To Confidently Ask

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. – (1 John 5:14, NIV)

We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. – (1 John 5:14, ERV)

We live in the bold confidence that God hears our voices when we ask for things that fit His plan. – (1 John 5:14, VOICE)

God is not a genie that grants wishes. He is the Creator of heaven and earth and all that is, and we can call on Him to be our help, hope, and strength throughout all of our days. He is our Provider and the One who loves us beyond what we can comprehend. If our requests before God are fueled by our love for Him and our love for others, we can confidently seek Him and know that He hears. However, if we are asking things out of revenge or selfish ambition, we can be thankful that God does not listen. God cannot be manipulated nor coerced into doing something that is not in His nature. He loves deeply, yet always wants what is best for us, even when we cannot see it. Sometimes, God’s biggest blessings come to us through seemingly unanswered prayers. He knows what the outcome would be if things went a different route than they have. The more we trust, the more we recognize that God is faithful, even when we cannot see what He is doing. Our charge is to keep seeking and trusting, and place all things in His hands. May we ever walk out our days in bold confidence, knowing that God hears us when we ask of Him, things according to His good and perfect will.

Confidently come,

before the Lord God;

for He hears our heart,

in love, He responds.

When our ask is good,

fueled by His love;

we can trust He hears,

listens from above.

For God knows what’s best,

when we cannot see;

He knows each outcome,

moves accordingly.

Sometimes the silence,

is just a not yet;

or redirection,

that His grace has set.

In everything,

for now and always;

seek the Lord in trust,

to walk in His ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and that You hear our every prayer. Thank You that You move according to what is good and what is best for us. Forgive us for our lack of faith when we cannot see how You are moving. Lead us to listen and learn as we navigate each day, for You are faithful and worthy of our trust. Show us how to love and pray for those around us in ways that align with Your will. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for Your goodness and grace in both the answered and unanswered prayers we have prayed. Amen.

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

I call on You, my God, for You will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer. – Psalm 17:6

Faithful and Trustworthy

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word. – (Psalm 119:114, NIV)

Hide me and protect me. I trust what You say. – (Psalm 119:114, ERV)

You are my hiding place and my shield of protection; I hope in Your word. – (Psalm 119:114, VOICE)

If there is one thing that I am certain about in this life, it is that God is who He says He is. Our protector, our hope, our help, and our peace. I am constantly in awe of the way that He works. Yesterday was an amazing unfolding of possibilities that have me excited for a chance at something new. A request was extended and I could not help but feel my heart leap within me at the idea. The remainder of the afternoon and evening was spent on steps toward said new, and now it is up to Him to make clear the path. This morning, a friend who regularly sends random funny memes and reels, sent an incredibly profound one that felt like a confirmation of the steps I am taking. “Never be afraid to try something new. Remember amateurs built the Ark… professionals built the Titanic.” I know this is all very vague, but I am not ready to share anything further until I am certain that this is indeed something new that I am meant to do. What I can say is that no matter what the outcome, I have been blessed with a reminder of how I am seen, valued, and known. My hope is not in possibilities, but rather in He who provides them. If this path that has been presented is mine to take, He will lead me and guide me every step of the way. May we ever trust the Lord, for He is good, and His love, protection, help, and hope last forever.

The God of all peace,

Presenter of new;

leads us and guides us,

makes clear what to do.

Our help and our hope,

ever He is near;

pointing to the path,

He is making clear.

Sometimes the blessings,

are found in the new;

yet still there are times,

it’s not ours to do.

No matter what comes,

the Lord’s always good;

He upholds my heart,

all grace understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You see and know us better than we know ourselves. Thank You that Your love covers us, protects us, and floods our hearts with hope. Forgive us for our fears and doubts in the unknown. Thank You that You are worthy of our trust and that Your love never fails. Teach us to trust You in every new endeavor, for You lead us in the ways we are meant to go. Show us how to love and encourage those around us in all that we do. May many hearts be invested as they come to know You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You that You are trustworthy and true, and that You lead us in all that we are meant to do. Amen.

