Nothing Can Separate

So who can separate us? What can come between us and the love of God’s Anointed? Can troubles, hardships, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, or even death? The answer is, absolutely nothing. But no matter what comes, we will always taste victory through Him who loves us. – (Romans 8:35, VOICE)

 

Inevitably, there will be times that life grows difficult. Trials come, and none of us are immune. However, when we walk with Christ, the struggles we face are met by His grace, as He loves us through it all. Nothing that comes against us can take away the love that Christ has for us, and in Him, we can rest assured that the ultimate victory is ours. Our hope lies not in the here and now, but rather in our eternity with Him. Yes, He can do immeasurably more than we could ever hope or imagine in our lives today, but more than that, He holds all of our tomorrows in His hands. He is good, and He is for us. Despite the ugliness and brokenness that we must endure on earth, we have the hope of what is yet to come, where there will be no more suffering, pain nor sorrow. May we cling to Christ, who will never leave us nor forsake us, and trust in His love that will lead us home.

 

There’s nothing on earth,

that can separate;

us from God’s great love,

no height, depth, nor weight.

Trouble nor danger,

angst nor poverty;

no, there is nothing,

that God does not see.

For those who love God,

there‘s hope yet to see;

no matter what comes,

Christ brings victory.

So rest safe assured,

even in trials;

His grace is enough,

for the longest miles.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the reassurance that there is NOTHING that can separate us from Your love. Thank You that though we go through difficulties and trials, You are with us, and You are for us. Thank You that though we know not how long the season will last, we have the assurance that the ultimate victory is ours in You. Forgive us for our fearfulness and lack of fight in the throes of the struggle. Teach us to trust You more so that we would rise up and endure with Your strength, rather than our own. Show us how to love and support those around us who are in the midst of their own difficulties. May many come to a place of depending on You. Be exalted O God, as we trust in Your unfailing love, no matter what comes our way. 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

Giving Ourselves Away

Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” – (Mark 12:43-44)

Jesus looks at our heart as we give of ourselves. Are we giving out of our excess of time, energy and resources, or are we intentionally setting aside some of ourselves to give away, even if it is costly? It takes faith to give in areas where we do not have an abundance, yet it is often in those very spaces of trust, that we see the mighty hand of God, move in ways we could have never began to imagine. Our willingness creates opportunities to see God’s plan unfold before us. Though God is God, and can move mightily whether we partner with Him or not; we have the incredible blessing of being called to walk beside Him, and partake in His plan as He points us along the path that He has placed before us. Often that road includes giving our time, energy and resources beyond what we would choose to do on our own. That being said, it is in that very space, that we witness the wonders of the work of His mighty hand as He moves in us and through us. May we choose to listen to the Lord’s leading, and freely give of ourselves as He calls us to give.

Give not out of wealth,

but where the Lord calls;

for His ways are best,

for one and for all.

Despite how things seem,

the Lord plans to move;

He does not call us,

to Himself remove.

For His way is blessed,

in that space of trust;

as He moves mountains,

He’s faithful and just.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though You so often call us to give more of ourselves than we would freely choose to give, when we walk in obedience, You move in miraculous ways. Thank You that You are faithful and trustworthy, and that we need not fear that which You call us to do. Forgive us for our fearfulness and lack of obedience, and teach us to trust You more, so that we would be quick to be generous with our time, our talents and our resources. Lead us to love others well, so that they might clearly see You through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give ourselves away, as You have so generously given unto us. Amen.

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

Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. – Psalm 69:16

True Treasure

image by Publications International

Worry, it wanders

its face like a flood.

When fear surges through us,

gets into our blood.

Sickness, disease,

poverty, bills;

expenses, deficits –

foreboding hills.

Consider the ravens,

they do not sow nor reap,

they have not a storehouse,

nor home where they sleep.

Yet for even the birds,

His provisions abound.

If so for the creatures,

how much more for the found?

He clothes in splendor the lilies.

He cares deeply for His flocks.

He knows each of our needs,

and keeps His storehouse unlocked.

Trust in true treasure,

in Him our freedom is found.

From the trappings of worry,

we shall ever remain unbound.

(response to Luke 12:22-34)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we have no reason to worry. Though things around us may seem impossible, nothing is impossible for You. Thank You that You are God and You care so intimately for all of creation that You provide for all creatures, great and small. How much more do You provide for us, whom You created in Your own image and knit together in our mother’s wombs? Forgive us for our worry and for forgetting just how great You are. Help us to keep an eternal perspective when trouble finds us. Teach us to trust more deeply, so that our true treasure lies in You alone. May Your light in our lives shine brightly before all whom we encounter so that they too may come to know that the only true and lasting treasure, is You. Amen.

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