Sharing Hope

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. – (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

But keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have. – (1 Peter 3:15, ERV)

But give reverent honor in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat Him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be read to explain your faith with gentleness and respect. – (1 Peter 3:15, TPT)

 

To revere is to view with respect and awe. How often do we truly look at Christ through the proper lens? God is love, hope, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness and self-control for all who call on His Name. The hope we hold is not due in part to anything that we have done, but rather as a result of the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. He died so that we might live. Few would willingly lay down their life for another, (and typically only for someone whom they dearly love) yet Christ died for us, while we were still sinners. Jesus loved us, even when we knew nothing of His love to return. It is the unconditional love of Christ that grants us hope, not only for today, but for all of eternity. Our story, our own experiences of discovering the hope that is found in Christ, is the most gentle and respectful way to share what we have found with those around us who ask. May we ever maintain a posture of reverence for the Lord, and be ready to tell of His faithfulness and the hope that is ever held in Him.

 

With honor and awe,

Let’s look to the Lord;

Our hope Provider,

The One we adore.

The hope that we hold,

Dwells deep from within;

As we’ve discovered,

Love time and again.

It is by God’s love,

We come to know grace;

That grants us all hope,

Eternal embrace.

Let’s ever recall,

How we came to know;

Hope that’s forever,

So His grace we show.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that all hope is found forever in You. Thank You that You ask us to partner with You to share what we know with those who are seeking. Forgive us for not maintaining a proper perspective of You, or for neglecting to share the hope we know with those around us. Be glorified O God, as we remember with awe and reverence, the hope that You placed within us. Amen.

 

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

 

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

Value Everyone

Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king. – (1 Peter 2:17, NLT)

Recognize the value of every person and continually show love to every believer. Live your lives with great reverence and in holy awe of God. Honor your rulers. – (1 Peter 2:17, TPT)

Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. – (1 Peter 2:17, MSG)

 

Considering the climate within our country right now, this is a very timely verse. If we each could recognize the value of one another, regardless of what is perceived, there would be far less tension and more movement toward solutions. The church is not exempt from the struggle. The body of believers is called to love one another. If we all choose to love, then our primary mode of operation should be to seek to understand first. In all things, we are called to live in reverence of God. When we remember Who ultimately is in control, our priorities and perspectives begin to align with His, and love flavors all that we say and do. Finally, we are called to respect the governing body. How do we do this? There are so many conflicting views and opposing opinions, how are we supposed to honor and respect that which seems so unreal? For me, the best way I know to do this is to choose to pray. Pray for wisdom and insight for those who are in positions of leadership. I do not have to agree with who is in position, nor what their position is to pray for them to lead well and make decisions that are best for our city, state, or country. May we ever rise up and recognize the value of every person on this planet that has been placed here by the most holy God. Let us live in reverence of Him as we treat others with dignity and choose to love.

 

For we each are called, 

look and recognize;

The value of all,

To see through God’s eyes.

Among believers,

We’re meant to love well;

To be family,

God’s story to tell.

To honor rulers,

Let us choose to pray;

For wisdom to lead,

The very best way.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not ask anything of us that You are not willing to give us the strength and grace to do. Thank You that while we were yet Your enemies, You loved us. Thank You that when we choose to respect and love those around us, You break down barriers and make a way for Your light to shine where darkness once reigned. Thank You too, that You work in ways that we cannot see and can use leaders that we don’t understand to do things for eventual good. Forgive us for not choosing love and respect for others when that is what we are called to do, regardless of what we receive. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would extend Your love and grace to all whom we encounter, no matter what comes our way. Show us how to love like You, so that barriers are broken down and Your peace may prevail. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to value everyone and love as You love us. 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

Standing Forgiven

If You, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve You. – (Psalm 130:3-4, NIV)

Lord, if You punished people for all their sins, no one would be left alive. But You forgive people, so they fear and respect You. – (Psalm 130:3-4, ERV)

 

The reality is that not one of us could withstand the judgment of God in our own righteousness. We all have sinned and fallen short of His glory. Because God is merciful, He sent His Son to make the way for all of our sin to be forgiven. In that space of recognizing the enormity of His grace, we cannot help but be compelled to revere and long to serve the Lord. He who has given us life and love and hope and help, is the very One whom we ought to honor in all that we say and do. May we walk out each day with the understanding of how much we have been forgiven, so that we too, shall go and do likewise.

 

No record of wrongs,

is held over us;

when we trust the Lord,

give all to Jesus.

We are forgiven,

from our sin and shame;

how can we but help,

revere the Lord’s Name?

When we know the truth,

the size of His grace;

our hearts long to serve,

for all of our days.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we come to You and give our hearts to You, You forgive us and keep no record of our wrongs. Thank You that by Your grace, we are able to stand before You, clean and made righteous in You. Thank You that You alone are worthy of our reverence and desire to serve. Forgive us for seeking to serve ourselves or for not giving proper respect and reverence unto You. Teach us to see You in light of who You are and all that You have done, so that we may properly serve and honor You. Show us how to love others in such a way, that they too would come to understand the magnitude of the grace that You extend to all who come unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You with all that we are and seek to serve You in all that we do. 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

Instruction and Protection to the Seeking

The Lord is a friend to those who fear Him. He teaches them His covenant. My eyes are always on the Lord, for He rescues me from the traps of my enemies. – (Psalm 25:14-15, NLT)

God-friendship is for God-worshipers; they are the ones He confides in. If I keep my eyes on God, I won’t trip over my own feet. – (Psalm 25:14-15, The Message)

God is faithful to instruct and protect those who earnestly seek Him. He is our Father and friend, and will teach us which way to walk, so that we will not stumble nor be snagged in the enemy’s snare. We are to fix our eyes on Him with reverence and awe, as He rescues us from that which comes against us. May we ever look to the Lord, who makes our path plain and keeps us in the shadow of His wings.

