Work to Do Good

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. – (Proverbs 14:22, NIV)

Whoever works to do good will find love and loyalty. It is a mistake to work at doing evil. – (Proverbs 14:22, ERV)

Don’t those who work evil stray from the truth? Those who plan goodness experience unfailing love and faithfulness. – (Proverbs 14:22, VOICE)

This passage is a reminder that we reap what we sow. When we seek to do good and what is right, we experience love and faithfulness. Personally, when those around me work to do good, I will go out of my way to help and their actions call forth loyalty in me. Additionally, as I am intentional to seek the Lord to lead me in doing what is good, I discover the kindness and faithfulness of those around me. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in what is good, and rely on Him to show us how to extend unfailing love and faithfulness to those whom He has placed in our lives.

Choose work to do good,

What is right and true;

Good begets goodness,

In all that we do.

Flee far from evil,

Let love lead the way;

Faithful forever,

We’re made new each day.

Lasting loyalty,

Is what good begets;

Lord help our choices,

Be free of regrets.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call and instruct us to seek to do good. Thank You that You equip and empower us to do all things in love as we depend on You. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to listen to Your leading. Teach us how to work to do good in all things, so that love and loyalty are made evident to all. Show us how to love those around us best, for You know the way to bless every heart. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the unending love and faithfulness You give to us and for the guidance You give as we earnestly seek You. Amen.

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

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

Good Finds Love and Faithfulness

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. – (Proverbs 14:22, NIV)

Whoever works to do good finds love and loyalty. It is a mistake to work at doing evil. – (Proverbs 14:22, ERV)

Isn’t it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust? – (Proverbs 14:22, MSG)

When we are intentional to do good with our time, talents and resources, good is what we find. God’s love and faithfulness are made evident to us. However, when we wander astray there are consequences for our bad decisions. God is a perfect father, for He lifts us up and encourages us in the ways we are meant to go, and He corrects and redirects us when we drift from the direction to which we are called. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in doing good, for His love and faithfulness are ever found by those who pursue His plan.

The pursuit of good,

Is what the Lord planned;

To love each other,

Walking hand in hand.

Where there is goodness,

There’s love and trust too;

For God equips us,

In faith to pursue.

Chase after the good,

And flee from what’s not;

Trust in His leading,

It’s how love is taught.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and listen to how to walk in Your goodness, we discover love and faithfulness. Forgive us for diverting our time or attention from the good You intended. Please teach and lead us to live out the life of love You designed for each of us. Show us how to extend goodness to all those around us so that they may see tangible evidence of Your faithful love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we perpetually pursue the goodness You intended and praise You for the loving faithfulness that is forever found in You. Amen.

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

Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

A Heart At Peace

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. – (Proverbs 14:30, NIV)

Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer. – (Proverbs 14:30, ERV)

A tender, tranquil heart will make you healthy, but jealousy can make you sick. – (Proverbs 14:30, TPT)

The heart is at peace when we recognize all of the reasons we have to be grateful. A grateful heart is healthy and happy, thus at peace, no matter the circumstances. However, when we start looking at what others have and make comparisons, jealousy has room to rise and rot our hearts and attitudes. Rather than envy, we ought to be happy for those around us who have what we desire. The heart becomes sick when seeped in wanting what we do not have, yet joy comes to us as we give thanks for all that we do have. God is good and gracious, and we need not allow comparison to steal our peace. We are loved, valued and provided for just as we are, and He grows in us and through us more of what He intended, as we depend on and trust in Him. May we ever seek peace from our Provider, for it is in Him that we find health, happiness and peace.

To understand peace,

Requires gratitude;

All thanks be to God,

Through love, we’re pursued.

Let not jealousy,

Rise up, find a place;

It kills thankfulness,

Dismisses God’s grace.

