Set Free

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. – (Romans 8:1-2, NIV)

So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death. – (Romans 8:1-2, ERV)

Therefore, now no condemnation awaits those who are living in Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King, because when you live in the Anointed One Jesus, a new law takes effect. The law of the Spirit of life breathes into you and liberates you from the law of sin and death. – (Romans 8:1-2, VOICE)

When we live in Christ, we are covered and cleansed by His sacrifice for us. Our confession before Him and our decision to trust in Him and walk in His ways sets us free from the grips of sin and death. In Him, we have life and freedom to live in His love. The more we walk with Him, the greater our understanding of what He has done for us grows, and thusly, so too does our desire to walk in His way and do His will. We are an ongoing work in progress, yet His loving kindness for us is eternal and unchanging. Because of His mercy and grace, there is a place for us in His kingdom and we are welcomed into His family. May we ever seek Him to lead us in His love and trust in Him to cover us in His goodness and grace that grants us life and sets us free from the death we deserve.

No condemnation,

when we are in Christ;

forgiven and free,

He makes all things right.

As we choose confess,

He washes us clean;

covered, forgiven,

in Him, we’re redeemed.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

to walk in Your ways;

to love and forgive,

as You do, always.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that because of Jesus, we are no longer condemned for our sin and shame, but rather we are forgiven and set free so that we can live and love as You intended. Forgive us for every time that we have fallen short in word, thought and deed. Teach us to walk in Your ways and live out Your love through all things. Show us how to love those around us best, so that they too, may know of Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to lead us and love because we are free in You. Amen.

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

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:36

Rejoice. Pray. Give Thanks.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)

Always be full of joy. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. – (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ERV)

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God want you who belong to Christ Jesus to live – (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, MSG)

Rejoicing is a recognition of the goodness of God and radiating our gratitude for the Redeemer. Praying continually is an open-ended, ongoing conversation with God in which we share our celebrations, gratitude, fears, frustrations, and short comings. To give thanks in all circumstances is not to give thanks for all circumstances, but rather to the One who will remain with us in and through all circumstances. God has given us reasons to be full of His joy, and is present so that we can keep praying. Gratitude takes our focus off of what lies before us and places it on the One who is with us. This time of the school year it is extra challenging to focus on living the way that God wants. Kids are often full of angst, as there is agitation at all of the spring testing, the pollen count is so high that everyone has allergy symptoms, and the close of the school year is in sight. Between congestion, irritation with one another, spring pairing drama, and the like, it is essential to remember who is good and holds us in His hands. If nothing else, I can be grateful for the number of days that have been successfully completed, and know that the number remaining are few in comparison. Each morning, I can give thanks for a new day and a fresh start. Throughout the day, I can be thankful for the little victories, as a new student grows in understanding or effort, and I have incredible colleagues surrounding me. I cannot help but pray, for often I catch myself grumbling in frustration internally, and have to give it to God as soon as I recognize my own frustration or irritation. By the close of each day, I can look back and see the good that God has sprinkled throughout, and need to thank Him for His faithfulness that knows no end. May we ever rejoice in the Lord and pray continually, for He is good in all things and at all times, and is faithful to see us through.

Choose rejoice always,

for the Lord is good;

no matter what comes,

our Hope’s understood.

Always we can pray,

in each circumstance;

there’s nothing not known,

that He leaves to chance.

God is our reason,

to rise and rejoice;

Eternal presence,

why we lift our voice.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

that You’re always good;

Your help and Your hope,

make love understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our reason to rejoice, always. Thank You that You are good, even when our situations or circumstances are not. Thank You that we can come to You and pray to You in all things and at all times. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to count our blessings and have fixated on the struggles before us. Teach us to place all in Your hands so that we can be aware of the countless ways that You are with us, You help us, You provide for us, and You show us who You are and how deeply You love us all. Lead us to love as You love, and show us how to rejoice and pray in all things and at all times so that Your heart is made evident to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we rejoice in You, pray to You continually, and listen to Your leading in all things, and give You thanks for who You are. Amen.

