Promote Peace

If it is at all possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. – (Romans 12:18, NIV)

Do the best you can to live at peace with everyone. – (Romans 12:18, ERV)

If it is within your power, make peace with all people. – (Romans 12:18, VOICE)

The only thing that we can control is the way that we choose to interact and react to those around us. If our heart is determined to love in all that we do, we are promoting peace through our words and actions. We can be at peace with those around us, even if they are not interested in the same. As we walk in forgiveness, we do not carry the weight that holding grudges creates. On our own, this is an impossible ask, yet with Jesus, we are equipped and empowered to love and forgive and be at peace in all things and at all times. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and pray to Him to provide peace within us wherever we go.

Peace is possible,

wherever we go;

as we live at peace,

with all whom we know.

The choice, it is ours,

to love in all things;

respond like Jesus,

so goodness we bring.

Wherever we go,

whatever we do;

Lord help us bring peace,

as we choose love true.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to peace. Thank You that You do not merely call us to peace, but You equip and empower us to be at peace with those around us. Forgive us for the times that we have held onto hurts or have grown a grudge against another. Teach us to release all things into Your hands, for You are just and good, and trustworthy with all things. Show us how to love those around us in ways that promote peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we listen to Your leading and rely on Your love. Amen.

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

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

Singing Over Us

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. – (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV)

The Lord your God is with you. He is like a powerful soldier. He will save you. He will show how much He loves you and how happy He is with you. He will laugh and be happy about you. – (Zephaniah 3:17, ERV)

Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, He’ll calm you with His love and delight you with His songs. – (Zephaniah 3:17, MSG)

Though this passage was about Jerusalem being reconciled back to God, His heart for us is the same. As we turn and depend on Him, God saves us and delights in us. His love rejoices over us with His songs. I don’t know about you, but spring always seems to present extra challenges. At school, students amp up and struggle to stay focused, and personally, it seems to be the season that challenges transpire. Currently, the biggest challenge is mom’s recovery from a broken hip. She is a warrior, but this is far more than she signed up for. God is faithful, and we trust Him to lead her every step of the way, and to provide the encouragement she needs each new day. There is great comfort in Christ’s love, and the image of Him singing over us is beyond what my mind can conceive. His goodness, mercy, grace, kindness, and love surround us and bring us peace as we turn to Him. May we ever seek the Lord to be with us, to save us, to calm us, and to delight in us with His songs.

A peace far beyond,

What our minds conceive;

Love that surrounds us,

As we choose believe.

The Lord is our strength,

The One who can save;

His goodness granted,

Our sins He forgave.

Over us He sings,

With a Father’s love;

Joy unimagined,

Our hope from above.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Mighty Warrior who saves us. Thank You that You love us, bring us Your peace, and sing over us with joy. Forgive us for losing sight of how great You are and how abundant Your love is for us all. Teach us to lean into You when life becomes challenging, for You are the strength that we need to press on. Show us how to love and encourage those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and how You love and embrace the goodness You give as You care for us as only You can. Amen.

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

I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing the praises of Your Name, O Most High. – Psalm 9:2

Possible

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” – (Luke 18:27, NIV)

Jesus answered, “God can do things that are not possible for people to do.” – (Luke 18:27, ERV)

Jesus: Remember, what is humanly impossible is possible with God. – (Luke 18:27, VOICE)

On our own, many things are not possible. However, with God, all things are possible. This does not mean that He works with a magic wand to grant wishes, but rather He moves in ways we could never imagine and does the impossible on our behalf. His power goes beyond human understanding, and His love, far greater than we can fathom. Each day I am reminded of this as I go to work to teach classes that I have never taught before, and encounter challenges that have not been present previously. On my own, I’d be sunk. With God, I have new strength every morning and new resolve to start again. Some days I look back and am in awe of how He carried me and other days I can see how He equipped me. Either way, He does far more than I could hope or imagine and has blessed me with new things that bring me joy. My new role as an assistant volleyball coach ends each day well, no matter how my last few classes unfolded. God knows our hearts and finds ways to remind us that all is possible with Him. May we ever look to the Lord to be our strength and to move in and through us as only He can do.

What’s impossible,

To humanity;

Is not for the Lord,

Our Savior unseen.

Ever He’s working,

Much more than we see;

His plans are for good,

To eternity.

