Insight and Understanding

The unfolding of Your words give light; it gives understanding to the simple. – (Psalm 119:130, NIV)

As people understand Your word, it brings light to their lives. Your word makes even simple people wise. – (Psalm 119:130, ERV)

When Your words are unveiled, light shines forth; they bring understanding to the simple. – (Psalm 119:130, VOICE)

The more we are intentional to spend time in His word, the more He provides understanding and insight and how it applies to our lives. Incredibly, there is always more to learn. Though I have been following the Bible-in-a-year reading plan for more than a decade, God always brings new insight to what His word means for my life right now. Each new season provides need for understanding, and because He is faithful, I earnestly seek Him. Even in the spaces that I have no idea how to navigate, He shows me each next step as I trust in Him. May we ever invest time in the word of God, and seek Him to lead us in what we are meant to do every step of our journey.

The word of the Lord,

light to show the way;

for each new next step,

throughout all our days.

In love, He shows us,

which way is His best;

new understanding,

of where to invest.

Our time and talents,

are gifts from the Lord;

He’s faithful to lead,

in love lights the way;

to the very best,

throughout all our days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always good. Thank You that You give insight and understanding as we spend time in Your word seeking You. Forgive us for the times we either neglect to seek You or disregard the direction You provide. Teach us to listen and trust every step of our journey, for Your ways are always best. Show us how to love those around us in the same way that You love us all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and spend time in Your word and praise You for the new insight that You provide. Amen.

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

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. – Psalm 119:105

People To Propel Us On Our Path

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. – (Hebrews 12:1, NIV)

We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. – (Hebrews 12:1, ERV)

So since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud of witnesses, let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us. – (Hebrews 12:1, VOICE)

God is intentional with those whom He places in our lives. Some are for a brief encounter, some for a season, and others for a lifetime. Each person has purpose and can either propel us in the direction to which God is calling, or can distract or divert us from where we are meant to go. What I have learned is that with each example set before us, we can glean wisdom from their experiences to show us the best way to go. The road marked before us is meant to be run at His pace, not our own. That means we must be in tune with God to know which way to go and at what pace. The thing about running is that the less you carry, the easier it is to run well. There are things that it is wise to have available, yet other things that simply weigh us down. In life, it is no different. When we invest time in the word and seek to know Him more, we are equipped with the race plan and the endurance to carry it out. Perhaps that is why I prefer running with a buddy, as it is easier to go farther and longer when conversation can be had and encouragement is built in. God calls us to community for the same reason. When we have others around us who know the path we are on, they can encourage us forward and extend a hand to help us up the most challenging “terrain”. However, if we seek to run with someone who is not running a similar pace or is running in a different direction, it distracts us from what we are meant to do and may lead us to stray from the path we are meant to travel. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us, and trust in Him to show us who are the ones whom He has given us to encourage us to continue in the direction He is leading.

Lord, You are so good,

in all of Your ways;

You lead and guide us,

on Your path each day.

People before us,

the most faithful ones;

examples for us,

how this race is won.

With eyes on the prize,

a heart that is true;

each step that they took,

pointed us to You.

The ones beside us,

purposefully placed;

encourage our hearts,

to run well our race.

May we also run,

with encouragement;

so those around us,

press on, don’t relent.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for those who have gone before us and have shown the way to live well, according to Your plans and purposes. Thank You that You surround us with community to encourage us to do the same. Forgive us for the times that we have diverted from the path You set before us, or have not encouraged those around us as You intended. Teach us to ever keep our eyes on You, the author and perfector of our faith. Show us how to love, encourage, and run beside those moving the same direction. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your perfect plan for us and for the people who pave the way and encourage us to follow You. Amen.