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

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this. – Psalm 37:5

Courage and Strength to Wait

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. – (Psalm 27:14, NIV)

Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help. – (Psalm 27:14, ERV)

Please answer me: Don’t give up. Wait for the Eternal in expectation, and be strong. Again, wait for the Eternal. – (Psalm 27:14, VOICE)

In today’s society, we are not very good at waiting. Because we have more access to simple solutions than ever before, we tend to be less resilient in the wait. If we need information, we have endless options at our fingertips. If we are somewhere to make a purchase and the lines are too long, we can pull out our phone and order it online to be delivered. Our instant gratification society makes waiting for anything an act of our own will and discipline. God’s timing is not ours, and there is no Prime delivery option. He hears us the instant we ask, but the way He works is on purpose and for a purpose. Most of us have areas where we need to grow in patience. Waiting on the Lord grows us in patience, perseverance and trust. Sometimes, that is as much what we need as whatever it is for which we asked. As we wait, it requires strength and courage to trust that the Lord will help. He is faithful and will move in His perfect timing. Often, His answers or solutions are far different than we had hoped or imagined, yet always, He has purpose through how He provides. Many times, what transpires goes far beyond what we could have dreamed or done on our own. In all things, He is good and worthy of our trust. May we ever seek the Lord for answers and ask Him for help, for He is faithful as we wait on Him and trust Him for the strength and courage we need.

Choose wait on the Lord,

Crabbing is a practice in patience…

for He is the One;

who shows us what’s right,

how battles are won.

He grants us courage,

when we are afraid;

He supplies His strength,

to walk in His way.

In all things, always,

the Lord will be near;

ready to help us,

and make the way clear.

Trust in His goodness,

in patience, choose wait;

His way is the best,

and He’s never late.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and trust in You, You supply the strength and courage we need to wait on You to show us what is next. Thank You that You lead and guide us in Your way, and that You provide answers that are best for us. Forgive us for the times that we have navigated on our own or quit waiting and took matters into our own hands without direction. Teach us to seek You and slow down to quietly listen. Lead us in Your love to care well for those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for answers and then trust in Your strength and courage to wait for Your direction. Amen.

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

Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience… – Colossians 1:11

Orchestrating Good

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – (Romans 8:28, NIV)

We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him. These are the people God chose, because that was His plan. – (Romans 8:28, ERV)

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. – (Romans 8:28, VOICE)

I never cease to be amazed at how true these words have proven to be, repeatedly. This does not mean that bad things are caused by God, but it does mean that both our trials and triumphs can be worked out for ultimate good. We may not see it or experience it immediately, but He can take all things and bring forth beauty in due time. As we grow further in love with our Savior, we are quicker to recognize His hand that holds us in all things. He is faithful always, and worthy of all our trust. Often, the greatest triumphs grow out of the wreckage of our most trying times. In my life, I can look back and see how God’s hands have not only held me, but they have carried me, lifted, and led me to more than I would have hoped or imagined. There has been so much beauty that He has brought forth from former ashes. Because I have known and experienced His faithfulness, I can trust that He will continue to be with me, walk beside me, and bring forth good somehow, even when it seems impossible.  God is good, and He is always working for the good of all who love Him and call on His Name. May we ever seek the Lord and trust in Him, for He can bring something good and beautiful out of things that seem hopeless.

Our God is able,

To bring forth His good;

Beauty from ashes,

His love understood.

Sometimes His glory,

A long time to see;

Ultimate outcome,

Is His victory.

He overcame death,

And conquered the grave;

Impossible things,

The Lord makes a way.

Where there is no way,

God has overcome;

His good He will bring,

As His will is done.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You work all things together for good, even when we cannot see or imagine how. Thank You that as we look back, we can see Your faithfulness and provision, and the beauty that You have brought from former despair. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when we are in the throes of trials or tragedy. Teach us to trust in You and Your promises, for they are always true and worthy of our trust. Show us how to love those around us well, and to share of Your faithfulness as our stories tell of the beauty You bring. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we entrust our lives into Your hands, and believe that Your promises are true forever. Amen.

