Promise to Save

“For I am with you and will save you,” says the Lord. – (Jeremiah 30:11a, NLT)

I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord. – (Jeremiah 30:11a, CEB)

For I am with you to save you, declares the Lord. – (Jeremiah 30:11a, ESV)

 

When I am with people and my mind is occupied, I am in a reasonably good space, considering I am not allowed to do the very things I long to do the most. However, in the quiet moments, when I am alone, I find fear and anxiety try to find a foothold, as I become acutely aware of my own mortality and the potentially ticking time bomb that is currently calling a vein deep in my calf, home. I know that not one of us knows the number of our days, nor have we been given any sort of guarantee nor shelf life. However, I do know that this verse in Jeremiah is a great reminder this morning, as God is with me, and He will save me from this season in His time. For whatever reason, it is a road that I have to currently walk. I do not know if it is to learn patience, perseverance, or to simply be shown in an even greater capacity, how He remains present through all things. Whatever the reason, I will keep fixing my eyes on the reality that He is with me and that He is present to save. May we set our hearts and minds on the truth and trust in the Lord who is mighty to save.

 

Allow not the fear, 

To find a way in;

For God is present,

He fights from within.

Ready to rescue,

The Lord’s ever near;

Let anxiousness go,

As He calms all fear.

Rise up in His strength,

Keep moving, be brave;

For God is with us,

He’s mighty to save.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are with us and You save us. Thank You that Your presence preserves and strengthens us as we keep pressing forward. Forgive us for our fears and anxiety over the unknown, as lack of faith fuels these things. Teach us to trust You more, for You have promised to be with us, always. Show us how to hold fast to Your promised presence, so that we will walk boldly into all that You ask of us. Lead us to love others in Your strength, so that we would encourage and support those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your presence and Your promise to save. Amen.

 

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

 

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23

Season Our Surroundings

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. – (Luke 14:34-35)

 

Jesus was making a comparison between Christians and salt. Just as salt flavors and preserves food, those who believe and follow Him, are called to flavor and preserve His goodness and grace unto the world. Salt has a distinct flavor and is easily identifiable unless it has lost its saltiness. We too are called to be distinctly different from the world. Our commitment to following Christ should flavor all that we say and do, and therefore be evident to all whom we encounter. May our lives season our surroundings with the grace and goodness of Christ.

 

Let each of my words,

be seasoned with grace;

and every deed,

point unto Your face.

Make my very life,

Your salt and Your light;

guiding the seeking,

to Your ways, upright.

May goodness be seen,

Your heart clear through mine;

help me be salty,

O Glory Divine.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to flavor and preserve Your good in the world. Thank You that You do not ask nor expect us to do this on our own, but rather You give us Your Holy Spirit to guide, direct, equip and empower us to do all that You are asking. Forgive us for the times that we have blended in with the world, rather than stood up for You as we should have. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will be strong and courageous, trusting You in every circumstance to direct our steps to take the position to which we are called. Lead us to love others as You unfailingly love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as they recognize the magnitude of Your sacrifice. Be exalted O God, as we seek to season our surroundings with Your goodness and grace. Amen.

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

Because of the tender mercy of our God, …the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78

Staying Salty

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” – (Mark 9:50)

 

Jesus used salt to illustrate three qualities that should be found in His people: (1) We should remember God’s faithfulness, just as salt when used with a sacrifice recalled God’s covenant with His people. (2) We should make a difference in the “flavor” of the world we live in, just as salt changes the flavor of food. (3) We should counteract the moral decay in society, just a salt preserves food from decay. If we lose the desire to “salt” the earth with the love and message of God, how can we possible be effective in all that we are called to do? – (NIV footnotes for Mark 9:50)

 

How can we have salt in ourselves, and be at peace with each other? The best way to remember God’s faithfulness, is to spend time in His word. As we read story after story of how God has been faithful throughout the ages, our own faith is built up, and we cannot help but recall God’s faithfulness in our own lives as well. When His word and our own testimony are fresh in our minds, they come out in the words that we speak. People notice the flavor of our words, and desire to taste and see for themselves. As peace permeates in places where chaos reigns, the desire for the difference is discernable. Opportunities for His hope to be heard abound. May we go forth as salt, being at peace with one another today.

 

Holy faithfulness,

like salt of the earth;

covenant promise,

through Jesus’ birth.

Because Jesus came,

and made way for us;

we now can go forth,

with truth to discuss.

May each of our words,

bring salt and bring life;

Christ’s message of love,

peace where there was strife.

Let us each go forth,

as salt of the earth;

extending His hope,

so all find new birth.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are salt and light, and that when we come to You, You equip us to be as salt unto those around us. Thank You that You help us remember Your faithfulness, because You are indeed faithful, and You use us to make a difference in the “flavor” of the world that we live in. Thank You that in You, we are able to counteract the moral decay that is happening around us. Forgive us for not seeking to stay “salty”, and help us to never lose our desire to “salt” the earth with love and Your message. Grow our faith, God, so that we may season those around us in such a way, that they too, seek You with their whole hearts. May many come to know You as their Savior and King as we love others as You so lavishly love each of us. Be glorified, O God, as we allow our salt to spread around us while we remain at peace with each other. Amen.

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

Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13

What Shall I Bring?

image by His Heart Scribe

All praise to Him,

shall we declare.

Burden Bearer,

comfort and care.

Daily we bring,

cares to lay down;

and in exchange –

the victor’s crown.

Our God who saves,

preserves our life.

Defeated death,

conquered all strife.

Loving Father,

and reigning King,

What can I offer?

What might I bring?

All that He wants,

is my whole heart.

To gain and give love,

each day a new start.

Psalm 68:19-20 – “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.  Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.”

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that it is not about us doing certain things just so, to be deemed worthy to come before You; but rather, You want a heart that is seeking You, our Savior, despite the brokenness and ugliness that we bear.  Teach us to passionately pursue You with our whole heart, and forgive us for holding back.  Lead us to live lives that are an ongoing act of worshipping You in spirit and truth.  Let our lives be a song that resonates in the hearts of all those who might hear, so that many may be guided in grace unto Your loving embrace.  Be glorified through all that we say and do.  Amen.

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