The God of All Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For He is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort. He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

 

It is incredible how God does exactly this as we are willing to allow Him room. There have been countless times in my life where I have witnessed this to be true. The first thing that came to mind this morning, was the reminder of how God not only walked alongside me as He equipped me to travel beside one of my dearest friends as she battled long and hard against the cancer that ultimately took her life. He gave me strength to do difficult things, and comforted me as the disease progressed. Not long after she passed, He used my experience to offer comfort and encouragement to others who were facing similar loss. Each trial or struggle that I have submitted to our Savior and allowed Him room to move, has brought me to a place where I soon after am able to extend comfort to another in need for similar circumstances. Though I would not ever hope for the suffering, I am witness to the power of His promised comfort when such times arrive. May we ever seek the Lord to be our source of comfort, and allow Him room to use us to offer the same to those around us.

 

Abundant comfort,

Is granted to us;

When we seek the Lord,

All hope He adjusts.

His strong arms uphold,

As grace is given;

To keep pressing on,

Choose not to give in.

For the very strength,

The comfort passed on;

For more than just us,

It reaches beyond.

Keep holding to hope,

As God of all grace;

Will never let go,

For all of our days.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to bring comfort in our suffering. Thank You that You take those experiences where we felt our weakest, and transform them into spaces of strength to help others. Forgive us for our wavering faith in difficulties. Teach us to trust You more, as You never leave us nor forsake us, and You love us back to life, once again. Show us how to love the hurting around us, so that we may extend the same comfort to others that You have abundantly bestowed upon us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for Your comfort and grace that fills us so that we may do the same for others. Amen.

 

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

 

May Your unfailing love be my comfort, according to Your promise to Your servant. – Psalm 119:76

Desiring Discipline

People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. – (Proverbs 10:17, NLT)

The road to life is a disciplined life; ignore correction and you’re lost for good. – (Proverbs 10:17, MSG)

 

To walk in the way of the Lord, we must be willingly submitted to Him – ready to listen to correction and redirection, as we need to know which way to go when we get off course. If we choose to ignore the discipline and direction that we are given, we will wander away from the path that God has provided for us to take. May we be ever submitted to the leading of the Lord, so that we will readily accept His discipline and direction to remain firmly planted on the path that He has placed before us.

 

A disciplined life,

Is the way to go;

As our hearts align,

And His will is known.

Correction is good,

It keeps our path clear;

So we’ll not wander,

Let’s listen to hear.

He’ll speak to our hearts,

And show us the way;

To walk in His will,

And in His grace, stay.

So do not ignore,

The Lord’s discipline;

For His correction,

Keeps us free from sin.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your discipline. Thank You that You love us so much, that You are willing to take the time to correct and redirect us, so that we will walk in Your ways and live in Your truth. Forgive us for ignoring Your correction and going astray. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would listen and obey all that You say, and walk upon the path that You have placed before us. Show us how to love others well, just as You so wonderfully love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we heed Your discipline so that we may remain on the path of life that You have placed before us. Amen.

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

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

To Live a Holy Life

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. – (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

 

Impure is a state of not abiding by how we know the Lord is calling us to live. God invites us to walk with Him, and as we do, He shows us what it means to abide by His standards, rather than those set forth by society. As we choose to answer the Lord’s call and obey what He asks of us, we are empowered by His Spirit to live a holy life in Him. This does not mean that we have somehow arrived; but rather we are on the road that is marked by redemption, and we continue to travel in His forgiveness and grace, ever seeking to stay submitted to His standards, rather than our own. May we each rise up and heed His call to live pure and holy lives, according to His good and perfect plan for each of us.

 

For God has not called,

us to be impure;

He’s taken our sin,

and made our way clear.

His great forgiveness,

has granted the way;

to live life holy,

and in His will, stay.

Not by our own strength,

but rather by love;

He helps and leads us,

to choose rise above.

Lord, help us to live,

pure and holy lives;

extending Your grace,

so others too, thrive.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You not only have a higher standard for us to live by, but You empower and equip us to do so. Thank You that in You, we can live pure and holy lives. Forgive us for the times that we abide by society’s standards rather than Yours, and help us to easily differentiate what You are asking of us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will stand firm in the truth that You have planted within us, and not allow any of the pressures or temptations of the world sway us from the truth. Lead us to love others with Your pure and perfect love, so that they too, may come to know the fullness of Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we live pure and holy lives by the power of Your Spirit within us. Amen.

