True Peace

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – (John 14:27, NIV)

“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t’ be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” – (John 14:27, ERV)

“That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left – feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.” – (John 14:27, MSG)

These words were from Jesus to His disciples, as He was preparing them for what was about to transpire with the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. His peace is perfect, and in Him, we need not be troubled or afraid. In our frail humanity, fear and trouble enter in, but with Him, we need not wallow in either. Jesus has overcome everything we will ever face, and promises to be present with us as we walk forward in faith. Right now, this is my prayer for my mom as she continues to navigate the healing process from her broken hip and surgery that followed. Being in a space that is not her own, and being challenged to do physical therapy work that is difficult and painful is often overwhelming. My mom is the strongest woman I know, but I know it is only by God’s grace that she is strong. May we ever seek the Lord to provide His peace, and trust in Him to know that He is present and powerful as He provides what we need to keep pressing forward in faith.

Peace is a true gift,

From Jesus to us;

Quiet confidence,

Not just being “tough”.

It comes in knowing,

We’re not in control;

But our loving Lord,

Who soothes well our soul.

He shows us His peace,

Where challenges reign;

And grants us His grace,

As His hope we gain.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You provide Your promised peace in ways that go far beyond what we could hope or imagine. Thank You that You supply strength and hope when we have none. Forgive us for our faltering faith as we navigate unknowns. Teach us to trust You more, as You are faithful to walk beside us and show us the ways we are meant to go. Lead us in Your peace to love those around us as You intended. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to be our peace in all things and at all times, and to trust in Your faithfulness forever. Amen.

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

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – Psalm 29:11

The Gifts of Strength and Peace

^{The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, NIV)}

^{May the Lord make His people strong. May the Lord bless His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, ERV)}

^{God makes His people strong. God gives His people peace. – (Psalm 29:11, MSG)}

^{This morning I am holding onto this promise, as mom needs strength and peace as she navigates the healing road ahead. Today, mom will be able to take the next step on the road to recovery as she will be transferred to a skilled nursing facility to rehabilitate before she moves back to her own apartment. Incredibly, she was able to get into the one at her own retirement community and will be back to a place that is mere minutes from my sister and brother-in-law’s home and workplace. I anticipate being closer to family and friends will be a great encouragement too. God has made mom one of the strongest humans I know. He provides her peace when it does not make sense, and the power to persevere. I am eagerly awaiting the morning to further unfold so that we can go and see mom for ourselves. May we ever seek the Lord to be our strength and peace, for He is faithful to provide all that we need as we ask.}

^{Strength is assurance,}

^{That comes from the Lord;}

^{Paired with perfect peace,}

^{To help move forward.}

^{Whatever our need,}

^{The Lord will supply;}

^{His grace overwhelms,}

^{As love’s His reply.}

^{He meets us anew,}

^{As each day begins;}

^{Floods us with His good,}

^{And cleanses from sin.}

^{Father, we seek You,}

^{And trust in Your love;}

^{Be our strength and peace,}

^{Our Lord God above.}

^{Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Source of strength and peace, and that You provide what we need as it is needed. Forgive us for our faltering faith when trials come our way. Teach us to ever trust in You. Show us how to love those around us as You do and lead us to strengthen and bring peace to each person with whom we interact. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for providing Your strength and peace to all who seek Your face. Amen.}

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

Her ways are pleasant and all her paths are peace. – Proverbs 3:17

Sunrise to Sunset

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the Name of the Lord is to be praised. – (Psalm 113:3, NIV)

From sunrise-brilliance to sunset-beauty, lift up His praise from dawn to dusk! – (Psalm 113:3, TPT)

At every time and in every place – from the moment the sun rises to the moment the sun sets – may the Name of the Eternal be high in the hearts of His people. – (Psalm 113:3, VOICE)

As one who typically rises before the sun, I am blessed with the daily reminder of the goodness and faithfulness of God as I watch darkness become light. There is a holiness in the witnessing of the sunrise and sunset, for it is a mighty example of God’s creativity and handiwork in action. In the same way that God is faithful to cause the sun to rise and set each day, He too, is faithful to love and be near us. It is because of His great faithfulness that God deserves all of our praise. Every breath, each new day dawning, we are granted reminders of His goodness and faithfulness. May we ever recognize how great God is and give Him all of our praise.

Every new day,

At dawn’s early light;

God shows His power,

Colors to delight.

Just as He’s faithful,

With the rising sun;

His presence promised,

‘Til each day is done.

Wherever we are,

From east to the west;

God will be with us,

As He loves us best.

