Praying for One Another

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. – (2 Thessalonians 1:11, NIV)

That is why we always pray for you. We ask our God to help you live the good way He wanted when He chose you. The goodness you have makes you want to do good. And the faith you have makes you work. We pray that with His power God will help you do these things more and more. – (2 Thessalonians 1:11, ERV)

All this is why we are constantly praying for you, so God will make you worthy of the great calling you have received from Him and will give you the power to accomplish every good intention and work of faith. – (2 Thessalonians 1:11, VOICE)

This is a great reminder that we ought to continually be praying for one another; asking God to equip, strengthen and empower one another to do the things that He has created us to do. We all have strengths and gifts that He has given to us to use for His glory. At times, we are uncertain as to how we might do so, and other times we simply feel too weary to do more. That being said, as we step forward in the direction to which we have been called, we discover that He will provide what we need to get through each new day. There have been many times in my life that I knew it was through the faithful prayers of my mom and grandma that I was equipped to do what I never thought was possible. My hope is that I become one who is faithfully praying for others. This must be a purposeful practice, for it is only through repetition that something becomes a habit, and ultimately turns into something that is a part of who we are. I know this is true with my daily devotions that led to this blog. For nearly a decade and a half, I have begun every morning this way. It sets my heart for the day, and equips me to do the things that are before me. May we ever seek the Lord to build in us a habit of praying for one another.

O Lord, help us pray,

in love, for others;

with consistency,

for sisters, brothers.

Father, guide our hearts,

show us how to pray;

to lift each other,

throughout each new day.

All grace and all peace,

God lovingly gives;

our help and our hope,

each day that we live.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

as we go the way;

that You’re calling us,

equip us, I pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to and create us for community. Thank You that You established countless examples of what it looks like to cover one another in prayer. Thank You that You quicken to our minds and hearts the things we ought to bring before You. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to slow down and listen. Teach us to be intentional to pray for those around us. Lead us to love, encourage, and build up one another. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as an answer to our prayers. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to make prayer for each other a lifestyle. Amen.

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

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12

Purposeful Pages

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live. Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work. – (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ERV)

All of Scripture is God-breathed; in its inspired voice, we hear useful teaching, rebuke, correction, instruction, and training for a life that is right so that God’s people may be up to the tsk ahead and have all they need to accomplish every good work. – (2 Timothy 3:16-17, VOICE)

Spending time in the pages of God’s word is purposeful for all. If we merely relied of Sunday mornings, we would only be gaining a weekly snapshot of what God wants us to know, rather than the motion picture that is ever-rolling when we are invested in His word. The more we are intentional to spend time in God’s word, the better we know Him and what He wants for us. It teaches, corrects, instructs, and shows us the ways in which we are meant to go. Because the word of God is alive and active, each time I read I either find something new or discover a fresh reminder of what I should and should not do, and all that He has for me. With instant access at our fingertips, there is no reason to not spend time in His word. My Bible app is accessible anywhere, anytime. Even when I do not have the traditional time to sit and soak in His presence, I can make room to at least read the verse of the day and the passage that surrounds it, and prayer is an ongoing conversation with God that can be audible or silent from the hollows of my heart. God is faithful to show us more of who He is and how we are to live as we choose to seek Him. We are all a work in progress, yet without instruction, our progress is thwarted. May we ever seek the Lord and spend time in the purposeful pages of His word so that we might more clearly reflect His goodness and love to the world around us.

God is our anchor,

the Word is the chain;

tethered together,

how truth shall remain.

For God is faithful,

to show us the way;

His Word, our beacon,

that makes the path plain.

Purposeful pages,

to help us all grow;

more in His likeness,

so His love’s made known.

Each day help us seek,

the Lord and His ways;

for following Him,

is the best, always.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your Word is alive and active, ready to direct, correct, lead and teach us the ways in which we are meant to go. Thank You that You are faithful to meet us each time we seek You. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to spend time in Your word, for we have no excuse with instant access. Teach us to make time with You and in Your word a priority each day to set our hearts right. Lead us to not only read and listen, but to live out what Your purposeful pages instruct us to do. Show us how to love people as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and listen to Your leading, correcting and directing so that we can more clearly reflect Your love to those around us. Amen.

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

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

God is… (Day 26 – Able)

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” – (Jeremiah 32:27, NIV)

“Jeremiah, I am the Lord. I am the God of every person on the earth. You know that nothing is impossible for me.” – (Jeremiah 32:27, ERV)

“Look! I am the Eternal, the God of all living things. Is anything too difficult for Me?” – (Jeremiah 32:27, VOICE)

