Always Rejoice

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)

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)

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. – (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, MSG)

Though it has been a whirlwind of a four-day adventure, with hundreds of miles driven, gratitude has been at the forefront of my mind. Joy comes from within, not from our circumstances. We can give thanks in all circumstances without giving thanks for our circumstances. When mom fell and broke her hip, we were not grateful that it happened, but we were overwhelmingly grateful that it took place in her current living situation where help was available immediately. Each step, from transfers, to the right surgeon, to space being available in her own community, we have countless reasons to be thankful. The staff and the skilled nursing center are amazing, and all of us are learning and working together to figure out how to best get mom on the road to healing and full recovery. Additionally, our quick turn-around visit to Wenatchee to pack a moving pod with more of mom’s things was reason to rejoice. Though the pod appeared smaller than anticipated, my Viking was able to “tetras” the loading so well that we were able to get everything needed into that small space. We are thankful that all was able to be packed up, and for the option of a pod being delivered instead of having to drive back to Albany (seven hours from Wenatchee) only to return home (another 4+ hours of driving). We arrived home late yesterday afternoon and were showered with affection from our pups, who though well cared for by our children, act as if we have been gone forever. We are thankfully rejoicing that we have all of today to go to church and prepare for the week ahead before Monday arrives. May we ever rejoice in the Lord for His goodness, give Him thanks in all things, and continue to pray to Him in all circumstances, for He is faithful forever.

Rejoice in the Lord,

For He’s always good;

Our Help and our Hope,

True grace understood.

He hears ev’ry prayer,

And knows all our needs;

He’s present to help,

Each time that we seek.

So, give the Lord thanks,

No matter what comes;

For He’s always good,

The Most Holy One.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can rejoice in You, always. Thank You that our joy is not dependent on our circumstances, but rather is because You are present to help and love us endlessly. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations that try to steal our joy in You. Teach us to continually seek You in prayer, for You are faithful forever as You hear our every cry. Lead us to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we rejoice in You, pray continually, and give You all our thanks and praise. Amen.

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

But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may rejoice in You. – Psalm 5:11

Listen, Recognize, and Respond

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” – (John 10:27, NIV)

“My sheep recognize My voice. I know them, and they follow Me.” – (John 10:27, MSG)

“My sheep respond as they hear My voice; I know them intimately, and they follow Me.” – (John 10:27, VOICE)

I appreciate the slight variations in phrasing in each of these three translations. To follow after God means that we listen, recognize, and respond to the voice of Jesus. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knows what is best for us. The only way for us to do and be what we have been created for is if we can identify the voice of God, the still small voice that whispers to our hearts, truly listen to what He is saying, and then respond with action. May we ever seek the Lord in prayer, spend time in His word, and give Him time and space where we simply listen.

In order to hear,

Photo by Harrison Haines on Pexels.com

We must choose to seek;

To listen and learn,

Know what the Lord speaks.

He is the shepherd,

Who know us by name;

He cares and protects,

And forgives our shame.

He raises us up,

And in love He leads;

Directs with purpose,

And meets all our needs.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You speak to us and instruct us in how we ought to live. Forgive us for the times that we have not listened intently or have avoided action in areas You have called us to act. Teach us how to trust You more so that we would seek You and recognize Your voice to truly listen and then act on what You say. Lead us to love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we invest time in seeking to know You more so that recognize Your voice as we hear You speak and act upon all that You ask. Amen.

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

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me. – Revelation 3:20

Strength to Soar

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)

But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired. – (Isaiah 40:31, ERV)

But those that wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles. They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. – (Isaiah 40:31, MSG)

Today is our final regular school day before spring break. We end the week with a day and a half of conference but knowing that this is our last teaching day until April 10^th is a reminder of the hope that rest and renewal is coming. When I think about eagles and how they fly, I am reminded that while in flight, they flap their wings for a time, but then they coast and ride the wind from their work. It is a continuous cycle of work and rest as they soar. For us, we are meant to do the same. To run and not grow weary is a great reminder that even in a marathon, there are water stations that provide refreshment to keep the runners from growing weary from dehydration. God is our ultimate refreshment and He shows us the patterns and rhythms we are meant to live by so that we may keep moving forward in His strength. Though I am tired this morning after a very busy start to the week, I am strengthened in knowing that rest is coming. May we ever seek the Lord to be our hope, for His plan for us is to soar and be strengthened in His love.