So, rise up and praise,

The God of all grace;

Give thanks to the Lord,

Throughout all our days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful forever and worthy of all of our praise. Thank You that You are with us from sunrise to sunset, and that You will be with us wherever we go. Forgive us for faltering faith. Teach us to recognize You goodness and grace that is all around us, so that we forever praise You as we should. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your goodness and presence abundantly clear. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You from the rising to the setting of the sun for how You love and all You have done. Amen.

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

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. – Psalm 36:5

Fresh Freedom Has Come

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV) 

When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, ERV) 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. – (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV) 

 

As we step into day one of this new year, there is promise of fresh starts and brand-new beginnings in all that is yet to come. A sense of hope and resolve rise when we recognize that we are free to begin again. I am not big on resolutions, but rather desire to continue to learn and grow in all that the Lord has for me. My personal life has been made new in a beautiful way that I could not have imagined only a few short years ago. He makes new all that we are willing to place in His hands, and grant Him reign. God does exceedingly more than we could hope or imagine, as we allow Him room to rule. May we all recognize the opportunity for fresh starts and restoration as we walk boldly into 2019, trusting that God will do amazing things as we place our hope and our lives in His mighty hands. 

 

For all who trust Christ,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Fresh freedom has come; 

God makes all things new, 

By grace through His Son. 

The old things are gone, 

And we are made new; 

As we allow God, 

To reign and to move. 

As the sun shall rise, 

To start a new day; 

So too, we’re made new, 

As we walk His way. 

Let us choose to trust, 

Find hope in His Name; 

For new life has come, 

Let God on high reign. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are ever made new in You. Thank You that new life in You is not dependent on a day or a year, but rather on us allowing You to lead us and reign in our hearts. Thank You that new may begin each day, each moment, as we trust in You. Forgive us for our faltering faith, when new beginnings seem unobtainable. Help us to trust You, even when we cannot see hope, help or possible change in our circumstances. Show us how to love those around us in a way that demonstrates new life in You and offers the hope of the same for all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we allow You reign and embrace each change, as You ever make us new. Amen.

 

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

 

You must be made new in your hearts and in your thinking. Be that new person who was made to be like God, truly good and pleasing to Him. – Ephesians 4:23-24 

Considering a Couple’s Calling

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. – (Luke 2:1, 4-5, NIV) 

During those days, the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered that the first census be taken throughout his empire. So, Joseph and his fiancé, Mary, left Nazareth, a village in Galilee, and journeyed to their hometown in Judea, to the village of Bethlehem, King David’s ancient home. They were required to register there, since they were both direct descendants of David. Mary was pregnant and nearly ready to give birth. – (Luke 2:1, 4-5, TPT) 

 

At the time of Caesar Augustus, if a decree was issued, the people followed. Though a seemingly chaos inducing order, I imagine a four-day, eighty-some mile journey on foot, would likely be a better option than dealing with the Roman guard. Furthermore, Mary was nearing the time that Jesus was due. There was probably some honor in being connected to the lineage of David, yet this young couple was about to enter town, unwed and very obviously expecting. Back then, such a predicament would be scandalous, and may have been the cause of their difficulty in finding a place to stay upon arrival in Bethlehem. Being that it was the town both Mary and Joseph were expected to register, it is odd that there were no family members that could offer them room. And, what about each of their families? These are my ponderings as I read through this particular passage this morning and picture their journey and struggles as they traveled. Did they travel alone as a couple, or were they part of a caravan? Did they have family that turned them away, or had their living ancestors all moved to Nazareth too? What I do know is that God was with them. Though it was a long and arduous journey, they were faithful to that which they had been called. At times, we too find ourselves in strange and seemingly desolate spaces, yet when we persevere in that which we have been asked to do, we discover that God uses our circumstances to grow, equip and transform us for that which lies ahead. Perhaps the four-day walk was an opportunity for Mary and Joseph to get to know one another and share their joys and fears about what had been spoken. Whatever transpired on their journey, God was with them, and He provided what they needed when it was needed most. May we seek and trust the Lord, even when we find ourselves on paths that have not yet been made plain. God is faithful and will remain with us, no matter our circumstances. 

 

No matter the road,

We find we need trod; 

The Lord is faithful, 

Ever-present God. 

Through trials and joys, 

No matter what comes; 

He grants what we need, 

The Most Holy One. 

So, seek the Lord’s grace, 

Choose trust in His Name; 

He grants strength and peace, 

Does what the word claims. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son into the world to walk among us and experience the same sort of struggles and joys that we do. Thank You for the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph, as they demonstrate what it is to truly trust You with all. Forgive us for our faltering faith when things do not make sense. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, no matter what we see. Show us how to love those around us in tangible ways that make Your grace, peace and presence known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You rather than what we see or think we know, for You are the answer to our every need. Amen.

 

 

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

 

For I have always been mindful of Your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on Your faithfulness. – Psalm 26:3