Author: Nancy Nelson Larson - Whispers from God Blog

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” When your heart is troubled, I am near to you. I am the lifeguard of your heart. Pour out your thoughts to me and I will lead you to the comfort that you’re looking for. As you open your heart to me, you will feel my presence and my Spirit will minister to you as you begin to release your burdens to me.

The way to answers and solutions is always through. You cannot be led where you refuse to go, therefore, open your heart to the truth I want to share with you. I will do it because it is in your best interest; and I am all about what is best for you. Be willing to invest in what is best for yourself.

You pray, you release, and then you trust me to work everything out for good in your life. I have promised to do that for you in my word. I am faithful and I will be faithful to you.”

• I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. Psalms 142:2
• He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4
• When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalms 94:19
• He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Proverbs 2:8
• Jesus said…”I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
• The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. Psalms 37:39
• And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

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“There is no greater love than when you are willing to lay down your life for another. Jesus made a way for you to see this in action. Jesus is your example of complete trust in me, and of loving sacrifice. He took every sin from you and led you directly into my presence through the plan of forgiveness I established. He was obedient to death. His life served a greater purpose and he willingly gave it for you.

All of you must seek to live in obedient trust. You must have faith in my greater purposes and plans just as Jesus did. You must also live in love as he did. For the way of love is the way of grace, forgiveness, and blessing for all.

Trust me, be willing to walk through the unknown with me. Remember that what is unknown to you, is known to me, so you may have confidence and rest assured that I am with you always.”

• There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
• Instead, he (Jesus) gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2: 7,8
• Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. 1 Peter 1:21
• Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:2
• Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

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“Truth comes to you who are constantly searching, learning, and desiring spiritual growth. You cannot be stagnant in issues of faith because my Word is alive. It needs to come alive in you for growth to occur. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and its cutting truth will penetrate your heart and mind, giving you guidance, wisdom, and insight. My Word paves the way of faith for your life.

Challenges are a part of life and they are a part of your growth. You do yourself a great disservice when you are unwilling to learn the truths that come from them. Be willing to set your emotional feelings of anger and frustration aside in order to give yourself the opportunity to grow.

Choosing the way of faith is choosing to live a life that is yielded to me and to the plans that I have established for you. My truth has been deposited in you by my Spirit, but you must have the desire to seek it out and to understand it, so that you can apply it to your life. It is not forced upon you. The pearls of life and wisdom are a precious treasure. They are yours for the asking, because I give them to those of you who love me and who have a longing to understand and live the way of faith.

You have the treasure of Christ buried within your heart. Truth and knowledge are found as you seek me out. The choice of yielding to the power of my Spirit is yours. By choosing me, you choose the way of faith and of wisdom where you will find joy and blessing, and all that you are looking for to satisfy your soul.”

• Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.  Galatians 3:23
• For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12
• Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 45:28
• The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death. Proverbs 12:28
• “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!” Matthew 13: 45, 46
• You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. Acts 2:28
• The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18

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“If you find yourself in the middle of trying circumstances, stop and remember that I am your Father, you may call out to me and I will hear you. I will minister to you as you unload your burdens and place them in my hands. Once you have done that, I can begin to go to work in your heart and in the situation that is troubling you. You must make up your mind to let go and trust me to help you.

My child, don’t hold on to things that you cannot control or you will bury yourself in a mess of emotions that toss you to and fro as the thrashing waves of a stormy sea. You do not have to live in a constant state of frustration that could infect other areas of your life as well.

Where I am there is freedom and I can bring peace to the storms of your life. By living in me you don’t have to live in bondage to your circumstances. I have the power to deliver you and to set you free. It is only satan, the thief and enemy of your soul, who desires to rob your life of freedom and blessing. His attacks keep you constantly battling the thoughts of your mind. He came to kill, steal, and destroy you, but you don’t belong to him. You are mine and you are precious to me.

As you unload your burdens by giving them to me, the weight is removed off your shoulders. I am strong enough to carry them for you. You must allow faith to complete its work in you by trusting me. This is where you will grow because then I am able to give you perspective and wisdom as you move through the process. Your focus will become less on the problem and more upon me and what I desire to teach you. What you learn will make you stronger and better equipped to meet future challenges.

The only way to live in freedom is to let go of your burdens. This doesn’t mean that you will escape the tasks that lead to healing, reconciliation, or the outcomes that you seek. It simply means that you don’t have to carry the burden on your own. Cast all of your cares upon me because I care for you.”

• Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalms 55:22
• Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
• If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. James 1: 5, 6
• Jesus said…The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10
• Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

Whisper Replay – originally posted on 10-25-2018:  a Whisper…& a prayer

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“I am the one who loves you most. As you bring everything to me your trust grows and our relationship deepens. I will always make a way for you and you will see me clearly. My Spirit does not hide from you. I will speak to your heart and I will heal.  You will be encouraged and strengthened. I will do what no other can do for you.

You have been given a brain and the ability to figure things out on your own, yet you can still bring everything to me. Do this and experience my companionship as I provide for you along the way. It is never the end of the day with me. Our journey together is fluid and stirred by the ongoing love and longing that I have for fellowship with you.

I am Spirit and I am Truth.  I am Holy, and I am your God. Fellowship with you delights my Spirit. Receive me, invite me into your daily life so I can be your source in all things.”

• “You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.” Psalms 119:114
• “But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive!” Psalms 54:4
• “And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.” 1 John 5:20

…and a Prayer…

Father, you are genuine and pure love.  I invite you into my day. I desire for my journey with you to be constant and real, not just when there is great need or even great happiness, but in the ordinary moments of every day so that I can have an extraordinary life with you.

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“I am fully aware of all the relational experiences that you have had or will have in your life’s journey. You have experienced moments of extreme blessings that come from rich relationships that have endured and grown through the years. There have also been times where relationships have brought you deep hurt and pain.

My son, Jesus understood what it was like to be betrayed and hurt by someone he called a friend. Judas Iscariot, one of his twelve disciples, took money from the priests and temple guard to help them have Jesus arrested. Judas attempted to betray him with a kiss!

For every moment of hurt or pain that you have had to experience because of a difficult relationship, my heart has hurt for you. I take no pleasure when my children suffer. However, your pain is not the end of the story. It is an opportunity for you to draw near to me, to learn from me, and to receive from me what you need to get through.

When you have given the best of yourself in friendship, have been rejected, and you struggle to understand, look to me. I will show you truth, about you, and about how you should respond to the circumstances. You may never know the truth about the other person, but I will give you the perspective you need to move forward. In time, I will heal and restore you; even if reconciliation with your friend never happens. Just as you trust me to work in your life, you must also trust me to take care of them.

For some, the journey to true friendship appears to be easy. You have searched your whole life for a friend who accepts you, one you can trust and confide in; one who will not judge your weakness or take advantage of your strengths; one who will support, encourage, and be there to stand with you through the ups and downs of life. Those kinds of people are very hard to come by because anytime humans are involved, no relationship will be perfect. You will always be capable of hurting one another because your flesh and your condition will get in the way.

The only perfect friend you will ever find is me. I will stick closer to you than a brother or a sister, a husband or a wife, or any other human who is part of your life. Perhaps, once you finally get to the place where you accept me as that friend, you will actually be ready to receive the friendship of a person who isn’t perfect, but who will strive to love and accept you, and desire to be the same kind of friend to you that you want to be to them.”

• Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me. Psalms 41:9
• Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Proverbs 20:6
• (Jesus said), “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me.” Luke 22:11
• But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22: 47, 48
• There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
• As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17
• Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9
• There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
• The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. Psalms 25:14

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“Things will happen to you in this life that aren’t easily understood. You will wonder why they occurred and for what purpose. You will not always know what to do or how to respond. But I tell you, every obstacle that comes across your path can become a victory in your life if you are willing to walk through it with me.

Good can come from every situation no matter what it is, and perhaps even to benefit someone else, because others will see and watch how you handle what you’re going through. How you navigate the challenging waters of strife becomes part of your story and testimony to others. Trials always serve a greater purpose in your life when you choose to trust me.

In the midst of a problem, it can be hard to remember how much I love you because your focus is on the problem itself. Your emotions are tied to your issues rather than to me. Yet, I challenge you to remember that I do love you and I am with you in difficult times. You may completely rely upon my plans for you as you go through them.

To rise above the weakness of your flesh, you must enter the realm of my Spirit through prayer and the counsel of my word. I will provide strength, wisdom, encouragement, and endurance so you will have all you need to make it through. I assure you that what the enemy intends for evil, I will use for good.

