The Ultimate Father

I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty. – (2 Corinthians 6:18, HCSB)

I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord All-Powerful. – (2 Corinthians 6:18, ERV)

And I will be for you as a Father, and you will be for Me as sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty! – (2 Corinthians 6:18, VOICE)

No matter what our experience is with earthly fathers, we have a Heavenly Father who knows us completely and loves us perfectly through all things and at all times. It is remarkable that the King of ALL considers us His daughters and sons, not because of what we do, but rather because we are His created. It is up to us to receive what He freely gives. Each time we call on Him and come before Him, He accepts us as His own, and provides all that we need. God is good, and His love lasts forever. May we ever seek the Lord and His great love, for He is always near, ready to be the Father we need as He calls us His sons and daughters.

A Father above,

Who calls us His own;

His sons and daughters,

Each is fully known.

With love unending,

Peace and patience too;

His encouragement,

Helps carry us through.

Through ev’ry season,

His love can be found;

Hope never ending,

In Him peace abounds.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our loving Father who calls us sons and daughters. Thank You that it is not an earned status, but rather one that You freely offer to all who seek Your face. Forgive us for forgetting the power that is present in knowing You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will bring all things before You and trust is Your unfailing love. Show us how to love those around us well, so that many may come into a lasting relationship with You, the ultimate Father of all. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your loving kindness and grace and embrace the family that we are welcomed into through Your love and grace. Amen.

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

God in His holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows. – Psalm 68:5

Nothing Too Difficult

Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You. – (Jeremiah 32:17, NIV) 

Lord God, with Your great power You made the earth and the sky. There is nothing too hard for You to do. – (Jeremiah 32:17, ERV) 

Eternal Lord, with Your outstretched arm and Your enormous power You created the heavens and the earth. Nothing is too difficult for You. – (Jeremiah 32:17, VOICE) 

This is such an important reminder as the pending decision for the upcoming school year has been conditionally released. Though I happened to overhear the plan while my love and I were out running an errand from a frustrated parent who was ranting to his friend, I had to stop and remember Who holds me in His hands. The very same God that created the heavens and the earth is able to carry us through whatever plan transpires. I need not worry, for worry never gets us anywhere anyway, but instead, I need to place all in His hands, and trust that He will help those negotiating the best plan for all. My prayer is for wisdom and safety, protection and provision for all who will be impacted by the plan that actually takes place. May we all remember who holds the power in His hands, and trust that His love will carry us through whatever road is chosen. 

The God of all grace, 

Who created all; 

Is able to do, 

What’s best for us all. 

As He made the earth, 

And hung up the stars; 

He considered us, 

His best work of art. 

In His mighty love, 

He’s able to do; 

All that is needed, 

To carry us through. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in the same way that Your power created the heavens and the earth, You are able to meet us where we are, and do the seemingly impossible. Forgive us for the times that our faith falters. Show us how to trust in Your unfailing love that leads us and guides us in the way that is best. Help us to love those around us in ways that demonstrate Your goodness and grace, so that all might rest in the goodness of Your love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and trust You, for You are more than able to set the very best plan in motion for all. Amen. 

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

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

In Strength, Choose Love

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. – (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, NIV)

Be careful. Hold firmly to your faith. Have courage and be strong. Do everything in love. – (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ERV)

Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping. – (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, MSG)

 

This is something that we are all called to live out, in every area of our lives. It is both rare and wonderful, when there are public figures who live by this principle in a way that is seen, heard and known. Last night, my husband and I went to a concert that featured my favorite band, Skillet. Their lead vocalist, John Cooper, is completely clear in his convictions as he performs, and is courageous and strong as he shares his music and message in love. After more than twenty-three years as a Christian band that tours with bands that typically are not, and it is evident that they are careful to be on their guard and hold firm to their faith. Each time I have seen them in concert, the other bands touring with them have raved about the kindness extended to them by Skillet. What that speaks to me is that they are living out loud, the very message that they follow in faith. If a rock band can cling to their convictions and love well, why can’t we? May we each be aware of the things that distract us from what is true, and with courage and strength, hold fast to the faith that anchors us secure. And in all that we do, may we let love be our motivation.

 

Help us guard our hearts,

To our faith, hold fast;

Have courage, be strong,

With the love that lasts.

For each time we choose,

In strength, to love well;

We are showing Christ,

His story we tell.

Not with our speaking,

So much as our deeds;

People remember,

Those who met their needs.

Let us choose to love,

In all that we do;

Rely on His grace,

He’ll carry us through.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You warn us to be careful of that which distracts us from the truth, and You call us to stand firm in Your strength to the truth so that we may do all things in love. Forgive us for the times that we allowed the things around us to pull us off course. Teach us to stay anchored in You. Show us how to love those around us in all things and at all times, just as we are loved relentlessly by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we stand strong in the truth, ever aware of what surrounds us, and choose to love, just as You love us. Amen.

 

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

 

Stand firm , and you will win life. – Luke 21:19