Hope Speaks E-Book

Traci Fiaretti

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Seitenzahl: 441

Beschreibung

Open your heart to hear God's voice. God's mercy is new each morning and gives us a fresh opportunity to find rest and stillness in his presence. Hope Speaks, a 365-day devotional, will stir your hunger to hear God's voice and experience a deeper, more intimate relationship with him. Written from the perspective of God, each day includes - an encouraging devotion, - a related Scripture, and - a heartening prayer.Meditate on God's love as he rescues, redeems, and restores your heart, breathing hope into each day. 

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC

Savage, Minnesota, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

Hope Speaks: God’s Voice in the Still of the Morning

Copyright © 2023 Traci Fiaretti

9781424566167 (faux)

9781424566174 (ebook)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Stock or custom editions of BroadStreet Publishing titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, ministry, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email [email protected].

Cover art adapted from an original work by Margaret Wolfe.

Cover and interior by Garborg Design Works | garborgdesign.com

Printed in China

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To my precious family, the generations past, present, and future, who unwittingly encouraged this devotional.

Gosh, I love these people and their beautifully individualistic pursuits of God. I’m so proud of them.

Contents

Introduction

January

January 1: Give Me a Drink

January 2: Tell Me Everything

January 3: More Than a Peek

January 4: Red-Wrapped Thread

January 5: You Have My Permission

January 6: In the Stillness

January 7: Take My Victory

January 8: Every Question Answered

January 9: Eyes on Me, Child

January 10: Who I Am

January 11: At Home in Your Heart

January 12: The Secret Place

January 13: Get Excited

January 14: I Share Your Pain

January 15: Dream My Dreams

January 16: Heaven Defends You

January 17: Beautifully Open

January 18: Love Paves the Way

January 19: I Am Here

January 20: My Book

January 21: Rest in Me

January 22: Miracles of Hope

January 23: Lifelong Hope

January 24: My Whimsical Child

January 25: Where Your Treasure Is

January 26: Adventure with Me

January 27: I Am with You

January 28: Times and Seasons

January 29: Beautiful Humility

January 30: The Potter’s Wheel

January 31: Death Defeated

February

February 1: Look Up

February 2: Get Ready

February 3: Kiss Fear Goodbye

February 4: Each and Every One

February 5: Stand in Authority

February 6: Spirit Eyes

February 7: Everything Restored

February 8: Your Father’s Love

February 9: Open Your Hands

February 10: Freedom in My Love

February 11: Everlasting Love

February 12: Wait with Excitement

February 13: Your Generations Are Mine

February 14: My Angels

February 15: Sing to Me

February 16: You Are Mine

February 17: Take What’s Mine

February 18: My Voice

February 19: I Am Changing You

February 20: I Am Your Source

February 21: Merge into Me

February 22: Fire and Love

February 23: I Am Wild

February 24: I Accept You Completely

February 25: Talk to Me

February 26: The Eternal Story

February 27: Take the Next Step

February 28: My Gift to You

February 29: Your Gift to Me

March

March 1: Feed My Sheep

March 2: See My Glory

March 3: In the Light

March 4: Buzzing with Life

March 5: I Love You More

March 6: Long Ago, in Eternity Past

March 7: I See You

March 8: I Hold You

March 9: Walk with Me

March 10: A Time to Receive

March 11: I’ve Got This

March 12: Relationship

March 13: Restoration

March 14: Keep on Walking

March 15: Run with Me

March 16: Grace

March 17: Believe in Me

March 18: Two Gardens

March 19: Crucified with Me

March 20: My Prize

March 21: My Chosen One

March 22: The God of Always

March 23: Search Your Heart

March 24: Rolled Away

March 25: My Love, Your Love

March 26: Listen to Me

March 27: Splash and Play

March 28: I Father You

March 29: The Dance

March 30: Take My Hand

March 31: Safe and Sound

April

April 1: I Am the Answer

April 2: I Carry You

April 3: Go and Tell

April 4: My Love Covers You

April 5: Overthinking Is Overrated

April 6: I Am the Author

April 7: My Favored One

April 8: Always

April 9: Stand Firm in Me

April 10: I Never Disappoint

April 11: Don’t Underestimate Me

April 12: Lean into Me

April 13: Breathe Me In

April 14: I Refresh You

April 15: Always Here

April 16: More than You Know

April 17: The Fragrance of Mercy

April 18: Learning to Love

April 19: You Are Poetry

April 20: My Love Envelops You

April 21: You Delight Me

April 22: I Am Extraordinary

April 23: Dream Giver

April 24: The New Has Come

April 25: Transformation Time

April 26: Let Me Lead

April 27: Look Deeper

April 28: More than Skin Deep

April 29: I Hold You Close

April 30: My Jewel

May

May 1: Lavished

May 2: Impact

May 3: The Unseen War

May 4: I Honor You

May 5: Try to Imagine

May 6: The Sacred Shelter

May 7: Overflow

May 8: Supernatural Footsteps

May 9: The Beauty of Our Time