So, trust in the Lord,

He moves far beyond;

Help when we’re weary,

His love makes us strong.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for moving far beyond what we can see or imagine. Thank You that what is impossible for us is not for You. Forgive us for limiting You with our human understanding. Teach us to trust You more as we recognize the impossibilities that You have made possible all around us. Show us how to love as You love, which on our own is truly impossible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You in all things – great and small, and praise You for all that is possible in You. Amen.

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

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” – Mark 9:23

Why Friday Was Good

Above His head they placed the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. – (Matthew 27:37, NIV)

They put a sign above His head with the charge against Him written on it: “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” – (Matthew 27:37, ERV)

They placed a sign over His head: “THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS.” – (Matthew 27:37, VOICE)

Though done in mockery, what the soldiers posted was in fact true. The One they had crucified would be seated on the throne in heaven to reign forever. Not only as King of the Jews, but as the Savior of all. Good Friday is not good because of His suffering, but rather it is good because through His suffering, the penalty that we all deserve for our sin was placed upon Him. Jesus willingly suffered for our sake so that we might know life eternal in Him. The good is that death could not defeat Him, and the third day was coming. Darkness and silence that overwhelmed Friday, would be flooded with the glorious light of Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday. What seemed to be the end was but a pause prior to the ultimate revelation of the power of God. When we find ourselves feeling alone or overwhelmed in the dark, we have the hope that not only is Sunday coming, but light and life and love are available and active for us through Christ. He is our Help and our Healer, our Savior, and our Source. May we ever hold fast to the good that came to us through the willing sacrifice of Jesus on that Friday so long ago.

The light of the world,

Seemingly snuffed out;

Little did they know,

What it was about.

For the love of God,

That gave us His Son;

Willingly chose die,

For many, through One.

The weight of the world,

In love, He chose bear;

It was love alone,

That kept Him up there.

The mocking and harm,

Inflicted on Him;

He took for our sake,

So we too might live.

For when we choose Christ,

We’re cleansed from our sin;

Made new, forgiven,

Declared whole in Him.

No matter the dark,

The burdens we bear;

His love will free us,

As our trust’s declared.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your One and Only Son to save us. Thank You Jesus, that You willingly took our sin and shame upon Yourself so that we might know life in You forever. Forgive us for the times that we have taken for granted, the magnitude of Your sacrifice and the love that goes beyond comprehension that kept You in a space of suffering for us all. Teach us to embrace the grace and mercy we are given as we trust in You, and show us how to turn and extend the same to all those around us. Because we are forgiven and free, we can do the same for others. Show us how to love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the sacrifice that goes beyond what our minds can grasp and the love that grants life to all who receive it. Amen.

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

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

Through Your Eyes

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – (1 John 3:18, NIV)

My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do. – (1 John 3:18, ERV)

My little children, don’t just talk about love as an idea or a theory. Make it your true way of life, and live in the pattern of gracious love. – (1 John 3:18, VOICE)

We are charged to live a life that overflows with love, not by mere words, but rather through the things we do over and over again. It is only through living life in a pattern of gracious love that our words will bear any weight. This charge is both a challenge and a command, for if we are to love as Jesus loves we must do as Jesus did. He did not shy away from those who were different than Himself, nor did He walk the other way from those with infirmities, deformities, and various other physical and emotional ailments. Do we choose to love those we do not understand, or do we avoid them? In today’s culture, this is a daily challenge, as we cannot go anywhere without encountering others who view the world through a different lens than our own. How we choose to interact is a demonstration of either love or lack thereof. At the end of the day what matters most is whether or not we choose to love well. Though far from perfect, this is my aim as I wake and begin each day. Some days are more successful than others. Thankfully, we serve a God whose mercies are new every morning, and with each new day is another opportunity to love as He loves us all. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and may every encounter we have demonstrate His love through our actions.

Let love be the aim,

In all that we do;

May all our actions,

Show God’s love is true.

Be it not through words,

But rather what’s done;

Kindness and goodness,

Like the Holy One.

Lead us in Your love,

Throughout each new day;

Help us share Your heart,

And walk in Your way.

Be glorified Lord,

Through every deed;

With hands set to serve,

And give where there’s need.

Show us Lord Jesus,

Each day as we rise;

How to love like You,

View all through Your eyes.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to show us what it is to love with actions and in truth. Thank You Jesus, that You touched the “untouchables”, You fed the hungry, drew near to the despised and rejected, and in all situations and circumstances, chose love. Forgive us for the times that we have not chosen to love through the things that we have done. Teach us to seek You and do as You would do. Lead us to love with actions and in truth so that Your heart may be made clear to all those around us. Show us how to love everyone as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love throughout each new day, and help us to reflect Your goodness as we walk in Your way. Amen.

