a Whisper…hold fast to the hope

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(photo by Ricardo Frantz – unsplash)

Hold fast to the hope you have in me. When doubts creep into your mind or trouble knocks at your door, stand firm and be strong for you are not alone. You have the abiding, constant companionship of my Spirit within you. I will equip you to deal with whatever comes your way.

Storms will come and go, but nothing will ever overtake you as you go through them with me. I am your source of strength, the anchor of your hope, and your faithful deliverer. You may trust me to protect you. Find comfort in my love and walk confidently in the truth of my word.

My love encompasses the entirety of your life. It is the only love you will ever experience that is perfect and inescapable. When your eyes are focused on me, you can navigate anything because I am at the helm. Hold fast to the hope you’ve been called to.”

  • “… we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…” Hebrews 6: 17b-20
  • “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5
  • “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
  • “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power though his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3: 16-19

a Whisper…go with me

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(photo by Dave Mungai – unsplash)

“I speak to your heart and minister to your soul in quiet moments. My word is light and truth, it is health and life to your bones. The hope that I have given you in Christ is ever present. It is a constant stream of refreshment and healing.

As you embark upon another year in your journey of faith with me, I ask you to go with me. I ask you to allow me to lead you. I challenge you to trust me in times of blessing and in times of struggle. As you go with me, surrender your heart to me. Be willing to sacrifice yourself for the something greater I want to do in your life.

Keep your eyes firmly fixed upon me as the author of everything good and perfect. You know in your heart that I will always be near to you and your needs will be provided. I will draw close to you as you draw close to me.

My Spirit is in you and upon you to do the things I have planned. Let the light of my love flowing in you be the reflection of my love flowing through you. Allow the power of my Spirit to accomplish His work so that we will grow intimately together as you follow me in the days ahead.

There is nothing that will separate you from my great love or my forgiveness. You are my child. I love you wholly and wish to bless you abundantly. I give you peace and power, strength and grace, so that my purposes produce the fruit of faithfulness in your life. I only ask that you have a willing spirit to go with me.”

  • “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
  • Jesus said, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17: 17, 18
  • “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight…This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3: 5, 6, 8
  • “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
  • “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

a Whisper…I have heard you

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(photo by Grant Ritchie – unsplash)

“Sometimes after you have prayed and as you wait for me to answer, you feel like I am being silent. This doesn’t mean that I have not heard your prayers or that I am not working in the background to answer them. Your flesh craves an immediate response especially when you feel anxious.  Don’t allow your flesh to deceive you into thinking temporary silence means no answer will come. Abide confidently in me and allow me to work.

I ask you to wait upon me, to trust the provision of my Spirit.  Allow me to renew your strength as you wait. Keep your focus upon Me, the One who answers, rather than on the answers you’re waiting for.

Not one prayer is forgotten by me because I am attentive to your voice when you speak. You must be willing to allow me to move according to my timeline and wait patiently, even if the timing seems inconvenient. I am never late, so by faith trust me for the answers. Persevere with me as you continue in prayer and be assured that I have heard you.”

  • “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
  • “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5
  • “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and he heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1
  • “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18
  • “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16,17
  • “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

a Whisper…strength of your heart

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(photo by Alex Martinez-unsplash)

“A new year brings with it new challenges and unlimited opportunities to grow as you go with me through your life’s journey. I do not want you to fear the unknown of what lies ahead for you because I know these things, and I will be with you. I will make a way in every situation because I am your Father and I love you deeply.

You may continue to abide in me knowing that your life is hidden in Christ Jesus with me. I will keep you safe and I will strengthen you when you are weak. This is our journey together and I will not abandon you. Do not allow negative or anxious thoughts to dictate your feelings. Focus on what you know is true…that I am the strength of your heart and your portion forever.

My Spirit draws near to you as you draw near to me, enabling you to abide in peace. You may trust because you know that I am faithful. Embrace me fully, trust me completely, and you will experience my presence ever close to you. My love for you is perfect and it casts away any shadows of doubt and fear that may try to distract you. Allow my love to enfold you, go out in peace and live in my steady supply of joy.  In all things, continue to give me thanks and it will be well with your soul.

