Made New

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. – (2 Corinthians 5:17, HCSB)

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 united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone – and see – a new life has begun! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, VOICE)

I am so thankful that our renewal in Christ is not a one-time deal, but He is making us new, daily. Just as each new day holds a fresh start, so too, do our hearts as He refines and transforms us to more clearly reflect His love to the world. We will have good days and bad, yet ever He will be working in and through us if we allow Him room to move. Being near the ocean is my favorite, and it is remarkable how vastly different each day can unfold. This morning, I woke to sunshine and blue skies. A few minutes ago, rain blew in and a full double rainbow appeared. Thankfully, the rain is not supposed to stick around, so we will likely stay dry on our last day of exploring. New discoveries and new adventures remind me how we are new in Him. As He makes us new, He shows us the beauty that has come from our brokenness, and the joy that now lives where sorrow once stood. May we ever seek the Lord, who covers us in His righteousness and cleanses us from our sin, as He makes us new so that we can love as He loves us.

When we seek the Lord,

we’re made ever new;

treasured creation,

in me and in you.

He cleanses our hearts,

and renews our minds;

shows us His great love,

for all humankind.

Granted strength and love,

His patience and peace;

the more we seek Him,

we see love increase.

Keep seeking the Lord,

in all that we do;

grant access to all,

it’s how we’re made new.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You, we are refined and renewed in You. Thank You that You forgive us for our flaws and failures, and make us new in the goodness of Your love. Forgive us for the times that we have tried to make things better on our own, instead of seeking You to forgive and show us the ways that we are meant to go. Lead us in Your love everlasting, so that those around us might be made new in the overwhelming, unrelenting goodness of Your love for us all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and thank You that You are ever making us new. Amen.

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

So Christ brings a new agreement from God to His people. He brings this agreement so that those who are chosen by God can have the blessings God promised, blessings that last forever. This can happen only because Christ died to free people from sins committed against the commands of the first agreement. – Hebrews 9:15

The Hope We Know

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. – (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

But keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have. But answer them in a gentle way with respect. – (1 Peter 3:15, ERV)

Exalt Him as Lord in your heart. Always be ready to offer a defense, humbly and respectfully, when someone asks why you live in hope. – (1 Peter 3:15, VOICE)

If we revere, exalt, and keep holy Christ in our hearts, then we cannot help but have an answer for the hope we hold. When asked, we ought to be ready to answer why we have such hope. However, it is important that we do so humbly and respectfully, as our own experience speaks the loudest and is irrefutable. In my own life, I have seen and experienced the faithfulness of God so many times that there is no denying His existence or His love for me. Yes, there have been challenges, trials, and heartache, but each time, God has faithfully met me and provided His strength and love to carry me through when I could not walk on my own. He meets us both in our lack and our plenty, and He shows us His goodness, grace, and peace. May we ever seek the Lord and give Him praise, and trust Him to supply the words that clearly explain the hope we hold forever in Him.

Lord, You are our hope,

throughout all our days;

blessed assurance,

for now and always.

Our calm through the storms,

that life brings our way;

comfort in chaos,

strength that’s new each day.

True joy in sorrow,

hope when in despair;

faithful sweet presence,

that shows us He cares.

All things that are good,

sweet blessings from Him;

glimpses of heaven,

that let His light in.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we know hope and help, joy and peace, and Your sweet presence that promises that all in the here and now is temporary, but our future with You is eternal. Thank You that You show us again and again that hope in You is what lasts. Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of an eternal perspective when the present presses beyond what we can navigate on our own. Continue to teach us over and over that You are good, faithful and true. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make our hope in You evident and obtainable. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You anew each day, and remind us again of how to share the hope we know with all who are longing to hear. Amen.

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

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. – (Ephesians 6:10, NIV)

To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in His great power. – (Ephesians 6:10, ERV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God. – (Ephesians 6:10, VOICE)

Our armor, our strength from God, comes into our consciousness as we intentionally seek Him. God’s strength, protection, power, truth, and righteousness grant us a readiness to face whatever comes our way. For in all things, the Lord is present to help us, and He shows us the truth about what lies before us. Because He knows and has overcome all things, He is the One whom we should seek to help and equip us to navigate each new day. His armor is powerful protection from being defeated. At times our need for protection is physical, but just as often there is a mental and or spiritual war being waged. Self-doubt, injuries, illness, and more, are things we all face in our lives. God told us that we would not have a trouble-free life, but rather that He would be with us, always. Our armor is found as we run to the Lord and trust Him to lead us, be with us, and to strengthen us in His wisdom and power for all that lies before us. May we ever seek God to equip us with His armor, so that we might rise up in His wisdom and strength as we encounter every hill and valley that lies before us on the road we are called to take.

The armor of God,

protection indeed;

mind, body and spirit,

He knows what we need.

