Goodness and Peace Greet Us

Faithful love and truth will join together; righteousness and peace will embrace. – (Psalm 85:10, HCSB)

God’s love will come together with His faithful people. Goodness and peace will greet them with a kiss. – (Psalm 85:10, ERV)

Unfailing love and truth have met on their way; righteousness and peace have kissed one another. – (Psalm 85:10, VOICE)

Where God’s faithful love is present, so is the truth. In spaces where hearts are right with God, there is peace. When God’s love leads, truth, goodness and peace are found present. The thing about this is that we must be immersed and surrounded in God’s faithful love for truth to be made evident and peace to be present. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love, so that His truth may be made known, and His goodness and peace be present in places it is not expected. 

The goodness of God,

Is filled with His peace;

Found with love and truth,

For both bring release.

The truth sets us free,

From chains held by lies;

His love leads us on,

Goodness realized.

Keep trusting the Lord,

Rely on His love;

For there we find peace,

And goodness above.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, love and truth are joined together, and goodness and peace are made clear. Forgive us for not turning to You to provide these things. Teach us to trust in You and invest time with You so that we come to know Your love, truth, peace and goodness for ourselves. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your heart clearly known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your unfailing love and hold fast to Your truth, ever aware of Your goodness and peace that is found in Your presence. Amen.

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

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

Judge Not

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead. Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. – (Romans 14:13, NIV)

So we should stop judging each other. Let’s decide not to do anything that will cause a problem for a brother or sister or hurt their faith. – (Romans 14:13, ERV)

Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. – (Romans 14:13, MSG)

Our culture has become one that is very quick to judge, rather than seeking to understand. We all have been created with a free will. Each person has the choice to make their own decisions and determine their own actions. Our individual charge is to not do things that cause others to stumble or walk away from the path on which they were placed. If we each sought to understand one another, rather than judging, imagine the communities that would be built. I am blessed to be immersed in small communities where there is a seeking to understand. Different views and beliefs are celebrated, not judged. Even in my own home there are varied beliefs, and though at times, debates get heated, at the end of the day, there is love. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in the best decisions for ourselves, and trust that those around us are more than capable of doing the same. Lord, lead us in love.

Judge not each other,

Seek to understand;

The right path for me,

Is not where all land.

God is creative,

For each, there’s a plan;

Individual,

He’ll guide by His hand.

Don’t deter others,

For each must decide;

The way they will walk,

In whom they’ll abide.

No matter choices,

That others choose make;

Our call is to love,

Help mend each heartbreak.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us not to judge, but rather to love. Thank You that as we ask, You are faithful to show us what we are to do, and what we should not. Forgive us for thinking we have a place determining how others ought to follow where You are leading. Teach us not to judge, but rather to seek to understand and to love. Lead us to love those around us always, no matter how different they seem in how they navigate life. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to choose love over judgment, and pursue Your leading to keep from getting others off track. Amen.

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

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. – Matthew 7:7

Faithful to Hold

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. – (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV) 

But the Lord is faithful; He will make you strong and guard you from satanic attacks of every kind. – (2 Thessalonians 3:3, TLB) 

Still, the Lord is true to His promises; He will hold you up and guard you against the evil one. – (2 Thessalonians 3:3, VOICE) 

God is faithful. He strengthens us when we feel weak, and He is our protector and help when evil seems to surround us. Much of our struggle with evil is subtle. Our heart, our mind, and our character are challenged by the darkness. That voice or thought that tells us anything about who we are that does not align with God’s word, is an evil assault on our soul. The more we are immersed in His word, the truth that sets us free, the better we are able to stand strong and secure in the truth that He assures us is so. We are His; we are chosen; He has a plan and a purpose for each of us. God is faithful to meet us in our fear and doubt, and remind us again of what is true. His strength is mightier than anything that may come against us, and He promises are true forever. May we seek and invest time in pursuing God; for He is faithful and with strengthen and protect us from all that comes against us. 

Promises of God, 

The truth that remains; 

No matter what comes, 

We can trust His Name. 

The lies that assault, 

Who we truly are; 

From the pit of hell, 

Intended to scar. 

But God, in His love, 

Speaks truth to each heart; 

Affirming in grace, 

In Him, who we are. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to guard and protect us from evil as we trust and depend on You. Thank You that You speak truth to every heart that seeks You. Forgive us for not seeking You in our fears and doubts. Teach us to lean into You and to listen to what You have to say. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends safety and goodness to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and trust You to keep us safe from all evil. Amen. 

