To Keep Keeping On

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. – (Isaiah 40:29, NIV)

He helps tired people be strong. He gives power to those without it. – (Isaiah 40:29, ERV)

He empowers the feeble and infuses the powerless with increasing strength. – (Isaiah 40:29, TPT)

 

This is the time of year that the weeks grow long and weekends seem to fly by in the blink of an eye. Weariness seeks to set in, as less daylight and cooler temperatures take a toll, with so many “need-to-dos” and seemingly fewer hours for completion. Incredibly, each time I reach the end of my own strength, God provides strength or rest or reprieve that refreshes and readies me to begin again. Yesterday, we were blessed with the opportunity to go to a hockey game with dear friends. Though the game did not go well for our team, time spent in their company was good for the soul. Today holds a quick, twenty-four-hour trip to mom’s so that we can check on things and prepare her home for freezing temperatures. We will have an added blessing of our best friends meeting up with us as well, as Leavenworth is a short, fifteen-minute drive away, and a place we will enjoy time together, while in town. God is good, and He knows what strengthens us when we are weary. May we ever seek the Lord to renew our strength and grant the power we need to accomplish all of the things to which we are called.

Mom had both physical and speech therapy yesterday. She is working hard and enjoying the therapists who come to the home and challenge her with new exercises to further propel her recovery. An additional blessing was that she slept soundly on Thursday night, which has not been the case in quite some time. For those who are faithfully praying for mom and her recovery, please add solid sleep with no wake-ups in the night, to the list. Solid sleep will aid in making mom stronger and my sister as well. Megan is juggling so many roles right now, that a good night’s sleep is always needed; hence, the more often they occur, the better she will feel and function. May His strength continue to be present when weariness creeps in.

 

When weary and worn,

The Lord grants us strength;

To keep moving on,

And traverse great lengths.

Power in weakness,

When all strength is gone;

Blessed refreshment,

To keep keeping on.

In goodness and mercy,

God lovingly gives;

All that is needed,

In His strength, to live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You grant us strength when we are weary and power in our weakness. Thank You that when our strength ends, Yours begins. Forgive us for the times that we have allowed ourselves to wallow in our weariness, rather than turn to You to be our strength. Teach us to trust You more, as You sustain, strengthen and refresh us to do and be all that for which we are called. Show us how to love those around us in ways that strengthen, refresh and empower. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to be our strength so that we can love and serve as we are called to do. Amen.

 

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

 

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. – 2 Samuel 22:33

Drawing Strength

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

Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. – (Ephesians 6:10, TLB)

Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God. – (Ephesians 6:10, VOICE)

 

For whatever reason, be it the full moon, the constant fog each morning, spirit week at school, Halloween drawing near – whatever it is, there has been an abundance of energy and distraction in the classroom so far this week, and two days have felt like an entire week. In my own strength, I would have had to tap out about halfway through Monday. However, when I seek the true Source of strength and rely on His power already placed within me, I am equipped and empowered to press on. It does not mean that it is easy or that all is smooth sailing, but it does assure me that He is present and He will not leave me alone, even on the most trying of days. Though yesterday was rough, I had the strength I needed to navigate the day and was slightly less weary than the day prior. As I continue to draw my strength from He who is my strength, I trust that all I need will be supplied. He is faithful forever and I will trust in Him. May we ever be strong in the Lord, who is our strength, for He will grant us what we need to navigate each new day.

 

Let us remember, 

Where true strength comes from;

From when our day starts,

To when it is done.

Faithful forever,

The Lord will be near;

To supply our needs,

Our requests, He hears.

Trust in the Lord’s grace,

His power and might;

The strength that He gives,

To fight the good fight.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can call on You to be our strength and You are faithful to supply what we need for each new day. Forgive us for attempting to “power through” on our own, rather than seeking You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would come to know Your faithful provision of power when we feel powerless. Show us how to love those around us in a way that strengthens and lifts up those who are weary. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You and Your strength to successfully navigate our days. Amen.

 

 

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

 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2

A Tangible Display

When the time was right, the Anointed One died for all of us who were far from God, powerless, and weak. Now it is rare to find someone willing to die for an upright person, although it’s possible that someone may give up his life for one who is truly good. But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display – the Anointed One died for us. – (Romans 5:6-8, VOICE)

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. – (Romans 5:6-8, NLT)

 

As we draw ever nearer to Easter, it is good to set our sights on what this season is all about. Each time I take pause and read anything related to what Christ came and did for me, I am in awe of the greatness of His goodness and His grace. Who willingly lays down their life to save another, when the very one being saved is against them? Before we knew Christ, He loved us. Prior to making a choice to invite Him to be Lord of our lives, He laid His down for us. While we were yet sinners, He came and bore the weight of all of our sin and shame so that we could be forgiven and free, and have life everlasting in Him. There is no greater love than He who willingly gave everything so that we could be made right before God and have eternal life. May the power of Christ’s life-raising love fill our hearts and minds, and lead us as we consider the weight of this wonderful week.

