Unshakable

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe. – (Hebrews 12:28, HCSB)

So we should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please Him. We should do this with respect and fear. – (Hebrews 12:28, ERV)

Therefore, let us all be thankful that we are part of an unshakable Kingdom and offer to God worship that pleases Him and reflects the awe and reverence we have toward Him. – (Hebrews 12:28, VOICE)

When we love Jesus, the kingdom we receive is Him residing in our hearts right now, and the hope in knowing that we will dwell with Him for eternity. Because we have this hope, we ought to be compelled to serve and worship God in such a way that we demonstrate our reverence and awe through living a life of love. May we ever give Him praise for each new day, and honor Him with a heart that longs to love like Him.

With hearts full of thanks,

Lord, help us to love;

To honor and serve,

Like Jesus above.

In all that we say,

And all that we do;

May ev’ry action,

Bring honor to You.

Lead us in Your love,

Throughout each new day;

Show us what is best,

How to love Your way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us Your kingdom now in our hearts, and for filling us with Your hope for all that is yet to come. Forgive us for every word and deed that does not demonstrate love and gratitude for who You are and all that You do. Lead us to live out Your love through all that we do and say each new day. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You our praise throughout all our days as we seek to honor You by loving well. Amen.

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

The True God never sleeps and always resides in the city of joy; He makes it unstoppable, unshakable. When it awakes at dawn, the True God has already been at work. – Psalm 46:5

Hope to Hold

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe. – (Hebrews 12:28, HCSB)

So we should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please Him. We should do this with respect and fear. – (Hebrews 12:28, ERV)

Since we are receiving our rights to an unshakable kingdom we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights His heart as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe. – (Hebrews 12:28, TPT)

I am so thankful for a well-timed break and for the gift of family and friends. Each time we gather and recognize our blessings, we gain glimpses of the hope we hold in Christ. His Kingdom cannot be shaken and is our hope both now and forevermore. Though yesterday did not look like our usual Thanksgiving gatherings, it was good and we are blessed to have each other. Our tradition for the last many years has been to gather at my sister and brother-in-love’s home with our mom. Sadly, with our kids working, logistics to coordinate with mom on such a long drive, and my nephew’s short time home from Bemidji, we all had to opt to stay home. Our dear, life-long friends and former neighbors from our entire childhood, hosted and welcomed mom to their gathering. They are family, and blessed all of us in knowing that mom would be with loved ones. Today, my love and I will make a quick trip to see mom too. Though it is not the same as our traditional whole family gathering, it is time together. Incredibly, that which is yet to come will not require us to choose and coordinate, but rather we will all be together in the presence of the One who gives us all. That hope is reason to give thanks. In the waiting, all praise belongs to Him who sits on the throne, for it is in Him and through Him that we can live and love a life that honors Him with all that we are. May our hearts be overflowing with love and gratitude as we recognize and honor the One who gives every good and perfect gift.

Give thanks to the Lord,

Thanksgiving past… ❤

For His loving grace;

The hope we now hold,

Throughout all our days.

Glimpses of goodness,

His blessings outpoured;

Not what we pictured,

Yet in Him, it’s more.

The love of the Lord,

Our hope forever;

Help, strength, love and life,

Goodness, so tender.

May we choose give thanks,

Today and always;

God’s love does not end,

So let us sing praise.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always good and our hope in You never ends. Thank You that no matter what happens in the here and now, Your kingdom cannot be shaken. Our hope is secure and Your love knows no end. Forgive us for our frustrations and sorrow when things do not work out the way we had hoped. Teach us to trust and praise You in all things and at all times, for You are always good. Show us how to love those around us best, for it is You who grant us kindness, peace, patience and love to pass on. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give all thanks and praise to You for the hope we have in You. Amen.

