a Whisper…the leap of trust

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“Disappointment comes sometimes when things don’t go the way you want them to. It’s a part of life everyone deals with. But it’s not so much about the disappointments as it is about what you choose to do with them.

The first thing you can do is choose to rest in me and trust that I always have your back. I know what is best for you. Even when something doesn’t work out as you hoped, you may be assured that it is for the best. Trust paves the way to believe with confidence that I will allow the right things to happen in your life.

Faith is about trust and I want you to trust me in everything – both the big and small details of each day. I will continually bless your trust, even though you may not fully understand why things happen as they do. With me, there is always more to the story; a greater purpose and plan for your life. By choosing trust, you choose the way of peace. The blessing of peace is worth the decision to trust me. I promise you that.

Try not to allow your human nature to make you bitter in the process. Allow it to make you better, so you will grow even stronger as your faith deepens. I do not abandon or forsake my children and I will not do that to you.

Take the leap of trust. In doing so, the disappointments of your life will lead you to ultimate victories and greater discoveries than you can imagine. I am faithful and I will do it.”

  • They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed. Job 6:20
  • The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. Proverbs 10:28
  • Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed. Isaiah 49:23
  • I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:2
  • Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

(photo credit: Kristopher Roller — unsplash)

a Whisper…prayer is ministry

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“Prayer is the language you use to communicate with me. The heavenly host are angels who execute my will as they serve  in response to the prayers that you have raised. Prayer is ministry. It has immense unseen value in a moment, but carries with it eternal consequences for those you pray for. Because I care about what concerns you, I will act and move on your behalf and on behalf of those whose needs have touched your heart and moved you to pray.

Prayer will not necessarily provide instant gratification. I am not a a genie in a bottle and instant answers are not always what is needed for the prayers you pray. I see the end from the beginning and I know what is best for each individual heart. When answers are needed in a moment, I will provide them, when they are not, you must exercise faith and trust me. I am God, Creator of the universe, you are not. My ways are higher than yours and my plans are perfect and timely.

Prayer can change the hearts of men and it can change the world in which you live. It is an important part of ministry and you should not dismiss its power even when results are intangible. I will carefully respond to prayers that are birthed of genuine concern and need, prayers that are motivated by sincere and sensitive hearts.”

  • pray continually…1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18
  • Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
  • The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29
  • “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8, 9

(photo credit: Ben White — unsplash)

a Whisper…you never walk alone

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“In this moment, allow my peace to wash over you like a gentle rain. Be comforted by the warmth of my love, and know that my presence is with you right now.

You are precious to me and I know the things that are weighing heavy on your mind. You may be confident that I hear your prayers and my answers will come in due time. You may trust me for each need and concern.

I am gentle with you and the things that you suffer are not meant to bring you harm. They are meant to push you toward me so that you may receive from me in your time of need.

Draw upon the power of my Spirit and you will receive encouragement and strength to face what you must throughout your day. Because I am with you, you never walk alone.”

  • Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provided you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. Acts 14:17
  • Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
  • Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
  • For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4
  • Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

(photo credit: Nick Scheerbart–unsplash)

a Whisper…light in your heart

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“There is a light that shines in your heart, but sometimes you snuff it out because other things in your life take precedence to me. Relationship with me is not as important as whatever is going on inside of you. Forgetting the light is choosing to walk in the dark, on your own, in spite of my presence with you.

You are confronted with many situations throughout a given day. There are choices and decisions to be made. If the light of my truth is not shining in your heart, you will find it hard to manage them.

My Spirit helps you to make the best decisions and guides you to them. It is not complicated when you allow me to be part of your daily life because I see the bigger picture. I see the road ahead for you. I know what the choices look like when you walk with me and when you don’t.

The way of truth is found in the light, the light of my Spirit shining in your heart and by your desire to receive it each day. The choice is yours, but the consequences are wrapped up in your choice. What will you choose today, to go your own way, or to walk through it with me?”

  • Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. John 12:35
  • The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5
  • “There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths. Job 24:13
  • Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5
  • …for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth…Ephesians 5:9
  • When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

(photo credit: Sharon McCutcheon–unsplash)

a Whisper…obedience comes from faith

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“Sometimes the word obedience causes you to bristle. It may remind you of times when you were young and your parents told you what to do and expected you to do it without question. It felt like you were having to give up your will and what you wanted for what they wanted. Oh, the curse of being a child who has to deal with the requirements of their parents!

