One Day At A Time

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you.” – (Isaiah 35:4, NIV)

“Courage! Take heart! God is right here, right here, on His way to put things right and redress all wrongs. He’s on His way! He’ll save you!” – (Isaiah 35:4, MSG)

Tell those who worry, the anxious and fearful, “Take strength; have courage! There’s nothing to fear. Look, here – your God! Right here is your God! The balance is shifting; God will right all wrongs. None other than God will give you success. He is coming to make you safe.” – (Isaiah 35:4, VOICE)

 

Right now, life feels surreal. It is as if we are all caught in a bizarre dream, and are merely waiting to wake up. For me, I am a one-day-at-a-time sort of person anyway, so my brain is already wired to not get too hung up on what may lie ahead over the next several weeks. When life is operating as usual, taking things one day at a time allows me to be present and focused on only what lies directly before me. If I permit my mind to wander too far ahead, it only breeds anxiety as to how everything will be accomplished in the time granted. Now, more than ever, I need to remain focused on each day as it comes. Yes, it is wise to prepare and plan in general, but there is no need, nor any point, in attempting to map out details that are too far off to determine. God grants us wisdom and insight as we ask, and He provides what we need to navigate each new day. The Lord is our strength and our strong tower; in Him we are safe and find we have what we need. May we give all of our worries and fears to God, as He comes to put all things right, and saves us with His goodness and love.

 

Take strength, have courage,

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

There’s nothing to fear;

All is in God’s hands,

His presence is near.

Despite what we see,

God will make a way;

Over rough terrain,

He’ll lead us each day.

The wrong things made right,

In His faithful hands;

Safety and our strength,

Firm in Him, choose stand.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are mighty to save. Thank You that as we seek You, You are our strength, courage and safety. Thank You that You provide where we lack, and Your love leads us in the direction we are meant to go. Forgive us for our fears and anxiety in the face of so many unknowns. Teach us to trust You more, as You are for us and faithful to lead us, always. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they may know Your strength and courage, goodness and grace in the midst of uncertainty. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place all things in Your capable hands, and trust You to lead and guide us each day, one day at a time. Amen.

 

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

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6 

Obedience is Walking in Love

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love. – (2 John 1:6)

To truly live a life of love, is to live one of obedience to that which Christ has commanded. All that Christ asks of us can be summarized quite simply; we are to love God and love people. If all that we say and do is governed by our love for Christ and our desire to show His love to others, we will be operating in obedience to His commands. Though seemingly quite simple, it is much more easily said than done. Without investing in Christ and His created, we are not able to love well. We must know and trust God, and be invested in the world around us to actually touch lives with the love that He gives. Often it requires that we listen, even when we’d rather speak; help, when we’d like to have help ourselves; give, when we’re not sure we have enough, and show kindness, despite disdain that may be extended toward us. Love is a choice that we must choose to make if we desire to obey what the Lord is asking. He grants us wisdom as to when it is unhealthy to come close to those who could bring harm, and grace to extend to those who feel unworthy of being loved. May we each choose to walk in obedience to His commands as we walk out this day in His love.

To truly live life,

obeying the Lord;

we must choose to love,

as we are adored.

For Christ grants to us,

all that we will need;

to go and love well,

let His Spirit lead.

Though it seems simple,

it is quite a task;

to love each other,

as Jesus has asked.

For people are flawed,

broken and cause harm;

it takes total trust,

to love as He arms.

Our obedience,

is well worth the price;

eternity sure,

our most sound advice.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to show us what it is to walk in obedience to Your commands. Thank You Jesus that You modeled a life lived in love. Thank You that You loved us so much that You gave Your very life for ours so that we could live forever with You, and love as You love us. Forgive us for not walking in obedience to Your commands, as we neglect to love You or others as we are called to love. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will love with wisdom and grace, showing others well the way to seek with their whole hearts, Your tender face. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we walk in obedience to Your commands and walk in love. Amen.

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

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

In Him, We’re Free

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. – (2 Corinthians 3:17)

 

We are no more bound to the Old Testament law, that required sacrifices and ceremonies to be considered worthy to approach the throne of God. Rather, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we have been set free, and by His Spirit dwelling in us, may now boldly approach His throne of grace without fear. The very same freedom that we have in Christ for worship, communication and fellowship with our Heavenly Father, is ours to operate in throughout every area of our lives. God does not intend for us to be bound, caught in the pain or panic of perpetually needing to perform. Instead, He is calling us to walk confidently in who He has created us to be, operating in the gifts that He has placed within us. When we walk in His freedom, there is joy in the journey and hope for what lies ahead. May we each embrace the glorious gift of grace that He has given, and walk forward in the freedom provided through Christ’s perfect sacrifice.

 

The Spirit of Christ,

given unto us;

our dear Savior’s gift,

set free through Jesus.

Freedom from the law,

and our bond to sin;

deemed righteous, set free,

in the end, we win.

