The Ultimate Father

I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty. – (2 Corinthians 6:18, HCSB)

I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord All-Powerful. – (2 Corinthians 6:18, ERV)

And I will be for you as a Father, and you will be for Me as sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty! – (2 Corinthians 6:18, VOICE)

No matter what our experience is with earthly fathers, we have a Heavenly Father who knows us completely and loves us perfectly through all things and at all times. It is remarkable that the King of ALL considers us His daughters and sons, not because of what we do, but rather because we are His created. It is up to us to receive what He freely gives. Each time we call on Him and come before Him, He accepts us as His own, and provides all that we need. God is good, and His love lasts forever. May we ever seek the Lord and His great love, for He is always near, ready to be the Father we need as He calls us His sons and daughters.

A Father above,

Who calls us His own;

His sons and daughters,

Each is fully known.

With love unending,

Peace and patience too;

His encouragement,

Helps carry us through.

Through ev’ry season,

His love can be found;

Hope never ending,

In Him peace abounds.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our loving Father who calls us sons and daughters. Thank You that it is not an earned status, but rather one that You freely offer to all who seek Your face. Forgive us for forgetting the power that is present in knowing You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will bring all things before You and trust is Your unfailing love. Show us how to love those around us well, so that many may come into a lasting relationship with You, the ultimate Father of all. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your loving kindness and grace and embrace the family that we are welcomed into through Your love and grace. Amen.

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

God in His holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows. – Psalm 68:5

Compelled to Love

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us – not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy… – (Titus 3:4-5a, HCSB)

But then the kindness and love of God our Savior was made known. He saved us because of His mercy, not because of any good things we did. – (TItus 3:4-5a, ERV)

When the extraordinary compassion of God our Savior and His overpowering love suddenly appeared in person, as the brightness of a dawning day, He came to save us. Not because of any virtuous deed that we have done but only because of His extravagant mercy. – (Titus 3:4-5, TPT)

I am so thankful that the goodness of God is dependent on His goodness and love and not reliant on my ability to somehow earn it by doing enough good. It is His compassion and kindness that compel us to love one another, rather than something that we have done that earns our way into His good graces. His mercy is new every morning, and today I am again embracing the kindness and love He offers freely so that I might love as He loves. May we ever seek our Savior and His great love, for it is a gift He gives to all who earnestly seek Him.

The kindness of God,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Is freely made known;

Not because of us,

We are called His own.

His love’s unending,

And His mercy shown;

Simply in seeking,

Our heart finds its home.

For in Him there’s peace,

Presence full of love;

Compassion and grace,

Goodness from above.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

For mercy anew;

Love overwhelming,

That leads us in truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your loving kindness and mercy are given freely, not dependent on what we have or have not done. Thank You that it is Your love and Your grace that compel us to do what You call us to do. Forgive us for thinking we can somehow earn Your favor, or acting as if we have to do enough or be enough to receive all that You lovingly and freely give. Teach us to trust in the truth of Your abundant and unending love. Show us how to love those around us in the same way that we are loved by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive what You freely offer and seek You to lead us in love. Amen.

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

We love because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

Before Each Day Begins

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. – (Psalms 46:5, NIV)

God is in that city, so it will never be destroyed. He is there to help everyone before sunrise. – (Psalm 46:5, ERV)

The True God never sleeps and always resides in the city of joy; He makes it unstoppable, unshakable. When it awakes at dawn, the True God has already been at work. – (Psalm 46:5, VOICE)

Though this verse is about a specific place at a specific time, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God’s presence remains in us and for us, as we rise and begin each new day. He has already been moving on our behalf, before we have even risen to begin our day. The Lord hears and knows our needs, and is moving in ways that are both seen and unseen as we wake each day anew. I appreciate the NIV translation, as it reminds me of Who is holding me up in His hands and moving on my behalf. God is for us and is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever hope or imagine. In this ongoing space of uncertainty, He is here and moving in our midst. May we ever seek the Lord and trust in Him, for He is unstoppable, unshakable, and is already at work as we rise.

The Lord’s ever near,

Photo by Lukas Rodriguez on Pexels.com

Before we’re awake;

He’s working in hearts,

Moving for our sake.

His love never ends,

His grace makes us new;

Always He is near,

As He leads us through.

Through our highest highs,

And lowest of lows;

Ever He’s for us,

Faithfulness that shows.

Lord, help us to trust,

For Your word is true;

Love that’s unending,

Help to lead us through.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are near us and in us, ever working on our behalf, even before our day has begun. Thank You that You hold us up in the palm of Your hands, and will sustain us throughout all of our days. Forgive us for our circumstances and challenges to sway how we see You. Teach us to trust You and know Your goodness, power and love in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us in ways that remind them that they are loved, supported and held up in goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your goodness and grace that move on our behalf, and seek You anew at the start of each day. Amen.

