True to His Word

As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. – (Psalm 18:30, NIV)

God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in Him. – (Psalm 18:30, ERV)

What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward Him makes it. – (Psalm 18:30, MSG)

 

God’s way is perfect because the ultimate destination is assured. What He promises, He does, and He is our refuge to whom we can run. This does not mean that a life of obedience will be without challenges and obstacles, however, it is guaranteed that the Lord will be present and will not leave us, no matter what twists and turns our path may take. He is faithful to His word, and His promises have been proven true, again and again. May we ever trust in the Lord, who is perfect in all His ways, to do what He’s promised and be our refuge to whom we choose run.

 

The path of the Lord, 

Perfect in His ways;

Our safety to seek,

For all of our days.

Each promise He makes,

He’s true to His word;

Faithful forever,

Such grace seems absurd.

Yet He is our God,

To whom we can run;

True to His promise,

’til our days are done.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your way is perfect and Your promises are forever true. Thank You that You are our safe space to whom we can run. Forgive us for veering from the path that You have placed before us, or for doubting Your promises for us, personally. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You and know You, recognizing that You are faithful forever and what You say, You will do. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends grace, encouragement and safety as we seek to follow the way You direct our steps. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust Your ways and Your word, and find our space of refuge in You. Amen.

 

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

Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You. – Psalm 84:12

Bold Grace

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – (Hebrews 4:16, NLT)

With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it. – (Hebrews 4:16, ERV)

So let us step boldly to the throne of grace, where we can find mercy and grace to help when we need it most. – (Hebrews 4:16, VOICE)

 

Shame is a horribly heavy burden, especially when others have helped add weight to that which is constantly carried. Each time I have a conversation with someone who feels as if there is not a place for them to plug into a church, either because of their past or due to their current circumstances, my heart breaks a bit more. If we are truly loving God and loving people, shouldn’t we have open arms to all who choose to wander our way? Yes, there are precautions and wisdom that need be established for safety (we cannot be unwise) but we all have sinned and fallen short, so we are all equally eligible for the grace of God. His mercy and kindness are the very things that remove the burdens that we are not meant to bear. When we love people well, it often is the nudge needed for them to recognize that they are not beyond the reach of God’s mercy and grace. May we seek our Savior with open hearts and arms to receive His mercy and grace, so that we may in turn, go forth and extend the same to those around us.

 

Let us boldly go, 

To the throne of grace;

Where God in mercy,

Our shame shall erase.

The weight we carry,

In love, He removes;

As His help He brings,

And faithfulness proves.

Choose ever seek God,

Go straight to His throne;

Give as He gives us,

So His love’s made known.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your Son to bear the weight of all of our sin and shame. Thank You that because of Your sacrifice, we can come boldly before Your throne of grace to receive mercy and help whenever we need it. Forgive us for not extending the same mercy and grace to those around us that we have been given by You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would love fearlessly and without basing our love on what has or has not been done by those around us. Show us how to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we come boldly to Your throne of grace to receive Your mercy and extend the same to others. Amen.

 

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

 

For the Lord your God will bless you, …and your joy will be complete. – Deuteronomy 16:15

Declare What You Deem True

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. – (Romans 10:9, NLT)

If you openly say, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from death, you will be saved. – (Romans 10:9, ERV)

 

So often, we make it all far more complicated than it needs to be. Jesus does not desire an army of robotic rule followers, but rather He longs for those who believe and trust in Him. As we make the choice to let actions and voice reflect the truth that we trust, our salvation has already been deemed secure. It takes trust and a profession of our faith – a statement that declares though we may not understand everything, we will choose to trust the truth that we have come to know. In taking a step forward in faith, He meets us and further grows our foundation in the hope that we hold in Him. Though trials come, His promised presence proves trustworthy and true, time and time again, as we lean into the Lord and allow Him to lead. May we declare the truth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that He was raised from the dead, so that all may be saved and know with certainty that our eternity is secure in Him.

 

Confession of faith,

Declaring Christ Lord;

With heart that believes,

Eternal reward.

For it’s not by works,

Nor can it be earned;

God longs for our hearts,

That choose love and learn.

Let words that we speak,

And our hearts believe;

God’s death raising strength,

Our hope to receive.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not desire robotic rule followers, but rather You long for us to believe the truth that You defeated death and say with our voice that You are Lord. Forgive us for over complicating the process of coming into a relationship with You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would listen and learn the truth as we seek You and spend time in Your presence and Your word. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they might see the evidence of Your heart in our lives as we love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we declare that You are Lord and believe that You alone, raised Jesus from the dead so that we could have life everlasting. Amen.

