Found By the Seeking

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. – (Luke 11:10, NIV)

Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them. – (Luke 11:10, ERV)

All who keep asking will receive, all who keep seeking will find, and doors will open to those who keep knocking. – (Luke 11:10, VOICE)

 

Just as a parent will hear the requests of their children, so too, does God hear our prayers. It is promised that when we seek Him, we will find God. He opens doors that we are meant to walk through, and grants us what we need to keep moving forward. Our charge is to keep looking, knocking and asking, for the Lord hears and sees our pursuit of Him and His will. May we ever trust in the Lord and His faithfulness, so that we ask, seek and knock before Him, believing in His loving kindness that hears, opens and empowers.

 

Seek and ask the Lord,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

He’s faithful to give;

All that is needed,

To faithfully live.

Knock on heaven’s door,

It will open wide;

God ever welcomes,

His seekers inside.

Trust in His goodness,

Know that the Lord hears;

Blesses the faithful,

All who choose draw near.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hear us, see us, and bless us with Your faithful presence and help when we seek You. Forgive us for attempting to make our own way, rather than seeking You. Teach us to trust You more, as You are faithful to answer as we ask. Show us how to love those around us in ways that demonstrates Your ongoing presence and faithfulness, so that they may know of Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for answers, ask for Your help and trust the path You provide for us to follow. Amen.

 

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

 

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. – Deuteronomy 7:9

Nothing Without Love

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or clanging symbol. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. – (1 Corinthians 13:1-2, NLT)

I may speak in different languages, whether human or even of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am only a noisy bell or a ringing cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy, I may understand all secrets and know everything there is to know, and I may have faith so great that I can move mountains. But even with all this, if I don’t have love, I am nothing. – (1 Corinthians 13:1-2, ERV)

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all His mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. – (1 Corinthians 13:1-2, MSG)

 

Yes, wisdom, knowledge and faith are all good things, but without love, they are nothing. Our first priority ought to be love. We are called to love God and love people. As we do both, we grow in wisdom, knowledge and faith. The choice to love, despite what we are given, opens our understanding, and shows us more of His heart for us. Often, as we make love our priority, God changes both the hearts of the recipients and the perspective of the giver. Love is patient and love is kind, and love always protects. The challenge is when we are caught in between caring for one and protecting many others. God is faithful and just, and I will trust that He will bring light where darkness is trying to reign, and that His love will lead the way. May we make love our priority in all things, so that every word and deed are shaped by His love.

 

Gifted with speaking, 

Linguistic wisdom;

Is all meaningless,

If not done in love.

Wisdom and insight,

Vast understanding;

Along with great faith,

Less love, lack meaning.

So seek understand,

But let’s choose love first;

For that is how God,

Loves despite our worst.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that above all, You call us to love. Thank You that love is unpacked for us further as we read on in chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians. Forgive us for turning to wisdom or our own human understanding without love. Teach us to trust You more, so that love would lead us in all things. Show us how to love others as You would have us love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in love in all things and at all times. Amen.

 

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

 

Listen… be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. – Proverbs 23:19

As We Ask, He Answers

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. – (Matthew 7:7-8, NLT)

Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them. – (Matthew 7:7-8, ERV)

 

Sometimes I forget that the way to walk in His will and see hopes and dreams that He has planted come to fruition, involves first and foremost, our faithful pursuit of Him. It is easy to get so caught up in all of the things that need to be done to get from here to there, that we neglect our need to seek and ask our Savior what we ought to do next. He opens the doors that lead the direction to which we are called. If we are not asking, it is equally likely that we are not listening for answers. God has promised to hear all who call on His Name, and be found by all who seek Him. May we go forth this day, seeking and asking for the answers that our hearts need to know; for He is faithful to hear us and respond according to His good and perfect will.

 

Lord, teach us to ask,

You’re faithful to hear;

You give us good gifts,

As we choose draw near.

It is through seeking,

That we truly find;

God, You are waiting,

You’re loving and kind.

Keep knocking on doors,

That He leads us to;

And watch them open,

As His path’s pursued.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we ask, You answer. Thank You that when we seek You, You are found. Thank You that You open the doors that we are meant to walk through as we move forward in the direction to which we feel called. Forgive us for not seeking or asking when we need answers and Your help. Teach us to trust You more so that we would come to You in all things and at all times, knowing that You are faithful to hear us and help us, opening the doors that we are meant to walk through. Show us how to love those around us in a way that demonstrates Your goodness and faithfulness. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek and ask and knock on the doors that appear before us, trusting You to lead us where we are meant to go. Amen.