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

We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and He is the one who makes our faith complete. – Hebrews 12:2a

Sharing is Caring

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. – (Acts 4:32, NIV)

The whole group of believers was united in their thinking and in what they wanted. None of them said that the things they had were their own. Instead, they shared everything. – (Acts 4:32, ERV)

During those days, the entire community of believers was deeply united in heart and soul to such an extent that they stopped claiming private ownership of their possessions. Instead, they held everything in common. – (Acts 4:32, VOICE)

We have wandered a long way from the heart of community that was held by the early church. Society today is “all about me” and “mine”. Though our lives look much different today than they did two-thousand years ago, the concept of sharing what we have with those who have none or not enough, remains the same. Our charge is still to care for the poor, the widows, and the forgotten. Clearly, we must be wise and be good stewards of what we have, but we ought to also look for ways to help those who are lacking and cannot help themselves. When I stop to try and figure out how to do this best, I become overwhelmed. However, if I am intentional to pray and listen to the Lord’s leading, He is faithful to show me ways that I can do small things with great love. It can be as small as a granola bar for a kid who missed breakfast, to giving to an organization that reaches those in the community with the greatest needs. Though none of us can do everything, each of us can do something. May we ever seek the Lord to show us how to share our time, talents, and resources in such a way that we hold nothing with closed fists, but instead, choose to have open hearts and extended hands.

O Lord, please show us,

What we’re meant to do;

To share what we have,

As we hear from You.

Lead us in Your love,

With arms open wide;

Help us clearly see,

As we choose abide.

Abiding in You,

Show us what’s Your way;

To give and to love,

Throughout each new day.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to care for the poor, the widows, and the forgotten. Thank You that You see every need, and You care for every heart. Forgive us for turning a blind eye on needs, or for becoming so overwhelmed by what we see that we freeze and do nothing. Show us how to do each next small thing with great love. Lead us in Your abundance to give as You’ve given to us. Make clear the ways to love those around us best so that they may see Your heart through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us how to better live in community as people who have open eyes, hearts, and hands, to share what we have with those around us. Amen.

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

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Luke 6:38

The Priority of Knowing and Loving Jesus

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have understanding to know Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. – (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NIV)

This is what the Lord says: “The wise must not brag about their wisdom. The strong men must not brag about their strength. The rich must not brag about their money. But if someone wants to brag, then let them brag about this: Let them brag that they learned to know Me. Let them brag that they understand that I am the Lord, that I am kind and fair, and that I do good things on earth. I love this kind of bragging.” This message is from the Lord. – (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ERV)

God’s Message: “Don’t let the wise brag about their wisdom. Don’t let heroes brag of their exploits. Don’t let the rich brag of their riches. If you brag, brag of this and this only: That you understand and know Me. I’m God, and I act in loyal love. I do what’s right and set things right and fair, and delight in those who do the same things. These are My trademarks.” God’s Decree. – (Jeremiah 9:23-24, MSG)

This ought to be our priority – knowing and understanding who God is and how He loves. Everything good that we have in our lives is a gift from God. Every blessing, every help, and every hope – all come from Jesus. May we ever prioritize knowing and loving Jesus, for it is through this knowledge and love that we find understanding and recognize the abundant blessings that are ours in Him. Understanding who God is and how He loves shifts our perspective on everything. For example, when there is an illness or struggle, we can either think, “Woe is me,” or we can pause and praise Him for bringing us through it and showing Himself faithful again and again. Additionally, knowing God helps us recognize that every good and perfect gift has come from Him. In all things and at all times, may we seek to know and love Jesus more.

Lord, help us to see,

All that we’ve received;

The blessings You give,

Perfect loyalty.

Love in abundance,

Peace and eyes to see;

Plentiful blessings,

Granted lovingly.

In everything,

You bring forth Your good;

Your help, love and hope,

Your grace, understood.

Help us to make it,

Our priority;

To know and love You,

And ever seek Thee.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You know us and love us far beyond what we can fathom. Thank You that You sent Your Son to make the way for us to know and love You more. Forgive us for not making it a priority to know You more; for it is through knowing You that we love more deeply. Show us how to prioritize our time with You so that You can transform our hearts and minds to more clearly reflect Your goodness and love. Lead us in our pursuit of You and our interactions with those around us. Make Your love and understanding grow greater each day that we draw breath. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we prioritize knowing and loving Jesus. Amen.

