Let Gratitude Grow

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe. – (Hebrews 12:28, NLT)

So we should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please Him. We should do this with respect and fear. – (Hebrews 12:28, ERV)

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s continue to express our gratitude. With this gratitude, let’s serve in a way that is pleasing to God with respect and awe. – (Hebrews 12:28, CEB)

 

Because of the hope that we have found in Christ, gratitude should ever be in the forefront of our hearts and minds. As we give God praise, let us worship with awe and respect for the One who holds our lives in His hands. When we serve, may it be in surrender to our Savior. With every word and deed, may our lives express gratitude to He who gives us life and breath and hope for all that is yet to come.

 

Let’s ever give thanks, 

For all that’s to come;

Unshakable hope,

In the Holy One.

May our hearts worship,

Let’s ever give praise;

To God, who’s faithful,

For all of our days.

Let us not lose sight,

Of Who truly reigns;

May reverence lead,

As we lift His Name.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and the hope we have in You forever. Forgive us for not worshiping or giving Your proper reverence for who You are, as You are our reason for life and breath and being. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would slow down and recognize Your hand in all things, and give You praise for who You are for all of our days. Show us how to love those around us in a way that is pleasing and honoring to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You and give You all of our worship and praise for who You are and how You love. Amen.

 

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

 

Because of the tender mercy of our God, …the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78

Our Good, Good Father

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe. – (Hebrews 12:28, NLT)

 

Our inheritance from our Heavenly Father is the only inheritance that lasts. Though our earthly fathers may pass on good things – be it morals, life lessons, or monetary treasures – not one compares to that of the salvation and eternal hope that is held in the hands of our Heavenly Father. As so many rightly celebrate earthly fathers today, may we not forget our Heavenly Father, as it is through Him that we have light and life and hope forever. May we worship the Lord with all that we are, and give Him thanks for the men that He has placed on our path to father us well. May the fatherless know of His love, and men of faith rise up and fill in the gaps in tangible ways.

 

All thanks be to God,

Our Father indeed;

He sees where we are,

And meets all our need.

Hope for the hopeless,

And light for the lost;

Freedom from our sin,

For He paid the cost.

We give You thanks too,

For the men You’ve raised;

To father us well,

O Lord, we sing praise.

God, You are so good,

And I stand in awe;

Such a good father,

Perfect, without flaw.

 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our perfect Father, and You love us without limits. Thank You that no matter what sort of earthly father we have experienced – good, bad or anything in between – You are the only One who is perfect in all of Your ways and worthy of all of our praise. Forgive us for not seeing You as the ultimate Father, when earthly fathers fall short. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would recognize that all are a work in progress, and You are the one whom we are to worship in all things and at all times. Help us to love and support well, the fathers that are around us. May they come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look to You as our good, good Father. Amen.

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

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; …write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3

For a listen to a great song, Good Good Father, by Housefires, click the highlighted title. 🙂

Receiving the Unshakable

Since we are receiving a kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe. – (Hebrews 12:28, NLT)

 

We have an unshakable hope in Christ. His presence now and His kingdom yet to come, are reasons for us to give God thanks and worship Him with reverence and awe; for He is faithful and His love never fails. When our hearts offer Him sincere thanks and praise, it is pleasing before Him. Who would not want to please the very One who gives us life, love, hope and help for all of our days? May we begin our day with gratitude and hearts turned to worship Him – for He alone is worthy of all of our thanks and praise.

 

Unshakable hope,

granted by the King;

given unto us,

let our praises ring.

All of our worship,

and all of our praise;

belong to the Lord,

for all of our days.

What is even more,

our great God is pleased;

when we come to Him,

in awe, thanks released.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we receive an unshakable kingdom in You. Thank You that when we give You our thanks and praise with reverence and awe, You are pleased. Thank You that Your kingdom is in our hearts now, and grants us hope for all that is yet to come. Forgive us for not giving You all of our thanks and praise, or for not having a healthy reverence and awe toward You. Teach us to recognize the reality of how You are both a loving Father and the mighty God who reigns. Show us how to have a proper perspective, so that we would not hesitate to draw near, yet have reverent hearts full of gratitude. Lead us to love others relentlessly, so that they may come to understand just how valuable they are. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive Your unshakable kingdom, and give You all of our thanks and praise. 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

He Deserves Our Praise

Praise the Lord, O my soul. (v.1a) The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. (v.8) For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him. (v.11) Praise the Lord, O my soul. (v.22b) – (Psalm 103)

 

There is no other response that we can give unto God, as He alone deserves all of our praise. Christ demonstrated His love for us when He willingly laid His life down for ours, so that we could have life abundant in Him. His grace and compassion extend to every heart that calls on His Name, and He forgives and loves in such a way, that we cannot fully comprehend the depth and breadth of His love for all of His created. We are called to walk in reverence – holy fear – a deep respect, admiration, awe; an understanding that He alone is God, and we are not. The more we know Him, the more our soul cannot help but praise Him. May we each gain a greater glimpse of just how large the love of our Lord truly is.

 

May my soul praise,

the Lord on high;

for all my days,

on Him rely.

Compassionate,

and full of grace;

for us He waits,

to seek His face.

His love abounds,

beyond the sky;

true peace is found,

He hears each cry.

So, praise the Lord,

O weary soul;

in one accord,

He’ll make us whole.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. Thank You that Your love is greater than we can grasp, and that the appropriate response from us is simply to praise You for who You are. Thank You that as we grow in understanding of Your love and grace, You strengthen and equip us to go forth as You call us to do. Thank You that even when times are tough, we have reason to praise You, as You remain present; always. Forgive us for our sinfulness and lack of faith, and help us to fully rely on You in all things and at all times. Teach us to walk in Your ways and stand firm in Your truth. May we live and love as You call us to do, and may many come to know You as their Savior and Lord. Let the lost be found forever in You. Be glorified in our praise today. 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

Labor in Love

image by Ray Ortlund

God has given us

things we’re meant to do;

all things beautiful,

as He makes them new.

WIthin every heart,

is eternity;

yet God and His ways,

are a mystery.

In our given work,

we ought to enjoy;

for His gift to us,

our skills to employ.

Whatever God deems,

that’s how it will be;

no more or no less,

true consistency.

No need to question,

but rather revere;

may we all worship,

live in holy fear.

(Responding to Ecclesiastes 3:10-14)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though there are mysteries that are not made known to mankind, what matters most – Your love and forgiveness for us – has been made plain.  Thank You that You place purpose in each of us, and You strengthen and equip us as we step out in faith to fulfill what You call us to complete.  Forgive us for our fears and hesitation, and help us to trust You more.  May many come to know You as we faithfully follow Your call for our lives, and may we always respond to You with proper reverence, as You alone, deserve all of our worship and praise.  Thank You that You are forever faithful and always the same.  Blessed is Your Holy Name.  Amen.

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