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

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

Bold and Unhindered

Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. – (Acts 28:31)

 

Paul was a well-educated and on point orator. However, his skills would have been for naught, if he were not submitted and committed to following Christ with his whole heart. The Lord took what was already in him, and used it for His glory. To me, the idea of public preaching and teaching to large crowds is terrifying. Thankfully, at this point in my life, I do not feel called to do what Paul did. That being said, it is still my charge to share God’s love wherever I go. The gifts and skill sets placed in me, can still be utilized for His glory, if I choose to submit myself unto the Lord. As I write, I do so unto Him. When I draw, I trust Him to show me how I might bless another with the images He brings to mind.  In the classroom and the coaching arena, I can model patience and perseverance in love.  Even more importantly, I can teach my own children His way, and love them as I am loved by Christ. In doing so, only He knows the future impact my obedience may have. May we all boldly and without hindrance, seek to serve and obey God, in whatever way we are called.

 

Bold and unhindered,

we’re all called to go;

to share the good news,

with all whom we know.

For some it’s through speech,

and elegant words;

others through service,

the message is heard.

When all that we do,

is done in Christ’s love;

people will notice,

true kindness above.

Wherever we are,

in all that we do;

may we trust in Him,

and obey His truth.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us well, and for raising up bold and unhindered people who showed us Your love so that we could come to know You. Thank You that You call us to be bold and unhindered in using the very things that You have gifted and grown in us for Your glory. Forgive us for being timid or disobedient in answering that which You call us to do, and help us to trust You completely so that we may go forth in confidence, knowing that it is by Your strength that we can do all things to which we are called. Lead us to love others completely and without reservation, just as You love us with all that You are. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we go forth, bold and unhindered in all that You call us to do. Amen.

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

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23

The Strict Training of a Soldier

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. – (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

 

Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Paul uses this illustration to explain that the Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The necessary disciplines to equip us to run with stamina and vigor include: prayer, Bible study, and worship. We cannot merely be observers, nor just show up and take a few laps. We must train intentionally, for our eternal outcome is determined by whether or not we keep running. – (NIV footnotes)

 

As we take time to remember those who have served and continue to serve our country through the armed services, I found this passage to be so fitting. Soldiers willingly subject themselves to the most rigid of discipline in order to honor and protect the prize that is found in the freedom we so often take for granted. Few soldiers gain recognition for their sacrifice, yet still they choose to run the race set before them with integrity and endurance; just as we are called to do with Christ. May we remember those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom, and honor those who continue to serve.

 

To run our race well,

requires His plan;

to keep on running,

when it’s hard to stand.

We press on in faith,

persevere through tough;

submitted to Christ,

for He is enough.

Seeking not the crown,

that will fade away;

but rather the one,

that leads to His face.

The prize that we seek,

is worth all the pain;

for what is to come,

our eternal gain.

Let Christ be our strength,

our reason to run;

the air that we breathe,

’til our race is done.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our reason to run. Thank You that You do not ask us to just run aimlessly nor on our own, but You grant us the vigor and stamina necessary to continue running the race that You have set before us. Forgive us for our lack of faith that wants to quit when we feel short of breath or our we feel defeated, and help us to hold fast to Your promises and Your strength that cover us and carry us, even when we feel weak. Thank You for the men and women who have faithfully sacrificed so much to serve our nation so selflessly. Please bless and keep each member of our military and their families; protect them, provide for them, and grant them Your peace. Help us to honor and care for those around us who serve and have served. Lead us to love as You so generously love each of us. May many come to know the eternal prize that is found in You alone. Be glorified, O God, as we run our race with endurance to gain our eternal reward. Amen.

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

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – 1 Chronicles 16:31

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

He Upholds

The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. – (Psalm 145:14)

 

Though at times, our burdens seem to be more than we can bear, the Lord is faithful to uphold us. As we submit all things unto Him, He is faithful to meet us where we are, and will grant us the strength necessary to carry on. Christ keeps us on our feet when we fear the path is unsure, and remains with us, every step of the way. When we stumble, He is standing beside us, ready to take our hand, lift us up, dust us off, and lead us on in the direction we are meant to go. May we seek Him with our whole hearts, and allow the Lord to direct our steps.

 

When we fall down,

Christ comes along side;

His loving arms,

extended out wide.

He reaches out,

to lift us back up;

remains present,

again fills our cup.

Submitted hearts,

are held by our King;

He hears our cries,

and each offering.

The greatest weight,

is one we can bear;

as Christ meets us,

and provides His care.

