Fear is a Liar

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – (Proverbs 29:25, NIV)

Fear can be a trap, but if you trust in the Lord, you will be safe. – (Proverbs 29:25, ERV)

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. – (Proverbs 29:25, MSG)

Fear is a liar. It creeps in and tells us that we are not enough, and that we will never accomplish what we have been called and created to do. When we choose to trust in the Lord, we discover peace, provision and safety. The things that once brought fear can become sources of joy. In Him, we need not be afraid, but rather we can move confidently forward in all that He calls us to do and become. May we choose to listen to the voice of truth, and allow Him to show us how to overcome fears and persevere.

Choose let not the fear,

Of people and things;

Keep us from doing,

What is our calling.

Instead trust the Lord,

Who arms and protects;

Equips success,

As He knows what’s best.

Rise up in freedom,

Choose His strength and song;

Keep pressing forward,

In Christ, carry on.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we need not fear people and their opinions, but rather we need to trust in You. Thank You that we have been created and called with purpose. Forgive us for allowing the opinions of others to give fear a foothold. Show us how to listen to Your voice and trust in the truth of Your word. Teach us to love those around us in a way that encourages trust and chases away fear so that all might persevere. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize the truth of who You are and silence the fears that are not founded in truth. Amen.

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

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 118:6

Safeguarded in His Security

For the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. – (Proverbs 3:26, NLT)

For the Eternal is always there to protect you. He will safeguard your each and every step. – (Proverbs 3:26, VOICE)

 

When we walk in the direction to which we are being called, Christ goes before us to prepare the way. This does not mean that our every step of obedience will be without opposition, in fact, quite the contrary is typically true; yet if God is for us, nothing that comes against us can stand. The Lord will protect us as we pursue the path that He is making plain, and He will keep us from being led astray from the way He intends for us to go, if we choose to rely on Him. May we trust in the Lord to be our security in the spaces that seem least secure, and allow Him to guide our every step, as He alone shall safeguard our steps as we follow Him.

 

Great Eternal One,

Our security;

You keep us all safe,

As we trust in Thee.

Each step that we take,

You are by our side;

Ever protecting,

With arms open wide.

Arms that both protect,

And freely embrace;

All who come seeking,

Your wisdom and grace.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

For security;

That in Your embrace,

We’re safe and we’re free.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our security and protection. Thank You that You safeguard our every step and keep us from being caught in things that we are not meant to be near. Forgive us for our lack of trust in You to be our safety and protection when all around us seems unsettled. Teach us to trust You more, and to come to know and understand the depth and breadth of Your love and protection for each of us whom You call Your own. Show us how to love those around us, so that they too, may see the security that is found in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You to be our security for every step that we take, and our protection from every snare that seeks to entangle us. 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

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

Disciplined in Love

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. – (Revelation 3:19)

Just as a loving parent corrects and redirects a misguided child, so does our Heavenly Father do for us. It is because of His great love for us, that He does not allow us to stay stagnant in our sinfulness, nor remain rooted in wrong patterns. Christ came to cleanse us from our unrighteousness, and created the way for us to be called clean. Our charge is to come before Him and repent – to admit our wrong doing and turn away from that which pulled us away from the path which He has placed before us. Any time that we feel that nudge of the Holy Spirit, the check from His still small voice, we must listen and act with fidelity so that we do not become steeped in the snare of sin. May we trust our loving Lord, who is our Heavenly Father, as He loves us and only rebukes and disciplines us because He loves us and wants us to walk out the very best that He has for us. His plans are exceedingly greater than we could ever hope for or imagine.

Because we are loved,

let us hear His voice;

for He will correct,

when we make poor choice.

He’ll show us the way,

to walk where He calls;

to escape the space,

of sin’s prison walls.

We must choose repent,

confess, turn away;

admit wrong doing,

return to His way.

