Answers in Love

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

Answer me, Lord, from the goodness of Your faithful love. Out of Your great kindness turn to me and help me! – (Psalm 69:16, ERV)

Now answer me, God, because You love me; Let me see You great mercy full-face. – (Psalm 69:16, MSG)

 

God’s mercy and grace are always at the ready, because of His great love for us. Yesterday was one of those days where I was acutely aware of His goodness and faithful love for me. The morning was a bit of a rough start with a sick kiddo at home, students were very much out of sort, and news of disease destroying bodies of dear ones, could have set the day for complete disaster. Thankfully, in His kindness, God was with me. Calm covered me, when chaos could have reigned. Peace was present, where turmoil tried to rise. Despite the struggles of the day, His love is what led the way. That is not to say that I did not have to pause to breathe in grace, for surely without it the day would have gone far differently. However, in the goodness of His faithful love, mercy and grace were given to me, so that I could do the same. May we ever seek the Lord and His loving kindness, as He is faithful to meet us with His mercy.

 

When chaos tries reign, 

The Lord, He is near;

Full of His mercy,

His love is made clear.

He answers each call,

In kindness, He turns;

With help, He’s ready,

As goodness is learned.

So great is His love,

That shows us His grace;

Hears each cry for help,

As we seek His face.

So call on the Lord,

He is ever near;

His love overwhelms,

As mercy’s made clear.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You answer us in Your great mercy and love when we seek You. Thank You that in Your faithfulness and kindness, You help us. Forgive us for not seeking You in our struggles, or not giving You proper praise for the help You provide. Teach us to trust You more, as You are our help and our hope, and faithful forever. Show us how to extend the very same kindness, love and mercy that we’ve been given to those around us, that we’ve been given by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to receive mercy because of Your goodness and faithful love, so that we may offer the same to others. 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

Clothed in Love

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. – (Colossians 3:14, NLT)

Together with those things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. – (Colossians 3:14, ERV)

And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. – (Colossians 3:14, MSG)

 

Some families are casual and some are formal as they gather for the holidays. However, the most lasting and lovely garment we can don on any given occasion, is that of love. Love breaks down barriers and brings people together in peace. Where tension once reigned, kindness comes in and conveys the calm that Christ intended. For some, the garment of love that we choose to wear, may be the only glimpse of goodness that exists in their environment. As one receives such love, they too are equipped to go and do likewise. May we begin each day by clothing ourselves with the love of Christ, so that we may go forth and love others as we have been loved.

 

The greatest garment, 

That we can choose wear;

Is that of God’s love,

He intends we share.

As we choose share love,

His peace enters in;

For harmony comes,

Where love is given.

No matter the day,

Event or reason;

Let’s dress up in love,

This lovely season.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and Your goodness and grace, You clothe us in Your love. Thank You that as we go forth in Your love, we are bound together in unity in You. Forgive us for not clothing ourselves in the love You give. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would depend on You to fill us and equip us so that we can love as You love. Show us how to love those around us in a way that promotes Your perfect peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we clothe ourselves in Your everlasting love. Amen.

 

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

 

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8

Fully Trusting Him

The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. – (Psalm 28:7, NLT)

 

God is so good. He gives strength, protection and joy as our hearts are in need, and something within us cannot help but rise up and respond in gratitude. I would love to say that I trust Him with all of my heart. There are days that I do. Sometimes, fear or doubt find a doorway, and keep me from fully trusting Him. In those spaces, it is where I need His help all the more. When He brings such spaces to my attention, I have the opportunity to turn to trust once again. Each time I place the fear or doubt in His hands, He carries it for me. Where fear formerly reigned, new measures of faith are gained. May we trust the Lord anew this day, as He is our strength and our shield – ever present to help. Let the joy in our hearts flow freely as we sing songs of praise for who God is and all that He does.

 

My strength and my shield,

Let trust fill my heart;

For You are my help,

Where all joy does start.

May what leaves my lips,

Be songs of sweet praise;

With all gratitude,

For all of my days.