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

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. – Hebrews 10:24

The Power of His Love

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind Him and touched the edge of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. – (Luke 8:43-44, NIV)

A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all her money on doctors, but no doctor was able to heal her. The woman came behind Jesus and touched the bottom of His coat. At that moment, her bleeding stopped. – (Luke 8:43-44, ERV)

In the crowd that day there was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with hemorrhages. She had spent every penny she had on the doctors but not one had been able to help her. She slipped in from behind and touched the edge of Jesus’ robe. At that very moment her hemorrhaging stopped. – (Luke 8:43-44, MSG)

This story is a reminder of the incredible power of God. Additionally, it shows us that if Jesus heals when we merely reach for Him, how much more will He have compassion on us when we seek His face? In God’s goodness, He surrounds us with people who love us well, and shows us again and again that He is good and His love knows no end. Sometimes, it is our bleeding heart that needs holding, our anxious minds that needs soothing, or our loneliness that needs reminder that we are not alone. This week, we are spending spring break with our best friends. They are people with whom we can share the struggles and the joys of this life with, and not worry about judgement or irritation. Instead, we are met with kindness, compassion, and celebration. Together, we can share, celebrate, and mourn, the things that life brings, and move forward in strength knowing that we are loved and supported well. Incredibly, we are able to do the same. God is so good, and He knows what we need before we do. He makes His love tangible to us and through us. May we ever seek the Lord to show us more and more of Himself and praise Him forever for the countless ways that He makes His love known.

The power of God,

Much more than we see;

He reveals to us,

His love tenderly.

His heart is made known,

As we look around;

His love overwhelms,

For in Him, we’re found.

We find His mercy,

Goodness and His grace;

Blessings abundant,

As we seek His face.

Beauty in nature,

Family and friends;

Evidence of love,

That never will end.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so well and for demonstrating the depth and breadth of Your love in tangible ways. Thank You for the gift of creation and the people whom You created and placed on our paths. Forgive us for forgetting how powerful and loving You are. Teach us to seek You and trust You more, so that we might make love tangible to those around us. Lead us to love others well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and how You show Your love to us. Amen.

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

By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life.

– Psalm 42:8

Always Be Kind

Do to others as you would have them do to you. – (Luke 6:31, NIV)

Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior. Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! – (Luke 6:31, MSG)

Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them. – (Luke 6:31, VOICE)

Not only is this biblical, but it is an excellent rule to live by. When we treat others the way we want to be treated, what we give is very often what we get back. The thing is, even when kindness, grace and love are not returned, we can walk away in good conscience knowing we did the right thing. No matter what, we are given goodness, love and grace far beyond what God has extended to us. His love floods us to overflowing, and we are meant to give out of the abundance He has granted. Traveling is a perfect opportunity to put this into practice, as often people are stressed, hurried, or weary and out of patience. My prayer is that in all things, I may extend to others what I would want to be given. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and show us how to extend kindness to all.

No matter what comes,

Choose always be kind;

For we never know,

What’s on someone’s mind.

Silent are struggles,

Invisible things;

Heartache and challenge,

That which real life brings.

We may never know,

The difference we make;

But extending good,

Is living God’s way.

Let us rise with love,

As we start each day;

For God’s given us,

More than enough grace.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us more goodness, kindness, and love than we could ever give away. Thank You that You call us to do unto others what we would want done for us. Forgive us for the times that we have treated others in ways that we would not want to be treated. Help us to extend kindness, goodness and love to all, no matter what we are given. Show us how to love every person we encounter as You intended. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your overwhelming kindness to us and thank You that You equip and empower us to be kind to everyone we meet. Amen.

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

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. – Titus 3:4-5a

Fear Not

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV)

The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control. – (2 Timothy 1:7, ERV)

You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit. – (2 Timothy 1:7, VOICE)

We were not created to be cowardly, timid, or afraid. God has given us His Spirit to dwell within us, which is full of power, love and self-control. As we seek and rely on Him, we discover that we need not fear, and that He who is in us is far greater than anything that comes against us. In fact, God clearly wanted us to understand this truth every single day, for the phrase, “do not be afraid,” appears in the Bible 365 times. Any time that something is repeated in scripture, it is clearly meant to capture our attention and be noticed. If God reminds us to not be afraid, He clearly will provide what we need to overcome that which makes us timid or afraid. His strength is far greater than our own, and His love overcomes all. With Him, we discover how to be self-disciplined and to trust God in all things and at all times. May we ever seek the Lord to remind us anew, that He is our strength, love, and the One who provides what we need to stay the course to which we have been called.