May 10: Intimately Individual

May 11: I Will Not Delay

May 12: A Piece of Me

May 13: I Will Not Relent

May 14: You Wear My Crown

May 15: Every Good Thing

May 16: The Important Part

May 17: I See Faith

May 18: I See Hope

May 19: Persistence

May 20: Listen to My Silence

May 21: Love Sings

May 22: Emmanuel

May 23: Don’t Worry

May 24: Receive My Love

May 25: Heaven’s Reality

May 26: Beyond Imagination

May 27: Only Love

May 28: All to Me

May 29: Engage with Me

May 30: Your Heart’s Eyes

May 31: Selah

June

June 1: Let Yourself Laugh

June 2: I Write Love Songs

June 3: Over the Moon

June 4: Believe Me

June 5: I Am God

June 6: I Am Gentle

June 7: Better than That

June 8: The Beloved Exchange

June 9: Explore My Glory

June 10: Renew Your Mind

June 11: The Promise of My Presence

June 12: No Fear

June 13: My Ladder of Love

June 14: Come to My Side

June 15: Imagine with Me

June 16: I Am King

June 17: Explore Even More

June 18: Eyes Like a Dove

June 19: Lovesick

June 20: Your Healing

June 21: Ransomed

June 22: The Chase

June 23: Father

June 24: The Rhythm of Living

June 25: Choose

June 26: Up, Up, Up

June 27: The Least of These

June 28: Joy in My Presence

June 29: Paid in Full

June 30: Unchanging Love

July

July 1: Slow to a Stop

July 2: Like a Little One

July 3: Release Yourself to Me

July 4: At the Altar

July 5: Stay in Awe

July 6: The Story of Love

July 7: Heaven’s Economy

July 8: Branded by My Love

July 9: Be Yourself

July 10: My Kingdom

July 11: Run, Don’t Walk

July 12: My Wind

July 13: I Am Your Treasure

July 14: I Am Your Destination

July 15: Nothing Is Wasted

July 16: The Gift

July 17: Let Go

July 18: Ears to Hear

July 19: Eyes to See

July 20: A Heart to Understand

July 21: The Beauty of Repentance

July 22: It’s Called Faith

July 23: Listen and Learn

July 24: Undone by Love

July 25: Pure Joy

July 26: The Newness of You

July 27: Listen for Love

July 28: More of Me

July 29: Voices

July 30: Communion

July 31: Legacy

August

August 1: Truth versus Lies

August 2: Pulled into Purpose

August 3: I Am Pleased

August 4: See Me Rightly

August 5: You Magnify My Glory

August 6: Dance with Me

August 7: Cleft of the Rock

August 8: Covenant

August 9: Unlock My Heart

August 10: In the Garden

August 11: Royal Lineage

August 12: Laugh with Me

August 13: I Am Answering

August 14: Perfect Weakness

August 15: I Hold All Things

August 16: Blessed

August 17: True Love

August 18: So Big

August 19: Your Heavenly Imagination

August 20: Steadfast

August 21: In This Moment

August 22: Broken Pieces

August 23: I Am Love

August 24: Take the Key

August 25: The Sacrifice of Praise

August 26: I Fill Your Heart

August 27: Innocence

August 28: You Are My Desire

August 29: Privileged Eyes

August 30: No Other

August 31: I Rescue You

September

September 1: Offense

September 2: Breath of Heaven

September 3: Today

September 4: He Pays Attention

September 5: My Dwelling Place

September 6: Guideposts for Your Path

September 7: Just Ask

September 8: Protected

September 9: Faith Whispers

September 10: My Eternal Well

September 11: Calm and Confident

September 12: Remember

September 13: Fresh, New Surrender

September 14: The Curtain

September 15: My Rainbow

September 16: Bigger

September 17: Attention and Expectation

September 18: Make the Trade

September 19: Perfect Love

September 20: Pure Worship

September 21: The Eternal Works of Love

September 22: I’ll Give It All

September 23: Messengers of Fire

September 24: Unconventional

September 25: Ask, Seek, Knock

September 26: I Will Remind You

September 27: The Sweetest Fruit

September 28: Eternity

September 29: Abide

September 30: My Beloved Child

October

October 1: I Am the Same

October 2: Nothing Is Impossible

October 3: I Hold Them All

October 4: Transforming Presence

October 5: My Sacrifice

October 6: Deep Waters

October 7: Enjoy My Love

October 8: Be Encouraged

October 9: A Step toward Intimacy

October 10: Filled and Overflowing

October 11: Remain

October 12: The Breath of My Presence

October 13: Everything

October 14: Alignment

October 15: Your Focus

October 16: Anticipation

October 17: Live in Harmony

October 18: Come Freely, Come Boldly

October 19: Move Closer

October 20: This Is My Son

October 21: Broken Forever

October 22: My Heart Poured Out

October 23: Trust and Receive

October 24: Shalom

October 25: Give and Receive

October 26: In the Morning Mist

October 27: This Is Life

October 28: Walk on Water

October 29: Kinsman-Redeemer

October 30: Your Great Reward

October 31: My Heartbeat

November

November 1: Ever Present and Abounding

November 2: Glorious Treasure

November 3: Wise Counsel

November 4: Invaluable

November 5: Come to Me

November 6: I Reign

November 7: Remember the Beloved

November 8: Not What You Think

November 9: Brilliant Beauty

November 10: Destiny

November 11: Anointed Imagination

November 12: Reflections of Glory

November 13: Released

November 14: I Choose You

November 15: Undignified and Unbound

November 16: Spirit-Wind

November 17: The Hands of Time

November 18: It Is Finished

