Filled

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, NIV)

I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in Him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, ERV)

I pray that God, the Source of all hope, will infuse your lives with an abundance of joy and peace in the midst of your faith so that your hope will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, VOICE)

Hope, joy and peace through Christ are the very things that strengthen us to persevere when things are difficult. Joy is deep-rooted within us and is not dependent on our circumstances. The joy is found in knowing God and trusting that His plans are good. His peace, true peace, is an anchor through our storms and a green pasture to lie in beside still waters when we need rest. All around us are reminders of God’s goodness and grace. This morning, despite being woken up twice in the night by a restless dog, I am surrounded and snuggled by him and his sister, as I am enjoying the sweet silence of the morning and watching the morning sky change colors as I sip on hot coffee. God knows all of the little things that bless our hearts and reminds us of His love and tender mercy anew every morning, if only we look around as we seek Him. May we ever seek the Lord to open our eyes to His goodness all around us and recognize the hope we have in Him that infuses our lives with joy and peace.

Each day as we rise,

May we find anew;

The joy that we have,

In knowing the truth.

Hope overflowing,

For all that’s ahead;

Joy in the journey,

Peace as we are led.

His goodness abounds,

In all things, always;

No matter the road,

Beside us He stays.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our hope, joy, and peace in all things, always. Thank You that Your nearness is not dependent on our circumstances. Forgive us for our lack of faith when the road before us is rough. Teach us to trust You to lead us every step of our journey. Show us how to love those around us in ways that share the hope, joy, and peace found in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and how You love us all. Amen.

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

The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, You call forth songs of joy. – Psalm 65:8

The Good Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. – (Psalm 23:1-3a, NIV)

The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need. He gives me green pastures to lie in. He leads me by calm pools of water. He restores my strength. – (Psalm 23:1-3a, ERV)

The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. He provides me rest in rich green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears; He makes me whole again. – (Psalm 23:1-3a, VOICE)

A shepherd looks after, cares for, and protects their sheep. God is the ultimate shepherd of all who choose to follow after and trust in Him. He is faithful to supply what we need as we need it and provides spaces of rest to refresh us when we are weary. Over the last several months, I have gone through an unexpected ordeal with skin cancer. A spot of concern turned into a removal surgery that required plastic surgery to close the removal site. From there, what was removed was sent to be tested genetically to determine the likelihood of the cancer metastasizing. The outcome deemed that I was at moderate risk, which resulted in orders for a CT scan. Yesterday, after a very long day of teaching and coaching, followed by a car issue that delayed heading home by more than an hour, I was able to login to MyChart to read the outcome of the scan. Through the process of all these things, I knew He was holding me in His hands. He brought me to a space of knowing that no matter what, He had me. Thankfully, the results of the scan were delivered electronically rather than by a specialist, as that is an indicator that things are good. Indeed, all is well. Additionally, we are two weeks away from Spring Break, and I know rest is coming. May we ever trust in the Lord to be our shepherd, for He leads us, guides us, protects us, and provides for us, every day we draw breath.

God’s our good shepherd,

He leads and provides;

Protects and directs,

As we choose abide.

He’s faithful always,

Forever is near;

To supply us strength,

And calm all our fears.

No matter what comes,

In Him we can trust;

His love knows no end,

He’s faithful and just.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our good shepherd. Thank You that You lead us through all things with love, kindness and grace, and You remain present always. Forgive us for giving fear a foothold when facing the unknowns. Teach us to ever trust in You, for You care for us far better than we can care for ourselves. Lead us to spaces of rest when we are weary and strengthen us anew with Your love. Show us how to love those around us well, so that all may experience the fullness of Your overwhelming goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we come to You every morning to be our strength, supply, and space of rest, so that we may love as You love us. Amen.

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

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and encouragement they provide we might have hope. – Romans 15:4

Train in Trustworthy Traits

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

God has chosen you and made you His holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. – (Colossians 3:12, ERV)

Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. – (Colossians 3:12, VOICE)

If we know God, we are His chosen people. It is only by His great love that we are made holy through Him and equipped to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. This way of life is a choice and it requires us to invest our heart in Him. As we do, we grow in our capacity to be kind and loving, gently and patient, humble and full of mercy for those around us. The process is an ongoing, lifelong journey to ever be refined to more clearly reflect the Father. May we ever pursue the Lord with passion, being intentional to seek Him anew each day, for it is through our seeking that we come to find the One who gives us all.

