The Throne of Grace

This is a post from a few years ago, yet is so timely right now…

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – (Hebrews 4:16, NIV)

With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it. – (Hebrews 4:16, ERV)

So let us step boldly to the throne of grace, where we can find mercy and grace to help when we need it most. – (Hebrews 4:16, VOICE)

 

This is a timely reminder this morning, as I find myself on the brink of burnout. It is easy to remember to approach God on His throne of grace to petition on behalf of those around me, but I don’t think that I go before God often enough for the mercy and grace that I truly need. Don’t get me wrong, I pray for strength to get through the day and patience to persevere; but really boldly stepping into His throne room to rest and refresh and meet my own deepest needs – seldom, to rarely, at best. Perhaps it is a matter of looking for ways to keep a Sabbath. Rest is not my forte, and to do so would require serious intentionality. To find grace and mercy and help when we need it most, looks different for each person. For me, I feel closest to our Creator when I am outside in the beauty that He has made. When my body is moving, my mind and heart are able to find rest. For others, rest is a matter of being still. What does appear to be clear is that I need to make time to be intentionally in a space where my heart and mind are fixed on God, just being present (without studying, writing, or any sort of specific doing), so that His mercy, grace and help may be made tangibly known. May we each be intentional to step boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may find mercy and grace and help when we need it most.

 

Go to the throne room,

Seek God and His grace;

Rest in His presence,

Receive His embrace.

For as we choose rest,

Let our minds be still;

God’s goodness and help,

Floods as mercy fills.

Choose set aside time,

By grace, enter in;

Be refreshed in love,

It’s where peace begins.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us with an everlasting love. Thank You that You made the way through Your Son, so that we can come before Your throne and be in Your presence, and You grant us mercy and grace and the help we are needing. Thank You that You are greater than every challenge we face, and that You provide Your help and presence, with mercy and grace. Forgive us for not being intentional to seek time just being present with You. Teach us how to rest in You. Show us what it means to find rest and refreshment in Your throne room. Lead us to love those around us in a way that encourages, strengthens and refreshes where weariness is setting in. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love You and are forever grateful that we can come into Your presence and receive mercy and grace and help. Amen.

 

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

 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. – Psalm 62:5

Dependent for Peace

You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. – (Isaiah 26:3, HCSB)

God, You give true peace to people who depend on You, to those who trust in You. – (Isaiah 26:3, ERV)

You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You. – (Isaiah 26:3, VOICE)

Early mornings are my favorite time of the day. The world is still sleeping and the house is silent. My mind and heart have intentional time to focus on He who is our peace, and I am typically flanked by two sweet sleeping puppies. In the same way that they trust me to provide for them and keep them safe, we too need to trust in God. It is in the space of trusting Him that we understand His peace, regardless of what goes on around us. By starting each day in the silent stillness with God, my heart is filled and equipped to navigate the day. May we ever keep our minds dependent on God, for it is in trusting and depending on Him that we know His perfect peace.

There is perfect peace,

That we all may know;

It’s found in Jesus,

Where His love is shown.

As we choose seek Him,

Surely we shall find;

His loving kindness,

That gives peace of mind.

So, choose to trust Him,

He’s faithful and true;

His grace abundant,

As He leads us through.

Throughout each new day,

He will remain near;

And give us His peace,

And make our paths clear.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are where we find peace as we trust and depend on You. Thank You for quiet spaces to seek You. Forgive us for taking our eyes off of You, as peace is disrupted when we depend on anything other than You. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us well, so that we can share Your goodness, grace and peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we depend on You to be our perfect peace. Amen.

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

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

The Throne of Grace

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – (Hebrews 4:16, NIV)

With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it. – (Hebrews 4:16, ERV)

So let us step boldly to the throne of grace, where we can find mercy and grace to help when we need it most. – (Hebrews 4:16, VOICE)

 

This is a timely reminder this morning, as I find myself on the brink of burnout. It is easy to remember to approach God on His throne of grace to petition on behalf of those around me, but I don’t think that I go before God often enough for the mercy and grace that I truly need. Don’t get me wrong, I pray for strength to get through the day and patience to persevere; but really boldly stepping into His throne room to rest and refresh and meet my own deepest needs – seldom, to rarely, at best. Perhaps it is a matter of looking for ways to keep a Sabbath. Rest is not my forte, and to do so would require serious intentionality. To find grace and mercy and help when we need it most, looks different for each person. For me, I feel closest to our Creator when I am outside in the beauty that He has made. When my body is moving, my mind and heart are able to find rest. For others, rest is a matter of being still. What does appear to be clear is that I need to make time to be intentionally in a space where my heart and mind are fixed on God, just being present (without studying, writing, or any sort of specific doing), so that His mercy, grace and help may be made tangibly known. May we each be intentional to step boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may find mercy and grace and help when we need it most.

 

Go to the throne room,

Seek God and His grace;

Rest in His presence,

Receive His embrace.

For as we choose rest,

Let our minds be still;

God’s goodness and help,

Floods as mercy fills.

Choose set aside time,

By grace, enter in;

Be refreshed in love,

It’s where peace begins.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us with an everlasting love. Thank You that You made the way through Your Son, so that we can come before Your throne and be in Your presence, and You grant us mercy and grace and the help we are needing. Thank You that You are greater than every challenge we face, and that You provide Your help and presence, with mercy and grace. Forgive us for not being intentional to seek time just being present with You. Teach us how to rest in You. Show us what it means to find rest and refreshment in Your throne room. Lead us to love those around us in a way that encourages, strengthens and refreshes where weariness is setting in. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love You and are forever grateful that we can come into Your presence and receive mercy and grace and help. Amen.