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

Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13

Unseal My Lips

Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise You. – (Psalm 51:15, NLT)

O Lord, pry open my lips that this mouth will sing joyfully of Your greatness. – (Psalm 51:15, VOICE)

My Lord, I will open my mouth and sing Your praises! – (Psalm 51:15, ERV)

 

Be it by circumstances or lack of stamina, sometimes we fail to let our lips offer praise to the Lord when it is overdue, and instead allow things that do not benefit anyone to escape our mouths. We cannot simultaneously sing praise and complain. Either our hearts are fixed on His greatness, or we are looking away at that which distracts. If we seek the Lord and set our hearts and minds on who He is and all that He has done, the very mouth that meant to grumble only moments before, suddenly cannot help but sing of the greatness of God. A holy perspective unseals locked lips, and opens hearts to praise He who is worthy. May we fix our eyes and hearts on the Lord above, allowing Him to reveal more and more of who He is and what He has done, so that we cannot help but sing praise unto the Lord.

 

Oh Lord, let my eyes,

Fix clearly on You;

So my heart may hold,

All that is the truth.

Lord, unseal my lips,

So that I may praise;

This heart shall sing songs,

That tell of Your ways.

With joy, songs shall flow,

From this heart of mine;

Because You are great,

O Holy Divine.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone are worthy of all of our praise. Thank You that as we seek You, You reveal more and more of who You are, and show Your loving kindness unto us. Forgive us for not giving You proper praise. Unseal our lips so that we would ever bring praise before You. Teach us to praise You in all that we do. May our very lives be a song sung to You. Show us how to love others as You so joyfully and generously love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we sing with joy, of the greatness of who You are and all that You have done. Amen.

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

Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13

Teach Me to Seek

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on a firm footing. – (Psalm 143:10, NLT)

Teach me to do what pleases You, because You are my God. Guide me by Your good Spirit into good land. – (Psalm 143:10, CEB)

 

We need to be taught in order to know the way in which we are meant to go. To learn, we must seek. God is gracious, as He is ever available and waiting to teach us what we need to know. As we seek Him, He reveals His heart and His will for us individually and corporately. May we choose to seek the Lord with our whole heart, so that we might know what is pleasing unto Him, and which direction we are meant to go. Lead us Lord, on the path of light and life.

 

For as we seek God,

His will is made known;

He’s quick to teach us,

Firm footing is shown.

The Lord lights the way,

That we’re meant to go;

Led by His Spirit,

Obstacles made low.

He opens a path,

For our feet to tread;

As long as we seek,

By Him we’ll be led.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You teach us Your will and that You claim us as Your own. Thank You that You lead us by Your Spirit and show us where we are meant to go, if we seek You to lead us. Forgive us for not seeking. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek Your will and Your way in all things and at all times. Show us the path that keeps us in step with Your plan for us. Empower us to love others well, just as You so generously and graciously love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and Your will for our lives, so that we might do what pleases You. Amen.

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

And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you.” – Exodus 33:19

Empowered Plans

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. – (Proverbs 16:9, NLT)

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. – (Proverbs 16:9, MSG)

 

When we are living life in pursuit of the Lord, it is indeed good to press in and keep moving forward towards that in which we feel we are being called. Though there is rarely a “yellow-brick road” to show us the way, the Lord opens and closes doors to help determine our steps as we choose to continue to walk in pursuit of all that He has for us. He strengthens, equips and provides what is needed as it is needed, so that we can continue in the direction to which we are called. May we pursue the plans that the Lord has placed in our hearts, and trust Him to provide what we need to live them out.

 

With hearts open wide,

May we seek pursue;

The plans that we hold,

As God sees us through.

For plans are just plans,

Without the Lord’s touch;

In Him there’s power,

To accomplish much.

Whatever He asks,

Is what can be done;

Through His tender grace,

The Most Holy One.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we set our hearts on You, You direct our steps. Thank You that You place plans in our hearts, then equip and empower us to carry them out. Forgive us for being fearful when direction is unclear in our own eyes, and teach us to trust You more. Show us how to let You lead us and guide us in all things at all times so that we would walk in the way You call us to live. Help us to love others in such a way, that they turn to trust in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we make plans in pursuit of You, but allow You to direct our steps. Amen.

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

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You? – Psalm 71:19

 

Wisdom and Insight to the Seeking

Give discernment to me, Your servant; then I will understand Your laws. – (Psalm 119:125, NLT)

I am Your servant. Give me wisdom to understand Your rules. – (Psalm 119:125, ERV)

 

Without God’s wisdom and discernment, we only see things at face value, rather than discovering the deeper truth that we are meant to gain, as we spend time in His word. God is faithful to open our understanding and speak to our hearts, if we seek Him and spend time in His word. It amazes me that each time I read a passage, He highlights new things that I have not seen before, or shows me a new application for my own life. When our earnest pursuit is to understand the things of God through a heart that longs to serve Him, He opens our understanding and provides insight that we could not gain on our own. May we seek the Lord with a heart to serve, and grow in wisdom and insight as He meets us in our faithful pursuit of Him.

 

Give me discernment,

as I seek You, Lord;

grant understanding,

to walk in accord.

May I live my life,

in constant pursuit;

of seeking Your face,

and learning Your truth.