We’ve not been given,

A spirit of fear;

For the God of love,

Forever is near.

He walks beside us,

Through valleys and hills;

Provides strength needed,

What He says, He will.

Self-discipline is,

Something He provides;

The courage and strength,

Each day to abide.

It is through nearness,

That we are aware;

Of who that God is,

And His tender care.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are loving and full of goodness and grace. Thank You that we need not fear, for You provide the strength, courage, and stamina we need to be self-disciplined as we follow after You. Forgive us for our fear and timidity when we face life’s uncertainties. Teach us to ever trust in You, our Source of all that we need. Show us how to love those around us in ways that extend Your strength, love, and heart, so that Your goodness is made tangible to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise and trust in You to grant us courage, strength, love, and self-discipline. Amen.

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

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. – Deuteronomy 31:8

Love Fulfills the Law

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. – (Romans 13:9-10, NIV)

The law says, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not want what belongs to someone else.” All these commands and all the other commands are really only one rule: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law. – (Romans 13:9-10, ERV)

The commands given to you in the Scriptures – do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not take what is not yours, do not covet – and any other command you have heard are summarized in God’s instruction: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Does love hurt anyone? Absolutely not. In fact, love achieves everything the law requires. – (Romans 13:9-10, VOICE)

If we truly love as God intended, we are fulfilling the law. How we treat others is a direct reflection of either love, or a lack thereof. The “shall nots” lead us directly to what love should be. Love is patient and kind, it rejoices with truth, it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. It does not fail. (1 Corinthians 13) Our charge is to love. When we love the Lord, we seek to do His will. His will is to love one another as He loves us. Through Him, we are equipped and empowered to love as He intended. Jesus grants us patience and kindness, hope and perseverance, trust and an ongoing desire to walk in truth. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love, so that we might love in a way that fulfills the law in every way.

The commands we’re given,

All point back to one;

Love one another,

And His will is done.

For love does no harm,

Instead, it protects;

It won’t separate,

But rather, connects.

Love brings together,

With kindness and grace;

It forgives, fulfills,

And walks in God’s ways.

His ways are loving,

Always He is good;

As we choose love too,

His heart’s understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love. Thank You that Your commands are fulfilled when we love our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us for the times that we have not loved as You intended. Teach us to be patient and kind, so that we model truth, hope, trust, protection and perseverance. Show us how to best love those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to love all around us as You intended. Amen.

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

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

The Way of Love

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” – (John 13:34-35, NIV)

“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. All people will know that you are My followers if you love each other.” – (John 13:34-35, ERV)

“Let Me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are My disciples – when they see the love that you have for each other.” – (John 13:34-35, MSG)

Truer words have never been spoken. It is only by loving one another well, that anyone will see a difference in our lives. If we act and react the same way as everyone else, there is nothing different about those who are in a life-changing relationship with Christ. However, if we love and care for each other, and extend love, even when it is not “deserved”, there is a noticeable difference, and it demonstrates the goodness of God to those around us. Not only are we commanded to love one another, but we are given the clear “why” as to the impact it has when we do. Today, though a “Hallmark” sort of holiday, it is another opportunity to choose to love well, all whom we encounter. Imagine the impact if followers of Christ truly followed Christ in such a way that all whom we see, speak, and interact with would know by our love. May we seek the Lord to lead us in His love and allow His love to transform our hearts and minds so that we too, love well.

The love of the Lord,

Power to change things;

It transforms the heart,

And the hope we bring.

For when we know God,

And receive His love;

We are empowered,

To do as He does.

For God, He so loved,

That He freely gave;

Without conditions,

The way He did make.

Help us to love well,

So all people know;

The goodness of God,

Through the love we show.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us in such a way that we are empowered and equipped to love like You. Thank You for the examples You have given us through Your Son and through the people around us who choose to love like You. Forgive us for the times that our words, thoughts and deeds have not been done in love. Teach us to seek You to lead us in all that we say and do. Show us how to love everyone as You do. Give us Your eyes to see and Your heart to understand so that we may love well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, for Your love knows no end. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to love everyone as You do, today and always. Amen.

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

May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You. – Psalm 33:22