Words & Whispers

Words from the Lord during prayer and devotional journaling

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Hello! Welcome to my blog! I have recorded past journal entries from devotional journaling as well as nature and travel photos. It is my aim to pass on the encouragement of the Lord to other sisters in Christ.

    • The wonder of winter: a praise psalm

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      A praise to the Lord:

      I awake in the morning and peek outside. A blanket of snow covers the landscape. Bush, tree and grass topped with white sparkling frosting, glistening in the morning light. I don extra layers and double socks to tromp out in the snow. Circling the yard, I admire holly berries frocked with ice crystals, behold evergreen branches blanketed with snow, and peek at the birds flocking to the bird feeder. Around the corner, more beautiful scenes of green draped in white: puffs of snow atop dried hydrangea blooms, icy coatings on thin, bare branches of the star magnolia and sparkling snow on leathery green magnolia leaves. The clouds part, revealing a brilliant yellow glowing orb through the tree line. A Carolina Wren, perched on a crepe myrtle branch, calls out his unique whistle in the clear crisp air. The beauty of the morning, the sights and sounds resonate in my spirit. Your beauty, like Your mercy, is new every morning. My senses are alive and my spirit offers a silent prayer of thankfulness. The snow is a reminder that Your forgiveness wipes away my sin, that Your love covers all, and that Your holiness is matchless. I praise You, Lord, for the beauty of the earth, Your glory in it and the joy You offer through it.

      Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise.
Psalm 47: 6-7  NIV

      © 2022, Jean Christiansen.  All rights reserved.

    • New Year

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      I hear the Lord say:

      Many people use January 1st to start anew, making new resolutions for the upcoming year. But I have something even better! With Me, each day is a new day, to start afresh, to dream dreams, to grow and learn, to love and laugh. “New mercies every morning” is my heartfelt reminder to you. When you mess up, confess the error and receive My forgiveness. Then start anew, being freed of guilt and shame, bathed in My loving forgiveness and compassion. As you abide with Me, you can reflect on what is helpful and hurtful in your daily routine, including habits and patterns that you may want to change. Sit with Me and talk it over. Let Me guide you to new possibilities and insights without feelings of condemnation or regret. Each day is a new opportunity. Be aware of My presence in all situations. Lean on Me for encouragement, support, and guidance. Amidst the ups and downs of life, I am Your steady Rock and Redeemer.

      The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

      © 2022, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved.

    • Surrender

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      I hear the Lord say:

      You ponder the word ‘surrender.’ One connotation is ‘giving up’ and ‘admitting defeat.’ You picture a defeated, bedraggled soldier waving a white flag. But surrendering to Me, your loving Father is not this kind of action. It is not a matter of a powerful army overcoming a weaker group. Surrender to Me is falling into My loving embrace because you do best in My care. Your attempts to ‘conquer’ life can lead to frustration, depression, and exhaustion. I have a better way. I want to partner with you in life so that you will thrive, not just survive. Being an overcomer is possible with the strength and power of My Word. Consider Me your Commander in Chief, your band of brothers, your best friend, your Comforter and number one cheerleader. I am for you. Surrendering to Me means to partner with Me, trusting Me for the best outcome, standing in faith and assurance that all things work together for good.

      And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

      © 2021, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved.

    • Secure

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      I hear the Lord say:

      Like this Carolina wren secure in the thickets, be secure in your trust in Me. I am the God of the universe! I care for you as a loving Father, an older brother and a dear friend. I have good things in store for you today and tomorrow. As the birds are cared for, given food each day, so much more do I care for you. I care for your well-being in all areas. I am available for your spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health. Keep close to Me, abiding with Me, aligning your thoughts and aspirations to fulfill the desires and dreams I have placed in you. Day by day, moment by moment, look for opportunities to appreciate My loving care and pass it on to others. Marvel at the creation around you; look for divine encounters; seek new insight and revelation regarding the truth of Scripture and your place in My Kingdom. Open your eyes and ears to absorb and reflect My love, compassion, peace and joy. There is more; there is so much more!

      Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:5 ESV

      © 2021, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved.

    • Restorer of All Things

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      I hear the Lord say:

      I am the Restorer of All Things. I take what is broken, bruised and battered, and what you consider beyond repair. In my gentle hands, I repair and restore, bringing life out of what was dead, bringing wholeness out of brokenness. As your Creator God, I create and re-create, offering a divine exchange. I redeem your past. I have nothing but love for you. I use what is weak to show My strength. I make new out of the old. A repairer of the breach, a restorer of the neglected, a redeemer for the lost; this is My grace over your life. Day by day, allow Me to renew your mind through the washing of the Word, covering you with My cleansing blood, restoring you to right relationship and setting your feet on solid ground.

      And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail .And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. Isaiah 58:11-12 ESV

      © 2021, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved.

    • Mender

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      I hear the Lord say:

      I am the heart-mender. I see your pain and loss. I mourn with you. Bring me your sorrow and I will take it and exchange it for joy. You will need to repeat this process until the joy of today blots out the pain of the past. I am with you in the transformation process. Staying in sorrow makes you stagnant and lifeless. Allowing Me to restore and renew will bring you the relief you desire. I am called the Overcomer. You can be called this too! There is joy, love, peace, mercy and kindness waiting for you. As you embrace it, you can then share it with others. Comfort others with the comfort I give you. Picture My healing hands placing a balm on your heart. It quickens your spirit to the supernatural shalom I embody. Breathe in and breathe out. Holy Spirit waves of love wash over you. Washed clean, your mind, body and spirit are renewed.

      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 Cor 1:4 NLT

      © 2021, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved

    • You are enough

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      I hear the Lord say:

      You are enough. You don’t need to be any ‘better’ for Me to love you. I know you seek My approval. You are forgetting that as your Heavenly Father, you are my favorite daughter. All of my daughters are my favorite. Like an earthly father with multiple children, I love you for the uniqueness of you. You may have your mother’s eyes and your father’s nose. You may be tall or short, vivacious or introspective. Your personality, likes and dislikes, talents and gifts, passions and pursuits are special and belong to you alone. I created you to be free to walk in your gifts and talents and to enjoy being you. I want you to love yourself as I love you. Yes, I know that you want to keep growing and learning. That is not exclusive. But enjoy the growing and learning. Don’t let it be a ‘contest’ or a ‘goal’ driven by performance. Your gifts and talents are unfolding like a rose blossom! Walk into the garden with a spring in your step and a smile on your face! Your heavenly Father loves you… and that is enough.

      Know that the Lord is God.
      It is he who made us, and we are his;
      we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 
       Psalm 100:3  NIV

      © 2021, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved