The Hope We Know

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. – (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

But keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have. But answer them in a gentle way with respect. – (1 Peter 3:15, ERV)

Exalt Him as Lord in your heart. Always be ready to offer a defense, humbly and respectfully, when someone asks why you live in hope. – (1 Peter 3:15, VOICE)

If we revere, exalt, and keep holy Christ in our hearts, then we cannot help but have an answer for the hope we hold. When asked, we ought to be ready to answer why we have such hope. However, it is important that we do so humbly and respectfully, as our own experience speaks the loudest and is irrefutable. In my own life, I have seen and experienced the faithfulness of God so many times that there is no denying His existence or His love for me. Yes, there have been challenges, trials, and heartache, but each time, God has faithfully met me and provided His strength and love to carry me through when I could not walk on my own. He meets us both in our lack and our plenty, and He shows us His goodness, grace, and peace. May we ever seek the Lord and give Him praise, and trust Him to supply the words that clearly explain the hope we hold forever in Him.

Lord, You are our hope,

throughout all our days;

blessed assurance,

for now and always.

Our calm through the storms,

that life brings our way;

comfort in chaos,

strength that’s new each day.

True joy in sorrow,

hope when in despair;

faithful sweet presence,

that shows us He cares.

All things that are good,

sweet blessings from Him;

glimpses of heaven,

that let His light in.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we know hope and help, joy and peace, and Your sweet presence that promises that all in the here and now is temporary, but our future with You is eternal. Thank You that You show us again and again that hope in You is what lasts. Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of an eternal perspective when the present presses beyond what we can navigate on our own. Continue to teach us over and over that You are good, faithful and true. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make our hope in You evident and obtainable. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You anew each day, and remind us again of how to share the hope we know with all who are longing to hear. Amen.

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

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

The Power of Praise and Worship

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. – (Colossians 3:16, NIV)

Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. – (Colossians 3:16, ERV)

Remember what Christ taught, and let His words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts. – (Colossians 3:16, TLB)

 

On Sunday, a friend of mine, who happens to be our worship pastor, appropriately spoke about the power of praise and worship. She gave several examples in scripture where it specifically calls us to praise and worship. Next, she defined praise as the expression of admiration, thanks, appreciation and approval for all that God has done. Worship, she explained was an attitude of the heart that should be reserved for God alone; the surrendering of every part of our lives to God’s control. As I went about my day yesterday, I mulled over the words she had spoken. I was intentional in my music selection as I went about my day, both driving and when I slowed down to work on a seated task. The three main benefits found in worship and praise are: 1) It realigns our focus on God. 2) It increases our awareness of God’s presence. 3) It pushes back darkness.

For me, I found all three to be true, as I had discovered myself frustrated and in a less than stellar space having spent the morning cleaning, only to happen upon sugar ants in my kitchen cupboards. After having cleaned out and throwing away many things, I left to spend time in our new home. While seated on the couch writing thank you notes, I selected some of my favorite praise and worship music to listen to. In the process of writing out notes of gratitude and hearing lyrics that gave God glory, my irritation was erased and I found thankfulness overflowing from my heart. The simple act of writing out thanks with music that set my heart right, realigned my focus on the blessings that God has granted, made me aware of His love for me, and pushed back the darkness that had attempted make way through my frustration. God is good and He is faithful to meet us and set our hearts right as we seek Him. May we ever offer our praise to He alone who is worthy, allowing our every breath and heartbeat to worship our Maker.

 

Let all that we know, 

Of Christ come and dwell;

In our hearts and minds,

As our lives shall tell.

Tell of His goodness,

Sing of His great grace;

With thanks, choose worship,

Both now and always.

For songs sung to God,

With hearts fixed on Him;

Chase away darkness,

And let His light in.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of praise and worship. Thank You that we are called to do both. Thank You that as we do, our hearts are realigned and we become more aware of You. Thank You that worship and praise push back darkness and allow Your light to fill us again. Forgive us for allowing the chaos and challenges to avert our focus from You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rise with a song in our hearts, reminding us of the goodness of Your love and Your power within us as we praise You. Show us how to love those around us as we walk out our days as an offering of praise and worship unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You all of our praise with hearts set to worship You forever. Amen.

 

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

 

Therefore I will praise You, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of Your Name. – 2 Samuel 22:50