Our Present Refuge

But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all You do. – (Psalm 73:28, HCSB)

As for me, all I need is to be close to God. I have made the Lord God my place of safety. And, God, I will tell about all that You have done. – (Psalm 73:28, ERV)

But the closer I am to You, my God, the better because life with You is good. O Lord, the Eternal, You keep me safe – I will tell everyone what You have done. – (Psalm 73:28, VOICE)

This Psalm is a reminder of the faithfulness of God, no matter what is going on around us. His goodness is not dependent on our circumstances. In God, we can place our trust, for He is our refuge and the good we can hold onto. May we speak of the goodness and faithfulness that God has shown us, for it is a reminder of who He is and how deeply He loves.

The presence of God,

Is forever good;

Our place of safety,

Where love’s understood.

Faithful forever,

The reason to praise;

May our words speak out,

Of His faithful ways.

Love is ongoing,

In Him, hope remains;

Grace for each new day,

Forever He reigns.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your presence is the goodness that our hearts long for. Thank You that You are faithful to meet us and be our safe place whenever we call on You. Forgive us for forgetting just how good You are when our circumstances are not. Teach us to turn to You, and to share about Your faithfulness in our lives. Lead us to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to be our safe space and tell of Your ongoing faithfulness. Amen.

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

We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. – Hebrews 6:19

Trust Over Fear

In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – (Psalm 56:4, NIV)

I trust God, so I am not afraid of what people can do to me! I praise God for His promise to me. – (Psalm 56:4, ERV)

In God – whose word I praise – in God I place my trust. I shall not let fear come in, for what can measly men do to me? – (Psalm 56:4, VOICE)

As we enjoy the blessing of a bonus long weekend, my heart cannot help but give gratitude for the brave men and women who served our country with a trust like this. This weekend, may we remember those who stood firm in the face of fear, knowing that they had a purpose to protect their friends, family and the nation they loved and paid the ultimate price. Though people can take a life on earth, they cannot deter the eternal destination of those who trust in God. Our time here is but the blink of an eye in comparison to forever. May we truly place our trust in God, and not allow fear to overwhelm us. For God has promised to be present and is preparing a place for all who trust in Him. 

May we ever choose trust,

In God, whom we praise;

For He’s always faithful,

Forever; always.

Help us not permit fear,

To stand in our way;

Please grant us Your courage,

To do as You say.

Help us to choose honor,

Those whom have served well;

Paid the ultimate price,

Before their time, fell.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You showed us what it is to sacrifice for others. Thank You for the men and women who have sacrificed and paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Forgive us for allowing any to be forgotten, for You love all with a love that laid down Your life in our place. Teach us to trust in You and be not afraid, for You are with us, always. Show us how to love those around us in such a way that they come to know the faithfulness found in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You and fend off fear, knowing You are with us always. Help us to remember and honor all who sacrificed so that we might be free. Amen.

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

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

To Patiently Persevere

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. – (2 Thessalonians 3:5, NIV)

We pray that the Lord will cause you to feel God’s love and remember Christ’s patient endurance. – (2 Thessalonians 3:5, ERV)

Now may the Lord move your hearts into a greater understanding of God’s pure love for you and into Christ’s steadfast endurance. – (2 Thessalonians 3:5, TPT)

 

Our ability to endure and patiently persevere is comprehensively connected to our understanding of God’s love and His heart for us. When we know and feel that He is for us, we are exceedingly more willing to press on and keep moving forward to the seemingly impossible. I have known and witnessed this to be true in my own life, and I am witnessing a glorious unfolding of such in both my mom, and in each member of our family/community that is impacted by this road that mom is currently navigating. Though not perfect, as we are all a work in progress, I see and feel the love of God being poured out beyond measure, and each of us rising up and patiently enduring with the strength that Christ provides. We are able to do immeasurably more than we could ever hope or imagine when we place our trust in God.