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

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8

Counsel In All Things

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. – (Psalm 32:8, NIV) 

The Lord says, “I will teach you and guide you in the way you should live. I will watch over you and be your guide.” – (Psalm 32:8, ERV) 

I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there; I will give you good counsel, and will watch over you. – (Psalm 32:8, VOICE) 

God is faithful to instruct and teach us, and to show us which way is best for our lives. When we are invested in Him – learning and growing, seeking and knowing – He leads us and guides us in the ways in which we are to go. Sometimes, even when things seem to be what we are hoping for, He steers us away, and we later come to understand why. We are walking through a season of this right now. A direction I thought I was to go, is not; and my love is being led into a possible new. I trust and know He has our very best in mind, so we are following in the directions as He shows us the way. God cares about the little things and the big things. As we learn to trust Him in the small things, we recognize that He is trustworthy for the bigger things. May we ever seek the Lord to teach us and show us the ways that are best, for He is our wise counsel and will watch over us. 

God’s ever faithful, 

To show us the way; 

He directs, instructs, 

All night and all day. 

We need only ask, 

Choose listen and learn; 

He’s faithful and near, 

His grace is not earned. 

Love that’s unending, 

Counsel and His peace; 

Direction to trust, 

Presence that won’t cease. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness, love, guidance and protection. Thank You that we can always come to You and trust. Forgive us for going our own way, rather than seeking You for guidance. Teach us to turn to You and ask You to lead and show us the way. Show us how to love and support those around us best. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek and trust Your counsel for all things – great and small. Amen. 

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

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. – Deuteronomy 4:29

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)

 

When a Tuesday feels like a Thursday, with the promise of an early end for tomorrow’s Friday-like Wednesday, it is a bit of a reminder of the kingdom we are receiving that cannot be shaken. For me, my hope, energy and resolve are far greater on mornings where I wake up and recognize the short span of time required before the reward of being reunited with my loved ones living a state away comes to fruition. Any time that we recognize hope, joy, love, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, self-control, and faithfulness, we are witnessing the very ways of God granted to us; perhaps a sort of preview of a whisper of the good that is yet to come. For “… as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ – the things God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9) I don’t know about you, but I can imagine great beauty and peaceful places, so a space that exceeds what my mind can conceive is certainly one that inspires awe and reverence for God, our Creator. He who loves us so much that He is not only be present with us here, but has prepared a place for us to be with Him forever, deserves all of our gratitude and praise. May we ever be thankful that we are part of the unshakable Kingdom that is found in Christ, and in response, let us offer worship to God that is pleasing and reflective of our awe and reverence toward Him.

 

May we all give thanks,

For the hope we hold;

Forever with God,

The truth our hearts know.

In awe and wonder,

Let our praises raise;

For God’s faithfulness,

Throughout all our days.

Strength when we’re weary,

Hope in our despair;

Peace in the chaos,

Boundless love to share.

Rise up and give thanks,

For all yet to come;

His love, unending,

Hope’s priceless outcome.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your kingdom cannot be shaken. Thank You that You alone, are worthy of all of our worship and praise. Thank You that as we come before You with reverence and awe, You meet us and are faithful forever. Forgive us for our fears and doubts in times when things seem unsteady. Teach us to trust in You, our unshakable, everlasting God who saves. Show us how to love those around us in ways that encourage, strengthen and lift up the weary, making Your goodness and grace evident through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You all of our thanks for who You are and the hope we hold in You forever. Amen.

 

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

 

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. – 2 Thessalonians 2:16

Be Full of Joy

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. – (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT)

Always be full of joy. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. – (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ERV)

Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. – (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, TPT)

 

Despite what we go through or the struggles we face, we always have reason to give thanks. Joy is not dependent on our circumstances, but rather it is found in the hope that we know in Christ. As we walk this out tangibly, with His grace, our very lives become a prayer of praise in recognition of God’s goodness for all of our days. This is not to say that our days will be easy or free from trials, but rather as we continue to move in the direction to which we are called, we find faith and trust in knowing where our strength, help and hope come from. God is good, and the more we give Him thanks in all things, the more we discover His joy is present, even when life is difficult. May we never stop praying nor giving praise, for this is the life to which we have been called for all of our days.

 

Never stop praying,

Let joy lead the way;

All thanks be to God,

For help, strength and grace.

No matter what comes,

There’s reason to praise;

For God is our hope,

The Ancient of Days.

Despite what we see,

He has a great plan;

His love, unending,

Grace to firmly stand.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we always have joy deep within us through the hope we have in You. Thank You that as we pray and give You all gratitude, our very life is like a prayer before You as You lead us to walk out Your will. Forgive us for allowing our circumstances to steal our joy, or for looking for answers anywhere other than You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would hold fast to the truth we know, and would seek You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love others and spread the joy that You have given to us, so that they too, may come to know the hope that is held in You alone. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose joy and make our very lives a prayer as we give You all praise. Amen.

 

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

 

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11