respond to the answers You give, even when they are not what we expect nor hope for. Thank You that You work out all things for the good of those who love You, and Lord, we do. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, and may our every move be motivated by Your love. Help us to love well, all whom we encounter, and may many come into a saving relationship with You. Be glorified, O God, as we seek You for answers today. Amen.

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

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.

– Genesis 21:6

 

 

 

Beholding His Healing

Up to Bethesda,

with its colonnades;

people with great need,

wait with hope each day.

A paralyzed man,

who’d waited for years;

approached by Jesus,

the Savior came near.

Jesus asked the man,

“Do you want your health?”

“Sir, I have no help,

nor physical wealth.”

To him Jesus said,

“Grab your mat and walk.”

At once he was cured,

and with Jews he talked.

Rather than marvel,

at this miracle;

they spoke of the law,

he did not fulfill.

They asked of the One,

who had healed the man;

he knew not Jesus,

nor what He had planned.

Later Jesus found,

the man He had healed,

“Stop now, your sinning,”

His truth was revealed.

From that very day,

the truth he did speak;

he told of Jesus,

Healer of the weak.

 

(Responding to John 5:1-15)

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that while we were still blind and crippled by our own sinfulness, You came close so that we might become whole in You.  Thank You that You are our Healer of mind, body, heart and soul.  Forgive us for seeking answers anywhere other than You.  Teach us to trust You completely, and to obey whatever You ask.  May our weaknesses be strengths in You, and may we too, tell our stories of Your great faithfulness in our lives.  Let the words of our mouth point people to You.  May many come to know You, as we share of Your great love.  Amen.

 

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