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

Shout aloud and sing for joy. – Isaiah 12:6

Trust in Love that Lasts

Know now then that the Lord your God is the only true God! He is the faithful God, who keeps the covenant and proves loyal to everyone who loves Him and keeps His commands – even to the thousandth generation! – (Deuteronomy 7:9, CEB)

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands. – (Deuteronomy 7:9, NLT)

So remember that the Lord your God is the only God, and you can trust Him! He keeps His agreement. He shows His love and kindness to all people who love Him and obey His commands. He continues to show His love and kindness through a thousand generations. – (Deuteronomy 7:9, ERV)

 

There is one God, and He is faithful, loving, loyal and kind. We can trust Him to be who He says He is, and to do what He says He will do. The Lord commands us to love Him and love people, and in exchange, He shows His love and kindness to us for all of our days. It does not mean that our lives will be easy, but He will always remain with us – present and prepared to provide peace, patience, strength and stamina for every situation that life brings. His love fills us when we are empty, and supplies what we need to navigate our days according to His good and perfect will. May we ever place our trust in God who is faithful forever, and do all we can to obey what He asks of us. Let His love and kindness be evident in our every word and deed.

 

May we understand,

That God is the Lord;

There’s just One who’s true,

Let our hearts adore.

He is so worthy,

Of all of our trust;

Faithful forever,

So obey, we must.

His commands are good,

They show us the way;

To love as He loves,

As we trust each day.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we love You and obey Your commands, You are faithful to keep Your promises and loyal to lavish Your unfailing love and kindness upon us forever. Thank You that You are the only God, and that we can trust in You. Forgive us for being fickle in our faithfulness, as Your faithfulness is unwavering. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You and depend on You in all things and at all times, as You alone are our Source and Supply. Show us how to love You and love people as You are calling us to love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as they recognize how loyal and lavish Your love truly is for all who call on Your Name. Be glorified O God, as we trust and obey You with all that we are. Amen.

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

Listen… be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. – Proverbs 23:19

Joyful in Hope

But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. – (Psalm 146:5-6, NLT)

 

When we know God and place our hope in He who is faithful forever, there is an undeniable joy that wells up within us; not because everything around us is always amazing, but He who is in us, is trustworthy and proves faithful. In Christ, we have hope and help, regardless of what surrounds us. He who made the heavens and the earth, knows our needs and is willing and able to meet us in our lack and provide the help and the strength that is required to continue moving forward. All that the Lord has promised, He is faithful to fulfill. May we trust in the Lord who keeps His promises forever, and gives us hope to navigate each new day.

 

The Lord, our great God,

Maker of all things;

Is our hope and help,

And why our hearts sing.

He keeps each promise,

Today and always;

He’s why joy shall rise,

Even on bad days.

Because He is good,

Forever faithful;

We’re able to trust,

From hearts made joyful.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our help and our hope. Thank You that You who created the earth, the sea, and everything in them, are concerned about us, individually. Thank You that You keep Your every promise forever. Thank You for the joy that is found in knowing that You are for us. Forgive us for allowing the weight of that which comes against us or surrounds us to determine our outlook, rather than trust You with all of our days. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, so that we would be aware of the hope and joy that we have in You, regardless of what comes against us. Show us how to love those around us in such a way, that they might see Your joy and faithfulness through our words and actions. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we hope in You; for You are faithful forever. Amen.

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

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6

His Promises Prove True

God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in Him. – (Psalm 18:30, ERV)

 

It is easy to grow weary in the waiting, when a promise has been spoken and we can envision what the fulfillment could look like. However, if we lose patience and stray from the way in which God has called us to walk, we miss out on the way that is best. His way is perfect and His promises prove true. The Lord protects us in the wait, as we trust in Him to lead, guide and walk beside us as we only move when and where He asks us to go. May we trust in the Lord and believe Him at His word, for His way is perfect and His promises are true.

 

For the Lord our God,

image from quotespictures.com

Is faithful indeed;

Perfect in His ways,

Protects in our needs.

His promises true,

So let us choose trust;

Do as the Lord asks,

For His ways are just.

Let’s not run ahead,

Of where the Lord calls;

Instead may we trust,

That He’ll tear down walls.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your way is perfect and Your promises are true. Thank You that You protect those who trust in You. Thank You that You make the impossible possible, when we trust You and Your timing, as You can break down barriers that seem too big to ever overcome. Forgive us for our fears and lack of faith. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would not try to run ahead of You or branch off on our own, but rather that we would do what You ask and follow where You lead. Show us how to love others in such a way, that they might see Your grace and goodness through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You and believe that Your promises are true. Amen.