May we choose seek peace,

By seeking the Lord;

All thanks be to God,

Who loves and adores.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can know true peace as we recognize that gratitude grows peace within us. Thank You that You show us how to protect our hearts and the peace You provide. Forgive us for the times that we have envied those around us. Show us how to celebrate the blessings granted to others and to give all thanks to You for the provision in our lives. Lead us to love those around us in ways that extend Your peace to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your overwhelming peace that surpasses understanding, and depend on You to celebrate others rather than envy what others have. Amen.

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

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. – Psalm 118:1

Choose to Do Good

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. – (Proverbs 14:22, NIV)

Whoever works to do good will find love and loyalty. It is a mistake to work at doing evil. – (Proverbs 14:22, ERV)

Haven’t you noticed how evil schemers always wander astray? But kindness and truth come to those who make plans to be pure in all their ways. – (Proverbs 14:22, TPT)

 

We reap what we sow. If our plans are for the good of others, love and faithfulness find way back to us. However, if our intentions are to harm or are unkind in any way, we begin to veer off of the path that God has for us. It is a slippery slope, and one ill-intended word, deed or action, can lead to many more. Thankfully, the same is true of operating in kindness and truth. The more we seek to be pure in all of our ways, the more we recognize the good in walking out our lives according to God’s perfect plan for us. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in what is good, so that we may operate in kindness and truth for all of our days.

 

The ways of the Lord,

Are good and with love;

Led by faithfulness,

Graced from God above.

Choosing unkindness,

Is far from God’s way;

Those who plot evil,

Find they’ve gone astray.

Instead, seek the Lord,

And choose to do good;

In kindness and truth,

Do as Jesus would.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You and trust in You to lead us to do good, love and faithfulness find way back to us. Forgive us for the times that we have chosen poorly in word, thought or deed. Teach us to turn to You for strength to do the right thing; always. Show us how to do all things with kindness in truth for all whom we meet, so that each may come to understand the power of Your love for themselves. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to do good in kindness and truth as we walk out each day trusting You. Amen.

 

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

 

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

Plan to Do Good

If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. – (Proverbs 14:22, NLT)

Whoever works to do good will find love and loyalty. It is a mistake to work at doing evil. – (Proverbs 14:22, ERV)

Haven’t you noticed how evil schemers always wander astray? But kindness and truth come to those who make plans to be pure in all their ways. – (Proverbs 14:22, TPT)

 

“You reap what you sow” becomes evident based on what we choose to do, day in and day out. When our focus and intent are rooted in God’s goodness, love and loyalty seem to find us. Contrarily, those who choose to do otherwise, end up lost and in the company of those with unsavory notions. May we ever set our hearts and minds on things of God, so that kindness and truth come our way.

 

You reap what you sow,

Forever holds true;

We get what we give,

Our choice a preview.

For when we choose good,

Give love and God’s grace;

The same is returned,

His love is in place.

Let us seek the Lord,

To love as He does;

Far from all evil,

Let good rise above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to do good, so that we may know the love and loyalty that is returned. Forgive us for the things we are drawn to that are not of You. Teach us to look to You to lead us in the good You have established for us to follow. Show us how to love those around us with loyalty, faithfulness and grace, so that they may recognize the good in all of Your ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love You and those around us according to Your good and perfect plan. Amen.

 

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

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. – Philippians 4:8

Weighing Words

Fools believe every word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything. – (Proverbs 14:15, ERV)

The gullible believe anything they are told, but clever people know to question every step. – (Proverbs 14:15, VOICE)

Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. – (Proverbs 14:15, NLT)

 

As an educator, I have had to teach middle schoolers to question their sources of information for years. With access to so much at their fingertips, it is imperative that they learn to identify what sort of source is credible, and that which is not. The same holds true in our own lives. What we once trusted as reliable, now has the capacity to be called into question. However, there is one Source that has not, does not, and will not change. No matter what is going on in the world around is, our anchor of truth is found in Christ. When we place our trust and hope in Him, He grants us clarity and wisdom that weighs what is going on in the world, next to the truth of His word. May we listen cautiously to what is being spoken, and carefully consider each step, based on the truth of God’s word, and the voice of His Spirit to our hearts.