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

Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24

What is Really Wanted

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. – (Deuteronomy 10:12, NIV)

Now, Israelites, listen! What does the Lord your God really want from you? The Lord your God wants you to respect Him and do what He says. He wants you to love Him and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. – (Deuteronomy 10:12, ERV)

So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in His presence in holy reverence, follow the road He sets out for you, love Him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you. – (Deuteronomy 10:12, MSG)

Though these were things asked of Israel as they were in the desert, preparing to move toward the promised land, these are still the same things that God asks of us today. To love and respect the Lord and to serve Him, is the gist of what Jesus told us the commands of God meant. We are called to love God and love people. If we truly love, we will respect, honor, and serve with all that we are. This applies to every aspect of our lives. To love God means to love His creation as well. Everyone we see, and all those whom we encounter, are created and loved by God. As we love God wholeheartedly and seek to do His will, He grows in us the desire to love others as He loves us. May we ever pursue the Lord and His path for our lives, so that we learn to love Him and all people as He intended.

Long gone are the days,

Of Levitical law;

Instead we’re to love,

And of God, stand in awe.

For God has made us,

To give and receive love;

And walk in His ways,

Choose seek the Lord above.

For the more we seek,

We forever shall find;

The ways we’re to walk,

And the grace to be kind.

Lord, help us rise up,

To love all others well;

You are the reason,

That in love we may dwell.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your plan and purpose for us has always been to be in a loving relationship with You and all those around us. Thank You that You show us and lead us in the love we are meant to give. Forgive us for the times that our words, thoughts and deeds have not aligned with loving You and loving those whom You have placed on our path. Teach us to love, honor and serve You with our whole heart, so that we may grow in love and grace to love well, all those around us. Show us how to love like You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we invest our heart, soul, and mind into loving You and all those whom we meet. Amen.

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

Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. – Mark 12:30-31

Judge Not

image by Georgy

There are some matters,

not in black and white;

but must come from God,

to know what is right.

Some eat whatever,

their cravings desire;

while others, believe,

those will lead to fire.

We are not to judge,

sisters and brothers;

instead, let us not,

be snares for others.

For we will appear,

before God one day;

on our bended knees,

to hear what He’ll say.

Judge not and be not,

a stumbling block;

love each other well,

and cling to the Rock.

For when we serve God,

let Him be the judge,

peace and joy we’ll find,

heed His gentle nudge.

(Responding to Romans 14:10-18)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You know us so intimately that You are willing to tell us, individually, what is the very best for us, in all circumstances that are not clearly established in Your word.  Thank You that we are not all the same; that You have created us with different strengths, weaknesses, gifts, and obstacles to overcome, so that we may sharpen and grow one another in You.  Forgive us for passing judgment on others, and help us to place that role in Your hands alone.  Teach us to hear from You clearly, and to walk in forgiveness and grace, as we have been forgiven and extended Your ongoing grace so generously.  Lead us to love lavishly, as You so love us.  May the very way we live, lead many unto You and Your amazing grace.  Amen.

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

Beyond Simply Speaking

image by Ann Voskamp

Our words will mean nothing,

if our lives don’t align.

Our actions tell the tale,

of how we’ve been refined.

How we invest our time,

and choose to spend our days,

matters more to Jesus,

than what we simply say.

For our true foundation,

when built upon the Lord,

will weather every storm,

grant life in His accord.

Oh the day we see Him,

and gaze upon His face;

either words of “well done”,

or “depart”, in disgrace.

As for me and my house,

we shall seek and serve God,

on the day of judgment,

may we hear heavenly applause.

(Responding to Matthew 7:21-23)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are not interested in us simply talking the talk, but You want us to walk the walk.  Forgive us for not always giving actions to our words.  Jesus, thank You that Your word is alive and active, and that when it lives in us, there is evidence in how we lead our lives.  Teach us how to invest our time wisely in You and that which matters into eternity.  Build our foundation strong in You, as we seek You with our whole heart.  May our lives move many toward You, so that they too will hear You say, “well done”, when their final day has come.  May we hold fast to the hope of heaven in our hearts today.  Amen.

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