Called to His Covenant

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. – (Deuteronomy 7:9, NIV)

So remember that the Lord your God is the only God, and you can trust Him! He keeps His agreement. He shows His love and kindness to all people who love Him and obey His commands. He continues to show His love and kindness through a thousand generations. – (Deuteronomy 7:9, ERV)

I want you to know that the Eternal your God is the only true God. He’s the faithful God who keeps His covenants and shows loyal love for a thousand generations to those who in return love Him and keep His commands. – (Deuteronomy 7:9, VOICE)

God is faithful and full of love, and He blesses those who keep His commands. If we love God and love people, all that we do will be in alignment with His commands. Our love for God leads us to follow after Him and seek to love as He loves. In doing so, we learn to love others the way He intended as well. Incredibly, the more we love God and those around us, the more we see His kindness and blessings unfold around us. God is our Heavenly Father who rewards those who earnestly seek Him. The more we seek, the more we know; the more we know, the deeper our love grows. May we ever pursue the Lord and obey what He asks of us, for it is through our obedience that we come to know the faithful kindness that flows from His goodness and grace.

There is only One,

He is God alone;

Who promises love,

Beyond what is known.

As we follow Him,

And choose to obey;

His blessings pour out,

May we walk His way.

For His way is love,

In all that we do;

Our purpose made clear,

As His love shines through.

He’s faithful always,

As we seek love true;

Hope that’s forever,

And grace that is new.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and follow after what You ask of us, we discover the goodness and blessings that are poured out through Your overwhelming and unending love. Forgive us for the times that we have not loved as You call us to love. Show us what it is to love You and those around us as You love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever pursue a life of loving You and loving those around us as You created us to do. Amen.

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

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. – Psalm 136:26

The Light of Jesus

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, shine your light before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

“You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. – (Matthew 5:14-16, ERV)

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” – (Matthew 5:14-16, MSG)

All who know Jesus have His light within. The light within us is meant to be shared wherever we go, for where there is light, darkness disappears. What this means for us is that we are to live in such a way that God is glorified, and that those around us recognize He who is in us by our love. The more that we choose love in all that we do, the more clearly Christ’s love is shown. As we love like Jesus, His goodness is made known and God is given the glory. May we ever seek the Lord to show us how to be His light-bearers wherever we go and through all that we do.

Christ is the true light,

That shines from within;

Chasing the darkness,

As we walk with Him.

He leads us with love,

So that we may shine;

Be light in darkness,

And love all the time.

This is our calling,

To let His light shine;

May we love like Him,

As our hearts align.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call and equip us to shine the light of Your love wherever we go. Thank You that this is not something that we somehow muster up, but rather as we walk with You and spend time with You, Your light shines through us. Forgive us for the times that we have hidden Your light. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may shine brightly on Your behalf in all things and at all times. Show us how to love like You throughout all our days. May many come into a lasting relationship with You and walk in Your ways. Be glorified O God, as we are intentional to spend time with You and give You room to refine and align our hearts to clearly reflect Your goodness and love. Amen.

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

You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. – 2 Samuel 22:29

Jesus is the Healer

A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. – (Mark 1:40-42, NIV)

A man who had leprosy came to Jesus. The man bowed on his knees and begged Him, “You have the power to heal me if You want.” These last words made Jesus angry. But He touched him and said, “I want to heal you. Be healed!” Immediately the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. – (Mark 1:40-42, ERV)

A leper walked right up to Jesus, dropped to his knees, and begged Him for help. Leper: “If You want to, You can make me clean.” Jesus was powerfully moved. He reached out and actually touched the leper. Jesus: “I do want to. Be clean.” And at that very moment, the disease left him; the leper was cleansed and made whole once again. – (Mark 1:40-42, VOICE)