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

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. – Psalm 100:5

Connect in Community

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. – (James 5:16, HCSB)

So always tell each other the wrong things you have done. Then pray for each other. Do this so that God can heal you. Anyone who lives the way God wants can pray, and great things will happen. – (James 5:16, ERV)

Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. – (James 5:16, MSG)

This is yet another reason we are called to be in community. We are called to confess to one another and pray together so that we can be forgiven and free. A sense of community is created when we have others whom we can trust and care for, and help hold each other accountable. Such connection helps us live right, and God hears and responds accordingly in His power, goodness and grace. This does not mean we need to shout our shortcomings from the rooftops, but rather we ought to have a small circle whom we trust and can be completely real and transparent. In turn, we are meant to hold each other up and cover one another in prayer. As we do, we see God move in mighty ways. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to be in community where we can confess to each other and pray for one another, and see God move in mighty ways.

We all need people,

that we know and trust;

share life together,

and live as we must.

We need others whom,

we trust and are real;

to share in all things,

confess, pray and heal.

For God has promised,

where two or more meet;

He will be present,

until all’s complete.

So, trust in the Lord,

invest in the ones;

trusted, like-minded,

so God’s will is done.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to community and transparency. Thank You that as we seek You, You provide those in whom we can confide. Thank You that You designed us to partner together to confess and pray so that we may see Your power made tangible as You move on our behalf, according to Your will. Forgive us for the times that we have hidden our faults or have isolated ourselves when You already see and know. Teach us to trust You and show us who to trust around us. Lead us in Your love to care well and connect authentically with those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to right relationships that create a community as intended by You. Show us Your power as we confess and pray and seek to live Your way. Amen.

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

For where two or three gather in My Name, there am I with them. – Matthew 18:20

Forgiven to Love

If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV)

And if My people who are called by My Name become humble and pray, and look for Me, and turn away from their evil ways, then I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin and heal their land. – (2 Chronicles 7:14, ERV)

And My people (who are known by My Name) humbly pray, follow My commandments, and abandon any actions or thoughts that might lead to further sinning, then I shall hear their prayers from My house in heaven, I shall forgive their sins, and I shall save their land from the disasters. – (2 Chronicles 7:14, VOICE)

This verse was part of what God spoke to King Solomon after he had consecrated the temple to God. The Lord was speaking of the Israelites, yet His heart for us remains the same. In fact, God loves us so much that He sent His Son to show us how to call on Him and to be forgiven and set free from our sin. Imagine what the world around us might be like if we all chose to love God and love people. There would be much healing and far less hatred and harm. Though we are each only one, collectively, we are many. Power is present when we actively choose to love, even when we desire otherwise. Just yesterday, my husband and I were out working in the yard. In our neighborhood, there is that one house where chaos reigns, and all of the extra traffic and mess in our cul de sac, comes from those who are constantly coming and going from that home. As I glanced over the fence, I saw a man in a beat up truck, parking in front of a different neighbor’s house. At first, my thought was “get the heck out of here!” Then the still small voice spoke softly to my heart to pray for him. There was clearly an issue with his truck, as he had the hood up and was tinkering. I did pray that he would be able to fix whatever was wrong and for his blessing. Within the next 20 minutes, whatever had been wrong seemed to have been restored, and the truck was gone. This short heart check was another reminder to pray for others, even when my inclination is otherwise. We never know what others are going through, and our charge is to love. Obviously we need to use caution, but we can ALWAYS pray. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love as we seek and follow after Him. Let His love lead us and bring healing to our land, our town, our neighborhoods.

O Lord, we seek You,

and ask You forgive;

the things in our hearts,

not rooted in love.

God, show us the things,

where we are unkind;

help us turn to You,

so Your grace we find.

Lead us to love well,

so healing may come;

in us and others,

may Your will be done.

In spaces of good,

Your blessings are clear;

a glimpse of heaven,

right now and right here.

Show us all the ways,

where we can love more;

grant strength to follow,

You whom we adore.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and loving, gracious and forgiving. Thank You that You call us to confess our sins and seek You to lead us in Your love. Thank You that as we do, You bring healing and hope to us and to those around us. Forgive us for every thought, word, and deed that has not demonstrated Your goodness and love. Show us how to love those around us practically, even when we do not understand why people do what they do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love and continually keep short accounts before You. Amen.