 

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

 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. – Psalm 62:5

Choose Love

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. – (Proverbs 3:3-4, NLT)

Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else. – (Proverbs 3:3-4, ERV)

 

We are called to love God and love people. It is no wonder that God reminds us that when we do the very thing that He asks us to do, we will find favor with Him and those around us. Love is faithful and kind, and it is a choice to respond accordingly, regardless of what we are given. Though I do not have a reminder tied around my neck, I do have one that I wear around my wrist. Each day I encounter kids that are difficult to love. Because they are hurting, broken, or simply going through the terrible teens, I must choose to respond in kindness, despite what comes out of them. To choose love, for me, means that I make the choice to give grace when it is unwarranted, reply gently when harsh words are spoken, and attempt to correct in kindness rather than anger, when behaviors disrupt. I don’t always get it right, and there are moments where I do not respond as lovingly as I would have liked to have done, yet each morning is a new start, and God’s grace for me is just as great as that which He is willing to give to those around me. May we each choose love, and let loyalty and kindness be the response that we offer, as the favor of God and those around us shall follow.

 

Never let kindness,

Or true loyalty;

Leave our hearts and minds,

It’s how we need be.

Find a reminder,

For both mind and heart;

Seek the Lord for strength,

To do well, our part.

As we opt choose love,

God is pleased with us;

So too, are people,

Such love shows Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and ask You for help, You grant us Your love and kindness to extend to those around us. Thank You that You extend Your favor to us when we love according to Your will. Forgive us for not choosing to love others as we are loved by You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would depend on You for the strength that we need to extend grace and kindness, even when we don’t want to. Show us how to choose love in all situations and circumstances according to Your will, so that those we encounter would see Your heart for them through our words and deeds. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we keep loyalty and kindness close to our hearts, and choose to love as we are loved by You. 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 Makes Me Brave

Music has a way of touching spaces deep within us, and every so often, a song comes along and every word seems to hit home as if it were written just for you, individually. Sunday, as we sang a song that we have sung before, I had this very experience. I don’t consider myself to be a fearful individual, yet anxiety tends to rise when I am overwhelmed with too many unknowns or uncertainties. A place that always brings peace to my soul, is any space that is near water, so the song You Make Me Brave, by Amanda Cook, (click highlighted to listen and view lyrics) struck home on multiple levels.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         After a very full last day of school, as I was leaving a retirement celebration for our fabulous school finance secretary, a kind friend, and former teacher and colleague, reminded me of a favorite verse of mine in casual conversation. He had no way of knowing what uncertainties are standing before me, yet what he spoke, was clearly a reminder from God. When I am afraid, I will trust in You. – (Psalm 56:3) This will be my life verse, imprinted on the tender and tremulous places in my mind and heart, to remind me that I do not have to know what is coming nor what I am to do, I just have to choose to trust in Him.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       When I stand on shore,

in awe of the sea;

as mighty waves crash,

You stand, holding me.

Your love lifts me up,

replacing the fear;

I will choose to trust,

for I know You’re near.

Let Your waves of grace,

come wash over me;

remove all the fear,

of what I can’t see.

May I give to You,

all that is unknown;

and trust that You will,

take care of Your own.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we are afraid, we can trust in You. Thank You that Your waves of grace wash over us, and make us brave beyond what we could ever be without You. Thank You that You call us to so much more than just standing at the shore. Thank You that You want us to go far beyond what we could ever imagine on our own. Forgive us for the fear that hinders us, and help us to hold fast to the promises that You have made. May we go forth boldly in Your love and Your grace, and may many come to know the safety of Your eternal embrace. Be glorified as we trust in You. Amen.

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

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – I Chronicles 16:31

Remember to Rest

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his(her) own work, just as God did from His.  Let us therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” – (Hebrews 4:9-11)

The whole Sabbath concept has always been a point of confusion for me in today’s fast-paced society.  During the week, I must rise extra early to spend intentional time seeking our Savior, and I rarely slow down until I am ready to go to bed at the day’s end.  Weekends are no better, as they are often booked, before they have even begun.  So, how am I meant to rest?

God’s rest, does not necessarily mean taking a nap or sitting in stillness.  Sometimes, rest in Him is found through fun family time, or a drive around town.  For me, rest comes more as my focus is found in Him, rather than by my body being still.  Yes, slowing down for some stillness is a good thing too, but being intentional with where my mind and heart wander, provide just as much peace, as the other.  Taking a break from the “have to’s”, and spending time on that which nourishes the soul, is another source of His rest.  Time spent writing, drawing or creating, also provide place for me to be abundantly aware of His presence.

May we find His rest,

and each enter in;

refuge from busy,

protection from sin.

Let our heart’s intent,

be to seek the Lord;

in all that we do,

with Him, in accord.

Be it in stillness,

or drive around town;

may we seek His rest,

and His peace be found.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are no longer under the weight of the law, where we must do this or that in order to be acceptable unto You.  Thank You that You love us and receive us as we come, and You take us as we are.  Thank You that You want good things for us, including rest.  Forgive us for getting so caught up in the chaos of life that we forget to slow down and be intentional about our time in that which matters most.  Teach us how to prioritize, and where You would have us go to find rest in You.  Thank You that You are a creative God, and that rest for one, is not necessarily the same as rest for another.  May we each hear Your voice, and obey what You are asking, so that we might benefit from the rest that You provide.  May we be refreshed and ready to go forth in love, so that many may come to know Your goodness and grace, and enter into a personal relationship with You.  Be exalted, our perfect Prince of Peace.  Amen.

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