Prayer and Pursuit

Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name. – (Psalm 86:11, NIV)

Lord, teach me Your ways, and I will live and obey Your truths. Help me make worshiping Your Name the most important thing in my life. – (Psalm 86:11, ERV)

Teach me more about You, how You work and how You move, so that I can walk onward in Your truth until everything within me brings honor to Your Name. – (Psalm 86:11, TPT)

This is an ongoing prayer and pursuit. The more I learn, the more I recognize how much more I need the Lord and His faithful love to grow in me an undivided heart. In our fast-paced world, it is far too easy to become distracted by all that surrounds us. It requires intentional time set apart to fix our eyes on Him, and to invest in reading and understanding His word. As we do, we become more aware of the Lord’s hand in everything. May we ever set our eyes and hearts on the Lord as we seek Him, so that we might learn to have undivided hearts and bring honor to His Name in all that we say and do.

O Lord, please teach me,

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To walk in Your way;

Heart undivided,

So I seek and pray.

Show me more and more,

The way I’m to live;

To honor Your Name,

Through love that I give.

May all that I am,

And all that I do;

Seek You to guide me,

So I might love true.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to meet us as we seek You. Thank You that You show us the way that we are meant to live and love, so that we may glorify You. Forgive us for our lack of seeking. Teach us to have an undivided heart, free from all that competes for our attention. Show us how to fix our eyes and hearts on You, so that we may honor You and love well. Lead us to love those around us the way that You intended. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue a life focused on You and seek to love others well. Amen.

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

Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. – 1 Chronicles 16:10

Flowers or Weeds?

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. – (Proverbs 21:21, NIV)

People who try hard to do good and be faithful will find life, goodness, and honor. – (Proverbs 21:21, ERV)

Whoever pursues justice and treats others with kindness discovers true life marked by integrity and respect. – (Proverbs 21:21, VOICE)

What we plant, we harvest. We can plant flowers or weeds; things that give life or those which choke it out. If we pursue goodness, justice, kindness and love in all that we do, these are exactly what we will find. It may take time, effort and endurance, but ultimately such good is what will be found. Though there are days that it is a battle, it is always worth the effort. May we ever pursue He who is righteousness and love, so that we may discover the full life that abounds in Him.

May we choose pursue,

God’s goodness and grace;

Seek justice and love,

Throughout all our days.

Let us be faithful,

Purposefully kind;

Let love guide all things,

With goodness in mind.

May integrity,

Be how we are known;

Honoring others,

As God’s good is shown.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good, just, loving, faithful and kind, and that You will show us how to live accordingly. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to live as You intended. Teach us to walk in Your ways and to love like You. Show us how to love those around us best, so that justice, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and integrity are what will be found. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and Your heart so that we may love as You love. Amen.

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

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name. – Psalm 86:11

For Beautiful New

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV)

So don’t remember what happened in earlier times. Don’t think about what happened a long time ago, because I am doing something new! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I will even make a road in the desert and rivers will flow through that dry land. – (Isaiah 43:18-19, ERV)

Eternal One: Don’t revel only in the past, or spend all your time recounting the victories of days gone by. Watch closely: I am preparing something new; it’s happening now, even as I speak, and you’re about to see it. I am preparing a way through the desert; Waters will flow where there has been none. – (Isaiah 43:18-19, VOICE)

 

I am not big on resolutions nor bandwagon ideas for the coming year. However, as I sat down to prepare to do my devotions this morning, I pondered the overarching word that could capture the heart of this past year. Right away, the word that came to mind was hope. Hope has been the anchor for my soul through some seriously stormy seas that I never thought I’d need to navigate. God’s grace has been abundant, and His hope – overwhelmingly present. Looking forward, I paused, for only a moment, and prayed, asking what word might be one to look for in the coming year. Right away, the word “new” came to mind. For most, I know that new would make sense for a new year, but as a teacher, the new year falls only halfway through the school year, so it really never feels “new”. It is simply a return, rested and recharged for part two. That being said, as I opened my Bible app to go to the day’s reading, and immediately I was greeted by the verses listed above. I do not think that the verse and the word that came to mind and heart are a coincidence. God is doing something new, and I am going to eagerly anticipate all that awaits in the new year. Growth is always good, and possible where things seem impossible – excellent! May we ever watch closely and take notice, for God is doing new things – making a way where there seems no way, and providing beyond what we thought possible.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of accompanying Mom to her therapy appointments. It was incredible to watch all of the “new” that she is doing in occupational, speech and physical therapies. Additionally, Saturday morning, Mom determined to try out her new cane, rather than her walker. Since then, she has not looked back, and is now only using the cane to walk! That includes going out for appointments, quick errands, and even when we went out to dinner last evening. God continues to do the “new” in Mom, and we are anticipating an incredible year ahead for her as well.