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

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34

Forgive

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven out debtors. – (Matthew 6:12, NIV)

Forgive our sins, just as we have forgiven those who did wrong to us. – (Matthew 6:12, ERV)

And forgive us out debts as we forgive those who owe us something. – (Matthew 6:12, VOICE)

Yesterday, at church, our current series in the Lord’s Prayer continued with the verse above. As the pastor was unpacking the process, I felt pretty okay about my own heart, as I am fairly quick to listen to His prompting and forgive others and ask for His forgiveness for myself. Then, not even an hour after I returned home, I spoke on the phone with a dear friend, and she unpacked a harrowing tale of injustice and horrible misjudgment that could have cost her life. Thankfully, she is okay now, but the anger and frustration at what transpired rose up in me as she unpacked her story. After we had spoken for a while, the still small voice reminded me of what I had just heard in church. We talked about how forgiveness does not mean mistreatment is ever okay, but rather it releases the offended from the weight of a grudge or desire for revenge. In the arena where she suffered, corrective action must be taken, yet it does not have to come from a place of anger. When forgiveness enters in, there is opportunity to educate and inform many as to what should have transpired, rather than continually “throwing stones” to retaliate. I imagine in this circumstance, as in so many others, forgiveness will have to be practiced again and again before the anger and frustration subside. God is good, and He can use all things for His glory. I loathe that she experienced what she did, but can only imagine how God will turn it around to bring positive change for many. The final verse that the pastor shared toward the close of his message is one that resonates in this situation as well. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, unjustly, and had been beaten, flogged, spat on, insulted and mocked, His final words were, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:24) In my friend’s case, I believe similar words ring true, as they clearly did not know what they were doing, nor did they realize the damage that their words and actions caused. May we ever seek the Lord to show us again and again how to forgive, and ever ask for forgiveness ourselves. We all fall short and need the Savior to cleanse us from our unrighteousness and keep us in His loving care.

We’re purposely called,

to pray to the Lord;

ask for forgiveness,

not keep wrongs ignored.

Also, He calls us,

to choose to forgive;

the sins against us,

each day that we live.

Forgive all the wrongs,

no matter how bad;

for He took the cross,

so we’d understand.

Understand His grace,

forgiveness and love;

and how we are called,

to do as He does.

If He could forgive,

when He’d done no wrong;

He will help us too,

throughout our life long.

He grants us the strength,

to cling fast to Him;

and release the wrongs,

again and again.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

that You’re always good;

You love and forgive,

make grace understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that each time that we seek You to forgive us, You remove our sin from us as far as the east is from the west. Thank You that You call us to do likewise. Not in our own strength, but in Yours. Thank You that when we ask, You empower us to forgive again and again, much in the same way You continue to forgive us for our missteps and shortcomings. Forgive us for the times that we hold onto our own sin or the sin of others rather than releasing all unto You. Teach us to trust You to lead us in Your love so that we can forgive others as we have been forgiven by You. Show us how to love as You do so that all might come to know the power of Your loving kindness and the goodness of Your forgiveness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us how to forgive others and listen to You to show us what we need to ask You to forgive. Amen.

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

But with You there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve You. – Psalm 130:4

Made New

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. – (2 Corinthians 5:17, HCSB)

When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, ERV)

Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone – and see – a new life has begun! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, VOICE)

I am so thankful that our renewal in Christ is not a one-time deal, but He is making us new, daily. Just as each new day holds a fresh start, so too, do our hearts as He refines and transforms us to more clearly reflect His love to the world. We will have good days and bad, yet ever He will be working in and through us if we allow Him room to move. Being near the ocean is my favorite, and it is remarkable how vastly different each day can unfold. This morning, I woke to sunshine and blue skies. A few minutes ago, rain blew in and a full double rainbow appeared. Thankfully, the rain is not supposed to stick around, so we will likely stay dry on our last day of exploring. New discoveries and new adventures remind me how we are new in Him. As He makes us new, He shows us the beauty that has come from our brokenness, and the joy that now lives where sorrow once stood. May we ever seek the Lord, who covers us in His righteousness and cleanses us from our sin, as He makes us new so that we can love as He loves us.

When we seek the Lord,

we’re made ever new;

treasured creation,

in me and in you.

He cleanses our hearts,

and renews our minds;

shows us His great love,

for all humankind.

Granted strength and love,

His patience and peace;

the more we seek Him,

we see love increase.

Keep seeking the Lord,

in all that we do;

grant access to all,

it’s how we’re made new.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You, we are refined and renewed in You. Thank You that You forgive us for our flaws and failures, and make us new in the goodness of Your love. Forgive us for the times that we have tried to make things better on our own, instead of seeking You to forgive and show us the ways that we are meant to go. Lead us in Your love everlasting, so that those around us might be made new in the overwhelming, unrelenting goodness of Your love for us all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and thank You that You are ever making us new. Amen.