November 19: Calm Your Fear

November 20: Hope in My Love

November 21: Heavenly Treasures

November 22: Let Me Be Your Distraction

November 23: Shout It Out

November 24: Believe in Miracles

November 25: Open Your Heart

November 26: Let’s Talk about It

November 27: Always Together

November 28: Today’s Worries

November 29: The Journey Past

November 30: Your Voice

December

December 1: No One, Nowhere

December 2: Let There Be…

December 3: I’ll Bring My Focus

December 4: You Are Fierce

December 5: I Will Lead You

December 6: My True Nature

December 7: You Are the Joy of My Heart

December 8: Captivated Thoughts

December 9: Cling to Me

December 10: Where I Am

December 11: Receive My Truth

December 12: Create

December 13: Receive Me like a Child

December 14: Rollercoaster Love

December 15: Vulnerability

December 16: I Understand

December 17: It Begins at Home

December 18: Friends and Foes Alike

December 19: I Faced Death

December 20: Victory over the Grave

December 21: Trade In Your Sorrows

December 22: Tell the Story

December 23: Beautiful Truth

December 24: Prince of Peace

December 25: A Messy Yes

December 26: The Grand Rescue

December 27: More Than a Conqueror

December 28: Sunny Days

December 29: I Rest upon You

December 30: My Tender Love

December 31: My Good Pleasure

Special Thanks

About the Author

Introduction

God’s new mercy each morning gives us a fresh opportunity to usher in rest and stillness in his presence. The grace of Jesus offers a clean slate to listen for his still, small voice to receive encouragement and affirmation.

I have heard his voice, like many rushing waters, during times of stillness in adoration before his throne. I want you to hear him too. Use the words on these pages as a springboard to open the way for more and more of him. Let him melt your heart.

January

JANUARY 1

Give Me a Drink

This morning, before you let the world in, before you let it touch you with all its pushes and pulls, before you pick up your list, before anything or anyone else gets your attention, will you come to the well? Will you drink of my life-giving waters? When you are satisfied in me, will you, in turn, give me a drink? Will you refresh me? Not from the well in the backyard or the drinking fountain in the hallway, but will you give me a drink from the rivers of living water flowing from within you?

Give me a drink from the well that is springing up to eternal life. Let my well spring up in your soul and then do something unusual with it. Bring the overflow back to refresh me, and I will multiply your gift back to you again and again. Take that overflow and use it to refresh others because whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do it for me.

Jesus replied, “If you only knew who I am and the gift that God wants to give you, you’d ask me for a drink, and I would give you living water.”

JOHN 4:10

Lord Jesus, thank you for your intimacy toward me. Today, I will look into your eyes and see you in everyone around me.

JANUARY 2

Tell Me Everything

You don’t have to hide your feelings from me. I am strong enough to receive your frustration and honesty. I don’t receive these painful emotions from you begrudgingly. I love you. It’s refreshing to hear the truth as your heart opens to me. I love to hear the unfiltered concerns of your heart. It is then that I swoop in to rescue, redeem, and restore.

Yes, I already know every inch of your heart. It’s up to you to break the silence and invite in the light. I’m not looking for your polished best. I want the real you. I love the real you. Come to me with honesty. Come to me with your worries and frustrations. Appropriate my Word. That’s when I rise up to comfort your fears and change what’s causing them. I am your loving Father, your Shepherd, and I won’t fail you. My answer may not always look like you think it should, but trust my hand. It will be beautiful.

He stooped down to lift me out of danger from the desolate pit I was in, out of the muddy mess I had fallen into. Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.

PSALM 40:2

Father God, I will whisper my heart’s cries into your compassionate ear as we walk together today.

JANUARY 3

More Than a Peek

I will guide you. As you look for me, you will find me. Yes, rise earlier each morning. Yes, spend even more moments before the dawn in the secret place. Yes, discipline yourself. Make the most of your time, for the days are evil. These beautiful, learned qualities will renew your schedule and your mind. These learned disciplines will bring you near to my heart every single day. But it’s your heart and not your disciplines that most enamored me.

Let’s stay here together in the quiet, in the stillness just before dawn. Lean in close. Let me whisper my secrets into your ear and straight to your heart. Feel my breath on your ear, sweet child. Yesterday’s work is complete, and today’s has not yet begun. Look at me. Gaze right into my eyes. You are mine in intimacy. Will you come into the quiet with me? Many will come. Few will truly look, and few will truly see me. Will you come?

Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.

