Faithful Love

Lord, Your faithful love reaches to the sky. Your faithfulness is as high as the clouds. – (Psalm 36:5, ERV)

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. – (Psalm 36:5, NLT)

Your steadfast love, O Lord, is as great as all the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. – (Psalm 36:5, TLB)

 

It is with great joy and an overflowing heart, that I can testify of God’s great faithfulness in my own life. For far too many years, I existed in a world where “love” had conditions and the price was losing much of who I was, and hiding who I was meant to be. After making the agonizing decision to get out of that which was destroying me and detrimental to my boys, I began to learn just how faithful the Lord’s love is for me, personally. I rediscovered my passion, drive, and my voice, and began to discover the depth and breadth of His love and care, as I sought Him in all things. About a year and a half ago, I was visiting with my best friend out on her deck, when she got a text message back from an old friend in response to a mechanical question that she had asked him earlier. Polite, casual conversation, soon turned to his curiosity as to who I was, and whether or not I was single. Her response was, “Not for you.” The banter back and forth that continued that evening between the three of us led to him asking my permission to message me. I verified with my dear friend the safety of doing so, and the rest is history. Last evening, as we gathered with great friends for a Bunco night, my Viking surprised everyone with his sweet proposal, right there, as we were taking a break between rounds. My heart can hardly contain the joy and excitement for the life that we are learning to build together as we spend as much time as we are able as a to-be family of five. The Lord is faithful beyond what we could hope or imagine and we must choose to trust in the power of His perfect love.

 

The Lord’s faithfulness, 

Goes beyond what’s seen;

We must simply trust,

The time in between.

Though trust is scary,

To hold what’s unseen;

Love beyond measure,

As God intervenes.

So great is His love,

And that which He gives;

His faithful blessings,

All trust as we live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible faithfulness of Your great love, and how You hold us in Your hands. Thank You that You pick us up, dust us off, and heal the wounded places to prepare us to receive so much more than we ever would have thought possible. Forgive us for our fearfulness and lack of trust when we cannot see Your hand. Teach us to trust You more, as You are faithful forever, and have great things in store for those who follow after You. Thank You for the incredible gift of this man that You brought into my life when I had no intention to risk love again. Thank You for showing me Your heart in new ways through the love that I receive. Show us how to give love that demonstrates Your faithfulness in ways that encourage and touch hearts most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You all praise for Your faithful loving ways forever. Amen.

 

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

 

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

Those Who Trust

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a river bank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NLT)

But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. They know that the Lord will do what He says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that sends out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit. – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ERV)

 

The Lord blesses those who trust in Him. His blessings come in the form of hope and confidence, even when it seems as if there is no reprieve from our circumstances. When we trust in the Lord, His word becomes deeply rooted and established within us, and provides refreshment as we are reminded of the promises that He has made, even when we are not yet seeing them come to pass. In that space of hope, we are able to do immeasurably more than we could hope or imagine to touch hearts and lives for His glory, simply through our faithful trust and devotion to the Lord, in spite of how things appear. May we choose to trust in the Lord with all that we are, knowing that He will do what He says. Let our unwavering faith, even through difficulties, demonstrate the goodness of God and produce fruit for all to see.

 

The blessings of God,

are granted to those;

who place all their trust,

in the Lord who knows.

Confidence and hope,

are gifts that He plants;

in those who trust Him,

in each circumstance.

Like trees with deep roots,

on a river’s edge;

no heat nor a drought,

will waiver heart’s pledge.

For the heart that trusts,

shall always bear fruit;

despite circumstance,

great faithful pursuit.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we place our trust in You, we are blessed with hope and confidence in You. Thank You that You grow our roots deep, establishing Your truth within us, so that when trials come, we can trust in the truth that we already know. Thank You that You use our faithfulness, even in times of trial, to touch the lives of those around us for Your glory. Forgive us for hiding our hurt, or becoming fearful in the fight, as we forget how often You use our trials to touch the lives of those around us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be willing to walk in transparency in the places where You call us to allow our story to be seen. Show us how to love and care well for those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You.
Be glorified O God, as we trust in You. 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

Presenting the Path of Peace

Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness… and to guide us to the path of peace. – (Luke 1:78-79, NLT)

 

Christmas is our reminder of exactly this – that Christ, our morning light from heaven, was sent to us in our darkness to guide us to the path of peace. God did this not because we were worthy, but because of His tender mercy. This most holy season is a space where we are given a vehicle to spread His loving light to those entrenched in darkness. Acts of kindness and generosity are more readily received in the name of Christmas, than any other season. May we remember God’s tender mercy that was granted to us, as the morning light from heaven shone brightly upon our own darkness, and led us to His path of peace. In this space of remembering, let us go forth and extend His mercy, light and love to all whom we encounter, so that they too, may come to know His tender path of peace.

 

Let tender mercy,

direct all our steps;

may we choose to love,

through our thankfulness.

As Love came to us,

from heaven to Earth;

light came to darkness,

through sweet infant birth.

The Christ who shows us,

the path to His peace;

our Mighty Savior,

from whom light’s released.

May we each embrace,

the love of our Lord;

and go give away,

the peace He affords.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the tender mercy that You have for us. Thank You that You sent Your Son from heaven to Earth, so that we who were stuck in darkness, could come to know Your glorious light. Thank You that in You, we come to know Your guidance, as You lead us to the path of Your peace. Forgive us for hiding in our darkness, or for not reaching out to those who are stuck in spaces where there is no light. Teach us to trust You more for our protection and direction, and lead us to love others with Your tender mercy in a way that shines light into darkness and points people to Your path of peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we embrace Your grace and go forth to give as we have been given. Amen.

