Grace, Love and Presence

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. – (2 Corinthians 13:13, HCSB)

I pray that you will enjoy the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. – (2 Corinthians 13:13, ERV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Anointed, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit remain with you all. – (2 Corinthians 13:14, VOICE)

This verse is the conclusion of Paul’s second letter to the church of Corinth. I so appreciate how he parts out the goodness of God. His separation of the three parts of the trinity and their attributes provide clarity on our need for each. We all need grace, love and the presence of fellowship in our lives. As we walk with the Lord, we grow in understanding of who He is and how He loves. His grace is more than enough for all that we need, His love, surrounds and fills us to overflowing, and His presence is the peace that settles our hearts no matter what lies before us. May we ever seek the Lord, for He is the provider of grace, love, and the very presence of peace.

Jesus, we need You,

Celtic Knot that represents The Trinity – intertwined without end

Your unending grace;

The good that leads us,

Throughout all our days.

O God, our Father,

We receive Your love;

The warmth that surrounds,

From You up above.

The Holy Spirit,

Ever-present peace;

Your nearness supplies,

All that our hearts need.

God You are so good,

May all come to know;

Your love, grace and peace,

That each day You show.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are three in one. Thank You that Your Son grants us the grace to navigate each new day, Your Father’s heart loves us without limits, and Your perfect presence is our peace in all things. Forgive us for not recognizing the fullness of who You are and how You love. Teach us to ever seek to know You more, so that we might grow in our understanding of who You are and how great Your love, grace and presence truly are. Show us to love those around us well, so that we may be Your vessels of love, grace and peace that is made tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and for how You make Yourself known to us. Amen.

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

God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. – Psalm 36:7

Courage to Overcome

“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in Me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” – (John 16:33, ERV)

 

Jesus let His followers know that a life of faithfulness to Him would not be free from trouble, but even in the throws of the most difficult circumstances, they would never be alone. Christ came and defeated death and darkness, so that we may have light and life in Him. No matter what we face in the present, our future holds the hope of eternal glory in His perfect presence. We can take courage no matter what we face, for Christ already came and conquered on our behalf. In Him, we are more than able to endure and overcome what lies before us, and reach that which awaits. His peace is available now, in spite of our circumstances, and His strength is provided as it is needed. May we seek Him and trust Him to be our peace and our strength, so that we may be brave in the face of trouble, knowing that He has already overcome all that we are facing.

 

Jesus has spoken,

these words unto us;

that we shall find peace,

despite our chaos.

No matter what comes,

Jesus is our place;

where courage is found,

as He pours out grace.

All that we shall face,

He’s already done;

the victory His,

at the cross, He won.

So fear not the world,

and what it may throw;

for when we’re in Christ,

the outcome we know.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we have peace in You, no matter what troubles come our way. Thank You that we can be brave in the face of our trials and struggles, knowing that You have already overcome the world. Thank You that though we may walk through heartache and hard, our present situation is not our final destination. Forgive us for losing an eternal perspective as we go about our days, and help us to see things through Your lens. Teach us to trust You more, even in the hardest spaces. Lead us to love others in a way that provides perspective, strength and courage when they are stuck in the struggle too. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we receive Your peace that surpasses all understanding, no matter our circumstances, and fear not in the face of our trials as we remember that You have already overcome all that we are facing. Amen.

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

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. – Ephesians 2:4-5

Go Now, Rest Later

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” – (Revelation 14:13, NIV)

 

Then I heard a voice from heaven It said, “Write this: From now on there are great blessings for those who belong to the Lord when they die.” The Spirit says, “Yes, that is true. They will rest from their hard work. What they have done will stay with them.” – (Revelation 14:13, ERV)

 

What we do now, matters for all of eternity. Today’s investment in others through His strength, will have an eternal reward. Though our motivation ought to be our love and devotion for our Savior who first loved us, He sees and knows our hearts and deeds, and our care for others does not go unnoticed by Him. Our commitment to our relationship with Christ grants us firm footing for today, and certain hope for all of eternity. Investing in the work while we are in the world, is well worth the cost, as the outcome is our ultimate invitation to enter eternal rest in His perfect presence. To be counted among His blessed, is a beauty worth beholding. May we seek Him and serve Him with all that we are, as long as we draw breath.

 

In life and in death,

how blessed to be;

counted among those,

betrothed unto Thee.

For those who have sought,

surely too, have found;

new life in Your love,

where hope shall resound.

All faithful in life,

will enter Your rest;

You remember well,

things that we do best.

Grant us eyes to see,

others through Your lens;

so we will care well,

for strangers as friends.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that every moment invested in You and in loving people, is time well spent. Thank You that You see and know our hearts and deeds, and You remember how we choose to love. Thank You that as Your people, we are considered blessed, and that You are our hope forever. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to love others as You would have wanted us to love, and help us to see others through Your eyes, so that we cannot help but love as You love. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may faithfully step out to love and serve and care for those whom You place in our path. May many come to know the eternal hope that is held in You, as we go forth as Your hands and heart to the world. Let Your light shine brightly through us. Be glorified, O God, as we go forth. Amen.

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

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; …write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3