Wisdom is granted,

as Him we choose seek;

His strength is poured out,

when we’re feeling weak.

As things before us,

seem to be too much;

the Lord will be near,

to fill us all up.

Overflowing love,

as truth is made known;

righteousness revealed,

as His way is shown.

Father, please help us,

to ever seek You;

choose wear Your armor,

as You show the truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good, faithful, loving, and ever-present to help. Thank You that we can seek You to equip us for all that lies before us. Thank You that Your armor protects us: body, mind, and spirit. Forgive us for the times that we attempt to muscle our way through things instead of seek You and Your wisdom to know the path that we are meant to take. Show us more and more of who You are and how You love so that we might be better equipped to walk in Your way and do Your will. Lead us in Your love to walk alongside those around us well, so that they may see and know Your heart, care and protection for them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to strengthen and equip us, for You are our armor and our defense in all things. Amen.

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

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:14-16

True and Just

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments.” – (Revelation 19:1, NIV)

After this I heard what sounded like a large crowd of people in heaven. The people were saying, “Hallelujah! Victory, glory, and power belong to our God. His judgments are true and right.” – (Revelation 19:1, ERV)

I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing, “Hallelujah! The salvation and glory and power are God’s – His judgments true, His judgments just.” – (Revelation 19:1, MSG)

I love that God grants us insight to not only what heaven will sound like, but continues to reveal His nature as He shows us again and again that He is true and just. God wants us to live out our days with truth and justice, rather than worrying about rules and rituals. Our worship and our treatment of those around us is far more valuable to Him. Jesus modeled these things throughout His time on earth, as He cared for the widows, the sick, the forgotten. He forgave those whom the world deemed unforgiveable and did not tolerate things that polluted the purity of the temple. When people used the temple courts to sell things to extort money from those who genuinely came to worship, He overturned their tables and let them know that it was unacceptable. In His glory and power, Jesus came to save. Even hanging on the cross, Jesus forgave the criminal who recognized his own sin and asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus knew the repentance of the criminal’s heart and told him that He would see him in paradise. If Jesus can forgive a criminal on the cross, how much more ought we forgive those around us for trivial things that upset us? Yes, if there are blatant wrongs they must be corrected justly, yet if there is repentance, we ought to forgive. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to be just and true, for He has shown us who He is and how He loves so that we too may do the same.

Imagine the sound,

the voices in tune;

giving praise to God,

each word that’s sung, true.

No sorrow or pain,

to be in glory;

the presence of God,

hope in our story.

For He has shown us,

His love and His grace;

when we ask Him in,

He will ever stay.

Stay present to help,

in goodness He’ll lead;

He’ll show us the way,

in word, thought and deed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that throughout Your Word, You show us who You are and how You love. Thank You that You are true and just, and that You ask us to do the same. Thank You that You show us, lead us, and guide us as we earnestly seek You. Forgive us for the times that we have reacted on our own instead of responding through Your love and grace. Teach us to ever seek You to lead us in all things. Show us how to love those around us in truth and justly, so that they may know Your overwhelming goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in all that we say and do. Amen.

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

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8

God is… (Day 16 – The Way Maker)

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – (Isaiah 43:19, NIV)

“Because I am doing something new! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I will even make a road in the desert, and rivers will flow through that dry land.” – (Isaiah 43:19, ERV)

“Watch closely: I am preparing something new; it’s happening now, even as I speak, and you’re about to see it. I am preparing a way through the desert; waters will flow where there has been none.” – (Isaiah 43:19, VOICE)

On Sunday, during worship, we say the song Way Maker. As we repeated the bridge a few times, the lyrics sank in and I was reminded of several more things that God is to me. To know God as a Way Maker, is to recognize that He can make a way where there seems to be no way. For the Israelites who were fleeing from Pharaoh after being enslaved for 400 years, God parted the sea and gave them dry land to pass through, despite encountering a place that was seemingly impassable with the Egyptian army behind them with the sea before them. For the same people, He made water flow in the desert and food fall from the heavens to keep the people alive, nourished, and hydrated. God still makes the way for us, despite our circumstances. When all around us seems to be crumbling, He shows us how to press on and stand strong in Him. If our path is impassable, He either shows us how to reroute, or He supplies what we need to get over or through the difficult spaces. Years ago, when I was a part of Youth With A Mission, we were traveling over the border from India into Bangladesh on foot. The border guards were asking many of us for bribes as we waited to cross. God granted us wisdom and grace, as an offer of my rolled up bed mat was turned down and left the guard bewildered, yet I was given the go ahead to pass through. Each person on the team was able to enter, and not a bribe was paid. All of us had offered insignificant objects in our packs, and they shook their heads as if they thought we were crazy. What could have been a difficult or even scary situation, became something a bit comical that we laughed about later. There have been countless times that I have seen and experienced God as my Way Maker. He is good, and God is able to make a way where there seems to be no way. May we ever seek God to be our Way Maker in all things and at all times.

