Seek His Strength

Finally, be strong in the Lord and 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)

Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of His explosive power flowing in and through you. – (Ephesians 6:10, TPT)

Paul’s encouragement to the church of Ephesus is still an encouragement for us today. We are not meant to be strong on our own, but rather by the strength He provides through His presence, both in and through us. Strength on our own is not sustainable, yet in Him, we are able to endure and overcome all things. This does not mean that all will be easy, but it does mean God will be present to supply what we need when we need it most. May we ever look to the Lord to be our strength, recognizing that His mighty power provides what is required to press on.

Let’s look to the Lord,

For He is the place;

We are granted strength,

To run well our race.

Power that endures,

Through the toughest days;

A love that surrounds,

And grace that remains.

The Lord is the One,

On whom to depend;

To rise, overcome,

As strength He extends.

So, look to the Lord,

For all that we need;

Seek His strength, not ours,

In Him we succeed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Source of strength as we learn to depend on You. Thank You that Your power is present and made evident in our weakness. Forgive us for the times that we attempt to power through on our own, rather than seeking our true Source of strength. Teach us to turn in trust to You, as You supply all we need. Show us how to love those around us in ways that offer strength and hope and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to be our Source of strength in all things and at all times. Amen.

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

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9

Good Hope

“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. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” – (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV)

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. Then you will call My Name. You will come to Me and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will search for Me, and when you search for Me with all your heart, you will find Me.” – (Jeremiah 29:11-13, ERV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me.” – (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NLT)

 

Though I have these verses committed to memory, there is something powerful about the timing of when this particular passage has come back around. Today, this happens to be the verse of the day on my Bible app. This morning, as I woke seeking God, there was an underlying dread at the fact that it is already Monday, after a weekend that seriously lacked rest. In fact, yesterday afternoon, one of my sweet sons and I, spent some quality time at my school, organizing and doing inventory of the varsity gymnastics uniforms, so that I would be prepared to issue them to girls after school today. Sadly, while there, I read the notes that my guest teacher left from my absence on Friday. Though not surprising, it is still quite disappointing to read about kids who chose to behave poorly while I was away. This passage reminds me that my present circumstances are not my forever. God has good plans for me. I call on Him, pray to Him, and pursue Him with my whole heart. No matter what today holds, I have hope that better is coming. Incredibly, I have seen and known God’s faithfulness in this way in a variety of areas of my life, and in the lives of others. God is good, and I trust in the hope that my future holds. May we ever cling to Christ, who is our hope, as He has plans to give us a hope and a future that are good as we seek and pray to Him.

Mom is settling in and reentering life back in Wenatchee. Yesterday, she returned to her church to attend service, for the very first time since her stroke. She is glad she went, and is looking forward to joining her Bible Study group early this week. Last evening at dinner, Mom sat with a couple in the dining room whom she had not met yet, only to discover a common connection between them. The husband had worked with a family member of Mom’s, so it was a fun conversation and connection to establish. It is such a blessing to see the hope and good unfolding for Mom as she settles back into routines and finds herself again.

 

For the plans of God,

Are help and not harm;

Hope and a future,

Faithful, loving arms.

He’ll meet us each day,

With fresh hope to hold;

Grace to keep going,

And faith to be bold.

His plans are for good,

As each day begins;

Lord help us to trust,

For You lead us in.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have good plans for us that grant us a hope and a future. Thank You that You are faithful forever. Forgive us for the times that we doubt the good that You have for us, based on what we see in the temporary present circumstances. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may embrace each new day with hope and grace, trusting You to lead us through. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they may recognize the good and the hope that the future holds. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You with all that we are, trusting You to continue to provide a future and a hope that is good. Amen.

 

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

 

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24