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

Immeasurably More

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us – to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – (Ephesians 3:20-21, HCSB)

With God’s power working in us, He can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen. – (Ephesians 3:20-21, ERV)

Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we could ask or imagine through the power at work in us, to Him be all glory in the church and in Jesus the Anointed from this generation to the next, forever and ever. Amen. – (Ephesians 3:20-21, VOICE)

Paul, the author of Ephesians, understood the incredible power of God’s work in us and His ability to do far more than we could ask or imagine. With all that Paul saw, experienced, and was a part of, he grasped God’s power working in and through him and gave God all the glory. God took a man who had been fervently working to persecute and even kill people and turned Paul into a man who sought to save people by His loving kindness and grace that was made evident through His Son, Jesus. The very same power that was at work in Paul’s life is available and working in ours as we ask. God knows our hopes, dreams and desires, and can do abundantly more than we could ask or imagine. His design may not look the way we would envision, but ultimately, it is so much more. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us and move in and through us, and give Him all the glory forever and ever.

The love of the Lord,

Is power and truth;

Beyond what we think,

And what we can do.

Beauty from ashes,

Hope from our despair;

God can do much more,

He knows all our cares.

God grants us His strength,

When ours is but gone;

Hope everlasting,

May we pass it on.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are able to do so much more in us and through us than we could ever hope or imagine. Thank You that Your strength empowers us and Your love leads us as we choose to follow after You. Forgive us for the times that we have either gone our own way or have neglected to give You glory for all that You have done. Teach us to seek You and see Your hand in all things. Show us how to love and encourage those around us so that they are strengthened in Your loving kindness and recognize Your goodness all around. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to do what only You can do, and give You the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.

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

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

All Can Be For Good

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)

Though at times this is seemingly impossible, I have seen it again and again in my own life. My greatest trials, hardships and heartaches have been used to grow me, encourage others, and have led to something beautiful. Incredibly, God is always able to work ALL things for our good, if only we are willing to place them in God’s hands. He takes our hurts and creates opportunities to help; He takes our trials and turns them into victories; and He takes our heartaches and brings us to something far more wonderful than we could have hoped or imagined. Additionally, this is available for all who accept His invitation and choose to follow after Him. May we ever seek the Lord and trust in Him, for He brings beauty from our ashes and joy from our sorrows.

The Lord can work all,

For our ultimate good;

Beauty from ashes,

True grace is understood.

During our trials,

The Lord’s present to help;

God’s great faithfulness,

Is our story to tell.

May we ever seek,

For always we shall find;

His help to hold us,

Ever loving and kind.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are able to work ALL things for good for those who love and trust You. Forgive us for our lack of faith when all we can see is the struggle. Teach us to trust in You and to hold fast to the hope of Your promises. Show us how to love those around us in ways that grant hope. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust and watch for You to work all things for good. Amen.

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

“…God has sent me to give them a beautiful crown in exchange for ashes, to anoint them with gladness instead of sorrow…” – Isaiah 61:3

Patterns of Love

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV)

You are God’s dear children, so try to be like Him. Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. He gave Himself for us – a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God. – (Ephesians 5:1-2, ERV)

Be imitators of God in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as His beloved sons and daughters. And continue to walk surrendered to the extravagant love of Christ, for He surrendered His life as a sacrifice for us. His great love for us was pleasing to God, like an aroma of adoration – a sweet healing fragrance. – (Ephesians 5:1-2, TPT)

 

When we choose to follow Christ, it is our charge to live out a life of love as His dearly loved children. Because we are loved by Him, we too, have the capacity to love others in the same way. Christ’s love is sacrificial and not self-seeking; in every way, His love is pleasing to God. On our own, such love is an impossible order. However, when we seek the Lord and spend time with Him and in His word, we learn to pattern our lives after His. This does not mean that we somehow “arrive” and suddenly love perfectly, yet the longer we pursue His path, the more clearly we are able to reflect His love. May we ever seek to follow God’s example as His dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved each of us.

 

In all that we do,

May we look to God;

And pattern our lives,

Make love our response.

God’s love is immense,

Sacrificial, kind;

Never self-seeking,

With our best in mind.

May we love the same,

Throughout all our days;

So God’s love is known,

As we give Him praise.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You first loved us. Thank You that You gave all so that we could have life and light and love. Thank You that Your love is not self-seeking, but rather You always have our very best in mind. Forgive us for the times that we have not loved in the same way, or have attempted to navigate on our own. Teach us how to pattern our lives after You, so that we may love in the same way that You love each of us. Show us how to love those around us selflessly and lavishly, so that they may experience and know the depth and breadth of Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to pattern our lives after You, so that we may love completely. Amen.

 

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

 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. – Romans 12:10