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.

    • Rest

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      I hear the Lord say:

      Rest is on your mind. It is an area that is often overlooked or under appreciated. The demands of work life and family life can be overwhelming. It is easy to overbook, over-plan, over-commit. Then you are down for the count! Let Me help you structure your day so balance can be restored. Look to Me for wisdom and order. My Holy Spirit is a counselor and guide. Let Him give you new thoughts and ideas to order your steps. Joy will return when you balance work and rest. Resting can be active, like a walk outdoors, or passive, like reading a book or taking a nap. Give yourself permission to care for yourself. It is not selfish. It is self-care. I invite you to swing in a heavenly hammock. Put your feet up, gaze at the sky, appreciate moments of joy, tell a joke, call a friend, dream…. Abide with Me; enjoy each new day, I am walking beside you.

      Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV

      © 2022, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved

    • Wonder: a praise poem

      A praise poem:

      Lord, oh Lord, how wonderful is Your name! Your creation shouts with praise and glory! From the tiny acorn to the tall oak tree, from the babbling brook to the roaring ocean, from a sandy beach to a towering mountain range, all point to Your marvelous Hand. I thank you, Lord, for the glory of the earth and sky, for the beauty of sunrise and sunset, for the colorful seasons and abundant harvest. For plants that give us luscious food and nourishment. Thank you, Lord, for bringing joy and wonder to me as I gaze on the beauty of the earth you created. You are worthy of all my praise. As my creator God, You also show Your love and kindness to me each day. You understand my feelings, the desires of my heart; You hear my prayers and shower me with blessings. Lord, oh Lord, how wonderful You are!

      Psalm 100

      Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness;
          come before him with joyful songs.
       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.

       Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
          give thanks to him and praise his name.
      For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
          his faithfulness continues through all generations.

      © 2022, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved.

    • Light

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      I hear the Lord say:

      I am the Light of Life. My light dispels all darkness. There is no shadow left under the illumination of My divine light. This light is truth. This light is strength. This light is love. My light becomes your light. Let your light so shine. Let your communion with Me increase your light input and light output. Like a candle in the dark, your light will be a beacon to those hurting and searching. This light has an eternal power source. It never runs dry. It never dims or wavers. My divine light will ignite a spark to a flame and a flame to a roaring fire. My light gives off waves of love, peace, joy, mercy and kindness. Bask in its warmth and gentleness.

      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 NIV

      The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 NIV

      Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV

      In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV

      © 2022, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved.

    • Forgiveness

      Photo by Jean Christiansen

      I hear the Lord say:

      Forgiving others for past hurts and forgiving yourself is a daunting task for every person. This is why I let Jesus show you the way. His teachings and example of forgiveness on the cross were the ultimate demonstrations. Abiding in Me is the only way to truly give and receive forgiveness. As you surrender to Me, accept My path of kindness, My tender-heartedness and My divine forgiveness, you are freed from the grip of sin and death. You are being transformed into My likeness. We walk together. When you fall down, I will pick you back up, dust off your knees, and steady your feet. Keep in tune with Me. New mindsets and thought patterns take time. I am patient and forbearing. Rejoice that I abide in you and you in Me. Today, take the next step in our journey together.

       Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV

      © 2022, Jean Christiansen. All rights reserved

    • 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.