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

Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. – Psalm 9:10

What Wisdom Can Do

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. – (James 3:17, HCSB)

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)

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

We all need God’s wisdom in this age of seeming constant dissent. If we are able to view all things through a pure lens that is peaceful, gentle and easy to please, we will be ever ready to help people and do good for others. However, if we allow our own jaded perspective to lead, we tend to want to fight or argue, not seek to listen and bring peace. May we be wise in our reliance on God and ever seek His wisdom to lead us, so that we might be bearers of peace, ready to help and do good for those around us.

The wisdom of God,

Is peaceful and pure;

It’s gentle and kind,

With love that’s assured.

It’s ready to help,

Sisters and brothers;

To ever do good,

Supporting others.

Wisdom will listen,

Seek to understand;

And be slow to speak,

Pursue the Lord’s plan.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have a plan and a purpose for each of us. Thank You that as we seek You, You show us all that You have for us. Thank You that wisdom from You is pure, peaceful, gentle and easy to please. Thank You that Your wisdom equips us to help others and to do good. Thank You that Your wisdom is always honest and fair. Forgive us for the times that we neglect the wisdom that You provide and do things our own way. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would move in the wisdom and grace that You provide. Show us how to be ever pure, peaceful, gentle and easy to please. Lead us to love others in such a way that we help practically and tangibly, ever seeking to do good for one another. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your wisdom to lead us each new day. Amen.

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

Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. – Psalm 90:12

Moms Model Love

Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. – (Colossians 4:6, HCSB)

When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. – (Colossians 4:6, ERV)

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response to everyone. – (Colossians 4:6, NLT)

This is the epitome of my mom and her mom before her; gracious, kind and wise. No human ever always has the right answer, but I think great moms come awfully close. These two women, as well as some incredible mother-like figures in my life, have modeled God’s love with the way that they speak with grace, kindness and love. It has never been unkind, but the truth is ever spoken in love. At times, the truth was to correct or redirect, but always with my best interest in mind. I am forever grateful for the gift of mothers in my life, and today, it seems only fitting to celebrate and honor them. May we ever give thanks to God for the gift of moms and mother-figures that He grants unto us, and seek Him to lead us in their likeness.

Let conversations,

Be filled with God’s grace;

Kind and with wisdom,

In every place.

For His love’s made known,

Through how we choose speak;

Actions and kindness,

Ever let us seek.

Seek to be loving,

Through every word;

Good spoken in love,

It’s how love is heard.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of mothers and mother-figures who model Your love with words, actions and their very existence. Thank You for the blessings in my own life that have come through my mother, grandmother, youth leaders, church mommas, and incredibly wise and wonderful friends throughout the years. Forgive us for the times that we have not followed the example set before us and have spoken with a lack of love. Lead us to always speak with love, kindness and grace. May Your words lead the searching to see Your face and enter into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we seek You to ever lead us in Your love with every word we speak and all that we do. Amen.

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

Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – Colossians 3:12

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

Let Us Listen First

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – (James 1:19, NIV)

My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger. – (James 1:19, ERV)

Post this at all the intersections, dear friends; Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. – (James 1:19, MSG)

This requires an ongoing decision to be intentional to listen, and truly seek to understand. If we merely listen to respond rather than comprehend what is being spoken, anger has room to rise up, instead of compassion and kindness. Yes, there are times that what is being spoken is not beneficial for anyone. Even then, how we respond makes all the difference. Righteous anger allows us to appropriately respond in love and in truth. The ego, on the other hand, causes responses that only further fan the flames. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to listen well, so that when we choose to speak, our words are full of life and love and grace.

Lord, help us to seek,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography

To listen and learn;

Use our ears and heart,

For gracious return.

Let not our voices,

Respond without thought;

Help us understand,

And love as we ought.

For if truth be told,

Wisdom can be found;

In hearts that listen,

As Your grace abounds.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to lead with listening to those around us. Forgive us for the times that we have spoken without truly hearing, or allowed anger to rise and taint our words or actions. Teach us how to rely on You to show us how to listen to understand, speak in love, and allow anger to help us bring change through Your goodness and grace. Lead us in Your love with all those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever pursue You to grow us more like You. Amen.