Every opportunity this year is a chance for you to see my hand at work in your life. You will have some great moments, and you will have some challenging ones. My desire is that you set your focus upon me, rather than on the things that are happening so that I can show you the way through each growth opportunity. Seek me first and my plans for you will be revealed and accomplished.”

  • “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and say to you, do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
  • “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
  • “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
  • “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
  • “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

 

a Whisper…even to the end

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(photo by Sweet Ice Cream Photography-Unsplash)

“I am trustworthy. I am with you because you are my child. I will bring comfort and encouragement to your soul when you need me. I will bring hope when you are unsure of the way ahead of you. I will give you my peace so that you may rest in me with the assurance that I am with you in the good times, the challenges, and in times of uncertainty. My Spirit is your guide and your strength. I never lead you where I do not go with you.

Abiding in me is the commitment of your spirit to fully trust in me for all that concerns you. Abiding in me is to receive the comfort I have for you no matter what it is you are facing. It enables you to experience me from the inside out. It facilitates joy in your life always.

My love for you is greater than you can comprehend. It is ever faithful, even when you may feel faithless. It is constant even when you may rebel against it. It is the continual nudge of my Spirit upon your mind to get your attention when you may not be listening. It is the prayers of your family and friends who love you.

Your life is good because I bless it. Because I am trustworthy you may embrace the blessings of my presence with you for I will never leave or forsake you. You are mine and I am yours, even to the end.”

  • “Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.” 2 Samuel 7:28
  • “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Psalm 84:11
  • “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10
  • “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
  • “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” Psalm 48:14

a Whisper…my heart…your heart

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photo by Aaron Burden

“Your praises are a fragrant offering to me, they delight my heart and I receive your love through them. They ascend to me like a big hug, transferring your love, honor, and joy through my Spirit. I will bless you for being thankful because it pleases my heart to do so.

I long to satisfy you with good things. The best things are the things of my Spirit which strengthen your inner human heart. They infuse your soul with my grace and they build the bond of love between us. I thrive on the joy of being personally connected to you. I am not a distant Father. I am with you now, right where you are. Open your heart so that we may fellowship together and so that you may see my blessings poured out in your life.

You don’t need to be something that you are not to come into my presence and to receive what I have for you. I love you and accept you as you are. My only desire is for you to open your heart to me, to allow me to come in and have ongoing fellowship with you.

My Spirit is life and health to your bones. My Spirit puts the hope of eternity into your life and fills you with my peace. Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart through Christ Jesus the Lord and Savior of all.”

  • “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:15
  • “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
  • “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20
  • “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3: 7-8
  • “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3: 4-7

a Whisper…arms of love, voice of hope

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(Photo by Zac Durant – unsplash)

“I am near to all who call out to me in faith. I am near to you and to the ones you love and pray for. My blessing is upon you to be an encouragement to others as they walk the paths of life they have been called to.

Allow my Spirit to move in you to touch the hearts of those who may need that extra special blessing from me. You are my arms of love and my voice of hope as you minister to those who are hurting, those who may be facing difficult personal trials. Even as you walk through your own trials, you can focus on helping others because I will take care of you. You may have full confidence in that.

Pray and lift people up to me, intercede for them. Be selfless and think of others first. You can do this because you walk in faith and you know my peace. It is not a hard thing to do, it only takes a willing heart. When you know that your needs are being met in me there is nothing for you to fear.

Jesus gave of himself even when he was weary and in need of rest. He continued ministering to others until the moment “it was finished”, and God received his Spirit. You are called to serve me as he did, to love others no matter what may be going on in your life, and to live confidently because of the assurance I have given you.

As you persevere, remember Jesus who hung on a cross between two criminals. With nail pierced hands and feet, and a crown of thorns upon his head, he ministered to those men beside him. He never stopped pointing others to me. Be my arms of love and voice of hope.”

