Encourage Each Other

But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. – (Hebrews 3:13, HCSB)

But encourage each other every day, while you still have something called “today”. Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become too hard to change. – (Hebrews 3:13, ERV)

Encourage each other every day – for as long as we can still say “today” – so none of you let the deceitfulness of sin harden your hearts. – (Hebrews 3:13, VOICE)

We need each other to be the best version of ourselves. God intentionally created us for community so that we might encourage one another to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. As we do, we are aware of the things that try to pull us away from the path that He has placed us on and are equipped to love and navigate well. Incredibly, the more we encourage others, the more we discover that we too are encouraged in the process. May we ever seek the Lord to point us to those who need encouragement and to give us the words that lift others up best.

Today is the day,

We’ve been called to love;

To lift others up,

Point hearts to above.

Encouraging words,

We choose to speak well;

Bring hope and resolve,

With goodness we tell.

Let’s help each other,

Walk in the Lord’s way;

With love and kindness,

Throughout all our days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have created us for community and surround us with those who love and help encourage us to follow after and stay true to You. Forgive us for our attempts to navigate on our own. Teach us to trust You more and to invest well in the relationships that You bless us with. Lead us to love and encourage those around us in ways that fend off the temptations to go astray. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us how to be an encouragement to those around us daily. Amen.

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

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

True Wisdom

But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest. – (James 3:17, ERV)

But the wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form. – (James 3:17, TPT)

Heavenly wisdom centers on purity, peace, gentleness, deference, mercy, and other good fruits untainted by hypocrisy. – (James 3:17, VOICE)

I know many people who are full of knowledge, yet finding truly wise people is a rare gift. Wisdom from God is exactly that, a filling that comes through trust and dependence on Him. To be pure, we need to understand what is good and what must go, and be willing to go through the refining process. Filled with peace is a process that is the result of ongoing trust in God in every circumstance. Gentleness includes being considerate and merciful, just as Jesus is to us. One who possesses wisdom is teachable and easy to please, ever ready to help and do good for others without prejudice or hypocrisy. Though it is good to pursue knowledge and continue learning, the ongoing pursuit of God brings wisdom that leads us to love others as He intended. May we ever seek the Lord and be willing to allow Him to refine us, so that we may walk out our days in wisdom that knows how to love well.

Lord, grant us wisdom,

So we too may learn;

Mercy and goodness,

To love and discern.

Father, teach our hearts,

To stay true and pure;

Peaceful and gentle,

As grace is assured.

Choose never withhold,

Mercy, love and grace;

Give as we’re given,

To all whom we face.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that true wisdom comes from You. Thank You that wisdom is granted to those who seek You and pursue a life lived in the light of Your love. Forgive us for our lack of wisdom as we navigate our days. Teach us to be wise in You, so that we might love as You intended. Show us how to be pure, peace-loving, considerate, gentle, easy to please, ready to help, and ever fair and honest. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue a life lived in Your wisdom that leads us to love well. Amen.

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

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12

Establish the Work

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands. – (Psalm 90:17, NIV)

Lord, our God, be kind to us. Make everything we do successful. Yes, make it all successful. – (Psalm 90:17, ERV)

O Lord our God, let Your sweet beauty rest upon us and give us favor. Come work with us, and then our works will endure, and give us success in all we do. – (Psalm 90:17, TPT)

 

This is a fitting verse this morning, as I prepare to head back to my classroom to begin the process of preparing for the school year. My prayer is that I can create a space that is safe, comfortable and welcoming, and that as students enter my room, we are able to establish a caring community that fosters growth and learning, bringing out the best in each of us. Such a request is no small ask, and it will require God’s hand to be upon my heart, daily. God is so good, and He is able to do abundantly more than we can ever ask or imagine, and I am asking and imagining that an amazing space of peace be ever present in my classroom. I am trusting Him to establish the work of my hands both now, and in the days to come. Each investment sown in love, does not come back void, but rather finds way to fill in dark spaces with much needed light. May we ever seek our Savior to be our strength and source in all that we do, so that He may establish the good we hope to see.

As for mom, it sounds as if God’s beauty is resting upon her in her new space as well. Though the weariness from travel seemed to have caught up with her a bit yesterday, it was still a good day for mom. My sister arrived home from work to find Terry (mom’s in-home care provider) and Skyler (my nephew) playing Dirty Marbles (family favorite game – cross between Sorry and Chinese Checkers) at the kitchen table. Her new medical insurance card finally arrived in the mail yesterday, so the process of seeing a new physician and establishing in-home therapies should follow soon. It was wonderful to talk to mom and Megan on the phone last evening, as mom sounded good, and as if all is well within her. God continues to be so faithful in every step of the process in this journey for mom. We are trusting the same to be true as an appointment is set to see a new physician, and in-home therapies are sought after.  God will continue to bring mom success on her road to recovery, as she models such faith and trust in Him.