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

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. – Psalm 33:4

Safety and Peace

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. – (Psalm 4:8, NIV)

When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, Lord, You keep me safe. – (Psalm 4:8, ERV)

Now, because of You, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid. – (Psalm 4:8, TPT)

 

A puppy is such a tangible illustration of how trust and safety lead to peace. For us, though we are learning and bonding and growing together, our sweet Thor, (yellow lab puppy), already sleeps peacefully on our laps, beside us, or in our arms, as he knows he is safe. We, as humans, are slow learners, and far more easily distracted by life’s circumstances, as we allow worries and concerns to disrupt the perfect peace that is available in the safety and security of God’s perfect and unending love. Thankfully, His grace is relentless, as is His patience, and He waits lovingly for us to turn to Him so that we may again find our security in His peace, where fear has no room to grow. May we seek the Lord and His strong shelter, as He is our place of peace where we need not fear.

 

To lie down in peace,

Requires great trust;

Worries set aside,

By grace we adjust.

Adapt to goodness,

That is not deserved;

Be immersed in grace,

Though not understood.

As we receive these,

His peace becomes ours;

We find His sweet rest,

Love that empowers.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love that surrounds us and grants us peace and safety and rest. Thank You that You show us what it is to truly trust in tangible ways, through things that make sense to our hearts. Forgive us for allowing the cares of the world to steal our peace that comes from You. Teach us to trust You to be our peace, even in the most trying of storms. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your peace tangible and Your safety something that is possible in whatever season they find themselves in. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our safe shelter; for in You we find true peace. Amen.

 

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

 

In You, Lord my God, I put my trust. – Psalm 25:1

Committed Care

As Paul was parting company with the Ephesian elders for what he knew would be the last time, he spoke words of warning, comfort, and exhortation. After all of the time and energy invested in Ephesus, Paul simply had to continue to where he was called, trusting that the Ephesians would be covered in Christ’s tender care. “Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” – (Acts 20:32, NIV) Another version states, “Now I am putting you in God’s care. I am depending on the message about His grace to make you strong. That message is able to give you the blessing that God gives to all His holy people.” – (Acts 20:32, ERV)

 

Just as Paul so diligently invested in those he was given charge over, so we ought to do likewise. Though we may not part company in such a dramatic fashion, it is essential for me to be certain that my charges are properly equipped in the ways in which they are meant to go, even in the short span of time that we part ways while they are at school, or are out with friends. As they go, I must commit them to God, and trust that they are in His care (using wisdom in what and where I allow them to go). His word is rooted and established within them, thus His grace will make them strong. May we each invest in God and His word of grace, so we may be built up and receive the inheritance that He gives to those He calls His own.

 

Invested in Christ,

deep-rooted in grace;

immersed in His care,

by seeking His face.

He grants us the strength,

to do right by Him;

His blessings given,

His presence within.

As company parts,

let leaders not fear;

for those invested,

His Spirit, can hear.

Father, please protect,

both leader and charge;

in Your tender care,

wherever we are.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us and protect us, and grant us Your strength and grace when we choose invest in You. Thank You that we have an inheritance of eternal life in You, which is far more valuable than anything we could pursue on earth. Thank You that You value people, not possessions, and You want us to do likewise. Forgive us for not investing enough in those around us, or for not trusting You completely with those in whom we invest. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may commit all into Your care, as Your hands are far stronger and more capable of holding those whom we love, than we are. Give us Your heart to love, as You so lavishly love each of us, and may many come to know You as a result. Be glorified as we invest in others and commit them to Your care. Amen.

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

The joy of the Lord is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10

Living Waters Flow

Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. – (John 7:38)

 

In this passage, Jesus was speaking to a crowd in the temple courts. His words of life were offered before all who stood around Him, and despite the antagonizing of the Pharisees, many among them, believed. The streams of living water Jesus spoke of indicated the promise of eternal life. His Holy Spirit is our Source from which living water flows – not only for today, but for all of eternity. If we choose to believe and trust what His word says to be true, and allow Him to be Lord of our lives, living water will dwell in us and flow from us, both now and forevermore. May we each embrace the entirety of His word, and allow Jesus to rule and reign in our lives. Let Your living water flow from us, Lord God.

 

Nothing satisfies,

our insatiable thirst;

except for Jesus,

with His love, we’re immersed.

As we choose believe,

our soul comes to know life;

His living waters,

come fill up and revive.

When our hearts are filled,

from us too shall outpour;

our eternal hope,

a life that models more.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we believe in You, and place our trust in You, You come and fill us with Your living waters to the point of overflowing. Thank You that You send Your Spirit to dwell in us, so that we may extend some of what has been given to us, unto others. Thank You that in You, we have security and hope, not only for today, but forever. Forgive us for losing sight of eternity when life gets difficult, and help us to keep a proper perspective on the finite. Teach us to trust You in all things at all times, so that Your living water may continually be pouring out of us, as Your vessels of hope to those who do not yet know You. May many come to know You as their Savior and King, and hold the hope that Your living waters bring. Be exalted as we allow Your living waters to dwell in us and flow through us today. Amen.

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

Because of the tender mercy of our God, …the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78