So seek Christ first,

submit all to Him;

the gracious One,

shines light where it’s dim.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You uphold us when our burdens seem more than we can bear, and that You lift us up and help carry us, as we submit all unto You. Thank You that You are our help and our hope, and that we need not fear nor flee the difficult, but rather we can depend on You in the spaces that You have called us. Forgive us for our desire to run or give up when the going gets too tough, and help us to lean all the more into You. Teach us to trust You completely in all things and at all times, as You are faithful always. May we love without reservation, and walk freely in the light of Your love. Let many come to know You as we do. Be glorified, O God, as we seek and rely on You in all things and at all times. 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

To Locate Lasting Joy

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for that is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

 

Joy and a heart that prays and gives Christ praise, is God’s will for each of us. None of these should fluctuate with our feelings nor our circumstances. We must make a conscious decision to pray and give God thanks for who He is, no matter what surrounds us. Our joy is not circumstantial, but rather is rooted in our assurance that our hope is secure in our Savior. Happiness comes and goes, but joy, deep, lasting joy that is a gift from God, remains in spite of that which surrounds us. To pray continually does not mean to be permanently fixed to the floor on our knees, but rather to hold a posture in our hearts that is constantly submitted to the will of God, and ever listening to hear His voice as we seek and submit all things to Him. Giving thanks in all circumstances does not mean that we are manufacturing false gratitude for hard and horrible things, but rather that we are thankful for the One who will never leave us nor forsake us, despite the dismal or dire situation that we are in.

 

Be joyful always,

continue to pray;

always give Him thanks,

for all of our days.

For it is His will,

in His only Son;

to earnestly seek,

praise the Holy One.

No matter what comes,

may our joy remain;

not swayed by trial,

held fast in His Name.

All thanks be to God,

to Whom our hearts pray;

allow His joy reign,

our Hope each new day.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You made the way for us to come to You and pray to You, without reservation nor restrictions. Thank You that we can come as we are, and be heard by You. Thank You that our joy is not dependent on our circumstance, but rather is rooted in our lasting hope that is held in You. Thank You that no matter what trials we face, nothing can steal the hope that we have in You. Thank You that though we may loathe our circumstances, we can always give You thanks for Your presence. Forgive us for confusing joy with happiness, and somehow thinking that circumstances have anything to do with true and lasting joy. Please teach us to pray in all things and at all times, and to continually give You thanks and praise for who You are, and Your faithfulness to remain present with us. Teach us to trust You more. May the joy we have in You, be the very thing that draws others unto You. Let us love as You love us, and may many come to know You as their Savior and Lord. May all that we say and do extend thanks and praise up to You. Amen.

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

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – I Chronicles 16:31

 

His Strength in the Struggle

Seasons of stress and struggle seem to make us particularly vulnerable to temptation.  Jesus, who is the only perfect example of how to triumphantly traverse times of trial without giving into the snares of sin, modeled a path we all can follow, when He was enduring such agony in the garden of Gethsemane, prior to being betrayed and taken to the cross.

First, Jesus prayed.  Though He asked for the trial to be taken, ultimately, his response to God was: “Abba, Father’, He said, ‘everything is possible for You.  Take this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what You will.” – (Mark 14:36)  Jesus trusted in His Father’s power and authority, and submitted His whole being unto Him.

“He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled.  ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them.  ‘Stay here and keep watch.” – (Mark 14:33-34) Jesus sought the support of His closest friends and loved ones in His hour of greatest need.  He modeled our need for one another in our times of struggle.

Finally, Jesus remained focused on the purpose that God had given Him.  When He prayed, “Yet not what I will, but what You will,” that was an intentional redirection of His heart and mind toward the purposes that the Father had set before Him.  Though He knew the pain and suffering He was about to endure, He again fixed His eyes on His Father, and on that which He was called to do.

Allow not struggle,

to wear your heart down;

let no temptation,

hide the truth you’ve found.

Pray to the Father,

for mercy and grace;

submit to the Lord,

and all of His ways.

Call too, on close friends,

to gather around;

to pray and support,

’til answers are found.

Focus on purpose,

that God’s called us to;

let not the struggle,

sway the call to do.

Greater is the One,

God who is with us;

Savior, Redeemer,

forever Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that even when things are difficult, You are present and willing to be our help and our hope.  Thank You that Jesus modeled the way that we are meant to walk through struggles, as He endured far more than we could even begin to imagine.  Help us to stand strong against temptations, and forgive us for seeking only to have You take our struggles away, rather than trusting You to be our strength in the midst of them.  Teach us to trust You more, and show us whom we are to go to for support and encouragement.  Direct our hearts in how we are to hold our focus on the purposes You have planned for us.  May we live and love as You love us, and may many come to know the saving grace provided through a life lived with You.  Be glorified through the way in which we navigate both our struggles and our triumphs.  Amen.

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

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; … my hope is in You all day long.

– Psalm 25:4-5