As a teacher, I am ever working to improve and refine my craft. My hope is that I can find discover different ways to help kids learn, so that as many learning styles and strengths of various kids are utilized. With a prescribed curriculum, this requires much preparation and willingness to fail. For me, in a subject that I do not feel strong in, I rely heavily on the One who IS able to do all things, even through I was one who hated the content I am teaching when I was in school. A few days ago, I had an idea as to how to have kids assess their own strengths and challenges with the content we have been learning. Most kids were thoughtful and honest in the process, so the idea that came to me seemed to actually work. Since this is a comprehensive year for my evaluation process, I actually notified both my evaluator and our academic coach about the plan I had in place for the day with my math classes. Anyone who knows me, knows that it had to be God for me to actually extend an invitation to come and watch something that could potentially be a huge flop. I am my own worst critic, so the evaluation process is not a favorite of mine. Anyway, God provided just enough time before each class to organize and coordinate the groups to place kids in, and He orchestrated peace and order and buy-in, which were miraculous in and of themselves on an early release Friday. Though challenging to coordinate all the moving parts, the plan actually worked and the kids were engaged. To me, this was tangible evidence of what God is able to do, even when on my own, I could not. To the non-teaching world, I imagine that this seems fairly insignificant, yet to a veteran teacher that forever feels like a first year teacher (due to constantly changing subject and grade level teaching assignment), it was an incredible feeling to see how God moved as I stepped out in trust. May we ever place our trust in the One who is able in all things, and give Him both room and permission to do more than we could hope or imagine.

The Lord is able,

to do anything;

no impossible,

to God, is a thing.

The One who made all,

beyond capable;

to do so much more,

than thought possible.

So, trust in the Lord,

and allow Him room;

His goodness abounds,

as our faith does bloom.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are able to do more than we could ever hope or imagine. Thank You that the more we learn to trust You and step out in faith in the direction to which You call us, You show us that what seemed impossible is entirely possible in and through You. Forgive us for making You too small, for the God who created all things, can do so much more than we could ever dream possible. Teach us anew to trust more deeply, for You are so very good. Lead us to love as You love, so that Your heart is made known to those who know You not. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You are able to do all things at all times. Amen.

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

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8

The Grace That Meets Us

And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. – (2 Corinthians 9:8, HCSB)

And God can give you more blessings than you need, and you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work. – (2 Corinthians 9:8, ERV)

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. – (2 Corinthians 9:8, MSG)

God is ready to overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share. – (2 Corinthians 9:8, VOICE)

When we give generously of our time, talents and resources, God is able to bless us beyond what we need. He does this so that we are equipped to do what needs to be done, and can share and give, knowing that all that we have is because of Him. In my life, I have experienced this over and over again. As I have chosen to continue to be faithful to give, He has provided all that I have needed and more. God, who made all that is with the work of His hands, is able to supply all that we need. Just this week I have seen this each day. My job has been exhausting, and it has been compounded this week as my husband has been out of town for work. Incredibly, I have gotten better sleep this week than I have in years, despite my intentional choice to continue to rise early to spend time with Him. Additionally, He is providing the help I need to move forward in an assignment that I am ill-prepared to do. It is not by my strength, but by His, and through His loving kindness that He is granting me all that I need and more. May we ever seek God to be our strength and source, so that we may do the good that He is calling us to do.

With goodness and grace,

My sweet, loyal, loving boy, Thor. ❤

The Lord will come near;

He meets all our needs,

And calms all our fears.

Ever He calls us,

To be and do more;

Not in our own strength,

He opens new doors.

Often in a way,

That we have not seen;

So we count on Him,

To learn new routines.

His grace is enough,

For He’s our supply;

To keep pressing on,

He hears ev’ry cry.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You bless us in amazing ways as we choose to keep giving of ourselves as You call us to do. Thank You that You have more than enough of what we need to keep us moving forward in the direction to which we are called. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when we cannot see how there is a way. Teach us to ever lean into You, and to continue to pour out to those around us. Show us how to love those around us best, so that they too may experience the overflowing goodness of Your kindness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You and praise You for who You are and how You meet our needs with Your abundance. Amen.

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

You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. – 2 Corinthians 9:11

Readily and Cheerfully

Do everything without grumbling and arguing. – (Philippians 2:14, HCSB)

Do everything without complaining or arguing. – (Philippians 2:14, ERV)

Do everything readily and cheerfully – no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! – (Philippians 2:14, MSG)

It is always good to be reminded of the attitude that we ought to have throughout our day. Today is timely, as this happens to be a day bookended with extra meetings. Rather than be grumbly about having to meet, I can cheerfully give thanks that I am gainfully employed and that we meet to be and do better in all that we do. May we ever seek the Lord to help us do all things readily and cheerfully, without complaining or arguing. He is good, and His love knows no end.

O Lord, show us how,

To do all with love;

Without complaining,

Seek Your grace above.

Help us be cheerful,

With hearts set to serve;

To extend goodness,

Despite what’s deserved.

Make our heart like Yours,

Full of love and grace;

Teach us to run well,

Each leg of our race.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to do all things readily and cheerfully, for that is one way that we can demonstrate the depth of Your love. Forgive us for our frustrations that have led to complaining or arguing. Teach us to take all things in stride as You do. Show us how to cheerfully approach all things with grateful hearts. Lead us to love those around us well, so that they might come to know the power of Your great love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to help us do all things without grumbling or complaining, but rather approach all things with a cheerful and grateful heart. Amen.

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

And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8