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

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:39

Faithful to Finish

The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. – (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV) 

The One who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete His work in you. – (1 Thessalonians 5:24, TPT) 

For the God who calls you is faithful, and He can be trusted to make it so. – (1 Thessalonians 5:24, VOICE) 

God is faithful to His promises. What He calls us to, He sees us through. Often, the things that God calls us to do are far too difficult, or beyond our scope of capability. When God is with us and for us, the seemingly impossible becomes possible. He can do far more than we could ever ask or imagine when we trust in Him. A perfect example of this is the road my mom has been navigating for nearly the last year and a half. After a stroke that initially stole control of the entire right side of her body and her independence, mom is now back in her own home, able to do far more than she thought possible, only a year ago. God has faithfully provided all that is needed to make this a reality. He orchestrated the right people and circumstances for such a time as this. Mom has wonderful help each day to assist with the things that are too difficult with a stubborn right arm, and the freedom, confidence, strength and independence to do all that she is able on her own. I still believe that He is not finished either. God has even more in store for mom than she could hope or imagine. The healing she is walking in (literally and figuratively) now, is but a glimpse of all that He will still do. She has been called to things that He created her to do, and He is faithful to see her through. I eagerly watch in anticipation for all that lies ahead. May we ever trust in God to finish all He began, for He is faithful and worthy of our trust. 

For each one of us, 

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography. ❤

Has been called by name; 

Created, chosen, 

And loved, all the same. 

To what we are called, 

God is faithful, true; 

Strengthened and equipped, 

To love and to do. 

Help us to trust You, 

Despite what we see; 

You, God, are able, 

To lift up, set free. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace, and for Your faithfulness forever. Thank You that what You call us to do, You see us through, as You are faithful to fulfill what You promise. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when the road ahead seems impossible. Teach us to trust You more, for You are the God who makes all things possible in You. Show us how to love, encourage, support and lift up all those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be faithful to finish all that You have begun and called us to do. Amen. 

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

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. – Psalm 33:4

Promised Presence

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. – (Isaiah 46:4, NIV) 

And I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you. I made you, and I will carry you to safety. – (Isaiah 46:4, ERV) 

And when you are old, I will still be there, carrying you. When your limbs grow tired, your eyes are weak, and your hair a silvery gray, I will carry you as I always have. I will carry you and save you. – (Isaiah 46:4, VOICE) 

God’s promises are not just for today, but they remain forever. His promise to sustain and carry us is true throughout our entire life. I have known God’s faithfulness to carry and sustain me – from childhood to adulthood, and now as I move ever closer to the white hairs of years flying by. It is good to be reminded of His ongoing faithfulness, especially when in the midst of so much new and uncertain. God’s faithfulness and ability to sustain and carry us is not dependent on our circumstances, nor the status of the world around us. Even on days where what lies before us seems insurmountable, He is faithful to see us through. Today, I am placing all in His hands, and trusting Him to lead, strengthen and carry me through all that awaits. The Lord is good, and He is worthy of our trust. May we choose to seek Him and place all in His hands. 

The Lord is faithful, 

For all of our days; 

From when we are young, 

Today, and always. 

He calms all our fears, 

When we are afraid; 

And grants us His strength, 

When ours goes away. 

He is our safety, 

In uncertainty; 

Our help and our hope, 

To eternity. 

So, trust in the Lord, 

Choose rely on Him; 

He’ll help us press on, 

Even when hope’s dim. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our help and our hope, as You sustain, strengthen, and carry us throughout our whole life. Thank You that Your promises are true in both our youth and into our older years. Forgive us for our frustrations and fears with the things that seem too much. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your faithfulness tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek and depend on You, all the days of our lives. Amen. 

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

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. – Deuteronomy 31:8