Through our wilderness,

the Lord makes a way;

He shows us His path,

as we trust each day.

Help, hope and His strength,

in love, He supplies;

how to overcome,

in Him, realized.

Goodness unending,

God’s more than enough,

He makes smooth our path,

when the way is rough.

No matter what comes,

in Him there’s a way;

to get through all things,

on His path we’ll stay.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Way Maker. Thank You that You make a way when there seems to be no way. Thank You that You supply all that we need to press on and overcome. Forgive us for feeling as if we cannot possibly get through what lies before us. Show us Your powerful presence that leads us where we are meant to go, and strengthens us to do more than we think is possible. Teach us to trust You more. Lead us to love, support, and encourage those around us in ways that point to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank and praise You for being our Way Maker throughout all our days. Amen.

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

O Eternal, show me Your way, shine Your light brightly on this path, and make it level for me… – Psalm 27:11a

To Be Transformed

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will. – (Romans 12:2, NIV)

Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect. – (Romans 12:2, ERV)

Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. – (Romans 12:2, VOICE)

Instead of just going with what is socially acceptable, we are charged with seeking God to move in and through us in a way that transforms us to more clearly reflect Him. In order to do so, we must seek the Lord with our heart, mind, and soul, for it is there that He shows us what is good and pleasing to Him, and makes it possible for us to love as He does. God does not require us to be a certain way to love us, rather He loves us as we are and then transforms us to be more of who He has designed us to become. The clearest picture we have as to the sort of heart He has for us is to look to Jesus. Jesus led with kindness, compassion, goodness, grace, self-control, and above all, love. He touched the “untouchable”, spoke to those whom the world deemed “unworthy”, and did all things in love. As we give God access to transform us, we more readily choose to love as He loves. Additionally, we gain a clearer picture of what is and is not His will for our life. Incredibly, He has a plan and purpose for each of us, and every step we take can move us either closer to or further from what He has for us. Thankfully, He can take our steps and missteps and use them to show us more of Himself. I am in awe of how He shows us new possibilities of how He can lead us in the new. The longer I wait, the more I simply choose to trust Him to orchestrate what is meant to be in each season. Of course there are steps that I must take, but often, after stepping forward in faith, there is a space of waiting for either what is or what is not to be. Either way, His goodness does not change, and His love continues to lead. May we ever trust the Lord as we earnestly seek Him, for He transforms us to become more and more of who He has uniquely created us to be.

Choose not to give in,

to ways of the world;

instead seek the Lord,

He’ll show us what’s good.

The good in His sight,

and right ways to go;

as our heart’s made new,

and His love is shown.

His ways are higher,

far better than ours;

possibilities,

new He empowers.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and loving and kind, and that You have incredible plans for us that go far beyond what we could hope or imagine. Forgive us for the times that we aimlessly wander or walk away from what You have for us. Teach us to seek You in faith, and to trust You as You lead us in each new step forward. Show us what is best, and help our faith to grow. Lead us to love those around us in ways that encourage and make Your love tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and listen to Your leading, for Your ways are always best. Amen.

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

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

The Word Among Us

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – (John 1:14, NIV)

The Word became a man and lived among us. We saw His divine greatness – the greatness that belongs to the only Son of the Father. The Word was full of grace and truth. – (John 1:14, ERV)

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish. – (John 1:14, MSG)

Jesus came close so that we would know who God is and what He is like. I love The Message translation of this verse as it shows how tangible and present Jesus became so that we would know Him. Incredibly, even though we do not live in the same time as when Jesus was on earth in the flesh, we see tangible evidence of who He is and how He loves through those around us and through all that His hands have made. The Word comes alive in our hearts as we seek Him, and He shows us more and more of who He is. Grace and truth surround us as His love overwhelms us. May we ever seek the One who is the Word and made His dwelling among us.

The Word of the Lord,

The truth is alive;

Actively teaching,

Instructions to thrive.

It is by His grace,

That His heart is shown;

In goodness and love,

He makes Himself known.

Father, please help us,

To ever seek You;

Our Help and our Hope,

All things that are true.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your one and only Son to show us who You are and how You love. Thank You that Your grace is plentiful, and Your love is unending. Forgive us for the times that we somehow make You small. Thank You that You are greater than all that we face and that Your grace is sufficient to meet our every need. Teach us to trust You more. Lead us in Your love so that we may make Your heart tangibly known to those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank and praise You for making Yourself clearly known. Amen.

