Intentionally Made

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – (Psalm 139:13-14, NIV)

You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because You made me in such a wonderful way. I know how amazing that was! – (Psalm 139:13-14, ERV)

For You shaped me, inside and out. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath. I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul. – (Psalm 139:13-14, VOICE)

It is a good reminder that we were created on purpose and with a purpose, and that God planned out each detail of who we are for a reason. In fact, the example set before us is to praise and thank the Lord for how He made us. There are no exceptions to this. The way that we each were made is wonderful, and for that, we ought to praise Him. What we consider our “flaws” may be the very thing that helps us connect with someone else so that they may be encouraged and built up, and shown the goodness of God. My mom did an amazing job of telling me and my sister that our red hair was a gift from God. In fact, when I was still quite young, a lady in a grocery store asked me where I got my pretty red hair. Apparently I looked at her as if it were the silliest question ever, and confidently told her, “from God.” She smiled and went on her way. As we age, our bodies change and it can be easy to become discouraged and frustrated. This passage is our reminder that He made us, and rather than being annoyed with the changes we dislike, we ought to care well for the temple so that we are as strong and healthy as possible. In the same way we need to nourish our soul, so too we ought to nourish our bodies. As we are fueled well, both body and soul, we discover the strength and goodness in all that His hands have made and we are better able to praise Him in all things. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love, and give Him praise for the way that He purposely made each of us.

With purpose we’re made,

each detail He planned;

the work of His hands,

so in Him we’d stand.

All of our being,

was designed by Him;

heart, mind and body,

and soul that’s within.

There’s only one you,

and only one me;

purposefully made,

to live, love and be.

So let us seek Him,

and give Him our praise;

and choose to love well,

throughout all our days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are each uniquely and wonderfully made. Thank You for the work of Your hands that formed us before we took our first breath. Thank You for life and for purpose, for You made each of us to live and love well. Forgive us for the times that we fixate on our flaws or shortcomings instead of praising You for what we have. Teach us to care well for what we have and to praise You as we live and love the way that You intended. Lead us in Your goodness and grace to be a light and love to those around us each day. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the way that You designed us and for the purpose You placed on each of our lives. Amen.

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

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

A Command to Love

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.” – (John 13:34, HCSB)

“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you.” – (John 13:34, ERV)

“So I give you a new command. Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you, and demonstrate your love for others in the same way.” – (John 13:34, VOICE)

We have been created for and commanded to love. Jesus demonstrated what it is to truly love one another through His life, death, resurrection and ascension. Everything Jesus did, He did in love. He helped, healed, touched, provided, sacrificed, forgave, prayed for, and so much more. If we want to live a life that follows after His command, we must choose love in everything that we say and do. Our decision to love is not to earn something, but rather to allow the love He gives to us to be poured out and overflow to those around us. To learn to love as we are commanded takes a lifetime of practice. We all have our moments and fall short, yet He picks us up, dusts us off, and reminds us how great His love is so that we can rise up and choose to love likewise. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to love as He does so that all might know the overwhelming, never-ending love of God.

Called and commanded,

  My love. ❤ Photo credit – Open Door Photography

to go forth and love;

not as the world does,

but like Christ above.

Love’s sacrificial,

it puts others first;

choice to keep loving,

even at our worst.

Love seeks to lift up,

to build, encourage;

it always forgives,

does not discourage.

Love is full of grace,

and given for free;

embraces the heart,

shows people they’re seen.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

that You love us best;

with love abundant,

to bless and be blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You not only command us to love, but You have shown us again and again, what it is to love. Thank You Jesus, for living a life of love and for empowering those around us to love well. Forgive us for the times that we have not loved as You intended. Teach us to follow after You with all that we are so that we might love well in all that we say and do. Lead us in Your amazing love so that all whom we encounter would recognize the goodness of Your faithful love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to love as You first loved us. Amen.

