Heart Change

Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. – (Joel 2:13, NLT)

Tear your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, very patient, full of faithful love, and ready to forgive. – (Joel 2:13, CEB)

Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath and puts up with a lot. This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. – (Joel 2:13, MSG)

 

When we stray from the path that God has placed before us, He wants a heart change that leads us back to where we were meant to go. God is patient and kind, merciful and loving; ready to forgive and redirect our steps when we go astray. Our part is to be tender to His leading, so that our hearts may be changed to more clearly reflect His own. This applies in every area of our lives, as God wants our whole heart, not just a portion. May we seek the Lord with tender hearts, ready to give Him room to move so that we more clearly reflect His heart to the world.

 

God of compassion,

We bring hearts to You;

Forgive each trespass,

Cleanse and make us new.

In love and kindness,

Lead us in Your way;

Help us extend grace,

And love much the same.

Grant us a clean heart,

That’s ready to serve;

To love as You love,

Mercy undeserved.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not want external displays of remorse, but rather You desire hearts that turn to You, ready to repent and allow You room to cleanse and renew. Forgive us for thinking that we have to do or be enough to earn our way back to grace when we have gone astray. Teach us to come to You with repentant hearts so that we may receive Your forgiveness and experience a true heart change. Show us how to love those around us a way that extends the very same goodness and grace to spaces of need. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for the forgiveness that You so readily offer when we come to You with a repentant heart. Amen.

 

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

 

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. – Matthew 7:7-8

Blessed are the Forgiven

“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” – (Romans 4:7-8)

 

This freedom of being fully forgiven comes only through faith in Christ. It is not something that we can earn nor somehow convince ourselves is true. As we admit our guilt to God and ask for His forgiveness, He comes close and helps our hearts hold fast to the truth that the guilt is gone because Christ has already paid the price. Often our side of the equation takes much repetition, despite our sins being erased the first time we came before the Lord with repentant hearts. The guilt may cause us to repeat the process of returning again and again to our knees in prayer, asking God to assure us of the truth. Thankfully, the Lord is patient and kind, and He loves us so much that He is willing to remind us each time we come before Him, that we are covered and clean, and that His love for us endures forever. For those who have come before Christ and confessed their transgressions with a repentant heart, He has forgiven. Blessed is what we can be called – for our future is secure, as we know where our hope is held both now and forevermore. May we rise up and remember that our guilt is gone and we are considered blessed as we go forth this day.

 

For those who confess,

their sins to the Lord;

are considered blessed,

by God, we’re adored.

Forgiven and free,

no longer with shame;

for our sins are gone,

through hope in His Name.

All that once caused guilt,

has been wiped away;

the Lord won’t look back,

life starts new each day.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we come to You and confess our sins with repentant hearts, You forgive us and never count our sins against us. Thank You that we are considered blessed, because we are forgiven and renewed in You. Forgive us for returning again and again to that which You have already forgiven, or for not confessing things that are weighing on our hearts. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will bring all before You as it comes. Lead us to love with goodness and grace, just as You so graciously love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be exalted O God, as we walk confidently in the freedom that You have granted us through Your forgiveness and grace, so that we may share the blessing with all who need to see Your face. 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

What Shall We Bring?

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. – (Psalm 51:17)

 

We cannot please God, nor earn His favor with our outward actions, no matter how grandiose, if our heart is not right before Him. God looks at our heart condition. Are we willing to sacrifice our own selfish pride, and confess with a truly repentant heart? The Lord is pleased as we seek to obey Him with our whole being, and humbly come before Him. Genuine repentance and whole-hearted humility are far more pleasing than any outward acts that we could attempt.

 

Bring not a token,

of silver of gold;

if we’re not broken,

allowing Him hold.

Does He have our heart,

and our foolish pride?

Have we allowed start,

with arms open wide?

The Lord will be pleased,

if we truly seek;

forgiveness released,

His strength when we’re weak.

Humbly we must come,

give all glory due;

hope as we become,

Your vessels anew.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not desire ostentatious offerings, nor grandiose gestures; rather You desire repentant and humble hearts. Thank You that by Your grace, we may humbly come before You, and that You readily receive us. Forgive us for our foolishness and our selfish pride, and help us to have repentant hearts that walk in true humility before You. May we live in love as You love us, and may many come to know the grace and acceptance that You offer to repentant hearts. Let those who are looking, find a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted as we walk humbly before You, O God. Amen.

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

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

Who Do You See?