  • “Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, you if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58: 9-11
  • “Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2: 1-2
  • “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.” Luke 23: 32-33

a Whisper…mover of mountains

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(photo from unsplash.com)

“My great power is continually upon you, not just occasionally or when you feel like you need it. Because it is in you, it is available to you every moment of every day. Your flesh is weak, and it is hard for you to tap into what is unseen, yet I am with you and I have given you my Spirit, which is all you need to experience my power at work in you.

The power I give you is everlasting, it is my sustaining presence which equips you with wisdom in making decisions and guidance in finding my will for your life. It empowers you to execute the things you need to do so you are ready to go where I lead. My power is often found in your weakness. It is also found in your strength and through the gifts I have given you. My power shows up in your ability to love and encourage others. My power is grace in your life, grace you receive, and grace that you give away.

To live righteously before me, you must embrace the power I have given you and allow my Spirit to be the sustaining force of your life. It is through the power of my Spirit at work in you that you will know me intimately, and you will have experiences to share with others so that my love continues to permeate the world around you.

There are those among you who use their power without boundaries to satisfy themselves, with no regard for others. Conversely, my power is tempered by control, compassion, and loving grace. It is also strong and mighty to save. It will move mountains and obstacles that endeavor to thwart my plans and purposes for you.

Open your heart and allow my great power to be the driving force that steers you in the right direction, and that leads you along the road of righteousness. In doing so, you will also be a mover of mountains.”

  • “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10
  • “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” Psalm 77:14
  • “But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life. He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways.” Job 24:22-23
  • One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.” Psalm 62: 11-12
  • “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

a Whisper…work with me

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(photo by Jaleel Akbash – unsplash)

“My Spirit disciplines gently when your heart is humble and turned towards me and as you are willing to seek the revelation of my truth. I give forgiveness when you ask for it. After that, I can help you navigate the consequences of your actions.

There is always hope for you as you submit your will to mine. Take heart, receive my love, and know that I understand the weakness of your flesh. I will guide you and help you to mend fractured fences, so healing may come.

Imperfections and weaknesses will eventually make you stronger as you receive my truth and begin to apply it to your circumstances. Through growth and maturity your faith is strengthened. As you submit to me, you will see and experience the amazing ways that I work in your life.

Your goal should always be to work with me, not against me, so that you will experience the benefits of putting your trust in me. Knowing and living in my truth gives you freedom to live your life in joy, in peace, and with my blessing.”

  • “Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. Deuteronomy 8:5
  • “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” Job 5:17
  • No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

a Whisper…embrace my joy

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(Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger – unsplash)

“Your praise and thanksgiving are a sweet fragrance that ascends heavenward to my presence. I revel in the praises of my children. I inhabit your praise because it builds the bond of intimacy, love, and appreciation between us. There is always a time to be thankful; there is always a time for you to experience great joy in my presence through your praise. It honors me and glorifies my name when you think of me and as you express your heart to me.

Through your actions, your heart is revealed, and I see my Spirit in you. My Spirit builds you up in faith and encourages you daily as we journey together. This is a sweet and precious thing which should always be appreciated and held dear to your heart, as it is to mine. The gift of my presence with you is always a safe place for you to shelter in times of need, a place for you to find rest for your soul, and healing for your body.

I give life to your spirit and put my joy in your heart. Joy that is infectious will reveal my presence to others and can break the chains of unbelief, so they are drawn to me. You are part of that process because you have my joy in your heart.

The power of my joy increases within the trials you face, as you face them with me and when your focus is upon the joy that I have given you, not on the event that you are dealing with. Joy heals, joy enables freedom; my joy gives you peace in every circumstance.

Embrace my joy in your life for it has the power to change your outlook so that your witness to others is not hindered. Let my joy flow through your body and out of your mouth to the praise and testimony of my glory and we will soar upon the heights together as you travel through this life.”

  • “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11
  • “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song, I praise him.” Psalm 28:7
  • “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4
  • “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
  • “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13