 

Do not lack wisdom,

Nor choose play the fool;

Instead, opt listen,

Weigh against God’s rule.

The wisest choose think,

On everything;

Questioning each step,

Seek God on all things.

Don’t believe all words,

Spoken that we hear;

Consider what’s said,

And to God, draw near.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us warning to not believe every word we hear, but rather to weigh what is spoken carefully. Thank You that we are not left to our own devices to simply figure it out, but rather You are beside us, willing to speak truth to our hearts and help us to know the truth. Forgive us for not weighing words that are spoken, or for being quick to believe whatever we hear. Teach us to trust and rely on You first, rather than whatever source of information spews stories our direction. Show us how to filter everything through Your lens. Help us to love others as You so completely and lavishly love each of us. Be glorified O God, as we weigh the words spoken into our lives, and likewise choose our own words well. Amen.

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

I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23

From Peace to Health

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body. – (Proverbs 14:30a, NLT)

A serene heart can add years to one’s life. – (Proverbs 14:30a, VOICE)

Peace of mind makes the body healthy. – (Proverbs 14:30a, ERV)

A sound mind makes for a robust body. – (Proverbs 14:30a, MSG)

 

Our head, heart and body are all intricately interwoven by our Maker. When one is not well, the other two are affected also. It is no wonder that peace is so often mentioned in the Bible, for when our heart is at peace, our mind and body follow.

I have experienced seasons in my own life, where peace was seriously lacking. Though I sought and loved the Lord, my mind and heart were wrestling to grasp His peace in my surroundings. The unrest actually took a terrible toll on my body, and it got to the point that I had to make a change for my health – physically, emotionally and spiritually. When I moved in obedience to that which I had been called – the space that delivered me from the chaos to a place of peace – I suddenly found peace again. Not only was peace restored to my heart and mind, but my body began to be restored as well. With a renewed sense of His peace, it was well with my soul.

This is not to say that I have perfected finding His peace amidst the chaos. However, I have seen and know how faithful our Father is to meet us in the middle of our mess if we are only willing to allow Him entry. As we choose to walk in obedience, the direction to which we are called, His peace permeates our existence, regardless of what surrounds us. May we allow the Lord to be the peace of our hearts and minds, so that we may know the beauty that His presence brings to all things – body, mind and soul.

 

The God of all peace,

Wants our hearts to know;

That in Him we’ll find,

Calm where chaos flows.

When the Lord’s peace comes,

Our health is restored;

Heart, body and mind,

Come let us adore.

We need choose listen,

And then opt obey;

For His perfect peace,

In love, lights our way.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we find peace. Thank You that when we have peace in our hearts, our bodies and minds know peace too. Thank You that our health and wellness are found in You, not in our surroundings. Thank You that even in times of great chaos, we can have peace in Your presence. Forgive us for our anxiousness that sits idle, rather than reaches out to You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would look to You and listen to Your direction, as You are faithful to lead us to Your place of peace, regardless of the wreckage around us. Show us how to love those around us who are desperate for Your peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You – the Prince of Peace. Be glorified O God, as we allow Your peace to permeate our bodies, minds and souls, no matter our circumstances or surroundings. 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

Steps for the Seekers

The naïve are heirs to foolishness, but the clever are honored with insight. – (Proverbs 14:18, VOICE)

 

This evening will be a unique experience for me. As a teacher, I have attended my school’s 8th grade celebration/graduation numerous times over the past nineteen years, yet tonight will be the first time in that my role is both as a parent and a teacher. My boys are finishing up their final days of middle school. It is bittersweet, as I have loved having them with me each morning and afternoon on the way to and from school, and there is a certain comfort in knowing that your own children are present on the campus on which you teach. That being said, they are ready for more. Neither of them has allowed themselves to get caught up in the foolishness of which some of their peers partake, and consequently, they have gained great insight and earned good grades, preparing them for that which lies ahead. Although I will miss their daily presence, I am excited to see all that awaits them in their high school experience and beyond. May we each embrace every opportunity for growth that is placed before us, so that we would operate in a space of His wisdom, rather that from our own foolishness.

