Trust at All Times

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. – (Romans 8:37, NLT)

But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown His love for us. – (Romans 8:37, ERV)

Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and His demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! – (Romans 8:37, TPT)

 

When trials and challenges come our way, we need not fear, for He has given us victory in all things through Christ who loves us. Yesterday, as I walked through the process of oral surgery, this held true for me in a wonderful way. I am not necessarily fearful, but rather one who dreads anything dental, as they can never keep my mouth numb throughout an entire procedure. With conscious sedation, though there were points in the process that I could feel a bit, I was comfortable enough that it was not a problem, and the entire process was over fairly quickly. Additionally, my loving husband took the day off to take me to my appointment, wait there for me during the process, and be with me to bring me home and care for me. God provided all that I needed and more. Though my challenge was fairly trivial compared to some that people endure, it demonstrates how much He cares, even in the small things. May we ever seek the Lord in every trial and challenge we face, for victory comes through Him who loves us more than we can comprehend.

 

The Lord’s ever near,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Our help and our hope;

He grants victory,

With our fears, He’ll cope.

He provides His help,

And a hand to hold;

Takes our hand and heart,

To help us be bold.

By His loving grace,

In strength we shall rise;

Able to go forth,

Without compromise.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You meet us wherever we are, no matter what lies before us, and You are willing to be our hope, help and strength. Thank You that we never have to face anything alone. Forgive us for our fearfulness in the face of the unknown. Teach us to trust You more, as You alone already know every outcome and are greater than anything that lies before us. Show us how to walk beside others in love as they face the seemingly impossible that lies before them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as they recognize the love and strength that comes from You alone. Be glorified O God, as we learn to trust You in all things at all times. Amen.

 

 

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

 

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  – 1 Corinthians 13:7

May We Marvel Like the Magi

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, His mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped Him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left that territory without being seen, and returned to their own country. – (Matthew 2:9-12, MSG)

 

As I continue on my journey to dig deeper into the stories of those who first were mentioned in the Christmas story, this morning I did some searching about the Magi. What I had already learned, is that the wise men who visited bearing gifts, did not actually visit Mary, Joseph and Jesus as He lay in the manger. It was likely a year or two later. As mentioned, the wise men entered their home, not an animal shelter of sorts with Jesus in a manger. My new discovery however, is that according to what I found, the Magi were a priesthood of the Medes, known for their exceptional religious knowledge, and some proved to be experts at interpretation of dreams. This was the very same group of wise men and advisors to whom Daniel had been appointed Chief of the Magi, several generations prior. The gifts that these priestly people brought had prophetic and powerful meaning in religious realms. Gold spoke of His kingship, frankincense was a spice used in priestly duties, and myrrh was an embalming ointment anticipating His death. The wise men followed a star, knowing of the significance of Who they would find if they followed where it led. Based on the gifts that they had prepared to take, I imagine that they had already been given some dreams and insight about what had been foretold long before. It is awe-inspiring to envision what the moment must have been like for the Magi. A lifetime of studying and seeking, and then suddenly these wise men found themselves standing before the Savior of the world.  May we each have Magi-like moments this Christmas, where we recognize in awe and wonder, His powerful presence, because He chose to come and be God with us.

 

A star of wonder, 

Led wise men afar;

Check in with a king,

Then follow the star.

The Magi arrived,

In Bethlehem town;

The way clearly shown,

As the star shined down.

With awe and wonder,

The wise men took knee;

They gave Him their gifts,

All praise unto Thee.

May we too behold,

A similar awe;

At the Gift given,

What the wise men saw.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You willingly show us more and more of Who You are and all that You have done, as we seek You and ask for Your insight. Thank You for the faithfulness and obedience of the Magi, and a bit more of the story behind them. Forgive us for taking everything at face value, or for becoming numb to the depth and life that come from beholding the truth and the treasure that is found in the story of Jesus’ arrival. Teach us to seek to see it through fresh eyes, so that we never lose our awe and wonder at the glory of the Gift that You gave. Show us how to love those around us in a way that points hearts to You, the ultimate Giver of all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we stand in awe of all that You have done for us, and the very reason we celebrate this season. Amen.

 

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

 

He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21

(link to Magi research)

Numb No More

Yesterday afternoon, I had what I thought was to be a quick cleaning at the dentist. Foolishly, I had forgotten that it was actually an appointment scheduled to fill three teeth on the bottom right side of my mouth that had been damaged during a stretch of time when my night guard had gone missing. As an individual who typically blows through anesthesia before procedures are complete, my delightful dentist was proactive and properly prepared me by providing an extra strong dose of numbing agent prior to the procedure. After staying numb through the entire drilling drama, I had to rush off to return to school for one final student led conference before the day’s end.

The right side of my face, tongue, and lips were still numb. Partial paralysis was in full force, and I was feeling quite foolish as I hurried to my classroom. Fortunately, the student and his family did not seem to notice, or if they did, they were polite enough not to stare at my right side as I spoke.

What I feel like the Holy Spirit wants me to hear this morning, is a reminder of how much each part of the body affects the whole. When a small part becomes numb, the whole cannot function as well without that part’s capable contribution. The other parts may attempt to somehow make up the difference, but they cannot ever really do the job. Each of us are a part of the body. We have been called and created with a purpose. In order to walk out our purpose, we must be in tune with our Heavenly Father. Reading in Galatians this morning, the verse that reiterated what I am hearing is: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) God wants all of us – our whole lives, not just a part. We cannot just give Him Sunday mornings and then be numb to Him during the week, nor can we give Him our emotions and physical needs, but not commit our intellect and our vocation to Him. We must let Him into every aspect of our lives, and allow Him to reign. As we give Him control, we are refined, and the formerly numb spaces begin to tingle with new life.

Let the Lord lead,

give Him the whole;

choose to submit,

allow Him control.

No more be numb,

may our hearts hear;

as He whispers,

truth in our ears.

All to the One,

faithful to lead;

our strength and grace,

in Him, we’re freed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You created each of us with a plan and a purpose. Thank You that You give life abundant, when we trust in You. Forgive us for allowing ourselves to become numb in any area, or for neglecting to give any part of ourselves over to You. Please bring these places to our attention as You teach us truth, and help our hearts become aware of the tingling felt as our lives are being restored in You. May we live and love like You, and may many come to know You as their Heavenly Father, so they too may have life abundant in You. Amen.

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