This is a fascinating exchange between a man with leprosy and Jesus. The leper knows that Jesus is the Healer but is uncertain if it is for him. Perhaps the way that society viewed lepers was a factor in how he went about asking Jesus to heal him. Shunned and banished from families and communities, those with leprosy were considered unclean and not allowed to be within touch distance of anyone. I imagine that the man, knowing he was unclean and risking exposing others, was uncertain as to whether Jesus would want to heal him. Society had not valued him. Would Jesus? I love that Jesus was powerfully moved, told the leper that He did want to heal him, and then reached out and touched him. Not only did His words validate the leper’s value, but Jesus was not afraid to touch the “untouchable”. As He did, the man was made whole again. I imagine that the wholeness the leper experienced was much more than physical. Yes, his skin was healed from the disease, but through the physical touch, I can only venture to imagine that his heart was healed as well. So often when Jesus healed people, He would tell them that their sins were forgiven. Jesus was doing so much more than physically healing people; He was healing hearts and minds so that their worth would be made known. The same Jesus that healed many during His three years of ministry, placed the power of His Holy Spirit in those who believed. The early church continued to experience powerful healings as believers prayed in Jesus’ name. Throughout the generations from then to now, Jesus has continued to miraculously heal people. May we ever trust in Jesus, our Healer, and go to Him to lead us in spaces that need His powerful touch. Sometimes, He heals miraculously, and often, He utilizes humans to help bring freedom from what ails us. Other times, the physical healing does not happen until heaven. I know from personal experience, that at times, Jesus may bring doctors in to do the physical work, but He works in our hearts through the process. In all things, God is good, and we can trust Him to be our Healer.

Jesus, our Healer,

Always He is good;

His love reaches out,

Makes grace understood.

His healing is more,

Than our eyes can see;

He touches our hearts,

In Him, we are free.

Free from the burden,

Of sickness and pain;

No longer hopeless,

Held up in His Name.

His healing will come,

Eventually;

Be it here on earth,

Or when heaven’s seen.

His timing’s perfect,

Despite how we feel;

His grace sufficient,

And heaven is real.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to be the Healer. Thank You that after He returned to His rightful seat in heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to continue to move among us and bring healing and wholeness. Forgive us for questioning Your love and desire to heal, for love is for good in all things. Help us to seek You to be our Healer and to lead us in the direction we are meant to go, both personally and as we walk alongside others in need of Your touch. Please heal the hearts, minds and bodies of those in need. Show us how to walk by faith and not by sight, as we lift up and love those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they recognize the healing that is found as they hope in You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our Healer, listen to Your leading as we go, and believe that You will bring healing – be it on earth or in heaven. Amen.

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

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. – Psalm 103:2-3

The Work of Wisdom

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. – (Psalm 90:12, NIV)

Teach us how short our lives are so that we can become wise. – (Psalm 90:12, ERV)

Teach us to number our days so that we may truly live and achieve wisdom. – (Psalm 90:12, VOICE)

The older I get, the more aware I become of just how short life truly is. Each day is a gift, and we either learn and grow as we go, or life passes us by. Wisdom is the work of God in us as we seek Him to teach us more of who He is and how He calls us to love. To gain a heart of wisdom, we must be intentional to seek the Lord in all things and to trust Him as He walks beside us and leads us in the directions we are meant to go. This does not transpire overnight, but rather is a lifelong process. God has gifted me with access to wise women who have a few years more life experience than me to bless, encourage, challenge and model what it is to ever grow in wisdom. Each are acutely aware that every single day is a gift to be treasured, and their faithfulness models what an ongoing pursuit of wisdom in Him looks like. My hope for the coming year is to ever seek the Lord to grow in His wisdom so that I may walk out my days according to His purpose.

Please teach me, O Lord,

To number my days;

To grow in wisdom,

And walk in Your ways.

I need Your guidance,

Each day that I wake;

To love as You love,

And learn from mistakes.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

That all that life brings;

Can be used for good,

Because You’re the King.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we grow and trust You more, we gain wisdom and insight in You. Thank You that You are faithful to show us how You can work all things together for our good, even when our circumstances are not. Forgive us for being flippant with our time and for the times that we have delayed in seeking You. Show us how to turn to You first in all things, and to listen to Your leading. Help us to love those around us as You do, so that all might gain glimpses of Your goodness and love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize the gift that each new day brings and choose to seek You with intention so that we may continue to grow in wisdom as we go. Amen.

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

Reverence for the Eternal is the first step toward wisdom. All those who worship Him have a good understanding. His praise will echo through eternity! – Psalm 111:10

No Barrier

We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. – (Hebrews 6:19, HCSB)

This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe. It goes behind the curtain. – (Hebrews 6:19, ERV)

That hope is real and true, an anchor to steady our restless souls, a hope that leads us back behind the curtain to where God is (as the high priests did in the days when reconciliation flowed from the sacrifices in the temple). – (Hebrews 6:19, VOICE)

God is the hope that anchors our lives. He is strong and secure and keeps us safe. Typically, I pause there, as knowing that I have Christ as the anchor to steady me is of great comfort. However, this morning as I ponder further the second half of the verse, I am reminded that Jesus goes where we cannot; He sees what we cannot; and He is able to do the things that we are not equipped, empowered, or allowed to do. The curtain, in Old Testament times, was the separation between God and man. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn in two and there no longer was a divide between us and God. Jesus made the way for us to fully access God, personally, rather than having to have a go-between that was only allowed in His holy presence once a year. We can seek and approach the Lord any time, for Jesus is the lens through which the Father sees us as holy and acceptable. This is not through anything that we have or have not done, but rather all because of Jesus. May we ever hold fast to Him who is the anchor of our hope, and the One who has removed the barrier that kept us separated from God.

