Answered with Unfailing Love

Answer my prayers, O Lord, for Your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for Your mercy is so plentiful. – (Psalm 69:16, NLT)

Answer me, Lord, from the goodness of Your faithful love. Out of Your great kindness turn to me and help me! – (Psalm 69:16, ERV)

Answer me, Lord, for Your faithful love is good! Turn to me in Your great compassion! – (Psalm 69:16, CEB)

 

God is so kind and knows how to love us so well; individually. One of the greatest challenges in this season for both mom and myself, has been the sense of feeling stuck indoors. Add to that the inactivity, (compared to our normal race-pace) and we each have had plenty of reason to pray. Over the last several weeks, God has been showing us more and more, ways to get out of the house for a change of scenery. Our need to wander has been satiated with afternoon exploration adventures in the car, where I have driven wherever mom has directed. In the process, I have discovered beautiful back roads that I never knew existed, and the restlessness from being stuck indoors has been greatly reduced. Yesterday, after taking care of some hall-walking and stretching, mom determined that she was ready for another adventure, but uncertain as to where she’d like to go. I mentioned that I had only been to Mission Ridge once, in the winter, so I was curious to see the space in the summertime. Mom said it was only a thirty-minute drive each way, so completely doable. We had a destination in mind, so off we went. The sun was shining and the ride along the way was wonderful. Beautiful back roads led the way, as we meandered past orchards and farmland, woods and hills, all leading to the winding way up the short pass. At the top, the view of the valley below was fantastic. Mom was content to remain in the car while I climbed up to the top of the nearby hill for a quick photo, and then returned to make our way back down. We of course stopped at Dutch Bros on our way home, and enjoyed a chat with my sister (the beauty of bluetooth technology) on the way. The remainder of the evening was relaxing and uneventful, as we enjoyed dinner, a movie and soon called it a night. Today should prove to be busy, as mom has her first hair appointment since before this all began, followed by a lunch get-together with her besties. She slept fairly well, with only one wake-up in the night, rising for the day, beginning with breakfast at 5:00 am.

 

When we choose to call,

On the loving Lord;

He’s faithful to hear,

His grace He affords.

Kindness unending,

Mercy that won’t fail;

Hope that will hold us,

As His love prevails.

In all things, choose trust,

For God’s always good;

Faithful forever,

Our hope understood.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hear our prayers and You are faithful to answer. Thank You that You are good and that Your mercy knows no end. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when the time between the asking and the answer seems long. Teach us to trust You more, as Your timing is perfect, and You know our needs better than we know ourselves. Show us how to love and encourage those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for answers and praise You for Your goodness and faithfulness forever. Amen.

 

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

 

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life. – Psalm 143:8

Children By Faith

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. – (Galatians 3:26, NLT)

For now we are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. – (Galatians 3:26, TLB)

It is your faith in the Anointed Jesus that makes all of you children of God. – (Galatians 3:26, VOICE)

 

Our status as children of God does not come through us somehow earning our way, but rather by a choice to trust our hearts to Him and believe that He is who He says. There is an interesting balance between an awareness of our need for His grace and our desire to respond accordingly. We cannot do or be anything to cause God to love us more or less, for He loves His children unconditionally. However, we must trust in His love and faithfulness as our Heavenly Father, for that is the very nature of faith. May we ever hold fast by faith to who we are in Christ, trusting by faith that He is good and faithful to all of His beloved children.

 

The Lord God on high, 

Is Father to all;

Who trust in His Name,

And to Him choose call.

It’s not dependent,

On things that we do;

But rather on grace,

As His love breaks through.

So, trust in the good,

Of our loving Lord;

And live in His grace,

And love it affords.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace. Thank You that You are faithful as our loving Father to all who choose trust in You. Thank You that we are considered Your dearly loved children. Forgive us for attempting to do or be enough to somehow earn Your favor. Teach us to trust in Your grace that loves us always. Help us to love those around us in response to Your incredible love and faithful grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we walk out our days in Your faithful grace that compels us to love like You. Amen.

 

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

 

Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God. – John 1:12

Disciplined in Love

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. – (Revelation 3:19)

Just as a loving parent corrects and redirects a misguided child, so does our Heavenly Father do for us. It is because of His great love for us, that He does not allow us to stay stagnant in our sinfulness, nor remain rooted in wrong patterns. Christ came to cleanse us from our unrighteousness, and created the way for us to be called clean. Our charge is to come before Him and repent – to admit our wrong doing and turn away from that which pulled us away from the path which He has placed before us. Any time that we feel that nudge of the Holy Spirit, the check from His still small voice, we must listen and act with fidelity so that we do not become steeped in the snare of sin. May we trust our loving Lord, who is our Heavenly Father, as He loves us and only rebukes and disciplines us because He loves us and wants us to walk out the very best that He has for us. His plans are exceedingly greater than we could ever hope for or imagine.

Because we are loved,

let us hear His voice;

for He will correct,

when we make poor choice.

He’ll show us the way,

to walk where He calls;

to escape the space,

of sin’s prison walls.

We must choose repent,

confess, turn away;

admit wrong doing,

return to His way.

Trust in our Father,

His love never ends;

His plans are righteous,

as He forgives sins.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though we may not enjoy being rebuked nor disciplined, You do so in love and for our benefit. Thank You that You love us so much that You do not sit idly by and allow us to stay stuck in our sinfulness. Thank You that You call us out of darkness into Your glorious light. Forgive us for our resistance to correction. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be earnest to repent as soon as we become aware of what You are asking us to do. Help us to embrace with grace, every correction that You bring, as we know that all discipline from You brings us closer to that whom You are calling us to become. Help us to love others with generosity and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace Your correction in love, and repent right away so that we may move forward into that which You are calling us to do. Amen.