PSALM 23:4

Poppa, I will open my spirit to allow you to change me from the inside out.

JANUARY 4

Red-Wrapped Thread

Hold tight to my promises. My blood speaks a better word. My blood is woven into every fiber of your life—your words, your voice, your sound. You need only to invite me in. It creates perfect harmony. It’s mingled with royalty and purity. It cost me everything to give, yet no gift is too extravagant for you, my love.

Trust me to speak what you need to know. Let me shield you from what you can’t receive right now. Will you still yourself to listen? I am with you always; to the ends of the earth I am with you. My Word is a weapon. It is a lamp to your feet and a light for your path.

By the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself—back to its original intent, restored to innocence again! Even though you were once distant from him, living in the shadows of your evil thoughts and actions, he reconnected you back to himself. He released his supernatural peace to you through the sacrifice of his own body as the sin-payment on your behalf so that you would dwell in his presence. And now there is nothing between you and Father God, for he sees you as holy, flawless, and restored.

COLOSSIANS 1:20–22

Jesus, thank you for your costly sacrifice on my behalf.

I do not take your love for me lightly.

JANUARY 5

You Have My Permission

Move into the day with my permission, my child. Remember that my authority and purpose are on you. Remember that it’s a big deal. This is the confidence that you have in Christ. Ask, seek, knock! I am every answer you will ever need. You are my child. My authority is with you, giving you a passport. I have given you my “yes and amen” and my blessing. My approval is with you because I am with you. I will never leave you.

You hear my voice so much more than you even realize, child. Stop and breathe. Realize that, in fact, you even recognize the still, small promptings of my voice. The harmonies and melodies of my song reach your heart because you’ve asked, and I’ve said yes. Come even closer to experience the reality of my many voices. My multicolored, multitone words, like many rushing waters. Receive them deeply, and they will establish my love so deeply in your heart that nothing in this universe will shake love’s foundation.

I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east.

His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.

EZEKIEL 43:2 NIV

Abba, today I will listen for your loving direction. I will not stand paralyzed by fear. I will move in you.

JANUARY 6

In the Stillness

Be still and know that I am God. Sit with me for hours, not just for minutes. Sit with me for days, not just hours. Set your heart apart to hear my voice in ribbons, not in pieces, not in scraps, but in volumes. Keep your eyes on me; set your heart on things above, not on earthly things. You know me so well that you can recognize a counterfeit.

Think of how far you’ve come. Think of where I found you. Think of the journey so far—remember. Take the time today to remember your walk and my love. Remember that you have been bought with a price. Remember that no one can snatch you from the palm of my hand. I am with you always; even to the ends of the earth I am with you. I am smiling over you. You are my great reward. Let me repeat myself, for I think you can never hear it enough. You are my great reward. Will you come and sit awhile with me?

God is forever faithful and can be trusted to do this in you, for he has invited you to co-share the life of his Son, Jesus, the Anointed One, our King!

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9

God of heaven and earth, I choose to worship you today.

I will meditate on your love. I will savor the passion of your gift. I will come. I will rest here with you.

JANUARY 7

Take My Victory

Precious one, do not imagine me bruised and broken. I am completely healed, every wound, every nail-pierced place, every mark, and scar. I am alive. I am risen. I have ascended, and I am glorified. I have conquered death! I am seated in heavenly places, and you are seated here with me. As I am completely healed, my healing is available to you.

You are entangled with me, and I am with you. I hold the keys. I have the power and the authority over your destiny. I am the Way. The pathway is within me. When you allow me to live within you, you also have my access key. Like the woven cords at the edge of a prayer shawl, power will go out to you and through you. Don’t lose sight of my smile because, as you go out from this place, everyone you touch will be changed by my victory. It starts right here, in the secret place, between you and me. Come and receive.

Jesus replied, “Yes, but I felt power surge through me. Someone touched me to be healed, and they received their healing.”

LUKE 8:46

Jesus, you are with me. I will honor your presence today. I will focus on your love, and I will see your smile with the eyes of my heart.

JANUARY 8

Every Question Answered

Precious one, I know that you have many questions. Some questions you have been brave enough to ask, and some you have not. I know all the questions you hold inside, and I am filled with love to talk straight to those places in you where fear still has a foothold. I will show you the answers to the things that make you question. I will show you truth regarding the thoughts that trouble you. I will give you the answers. I will show you the hidden treasure.

Will you open your eyes to see? Will you open your ears to hear me? Will you open the door when I knock? Will you open your heart to understand? I am entwined with you, and I have gained access for you. Because I hold the keys, you also hold the keys. Here with me in the secret place of your heart where we meet is the perfect place for your understanding to be opened. Soon there will be a complete paradigm shift as you realize with your whole heart, mind, and strength that I am the answer. I am your safe place. I am love.

“I will place upon his shoulders the key to the treasures of David’s palace. He will open doors that no one can shut, and he will shut doors that no one can open.”

ISAIAH 22:22

Abba, I can’t help but worship you today for your alwaysness. Would you come and invade my humanity?

