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

Listen and Learn

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. – (Proverbs 23:12)

 

We are most apt to gain insight and understanding if we are willing to listen. Allowing others to have a voice, creates opportunity to hear words of wisdom that they are meant to share. Learning and growth happen, as we give ear to the wise words that surround us, if only we choose to slow down enough to truly listen. May we open our hearts and minds to hear His voice of truth, as He provides people to speak wisdom and insight into our lives.

 

Seek understanding,

give ear to wise words;

He’ll grant us insight,

through that which is heard.

A heart that’s ready,

and willing to learn;

equipped for battle,

from dangers shall turn.

Let voice of the wise,

speak out and be heard;

may our knowledge grow,

as we read Your word.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek to understand more of You, You are faithful to meet us. Thank You that You provide Your word and wise and faithful people around us, who can speak truth into our lives. Forgive us for not having ears to hear the truth that is being spoken, or for not applying the instruction that You have given unto us. Teach us to trust You enough to apply immediately, all that You would ask; knowing that You would not ask anything that You will not also equip and empower us to do. Thank You that Your grace is greater than our shortcomings, and that Your love opens our ears and hearts anew. Help us to hear Your voice of truth clearly, and apply all that You ask, immediately. May we live and love as You ask of us, and may many come to know Your voice of truth, personally. Be glorified, God, as we listen and learn. 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

There is Freedom

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – (2 Corinthians 3:17) God, in His unfailing love for us, provides freedom from sin and condemnation. As we choose to trust Christ for our salvation, He takes away the burden of needing to try to please Him, and removes our guilt and shame for our failure to do just that. To trust in Christ, is to know His love, acceptance, forgiveness, and the freedom to live for Him. His Spirit in us, shows us how to live in the fullness of our freedom in Christ.

 

This can be a challenging concept to grasp, especially when the world around us has a certain set of performance expectations. The charge to perform and be “enough” seems to surround us from every angle. When all of the externals are screaming “do more” and “be more“, we have to listen to the still small voice, as He whispers, “You are enough.” He has created each one of us with the capacity to do what He is asking in His strength, and the ability to hear His voice of truth. We must slow down and truly listen, or the freedom we have in Christ, becomes a facade.

 

The Lord is Spirit,

the Spirit of truth;

our place of freedom,

He shows what to do.

He frees us from sin,

condemnation’s shame;

He forgives failure,

wipes away all blame.

To trust in the Lord,

is to know His love;

acceptance always,

from our God above.

His Spirit in us,

grants us strength enough;

His capacity,

to endure the tough.

When the world wants more,

Christ is satisfied;

in Him, we’re enough,

that is why He died.

It did not end there,

for He rose again;

so we too, might rise,

find freedom in Him.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are Spirit and You are truth. Thank You that Your Spirit is present in all who believe, and grants freedom from all that would attempt to keep our heart away from You. Thank You that You paid the price, once and for all, for our guilt and failures, and made the way for us to have life and freedom forever in You. Forgive us for allowing the demands of the world to overwhelm us, or for becoming so busy that we do not slow down in stillness to truly listen to You. Teach us how to manage our moments and make our moments count. May we love You and love others as You love us, and may many come to know the freedom found through a lasting relationship with You. Let our lives lived in Your freedom, be an ongoing act of worship unto You. Be glorified in all that we say and do, Lord. Amen.

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

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1:3

 

 

The Voice of Truth

As we are surrounded by a broken and hurting humanity, it is nearly impossible to not allow the lies being spoken over us, to somehow start to stick.  Between having to be enough, do enough, and just plain measure up, we quickly learn that we will never quite “arrive”.  Yet, there is a still small voice that says otherwise.  The voice of truth whispers that we are loved, regardless of what we have or have not done, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.  When we choose Him, He enters in, and remains present forever.

“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)

His voice is the one that I want to hear most clearly.  Goodness and love provide grace and mercy, rather than reminders of our shortcomings.  Beyond the treasures of today, His love provides us with the hope to hold for our forever.  All who come to Him and invite Him to be Lord, are assured that they too will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.  These are His words spoken, that we can depend upon.  He is faithful to His promises, and His love is everlasting.

The voice of truth,

softly calls your name;

always gentle,

this hope we can claim.

Other voices,

continue to lie;

offer defeat,

as hopes slowly die.

So listen not,

to words of the world;

unclench your fists,

let fingers unfurl.

Extend your hands,

to Him who is love;

He will speak truth,

tell you you’re enough.

For by His grace,

all stains are made clean;

each sin erased,

a pure heart now seen.

Love for today,

hope for tomorrow;

joy in His grace,

comfort in sorrow.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the voice of truth, and the only voice that we need to allow to speak to our hearts and minds.  Thank You that You say we are enough in You, as You created each one of us with a purpose in mind.  Thank You that You whisper Your words of love and life, if we are only willing to listen.  Forgive us for giving ear to the lies that surround us, and help us to be deaf to that which is not the truth.  Teach us to trust You more, so that we hear only Your heart for us, and that we move boldly because of it.  May we live in love as You love us, so that many may come to hear of the mercy and grace that You alone, give to all who call on Your Name.  Let hearts be opened and lives be changed.  May our every move be motivated by Your goodness and love, and the hope that we hold in You.  Amen.

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

They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7

*Two songs that came to mind: Who to Listen to (Amy Grant) & Voice of Truth (Casting Crowns) – click either title to enjoy.

Conquering Fear

Into the Wild, is the title of the series my pastor is currently presenting.  The premise of the teachings is that God is calling us to join Him on an adventure.  This adventure, this journey Into the Wild, requires trust and movement on our part.  Yesterday, Pastor Jon spoke about conquering fear.  In order for us to move, we must overcome the fear that would try to hold us back.

Fear is one of the most commonly used tools of the enemy, to prevent us from moving forward in faith.  Fear tells us we can’t, when God is calling us forward, offering His strength and His supply, as we are being asked to step out where we cannot complete the journey all on our own.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)

God has not called us to be fearful nor afraid, but He grants us power by His great love, and leads us in the ways in which we are meant to go, so that we may do that which He has called us to do.  Our struggle is a matter of which voice we choose to hear.  Will we listen to the still small voice of truth, that tells us to keep moving, even if we seem to be standing in the desert when we were promised a place of lush and fertile land, or do we listen to the lies that tell us to turn back, to stay in the safety of what is known, and never step out beyond the borders of where we currently dwell?

Abram would have never become Abraham, the father of a great nation, had he not continued to move further out Into the Wild as God called Him.  Often, the time between the promise spoken and the promise realized, is determined by when we actually take obedient steps of faith.  May we each choose to listen to the still small voice, and then boldly step out Into the Wild, wherever He is calling us to move.

May we listen,

let us each give ear;

the still small voice,

that conquers all fear.

Let not the lies,

take hold in our heart;

they tend to stop,

what we’re meant to start.

Be courageous,

let His power reign;

God is with us,

that will never change.

Into the wild,

may we boldly go;

sharing His truth,

so others may know.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that no weapon formed against us will prevail when we place our trust in You.  Thank You that in You, there is not fear, for You have defeated all darkness that could come against us.  Thank You that You love us and grant us grace that is far beyond what we can fathom, and that You continue to lead us forward, even when we fail miserably.  Forgive us for our failures, our fearfulness, and our lack of faith, and grow in us an unwavering faith that always trusts in You.  May we live in love as You love us, and may many come to know Your mercy and grace, so they too may choose Your still small voice of truth.  Be glorified in all that we say and do.  Amen.

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

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. – Psalm 34:8