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

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. – Psalm 67:1

In Heaven’s Hold

In but an instant,

all the pain did end;

as strong arms lifted,

His light did attend.

My heart could not hold,

so much to take in;

my once sickly frame,

no more frail and thin.

This heart now so light,

through bright rays we soared;

soon arriving home,

where I am adored.

Knees wanting to bend,

head ready to bow;

I heard Him calling,

“Anne, come to me now.”

His arms were outstretched,

I began to run;

to my loving Lord,

Overcoming One.

As I reached His arms,

fell in His embrace;

He spun me around,

looked upon my face.

Though I was fearful,

of what I might see;

tender loving eyes,

were looking at me.

With ear to His chest,

I heard His heartbeat;

He told me the sound,

was His love for me.

He allowed me stay,

in the warmth of Him;

’til I was ready,

to get down again.

Back upon my feet,

He offered His hand;

together we walked,

marveled at this land.

All around I peered,

at so much to see;

He then reminded,

that all was for me.

Do not fear friends,

I now know such peace;

I’ll be here waiting,

for your sweet release.

So much to behold,

such wonder to see;

may you find great joy,

when you think of me.

“Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.” – (Psalm 73:23-24)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, death is not the end, but rather, the beginning. Thank You that You have gone before us to prepare a place in paradise forever. Forgive us for fearing our own end on earth, and help us to hold a heavenly view. Teach us to live and love as though we will see You very soon, as this life is but an instant in comparison to eternity. May our love and hope, even in times of great sorrow and struggle, show those who know You not yet, how to come to hold Your hope and promises as their own. Amen.

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

Forgiveness is Free

image by Steve Rhodes

The size of our debts,

far beyond our reach.

We could never pay,

the steep price for each.

Yet our loving Lord,

ransomed His own Son,

to cancel our debts;

the victory won.

Forgiveness is free,

but one thing He asks,

that we forgive too,

our critical task.

If we don’t forgive,

our blessings we block;

we must walk the walk,

not just talk the talk.

Often the offense,

seems larger than life,

yet when in the heart,

it will cause much strife.

Hand all to the Lord,

our every offense;

He will empower,

that which won’t make sense.

Do unto others,

as if done to you;

our Father sees all,

and honors what’s true.

(Responding to Matthew 18:21-35)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not limit the number of times that You are willing to forgive us for our transgressions.  Forgive us for placing limits on how many times we feel that we ought to forgive others, or when we stand in judgment and deem an offense “unforgiveable”.  Help us to see through Your eyes, and have Your heart for others.  Grant us wisdom to know when and where we are to stay, and when and where You would have us walk away.  May our extension of Your grace and forgiveness to others, lead those who are looking, straight to You, Lord.  Amen.

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

Upheld as Upright Under God

photo by LuvU4ever

“The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.” – Psalm 146:8

God grants grace and wisdom to see and understand His word and His way.  He heals, He holds up; He places people in positions to accomplish all that He asks.  Our Heavenly Father loves when we walk upright before Him, for His heart is to hold and help all of His created.  Because we have been granted the favor of free will, the choice is ours alone.  Seek God and be saved, or continue on our own and sink?

As we are faithful to follow Him, accepting the abundant blessings He bestows upon us through the sending of His Spirit to reside in all who ask, He empowers us to see, understand, and do, far more than we might have otherwise imagined.

His love is a flood that fuels our faith and finds way to ignite our internal flame; which is the very light within us that is meant to shine brightly before (wo)men.

When we bow down before Him, posturing ourselves in the proper place of submission to our Savior, He lifts our heads and hearts, and leads us in love to breathe life to the lost.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You open our understanding and give us eyes to see, not through our own tainted lenses, but through Your lens of love.  Thank You that You lift our hearts and heads, so that we might see the space You have set before us.  Forgive us for all that we say and do that does not bring glory to You.  Lead us, Lord, so that we may stay in the surrendered space that is always abundant in grace, and fan the flames that bring the brightness to the light within.  Teach us to trust, to faithfully go where we must, so that Your light will lead the lost to the promised paradise found in Your permanent presence.  Amen.

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

The Holy Holder of Hope

“O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.” – Psalm 130:7

photo by ashting

God’s love never fails.  God’s love forgives; and God’s love redeems.  He is the only One worthy, as He is our whole and holy hope.

Only the loving Lord can take our tragedies and turn them to triumphs, as we trust in Him.  He takes our faults and failures, forgives us, and again calls us clean.  How can we help but hold our hope in Him?

He, the One who loves us so much that He was willing to give up His only Son to suffer our shame,  bear our sin and stains, so that we could be covered in righteousness and redeemed before Him, and is way more than worthy of our whole heart.  In Him, new life is made possible, despite the impossibilities that surround us.  He hears, He sees, He loves, and He redeems, as He is the giver of every good gift we are granted.

He asks for our hope and our heart, and in return, He redeems our wreckage and raises us up, calling us His sons and daughters, granting us a holy heritage and the hope of our eternal heavenly home with Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love is unfailing and unending, and is available and abundant for all who ask.  Thank You that in Your perfect love, You made way for not only our forgiveness, but for our redemption, so that we might be completely restored to a right relationship with You.  Thank You Lord that You are worthy of all worship, and that You hold our every hope in Your holy hands.  Teach us, lead us, forgive and love us, so that we might walk in full acceptance of Your unfailing love and remarkable redemption, as we share the hope held in You, our Heavenly Father.  Amen.

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