 

Behold, there is new,

That is yet to come;

God’s making a way,

He’s only begun.

Where impossible,

Was how it all seemed;

God’s making the way,

Realizing dreams.

We know not the way,

He’s working for us;

But He’s full of love,

And faithful to bless.

So, rise up in trust,

Have faith His word’s true;

God’s making a way,

For beautiful new.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and faithful and full of love. Thank You that You make a way where there seems to be no way, and grow us beyond what we ever imagined possible. Thank You that You are always doing something new on our behalf. Forgive us for our fears and doubts that question the possibility of anything more than where we are right now. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would view life through Your lens rather than our own. Show us how to love those around us in ways that support, encourage, and strengthen all whom we meet with reason to believe there is more in store. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You in all the new that is yet to come in 2020. Amen.

 

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

 

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. – Ezekiel 11:19

Remove the Barriers of Unbelief

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. – (Ezekiel 11:19-20, NIV)

 

Just as God promised these things to the faithful who were in exile, His words and promises remain true for us today. If we seek the Lord and follow His ways, He will remove the things within us that are barriers to believing and becoming all that He has for us. He calls us His own, and we are reminded and reassured that God is for us and making us new in Him. May we trust in the Lord with all of our heart and follow His ways in truth. Let every heart allow God to give us an undivided heart and a new spirit that is a reflection of His love.

 

For this hard old heart,

Must choose seek the Lord;

In faithful pursuit,

His grace He affords.

He takes our hardness,

Replaces within;

Tender, full of love,

As new life begins.

We are His people,

And He is our God;

Hearts undivided,

As we choose respond.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we trust You and choose to faithfully follow You, You give us an undivided heart and a new spirit within. Thank You that You remove the barriers in our hearts that keep us from fully following after You. Thank You that You call us Your people, and we in turn can call You our God. Forgive us for not carefully following Your leading, or for failing to trust in You. Remove the obstacles within us that keep us from fully trusting You. Show us how to love others with an undivided heart through Your Spirit within us, so they may seek to know You for themselves. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You so that we may follow Your every leading as Your people, and honor You, our great and loving God. Amen.

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

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

An Undivided Heart

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. – (Ezekiel 11:19-20)

 

Though the Israelites had been sent away and scattered, and had become divided from God and each other, the Lord was making a promise to His people. God gave word that He would restore them back to their land once again. Verses nineteen and twenty were further promises to His people that He is faithful.

 

The promises spoken for the Israelites, are still available for us today. When we seek Christ, He will give us an undivided heart and place His spirit within us. He takes our hardened, calloused heart, and exchanges it for one that is soft, tender and vulnerable. His Spirit directs our path as to what we should and should not do, and He calls us His own, and He is our God.

 

A heart undivided,

once as hard as stone;

transformed by Jesus Christ,

through whom love is shown.

He grants us His Spirit,

to dwell in our heart;

so each of us will know,

His path from the start.

He makes us His people,

and He is our God;

He transforms and grows us,

let the earth applaud.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You grant us an undivided heart and a new spirit within us. Thank You that when we seek to find You, You are ready and waiting for us. Thank You that You exchange our hard hearts for ones of flesh that are soft and open to all that You ask. Thank You that Your Spirit within us makes known the paths we’re meant to take, and helps lead us and guide us in the ways we are meant to go. Thank You that we are Your people and that You are our God. Forgive us for our words and deeds that do not reflect that relationship. Help us to be a rightful representation of You before the world, as we go forth in love, just as You love us. May many come to know You as their Savior and King, as they too, grant You full access to their hearts and lives. Be glorified, Lord God, 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

Softening Stone

As we come to God,

He will give to us;

heart undivided,

unity in trust.

He will take hard hearts,

made of solid stone;

replace them with flesh,

to receive truth known.