To wait on the Lord,

Is to trust His plans;

In times of toiling,

In His strength we stand.

Each day that we seek,

He’s faithful to meet;

Providing fresh strength,

In Him we’re complete.

The Lord grants us wings,

To rise up and soar;

His strength is supplied,

In Him we have more.

More strength to press on,

In what we’re to do;

Hope everlasting,

In Him we’re made new.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You we find rest and renewal and strength to keep moving forward. Thank You that You supply strength and rest when we need it most. Forgive us for allowing weariness to try to consume us rather than seeking You for rest. Teach us how to find a rhythm of work and rest that keeps us from growing weary. Show us how to press into Your loving kindness to be our strength. Lead us in Your love to strengthen, encourage and extend refreshment to those around us. Be glorified O God, as we depend on You to be our strength and supply in all things and at all times. Amen.

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

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Equipped for Good

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV)

The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control. – (2 Timothy 1:7, ERV)

You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit. – (2 Timothy 1:7, VOICE)

We were created for good things. Because of God’s great love, we have no reason to fear. In Him, we are given power, love and self-discipline. I rarely look back at former posts, as each new day, I reflect on what He is showing me. This morning, my dogs are being distracting and I was struggling to keep focused, so I searched to see when this particular passage had last come up in a post. Three years ago, this same verse was my focus. Interestingly, it was around the time that the world was scheduled to go on pause because of Covid. My fear was not about the illness, but rather how to navigate my job differently. The crazy thing is that my job has not been the same since that season. To teach now requires each of these things, as His power, love and self-discipline are what keep me sane and invested. No matter how things look on any given day, each morning is a fresh start and a new opportunity to choose love and give grace. God is good, and He has provided what has been needed. Though it is not easy, He is always present and supplies what is needed to press on. May we ever seek the Lord to lead and strengthen us, for in Him we have the power, love, and self-discipline to do the things that He is calling us to do.

The Spirit of God,

Is loving and kind;

Generous to give,

All we need to find.

His power exceeds,

What’s ours on our own;

He equips for good,

So His love is shown.

The love that He gives,

Triumphs over all;

It captures the heart,

Picks up when we fall.

The self-discipline,

That the Lord provides;

Helps us seek unite,

Where there’s a divide.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we have power, love, and self-discipline. Thank You that You supply what we lack when we depend on You. Forgive us for the times that we have allowed our frustrations or fears to dictate our response, rather that respond in love like You. Show us how to rely on You to supply all that we need to navigate our days well. Lead us in Your love with Your power and self-discipline so that everyone around us will be positively impacted by Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You in all things to equip and empower us to love like You. Amen.

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

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:11

Trust Beyond

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” – (Mark 10:27, NIV)

Jesus looked at them and said, “That is something people cannot do, but God can. He can do anything.” – (Mark 10:27, ERV)

Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.” – (Mark 10:27, MSG)

Our God is the God of possibilities. Though things may be impossible for us on our own, with God, anything is possible. The Creator of the universe and of each one of us, is not limited by human understanding. He sees far beyond what we can see, and He knows the outcome before things have even begun. The longer we follow Jesus, the more we grow to understand that all things are possible with Him. His thought are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are far beyond what we can imagine with our own limitations. God sees and knows what is possible when we trust in Him and makes a way where there seems to be no way. May we ever seek Him with a child-like faith, trusting Him, not what we can see or imagine.

The impossible,

Our reality;

When we look beyond,

What our eyes can see.