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

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. – John 1:1

Strength to Soar

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)

But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired. – (Isaiah 40:31, ERV)

But those that wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles. They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. – (Isaiah 40:31, MSG)

Today is our final regular school day before spring break. We end the week with a day and a half of conference but knowing that this is our last teaching day until April 10^th is a reminder of the hope that rest and renewal is coming. When I think about eagles and how they fly, I am reminded that while in flight, they flap their wings for a time, but then they coast and ride the wind from their work. It is a continuous cycle of work and rest as they soar. For us, we are meant to do the same. To run and not grow weary is a great reminder that even in a marathon, there are water stations that provide refreshment to keep the runners from growing weary from dehydration. God is our ultimate refreshment and He shows us the patterns and rhythms we are meant to live by so that we may keep moving forward in His strength. Though I am tired this morning after a very busy start to the week, I am strengthened in knowing that rest is coming. May we ever seek the Lord to be our hope, for His plan for us is to soar and be strengthened in His love.

To wait on the Lord,

Is to trust His plans;

In times of toiling,

In His strength we stand.

Each day that we seek,

He’s faithful to meet;

Providing fresh strength,

In Him we’re complete.

The Lord grants us wings,

To rise up and soar;

His strength is supplied,

In Him we have more.

More strength to press on,

In what we’re to do;

Hope everlasting,

In Him we’re made new.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You we find rest and renewal and strength to keep moving forward. Thank You that You supply strength and rest when we need it most. Forgive us for allowing weariness to try to consume us rather than seeking You for rest. Teach us how to find a rhythm of work and rest that keeps us from growing weary. Show us how to press into Your loving kindness to be our strength. Lead us in Your love to strengthen, encourage and extend refreshment to those around us. Be glorified O God, as we depend on You to be our strength and supply in all things and at all times. Amen.

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

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Love is What’s Right

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

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love. – (Ephesians 4:2, ERV)

Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Tolerate one another in an atmosphere thick with love. – (Ephesians 4:2, VOICE)

This is exactly what is missing in much of our world’s communication today. It is evident throughout all forms of media, as there is a lack of humility, gentleness and patience, and love is absent in exchanges. I am not sure how it became widely accepted to bash one another, especially on social media, rather than seek to understand and listen in love. Though none of us are perfect, we are all perfectly loved. Jesus modeled the way to be humble, gentle, patient and loving. If we are intentional to seek the Lord to lead us, He shows us how to infuse love into all that we say and do. Love is humble and gentle, patient and kind. May we be intentional to spend time with the Lord and to always listen to His leading in all things, for when we do, we make His love known through our interactions with one another.

Completely humble,

And gentle at heart;

Should be our “M.O.”,

How exchanges start.

Patience is needed,

To interact well;

To love as we’re loved,

As our lives will tell.

We tell of goodness,

With humility;

Each action in love,

Gives God the glory.

So, choose seek the Lord,

Again, each new day;

Depend on His grace,

To walk in His way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love as You love us. Thank You that Your love is humble and gentle, patient and kind. Forgive us for the times that we have not given as You so abundantly give unto us. Teach us to let go of our desire to be “right” so that we may in humility, truly hear the hearts of those around us. Lead us to listen in love, with patience, kindness, and grace, and show us how to be gentle and to love lavishly as You do. Show us what it is to love like You as we interact with all those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they experience the goodness of Your gracious and overwhelming love. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us how to be humble and gentle, patient and kind, as we love out of the abundance of what You give to us. Amen.

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

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. – Psalm 25:9

Supply to the Seeking

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. – (Matthew 6:33, HCSB)

What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what He wants you to do. Then He will give you all these other things you need. – (Matthew 6:33, ERV)

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. – (Matthew 6:33, MSG)

When God is our priority each day, and we seek Him to lead us in what we say and do, He takes care of us. He provides as we abide. Yes, we have to do our part by taking action, but He supplies what we need in ways that go beyond human understanding. It is not something we earn, but rather as we seek Him, He shows us which way to go, and grants us what we need to get there. This holds true in every area of our lives if we allow Him room to be God of all. This is an ongoing process, as we are ever a work in progress and have limitless capacity to keep learning and growing. May we ever seek the Lord and steep our lives in His reality, His initiative and His provisions, for He is faithful to meet us with every step we take.

Choose seek first the Lord,

And all of His good;

He’s faithful always,

His love understood.

We need not worry,

Forever He’s near;

To lead and help us,

Each prayer He hears.

Keep moving forward,

In all that He asks;

He grants what’s needed,

For each step, each task.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and Your ways, You meet us, lead us, and provide all that we need. Thank You that You are faithful forever, even when we cannot see how You are moving on our behalf. Thank You that we can look back and see just how incredibly faithful You have always been. Forgive us for our fears and lack of faith when the road before us is rough. Teach us to trust in You and to look to You to lead us. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they too are able to see Your faithful love that meets us anew each day. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You first each day, and trust You to lead us well in the ways that You want us to go. 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