As for the specific updates on mom: Saturday, I neglected to mention that the new in-home care company made its debut. One of the physical therapists, Kari, came to the house and did an assessment to get the ball rolling. She was knowledgeable, professional, kind, thorough, and receptive to hear mom’s needs. Right away, she agreed to schedule mom for physical therapy three days per week, just as she had been doing before, (despite only having twice per week listed on her initial paperwork) and she made a point to be certain to let us know when each type of therapist should be contacting us for their assessment. Additionally, she said that she would follow up with Bellevue Healthcare, the company whom we ordered mom’s wheelchair through more than a month ago, to find out the status of her order. (Her loaner chair is not ideal) Based on what we observed through Kari, we are confident that God is continuing to hold mom and her care in His hands. Sunday, we enjoyed the morning with Mark before he had to head home to be with our boys. The remainder of the day was rather leisurely for mom and myself, as it consisted of movie-watching and laundry. After dinner, we were able to have another great visit with mom’s brother and his wife before bed, to close out our day well. Today will include physical therapy and a speech evaluation with the new speech therapist. May we continue to receive the love of the Lord as He directs our steps, and allow Him to be our strength to persevere in all things.

 

May the Love of God,

Direct heart and mind;

Our Source and our Strength,

In Whom hope aligns.

As we learn to trust,

Likewise persevere;

In Christ we’re equipped,

To rise without fear.

Far greater is He,

The Lord above all;

Than trials we face,

He won’t let us fall.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show us Your love and grant us the strength to persevere. Thank You that You do not ask us to do anything that You are not also willing to strengthen and empower us to do. Forgive us for somehow thinking that we have to do things on our own. Teach us to trust You more, for You are our strength and the love that holds us up when we are unsure of how we will keep moving forward. Show us how to love those around us in a way that walks alongside them through the struggles, supports and strengthens, and encourages and lifts up. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive Your love and trust You to be our strength and hope forever. Amen.

 

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

 

And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. – 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Strength and Help Supplied

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

Don’t worry – I am with you. Don’t be afraid – I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with My right hand that brings victory. – (Isaiah 41:10, ERV)

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keeping a firm grip on you. – (Isaiah 41:10, MSG)

 

The saga of moving and cleaning the old house was met with grace and strength. All five of us, (my Viking, my bonus-son-to-be, my boys and me) worked tirelessly yesterday to finish all that needed to be done. By mid-afternoon, everything was a wrap. After everyone had time to shower, pack and load up, we were on our way. God kept our tired crew safe as we traveled east over the pass to my mom’s house to begin preparations for Saturday. The weather was cooler than it has been, which was a huge blessing for preventing our older motorhome from overheating too often. Each of us was comfortable and content as we drove to our destination. As I sip my coffee and enjoy the quiet of the morning while the fellas all still sleep, I find that I have no worries and no fear. I know God is with us, and that He will uphold and help us with all that is yet to come. May we ever place our trust in the Lord, who holds us steady and will never let us go.

 

No matter what comes, 

I’ve no need to fear;

I am in His hands,

And I know He’s near.

All strength and His help,

Are granted to us;

As we trust in Him,

Our Savior, Jesus.

So be not afraid,

And trust in the Lord;

He’s faithful always,

All grace He affords.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace that strengthens and helps us as You hold us by Your righteous right hand. Thank You that we need not fear, for You are with us; always. Forgive us for our times of doubt and teach us to trust You more. Show us how to love those around us with Your strength and help, as You supply all that we need to walk in Your ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we fear not and trust You to be our strength and help in all things and at all times. Amen.

 

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

 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. – Psalm 28:7

Faith to Listen

Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. – (John 8:47a, NLT)

God’s children listen to God’s words. – (John 8:47a, CEB)

If you really knew God, you would listen, receive, and respond with faith to His words. – (John 8:47a, TPT)

 

When we invite God to be the Lord of our lives, we belong to Him. However, really knowing Him is a lifelong process. Faith is something that grows over time, and in our human frailty, we at times, struggle to respond in trust, though He is worthy of all. Thankfully, He is patient and kind, and shows us His faithfulness again and again, helping our hearts to grasp the depth of how intensely we can truly trust Him. May we ever seek the Lord to grow our faith so that we would listen, receive and respond in trust to all that He asks of us.

 

When we choose the Lord, 

To belong to Him;

He develops faith,

Grows our strength within.

Teaches us to hear,

His every word;

Receive and respond,

With faith to what’s heard.