Let the joy within,

Flow by His great grace;

As trust rises up,

In the Lord’s embrace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your strength and protection. Thank You that You alone are worthy of all of our trust. Thank You that You help us and fill us with Your joy. Forgive us for not trusting completely or not giving proper praise where praise is due. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would give You our whole heart all of the time. Show us how to let our very lives sing songs of thanksgiving before You. Help us to love others in such a way, that they too, might come to know the safety and strength that You provide. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our strength and protection and to fill us with Your joy. 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

The Safest Space

You are my hiding place. You will keep me out of trouble and envelop me with songs that remind me I am free. – (Psalm 32:7, VOICE)

You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. – (Psalm 32:7, NIV)

For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. – (Psalm 32:7, NLT)

 

God is faithful, no matter what comes our way. We can always trust in Him to be our space of safety, and the One on whom we can depend. He is our strength, our protection and our peace. As we rest in Him, regardless of what surrounds us, He reminds us that the ultimate victory is His. In Him, we are free. Despite what we see, He is present and moving on our behalf if we call on His Name for help. The Lord will use even the most dire of circumstances for the ultimate good of those who love Him. It does not mean that He orchestrated nor set into motion the difficulties that we endure, yet He, in His loving kindness, will come beside us and supply what we need to navigate the hard, and then bring beauty from the ashes that once reigned. As we watch in wonder the new that He brings forth from what once was broken and laid bare, His sweet songs surround us, reminding us that in Him, there is hope, and the ultimate victory belongs to Him. May we run to Him who is our hiding place, and trust the Lord to be our protection from the perils along our path. Help our hearts to hear Your sweet songs of deliverance as You move on our behalf.

 

You’re my hiding place,

as troubles invade;

in Your sweet embrace,

I am not afraid.

For You are safety,

as storms try to rage;

my hope and comfort,

for all of my days.

Your songs of freedom,

surround and remind;

despite what is seen,

in You, hope we find.

Help my heart to hold,

to Your hiding place;

protect and keep me,

for now and always.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our hiding place no matter what comes our way. Thank You that You are our protection through the storms of life, and that You surround us with Your songs of hope that remind us of the ultimate victory found in You. Thank You that You bring beauty from ashes and hope from despair. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient, no matter what we face. Forgive us for our fearfulness in the midst of life’s trials. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would run to You as our hiding place, for in You, we find comfort and safety, despite what surrounds us. Show us how to love those around us in such a way, that we might convey the hope and safety that You alone supply. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we run to You as our hiding place and trust You to keep us from trouble and listen for Your songs that surround our hearts and minds. Amen.

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

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

O My Strength

O my Strength, to You I sing praises, for You, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. – (Psalm 59:17, NLT)

I will sing praises to You, my source of strength. You, God, are my place of safety. You are the God who loves me. – (Psalm 59:17, ERV)

You are my strength, I sing praise to You; You, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. – (Psalm 59:17, NIV)

 

There are days when this reminder is more necessary than others. Today is one of those days. It is the middle of the busiest week of the year thus far, and I feel the pressures mounting. Though all that needs to be done tie directly to things that I love, the pieces that stand before me are the most cumbersome, and require me to operate outside of where my strengths reside. It is in this space, all the more, that I must remember Who I praise, and from Whom I draw my strength. He is my refuge, and He loves me through the sort of stuff that I simply do not want to do. God takes my hand and leads me by His love, to do that which needs to be done, and to let go of the things that are not necessary in the right now. May we ever sing praise to Him who is our strength and our fortress, who loves us with His unfailing love – always.

 

I will sing my praise,

both now and always;

Celtic knot with dual meaning – the Trinity & inner strength (the One provides the other…)

 

for You are our strength,

for all of our days.

Our place of refuge,

when we are in need;

where love never fails,

and fears are relieved.

You show us Your peace,

where chaos had reigned;

You wash us by grace,

where sin had once stained.

All praises to You,

O Strength of our days;

may we trust in You,

both now and always.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength, our refuge, and the One who shows us unfailing love. Thank You that You hear and receive our praise. Forgive us for not seeking Your strength and safety in our struggles, or for not praising You for Your protection in our storms. Teach us to trust You and honor You as we ought to, for You alone are our Source on whom we can depend. Show us how to love, help and encourage others, as You so lovingly do for each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are, and trust You to be our strength and refuge as You show us Your unfailing love. 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

Promised Joy

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. – (Psalm 126:5)

God’s ability to restore life unto us, is beyond what we can even begin to fathom. He takes even our most sorrowful circumstances, and will in time, bring good where grief has reigned. Tragedy is turned into triumph, and where there was weeping, joy will come. The challenge is in the waiting between the promise and the fulfillment. Our charge is to remember that God is always good, even when our circumstances are not. He will do immeasureably more than we could hope or imagine to bring life and light and joy, where there has been none. May we trust Him with our trials and tears, and allow His song to rise in our hearts as joy will come again.

Bring every tear,

before Christ the King;

for He will receive,

our each offering.