JANUARY 9

Eyes on Me, Child

Do you really believe that I am pleased with you? Do you really believe that I am smiling over you, not just watching over you from a distance? Do you see me holding you in the palm of my hand? Do you see me protecting you? Do you see me routing angels to your deliverance? Do you see me knowing you? I understand your anguish. I know your concern. Do you see the depths of my love? Do you see me?

I see you, precious one. I am overwhelmed with the beauty of your “yes,” the beauty of your heart’s intention. I will show you that this is my way. Walk in it. You won’t miss it. I am setting everything up for your victory. I am not far away. My voice is not far off. My voice is right here, day by day, step by step. My light will shine on your path, and you will take another step with me, through me, and never without me. You will never walk alone.

Even though the Lord may allow you to go through a season of hardship and difficulty, he himself will be there with you. He will not hide himself from you, for your eyes will constantly see him as your Teacher.

ISAIAH 30:20

Thank you, Jesus, for always walking with me. Thank you for your victory.

JANUARY 10

Who I Am

Remember who I am. I am good. I am God. You are mine, and I am yours. Remember I will never leave you. Wait with me in this place for just a moment longer. I am slowing your clock and resetting all your alarms. I am putting a stop to the deadlines set in stone and giving you the space your spirit needs to unite with me in this quiet time you’ve dedicated to me. I am smiling. I am love. I am yours. You are mine.

I am not cryptic. See yourself rising above because you’re standing on the palm of my hand. I am lifting you even higher with each passing day. I am filling you more with each passing hour. I am holding you closer and closer because you are allowing me access to the places you have in past times. You are my love story. You are my love song. You are my love.

You stand in victory above the rest, stately and secure as you share with me your vineyard of love. Now I decree, I will ascend my palm tree. I will take hold of you with my power, possessing every part of my fruitful bride. Your love I will drink as wine, and your words will be mine.

SONG OF SONGS 7:7–8

Abba God, today, I will remember.

JANUARY 11

At Home in Your Heart

I have created you in my image. I say over you, “You are very good.” My Spirit is at home in your heart. My presence is transforming you every day. Thank you for loving my Word. Thank you for admiring people who feast on my Word and are filled up with my Spirit. Let them stir you to jealousy.

You are right here with me. I am right here with you, in this moment, in this place. You are simultaneously seated in heavenly places while walking your earthly path. Selah. My eyes of love are on you, and you are beautiful. My eyes of fire are on you, and you are holy.

Walking among the lampstands, I saw someone like a son of man, wearing a full-length robe with a golden sash over his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool—white as glistening snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire! His feet were gleaming like bright metal, as though they were glowing in a fire, and his voice was like the roar of many rushing waters.

REVELATION 1:13–15

Poppa God, I will choose to see you today. And to see myself there with you.

JANUARY 12

The Secret Place

Meet me here each day in this secret place that we’ve created together in relationship. This time and atmosphere are all that matter. It’s quiet, and we are together. We are alone. No one is watching, and there are no reputations to keep in this place. You can even become undignified with me. I am your audience of One, and you are my audience of one. Come in and close the door. This time is worth the sacrifice of all the other loves. I’m so near you can feel my breath just before the sun comes up and the light shines in. Just before the angels appear. It’s just you and me in the pre-dawn twilight. It’s just you and me in the quiet.

When I open that door, resurrection light will flood in, and you will walk out restored. My new mercies are yours. Each person in your life will recognize my life on you, and one by one, they will come. Let’s stay awhile. Let’s not rush these important moments together.

Mary Magdalene left to inform the disciples of her encounter with Jesus. “I have seen the Lord!” she told them. And she gave them his message.

JOHN 20:18

Jesus, you are my everything, and you are my reason. Today,

I will stand in the joy that comes from seeing the Lord!

JANUARY 13

Get Excited

This is the day! Praise me for I have done great things! I am your great reward, and you are my great reward. You are the joy set before me. You are my joy, and I adore you. Your smile makes my heart burst. I’m overwhelmed by your hunger and thirst for righteousness. I am dancing over you. I am exalting over you with gladness.

Thank you for seeking me. You’ve sought my heart in every way you know how, and I am so pleased that you have. I love you so. And don’t forget the great cloud of witnesses that cheers you on. They move you forward with their loud encouragement. Listen closely for their cheers and receive my strength. You will not fall. I am your rear guard. You will not be shaken. I am with you. I carry rest, peace, and solution. All of the answers you seek are found within me.

The Lord himself is the one who has done this, and it’s so amazing, so marvelous to see!

This is the very day of the Lord that brings gladness and joy, filling our hearts with glee. O God, please come and save us again; bring us your breakthrough-victory!

PSALM 118:23–25

Poppa God, I will walk out my door today with great excitement in your gift of salvation.

JANUARY 14

I Share Your Pain

Your tears have fallen like rain, and I have seen every one of them. Feel my nail-scarred hands now as I hold your face still. Feel my hands touch the tears on your cheeks. I am here. I am never going to leave you alone. Some tears you’ve cried in joy and others in anguish. Regardless of their source, whether pain or jubilation, your tears are housed within an alabaster jar in heaven. I don’t speak words for the sake of hearing my own voice. My Word is truth. Your tears are beautiful perfume remembered in heaven every time the gospel story is told.