“But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” – (Matthew 16:15)

 

Though this was a question presented to the disciples by Jesus, it aligns with where my mind still lingers after Sunday’s message. During the sermon, Surprised by Hope – The Ascension, my pastor posed a very poignant question, as he had us participate in the following exercise. Close your eyes. Picture Jesus. What do you see? Do you see a baby lying in a manger? A boy, learning and growing in the temple? Perhaps a teen, learning carpentry? Or do you see Jesus as He began His ministry, touching the untouchables, healing the hurting, and teaching all who would hear? Perhaps an image of Christ on the cross comes to mind? An empty tomb? Maybe you imagine Jesus appearing to the disciples in the upper room after He had risen. Though all of the aforementioned images are part of who Jesus is, none portray Jesus now. For after He had commissioned the disciples to go out into all the earth, He ascended into heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of God. Jesus is on His throne, and is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, where He is worshipped continually, and has reclaimed all power and authority that belong to Him. He holds all in His hands, and there is NOTHING that He cannot overcome. How we picture Jesus, impacts how we think He can move.

 

Isaiah, in Isaiah chapter six, verses one through nine, was given a glimpse of God seated on the throne. He became very aware of his own sinfulness, and as a result, asked for forgiveness. As he was forgiven, he was then commissioned to be the mouthpiece to a sinful people that surrounded him.

 

Today, we have access to both the Bible and the Holy Spirit. Our hearts are continually being drawn unto Him. It is up to us to accept all that He has done with a repentant heart, and then go forth as He calls. May we hold fast to the truth of who He is, and allow Him to update the image we hold in our heart.

 

When I close my eyes,

whom does my heart see?

An infant in hay,

looking up at me?

Or perhaps a boy,

seeking all that’s true;

a young man growing,

preparing for new?

Could it be the man,

who went out to touch;

He healed hurting hearts,

as He loved so much?

Is it the Savior,

hanging on the cross;

or the empty grave,

that dealt death its loss?

Do I see the One,

who walked through the wall;

showed His nail-scarred hands,

to answer a call?

What I ought to see,

is Christ on His throne;

all power is His,

and I’m called His own.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to make the way for us to come to know You, personally. Thank You Jesus, for dying, rising, and ascending to take Your rightful place. Thank You that as You are seated on Your throne, You intercede on our behalf. Thank You that Your ascension affirms all blessings and promises that were previously made, for You are good and faithful. Thank You that You sent Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us, and that You are preparing a place for us. Forgive us for our warped view of You, and help us to begin to picture You properly. Teach us to embrace the goodness and grace that You have given, and help us to go forth in love, just as You have loved us. May many come to know You as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as they allow You to come rule and reign in their lives too. Be magnified in all that we say and do. Amen.

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

He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:25

 

 

 

 

Forming a Foundation in Faith

Dig deep in the word,

the foundation stone;

for it’s best to build,

a heart that’s His home.

Solid foundation,

makes our hope secure;

when the waters rise,

and the storms come near.

When we live in Christ,

and sorrows arrive;

all hope is assured,

He hears our heart’s cry.

As the waters rage,

and torrents fall down;

we’ll not be shaken,

secure is our crown.

Hear well all His words,

and choose then to act;

in obedience,

even when attacked.

For in Him alone,

our future secure;

He will hold us up,

and remain right here.

 

“I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” – (Luke 6:47-48)
 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word.  Thank You that as we invest time to study Your truth, You teach and reveal to us, more of who You are.  Thank You that You are good and kind, loving and just; and when we come to You with a repentant heart, You forgive our every failure.  Forgive us for our fears and for the times we give in to temptations and fail to completely trust in You.  Help us to hear Your heart for us, and teach us to respond accordingly.  Let Your light and love radiate through us, so that we may be Your hands, heart and voice, to a weary world.  May many lay hold of the hope that is found forever in You.  Lead us in love, we pray.  Amen.

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

Finding Forgiveness

image from shutterstock.com

Greed and arrogance

forfeiting as heir.

He went off and squandered,

fell to the pit of despair.

With selfish wild living,

he’d spent all of his share;

left lowly and hungry.

Too many burdens to bear.

As he eyed the pig slop,

his thoughts wandered toward home,

where even the hired help,

had plenty of food of their own.

With a repentant heart

and resolve that was brave,

he headed toward home

to become but a slave.

Yet while he was still far off,

his father did run,

with welcoming arms,

he embraced his lost son.

Before even the words

could leave sorry soul,

the father called for a feast,

robed him, restored him his role.

Despite his behavior,

the father had forgiven,

his foolish decisions

and unrighteous living.

Our Heavenly Father

sees us the same way.

For all who are lost,

He’ll welcome today.

He cares not what we’ve done,

for His forgiveness is freeing,

if we walk away from our sin,

and let Him do the leading.

(response to Luke 15:11-24)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that while we were still far off, You came close and embraced each of us – welcoming us into Your loving arms. Help us to receive and remember the forgiveness and grace that You have given, and guide us to go in the direction that You are leading. May our every move make known the majesty and grace granted by You, God. Let the lost be found and the hurting made whole. Amen.

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