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

So Christ brings a new agreement from God to His people. He brings this agreement so that those who are chosen by God can have the blessings God promised, blessings that last forever. This can happen only because Christ died to free people from sins committed against the commands of the first agreement. – Hebrews 9:15

Great Love

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! – (Ephesians 2:4-5, HCSB)

But God is rich in mercy, and He loved us very much. We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against Him. But He gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.) – (Ephesians 2:4-5, ERV)

But God, with the unfathomable richness of His love and mercy focused on us, united us with the Anointed One and infused our lifeless souls with life – even though we were buried under mountains of sin – and saved us by His grace. – (Ephesians 2:4-5, VOICE)

Christianity is the only faith that grants us salvation by grace. God’s love, grace, goodness and forgiveness are a freely given gift, we only have to choose to accept what He offers. In every other religion, a person must do enough or be enough to gain entry to a positive afterlife. Because what God gives us is a free gift, we are compelled to do good and live a life like Jesus. It is not a prerequisite, but rather an effect of His goodness to us. We know this, as one of the criminals on the cross beside Him asked that he be remembered, and Jesus told the criminal that He would be with Him in paradise. The criminal had confessed that he was deserving of his death and believed that Jesus was who He said He was. Imagine someone who repeatedly does you wrong, and you choose, freely, to lay down your life for theirs… That’s what Jesus did for all of us! May we each receive the gift that God freely and lovingly offers, and choose to extend the same love to all those whom we encounter.

The goodness of God,

is mercy and grace;

He freely forgives,

as we seek His face.

It’s overwhelming,

to think of His love;

that gave us His life,

Our Father above.

We cannot earn it,

nor be good enough;

it is a free gift,

that helps us become.

Become the children,

we’ve been called to be;

people who choose love,

as we know we’re free.

Free from our own sin,

the debt has been paid;

our hope is assured,

for He made the way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You freely forgive and grant us eternal life when we accept and receive all that You chose to do on our behalf. Forgive us for thinking that we have to do or be enough to be loved by You, for You loved us so much that You laid down Your life while we were stuck in our sins. Teach us to trust You and Your word, and lead us to love as You love. Show us how to care well for those around us so that they too, might come to know Your goodness and Your grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the great love You freely give and the hope that is everlasting in You. Amen.

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

Measure how high heaven is above the earth; God’s wide, loving, kind heart is greater for those who revere Him. – Psalm 103:11

Confess to Be Cleansed

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – (1 John 1:9, NIV)

But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from the wrong things we have done. – (1 John 1:9, ERV)

But if we own up to our sins, God shows that He is faithful by forgiving us of our sins and purifying us from the pollution of all the bad things we have done. – (1 John 1:9, VOICE)

We all fall short and sin, be it in word, thought or deed. Our human nature is sinful, but God with us is pure and holy. When we talk to God and let Him know where we have fallen short or have said or done things that we know do not bring Him glory and ask for His forgiveness, He forgives and wipes the slate clean. In Psalm 103 we are reminded that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” God forgives us and looks at us through the lens of Jesus, the One who has no sin. No more does He hold what we have thought, said, or done against us, but rather He looks upon us with love, fresh and new. Unlike humans, He separates the sinner from the sin and chooses to pour out upon us His love and forgiveness as we ask. We, as humans, have a harder time forgiving and letting go. For us, we often have to ask Him to help us forgive others on more than one occasion for the same offense. He is our example of how to forgive and let go. The more we realize how we are forgiven each time we ask, the easier time we have forgiving those around us. May we ever seek the Lord and ask Him to forgive where we have erred, and to help us forgive those around us who have done the same.

The goodness of God,

far greater than sin;

He wipes our slate clean,

again and again.

Each time we fall short,

and ask He forgive;

He cleanses our heart,

mercy and grace gives.

Much in the same way,

we’re called to the same;

forgive each other,

so His good’s proclaimed.

Christ’s our example,

for He took on all;

He bore on the cross,

our sin, great and small.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that each time we ask, You forgive us and make us new. Thank You that there is no sin that we have done that has been hidden from You, yet still You love and pursue us and call us Your own. Forgive us for every word, thought, and deed that did not glorify You. Teach us to listen and learn so that we would follow Your lead in all things and at all times. Show us how to love and forgive as You do so that those around us would gain glimpses of Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You anew each day and ask that You cleanse us from our unrighteousness and move in and through us so that Your love is made known. Amen.