In my time, all things will be made beautiful. In my time, I will work all the good, bad, and unsettling together for my glory. I will work all the things that you thought I didn’t see together for your good and my glory. Look to me. When you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Watch my smile break open wide.

Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with you; they confidently trust in you. Yes, trust in the Lord Yahweh forever and ever! For Yahweh, the Lord God, is your Rock of Ages!

ISAIAH 26:3–4

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for whispering your truth until I hear you completely. Whisper to me again today.

JANUARY 15

Dream My Dreams

I am your Good Father. It is my pleasure to bring your dreams into reality. Year after year the Evil One has tried to bury your heart’s desire deeper and deeper under pain and shame. Your enemy did not foresee that you would run to me for refuge or that our relationship would grow beautiful and intimate in the wake of his assaults or that the sweet anticipation of uncovering the desires of your heart has only grown stronger as the battle rages on.

You are beginning to see and recognize the true desires of your heart as you see yourself reflected in me. You see it most when you love well and fiercely protect those who are too weak to protect themselves. Reach out to touch the one who needs my love. Watch what was buried, reach up through the soil to new life. Do you see my smile? Do you feel my pleasure over you? It’s a beautiful dance that no one can disturb. It’s my plan for your life.

Let me make this clear: A single grain of wheat will never be more than a single grain of wheat unless it drops into the ground and dies. Because then it sprouts and produces a great harvest of wheat—all because one grain died.

JOHN 12:24

Poppa God, thank you for believing in me.

JANUARY 16

Heaven Defends You

My precious child, today you can rest assured in my promise. You have been given all of heaven as your defense because the battle against you is fierce. Angels have fought as you have overcome. Many bullets and much warfare try to deter you, and still, you come to me. Still, you move forward. Still, you advance in battle. Rain, mud, and bullets fly past you in the Spirit realm as you tenaciously move forward, inch by inch. You even crawl to me if you must.

Although you don’t realize it, you are enthroned in my glory and covered in safety. You are seated in heavenly places with me. You are my fiercest agent of war, and I pour out the amazement of heaven for you to see, feel, and taste.

When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse.

PSALM 91:1–3

Abba God, thank you for hiding me. Today I will rest.

JANUARY 17

Beautifully Open

Precious one, if you’ll be honest, open, and real about who you are and where you’ve struggled, if you’ll be transparent about your greatest areas of brokenness, then shame will fall from your shoulders and from those watching you.

The enemy has tried to kill, steal, and destroy your identity. But you have become strong in my love. You’ve seen yourself through my eyes, and now you will teach others this Spirit skill. You’ll teach them how to cross over and walk into my truth. Their crossroad, just like your crossroad, has the ability to change the world around them. I sense your questions. Keep moving forward, and I will open every door you need.

I am the Gateway. To enter through me is to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction. A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! I am the Good Shepherd who lays down my life as a sacrifice for the sheep.

JOHN 10:9–11

Abba, give me the strength and humility to be transparent today.

JANUARY 18

Love Paves the Way

Precious one, trust your spirit understanding. You have invested time and tears here in the secret place of the Most High with me. You have heard the sounds of angels even when you didn’t know what that sound was. You have listened intently and tuned your ear to my sound. You have heard my voice in the still of the morning. I desire unity and not uniformity. Walk in the way, the path, that I’ve called you to walk, knowing that each of my children is intimately and individually called.

Don’t reason out with others what you’ve already heard clearly from me. Stay the course I’ve laid out for you and give others the freedom to do the same. I speak so deeply and personally to each of my little ones. I speak this way to you just like I spoke to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The same way I spoke through fire and smoke, through gentle breeze and rain, I speak to you today.

Remember, it is the same Holy Spirit who distributes, activates, and operates these different gifts as he chooses for each believer.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:11

Holy Spirit, today I will listen to you only.

JANUARY 19

I Am Here

Precious one, there is no need to look to the left or the right. Don’t get caught up in looking ahead or behind. But look only to me, and I will reveal what you need to know. I am guiding you with my eye.

I’m teaching you grace. Not just an outward display but an inward position. Peace, calm, grace. Don’t look anxiously around you, struggling to see and be all things to all people. Trust me; this is the only way to be in the right place at the right time with the right attitude. Be confident in what I’m telling you. I am God. Be confident in my love for you. I am your great reward.

Lord, you are my secret hiding place, protecting me from these troubles, surrounding me with songs of gladness! Your joyous shouts of rescue release my breakthrough…I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!”

PSALM 32:7–9

Oh Jesus, I want to look like you, inside and out.

JANUARY 20

My Book

Remember how you loved to huddle under blankets like tents when you were a child? I smile over your memories. You may not understand it, but I have put the desire for covering into all my children. I love it when we are cozy and quiet and alone together. It’s where you can best hear my voice and see my face.