For God’s perfect plans,

Surpass our own reach;

Only possible,

Through the One we seek.

In Him there is more,

His strength limitless;

He makes mountains smooth,

His love is endless.

Lord, help us to trust,

For in You, there’s more;

As You see beyond,

And open new doors.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your ways are higher than ours, and Your thoughts – beyond what we could begin to imagine. Thank You that nothing is impossible with You. Forgive us for our uncertainty and fears, for we only see in part all that truly could be. Teach us to trust You boldly, so that we walk forward in faith into all that You are leading us into. Show us how to love and encourage those around us in ways that spur on hope and trust in You for all that lies ahead. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to grow our trust and teach us to look beyond what we can see. Amen.

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

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding. – Job 37:5

Sweet Solitude

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. – (Mark 1:35, NIV)

The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where He could be alone and pray. – (Mark 1:35, ERV)

Early in the morning, Jesus got up, left the house while it was still dark outside, and went to a deserted place to pray. – (Mark 1:35, VOICE)

Though I wake early every morning, before sunrise, to spend time with the Lord and do my devotions, I seldom find the solitude that I seek. Between two energetic dogs and a variety of household distractions, I must be very intentional to find the solitary time and space that I need to start my day well. Jesus modeled what we ought to do to spend time with the Father in prayer. It makes me wonder if Jesus was naturally an early riser too, or if He struggled to rise early, but did so anyway. Passages like this remind me that Jesus was God in the flesh, yet He had the same sort of challenges that we do. He had to leave the house before daylight to find a solitary space to pray and focus on time with the Father. I know there is no set time that we are meant to seek the Lord, however, for me, early morning works best. Because the nature of my job is busy and ever-changing, it makes all the difference for me to begin my day with Jesus, as my heart is set right and I am reminded anew, of the importance of choosing to love in all that I say and do. When I seek Him, I am equipped to love as He loves. This is an ongoing, lifelong process, as there is a perpetual battle between God in us and the world around us. We are constantly pulled in two different directions and need Jesus to choose the way that is best. May we ever seek the Savior in prayer, for as we do, He shows us how to live and love as He intended, and He equips and empowers us to be His hands and heart to those around us.

To choose seek the Lord,

Intentionally;

Equips, empowers,

To live purposely.

The love and goodness,

That comes from the Lord;

Is freely given,

Yet often ignored.

We must choose to seek,

Spend time in His word;

Prayerfully listen,

And His way is heard.

Help us, Lord Jesus,

To ever seek You;

To lead and guide us,

In all that we do.

Dear Jesus, thank You that You modeled how to spend intentional time with the Father. Thank You that we can get away from distractions to be with You alone, when we make an intentional decision to seek You and set all else aside. Forgive us for the times that we have allowed the distractions around us to interfere with time in Your presence. Teach us to continue to seek You in solitude to learn and grow as we pray, listen, worship, and spend time in Your Word. Teach us each day to listen and follow Your heart in all that we say and do. Lead us to love those around us as You designed us to love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we set aside time each day to be in Your presence, pray, and listen to Your leading. Transform us, O God, so that we clearly reflect Your love. Amen.

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

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. – 1 Chronicles 16:11

Truth in Love

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It aways protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – (1 Corinthians 13:6-7, NIV)

Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. – (1 Corinthians 13:6-7, ERV)

Love doesn’t celebrate injustice; but truth – yes, truth – is love’s delight! Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what. – (1 Corinthians 13:6-7, VOICE)

These descriptors of love are referring to how God’s love is and how our love ought to be. If we love God, He teaches and equips us to love people too. His love protects, is trustworthy, grants hope, and never quits. With real love, truth is the delight and injustice brings forth sorrow. May we ever seek the Lord to continue to reveal His love for us and to instruct us so that we might love all like Him.

O Lord, make it clear,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

When things are unjust;

And help us rejoice,

In truth we can trust.