Obedience to me and to my purposes for your life is something you choose to do, rather than a requirement. It doesn’t mean that you don’t ever get to enjoy doing things you want to do, or having some of the pleasures that this life provides. However, it does mean that you are willing to submit to my plans and purposes for your life. You make the choice to obey because you believe and trust that I know what’s best for you. Obedience is birthed by your faith in me. It should be seen as the path to ultimate blessing, rather than a curse of relationship.

When you received me, you became a follower, a believer who accepted a new life through Christ, my Son. By living a life of sacrifice for me and for my glory as He did, the blessings of obedience become yours. Jesus was obedient unto death and now He has received the blessing of eternity, the same blessing that is being held for you.”

  • Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. Psalms 128:1
  • During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered. Hebrews 5: 7,8
  • And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life. 1 Kings 3:14
  • And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6
  • Don’t you know that when  you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16
  • …but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— Romans 16:26
  • And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8

 

a Whisper…shining stars

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(photo by John Towner — unsplash)

“I laid the foundations of the earth from the beginning and the heavens are the work of my hands. If I can keep the shining stars from falling from the sky, I can keep your life in tact. As I hold your world in orbit, I will also hold your life and save it for eternity. You have been given the privilege of knowing me. I have become your Father because you have embraced my love, the love of my Son, your Savior. As I watch over the flowers in a field and the birds that fall from a tree, so I watch over you.

Your life has never been hidden from me. I love you and continuously pursue relationship with you. My angels watch over you, guarding your steps on every path. Though you can’t see them, they are there. They have been sent because of my great love and care for you. You do not have to fear anything. You only need to believe and trust that out of my great love, I will take care of you.

You have heard it said that good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. But I want to remind you of my Word in Romans 8:28, “All things happen for good to those who love me and who have been called according to my purposes.” Thus, as my child, there is nothing that can happen to you that will not ultimately be used for good in your life.

You possess the key to the Kingdom of heaven because that key is the Holy Spirit of Jesus who lives in your heart. He has set you free from sin, released you from an eternity apart from me, and given you entrance into my Kingdom, which belongs to all who have come to me through Him. You have been given a hope in the core of your spirit that will never disappoint; a hope that you may trust and hold to all of your days. In this life, you will have troubles, but you may take heart because Jesus overcame the world and so will you.

Your world is in my hands. I know the state of it. I see the folly of the enemy who is trying to take as many with him into the fires of hell as he can. You, however, belong to me. Therefore, you must not be overly concerned about what is going on around you. You are safe within the boundaries of my love and I am with you always. Bring as many into the light of my love as you can so they will not be captured by the darkness. All who choose me will be shining stars, held safely in the universe of my love.”

  • In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. Psalms 102:25
  • It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts. Isaiah 45:12
  • Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3
  • We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19
  • I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16
  • For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Luke 4:10, 11

a Whisper…your friend

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(photo by Lobo Studio Hamburg — unsplash)

“I am your friend, one who is close to you, even closer than a brother; the one who will not disappoint you. Sometimes human nature causes you to place expectations on other’s that they won’t be able to meet. Their nature is as human as yours. So, rather than place expectations on them, put your hope in me.

This is a hard thing for you to learn. Your human imperfections will occasionally get in the way of your relationships, particularly with those who are most important to you. You will not always receive love the way you give it. You will not always be forgiven, the way you forgive. And, others will not always understand things the same way you do.

You are a work in progress. You are on your own personal journey of growth with me, just as those of your friends and family who love me are. Differences will pop up from time to time because of your expectations and desires. When this happens, move your eyes and expectations from the other person to me, so that you can avoid going down a path that leads to broken relationships, frustration, or hurt. Let me be your friend and I will lead you to truth and show you what to do.

Your first relationship should be with me. I am not human, but because I am your heavenly Father, because I am Jesus and I came into your world as a human, I understand your humanity and am fully able to minister to your needs. Avoid burdening others with things they are not equipped to handle. Let me handle them.

Though I am not physically present, I am in you by the power of my Holy Spirit. You can yield to me and I will be there to help you. You can expect from me and I will deliver upon my promises to you.

I am your friend and your Father. All that you will ever need is found by having an active relationship with me. Lean on me and you will receive truth, blessing, and knowledge for the life I’ve given to you.