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

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5

Begin and End with Faith

God’s way of making people right begins and ends with faith. – (Romans 1:17b, ERV)

 

God calls us righteous before Him when we seek Him and trust that He is who He says He is. It is not through our doing enough nor being enough, but rather it is only by faith that we are saved. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. – (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

 

Though there may be times that faith seems difficult to find, when we choose to trust in spite of what we see, God moves in ways we would never have imagined. He makes a way where there seems to be no way, and grants strength where strength is all but gone. He sees our hearts, despite how we feel in a fleeting moment. May we trust in the Lord and His unfailing love, as He will take even the smallest seed of faith and grow it into one that can move mountains on His behalf.

 

Let us choose to trust,

The Lord who is good;

For in Him abounds,

Grace not understood.

He takes our small faith,

And begins to move;

The reward of peace,

As His presence proves.

By faith we’re made right,

In the Lord’s own eyes;

He’s pleased when we seek,

Our hope realized.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are made right before You by faith. Thank You that You are pleased when we trust in who You are and how You love. Forgive us for making You too small when the obstacles before us are overwhelming. Teach us to trust in You, no matter what we see. Lead us to love others with a love that moves mountains and grows faith all the more. May many choose to place their trust in You, and enter into an eternal relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to place our faith in You alone. Amen.

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

Shout aloud and sing for joy. – Isaiah 12:6

Submit Not to the Snare of Fear

Fear of people and what they may or may not do, can keep us from living life to the fullest. To walk in reverence of God; to operate from a posture of trust, adoration and awe, proves to be a place of protection and provision, as the Lord is good and grants freedom to those who choose to walk by faith.

 

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – (Proverbs 29:25)

 

God did not intend for us to live life trapped in fear, but rather He provided the Source of all safety and security, when He sent His Son to take away every foundation for fear. Far greater is He who is in us, that he who is in the world. May we walk out each day in total trust, seeing clearly the snare that is set when the fear of man attempts to enter in.

 

Allow not our hearts,

be weighed down by fear;

for the Lord is safe,

and always, He’s near.

Let us place our trust,

in the Lord alone;

for greater is He,

than any unknown.

The fear of mankind,

is simply a snare;

to trap us in fear,

keep us unaware.

God is our refuge,

our safety and Light;

when the Lord’s with us,

fear’s snares must take flight.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that those who trust in You are kept safe. Thank You that You do not intend for any of us to be caught in the snare of the fear of man. Thank You that far greater are You who is in us, than anything else that is in the world. Forgive us for allowing our hearts and minds to become trapped into fearing man, and teach us to trust You more so that we will remember immediately, that You are the One who keeps us safe in the storms. Lead us to love well, so that many may come to know the safety found in You alone, and escape the snare of fearing what man may or may not do. Let hearts be turned and lives be led unto You. Be glorified O God, as we sidestep the snares of the fear of man, and trust in You alone. Amen.

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

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14

Anxious for Answers

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – (Philippians 4:6)

 

God hears our prayers. He knows our heart and is concerned about our every need. The Lord is our provider, yet much of the time, we must move forward toward God in an act of faith, presenting our needs before Him, before we see the blessings of God released. In the book of Matthew, a leper had heard about Jesus and His ability to heal. His desire to be whole was great enough that he was willing to walk forward in faith, risking rejection, because the reward was well worth the potential risk.

 

A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. – (Matthew 8:2-3)

 

What known need should we present before Christ? He is willing, we simply must come. Jesus goes beyond the hearing and healing, He comes close and touches those who are deemed untouchable, and calls us clean. May we release anxiousness and fear unto Him, and with prayer, petition and thanksgiving, present our every request unto the Lord.

 

Do not be anxious,

in spaces of lack;

but call on the Lord,

who will have our back.

He hears each request,

presented in prayer;

He sees and He knows,

our God always cares.

He knows what is best,

and willingly moves;

to help and to heal,

His faithfulness proves.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that despite how things appear, we need never be anxious nor fearful in You. Thank You that we need only come before You and present our requests unto You. Thank You that You hear our every prayer, and You move on our behalf in the way that You see best. Forgive us for our fearfulness when things don’t go the way we think they ought to, despite Your promised presence. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will believe You are working things out for the best, even when the evidence we see, seems to speak otherwise. Lead us to love others as You so completely love each of us. May many come into a saving relationship with You, Lord. Be exalted O God, as we release our anxieties to You, and present our requests by prayer and petition with thanksgiving before You, trusting that You will move on our behalf in the way that You deem best. 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