The Power of Hope

These words greet me every morning as I sit down at my desk with my muffin and tea.

I have called you by your NAME. You are MINE.

 I open my visual  journal and write a couple of morning pages, dumping worries and distraction upon the page. Then I open my lined daily journal to prepare to hear from the Lord. I write the date and the weather and perhaps a couple sentences.

During this season of Lent, most of my writing goes in my Isaiah book from She Reads Truth. For more information, see my post here - http://wingsopen.blogspot.com/2017/02/winter-wilderness-whispers.html

Isaiah is not an easy read. I began by approaching Isaiah with the question foremost in my mind these days.

What is the heart of the Father?

Today's reading began in Isaiah 9, a familiar passage of scripture to me.

The first 7 verses stopped me in my tracks.

Having read the darkness and judgement prior, the words took on fresh meaning. Some translations rendered this passage as if it had already happened.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light."

Other translations render the words future tense.

 Holy Spirit whispered to me.

They are both.

Yes, the words are both.

Isaiah stood before the people of Israel speaking the words given to him. Were there those who reached out in faith, receiving the hope God brought from the mouth of his prophet?

Then Jesus fulfilled the words in a physical body, coming to this earth as the long awaited Messiah and our Savior. There were many who believed!

Today in 2017, I sit at my desk, reading and hearing the same words spoken, containing the same power to break oppression and lift heavy burdens from my shoulders, if I will merely believe them.

Are you sitting in gloom and darkness today? Perhaps the weight of our nation leaves you anxious and afraid? Do you carry the burden of sickness, divorce, financial difficulties or something else just as heavy for you?

God's words resound through the centuries!

He used a man, a human prophet to speak them into the earth.

God's words continue to carry the power of hope to break through every darkness. 

In the midst of rebellion and unbelief of Isaiah's day, the Father's heart remained constant Love towards his children.

Beloved of God, behold your Prince of Peace today.

 Reach out to Him, the Mighty God.

He is waiting for a tiny sliver of faith to connect to. Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.

Let faith move your gaze to Jesus today.

Winter Wilderness Whispers

In February, I found myself hibernating to  hear the heart of the Father.

I began the month listening to the audible book by Shawn Bolz, "Translating God." Even though the main subject was the prophetic word, I heard the theme of the Father's heart throughout.

I kept my eyes on my absolute yes list. This meant I went to the gym, although not as much as I would have liked. I made phone calls to friends and reached out to a couple people I hadn't talked to in years. I kept my list posted on my desk as a reminder each morning.

"I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there." Hosea 2:14 NLT

Winter wilderness days. 

This is how I would describe my current season of life.

Do I like the wilderness? Absolutely not!

Nevertheless, I wouldn't change it because the truth is clear. 

Jesus led me here and continues to lead me. 

I hear His voice, through his Word, his words in my spirit, and through my podcasts and books and all the things I love and surround myself with.

As we leave the month of February, I am beginning a new study for Lent on the book of Isaiah. I bought the gorgeous study guide to follow along with She Reads Truth. It's a bit pricey so you can simply download the app and find the same study there for $2.99.

I've never actually had a prayer for Lent or given up anything. On the weekend thoughts kept coming to me to do so. 

You might think about simply clearing space to hear the heart of the Father in the days ahead. Perhaps you are walking through a wilderness and need to hear the whispers of your Savior. Maybe you  are sensing a need for change in your life. Why not think about joining me this Lenten season?  Is God whispering to your heart in any of these areas?

If you like, leave a comment with your email and I will respond.