Blessed in Wonder

The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, You call forth songs of joy. – (Psalm 65:8, NIV)

People all around the world are amazed at the wonderful things You do. You make all people, east and west, sing with joy. – (Psalm 65:8, ERV)

O God, to the farthest corners of the planet people will stand in awe, startled and stunned by your signs and wonders. Sunrise brilliance and sunset beauty both take turns singing their songs of joy to You. – (Psalm 65:8, TPT)

 

I am in awe as I take in all of the blessed new associated with our sweet new fur baby addition to our family. There is fresh wonder to watch a puppy discover all things new, as he explores the world around him. Thor is a little love, and a reminder that joy is present and new every morning. We are newbies with such a young puppy, so crate training on night one was a bust. I caved after a few minutes of agonizing cries, and moved to lie on the floor beside him, where I could talk to Thor and place a hand on him to calm him. It worked until I attempted to quietly and slowly crawl away from the crate and back onto the bed. The cries began again, all the louder and more agonizing, so I scooped him up and brought him into bed with us. Thor snuggled right in, and was sound asleep within minutes. He only woke twice in the night to go outside, so for us, it felt reasonably successful. This morning, he has eaten, played outside, run around inside, explored, and followed both Mark and I all around the house, even navigating the stairs. We are beyond grateful for our new little blessing, and feel a renewed sense joy in this season. God is so good, and there are wonders all around us to remind us of our reasons to sing for joy. May we pause and take notice of the good all around us, and give thanks to He who is so very good.

 

With awe and wonder,

May we know and see;

The blessings made new,

Each day, faithfully.

Such joy, the Lord brings,

As we seek His face;

Peace, hope and His love,

Never ending grace.

With fresh eyes to see,

His wonders anew;

May we give our praise,

And thanks unto You.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonders and blessings that are new every morning. Thank You that in You, we find joy in every season. Forgive us for not taking time to give You praise for all of the blessings You provide. Teach us to rise with hearts of praise, and to close each day with gratitude for the good given. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they too may be ever aware of Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we stand in awe of the wonders all around us, and give You glory for all of Your goodness. Amen.

 

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

 

He is the one you praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. – Deuteronomy 10:21

Six Trials and Three Denials to Good Friday

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” – (Luke 23:47, NIV)

The army officer there saw what happened. He praised God, saying, “I know this man was a good man!” – (Luke 23:47, ERV)

When the Roman captain overseeing the crucifixion witnessed all that took place, he was awestruck and glorified God. Acknowledging what they had done, he said, “I have no doubt; we just killed the righteous one.” – (Luke 23:47, TPT)

 

Good Friday. There is seemingly much irony in the name, as nothing that Jesus endured that day was good at all. Six trials, three denials, multiple beatings, abuse, mocking, disregarding, false accusations, a crown of thorns, and hanging on a cross, bearing the sin and shame of the world, all before noon that day. And yet, the things that transpired during the six hours that Friday, as Jesus hung in agony on the cross, transformed the heart and mind of a Roman army officer, whom likely was eager to crucify Jesus, when the whole scene on the hill began. He watched as Jesus forgave the criminals accused on either side of Him; he heard as Jesus told his mother that His dear friend would be her son (to care for her and help provide, as was customary and necessary back then); the officer witnessed Jesus turning down a drink that would have taken the edge off of the pain, and he heard Jesus cry out and commit His spirit into the Lord’s hands. As the darkness surrounded the scene from noon to three, I imagine the magnitude of the man, Jesus, before him, began to really resonate clearly in the heart of the Roman captain. When Jesus took His final breath, other signs and wonders transpired too. That centurion’s heart was forever changed, as he recognized a fraction of the reality of what had just taken place, and that they had indeed crucified the righteous one. In all reality, we ought to have the same sort of life-changing aha moments at the foot of the cross, as we recognize that Jesus hung in our place to extend us His grace so that we might live. All of us, without Jesus, deserve death. We all are sinners in need of mercy and grace. Jesus came, lived and loved, died and rose again, so that we could indeed refer to that horrific, painful, agonizing Friday, as good. May we take time today to kneel at the foot of the cross and give thanks. For God is so good and full of grace that He loved us with His very life.