Turn the page of my book and look deeper at the words written there. Look with the eyes of your heart. Climb into the story while you nestle in for early morning prayer and conversation with me every day. It’s the absolute best place to be. Step with me inside of my Word. Press in deeper to me to see what’s behind the veil in the holy of holies. It’s spiritual. It is also the safest place you will ever rest your head.

Yahweh will create over all of Mount Zion and over every gathering a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night. And all this manifestation of dazzling glory will spread over them like a wedding canopy. It will be a tabernacle as a shade from the scorching heat of the day and a safe shelter to protect them from the storm and rain.

ISAIAH 4:5–6

Oh Poppa, today I hide myself in you.

JANUARY 21

Rest in Me

I am your home. I am your secret place. Warmer than warm and overflowing with sensation and experience. Heaven on earth, that’s been your prayer. You have repeatedly proclaimed, “Your kingdom come, God. Your will be done.” My kingdom has come as an answer. You are with me. I am calling you deeper. Yes, deep calls to deep. I want to bring you from glory to glory and cover you with this spiritual canopy.

My banner over you is love. Fullness of joy, imagination, creativity, and wonder are waiting for you in the secret place of the Most High every time you enter. The pillar of fire before you, the cloud of smoke around you, and the canopy of glory above you. You will flourish in my presence and step out into your best life.

“Whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God, praying to him in secret. And your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly…Pray like this: ‘Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn. Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven.’”

MATTHEW 6:6, 9–10

Abba in heaven, today I will pray like Jesus prayed.

JANUARY 22

Miracles of Hope

She was counting the days until death. Every day passed by without receiving her promise, and she had lost hope. She was tired of trying. Old and worn enough to have earned the right to be lonely and forgotten, Sarah gave birth to a son and called him Isaac, meaning “laughter.” Learn from history. There is no sad ending, my precious one. If it’s not good, it’s not over. Look for the happy ending, for that’s where I am.

Abraham was lonely, far from his family, childless, with only his wife. He wanted to inhale the breath of life from those three men who came to visit. He knew they were not of this world. He considered himself crazy to think they were angels and crazier still to think the angel of the Lord would come and sit and talk to him. But such hope came from them. Wherever you find yourself today, angels are with you, and hope is their message.

“I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son”… Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself…Then the LORD said to Abraham, “…

Is anything too hard for the LORD?”

GENESIS 18:10–14 NIV

Abba God, will you show me your angels today?

JANUARY 23

Lifelong Hope

Precious one, rest in me. From the time you were quite small, the enemy has come in many ways and with much war to keep you away from the intimacy and purity of my heart. But look at you—you are pure and innocent. You are so brave, so fresh, so new. You are inside my heart just like I am inside of yours. It’s not complicated. You’ve been here, so close to me, so loved, so adored by all of heaven. You have been here without opening your eyes so many times, and now the eyes of your imagination are opening.

Do you see my smile over your life from beginning to end? Do you see my perfect plan for your family and all the generations to come? Count your blessings. Remember my promise. I have loved you and protected you with an everlasting love. Yes, an everlasting love. Remain here in me even long after you stand to move on with your day.

I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling—that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones!

EPHESIANS 1:18

Abba, I want to see you today!

JANUARY 24

My Whimsical Child

You’re not too big to jump on the trampoline or play in the creek. You’re just the right size. All children want is to be grown, and every adult wants to be a child again. It’s the age-old lie of dissatisfaction and shame. Right where you are in life, that’s the right place to be, the right age to be. Stand in freedom; stand in innocence and intimacy. It is as simple as having faith like a child. When you come to me just as you are, there is freedom waiting. That’s good news for everyone who thought they needed to “grow up” and “act right.”

You do not have to perform for me, sweet child. Just come to the garden. Just step into love and transparency. Get your balance and step up to the edge of the ledge of every distraction and fear. I am holding hands and jumping with you. Perfect love is casting out fear. Now jump!

You love him passionately although you have not seen him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!

1 PETER 1:8–9

Remind me to be like a child in your arms today, Poppa God.

JANUARY 25

Where Your Treasure Is

Be conscious of your authority. I have given you all authority. Be conscious of your place. I have seated you with me in heavenly places. Be conscious of your power. My power is made perfect in your weakness. Be conscious of your position. I have sealed the documents for your dual citizenship. Keep your heart in heaven so that no matter where your feet wander on earth, you will always know the way home.

Home is where you hang your heart. Home is where your treasure is. Home is with me. I keep all your treasure: eternal souls, eternal truths, eternal love. Home. It’s where I am, and home truly is where your heart is. What is the greatest commandment? You have answered correctly. Love me first, and the second is to love others. Eternal souls are the very first love of my heart, and I love that you are allowing eternal souls to be your love as well. You are so very mine. I know the plans I have for you, and you will represent me well. I see the concerns that flood your heart, and as you release them to me, I am well pleased to transform them into gold.

He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

JOB 23:10 NIV

Poppa, I am afraid sometimes, but today I choose to trust you.