I am with you as I was with Jesus when he hung upon a cross with nails in his hands and feet, and a crown of thorns upon his head. His suffering was not in vain. His suffering gave you a great gift, a precious treasure. It gave you my redemption, a salvation that you did not earn or pay for. Jesus sacrificed his life and endured his pain so that my greater purpose for him would be achieved for you.

When you go through pain and suffering of any kind, remember that as I was with my Son, I am with you. You have our strength in you through the power of the Holy Spirit. You will see victory and you will overcome because you are mine and I love you as I love Jesus.

There will always be more to the story of your trial than the circumstances surrounding it will tell. A greater purpose is waiting to be revealed as you trust me to lead you through to the end of the story.”

• We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Romans 5:3
• For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1: 3,4
• Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12
• God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
• So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 1 Peter 1:6
• (Jesus said) “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33
• No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37

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“Come away to a solitary place with me and I will hear your most intimate prayers and receive your thankfulness with great delight. I revel in the unity of fellowship with you. During these times, I give light to your eyes and clarity to your heart as you seek me.

Prayer is the place where our connection is established and firmly grounded. It is a time for you to walk away from all the normal aspects of your daily routine and into a special time and place with me. You choose the place and I will always meet you there. Look for a peaceful place where you are free to open your heart, mind and thoughts to me. I listen to you; your voice is important because you and all that concerns you matters to me.

Jesus made a habit of pulling away from crowds and going to quiet places to pray. He understood the importance of communing with me. Prayer makes it possible for me to infuse you with faith, strength, understanding and encouragement, so that you can move forward; not in your own power, but in mine.

My faithfulness will always meet your commitment and you will experience the same joy that I receive as you make time with me a priority in your life. You show me how much you love me when you make the time to come away to a solitary place with me.”

• But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6
• Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
• Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
• 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

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“My word has been given to strengthen your heart and to encourage you. I am found as you apply yourself to knowing me through my word. The moment you invited Jesus into your heart, my Spirit was placed in you to be your teacher and guide, so that you may learn the ways of wisdom and have the power and resources needed to live your best life.

My word is faithful because I am faithful to keep my word. It divides truth from lies and it tears down barriers. It provides knowledge and direction. My faithfulness has been established in the heavens and on the earth; I do not change like shifting shadows. I am righteous in all my ways. Knowing my word and keeping it hidden in your heart gives you confidence and provides security as you follow the righteous path.

I desire a deeply personal relationship with you so your eyes can be opened to understanding my word and the way my Spirit speaks to you. I give balance and surety to things you are learning, as well as to those things which you already know and understand. My Spirit leads you into a deeper, more intimate, relational journey with me.

I am God, Holy, Pure, Righteous, and True. I seek relationship with you every day and desire for you to know my word so you may live in truth, wisdom, hope, peace, joy, and confidence throughout your life. Jesus paved the way for you to know me and He secured your home with me in heaven. Your biggest challenge is to accept what has been given to you; to keep my word, embracing it with your whole heart, so that you can live the exciting, blessed life I desire to give you.”

• For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and the attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
• My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2: 1-5
• Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
• Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5
• All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. John 16:15
• Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
• For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3: 34 – 36.

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“Through tender words of sincere praise and thanksgiving, my heart connects with yours. Your spirit is at peace because you trust and receive my love. My Spirit never departs from those of you who love me, even in times when you may not be aware of it. I will always keep you safe within the boundaries of my love, for you are precious to me.

You are unique and special. There is no one else like you and I have given you the ability to grow in areas you are naturally inclined to. As I give you good gifts, you should develop and cultivate them so that you will be ready to use them as opportunities come along. Your gifts will bless others and I will be honored when you use them for my glory. Be confident and know that I have made you capable of accomplishing good things in this life.

Ours is a partnership formed by faith. As you step out in faith to seek and to learn, I will give you direction and guidance. My purposes will become your goals and I will fulfill the plans I have had for you from the beginning. You will reap the rewards of faithfulness; your heart will be strong and steady as you follow the leading and prompting of my Spirit at work within you.

By determining in your mind that you are going to follow me with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, you will live a life filled with peace.  My peace will be upon you even when the way is not always easy. You will rest in the security and boundaries of my love because you trust me. You will know, without a single doubt, that I am for you and I am with you always.”

• The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:6 
• For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
• We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith, if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach, if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12: 6-8
• And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6
• Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
• …but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. Psalm 89:33