 

May the Lord’s favor,

Be present with us;

As we pursue Him,

Seek love like Jesus.

Establish our work,

Lord, all that we do;

So, Your love’s made clear,

And Your heart shines through.

God, show us the way,

To best persevere;

And work unto You,

As You’re always near.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and place our trust in You, You establish the work of our hands that is intended to honor You. Thank You that You lead us and guide us and love us throughout each day. Forgive us for the times that we deceive ourselves and try to go our own way. Teach us to trust You and stay true to the truth we know. Show us how to establish all that we do in the love and grace that You intend. Lead us to love those around us well, so that they might come to understand what grace, goodness, hope, peace and love look like for themselves. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to establish the work of our hands, so that we may honor You in all that we do. Amen.

 

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

 

Lord, You establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished You have done for us. – Isaiah 26:12

To Stay True the Course

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. – (Hebrews 3:13, NIV)

But encourage each other every day, while you still have something called “today.” Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become too hard to change. – (Hebrews 3:13, ERV)

This is the time to encourage each other to never be stubborn or hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. – (Hebrews 3:13, TPT)

 

This is part of the explanation of why we need to be part of a body of believers. If left to our own devices, there is no one to encourage nor spur us on in our faith. Even the most devoted need encouragement to stay the course. We are created to be in community. The benefit of belonging grants a place to be plugged in and to grow. As we are encouraged to stay the course, we too, do the same for others.  In strength, our hearts are softened to others, so that they too may learn of the love that the Lord longs to lavish upon us all. May we encourage one another each day, so that none of us become entangled by the web of sin.

 

Encourage others, 

To stay true the course;

To which we are called,

With God as our Source.

We need each other,

To stay true the path;

To steer clear of sin,

And its aftermath.

Invest time with God,

Be part of His church;

To know others well,

And walk out our worth.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to encourage each other. Thank You that the purpose is multifaceted. Thank You that encouragement propels us to do good, and helps keep us from becoming entangled in sin. Forgive us for not encouraging those around us, or for neglecting to be a part of the body. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may mutually encourage one another and help each other stay the course to which we have been called. Show us how to love those around us in a way that encourages others to be the best version of themselves. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we encourage each other to grow and stay the course to which we have been called. Amen.

 

 

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

They help each other and say to their companions, “Be strong!” – Isaiah 41:6

 

 

 

 

Stay True the Course

God is the one who gives me strength. He clears the path I need to take. – (Psalm 18:32, ERV)

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. – (Psalm 18:32, NIV)

 

Any strength that we have to stay the course that we are called to cover, comes from Christ alone. On our own, we become distracted, deflated and defeated when opposition comes our way. With Christ, we are equipped and empowered to overcome any obstacle that arises before us, as He either removes the barriers or shows us how to navigate in spite of them. The Lord goes before us and walks beside us, to strengthen and protect every heart that is pursuing to follow the path He has placed before us. May we choose to trust He who is our Source of all security and strength, as we continue walking in the direction He has called us, knowing that He will keep our way secure.

 

Encircled in strength,

He makes my path straight;

As I trust the Lord,

In faith, for Him wait.

For the Lord alone,

Provides what I need;

To stay true the course,

He’s called me to be.

Help me ever trust,

In You, God alone;

My strength and my peace,

Come as You are known.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the One who gives us strength and keeps our way secure. Thank You that as we place our trust in You, You lead us, guide us and provide what we need to follow the course to which we are called. Forgive us for not moving the direction that You call us to move, or for not seeking Your heart for where we are meant to go. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would desire with all that we are, to know Your way and move according to Your will. Show us how to love all whom we encounter in a way that demonstrates Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for strength and direction, as You alone are our Source and security forever. Amen.