When we fear the Lord,

the Lord is our friend;

He’ll teach us His ways,

His help will not end.

He rescues from foe,

the snares that are set;

show us where to walk,

say, “Go”, and “Not yet.”

For all who choose seek,

with faith in the Lord;

He reveals the truth,

and calls us adored.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a friend to those who fear and revere You. Thank You that You teach us Your truth. Thank You that as we fix our eyes on You, You rescue us from the traps that are set before us, and lead us to safe passage. Forgive us for not seeking You and Your counsel in truth and how we are meant to go. Teach us to trust You enough to seek You first in all things and at all times. Lead us to love others in the same way that You so generously and graciously love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You with reverence, and obey Your counsel. Amen.

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

The joy of the Lord is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10

Understanding Leads to Praise

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise. – (Psalm 111:10)

True wisdom comes when we have a proper perspective of God. As we fear and revere Him, He opens our understanding and grants us insight to what we could not see before. The better we know Him, the more we recognize just how worthy He is of all of our praise forever. Daily, there are new opportunities for His truth to be revealed. We never stop learning nor growing in wisdom, when we seek first, His righteousness. The more we grow, the more we are able to see the joys that God has placed in our lives. Life becomes an exhilarating experience of discovering the glorious wonders that He has created for all of us, His creation. May we seek the Lord with proper fear and reverence, and follow that which He asks each of us to do. Let our lives be an ever-present reflection of our hearts to eternally praise Him.

True wisdom begins,

with fear of the Lord;

not a space of scared,

but humbled, adored.

For as we know God,

His insight provides;

great understanding,

that can’t be denied.

He gives us true joy,

grace to discover;

wisdom and His strength,

as we love others.

May our lives reflect,

our posture of praise;

now and forever,

let’s walk in His ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we fear and revere You, giving You proper place in our hearts and lives, You reveal to us deeper understanding and insight as to who You are, and how we are meant to live. Thank You that You unlock our understanding beyond what mere studying could ever do as we walk in Your ways and trust in Your truth. Thank You that all praise belongs to You, now and forever. Forgive us for seeking wisdom without You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we can differentiate between knowledge that can be discovered through reading or studying, and true wisdom and insight that are gifts given by You alone. Lead us to love You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and then to go and love likewise, all whom You place on our path. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we follow Your ways and grow in our understanding and wisdom of 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

Revere, Return and Remember

In Samuel’s farewell speech to Israel, his words were ones of wise instruction as to how to follow after the Lord so that they would remain in the space of His favor.

 

“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.” – (1 Samuel 12:24)

 

After reading several translations of the same verse, the charge to be sure to fear the Lord was translated a few different ways. To fear the Lord in this sense, is to revere, trust and honor Him. We are able to do that if we serve Him faithfully with all of our heart. Additionally, that reverence, trust, honor and holy fear comes naturally, as we consider and meditate on all of the great things that He has done for us throughout our lives. The Lord is faithful and true, and He has great plans for each of us. Despite what we see in the here and now, as we trust His faithfulness and continue to forge forward, we discover all that He has for us, both now and into eternity. May we rise up in reverence and trust in Him, as we serve Him faithfully with our whole heart. Let us continue to consider all of the great things that He has done.

 

The fear of the Lord,

is a space of trust;

standing in reverence,

to serve Him, we must.

Let us consider,

all of the great things;

our faithful Father,

through His love, He brings.

With all that we are,

let us trust and serve;

for a life of praise,

is what God deserves.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are worthy of all of our reverence, trust and honor. Thank You that we can trust You completely, and serve You faithfully with our whole heart. Thank You that we have much to consider, when we think of all of the great things that You have done for us. Thank You that we need only recognize our next heartbeat, next breath, next sight or next sound, to understand how much You love us and bless us through life and light and all that is around us. Forgive us for not giving You proper praise or reverence, or for not giving You our whole heart. Teach us to trust You more, as we recognize who You are and all that You have done for each of us. Lead us to love others with the very same love that You have poured out upon us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You, serve You faithfully with our whole heart, and consider all that You have done for us. Amen.

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

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21

Labor in Love

image by Ray Ortlund

God has given us

things we’re meant to do;

all things beautiful,

as He makes them new.

WIthin every heart,

is eternity;

yet God and His ways,

are a mystery.

In our given work,

we ought to enjoy;

for His gift to us,

our skills to employ.

Whatever God deems,

that’s how it will be;

no more or no less,

true consistency.

No need to question,

but rather revere;

may we all worship,

live in holy fear.

(Responding to Ecclesiastes 3:10-14)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though there are mysteries that are not made known to mankind, what matters most – Your love and forgiveness for us – has been made plain.  Thank You that You place purpose in each of us, and You strengthen and equip us as we step out in faith to fulfill what You call us to complete.  Forgive us for our fears and hesitation, and help us to trust You more.  May many come to know You as we faithfully follow Your call for our lives, and may we always respond to You with proper reverence, as You alone, deserve all of our worship and praise.  Thank You that You are forever faithful and always the same.  Blessed is Your Holy Name.  Amen.

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