He takes our sorrow,

and turns it around;

the places we’re lost,

in Him, we are found.

He wipes all our tears,

and brings us new life;

gives joy and gladness,

where there was once strife.

In Christ we can trust,

that true joy shall come;

as we wait in faith,

let His will be done.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though we go through difficult seasons, they will not last forever. Thank You that You promise to bring good out of even the most painful of tragedies. Thank You that You are faithful to do what You say You will do, and that we can trust You in all things at all times. Forgive us for allowing sorrow to sap our surrender to patiently wait on You, and teach us to trust You more, so that we may persevere to see the joy that You have in store for each of us, even after the most trying of times. Lead us to love others in such a way, that we extend the truth of the hope that is held in You. Be glorified O God, as we bring our burdens to You, and patiently wait on You to move in Your might, trusting in the promised joy that is yet to come. 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

Hold My Hand

Just as many of us were blessed with mothers who took us by the hand when we were afraid as little children and walked us into the new and the unknown that was frightening, so too, will God do for us now.

 

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. – (Isaiah 41:13)

 

Though my mom is a mighty woman in whom Christ dwells, my God is far greater. He sees me as His daughter, and will not hesitate to take hold of my hand and lead me through the scary spaces that I am called to walk.

 

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. – (Psalm 56:3)

 

The Lord is our help and our hope, and His intent for us is not to stay stuck in fear. He calls us to look to Him, and allow Him to hold our hand and lead us in His strength into the trials where terror once reigned. God is greater than anything that we face, and His strength is mightier than any weapons formed against us. We need not be afraid, when we place our trust in Christ. May we go forth this day celebrating the strength that God has placed in His daughters; as birth mothers, adoptive mothers, spiritual mothers, and those ladies who love others well, as they have released fear, and simply chosen to love, just as the Lord has called them to do.

 

Take me by the hand,

when I am afraid;

for You are my help,

I’ll not be dismayed.

I will choose to trust,

in Your strength, not mine;

for You are the Lord,

most holy, divine.

Thank You for the ones,

whom You’ve given us;

the mothers who’ve shown,

the heart of Jesus.

Help me too, to walk,

with a heart like Yours;

so fear melts away,

and Your strength endures.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our God who takes hold of our hand and tells us to not be afraid. Thank You that You are our help and our hope. Thank You that when we trust in You, we need not fear. Thank You for the precious gift of mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and wonderful women that You have blessed us with to demonstrate Your strength in action. Forgive us for allowing our hearts to stay stuck in fear, and help us to extend our hearts and hands to You, as You are our help and our hope. Teach us to trust You more, so that our immediate response is to reach for You. Lead us to love others well, just as You call us to do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified O God, as we take hold of Your hand and trust Your help to walk us through the fearful places, in Your strength. 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

Take Time to Remember

When trials come our way, we have two choices: fix our eyes on the problem, or set our sights on He who is the solution. As we opt to choose the latter, He brings to memory examples of His former faithfulness. In remembering that which He has done before, our faith is strengthened, and we are better equipped for the battle before us.

 

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. – (Psalm 77:11-12)

 

Not only is the Bible full of examples of His faithfulness throughout the ages, but there are many instances in my own life to draw from as well. I simply must choose to stop and remember His deeds, and consider all that He has done in my life and in the lives of those around me. As I recall His mighty works, I am strengthened and encouraged for the fight before me, and know that I am not alone. The Lord will never leave us nor forsake us, and His love endures forever. May we take pause today to remember His deeds, and meditate on His mighty works so that we may be encouraged for whatever lies ahead.

 

Remember the deeds,

of our faithful Lord;

all that He has done,

the strength He affords.

May we meditate,

on His faithfulness;

for He is the One,

who cleans up our mess.

Where chaos has reigned,

the Lord has brought peace;

where hearts were captive,

He has brought release.

Healing in sickness,

provision for need;

love for the hopeless,

so faithful, indeed.

Be now encouraged,

for He is enough;

the Lord is with you,

through easy and tough.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have given us so many examples of Your faithfulness through provision, power, presence and mighty miracles, that we need only open Your word or think about moments in our own lives to consider Your mighty deeds. Thank You that when life becomes difficult, we can fix our eyes on You, and remember Your former faithfulness to find encouragement for our present circumstance. Forgive us for allowing our focus to fixate only on what lies before us, and teach us to trust You more, so that we may be strengthened and encouraged by You. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they too may consider all of Your mighty miracles and find a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified as we remember and meditate on the mighty works of Your hand. 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