Trust in our Father,

His love never ends;

His plans are righteous,

as He forgives sins.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though we may not enjoy being rebuked nor disciplined, You do so in love and for our benefit. Thank You that You love us so much that You do not sit idly by and allow us to stay stuck in our sinfulness. Thank You that You call us out of darkness into Your glorious light. Forgive us for our resistance to correction. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be earnest to repent as soon as we become aware of what You are asking us to do. Help us to embrace with grace, every correction that You bring, as we know that all discipline from You brings us closer to that whom You are calling us to become. Help us to love others with generosity and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace Your correction in love, and repent right away so that we may move forward into that which You are calling us to do. Amen.

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

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. – Psalm 67:1

To Break the Chains

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to be a part of a huge community event to raise awareness and support to stop human trafficking in our area. The event was a 5k run/walk, and though my dear friend and I had originally signed up to run, we were recruited to be officials at the start line. It was a powerful experience to see so many from our community come together for the common good. The event that had only around three-hundred participants last year, had grown to nearly a thousand this year. Watching each group, team, family, and individual come up to the corral and prepare to enter the chute, ready to begin their own race with purpose, was a powerful perspective on how God intends us to operate as community.

 

Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise Your Name. then the righteous will gather about me because of Your goodness to me. – (Psalm 142:6-7)

 

Those stuck in the snare of human trafficking are crying out, and in desperate need. They need rescue, and cannot escape on their own. The only way for them to be set free from the prison they have been forced into, is when we rise up and answer what the Lord would ask of us. For some, it is in the seeking. Others have the task of educating and creating awareness of not only the problem, but of how to protect our kids from being lured into the snares of such sickness. Additionally, there are those whom the Lord has gifted with the ability to surround those who have been set free from the prison of such crimes, and care for them so that their minds and hearts may join the physical freedom that they have found. May we each ask of the Lord what we are meant to do, and then walk in obedience to what He is asking.

 

Can you hear the cries,

of those trapped in chains?

Oh people rise up,

He’s calling our names.

So many are stuck,

enslaved at the hand;

of selfish pursuit,

of the greed of man.

Though they may be strong,

in numbers, we’re more;

for God is our strength,

and He opens doors.

Down with the captors,

and freedom for those;

righteous, come gather,

so goodness is known.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hear the cries of those who are in desperate need; who need rescue from those who pursue and are too strong for us to fight on our own. Thank You that You set people free from the prisons they have become ensnared in, and You gather the righteous around them so that they may come to know the goodness of Your great love. Forgive us for our ignorance to all that goes on around us, or for our apathy in standing idly by. Teach us to trust You more, so that we are willing to do whatever it is that You would ask of us, and allow You room to move in and through us as You see fit. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they see You through us. May many come into the safety of a lasting relationship with You, as they come to know that true security is found in You. Be glorified O God, as we listen to Your call, and answer all that You ask. Amen.

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

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

Submit Not to the Snare of Fear

Fear of people and what they may or may not do, can keep us from living life to the fullest. To walk in reverence of God; to operate from a posture of trust, adoration and awe, proves to be a place of protection and provision, as the Lord is good and grants freedom to those who choose to walk by faith.

 

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – (Proverbs 29:25)

 

God did not intend for us to live life trapped in fear, but rather He provided the Source of all safety and security, when He sent His Son to take away every foundation for fear. Far greater is He who is in us, that he who is in the world. May we walk out each day in total trust, seeing clearly the snare that is set when the fear of man attempts to enter in.

 

Allow not our hearts,

be weighed down by fear;

for the Lord is safe,

and always, He’s near.

Let us place our trust,

in the Lord alone;

for greater is He,

than any unknown.

The fear of mankind,

is simply a snare;

to trap us in fear,

keep us unaware.

God is our refuge,

our safety and Light;

when the Lord’s with us,

fear’s snares must take flight.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that those who trust in You are kept safe. Thank You that You do not intend for any of us to be caught in the snare of the fear of man. Thank You that far greater are You who is in us, than anything else that is in the world. Forgive us for allowing our hearts and minds to become trapped into fearing man, and teach us to trust You more so that we will remember immediately, that You are the One who keeps us safe in the storms. Lead us to love well, so that many may come to know the safety found in You alone, and escape the snare of fearing what man may or may not do. Let hearts be turned and lives be led unto You. Be glorified O God, as we sidestep the snares of the fear of man, and trust in You alone. Amen.

