Protected Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – (John 14:27, NIV) 

I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid. – (John 14:27, ERV) 

I leave the gift of peace with you – my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts – instead, be courageous! – (John 14:27, TPT) 

The peace Jesus was speaking of is His perfect peace. It is peace in the midst of the storm, calm during chaos, and the blessed assurance that He is near, even when all seems in turmoil. In our human understanding, we think of peace as the absence of chaos; where calm reigns and good is proclaimed. Incredibly, we need not fear nor allow our hearts to be weighed down by the chaos around us, but rather we may rest in the calm that He places within us, despite trials and tribulations. There is much comfort in knowing His presence. Right now, with tensions running high and uncertainty all around us, peace comes when I seek the Lord to be with me as I invest my energy into learning and growing, so that I may be a bridge builder toward the sort of peace He intended. In the same way that my sweet puppy looks for me and seeks me to be his space of comfort and peace, we need to do the same with God. The Lord will hold us and comfort us and bring calm to the chaos within. As we grow in our understanding of His peace, we are better equipped to go forth and bring comfort and kindness and healing where turmoil is trying to triumph. May the love of the Lord lead us, as we learn and grow to be and do better, so that we may become vessels of His perfect peace. 

The peace of the Lord, 

Always ever near; 

Our place of comfort, 

And calmer of fear. 

As we seek the Lord, 

His peace becomes known; 

A love magnified, 

His goodness is shown. 

As we choose invest, 

Seek to learn and grow; 

We’re equipped to love, 

His kindness, we’ll sow. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our peace. Thank You that Your peace is not dependent on our circumstances, nor on what surrounds us. Thank You that Your perfect peace comes and dwells within. Forgive us for the times that we have allowed trials and tribulations to steal our peace, rather than turn to You. Show us how to trust and rely on You more, so that we may know Your peace and pass it on to all whom we meet. Teach us to love with kindness, and grace, so that we may build bridges to Your perfect peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for peace in both calm and the storms, so that we may be peace bearers to the world. Amen. 

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

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – Psalm 29:11

Live Purposefully

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – (Romans 8:28, NIV)

We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him. These are the people God chose, because that was His plan. – (Romans 8:28, ERV)

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. – (Romans 8:28, VOICE)

 

It is incredible to watch and be a part of a group of people who are all walking out their purpose. Yesterday, despite the challenges of separation, new learning, and all of the trials and tribulations that go hand-in-hand with remote education and running a household (many with children of our own), there was a clear demonstration of so much good, as choosing to love people was and continues to be a clear priority. Our office manager, finance wizard, vice principal, and likely a few others, orchestrated a birthday parade for our principal. Many staff members gathered in the designated parking lot a short distance from her home to coordinate, decorate and caravan together in a parade of cars through her neighborhood. Seeing the smiling faces of fellow staff members and catching up with these dear friends, filled my heart with so much good. The look of surprise and joy on our principal’s face as the parade of vehicles kept rounding through her cul-de-sac, was fantastic. Despite the struggle of being apart and not being able to do our jobs in the way we all are accustomed to doing them, there is good that is coming out of this season, none the less. Personally, I am so grateful that these are the people who are chosen to walk out a similar purpose in this season with me. Though each of us come from different places, spaces and experiences, we are united in purpose as we seek to teach kids and love our community well. God really is able to orchestrate good and beautiful things in every season, as we earnestly seek Him and walk out the life to which we have been called. May we ever listen to the Lord’s leading and continue ever moving forward in love.

 

We know that the Lord,

Can work ALL for good;

We need to pursue,

Live the life we should.

For we are each called,

And made with intent;

With strength and purpose,

Designed, heaven-sent.

Even in hard times,

There’s much good to see;

As we seek to serve,

Live purposefully.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have created each of us with purpose, as we seek to love You and love people well. Thank You that as we move forward in these things, we see the good that You bring, even in trying times. Forgive us for our frustration with timing and circumstances. Teach us to trust Your timing – for You alone know the beginning and the end, and what is best. Show us how to love those around us well in the waiting. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for purpose and for the good that You can bring in all things. Amen.

 

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

 

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. – Psalm 136:26

Hold Hope – He’s Faithful

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. – (Hebrews 10:23)

 

To hold unswervingly is to not allow anything to drive us away from that which we know to be true. Our hope that we profess is life eternal with our Savior. For Jesus did not come so that we could just get by, but rather He came, lived, died and rose again to be seated at the right hand of the Father, so that He could send His Holy Spirit to be present with us; faithful both now and forever. May we hold fast to the hope we have in Christ, no matter what comes our way; for He who promised, is faithful to fulfill every spoken word.