 

Stuck in the darkness,

Still shrouded in sin;

Christ came and He gave,

Love made the way in.

Though few might choose die,

For those who are good;

Only Christ the Lord,

In our place, He stood.

He bore such a weight,

Sin and shame of all;

So we could be free,

And on His Name call.

What powerful love,

Such wonder He is;

The truth and the life,

Our Savior, Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus, while we were still sinners, far from You, to give His life for ours. Forgive us for not recognizing the weight of what You did for us so that we could have life everlasting in You. Help us to grasp the magnitude of Your mercy and the greatness of Your grace as we walk out this week leading to Easter. Show us how to love those around us with the very same mercy and grace that we have been given. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the grace that You have freely given, and go forth in freedom to love as we are loved by 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

 

A Heart for You

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. – (Isaiah 40:29, NLT)

He helps the tired people be strong. He gives power to those without it. – (Isaiah 40:29, ERV)

 

When we are tired, weary and worn, God provides the strength we need to do that which we are called to do. He equips and empowers in the places where we are lacking, so that we may rise in His strength to walk according to His will. Even in the places where we feel powerless to persevere, Christ comes close and gives what we lack, as we lean on Him. May we look to the Lord to be our strength, and seek Him to provide the power we need to keep moving the direction in which we have been called, despite weariness or lack. Let us lean on Him, for He provides power and strength to persevere.

 

When our strength is gone,

The Lord’s ever near;

He grants us power,

To rise, persevere.

For God is our strength,

When we are without;

He gives what we need,

Removes space of doubt.

For there is nothing,

That God cannot do;

All Powerful One,

With a heart for you.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give power in our weakness and strength when our strength is gone. Thank You that You are faithful to meet us wherever we are, and that You see and know our need. Forgive us for our lack of trust, or for allowing our own weakness to define the road we walk, rather than allowing You to do in and through us, that which we cannot fathom on our own. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would faithfully seek You and Your strength as we move forward in trust to the places that You are leading. Show us how to love those around us in a way that strengthens and encourages hearts and minds. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our power and strength where we are lacking. 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

Acts of Obedience

We are in the middle of a series called “Surprised by Hope“ at the church I call home. Yesterday’s message was centered around “The Death of Jesus”, as we remember what went on during this sacred week so many years ago. The consequence of sin is death, and we are powerless to escape the hold of sin, unless God breaks in and rescues us from ourselves. In order for Him to do so, He requires a faith response on our part.

 

Jesus made His entry during the Passover celebration. This celebration is ultimately a remembrance of God’s faithfulness to the people’s obedience. God told the people that He would bring judgment on every household, unless a lamb was sacrificed and the blood marked on the doorposts. Though it likely made little sense, the people chose obedience to protect their precious families. As a result of their obedience, the angel of death passed over their homes, and they were all safe, while those who had not obeyed, were in the midst of great mourning. God delivered them because He loved them.

 

Christ’s sacrifice was an act of obedience. Because Jesus knew no sin, He could take on our sin and bear all of our burdens so that we could come to know redemption. Jesus knew what He would have to endure on our behalf, yet He was willing anyway.

 

What God asks of us does not always make sense, but He wants our heart, our will, our faith to trust Him, even if what He asks is not what we would expect. “…To obey is better than sacrifice…” (I Samuel 15:22b)

 

The consequence,

of sin is death;

without the Lord,

we’re powerless.

As we seek Him,

surrender all;

He’ll hear our heart,

and heed our call.

Prepare to do,

all that He asks;

regardless of,

the bizarre tasks.

For what He wants,

is our whole heart;

obedient,

each precious part.

So seek the Lord,

follow His ways;

redemption ours,

now and always.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son and making the way for us to be considered righteous before You. Thank You Jesus, for enduring the weight and suffering that should have been mine to bear. Thank You for redeeming us from our former ways, and granting us new life in You. Forgive us for thinking that we have to sacrifice enough or do enough to earn Your favor, and help us to receive that which You freely give. May we embrace the grace that You grant us, and respond in faith to whatever You ask. Lead us to live confidently as Your redeemed children. Let us love others as You love us, and may many come to know the blessed deliverance that comes from You alone. Be glorified, Lord God. Amen.

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

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – I Chronicles 16:31