 

Lord, help us to see,

The truth through fresh eyes;

The weight sacrificed,

Saves us from demise.

The burdens You bore,

Were meant to be ours;

Your love held You there,

Enduring the scars.

There are not the words,

To ever suffice;

To praise and give thanks,

For Your sacrifice.

Today I will choose,

To kneel at the cross;

Give all unto You,

Without You, I’m lost.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to bear the weight for us all. Thank You Jesus, for living in perfect love. Thank You for showing us what it means to endure all things in love, and why that wretched, awful, agonizing Friday was actually good. Forgive us for our lack of attention to the significance of what You did for us. Teach us to look back and recognize all that You endured on our behalf in love. Show us how to embrace the grace that You have freely given, so that we might go forth and love others as You love us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love You and praise You for the amazing good that came from that Friday so many years ago. Amen.

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

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely He was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:54

Character Testifies Truth

Our faithfulness where we are planted, matters. People notice consistency over time. When our character testifies truth through our ongoing actions, Christ is seen through us. Daniel was an incredible example of this. He was an exile in a foreign land, torn from all that he knew. Though he entered the land under less than ideal circumstances, he was honorable to complete every task assigned to him, and faithful to honor God first, in all that he said and did. Never did he compromise his beliefs for what was asked of him. Daniel found favor before God and men, through his ongoing commitment to the Lord. Ultimately, after a series of unfortunate events and some jealous satraps seeking to destroy him, King Darius was so moved by what he witnessed in and through Daniel that he commanded his kingdom follow God.

 

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.  For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end.  He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” – (Daniel 6:26-27)

 

How do we impact those around us? Do our words and actions align in a way that is a positive witness for Christ? Our faithfulness in even the smallest of circumstances, can speak volumes to those who do not yet know Him. May we walk in His truth, as our words and deeds align with all that He would ask of us.

 

May we stay true,

to You, O Lord;

in word and deed,

Your love outpoured.

Let love and light,

both freely flow;

so all we meet,

may come to know.

Allow Your grace,

be evident;

and all desire,

You be present.

For You endure,

our Holy One;

forevermore,

O Three-in-One.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are for us, and that You remain present with those who are faithful to follow You. Thank You that even in the most dire of circumstances, You remain present. Thank You that You can use our faithfulness to follow You, in all things at all times, as a testimony before those around us. Forgive us for the times when we have been inconsistent, and help us to remain steadfast in Your strength. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may more clearly reflect Your love and light to all whom we encounter. May many come to know and revere You as their Savior and King. Be exalted, O God, as we are faithful to You in our words and deeds. Amen.

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

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

Waking to His Wonders

“How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders!  His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation.” – Daniel 4:3

photo by Mario @ TravelBlog

“His miracles are staggering, His wonders are surprising.  His kingdom lasts and lasts, His sovereign rule goes on forever.” – (The Message)

These words were spoken by King Nebuchadnezzar after he witnessed the miraculous power and protection provided by God, to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  After God had protected every hair on their head and every thread on their garments from the fiery furnace in which they had been thrown,  no trace of fire was upon them, despite the the fact that the fire had blazed so bright that it had scorched and killed the soldiers that threw them into it.  King Nebuchadnezzar recognized the awesome power of the Most High God, and made it known to all the people throughout his kingdom and beyond.

When we witness the miraculous, do we take a moment to marvel at the magnificence of our Maker as He has moved in His might?  Miracles take place around us every day, we just have to have our eyes and ears open, so as to not miss the majesty of the moments.

Healings, hope, health, heaven and a hint of all that it holds, are happening everywhere, each day.  As we learn of and experience the wonders of His way, may we take time to celebrate and give credit where credit is due.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are not a “god out there”, but You are God who comes near to His kids.  Thank You that Your sovereignty is eternal.  May we recognize the remarkable all around us, and give proper glory to You, God.  In all that we say and do, may we sing all praise that points straight to You.  Amen.

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