JANUARY 26

Adventure with Me

Where do you want to go with me? I will take you anywhere. Think about the magic within the pages of my Word. Think on the “Ezekiels” and the “Daniels” and the “Elishas” and the “Elijahs.” I took men and women on the greatest adventures written in ink. I bring smiles and sweat as men and women rush to the adventure of journeying in me.

I am life. Life is abundant. Life is full. Nothing is impossible with me. Life is an eternal smorgasbord of adventure. I am the author and perfector of every good and beautiful journey. All you have to do is say yes. Think of the millions and millions of names that aren’t even mentioned in the Bible. The ordinary men and women who have obediently lived their lives for my glory and not their own. Think of the moms and dads, the little children and babies. Think of all the precious eternal souls that I have smiled upon and breathed upon. Think of the stories they will tell. Think of the smiles they will evoke.

Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown.

EZEKIEL 1:28 NIV

Oh Abba, today I want to see the wonder of you.

JANUARY 27

I Am with You

You will not lose me, child. You are not going to lose track of me or forget where to find me. I’m right here. You don’t have to conjure me up or squeeze every spirit muscle to get me to come to you. I am here with you, listening and speaking to you from my heart. I know your fears, your worries, your concerns. Simply seek my face and look into my eyes. I will break through and flood you like a tidal wave again and again with my love and with my goodness. In my very presence, you will walk and talk with me so easily because you’ll come out of the physical and into my Spirit realm.

You are mine. I am the Commander of Angel Armies. I am the One and only. I am above all. You are here with me in spirit, yet you’re there on earth simultaneously. So much the same as the walk that Jesus had in his time on earth. You look so much like him, my beloved.

“If you see me doing the beautiful works of God upon the earth, then you should at least believe the evidence of the miracles, even if you don’t believe my words! Then you would come to experience me and be convinced that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”

JOHN 10:38

Jesus, come into my life today and be bigger than I can imagine.

JANUARY 28

Times and Seasons

I’m here. My presence is with you as you welcome me each morning. You rise before the sun, enter in, and invite me again and again. As you receive my love, I receive yours. You are mine. I love you. I’m so glad you’re here every day and not just on special occasions. I don’t just want to surprise you now and again; I want to be with you always and sustain you. I never grow tired of reminding you. I will flow into you and through you.

These are times and seasons of healing found in surrender. These are the seasons that will repair the breach. They will repair the broken cisterns. The clay jar will be repaired with gold in the cracks. As my gold pours out of you and into others, it will mend the clay jar of your heart and theirs simultaneously.

If you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul—then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.

DEUTERONOMY 11:13–15 NIV

Abba God, come heal me on the inside. In Jesus’ name.

JANUARY 29

Beautiful Humility

I am with you always. There are angels surrounding you so that you won’t even trip and scrape your knee in the spirit. Ask yourself an important question: Why, then, would the enemy whisper, “You are alone and misunderstood”? You are never alone, never fighting without me. Though your situation may be war and your appearance may be a warrior, your position is always the untouched, innocent, laughing child. You are always seated in heavenly places on my lap. Always my little child. Always my small and mighty one.

If you leave your pride at home and humble yourself, you can receive my love. You can give my love back to me. You are impenetrable. The enemy has tried to penetrate your peace, and you have remained seated with me. You have stood almost unaware of the attacks. You continue to look to me. You walk in childlike faith with your good Father. You are the child of the Most High God.

When I look at you, I see your inner strength, so stately and strong. You are as secure as David’s fortress. Your virtues and grace cause a thousand famous soldiers to surrender to your beauty. Your pure faith and love rest over your heart as you nurture those who are yet infants.

SONG OF SONGS 4:4–5

Poppa God, thank you that you never leave me.

JANUARY 30

The Potter’s Wheel

You have your own history, personality, and temperament. Although your history has shaped you, it has not shaped me. Neither time nor external factors have affected me. You have faced the effects of what’s on the outside of you. This is the purpose of my potter’s wheel. To bring you fully into a place of alignment with me. You are wonderfully moldable. You may think of yourself as unmoving. I hear you say, “It is taking so long!” I see your heart, leaning into me, being molded. You are blending in with me. We are laughing and mixing together with glory, you and I.

Don’t be afraid. Perfect love casts out fear; there is no fear in love. Fear has to do with punishment, and understand me when I tell you that I have taken your punishment. It’s gone. I have taken your shame. It’s gone. I have taken your sin. I have taken your sickness, your weakness, even your heartache. It’s gone, crucified, buried, and resurrected into new life. You are revealing my glory as we work through all the roughness of your life on my potter’s wheel.

Yahweh, you are our Father. We are like clay and you are our Potter. Each one of us is the creative, artistic work of your hands.

ISAIAH 64:8

Abba, I ask that you mold me and make me.

JANUARY 31

Death Defeated

It is my desire to open up life over you and watch you live in that place of smiles. Smiles that can’t be penetrated, injured, hurt, or affected. Smiles that smile in the face of death because there is no death in me. Death is a facade. It is defeated. The only power it has against you is the lie of fear and the flesh.