Please grant me wisdom,

to know well, Your word;

so I trod Your path,

in truth undeterred.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give wisdom and discernment to those who earnestly seek You. Thank You that You open our understanding, so that we might know the expectations that You have set before us as to how we ought to live in accordance to Your standards. Forgive us for not seeking You for wisdom and understanding, and help us to seek You in humility and truth. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would listen to Your voice as we spend time in Your word. Show us how to love others in a way that leads them to the light of Your love that never fades. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for wisdom and discernment, so that we may understand the path You have placed before us, and can walk it well in the strength that only You can provide. Amen.

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

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16

Be Transformed

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – (Romans 12:2, NIV)

Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect. – (Romans 12:2, ERV)

If we spend our time seeking what is in the world, we will become like that which we seek. We are called to seek the Lord to transform and renew us, so that our hearts and minds will become more like His. As we choose to pursue Christ, we learn what is good and pleasing to Him, and discover His perfect will for our lives. The more we choose Christ, the greater He opens our understanding to that which He wants for us. May we keep our hearts from conforming to the patterns of the world, and whole heartedly pursue the path which God has prepared for us as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Don’t be led astray,

by things of the earth;

for God will transform,

grant us a new birth.

He renews our minds,

and shows us His way;

what is good to Him,

to not go astray.

His way is perfect,

and He wants for us;

to know His nearness,

by His love we’re blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, You help keep us from conforming to the patterns of this world, as You transform us by the renewing of our minds. Thank You that You show us that which is Your good, pleasing and perfect will, as we choose to ask. Forgive us for not seeking or asking, or for allowing our hearts to get caught up in that which surrounds us, rather than You who is in us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on You completely in all things and at all times. Show us how to love others in such a way that we could reach those stuck in the destructive patterns of the world without causing any feelings of condemnation or judgment – only Your love. May many come to know the truth of Your unfailing love. Be glorified O God, as we allow You to transform us by the renewing of our minds as we seek and trust You completely. Amen.

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

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

Possible is About Perspective

For nothing is impossible with God. – (Luke 1:37)

The very same God who answered the longing of a barren mother who was advanced in age, also brought about the birth of the Savior by miraculous means. What seems impossible in our own eyes, is possible in Christ. Health, wholeness, righteousness, restoration, love and new life, are all possible in Him. God gives good by His grace, despite what we deserve. As we seek Him and invest our hearts and lives in the Lord, He opens our eyes and hearts to the possibilities that He can provide through His power, not our own. May we seek our Savior and gain insight as to what He is preparing to make possible, as we walk by faith and not by sight.

Though our eyes may see,

what never could be;

God sees the options,

and moves mightily.

For there is nothing,

that our God can’t do;

by His grace all things,

are made right, renewed.

He can bring wholeness,

where brokenness reigns;

love us back to life,

so we dream again.

May we seek the One,

who prepares the way;

as we walk by faith,

let doubts fall away.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that nothing is impossible with You. Thank You that You who handcrafted each of us and all of creation, are more than capable of coming along side us, to lead and guide us, in our time of need. Forgive us for forgetting what a big God You are, and help us to hold fast to the truth. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will seek You and trust You in all things and at all times; for You are good. Lead us to love others well, so that they might see the possible in You. May many come into a personal relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You when we face the seemingly impossible, knowing that nothing is impossible for You. Amen.

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

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5

Understanding Leads to Praise

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise. – (Psalm 111:10)

True wisdom comes when we have a proper perspective of God. As we fear and revere Him, He opens our understanding and grants us insight to what we could not see before. The better we know Him, the more we recognize just how worthy He is of all of our praise forever. Daily, there are new opportunities for His truth to be revealed. We never stop learning nor growing in wisdom, when we seek first, His righteousness. The more we grow, the more we are able to see the joys that God has placed in our lives. Life becomes an exhilarating experience of discovering the glorious wonders that He has created for all of us, His creation. May we seek the Lord with proper fear and reverence, and follow that which He asks each of us to do. Let our lives be an ever-present reflection of our hearts to eternally praise Him.

True wisdom begins,

with fear of the Lord;

not a space of scared,

but humbled, adored.

For as we know God,

His insight provides;

great understanding,

that can’t be denied.

He gives us true joy,

grace to discover;

wisdom and His strength,

as we love others.

May our lives reflect,

our posture of praise;

now and forever,

let’s walk in His ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we fear and revere You, giving You proper place in our hearts and lives, You reveal to us deeper understanding and insight as to who You are, and how we are meant to live. Thank You that You unlock our understanding beyond what mere studying could ever do as we walk in Your ways and trust in Your truth. Thank You that all praise belongs to You, now and forever. Forgive us for seeking wisdom without You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we can differentiate between knowledge that can be discovered through reading or studying, and true wisdom and insight that are gifts given by You alone. Lead us to love You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and then to go and love likewise, all whom You place on our path. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we follow Your ways and grow in our understanding and wisdom of 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