Because we are loved,

We know to love too;

With patience, kindness,

As mercy shines through.

Ever we’re to walk,

In humility;

With a gentleness,

That brings sweet relief.

Relief from the harsh,

That the world does bring;

A generous love,

In everything.

O Lord, please lead us,

Throughout all our days;

With Your tender love,

To walk in Your ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us Your children and teach us to live as Your own. Thank You that Your love equips us to be compassionate, kind, patient, humble, and gentle with those around us. Forgive us for the times that we have been lacking any of these in our interactions with those around us. Teach us to listen to Your loving leading in all things. Show us how to love those around us with kindness and compassion, patience and gentleness, ever walking in humility knowing You are our Source for all things. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the grace that You alone give, and continually pursue the traits that You call us to carry throughout all of our days in every circumstance. Amen.

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

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promises for both the present life and the life to come. – 1 Timothy 4:8

It’s Going To Be All Right

You came near when I called You, and You said, “Do not fear.” – (Lamentations 3:57, NIV)

You came to me on the day that I called out to You. You said to me, “Don’t be afraid.” – (Lamentations 3:57, ERV)

You came close when I called out. You said, “It’s going to be all right.” – (Lamentations 3:57, MSG)

God is the God of all comfort and He is faithful to meet us as we call on Him. I love the Message translation of this passage, as it is exactly how it feels to know God’s comfort. His nearness surrounds and my heart hears, “It’s going to be all right.” This morning, I am at ease as I prepare to go in for a CT scan as a follow up for the procedure I had done in December. On my own, I would be freaking out a bit, yet with God, I am good. I know that He has me and will take me by the hand. He is faithful to meet us, walk beside us, and lead us through every obstacle that comes our way. May we ever call out to the Lord to be our comfort, for He is faithful to meet us and lead us along every path that we must take.

The Lord God of all,

Hears us as we call;

He comforts our fears,

And won’t let us fall.

He walks beside us,

In love, holds our hand;

Grants strength and courage,

To trust in His plan.

He is always good,

His love knows no end;

Overwhelming grace,

Is what He shall send.

So, rise up in faith,

Choose trust in the Lord;

He’s more than enough,

His presence outpoured.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to come close each time we call on You. Thank You that You are our comfort and courage in the face of the unknown. Forgive us for our fears and doubts that we allow to creep in. Teach us to trust You more, for You are faithful forever and will not ever leave us. Show us how to love those around us in ways that extend strength, goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we call on You to be our comfort and then extend the same to those around us. Amen.

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

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Good Beyond

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 easy to see how God will use blessings for our good, yet it often takes a significant amount of time to discover how the Lord will work out our trials and heartaches for ultimate good. There are times when the good is the experience of knowing God’s faithfulness through all things, yet other times, He brings us to a place that is far better than where we were before. Always, He makes His love known and supplies what we need to navigate each next step. Incredibly, God always will bring us to a different vantage point so that we can look back with new perspective and appreciate how far He has brought us. In all things, God is good and He can work all things out for our ultimate good. Right now, I have a few dear friends that are enduring the sort of challenges that can blind a person to how God could possibly bring good from what is going on. Though I know not what the outcome will be, I do know that God is faithful and will stay beside them each step of their way. His love will continue to be outpoured, and His strength faithfully supplied, as each of them seek Him to be their Source. May we ever seek the Lord in all things, trusting that He will work everything out for our good because we love Him and it is His perfect plan.

In everything,

.

The Lord God is good;

Trials and triumphs,

His love’s understood.

He grants us His strength,

To keep pressing on;

Supplies what we need,

To in Him, be strong.

Often He leads us,

To something much more;

Than we might have hoped,

Beyond that before.

His plans are perfect,

His grace is enough;

Our Hope and Healer,

Who knows what shall come.

