Guided and Upheld in Love

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. – (2 Thessalonians 3:5, NIV)

We pray that the Lord will cause you to feel God’s love and remember Christ’s patient endurance. – (2 Thessalonians 3:5, ERV)

May the Lord guide your hearts into God’s pure love and keep you headed straight into the strong and sure grip of the Anointed One. – (2 Thessalonians 3:5, VOICE)

After driving 1400 miles this weekend with my husband, I am so grateful that He directs our hearts in His love as we seek Him, and that we can count on Him for patient endurance. We were protected and had an enjoyable drive, both ways, despite some ugly traffic on our way home yesterday. Sharing the load of driving and taking turns made us greatly appreciate one another, and we each were given ample stretches of rest while the other drove. In between driving, we had a great day and a half with my love’s brother and his wife. Our time together is always full of laughter, as the brothers are two peas in a pod. On our way home, we made a quick stop along the way to say hello and hug my mom, and then when we stopped to grab dinner, my sister and brother-in-law were driving near where we stopped as they too were heading home from a weekend away. We arrived home last evening, grateful, as we had a wonderful weekend full of time with family, and still had plenty of time to give the doggos attention and still get a good night’s sleep before my training in the morning and his to do list that he wants to complete. This morning, I was able to sleep in an extra hour, and I still have plenty of time for this, walking the dogs, and getting ready, before I head to my training. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love, and give Him thanks for the perseverance He provides as we navigate all of our days.

Surrounded by love,

the Lord is so good;

He leads and guides us;

makes grace understood.

For it is His grace,

in knowing He’s near;

that fills us with love,

helps us persevere.

Wherever we go,

whatever we do;

He will be with us,

to help see us through.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

for Your gracious love;

and for endurance,

for us, Your beloved.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You fill us with Your love and strengthen us to persevere in all things. Thank You that Your goodness and grace go before us, remain with us, and flow through us as we follow after You. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to love or have quit before we are finished with what You have for us. Teach us to trust You more and to seek You to strengthen us to persevere in all things. Lead us to love as You love, so that all may know Your goodness and grace in tangible ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for Your abounding love and for You strength that helps us persevere. Amen.

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

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. – Romans 15:5

Unchanging Goodness

But You remain the same, and Your years will never end. – (Psalm 102:27, NIV)

But You never change. You will live forever! – (Psalm 102:27, ERV)

But You are the same, You will never change; Your years will never come to an end. – (Psalm 102:27, VOICE)

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The same God who led His people through the sea He parted to create a safe escape, is the same God who sent His one and only Son to redeem us from our sin. He sits on the throne and hears our cries, and loves us through all things. A place is prepared for all who trust in Him to be with Him forever. No matter what we face or have to endure, God remains faithful and present to see us through. Beyond what He has done and is doing, we have a hope for all eternity. May we navigate our days with the recognition of God’s presence, and the hope we have not just for today, but forever.

The Lord is so good,

He always remains;

Unchanging, the same,

As love He proclaims.

God always has been,

Forever He’ll be;

Our help and our hope,

Love eternally.

May we place our trust,

In the Lord who reigns;

Forever faithful,

Choose trust in His Name.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have always been, are now, and forever will be. Thank You that Your love and faithfulness knows no end. Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of who You are and how Your presence and strength provide what we need to press on. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would keep our eyes on eternity with You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your goodness and faithfulness evident. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your faithfulness and trust in Your goodness and love forever. 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

Live Out Love

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – (1 John 3:18, NIV)

My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do. – (1 John 3:18, ERV)

Beloved children, our love can’t be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of life demonstrated through our loving deeds. – (1 John 3:18, TPT)

 

Talk is cheap. The older I get, the more I know this to be true. Love is made evident through consistent actions over time, as the things we do demonstrate the truth of who we are. It is only after we see and know the truth of a person’s love through their actions, that we can begin to believe words that say the same. Everything we do – every deed and action, testifies the truth of who we are. What do we tell the world through the things we do? If our goal is love, then all that we do must be aligned with that in mind. No one is perfect and all fall short, yet if we invest in the One who is love, and pattern our lives according to His will, we cannot help but operate in the truth of His love as we navigate our days. May we ever seek the Lord and the depth of His love, so that we may go forth and love not merely with words, but with actions and in truth.

 

Lord, help us to love,

A little “Art Therapy” for this art teacher. ❤

As You call us to;

Not only with words,

But actions in truth.

For the deeds we do,

Speak louder than words;

Love is truly seen,

Not just idly heard.

Show us the way, Lord,

To love others best;

Let all that we do,

Help others feel blessed.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You remind us in Your word how to love people best. Thank You that You showed us first what it is to love in action and in truth, as You sent Your Son to love and restore relationships as He loved not just with words, but with everything He did. Thank You that You fill us to overflowing, so that we may go forth and do the same as we trust and rely on You. Forgive us for the times that we have not acted in love, or have spoken hollow words that were not backed up with acts of love. Teach us to love consistently and completely. Show us how to put love in action everywhere we go, with everyone we meet. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to live out love in the same way that You continuously love all of us. Amen.

 

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

 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. – Ephesians 4:2