Show Me The Way

Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. – (Psalm 119:35, NIV)

Help me follow Your commands, because that makes me happy. – (Psalm 119:35, ERV)

Guide me to walk in the way You commanded because I take joy in it. – (Psalm 119:35, VOICE)

When we seek God to lead us and guide us in His ways, we discover joy in the journey. Often, His ways are not the ways that we think we want to go, yet when we willingly follow after what He is asking we discover far better than we had hoped or imagined. God’s side roads, detours, and unexpected stops often lead us to things we had never imagined that bring tremendous joy. As I anticipate the new school year that is less than a week away from beginning, I am seeking Him to lead me to walk in His ways, and for joy to be ever-present. Though my assignment is not what I hoped nor imagined, it is familiar and content that I taught last year. The familiarity may be a huge blessing in a space that is brand new, with new classes of students. God is good, and I know that He will continue to provide joy and peace as I go, and He will be faithful to lead me to walk in His ways.

The Lord is so good,

He’s faithful to lead;

in all that we should,

and all that we need.

He shows us the ways,

we are meant to go;

He grants us His peace,

and makes His love known.

The Lord will show us,

His ways that are best;

He’ll strengthen, equip,

and grant our hearts rest.

Help me, Lord Jesus,

to walk in Your ways;

and bring You glory,

throughout each new day.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You, You show us the ways that we are meant to go, and You provide joy and peace along the journey. Thank You that You are faithful forever, and we can trust that Your ways are good. Forgive us for our fears and doubts and disappointments when things turn out differently than we had hoped or imagined. Teach us to ever trust in You and follow Your commands. Show us how to love those around us lavishly, so that glimpses of Your glory are made known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us the ways in which we are meant to go, and praise You for the joy You provide through Your goodness and kindness to us all. Amen.

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

Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your Name lead and guide me. – Psalm 31:3

In Freedom Choose Love

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. – (Galatians 5:13, NIV)

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love. – (Galatians 5:13, MSG)

Brothers and sisters, God has called you to freedom! Hear the call, and do not spoil this gift by using your liberty to engage in what your flesh desires; instead, use it to serve each other as Jesus taught through love. – (Galatians 5:13, VOICE)

God has given each of us a free will. His intention has always been for us to be free to choose. The love of God draws us unto Him, yet we always have a choice as to whether to accept or reject it. When we follow our own path with little care or concern for others, we are gratifying the flesh and not choosing love. However, when we seek the Lord to lead us in His love, we are opting to walk in His way and using our freedom to love as Jesus loved. Incredibly, as we select a life that follows after Him, we become free from the weight of being stuck in our own selfishness, and discover the joy that awaits as we choose to walk the path that He prepares for us. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us, as we freely choose to love and serve one another as we are called to do.

Brothers and sisters,

We all have been called;

In freedom to choose,

To love one and all.

For as we choose love,

Selfishness will fade;

True freedom and joy,

Are found in His ways.

So, let us look up,

Select the Lord’s best;

Love one another,

As grace is expressed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have created us each with a free will. Thank You that with our freedom, we can choose to follow after You and select a life of loving as You first loved us. Forgive us for the times that we have chosen to stay stuck in our sinful patterns instead of choosing to follow after You. Teach us to freely choose to love and serve one another, for in doing so, we come to know the joy that is found in opting to utilize our freedom for good. Show us how to love and serve those around us in ways that make Your heart evident to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to love and serve with the freedom that we are granted in You. Amen.

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

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. – Ephesians 4:2

Strengthened With Power

May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy. – (Colossians 1:11, HCSB)

(We pray) that God will strengthen you with His own great power, so that you will be patient and not give up when trouble comes. Then you will be happy. – (Colossians 1:11, ERV)

And we pray that you would be energized with all His explosive power from the realm of His magnificent glory, filling you with great hope. – (Colossians 1:11,TPT)

I am so thankful that it is Friday, as the few weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seem especially long. To be energized and filled with hope is the prayer I have for myself and all those around me. Joy comes as we persevere, even when things are difficult. May we ever seek the Lord to strengthen and empower us with patient endurance so that we press on with great hope. 

O Lord, as we come,

Photo by kinkate on Pexels.com

Seeking You for strength;

Lead us and guide us,

Grow patience at length.

Grant us endurance,

To keep pressing on;

Be the strength we need,

When we don’t feel strong.

Through perseverance,

We come to know joy;

You graciously give,

With You our hearts join.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You, You strengthen us with Your power so that we have strength and resolve to persevere and discover the joy found in Your heavenly hope. Forgive us for our discouragement when we are depleted. Teach us to turn to You to strengthen and lead us in Your love. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they too may be strengthened in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and rely on You to supply all that we need. Amen.

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

But You, Lord, don’t be far away. My Strength, come quickly to help me. – Psalm 22:19