Beauty from ashes,

Hope from the despair;

His good, unending,

Eternal, His care.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You work all things together for good for those who love You. Thank You that this includes both trials and triumphs. Thank You that You are still working, even when we cannot see how. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when the trials blind us to Your goodness. Teach us to have Your eyes to see, so that we might recognize the help and hope that You supply, and trust You to carry out Your plan to bring good, even from spaces and situations that are not. Show us how to love those around us through all things in tangible ways that make Your heart evident and Your provision clear. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they experience Your faithfulness in all things. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us through every situation and circumstance that comes our way, and trust You to bring Your good far beyond what we can see or imagine. Amen.

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

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24

Equipped for Good

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV)

The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control. – (2 Timothy 1:7, ERV)

You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit. – (2 Timothy 1:7, VOICE)

We were created for good things. Because of God’s great love, we have no reason to fear. In Him, we are given power, love and self-discipline. I rarely look back at former posts, as each new day, I reflect on what He is showing me. This morning, my dogs are being distracting and I was struggling to keep focused, so I searched to see when this particular passage had last come up in a post. Three years ago, this same verse was my focus. Interestingly, it was around the time that the world was scheduled to go on pause because of Covid. My fear was not about the illness, but rather how to navigate my job differently. The crazy thing is that my job has not been the same since that season. To teach now requires each of these things, as His power, love and self-discipline are what keep me sane and invested. No matter how things look on any given day, each morning is a fresh start and a new opportunity to choose love and give grace. God is good, and He has provided what has been needed. Though it is not easy, He is always present and supplies what is needed to press on. May we ever seek the Lord to lead and strengthen us, for in Him we have the power, love, and self-discipline to do the things that He is calling us to do.

The Spirit of God,

Is loving and kind;

Generous to give,

All we need to find.

His power exceeds,

What’s ours on our own;

He equips for good,

So His love is shown.

The love that He gives,

Triumphs over all;

It captures the heart,

Picks up when we fall.

The self-discipline,

That the Lord provides;

Helps us seek unite,

Where there’s a divide.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we have power, love, and self-discipline. Thank You that You supply what we lack when we depend on You. Forgive us for the times that we have allowed our frustrations or fears to dictate our response, rather that respond in love like You. Show us how to rely on You to supply all that we need to navigate our days well. Lead us in Your love with Your power and self-discipline so that everyone around us will be positively impacted by Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You in all things to equip and empower us to love like You. Amen.

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

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:11

Received To Be Shared

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 trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

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, ERV)

All praise goes to God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Anointed One. He is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort. He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it in their own struggles. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, VOICE)

God know us far better than we know ourselves and He sees each need we have. In the midst of our struggles and challenges, He provides exactly what we need to find comfort and strength. Not only that, but so often, once we have walked through something, we find ourselves walking alongside someone else who is facing what we have just been through. Our experience supplies understanding and the comfort we received is multiplied so that we can supply the same. In my own experience, this is one of the ways that God trades beauty for our ashes and hope from our spaces of despair. His goodness, love, and light flood our hearts and we have more than enough to give from the overflow. So often, the most difficult seasons we walk through become the experiences from which we are best able to bless and encourage those facing similar things. In all things, God is always good. May we ever press into the Lord in both our seasons of struggle and of blessing, for He is able to bring us comfort and use us to comfort those around us.

All praise be to God,

Our Comfort and King;

Who stays beside us,

Through everything.

In times of struggle,

His comfort abounds;

His love, abundant,

In Him, hope is found.

When all things are good,

He brings us beside;

Those who need comfort,

His love is supplied.

Because we have been,

In similar space;

We know how to share,

His goodness and grace.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You not only provide the comfort we need when we need it most, but You call us to partner with You to extend the same to those around us. Thank You that though You do not cause the struggles and heartaches we go through, You do bring  beauty and hope out of them. Forgive us for our frustrations and fears in the middle of our trials. Teach us to ever trust in You, for You are faithful to supply more than enough of all that we need. Show us how to comfort those around us in the same ways that You have comforted us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the ways that You bring beauty and hope where there had been none. Amen.