Please grant us a heart,

That mirrors Your own;

For real love protects,

And makes Your hope known.

Love does not give up,

By grace perseveres;

It keeps keeping on,

Despite honest fears.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

In Your love that’s true;

May we in all things,

Look and love like You.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our model of what love means. Thank You that You protect and provide, grant hope and help, celebrate truth, and never stop loving us, Your children. Forgive us for the times that we have fallen short of loving as You intended for us. Teach us to seek You and trust You to lead us so that we love You and those around us in ways that convey the goodness and grace that are granted through Your perfect love. Show us tangible ways to make love known, so that hope, protection, provision and truth are extended to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to love as You love us. Amen.

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

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

Jesus is the Healer

A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. – (Mark 1:40-42, NIV)

A man who had leprosy came to Jesus. The man bowed on his knees and begged Him, “You have the power to heal me if You want.” These last words made Jesus angry. But He touched him and said, “I want to heal you. Be healed!” Immediately the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. – (Mark 1:40-42, ERV)

A leper walked right up to Jesus, dropped to his knees, and begged Him for help. Leper: “If You want to, You can make me clean.” Jesus was powerfully moved. He reached out and actually touched the leper. Jesus: “I do want to. Be clean.” And at that very moment, the disease left him; the leper was cleansed and made whole once again. – (Mark 1:40-42, VOICE)

This is a fascinating exchange between a man with leprosy and Jesus. The leper knows that Jesus is the Healer but is uncertain if it is for him. Perhaps the way that society viewed lepers was a factor in how he went about asking Jesus to heal him. Shunned and banished from families and communities, those with leprosy were considered unclean and not allowed to be within touch distance of anyone. I imagine that the man, knowing he was unclean and risking exposing others, was uncertain as to whether Jesus would want to heal him. Society had not valued him. Would Jesus? I love that Jesus was powerfully moved, told the leper that He did want to heal him, and then reached out and touched him. Not only did His words validate the leper’s value, but Jesus was not afraid to touch the “untouchable”. As He did, the man was made whole again. I imagine that the wholeness the leper experienced was much more than physical. Yes, his skin was healed from the disease, but through the physical touch, I can only venture to imagine that his heart was healed as well. So often when Jesus healed people, He would tell them that their sins were forgiven. Jesus was doing so much more than physically healing people; He was healing hearts and minds so that their worth would be made known. The same Jesus that healed many during His three years of ministry, placed the power of His Holy Spirit in those who believed. The early church continued to experience powerful healings as believers prayed in Jesus’ name. Throughout the generations from then to now, Jesus has continued to miraculously heal people. May we ever trust in Jesus, our Healer, and go to Him to lead us in spaces that need His powerful touch. Sometimes, He heals miraculously, and often, He utilizes humans to help bring freedom from what ails us. Other times, the physical healing does not happen until heaven. I know from personal experience, that at times, Jesus may bring doctors in to do the physical work, but He works in our hearts through the process. In all things, God is good, and we can trust Him to be our Healer.

Jesus, our Healer,

Always He is good;

His love reaches out,

Makes grace understood.

His healing is more,

Than our eyes can see;

He touches our hearts,

In Him, we are free.

Free from the burden,

Of sickness and pain;

No longer hopeless,

Held up in His Name.

His healing will come,

Eventually;

Be it here on earth,

Or when heaven’s seen.

His timing’s perfect,

Despite how we feel;

His grace sufficient,

And heaven is real.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to be the Healer. Thank You that after He returned to His rightful seat in heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to continue to move among us and bring healing and wholeness. Forgive us for questioning Your love and desire to heal, for love is for good in all things. Help us to seek You to be our Healer and to lead us in the direction we are meant to go, both personally and as we walk alongside others in need of Your touch. Please heal the hearts, minds and bodies of those in need. Show us how to walk by faith and not by sight, as we lift up and love those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they recognize the healing that is found as they hope in You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our Healer, listen to Your leading as we go, and believe that You will bring healing – be it on earth or in heaven. Amen.