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

My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. – Psalm 63:3

God is… (Day 24 – Worthy of Praise)

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. – (Psalm 145:3, NIV)

The Lord is great and deserves all our praise! No one can fully understand His greatness! – (Psalm 145:3, ERV)

God is magnificent; He can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to His greatness. – (Psalm 145:3, MSG)

The God of all creation, the One who is everywhere, loves everyone, and is greater than all things, is deserving of all our thanks and praise. This morning, as I am trying to focus and write what God places on my heart, my lab keeps losing his ball under the coffee table. He tries to reach his paws under it to dig the ball out, but of course the carpet does not give way like the earth would. The “digging” continues until I get down from the couch, reach under the coffee table, and free his ball that is eluding him. For me, I love him to pieces, but get annoyed after the first or second time of “rescuing the ball”. God does not operate like us. Imagine how many times in a day we each “lose our ball” and seek God to help us. In traffic, teaching middle schoolers, interacting with humans, each provide opportunity for us to lose sight of what matters, and then desperately work to get it back. However, God is not impatient with us. Each time we ask Him, He helps, redirects, and lovingly nudges us in the right direction. He is faithful to show us His heart for others as we ask, and His mercies know no end. His kindness is what leads us to repentance and makes us want to do and be better. His ways are deserving of all of our thanks and praise, and He alone is the One who is worthy. May we ever praise the Lord, for He is worthy of all of our praise.

My God is worthy,

of all of my praise;

life, love, help, and hope,

He gives all my days.

His grace and patience,

show me He is good;

the depth of His love,

can’t be understood.

All praise to You, God,

Who sits on the throne;

yet dwells among us,

making presence known.

Help us to give thanks,

our praise should not end;

each breath, each moment,

good that You extend.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone are worthy of all of our praise. Thank You for the countless ways that You make Your love known to us. Forgive us for losing sight of the help, hope and grace that You provide through Your unending love throughout all of our days. Teach us to recognize the work of Your hands and give You praise for who You are and how You love. Show us how to love those around us in ways that point to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize that You are worthy of all of our praise and seek to honor You in all of our ways. Amen.

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

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being. – Revelation 4:11

God is… (Day 17 – A Miracle Worker)

You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples. – (Psalm 77:14, NIV)

You are the God who does amazing things. You showed the nations Your great power. – (Psalm 77:14, ERV)

You, God, and Your works evoke wonder. You have proved Your strength to the nations. – (Psalm 77:14, VOICE)

God is a miracle worker. It takes little time to look around in awe and wonder to recognize the miraculous found in the Divine. Life and light, health and hope, creation and the created – all are evidence of the miracles God does each day. His miracles are not limited to the few that are mentioned in the Bible, for they are found in all places throughout the ages. Yes, parting the sea, turning water into wine, raising the dead to life, and healings infirmities and illness were huge miracles that cannot be denied, yet the birth of a new baby, a heart transformed to love, and ways being made where the way seemed impossible, are all modern-day miracles we get to witness. God still works wonders, we simply have to be aware and listen to discover all that He is doing. In my life thus far, I cannot even count the miracles of God that I have witnessed. Two of my favorites are my twins. Born prematurely, the only challenge they had was that their lungs needed to develop. They were on oxygen for nearly five weeks, but they were able to be weaned from it within hours of each other, and I was able to bring them both home together. That alone, was miraculous, as there was a significant discrepancy in their size at birth. Both grew and thrived, and each are successfully navigating their way into adulthood. They are intelligent, kind, and loving, and are both thriving as they work to complete their college education so that they can pursue careers in areas of interest to them. I have seen God’s hand and His provision every step of the way. May we ever seek the Lord, our Miracle Worker, and trust that He will make the way for us to press on and do all that He is calling us to do.

Miracles abound,

throughout each new day;

our life, the sunrise,

how God makes the way.

Each day that we wake,

we witness His grace;

His touch all around,

as we walk His way.

How the sun rises,

and how the rain falls;

the birth of new life,

and strength to stand tall.

He still makes a way,

through impossible;

the Lord is greater,

our path crossable.

He changes our hearts,

to supple from stone;

where cold once was found,

He makes His warmth known.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Miracle Worker that makes a way throughout our whole life. Thank You for the miracles all around us. Forgive us for the times that we lose our awe and wonder at who You are and all that You have done. Renew our sight so that we would recognize the miracles all around us every day, and give You thanks and praise for Your incredible and gracious ways. Show us how to love those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the miracle of life and living, and give You thanks for all that You keep giving. Amen.

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

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” He said, “Your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. – Matthew 9:22

Speak Life

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. – (Psalm 141:3, NIV)

Lord, help me control what I say. Don’t let me say anything bad. – (Psalm 141:3, ERV)

Guard my mouth, O Eternal One; control what I say. Keep a careful watch on every word I speak. – (Psalm 141:3, VOICE)

What we give voice to matters. Our words hold the power of life and death. Though what we say may not seem significant, words have power as they echo in the halls of hearts and minds. As a teacher, I am acutely aware of this, as students often say things that they have heard from others, and such words become a part of their own self-talk. The number of times that I have heard kids claim that they are stupid is heartbreaking. I often spend much of the year trying to help them recognize their own intelligence so that they can discover they are indeed capable of doing difficult things. Though I would never tell anyone that they were stupid, how I deal with frustration and discouragement matters. I need God to guard my mouth so that what I say brings life and hope and help. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in what we allow to leave our lips, and fill our hearts with His words of hope, help, life, and love.