By grace He will grow,

Our faith within us;

So we listen well,

And live like Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You and place our trust in You, You grow our faith and help us listen, receive and respond in faith. Forgive us for the times that we don’t listen, refuse to receive, or fear to respond to that which You ask of us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would gladly move forward in faith in response to all that You are asking. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they too may recognize Your faithfulness and love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we listen to Your words and respond in the faith that You are growing 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

Obey Truth and Love Deeply

You have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. Now you can have true love for your brothers and sisters. So love each other deeply – with all your heart. – (1 Peter 1:22, ERV)

 

When we come to Christ and place our trust in Him, He changes us from the inside out. His love draws us unto Himself, and grants us the desire to do that which He asks us to do. As we obey, we learn to walk in His truth, loving one another as we are called to love. If we truly know and understand the love that Christ has for us, individually, we cannot help but pour out the very same sort of love to one another. What is in us, flows from us. May we each invest our whole heart in Christ, so that we may love deeply, with all that we are, through the very same love that Christ has given unto us.

 

Through obedience,

may we be made pure;

hold fast to the truth,

our faith set secure.

For as we trust Christ,

His love is made known;

and we’re empowered,

to make His love shown.

Let us love deeply,

just as Christ loves us;

so others may know,

the grace of Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we obey Your truth, we are made pure before You. Thank You that in that, we are equipped and empowered to truly love others, just as You love us. Forgive us for our lack of obedience that keeps us from loving deeply, and teach us to trust You completely, so that we might love others as You love us. Lead us to love with our whole hearts, so that those who know You not, may come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we obey Your truth and love each other deeply, with our whole hearts. Amen.

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

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

Robed in Majesty

The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty;

the Lord is robed in majesty

and is armed with strength.

The world is firmly established;

it cannot be moved. – (Psalm 93:1, NIV)

 

The Lord is King.

The Lord wears majesty

and strength like clothes.

He is ready, so the whole world is safe.

It will not be shaken. – (Psalm 93:1, ERV)

 

Above all else, Christ is King. His strength and authority over the whole earth are firmly established, and cannot be moved. Regardless of our situations or circumstances, God is still God, and He shall not be shaken. Nothing is outside of the grip of His grace, and no one has fallen so far that He cannot pick them up again. The Lord’s authority and majesty cannot be moved. Our charge and our choice is to believe and place our trust in Him. If God is for us, who can stand against us?

 

In majesty,

our Savior reigns;

He’s armed with strength,

beyond all shame.

Nothing can stand,

against the Lord;

for He is God,

His love outpoured.

Though storms shall come,

He’ll not be moved;

none can compare,

faithfulness proved.

Hope for today,

future secured;

by trusting Christ,

promise ensured.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You reign and are robed in majesty and are armed in strength. Thank You that the world is firmly established and cannot be moved unless You choose to move it. Thank You that all things are in Your hands. Thank You that even when the world seems to be in shambles or our own space seems chaotic, You are still present and moving on our behalf. Forgive us for our fearfulness and uncertainty, and help us to grow confident in Your strength and authority in all things and at all times, no matter what we see in our human understanding. Lead us to love as You love us, and may we help others to see Your strength and majesty, so that they too, may come to know You as the Lord and Savior of their soul. Be glorified, O God, in all that we say and do. Amen.

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

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. – Psalm 34:8

His Mighty Power

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. – (Ephesians 6:10)

 

We are not called to buck up, suck it up, and stand up in our own strength, but rather, we are called to be strong in Christ. In order to be strong in His power, we must recognize that we have reached the end of our own. When we are weak, His strength is at the ready – available and waiting for us to call on Him to be in charge. As we place our trust in Him, He is given room to move, as only Christ can do. His power is made perfect, when our ego is out of the way.

 

Lord, without You,

we’ve no strength at all;

for You alone,

hear each time we call.

You are patient,

as You hear each word;

faithful and kind,

with all that is heard.

You grant us strength,

when our strength is gone;

so we can stand,

rise up and press on.

Where we give trust,

You give all the more;

Your mighty strength,

our hope is assured.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that it is only by Your strength, that we may be strong. Thank You that You supply what we need to endure the trials that come our way, and that our ability to stand does not come from ourselves, but rather, it is all from You. Thank You that Your power is made perfect in our weakness. Thank You that You renew and refresh us each day, and that Your mercies are made new every morning. Thank You that Your faithfulness never ends. Forgive us for allowing our hearts to attempt to stand in our own strength, and help us to let down our walls before You, trusting that You are more than enough to see us through. Thank You that in You, we may be strong in Your mighty power. May many come to know Your saving grace, as we allow You to be the strength of our lives. Let those who are looking, find You. Be glorified, as we live and love in Your strength, not ours. Amen.

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

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11