Hope is the anchor,

That keeps us afloat;

No separation,

With Christ in our boat.

He’s our safe harbor,

Throughout each new storm;

Our hope and our help,

To keep keeping on.

No longer is there,

A limit for us;

All times and places,

Right there is Jesus.

Cling to the anchor,

The barrier’s gone;

In Christ there’s a way,

For He makes us strong.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the anchor of our hope, and that because of Jesus, there is no longer a barrier that separates us from You. Thank You Jesus, for making the way for us to have full access to God. Forgive us for being our own barrier. Teach us to trust in You, Lord, that Your sacrifice and Your grace are enough to steady us and grant us access to ever come before You. Show us how to love like there is no barrier standing in our way. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we hold fast to You, our anchor, and praise You for the ongoing access we have to come before You on Your throne, without fear or barrier to keep us from You. Amen.

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

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take rest in safety. – Job 11:18

All That We Need

Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. – (Psalm 16:5, HCSB)

Lord, You give me all that I need. You support me. You give me my share. – (Psalm 16:5, ERV)

You, Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup. In that cup, You hold my future and my eternal riches. – (Psalm 16:5, VOICE)

God is good. He knows what we need and is faithful to provide. No matter what comes, He holds our future in His hands, and His plans for us are good. Though we may have to walk through valleys, He leads us back up to the mountaintops. May we ever seek the Lord in faith, trusting that He is good and that He will provide all that we need.

O Lord, You are good,

My portion always;

For You fill me up,

Throughout all my days.

You are my support,

The strength that I need;

Grace to keep going,

All peace that exceeds.

Beyond what’s hoped for,

God’s plans are divine;

Hope now and always,

His heart is for mine.

Lead us in Your love,

For Your love sustains;

Supplied forever,

As we praise Your Name.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Source and Supply, for You provide all that we need to navigate each day, now and forever. Forgive us for the times that we lose sight of Your goodness and grace. Teach us to trust in You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us in ways that provide peace, comfort and strength. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your comfort and provision, and the overwhelming blessings we behold through the power of Your great love. Amen.

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

I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him. – Lamentations 3:24

Wisdom Leads to a Lovely Life

Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful. – (Proverbs 3:17, HCSB)

Wisdom will lead you to a life of joy and peace. – (Proverbs 3:17, ERV)

She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. – (Proverbs 3:17, NLT)

Wisdom from God is what leads us to joy and peace. His wisdom shows us the ways we are meant to go, and guides us throughout all of our days. When we listen to His leading, we know joy and peace in Him, no matter what lies ahead. In this season of seemingly unending curves and treacherous hills, knowing His nearness and listening to His leading are the things that make our paths plain and our vision eternal. As we learn to look through the Lord’s lens of love, we discover pleasant paths and true peace are found as we faithfully follow our Heavenly Father. May we ever seek the Lord to grow in wisdom, so that we discover His ways that lead us to a life full of His joy and peace.

Wisdom is waiting,

As we seek the Lord;

His ways are pleasant,

As grace, He affords.

He brings us His joy,

And provides His peace;

His wisdom, guides us,

And supplies our needs.

So, keep seeking God,

And wisdom He gives;

He’ll show us the ways,

That we’re meant to live.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your wisdom leads us to pleasant paths and fills our lives with joy. Thank You that the wisdom in knowing You is what grants us hope and peace. Forgive us for taking our eyes off of You, or for attempting to navigate in our own knowledge. Teach us to seek You in all things, for You are faithful to lead us in the ways that we are meant to go. Fill us with Your wisdom that makes plain the paths that we are meant to take. Show us how to love those around us as You do, so that peace and joy are passed along to all those we encounter. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue Your wisdom to lead us and provide us with Your peace and joy forever. Amen.