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

But with You forgiveness exists; that’s why true respect of You might flow. – Psalm 130:4

To Reflect You

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. – (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV)

God, examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries. Make sure that I am not going the wrong way. Lead me on the path that has always been right. – (Psalm 139:23-24, ERV)

Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for Yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – then guide me on the road to eternal life. – (Psalm 139:23-24, MSG)

This is a powerful pair of verses. It is not that God does not already know our hearts, our anxieties, and the offensive ways with in us, but it a matter of us choosing to allow Him access into the things that we would rather keep hidden. When we reach out and ask Him to enter into all of us, He is faithful to show us what is good and the things that ought to change. We are works in progress. God is faithful to lead, guide and direct us in the ways we are meant to go, and trustworthy to come into the spaces we prefer be left unseen to show us how to do things differently. His kindness leads to repentance and His love restores the broken and brittle spaces within us. May we ever seek the Lord to know us, correct us, lead us and guide us into a life that leads to His everlasting love.

Search my heart, O God,

make me ever new;

show me how to change,

so I reflect You.

Where I am anxious,

show me how to trust;

where I’m unloving,

fill me with Jesus.

Lord, show me the path,

that I’m meant to take;

the way that is best,

each day as I wake.

Lead me in Your love,

in all that I do;

make Your kindness clear,

so I reflect You.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are gentle and kind and that though You know everything about us, You wait to be invited in to show us the ways we are meant to go. Thank You that You are faithful to meet us each time we ask and that Your love is unconditional and eternal. Forgive us for the times that we have been lacking love. Show us how to love like You in every situation and circumstance. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to refine us to reflect You. Amen.

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

God has been kind to you. He has been very patient, waiting for you to change. But you think nothing of His kindness. Maybe you don’t understand that God is kind to you so that you will decide to change your lives. – Romans 2:4

Cleansing Within

And He said to them, “Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don’t you realize that nothing going into a man from the outside can defile him? For it doesn’t go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated.” (As a result, He made all foods clean.” Then He said, “What comes out of a person – that defiles him.” – (Mark 7:18-20, HCSB)

He said, “Do you still have trouble understanding? Surely you know that nothing that enters the mouth from the outside can make people unacceptable to God. Food does not go into a person’s mind. It goes into the stomach. Then it goes out of the body.” (When Jesus said this, He meant there is no food that is wrong for people to eat.) And Jesus said, “The things that make people wrong are the things that come from the inside.” – (Mark 7:18-20, ERV)

Jesus: Do you mean you don’t understand this one either? Whatever goes into people from the outside can’t defile them because it doesn’t go into their hearts. Outside things go through their guts and back out, thus making all foods pure. No, it’s what comes from within that corrupts. – (Mark 7:18-20, VOICE)

What we eat does not determine our righteousness before God. It is what comes out of our mouth and heart that demonstrates our thoughts and beliefs. To speak and act in alignment with God, we must seek and know God, to do His will. It is an ongoing process, as we constantly encounter new situations and circumstances and need God to guide us in His ways. Additionally, we need Him to help us filter our frustrations in such a way that we respond, rather than react. Personally, my default is sarcasm. It is a coping method, but it is not necessarily a way to honor the Lord. I need Him to show me how to adjust my thinking and responding when frustrations come. He is faithful to meet us each time we seek Him, and He helps us recognize a right response more quickly as we are in continual pursuit of His best. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in every word, thought and deed, so that the things that come out of us glorify Him.

The things called “unclean”,

are not found in food;

it’s words and actions,

that are unkind, rude.

That which is unclean,

comes from peoples hearts;

and then manifests,

through what we impart.

O Lord, please lead us,

to choose what is clean;

our words and actions,

so Your love is seen.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show and instruct us in how we ought to live. Thank You that living out love is what demonstrates Your goodness and grace. Forgive us for the times that we react out of our frustrations instead of responding in love. Teach us to look to You in all that we say and do so that those around us experience Your loving kindness. Show us how to love well, so that Your cleanliness flows from us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love in all that we say and think and do. Amen.

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

Create in me a clean heart, O God; restore within me a sense of being brand new. – Psalm 51:10