O God, guard my mouth,

help me to speak life;

silence anything,

that might lead to strife.

Flood my heart with love,

for all whom I meet;

let kindness pour out,

overcome defeat.

May my heart and mind,

Filter what I say;

let Your words of life,

be all that escape.

Show me, Lord Jesus,

others through Your eyes;

so all that I say,

is love realized.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You instruct us to watch what we say. Thank You that words from You bring life, and hope, and love. Forgive us for every word spoken that does not reflect Your goodness and love. Teach us to self-edit so that we encourage and build up through what we give voice. Show us how to speak words of life to all whom we encounter. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to guard our lips so that we silence words that do not give hope, and flood our hearts and minds with words that encourage and give life. Amen.

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

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. – Psalm 19:14

Eternal Treasures

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – (Luke 12:34, NIV)

Your heart will be where your treasure is. – (Luke 12:34, ERV)

Your treasure will be stored in the heavens, and since your treasure is there, your heart will be lodged there as well. – (Luke 12:34, VOICE)

Our greatest gifts are not things at all, but rather include life and love and hope. Each of these things come from God. We must keep perspective that He is our greatest treasure, and every good thing in our life comes from Him. When we have an attitude of gratitude for who God is and how He loves, we maintain perspective that our greatest treasure is in Him, both now and for all eternity. May we ever keep our eyes on the Lord and recognize that our true treasures are those which are eternal in Christ.

Lord, help us recall,

Where true treasure lies;

Hope and life in You,

True love realized.

Every good thing,

That come in our lives;

Reflect back to You,

Good exemplified.

Teach us to treasure,

All that is from You;

Our hope forever,

Each day we’re made new.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that our treasures are found in You. Thank You that You give us life, love and hope that are forever in You. Forgive us for the times that we lose proper perspective and place too much value on the temporary. Teach us to hold all of our hope in You, for true treasure lies in the promises You provide and life everlasting with You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that point their hearts to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You forever and treasure who You are and all hope that is found in You alone. Amen.

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

…Put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. – Psalm 131:3

Focus On The Eternal

Then Jesus said to His disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” – (Luke 12:22-23, NIV)

Jesus said to His followers, “So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live – what you will eat or what you will wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it.” – (Luke 12:22-23, ERV)

(Then, to His disciples) This is why I keep telling you not to worry about anything in life – about what you’ll eat, about how you’ll clothe your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than fancy clothes. – (Luke 12:22-23, VOICE)

Yes, nourishment and clothing matter, but they are temporary, whereas nourishing our spirit and covering ourselves with prayer are the things that are eternal. Jesus did not want the disciples focus to be on their physical needs, but rather on those of the spirit. As we fix our eyes on Jesus and seek to grow in the things of Him, He supplies all that we need, not only to love as He loves, but the practical things that we need as well. The Lord is our Provider, so we need not worry. Yes, we must do our part and work as He calls us to do, but we can trust in Him to supply what we need as we are faithful to follow after Him. If God can multiply five loaves and two fish to feed thousands, He is able to provide what we need. May we ever seek the Lord to grow us more and more in Him and trust Him to be our Source.

We need not worry,

For the physical;

As Christ will meet us,

With the practical.

Instead, help us fix,

Our hearts upon You;

To show and grow us,

In all that is true.

Our bodies don’t last,

But spirits live on;

What is eternal,

Let’s fix our eyes on.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we need not worry about the food that we eat or the clothing we wear, for You supply all that we need to live. Forgive us for allowing our gaze to shift from the eternal to that which is temporary. Teach us to trust in You for all that we need, and to seek You in all things and at all times. Lead us in Your faithful love so that we may extend Your goodness and provision in tangible ways where it is needed most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and serve You and focus on that which lasts forever. Amen.