 

Those who are clever,

Are rewarded well;

Insight is granted,

In wisdom they’ll dwell.

With feet both planted,

Secure on the ground;

Future before them,

Their path has been found.

It’s about moving,

Where you’re meant to go;

For that is how we,

Each learn and we grow.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, we find You, and we are rewarded with wisdom and insight through our seeking. Thank You for all of the young people who have earnestly sought You, as they are preparing for next steps in their lives – so many transitioning from elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school, high school to college or work, and beyond. Thank You that whatever the transition, You are present and leading. Forgive us for forgetting how big You are, and give us the strength to trust You more with the next steps for our progeny. Show us how to continue to lead them well, and help us to love those around us in a way that points people unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your wisdom and insight in all of our next steps. Amen.

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

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

Righteousness Through Love

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. – (Proverbs 14:34)

 

Righteousness, to be right before God, requires that we do as the Lord calls us to do. God does not call us to condemn, but rather, He calls us to love. The greatest command is this: to love God and love one another. Our lack of love towards God or each other is a sin, and that will be our downfall. If we have a neighbor in need, and are too busy looking at what is wrong in the world to make right what is before us and within reach, we are not walking in love. May we rise up and reach out to those standing before us, and extend the same love that the Lord has given unto us. It is in His love, that we will be walking in righteousness before Him, lest we stand condemned in our own prideful sin.

 

There’s only one way,

to walk righteously;

to love as God loves,

so trapped are set free.

Not one who is stuck,

in the mire of sin;

will want to get out,

if they feel condemned.

We must offer love,

with God’s endless grace;

so those who are lost,

may soon see His face.

Let our lives model,

compassion and love;

so pursuing God,

is sought far above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You exalt those who walk right before You, but condemn those who stay in sin. Father forgive us for our sinfulness and our self-righteousness. Forgive us for not loving as You call us to love. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will reach out to the need that is before us, and choose to love as You love us. Lead us to those who are in need, and show us how You would have us love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as Your loving kindness is made evident before them, again and again. Be glorified O God, as we choose to walk out our days, loving You and loving people, as You have called us to do. Amen.

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

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 25:6

Lasting Joy

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. – (Proverbs 14:13)

 

Though I know not what Solomon was referring to in this particular verse, right now, it strikes a chord. There are seasons when there is heartache despite our laughter, and even the joy that we find in the little things, can come crashing down around us. Thankfully, this is not the end. While earthly moments of joy may end in grief, our eternal joy will end in jubilation. When we choose to invest our lives in Christ, our hope is secure, and our eternity assured. These seasons of heartache and grief are temporary, and the joy that is yet to come – that shall last FOREVER. Today, whether we find ourselves in a season of joy or one of heartache, let us lift our eyes and hearts to Him who is the holder of all hope, and the place where true lasting joy is found forever.

 

When your laughter hides,

deep desperate ache;

and joy’s elusive,

because of heartbreak –

Call on the Lord.

When moments are good,

and life’s going well;

give praise to the King,

of His glory tell –

Give thanks to God.

No matter the time,

nor season we’re in;

the Lord is present,

as we call on Him –

Spirit come near.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that no matter what season of life we are living in, You promise to be present and faithful. Thank You that even when we are laughing through heartache or what seemed to bring joy ends in grief, You are faithful and good. Thank You that our hope in You is certain, and the joy in You is not only for today, but for all of eternity. Forgive us for allowing our circumstances to steal the joy that You give, and help us to hold fast to the truth. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will allow Your hope to be what overwhelms our hearts. Lead us to love others well, be it in their times of joy or times of pain. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love You with our life, regardless of whether life provides laughter or heartache, for You are our hope forever. Amen.

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

Listen… be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. – Proverbs 23:19