 

May we ever grow,

image from quotespictures.com

in our walk with God;

so that we hold fast,

and with hope, we trod.

Let our mouths profess,

His promises too;

for Christ is faithful,

what He says, He’ll do.

As we keep moving,

forward with the Lord;

doubts are set aside,

through grace He affords.

Where wisdom was not,

God graciously gives;

for His will’s for all,

to believe and live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we may hold unswervingly to the hope we have in You; for You are faithful to all that You have promised. Thank You that Your faithfulness is not dependent on us, but rather is because of who You are. Forgive us for allowing the trials and tribulations of life to deter our eyes from You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we hold fast to our hope in You, no matter what comes our way. Lead us to love others with Your loving kindness, so that they too, may come to know the hope that is held forever in You. Be glorified O God, as we hold fast to the hope we profess, and rest assured that You are faithful to all that You have promised. 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

Not Home Yet

Revelation is a book that baffles me. It used to be one that terrified me. As I read this morning’s portion of my reading plan that had me read through chapter eleven, the verse that stood out anew, was verse fifteen: The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15, NIV)

 

Often, thanks to the accessibility of numerous versions available online, I opt to read the same verse in a variety of translations of the Bible, just to make sure that I have a firm grasp on what I am reading. The Voice, expands the verses in a sort of story form, and really struck a chord for me with this one.

 

When the seventh messenger blows his trumpet, the kingdom of this world comes to an end. The rule and reign of God and His Anointed has arrived in full to eclipse the rogue kings who rebelled against the Creator and mocked His good name. God’s kingdom entered our world in the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It slipped in almost unnoticed beneath the noses of the powers that be. It grows silently as a seed in the earth until it fills the cosmos.

Today Christians live between the times: we live as aliens and strangers rescued from this present darkness, but we also live as citizens who long for the Kingdom that is to come. Until then we are to seek His kingdom and help carve out the territories for Him. – (Revelation 11:15, The Voice)

 

Though strangers on earth,

and not quite at home;

we’ve a job to do,

while on earth we roam.

Our task is quite clear,

He’s called us above;

to live in His light,

and share of His love.

We are meant to be,

His ambassadors;

to offer His hope,

from mountains to shores.

Wherever there’s life,

the truth’s needed too;

may we choose love well,

so His light shines through.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much that in You, we have the hope of being with You forever. Thank You that though there will be trials and tribulation on earth, there will come a day, when there is no more suffering, nor pain – only peace and the joy of Your presence for all of eternity. Forgive us for losing sight of You when trials come, and help us to hold fast to our hope in You, and to stay true to the course to which You have called us. Grant us courage and strength to remain steadfast all of our days, and lead us to love others as You so lavishly love each of us. May many come to know You as their Savior and Lord. Be glorified as we go forth as You call us to do. 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

 

Firm for Our Forever

But he who stands firm in the end will be saved. – (Matthew 24:13)

 

A life fixed on faithfully following the Father, is not for the fearful nor faint of heart. Temptations and trials are guaranteed, and choosing to willfully set aside our own pride and plans for those prepared for us by our Father in heaven, is not an easy undertaking. Daily, we must decide to either do His will, or our own. Though our way may lead to momentary satisfaction, His way, leads to a life everlasting. Temporary discomfort is well worth our eternal exchange. He has given His life for ours, so that we may lay hold of all that He has promised, and claim it as our own. The Lord is our strength and our supply, and will provide all that we need to weather every storm. Often He will ask us to step out of the boat to walk toward Him through the wind and waves, but He is always within an arm’s reach, ready to lift us up if we begin to sink.

 

Stand firm in the Lord,

hold fast to the end;

to our Lord Jesus,

our Savior and friend.

Though trials will come,

and seas will get rough;

our Lord Jesus Christ,

is always enough.

His strength when we’re weak,

His peace in our storm;

His hope is secure,

in Him, we’re reborn.

Hold fast to the One,

whose preparing room;

for all who follow,

to be with Him soon.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that despite the trials and tribulations that come our way, if we stand firm in You, we are assured of our eternal security. Thank You that though at times days seem long, they are but a blink of an eye in comparison to our eternity with You. Forgive us for our faltering faith, and help us to hold fast to You in all things and at all times. May our confidence in You encourage others to seek the security found in You alone, and may many find safety in You. Let us love others as we are loved by You. Be exalted in all that we say and do. Amen.

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

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. – Ephesians 2:4-5