His Handiwork

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things He already planned for us to do. – (Ephesians 2:10, ERV)

We have become His poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it! – (Ephesians 2:10, TPT)

If we actually saw others and ourselves as God’s poetry, imagine the lines and stanzas that would become reality. He intentionally created each of us with a plan and a purpose, but also He gave us a free will. All were created to love God and love people in a unique way with specific gifts and talents that were hand-crafted and intentionally designed within us. It is up to us to explore, discover and develop what has been given and how to best utilize all for His glory. It sounds like a lofty call, but the root of it all is to love Him and love those around us. As we do, we naturally utilize what we have and who we are, to do just that. May we ever seek the Lord and His lavish love to lead us each day in the direction to which He is calling, and to equip us to love as He loves.

Each person a line,

Encounters a verse;

When His love abounds,

Great poems emerge.

May we seek the Lord,

To show us the way;

Live out our purpose,

As we rise each day.

Lead us in love, Lord,

All glory to You;

As we walk Your path,

And love as You do.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that each of us are Your handiwork, created with a plan and a purpose. Forgive us for the times that we stray from the path You have set before us, or choose not to be who You have created us to become. Teach us to trust Your leading so that we might love as You intended. Show us how to love those around us best and to become the people that we were created to be. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to live out our days as Your handiwork that sees others as the same. Amen.

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

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you. – 1 Thessalonians 1:4

Ever Be

But You are always the same; You will live forever. – (Psalm 102:27, NLT)

But You never change. You will live forever! – (Psalm 102:27, ERV)

But You are the same, You will never change; Your years will never come to an end. – (Psalm 102:27, VOICE)

 

As I read the various versions of this particular passage, song lyrics began to play through my mind immediately. The song, Ever Be, by Aaron Shust, has a line that kept repeating over and over as I took in the truth – “Faithful You have been and faithful You will be…” God is always the same and will not change. His love and faithfulness for us, remain for all time. Before the world began, He was. Long after life as we know it ceases, He will be. The constant is God. When everything that surrounds us seems to be swirling out of control, the one true thing that shall always remain, is who God is and how He loves. He is the anchor of our soul, and the One on whom we can always depend. May we ever trust in the Lord, for He is good and loving and kind, and His faithfulness will never end.

 

For You never change, 

You’re always the same;

Faithful forever,

We trust in Your Name.

Though we are all born,

And will one day die;

You are forever,

Hope never denied.

Help us always seek,

You, our faithful Lord;

All praise be to You,

The One we adore.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always the same, and that Your Kingdom knows no end. Thank You that Your faithfulness is forever, and we can trust in You. Forgive us for thinking that You are fickle like us, that You would somehow change Your mind. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would readily believe and receive all that You have for us, as You are faithful forever. Show us how to love others with the same faithfulness that You give to us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You praise for all of our days that You never change and that Your years shall not ever end. 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

He Speaks Peace

I listen carefully to what God The Lord is saying, for He speaks peace to His faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. – (Psalm 85:8, NLT)

If we are faithful to seek our Heavenly Father, He speaks, and people know His peace.  However, if we hear His words and do not allow them to take root in our hearts, we end up returning to our foolish ways. May we listen carefully to all that He’s speaking, and in His peace, stay the course to which He calls. Let us keep from returning to our former foolishness. 
With hearts to listen, 

 May we hear His peace;

For God is speaking,

To grant us release. 

Keep our hearts in tune,

Forever in line;

So we don’t return,

To the land of “mine”.

Thank You for Your word,

Holy and divine;

That shows us the way,

Brings peace by design. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You speak to those who pursue You. Thank You that Your message brings peace. Forgive us for returning to our former foolishness in thought, word or deed. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on You to be our help and strength in all things. Show us how to love people in such a way that they may sense Your peace through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we listen carefully to what You are speaking to our hearts. Amen. 

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

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

Pleasing in His Sight

May my words and thoughts please You. Lord, You are my Rock – the one who rescues me. – (Psalm 19:14, ERV)

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to You, O Lord my Rock and Redeemer. – (Psalm 19:14, TLB)

The cry of David’s heart was to please God with his thoughts and his words. He was acutely aware of the role that the Lord filled in his own life, as God had shown Himself faithful to save and protect, even when his very life was on the line. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is still the Rock on whom we can rest, and our Redeemer who will rescue us from ruin. Because the Lord is worthy of all honor and glory and praise, it would indeed be good if we took captive every thought and word, so that all that leaves our heart and lips are things that please the Prince of Peace. May our words and thoughts be pleasing unto the Lord, for He is our Rock and our Redeemer.

Let every thought,

and word that I speak;

be pleasing to You,

as my heart You teach.

For You are my Rock,

the One who redeems;

who rescues my heart,

from chaos unseen.

All praise unto You,

my God and my King;

it is by Your grace,

I’ve reason to sing.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Rock and our Redeemer. Thank You that You are our safe and stable ground, and that You rescue us from chaos and trouble that comes near. Forgive us for the words that leave our lips and the thoughts in our hearts that have not brought glory to You. Teach us to take captive every thought and word, so that we would more clearly reflect Your heart to all those around us. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they may see You through the way in which we care. May many choose to live their life for You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You completely, and seek to make the words of our mouth and meditations of our heart, pleasing in Your sight. 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