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

…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair… – Isaiah 61:3b

Show Me Your Way

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know 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)

God is patient and kind. He does not force His way into the space of leading and advising us unless we invite Him. When we ask, He answers, and is faithful to show us what is good, and where we need to make changes. The Lord leads us in the ways that are right and that usher us into eternal life with Him. Sadly, I think it is easy to forget to ask God to search our hearts and show us what needs to change. Instead, I find that I ask for forgiveness, and then move on and ask for what is needed. I take for granted that God knows everything about me. Today, I am reminded anew to be intentional to ask Him to show me where I need to adjust my course, so that I might whole-heartedly be following after Him. May we ever seek the Lord, who knows us best, and ask Him to lead us in His way and to show us which way is right in all things.

Please search me, O God,

And show me the ways;

That need to be changed,

And those that should stay.

Lead me in Your love,

With goodness and grace;

To everlasting,

Throughout each new day.

Lord, be the anchor,

That keeps me secure;

Safe in Your harbor,

Steadfast and assured.

And as I go forth,

Lord, please take the helm;

Lead me in all things,

Ever in Your realm.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to hear us as we call on Your Name. Thank You that You will lead us, guide us, and redirect us as we ask You to show us all things. Forgive us for the times that we have not asked You to show us where changes need to be made. Thank You that You are gentle and kind, and that You guide and redirect in love, to lead us in the ways that we are meant to go. Teach us to trust You more, so that we are constantly seeking You to be in tune with Your leading. Show us how to love those around us well, and make Your heart known through our love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us the things in us that need to change, and to lead us in all things. Amen.

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

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. – Psalm 143:10

Trust Beyond

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” – (Mark 10:27, NIV)

Jesus looked at them and said, “That is something people cannot do, but God can. He can do anything.” – (Mark 10:27, ERV)

Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.” – (Mark 10:27, MSG)

Our God is the God of possibilities. Though things may be impossible for us on our own, with God, anything is possible. The Creator of the universe and of each one of us, is not limited by human understanding. He sees far beyond what we can see, and He knows the outcome before things have even begun. The longer we follow Jesus, the more we grow to understand that all things are possible with Him. His thought are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are far beyond what we can imagine with our own limitations. God sees and knows what is possible when we trust in Him and makes a way where there seems to be no way. May we ever seek Him with a child-like faith, trusting Him, not what we can see or imagine.

The impossible,

Our reality;

When we look beyond,

What our eyes can see.

For God’s perfect plans,

Surpass our own reach;

Only possible,

Through the One we seek.

In Him there is more,

His strength limitless;

He makes mountains smooth,

His love is endless.

Lord, help us to trust,

For in You, there’s more;

As You see beyond,

And open new doors.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your ways are higher than ours, and Your thoughts – beyond what we could begin to imagine. Thank You that nothing is impossible with You. Forgive us for our uncertainty and fears, for we only see in part all that truly could be. Teach us to trust You boldly, so that we walk forward in faith into all that You are leading us into. Show us how to love and encourage those around us in ways that spur on hope and trust in You for all that lies ahead. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to grow our trust and teach us to look beyond what we can see. Amen.

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

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding. – Job 37:5

What is Right and Good

Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you… – (Deuteronomy 6:18a, NIV)

You must do what is right and good – what pleases the Lord. Then everything will go well for you… – (Deuteronomy 6:18a, ERV)

Do the things He considers right and good. Then everything will go well for you… – (Deuteronomy 6:18a, VOICE)

We are called to do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord. The only way that we come to know and understand what that is, is through a relationship with Christ. As a child, the more we spent time with and listened to our parents, the more in tune we became with what was good and right in their eyes. It is the same with Jesus. Spending time in the word, worship, and in prayer, teaches us what is right and good to God. If our words and actions align with loving God and loving people we are following after God’s own heart. What goes well for us is the hope we gain in knowing and following after the Lord. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in what is good and right and rely on Him to strengthen us to follow His ways throughout all of our days.

To do what is right,

And that which is good;

What pleases the Lord,

Is love understood.

For we are all called,

To choose love the Lord;

The work of His hands,

All that He adores.

Rise up and seek Him,

He’ll show us the way;

To love as He loves,

And do good each day.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace that cleanses us from our past mistakes and leads us forward in the comfort of knowing that we are forgiven and loved and equipped to do likewise. Forgive us for the times that we have not chosen to do what is right and good, despite knowing what that is. Lead us in Your loving kindness toward all as You intended. Show us how to love those around us with purpose. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in what is right and good so that we may ever bring glory to Your Name.

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

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