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

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34

Praise the Name of Jesus

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. – (Ephesians 1:3, NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. – (Ephesians 1:3, ERV)

Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, who grants us every spiritual blessing in these heavenly realms where we live in the Anointed – not because of anything we have done, but because of what He has done for us. – (Ephesians 1:3, VOICE)

The blessings from God are far too numerous to count. He has given us faith, salvation, family, friends, home, health, life, love, peace and so much more. Jesus meets us where we are and supplies us with what we need. Grace surrounds us, goodness is poured out upon us, and peace is present through the abundance of His perfect love. For these reasons and so many more, it is right to give Him our thanks and praise. May our lives be a constant offering of worship to He alone who is worthy.

All praise to the One,

Our God and our King;

Savior, Provider,

Lord of ev’rything.

His blessings poured out,

Our reason to sing;

In love, let’s worship,

Full of thanksgiving.

For health and for hope,

For goodness and grace;

Peace, love and comfort,

Strength throughout our days.

Because You pursue,

Us with Your great love;

Forever we’ll praise,

Jesus, Lord above.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have poured out Your blessings upon us in abundance. Thank You that everything good that we see, feel and experience is a gift from You. Forgive us for neglecting to properly praise You for who You are and how You love and provide for us all. Teach us to recognize and acknowledge every good and perfect gift that comes from You. Show us how to love those around us in a way that reflects Your goodness and is an act of worship unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for how You pursue and love us, for the people that You purposefully place in our lives, and for the grace that gifts us with a fresh start each new day. Amen.

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

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praise to Your Name, O Most High. – Psalm 92:1

Our Greatest Treasures

For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. – (Matthew 6:21, NIV)

Your heart will be where your treasure is. – (Matthew 6:21, ERV)

The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. – (Matthew 6:21, MSG)

The older I get, the more I find that my treasure is in God and all that He has made. Stuff is just stuff, but salvation, relationships, people, pets, and community are truly the greatest gifts we have been given. When I focus my time and energy on Him and those that He has placed in my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, not want. The things that matter to me are not ones of monetary value, but rather are either gifts or reminders of those who matter most. I understand now why photos have always been so important to my mom. Each snapshot is a reminder of God’s faithfulness in a moment in time that was captured. To look at the images is to be reminded that God is good. May we ever look to the Lord with thanksgiving and seek Him to help keep our priorities in order so that our treasures are eternal, and not temporary.

Lord, help us treasure,

That which is from You;

Life and creation,

Eternity too.

May our hearts choose hold,

All of our lives through;

Treasures from heaven,

That point us to You.

Show us Your own heart,

All that matters most;

Lead us in Your love,

Through grace, peace and hope.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our greatest treasure and that every good and perfect gift comes from You. Forgive us for the times that we have been more concerned with stuff than with that which matters eternally. Teach us to have a heart after You. Lead us in Your love so that we would treasure You and Your created, as these are the things that last. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your heart known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize our greatest treasures are found in You and from You. Amen.

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

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18

Thankful For The Unshakable

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. – (Hebrews 12:28, NIV)

So we should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please Him. We should do this with respect and fear. – (Hebrews 12:28, ERV)

Therefore, let us all be thankful that we are a part of an unshakable Kingdom and offer to God worship that pleases Him and reflects the awe and reverence we have toward Him. – (Hebrews 12:28, VOICE)

Gratitude ought to be our mode of operation throughout each new day. A thankful heart is not dependent on merely that which we are walking into, but rather gratitude can look back and see the incredible ways that God has moved on our behalf, and look ahead to the faithfulness of God and the hope that is yet to come through eternity spent in His presence. Even in the here and now of difficulty, there are always things to be thankful for. For me, that includes the people whom God has placed around me, and those He has blessed me with as family. To worship God in a way that will please Him is all about the state of our heart. When our heart is full of awe and reverence for who God is and how He loves, our every act of worship is a reflection of such, and is pleasing to Him who we worship. May we ever let our hearts overflow with gratitude for He who deserves all of our worship forever. 

All thanks be to God,

Who sits on the throne;

Our help and our hope,

Through Whom love is shown.

He’s faithful always,

No matter what comes;

So let us give thanks,

For all He has done.

Even through heartache,

And difficulty;

His presence is clear,

Magnificently.

God’s presence gives hope,

Strength, life and His love;

Our anchor secure,

We are His beloved.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are receiving Your kingdom both now and forevermore. Thank You that this means that we have help and hope in You, no matter what lies ahead. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations that block our view of who You are and how You love. Teach us to trust in You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us in ways that grant hope and demonstrate gratitude. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You and praise You for who You are and how You love. Amen.

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

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. – Psalm 125:1