  • One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
  • For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. Hebrews 7:28
  • Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God. Job 16: 19, 20
  • Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalms 25:5
  • Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. Isaiah 55:3

a Whisper…Jesus

(…a look back)

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(photo by Lukas Budimaier – unsplash)

“The Word, my Word was made flesh in Jesus, my Son. He is your Savior, He is your Lord. He is the payment for all your sins, past, present, and future. Cling to Jesus for he is your deliverer. He has tied you to me by his life and death upon the cross and brought restoration to us. He was in me and I in him when he walked in the flesh; and now through his death and resurrection, his spirit fills you and I receive you as I received him. We are all interconnected and when I look at your heart, I see Jesus.

Jesus has equipped you for my Kingdom. His power resides in you to be light and truth to all those he brings across your path; to those who have yet to receive him. I encourage you to live as he lived, love as he loved, forgive as he forgave, and serve as he served so that you too will show people the way to me and to eternal life.

Some of you will be empowered to do this in a very bold way. Others of you will reflect my love by the way you live your life in quiet confidence and trust. Jesus was always sensitive to my Spirit in the careful ways he spoke. Through love and patience, he accepted others as valuable to my Kingdom. He led with his heart, so I call you to lead with yours.  Since you have received the great gift of my love, serve me as he did with a sensitive and faithful heart as you share my love with others.

Jesus is the way to me, my purposes for each of you are fulfilled through him. He is the Word of my Spirit and the work of my heart for all of you. Embrace him, hold tightly to the truth and you will successfully minister to others the love they so desperately need.”

  • “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
  • “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him (Jesus) will never be put to shame.” Romans 10: 10,11
  • “But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” Hebrews 3:6

a Whisper…old ways

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(photo by specphotops — unsplash)

“The truth is always in you because you are my child and my Spirit resides in you. However, truth can be lost or buried underneath layers of your life’s experiences and old ways of handling things. Knowledge you have gained may have a hard time coming to the surface when new challenges come along.

Old ways of thinking, can trip you up in the present. They keep you moving along the primitive road of days gone by, stalling progress, even though I am trying to help you move forward. If you are trying to work your way through an issue and nothing is going the way you want it to, take a brief look back. Examine your heart to determine if old patterns might be the reason you are not making progress.

Your life is before me everyday. I see you. I see who you are and who you are supposed to become. If you want to live blessed in everything, no matter how difficult or challenging, you must learn to live your life to please me. I am your Father. I am the One who loves you most. I am the One who will not fail you.

Allow me to reveal truth to you about you. Allow me to teach you how to overcome old ways of behavior, so that you can be set free from the past and move forward with me in the present.”

  • But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13
  • the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:17
  • But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 7:6
  • You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4: 22-24
  • But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. Romans 6:22

 

 

 

a Whisper…be present

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(photo by Basil Thomas–unsplash)

“Old things are passed away, behold everything is new. This is a new year of life in your world. It is also a new year for me, as your Father, to lead you in the ways I have for you to go. I want to teach you about what it means to be present in all aspects and areas of your life.

I am your number One. You call me Father, Lord, and Savior; thus, you have given me a place of priority in your life. I am a jealous God who desires to be your first priority. So, I would ask you, at the start of this new year, to make a priority of discovering what it means to be present with me. Make time each day to experience a connection of love and spiritual intimacy between us. This will ground and empower you to move in sync with my Spirit.

When you and I are synced up, you will be able to be present in other circumstances too. You will be a light through which my love can shine into the hearts of others. You will have what you need to minister to a friend who is hurting, a colleague at work going through a tough time, or even a family member who needs a lot of grace and someone to just love them without expectation. All of these things will require you to be present, really present in your circumstances, so you can give to others what I have given to you.

When you are present, you are not thinking about yourself. You are right smack in the middle of circumstances that require your attention because I have allowed you to be there for such a time. Being present requires you to be ready for me to move over you, in you, and through you. It requires you to trust me and to extend grace to others as opportunities come.

Embrace the challenge of what it means to Be Present in this new year and I will teach you what that looks like for you as we move forward together. It may not always be easy, however, if you will accept this challenge and trust me in your journey, I will help you overcome obstacles that may try to deter you. My plans are always for your good and therein lies your hope.”

  • This is what the Lord says–he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43: 16, 18-19
  • You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16
  • For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24
  • For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…Ephesians 5:8
  • Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
  • Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. Psalms 89:15
  • 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