Now gone are the chains,

of “you’re not enough”;

we’re covered and called,

the Lord’s righteousness.

Go forth and be bold,

in Christ we are free;

to walk in His light,

and help blind eyes see.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are Spirit and You are freedom. Thank You that Your Spirit dwells in us, granting us freedom in You. Thank You that You set us free from the burden of our sin and failure, and set our feet on Your path of righteousness; not because of anything that we are able to do in our own strength, but because You dwell within us. Forgive us for not embracing the freedom that You have already granted us in You, and help us to trust You more so that we may embrace You grace and walk boldly into the freedom that You supply. Lead us to love others unhindered, just as You love us without limits as well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we walk in freedom by Your Spirit within us. 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

To Be On Our Guard

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. – (1 Corinthians 16:13)

 

These are weighty and wise words by which we are meant to live. To be on our guard, means that we are aware of what is around us – the things that are influencing us and affecting us, and taking a posture of readiness. Standing firm in the faith requires us to know what we believe. In order for that to happen, we must invest time in the Word and in prayer. The more we invest in knowing God, the more secure we can stand when storms come our way. Courage and strength are gifts that God supplies as we need them most. Even when we don’t necessarily feel courageous nor strong, when we choose to do the next right thing, or take the next obedient step, we are actually operating in His courage and strength. Finally, to do everything in love, is to allow the Lord to flavor all that we do. Let nothing be out of selfish ambition nor with malicious intent, but rather to love as Christ first loved us. When we have to take a stand or step back from spaces that are toxic, even then, there is room to do so in love. If we are listening to the Lord and allowing Him to direct our steps, we can trust that He will work all things out for good. May we each be on our guard; standing firm in our faith; as men and women of courage and strength, as we do all things in His love.

 

To be on our guard,

means we are aware;

of what we take in,

and what is out there.

We must choose stand firm,

in faith to what’s true;

as we seek the Lord,

for He makes us new.

Both courage and strength,

are gifts from the Lord;

granted as needed,

blessings He affords.

So may we each do,

all we do in love;

so hearts may be turned,

to the Lord above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us direction in Your Word as to how we are meant to live life as You intended. Thank You that in all that You ask, You provide what is needed to do as You call us to do. Thank You that You equip us to be on guard and stand firm in our faith, as You give us courage and strength to do all things in love. Forgive us for being unaware of that which surrounds us, or for being deaf to that which You are speaking to our hearts. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may hear You well, and embrace the courage and strength that You supply so that we go forth doing everything You ask in love. Lead us to love as You love us, and may many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we are on our guard, standing firm in the faith with Your courage and strength to do all things in love. Amen.

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

For the Lord your God will bless you, …and your joy will be complete. – Deuteronomy 16:15

Coaching through Christ

Coaching gymnastics has been a part of my life since I was sixteen years old. More of my life has been spent coaching and in the gym, than not. That being said, I still get nervous before the first day of tryouts every year. I am not sure if it is empathy for the masses that will walk into the little gym after school, or if it is my own desire to be sure that everything is in place as it ought to be. Perhaps it is a bit of both. Either way, the butterflies come as the time draws near, yet the moment the first girl walks into the gym, all fear fades away, and I am home.

 

Despite this being a space where I know that the Lord has both called and equipped me, I imagine the nerves are a blessing. Because I get nervous, I remain dependant on Him. Though coaching is operating in an area of strength, I am ever aware of my need for Christ to be present. If I am not functioning in His grace, the girls will know the difference. Coaching is so much more than training up gymnasts, it is about creating confidence in young ladies, where they may not have had confidence before. My hope is that they will walk out of the gym having discovered that they can do more than they ever thought they could.

 

Girls are not allowed to say “can’t” in our gym. Essentially, they are discovering that they “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us,” – (Philippians 4:13) through ongoing acts of faith. It requires faith in their coaches and faith in themselves to attempt new skills and take on new challenges. For those who are willing, great goals are achieved, and new confidence is discovered.

 

Our lives ought to operate the same way. Can’t should not be a part of our vocabulary. If God calls us to it, He will make a way for us to get through it. The seemingly impossible is possible in Christ. It is only through His strength that we can discover how much more He has made us to be, if we are only willing to walk where He calls. May we rise up in His strength, and go forth, trusting that He is faithful to supply all that is needed to answer that which He asks.

 

When working in strength,

or a deficit;

rely on the Lord,

our hope to beget.

For there is no can’t,

when the Lord has called;

He’ll grant what’s needed,

Provider of all.

May we rise in faith,

trust His strength, go forth;

know that He is faithful,

our tried and true north.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to walk us through whatever You call us to do. Thank You that nerves remind us of our need for You, even in our areas of strength. Thank You that You are loving and kind, and that You care about the little things too. Forgive us for the times that we try to operate in our own strength, rather than rely on You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may learn to lean on You in all things and at all times. Let us love others as You love us, and may many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we go forth in Your strength in all that we do. Amen.

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

When times are good, be happy. – Ecclesiastes 7:14