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

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. – Psalm 103:2-3

Jesus Our Savior

You see at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – (Romans 5:6-8, NIV)

Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed us how much He loves us. – (Romans 5:6-8, ERV)

Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t wait for us to get ready. He presented Himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put His love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to Him. – (Romans 5:6-8, MSG)

Jesus is our Savior. When we had no idea that we were lost and in need of saving, Jesus came and died on our behalf. As sinners, without Him, we had nothing to offer Him or to the world, yet He still chose to give all for each one of us so that we would have the freedom to choose eternal life through Him. There was nothing we had done to earn or deserve His love, but rather He chose love because He first loved us. Few would give their life up for someone who was good to us, let alone for someone who was against us, but that is exactly what Jesus did for us all. May we ever look to the Lord and the sacrifice He made, as it reminds us anew of how deeply and selflessly, we are loved by God.

While we were sinners,

Far off, we were lost;

The ultimate love,

Came close, paid the cost.

He took all our sin,

And bore all our shame;

So we would know love,

Is found in His Name.

Jesus our Savior,

Through mercy and grace;

Chose die for us all,

So there’d be a way.

A way to know Him,

And choose enter in;

Gracious salvation,

For here and heaven.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to save us. Not because we were worthy, but rather because You are perfect love. Forgive us for the times that we have felt that we somehow had to earn Your love. Thank You that it is Your overwhelming, gracious, all-encompassing love that draws us unto You. Teach us to continue to seek You anew each day, for in the time we spend with You, You reveal more and more of who You are and how You love. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your goodness known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank and praise You for Jesus our Savior, and ever seek You to show us how to demonstrate the same sort of love to all whom we meet. Amen.

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

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name.” – John 20:31

Jesus is God

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. – (Hebrews 1:3, NIV)

The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature, and He holds everything together by His powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then He sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven. – (Hebrews 1:3, ERV)

This is the One who – imprinted with God’s image, shimmering with His glory – sustains all that exists through the power of His word. He was seated at the right hand of God once He Himself had made the offering that purified us from all our sins. – (Hebrews 1:3, VOICE)

Today is day one of 21 days that have been set aside for prayer and fasting within my church. Each day, there will be specific passages that focus on who God is. Incredibly, the more we focus on who He is, the more we recognize how deeply He loves. In this one verse from the first chapter of Hebrews, we are shown that Jesus is God. He is the “exact representation of His being” and is the One who “has provided purification for sins” and now, He is “seated at the right hand of God”, where He continues to contend for us as He has purified us from our sin. Because Jesus sacrificed Himself for us all, we have access to God. It was not nails that kept Him on the cross, for after all, He has all the power and authority of God, but rather it was His love that desperately desired to set us free from our sin and shame and provide the way for us to return to a right relationship with Him that held Him in place to be the ultimate atonement for all. Such love goes beyond human understanding and the longer I live, the more I grow in understanding, but also recognize how much more there is to learn. May we ever pursue the heart of God as we seek Him and listen to His heartbeat for us through the wonder of His word.

Jesus, our Savior,

Is the Lord our God;

God who came near us,

May we stand in awe.

Though as an infant,

Is how Jesus came;

His holiness shown,

Much more than a name.

When His time arrived,

He taught, loved and healed;

His power made known,

Through love He revealed.

The people wanted,

Jesus on the throne;

Yet He was much more,

Than they could have known.

His place, in heaven,

Is so He could give;

Hope for forever,

As we’re taught to live.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son, who is fully God, to live and love, heal and extend hope to all who call on Your Name. Thank You that You showed us who You as You walked among us. Forgive us for trying to contain who You are to our limited understanding. Teach us to ever seek to grow in understanding through intentional time with You and in Your word. 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 praise You for who You are and how You love, and as You transform us to reflect Your heart to the world through earnestly seeking You. Amen.

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

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14