Be Not Discouraged

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.” – (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

“Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – (Joshua 1:9, ERV)

This is My command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go. – (Joshua 1:9, VOICE)

Today, this is the perfect reminder for me, especially the “do not be discouraged” part. One of my bucket list goals is to run a marathon before my 50th birthday. For a bit more than a month, I have been training to move toward my goal. My friend and I found a marathon that will be held in June, so we were on track to be ready to run. Last evening, when I took one of our pups downstairs to get ready for bed, she began running down the last few steps and pulled into our room. Sadly, I was ill-prepared for the pulling, and somehow slammed my little toe into the doorframe at full speed. I knew immediately it was not good, and iced it right away. Unfortunately, this morning, it is still agonizing to bear weight. Frustration and discouragement were flooding my mind as I attempted to do the normal things I do each morning. Thankfully, as I sat down to do my devotions, I was again reminded that God is with me and will remain with me. He is our healer and provider, and I need not be discouraged. If I have to take a few days off to heal and recover, so be it. God knows the desires of our hearts, and makes a way when there seems to be no way. May we ever take courage and be strong in the Lord, for He will be with us wherever we go.

Be strong and take heart,

Do not be afraid;

The Lord is present,

He’s promised to stay.

Don’t be discouraged,

God will make a way;

He’ll lead and guide us,

For all of our days.

Trust in His goodness,

Command to take heart;

Faithful He will stay,

From finish to start.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our courage and strength, and that we need not be discouraged when obstacles come our way. Thank You that You promise to be with us as You lead us through each new day. Forgive us for allowing obstacles and challenges to challenge our trust. Teach us how to lean into You in all circumstances. Show us how to love and encourage those around us in ways that give strength and courage and chase away doubt and fear. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we take courage in You and Your presence, always. Amen.

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

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. – 1 Corinthians 16:13

Strength and Peace Supplied

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, NIV)

May the Lord make His people strong. May the Lord bless His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, ERV)

God makes His people strong. God gives His people peace. – (Psalm 29:11, MSG)

 

On my longest days, this is a perfect reminder. Knowing that God will be grant me strength and peace, despite the chaos, makes all the difference. My hope is held in trusting the repeated faithfulness of God. His goodness and grace grant the strength that I need and the peace my heart craves, despite the lengthy list of all that is required of me on a given day. Though at times I get caught up in the chaos, and am not sure how I will get through, God is faithful to meet me and supply all that is needed to navigate the course to which I am called. May we ever remember that God makes us strong and is the provider of peace in all things and at all times.

 

Strength comes from the Lord,

Our Grantor of peace;

Supplies what we need,

In love, He’ll release.

Grace to the seeking,

All hope we may hold;

For He is faithful,

His love makes us bold.

Bold in the Lord’s strength,

At rest in His peace;

Able to press on,

Grace and love repeat.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace. Thank You that You grant us strength and peace, even when neither seem possible and we are at the end of ourselves. Forgive us for not seeking Your strength when we are weary and Your peace when all calm is lacking. Teach us to trust You more, as You alone are our Provider and our place of peace. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends strength and peace where both are lacking. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to supply the strength and peace we need to navigate each new day. Amen.

 

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

 

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27

Working On Our Why

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. – (Colossians 3:23, NLT)

Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. – (Colossians 3:23, CEB)

Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord Himself and not merely for others. – (Colossians 3:23, TPT)

 

What a perfect reminder on a Monday following a long, holiday weekend. This final push prior to Christmas, takes some serious digging deep. However, it is so good to remember Who we are ultimately working for – in all things, all that we do should be unto the Lord. If we keep that in proper perspective, there is an urgency in our call to action as we rise and return to work this morning. Whatever our job or position, we are called with purpose, and have things to accomplish unto Him. No matter what we do, we can work as unto the Lord. If it is teaching, be it with kindness and grace; if it is serving or helping or leading, let patience and goodness reign – in all things, whatever we do, may His love be evident as we commit ourselves to working as unto Him.

 

May we choose to work, 

In all that we do;

As unto the Lord,

So His love shines through.

When heart and soul,

Are in what we do;

Our best is put forth,

And grace is renewed.

In everything,

Our best for the Lord;

So His love light shines,

And peace is outpoured.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminders of truth that You give us in Your word. Thank You that ultimately, we are not working for people, but rather unto You. Forgive us for approaching anything that we do with an attitude that is less than our best. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would do all things as unto You. Show us how to love those around us as You love us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we do all that we do, unto You, giving our very best. Amen.

 

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

 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

Givers of Grace and Peace

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. – (1 Corinthians 1:3, NLT)

 

Yesterday was a perfect reminder of how abundantly God pours out His grace and peace when we are in need. So often, He uses the people around us to make His hands and heart for us tangible. Saturday evening, I was visiting dear friends and got blasted with the worst migraine of my life. Between the intensity of the pain in my head and the continuous vomiting, I was completely miserable. Rather than rush me home, these dear friends sacrificed their own comfort to tend to me through the night, despite multiple wake-ups to be ill, and made sure I was still hydrated enough to be safe. In the morning when I was brought home, my treasured friend asked if there was anything else I might need. It wasn’t long, and she was back again, just to be present so that I wouldn’t be home alone. Despite the pain, there was peace, as it was made tangible through the presence of one willing to be near. Additionally, I was supposed to be in the nursery at church yesterday morning, and could not move without being ill. I received a text asking if I was coming, and when I let her know that I had a migraine and was ill, I was again showered with grace. The few dear friends who heard of what was going on, checked in to see how I was doing, and my own boys were tender hearts as they made sure mom was okay throughout the day. All this to say that His grace and peace are true and tangible. I never cease to be amazed at how He demonstrates His loving kindness to us. May God our Father give you a fresh grace and peace today as you go.

 

The Lord of all grace,

Is so good to give;

His hands and His heart,

Bring peace where we live.

He makes His heart known,

As His love surrounds;

Tangible friendships,

Where goodness abounds.

Oh what a treasure,

To know grace and peace;

Amazing blessings,

Through friends are released.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the grace and peace that You give to us. Thank You that You use the hands, hearts, and voices of those around us to show us in tangible ways, just how great Your love is for us. Thank You for the gift of treasured friends. Forgive us for not trusting You enough to slow down and seek You for the grace and peace that we so desperately need in the midst of our busy lives. Show us how to be grace givers and peace providers to all of those around us, so that we can love as You love us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive the grace and peace that You so generously give, and then go forth and do likewise. Amen.

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

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14