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

The joy of the Lord is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10

Because He is Good

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. – (Psalm 118:1 & 29, NLT)

 

In Psalm 118, the chapter both begins and ends with the very same words. I find that each time I come across repetition in the Word, God is highlighting something for me, and I need to make note of what is written. Yes, I know He is good and that His love is faithful and everlasting, providing reason for me to give praise; however, as I read this in conjunction with the other passage that was a part of today’s reading, it is a reminder that His goodness and faithfulness are not dependent on our circumstances. In Jeremiah 29-30, God’s people were exiled in a foreign land. Despite their situation, God had promised to return them to Jerusalem after an established length of time. The exiles were called to remain faithful to God, and He would stay true to His word. All thanks and praise were due to the Lord, as He blessed and upheld His people, despite their distance from the home they had known. God does this for us today. He is good and faithful, and His love endures always. Because of who He is, He deserves all of our thanks and praise. May we rise up in gratitude for the goodness of our God, and give Him the proper praise He is due.

 

Give thanks to the Lord,

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For He’s always good;

His love shall endure,

As always has stood.

No matter what comes,

The Lord shall remain;

Present as our help,

He makes our path plain.

Despite circumstance,

His love light shines through;

Leading and guiding,

So faithful and true.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good, faithful and that Your love endures forever. Thank You that we always have reason to give You thanks and praise. Forgive us for making our gratitude circumstantial, rather than dependent on the truth of who You are. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would give all glory unto You, no matter what comes our way. Show us how to love all those around us in such a way, that You are given the thanks and adoration for every word and deed that is well-received. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your goodness and faithful love that lasts forever. 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 23:6

Build Each Other Up

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. – (Jude 1:20-21, NLT)

 

Because we have been given new life in Christ and His Spirit dwells within us, we are called to live according to His will and walk in His way. Time invested in our relationship with Christ through prayer and time in His word, and being rooted and established in a body of believers are basic criteria to which we are called. In order to love God and love people, we need to know both and be around each regularly. God places us among a body of believers so that we can build one another up in our faith and fix our eyes where it matters most. Additionally, we tend to stay true to who we are called to be when we are accountable to others. When we are invested, we remain in the safety of God’s love, provided by being in His presence and among those He places around us. May we build each other up in the faith that Christ has grown within us, as we await the eternal life that is yet to come. Let us love each other well, so that we may remain in the safety of God’s protection and plan for our lives now, and for all that is yet to come.

 

Lift one another,

by faith, let us build;

strength in His mercy,

in grace we are filled.

Pray in His power,

awaiting His grace;

complete in His love,

is where we are safe.

Be in the body,

invest in the word;

pray to the Father,

let His truth be heard.

What we invest now,

affects so much more;

Eternal awaits,

as we seek the Lord.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to invest in our relationships with You and with each other. Thank You that You provide Your Holy Spirit within us to help us pray and to grant us wisdom and insight to know how to navigate how we are meant to go. Thank You that You are merciful, and that You give us the hope of eternal life. Thank You that we are safe in Your love. Forgive us for not building each other up in our faith. Teach us how to trust You more, so that we would speak Your words of truth to each other as You call us to do. Show us how to love others well, so that they would come to know the mercy and safety supplied in the goodness of Your love. May many choose to follow after You with their whole hearts. Be glorified O God, as we build each other up in faith and pray in the power of Your Holy Spirit within us. Amen.

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

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. – Psalm 67:1

 

He Shows the Way

He’s given instructions,

not a great mystery;

He leads us and guides us,

by His Spirit, holy.

His word shows us the way,

unto Him, we’re restored;

lights doors we should walk through,

and sin meant to abhor.

Stay true to His teachings,

for it is the way true;

if we listen closely,

we’ll know what we’re to do.

Led by Spirit, we’ll rise;

and we shall see His face;

the faithful are welcomed,

in His heavenly place.

Unto overcomers,

those who’re true to the end;

authority granted,

to the nations, He’ll send.

“To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.” – (Revelation 2:26)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have provided all that we need to walk in surrendered obedience to You. Thank You for Your word that is alive and active – ever changing and refining us – as we allow the truth to set us free. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, who reveals to us, things that we would not otherwise know. Thank You that as we live submitted to You, You remind us of our heavenly hope that You are preparing for all who believe. Forgive us for the times that we either ignore or run from Your still small voice, and help us to hear and heed Your every word. Lead us and guide us so that we may be overcomers in You, and may many come to call You King, as they see You through Your light and love that dwells within us. Be our strength and our song, no matter what comes our way. Thank You that You are always good. Amen.

Anne update: I spoke with the on-duty doctor yesterday evening, and he said that Anne should be stable enough to release today. His concern is for her well-being, as she needs more help that she has. Please pray with me that God would strengthen and heal her, and in the meantime, He will raise up a network of friends to provide care. Thank You Jesus, for the wonderful work You are doing in and for Anne. Amen.

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