We will then follow,

all He has decreed;

careful to obey,

His laws we shall heed.

God’s people we’ll be,

as we give Him throne;

and He’ll be our God,

making His ways known.

Lord, please take the stone,

away from our heart;

show us how to trust,

with whole self, not part.

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” – (Ezekiel 11:19-20)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You accept us when our hearts are hard, yet love us so much that You do not allow us to stay that way. Thank You that You woo us unto Yourself, and You soften the soil of our hearts to plant truth, so that we may flourish and grow in You. Father, forgive us for withholding hardened places in our hearts, and help us to allow You to touch those spaces so that they too, may be ready to receive all that You offer. Teach us to faithfully follow You, and use our obedience to lead those who are looking, to the foot of Your throne. May we love others well, so that You are made known. Amen.

Anne update: Anne is very grateful to be back home, and God is so faithful as He is orchestrating all that Anne needs. Please join me in giving God all glory and thanks for the wonderful ways that He is moving in hearts and making way for Anne. May we continue to contend for the miraculous, despite the doctor’s diagnosis. Thank You God that You are ALWAYS good!

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

Praise for His Promises

image by Christopher Wilson

Teach me Your way, O Lord,

in You, I will abide;

may I fear Your great Name,

a heart none can divide.

I will ever praise You,

O Lord with all my heart;

I’ll praise Your Name always,

the Granter of new starts.

Great is Your love for me,

delivered from the grave;

powerful, Your promise,

so plain the path You pave.

Though arrogant surround,

You are my gracious Lord;

slow to become angry,

lavish love You afford.

Turn to me, have mercy,

and grant to me Your strength;

demonstrate Your goodness,

keep me in Your arm’s length.

 

(Responding to Psalm 86:11-17)

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we abide in You, You instruct and strengthen, protect and provide grace.  Thank You that You are slow to anger and abound in love.  Forgive us for taking grace for granted, and help us to ever praise You.  Teach us Your ways, and make plain the path You have set before us.  Strengthen us so that we may have undivided hearts, and forever abide in You.  As we walk in faithful obedience, may many come to know of Your great love, so that they too, will abide in You.  Great are You, our gracious and loving God!  Amen.

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

Stripping Away the Stone

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.  Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.  They will be my people, and I will be their God.” – Ezekiel 11:19-20

photo by Tigresblanco

If we choose to turn to God, He will change our heart.  He will remove the hard, fortified exterior that repels what is meant to be received, and will replace it with true tenderness that turns to trust as He touches the tough places.  As the heart is changed, both the desire and the ability, by His Spirit, to obey all He asks – increase.  When we give Him our heart and allow Him access to all, He calls us His kids and we come to call Him “Abba Father“, or Daddy God.

As the stone shell is slowly and safely stripped away, a healthy heart that is ready to receive and return to others all the glorious gifts that God is granting, emerges.  He doesn’t wait for us to have it all together.  Rather, He is ready to redeem each time we ask Him earnestly.  He changes our heart and then grants us the grace to follow His good and perfect plan that He has placed before us; ever encouraging, equipping, correcting and directing, until the day we see Him face-to-face.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You unite our hearts to Yours, removing all that divides us from Your deity.  Thank You for Your patience and willingness to change that which hinders us from hearing You.  Teach us to trust You more, as we are careful to keep Your commands.  Help us to embrace our role as Your people and to give proper glory to You, our God.  May our undivided hearts hold all that You have for us, and may we be willing vessels for Your love to flow through.  Amen.

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

Train in Truth

“Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name.” – Psalm 86:11

“Train me, God, to walk straight; then I’ll follow Your true path.  Put me together, one heart and mind; then undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear.” (The Message)

I need God’s instruction, His training, to walk in truth and do as He asks.  Only by His grace, will my heart and mind be aligned for this race.  When all of me, is fixed on all of Him, my heart and mind become aligned, so that I may joyfully and reverently pursue the path that He has placed before me.

photo by The Palm Beach Post

To run this race,

at God’s perfect pace,

I must seek His face,

and trust His grace.

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for all that divides my attention.  Thank You that You are quick to forgive and have abundant grace for Your children.  Grant me an undivided heart, and teach me to walk in Your way.  Train me so that I might run the race that You have set before me.  May both my joy in You, and reverence for You, draw others into Your tender embrace.  Amen.

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