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

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. – Proverbs 1:5

Gain in Grace

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. – (Titus 2:11-12, NIV)

This is the way we should live, because God’s grace has come. That grace can save everyone. It teaches us not to live against God and not to do the bad things the world wants to do. It teaches us to live on earth now in a wise and right way – a way that shows true devotion to God. – (Titus 2:11-12, ERV)

God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone. This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age. – (Titus 2:11-12, TPT)

It is God’s grace that grants us each the opportunity to believe and receive, and enter the folds of His salvation. Being saved does not mean we have reached perfection, but rather it means that He who is perfect, is present and available to lead and guide us throughout all our days. God has given all people a free will; it is our decision alone to either receive all that He has to offer, or not. For those who actively receive, God teaches us what we ought not do, and what we need to do, to walk in the way He intended. We need wisdom, grace, and self-control to live upright and demonstrate our devotion to Him. Each word and deed that we extend that demonstrates God’s overwhelming love, is a manifestation of God’s goodness and grace that is available for everyone. However, when we get caught up in the ways of the world, there is nothing about us that leads anyone closer to the loving embrace of God. All that we say and do matters. May we ever pursue He who is pure and loving and full of grace, so that we too, may navigate each day His way.

Lord, help us receive,

Salvation in You;

For each brand new day,

Show us to live true.

True to Your goodness,

Your love and Your grace;

Upright and godly,

Help us walk Your way.

Lord as we listen,

You lead us in truth;

Steer us from evil,

As You make us new.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unending grace that grants us salvation in You. Thank You that as we seek and grow in our understanding of You, You show us what we should and should not do. Forgive us for forging our own way without seeking Your wisdom, or for allowing ourselves to get caught up in the ways of the world, rather than staying true to who You are calling us to become. Teach us to trust and rely on You to lead and guide us throughout all our days. Show us how to love those around us well, as it is Your love that demonstrates the goodness and kindness that leads people into lives full of the hope that only Your salvation provides. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive Your grace that is freely given, and trust in You to lead and direct us in all of the ways that are meant to go. Keep us away from that which was not meant for us. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.

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

Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. – John 1:16

Making Our Days Matter

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

Teach us how short our lives are so that we can become wise. – (Psalm 90:12, ERV)

Help us to remember that our days are numbered, and help us to interpret our lives correctly. Set Your wisdom deeply in our hearts so that we may accept Your correction. – (Psalm 90:12, TPT)

A common thread among us is that I think we are all far more aware that our days are numbered. There is nothing quite like a pandemic to remind us that none of us are immune to the reaches of the affects, as I know few folks who do not at least know someone impacted by COVID19. We have the opportunity to respond to the realization that none of us are guaranteed a long life on earth, so how we spend our days matters. In order to use the time we are given well, we need God’s wisdom. He is faithful to grow us and show us more and more of His love and grace, as we choose to follow after Him. The Lord is faithful to direct and correct, if we are willing to pursue Him and respond to His promptings. I desire to live each day with intention, and am acutely aware of my need for God’s intervention to do so. May we ever recognize that we are not promised tomorrow, so that we might live each day with wisdom and grace, according to God’s good and perfect plan.

O Lord, I thank You,

For each day thus far;

As Your love and grace,

Meet us where we are.

Grant us Your wisdom,

Help us to live well;

Let each brand new day,

Be love’s show and tell.

May each day we rise,

Be seen as a gift;

Each moment a chance,

For spirits to lift.

Lord, show me Your heart,

In each circumstance;

Make me wise with love,

To live out Your plans.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have good plans for each of us. Thank You that You meet us as we seek You, and You grant us wisdom to navigate our days well. Forgive us for the times that we take our days for granted. Teach us how to live with intention, each new day that we draw breath. Show us how to live and love with wisdom and grace, so that all might seek Your welcome embrace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for each new day, and seek You to live it out with wisdom, love and grace. Amen.

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

How many are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. – Psalm 104:24