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

Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. – Psalm 90:12

Lead Me to Water

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right path for His name’s sake. – (Psalm 23:1-3, HCSB)

The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need. He gives me green pastures to lie in. He leads me by calm pools of water. He restores my strength. He leads me on right paths to show that He is good. – (Psalm 23:1-3, ERV)

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, You find me quiet pools to drink from. True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. – (Psalm 23:1-3, MSG)

God is so good. He leads us to quiet spaces to rest and be refreshed. He renews our strength and leads us in the ways that we are meant to go. The challenge is to actually seek Him and allow Him to lead us. It is easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of busyness, and neglect to seek God to lead us in the day-to-day. When we pursue the Lord to lead us, we gain wisdom and strength to do the things that we are meant to do, and understand what we need to let go of, step away from, or wait for the right timing to do. He is good, and He knows what we need far better than we do. May we ever trust the Lord and His leading to move forward in His wisdom and strength, for with Him, we find rest and refreshment and all that we need in His goodness and love.

Lord, I will seek You,

With each brand new day;

To lead and guide me,

To walk in Your way.

Lead me to water,

To rest, be refreshed;

Empowered in love,

To do what is best.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

For Your faithfulness;

To strengthen and lead,

Remind us we’re blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always good. Thank You that You lead us to spaces to rest and find refreshment in You. Forgive us for getting caught up in the cycle of busy, rather than seeking You for wisdom to know what we should and should not take on throughout each day. Lead us in Your wisdom and grace. Teach us to love well, all those whom we encounter throughout our day so that they too, might know the refreshment found in Your lavish love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to grant us wisdom and rest to be refreshed and ready to do all that You have for us. Amen.

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

For You are my rock and my fortress; You lead and guide me because of Your Name. – Psalm 31:3

Plans Purposed for Good

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. – (Romans 8:28, HCSB)

We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him. These are the people God chose, because that was His plan. – (Romans 8:28, ERV)

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. – (Romans 8:28, VOICE)

No matter what we face or challenges that come our way, God will ultimately use it for good somehow. I know in my own life that this has proven true, again and again, even when it seemed that nothing good could ever come from it. Incredibly, often He takes us out of what we think we want and leads us to something far better than we could have hoped or imagined. Through the process He refines us and makes us more like Him. May we bring all before the Lord in faith, and trust that He will use all things for good because we love Him.

No matter what comes,

God can use it for good;

Beauty for ashes,

His true hope, understood.

The more we love Him,

The clearer we can see;

How all works for good,

Love moving tangibly.

So, choose to love God,

Ever trust in His plan;

Good will always come,

When we don’t understand.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You can use ALL things for good for those who love You, despite what we see or are experiencing in the here and now. Thank You that You bring beauty from ashes and hope from despair. Forgive us for the times that we have felt that we were forgotten or left on our own when things seem to lack hope. Teach us to trust and rely on You, for Your promises never return void, and You are faithful to use even our most difficult seasons to bring good. Show us how to love those around us in ways that grant hope and encouragement. May many come into a lasting, loving relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the good that You will bring from all that we walk through. Amen.

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

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34

What Love is Meant to Be

Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. – (Romans 13:10, HCSB)

Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law. – (Romans 13:10, ERV)

Does love hurt anyone? Absolutely not. In fact, love achieves everything the law requires. – (Romans 13:10, VOICE)

When we love those around us, we are walking in obedience to all that God commands. It is love that leads us along the path that the Lord has placed before us and shows us the way to navigate well. The more that we seek the Lord and receive all that He has to offer, the better equipped we are to love each person we meet. Choosing to extend kindness, is love. Believing the best in others is love. Forgiving and not holding a grudge, is love. Caring well for those around us is love. There are countless ways that we can extend love to those around us, and make God’s love tangible in places that it has been hidden. May we ever depend on the Lord to lead us in love, so that we may walk in obedience to the greatest command and show those around us what love is all about.

Love is meant to be,

Evidence of God;

Not jaded, hurtful,

Some Hallmark facade.

True love is goodness,

Kind and faithful too;

Always forgiving,

Each day it’s made new.

Patient, generous,

Full of hope each day;

In Christ, there’s enough,

To love the Lord’s way.

For as we choose love,

We do as we should;

We love others well,

And show God is good.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call and command us to love. Thank You that as we love You and love those around us well, we are walking in obedience to all that You command. Forgive us for each time that we have fallen short and not loved as You call us to do. Teach us how to lead with love in all that we say and do. Show us how to express Your love best to those around us, so that they might recognize Your heart in our every word and deed. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to love our neighbors as You intended. Amen.

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

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You. – Psalm 86:5