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

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

Humbly Seek

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His ways. – (Psalm 25:8-9)

 

We are all sinners in need of the Savior. To determine what is good and upright before the Lord, we desperately need His wisdom and insight, as there is much grey in the world today. If we humbly seek Him, the Lord will show us what is right before Him, rather than leaving us to roam about recklessly. Though there are some things that may be acceptable for some and a snare for others, it is imperative that we earnestly seek Him, so that we are certain either way. May we approach the throne of grace with confidence, as we pursue God’s direction and guidance wherever we go.

 

In all that we do,

may we humbly seek;

the will of the Lord,

allow Him to speak.

He’ll teach us the way,

that’s upright and good;

He guides the humble,

His way understood.

Though we’re all sinners,

when we seek His face;

He instructs in love,

and grants us His grace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and upright, and that You instruct sinners in Your ways. Thank You that You guide those who humbly seek You, and You teach us what is right. Forgive us for not seeking and listening often enough, and help us to hear Your still small voice in all things and at all times. Teach us to trust You in even the most minute decisions, so that we learn to depend on You in all things. Lead us to love others as You so generously love each of us. Be glorified O God, as we humbly seek Your will in all things. 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

Bringing the Bread of Truth

Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. – (1 Corinthians 5:8)

 

Keeping the Festival, was the commemorating and celebrating of the Hebrews preparation for their exodus from slavery in Egypt when they were commanded to prepare bread without yeast, because they did not have time to wait for it to rise. (NIV footnotes) The old yeast represented various sin. Paul was exhorting the Corinthian church to get rid of all wickedness, and walk in sincerity and truth. Ultimately, Paul was contending with the believers in Corinth to not tolerate flagrant sin among believers within the church body. Just as a bit of bad yeast will contaminate the entire batch, so too will intentional immorality that is being allowed to continue among the body of believers. Our charge is to walk in sincerity and truth, and to help hold one another accountable to steer clear of “old yeast“. May we be faithful to follow our Heavenly Father, and allow His Spirit to lead us to walk in the light of His truth.

 

Let not the ugly,

of old yeast come in;

for the Lord warns us,

before we begin.

Steer clear of malice,

and all wickedness;

trust Him in the truth,

the Lord’s righteousness.

Help one another,

to walk where He leads;

allow not sin’s snare,

to disrupt right deeds.

For the Lord is good,

He’s faithful to stay;

present beside us,

for all of our days.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we may be as bread without yeast; sincere and full of truth. Thank You that though this is nothing that we can accomplish on our own, that as we trust in You, You keep us from the “old yeast“. Forgive us for the malice and wickedness within us, and help us to give You access to everything. May we be fully submitted to You, so that You can cleanse us from all that would hinder us from shining brightly unto the world. Teach us to trust You more. Lead us to love as You so tenderly love each of us, so that many may come to know the transforming power of Your truth. Be glorified, O God, as we seek to stand in sincerity and truth. 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

Sorrow’s Escape

image by James Fletcher

Sorrow seeps out,

with deep gasps for air;

solitude waits,

tempered with prayer.

Anguish erupts,

with casting of care;

gentle His touch,

as He holds us there.

Gone is the weight,

of such sorrowful snare;

burden He lifts,

removing despair.

Troubled the soul,

that knows not His care;

blessed the One,

who holds us close there.

Sing praise to God,

our Father, so fair;

who heals our hurts,

tender His repair.

“He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” – (Psalm 147:3)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hold our heart and hands when the weight of our woes seem beyond what we can bear. Thank You that You do not want for us to hold them in our hands, but rather You request that we place them in Yours. Thank You that You hold us close, and provide safe space to grieve. Thank You that though mourning may last for a time, Your joy will remain forever. Forgive us for trying to be strong enough, and help us to allow You to hold us up in our weakness. Teach us to turn to You in total trust, and show us how to cast every care upon You. May our times of mourning further magnify the joy that is found in You alone. Let the hope we hold, even in the grip of grief, lead those who are looking, to Your loving care. All glory and honor to You, our Holy Healer. Amen.

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