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

They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7

 

 

Why We Confess Before Christ

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – (1 John 1:9)

 

Though we have been forgiven because of Christ’s death, the admission of our sins before Him is an important practice on our behalf. First, our confession is agreeing with Christ that our sin is sin and we are willing to walk away from it. Second, by coming clean before Christ, we are not hiding our sins from Christ nor ourselves. Finally, when we confess our sin before our Creator, we are made aware of our own capacity to sin, and relying on Christ and His strength to overcome that which entangles us. (NIV footnotes paraphrased)

 

Our confession keeps communication uninhibited with our Creator. Often, our own junk gets in the way. We need His forgiveness, purification, and righteousness to cover all our mess, so that we may be restored to a space where our obstacles are out of the way and we can clearly hear Him, once again. May we seek to keep short accounts with our loving Creator, who is faithful to forgive us as we come.

 

Every heart sins,

needs to come and confess;

to Christ, Redeemer,

Who forgives all our mess.

He’s faithful and just,

He forgives all our sin;

He purifies us,

and He starts from within.

All that is unclean,

hidden, ugly and wrong;

He already knows,

and to Him we belong.

He washes us clean,

and makes us new again;

sweet restoration,

in His love we remain.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that if we confess our sins to You, You are faithful and just, and You forgive us and purify us from all our unrighteousness. Thank You that You restore us to right relationship with You, though we do not deserve it. Forgive us for every word, thought and deed that has not honored You, and help us to turn from our sinful ways and faithfully follow You. Show us where we need to fix our eyes and heart more securely, so that we may trust You more. Lead us to love others as You love us, so that many may come to know just how faithful You are for themselves. Be exalted O God, as we confess and then continue moving forward as You call us. Amen.

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

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. – 1 Peter 2:19

Waiting in Trust

I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him. – (Isaiah 8:17)

 

The prophet Isaiah had heard many promises spoken from God, but was not seeing the fulfillment. Though he could have grown weary and tired in the wait, he chose to place his trust in God. Isaiah knew that regardless of whether or not he saw the fruit of the fulfillment, God is faithful, and worthy of all of our trust.

 

How do we respond when it seems that the Lord has hidden His face from us? Though He never leaves us nor forsakes us, there is often more time between the promise and the fulfillment than people have patience to wait out. It is impossible to wait on the Lord if we do not fully place our trust in Him. The tug-of-war between holding and handing our hope to the Lord during the wait, is an internal battle. In order to successfully navigate, we must allow the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts, and take captive every thought that would hinder our trail to total trust. None of it is possible without the Lord. May we place our trust in He who is truth, as we wait for the fulfillment of that which He has promised.

 

A promise spoken,

no answer in sight;

the Lord seems absent,

when all is a fright.

Regardless of how,

things seem or they feel;

His presence remains,

a truth none can steal.

So wait on the Lord,

always faithful, true;

worthy of all trust,

our safe passage through.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though there are times that we struggle to hear You, or know Your nearness, You always remain present with us. Thank You that as we wait for the fulfillment of what You have promised, You are with us, and You alone are worthy of all of our trust. Thank You that in You, we find peace and strength and hope, even in the struggle. Forgive us for not trusting completely, or for attempting to run ahead, rather than wait on You. Teach us to listen well, and obey all that You are asking, so that we might experience all that You have for us. May we love others as You love us, and may many come to know You as their Savior and King. Be glorified as we wait in total trust. 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

Results Received As We Respond

“You came near when I called You, and You said, ‘Do not fear.” – Lamentations 3:5

When we call on the Lord, He is faithful to answer, and wants us to overcome our fears through faith in Him.

I despise public speaking.  Really, the very thought of it sends terror straight to my heart, and the press and palpitations begin…

photo by Phobia List

In high school, the minute we were asked to begin reading our writing aloud, particularly our poetry in my AP English class, I marched myself over to the office and dropped AP English and switched to “regular” English, where I could remain quietly anonymous.

I entered university with the intention of becoming an educator, but briskly changed my major when I discovered that a speech class was required.  Four years were spent hiding in the art and English departments in classes that did not include presentations.

Fast forward a few years after graduation, and I found myself standing before a sea of students, staring straight at me as I spoke through a translator, throughout several schools across Asia.  I was terrified every time I had to talk to share some of my testimony, yet each time, Jesus made His presence known, and presented me with the words to speak, and sustained me so that I did not spew all over the stage.

Upon my return home, I registered for a Master’s in Teaching/Teaching Certification program.  By God’s grace, I got through it and have now been gainfully employed in education for more than fifteen years.

Yesterday, I was asked if I might be willing to read some of my writing in front of a group of women.  My immediate response was, “I NEVER read my own writing aloud!”  As I was driving home, He began to gently whisper to my heart, “Do not fear, for I will be with you.”

The message I had just heard that morning, included much wisdom, with a few things in particular that watered what has long been planted firmly in my foundation:

– God sees what is in us, far more clearly than we do

– We must respond to the request, to see the results

– We will miss the miracles if we aren’t willing to move

I promptly proceeded home and changed my reply from “I never” to “I am willing, despite the desperation of my fear.”

It will be a bit of an adventure to see just how His Spirit will move in all of this…

Dear Heavenly Father,  thank You that in You, we have nothing to fear.  Thank You that as we ask, You equip and empower each of us to do far more than we could ever even imagine.  Thank You that You see completely, what we only see in part.  Forgive me for speaking out of fear, and help my immediate response to more readily be, “Yes Lord, I am willing.”  Teach us to trust You more, even in the terrifying.  May we not miss the miraculous, as we are willing to move.  Use us Lord as Your hands, heart, and voice, to touch lives and lead the lost straight to Your loving arms.  Amen.

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