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Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 26 – Rescuer and Redeemer

Apr17

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 26 

Rescuer and Redeemer

Lord, I have firsthand knowledge of You as my Rescuer and Redeemer. You rescued me from a life of sin and mediocrity. You redeemed me with Your own life to free me from the bondage of sin. You delivered me from the captivity of my enemy’s lies, and pulled me up out of the pit of depression. You set my feet on solid ground and began the rebuilding process in me. You exchanged the lies I believed for your perfect truth, and built up my faith and confidence in You. You prepared me to fulfill the purpose You created me for and gave me a new reason to live. Thank You for loving me enough to rescue me and redeem me from the life I created for myself.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

My beloved child, I am so excited that you recognize, appreciate, and bear witness to My transforming work in your life. With My own outstretched arms, I have lifted you up out of the muck and mire. I set your feet on solid ground—My firm foundation—and I began the rebuilding process in you. You have gone to difficult places, brokenness in your heart, and allowed Me to heal you with My truth. You have been set free, so now you are free indeed.

You have put Me first in your life by remaining in close relationship with Me. You meet with Me, pray to Me, listen to Me, and obey Me. I cherish you, and I treasure the time we spend together in the Spirit. As a child that runs home from school and throws open the door to tell his family about his day, I can’t wait for you to run through the door to our secret meeting place, where I can hold you in My arms and encourage you with My love and support.

On those days when you have been bullied and underappreciated, I love to uphold you and support you through your challenges. When you are knocked down, I pick you back up, and strengthen your spirit. When your soul has been depleted, I refresh you with a new filling of My Spirit, and a new meal of My bread from heaven. I nourish your soul and quench your thirst. I am your All in All. I am everything you need.

I rescue you from the mundane and give you meaning and purpose for your life, doing the work I have prepared in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). I redeemed your life of sin and rebellion and exchanged it for a life of holiness and righteousness for the glory of My name’s sake. I rescued you because I delighted in you (Psalm 18:19). You are My beloved child, even My heir. All that I have belongs to you. I am a loving Father who desires a deeper intimacy with you. I created you to love you, and I saved you, so that you could love Me and relate to Me. Let’s get together again soon, My friend. I have so much more of My heart to share with you.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I camp on the verse from Psalm 49:15 that says, “But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to Himself.” Lord, You have so graciously done that for me and I am forever grateful to You. Thank You for rescuing me from my own dead inner spirit, and producing new life in me by the indwelling presence and power of Your Holy Spirit. Please speak to me now and share Your heart with me today. In the power of Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • Father, thank You for reaching down to rescue me from a life that did not glorify You as You deserve. Please share with me Your heart and Your reason for saving me. (Record all the thoughts and ideas He gives you.)

 

  • Jesus, thank You for paying the price of my redemption. Please share Your heart with me on what You want me to do with this information. (Write all ideas that pop into your head right now.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, enable me to enjoy a closer walk with You by opening my ears to hear what You share with me now. (Jot down all words and thoughts that come to mind.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for sharing Your heart and thoughts with me just now. I appreciate the closeness I feel when we meet. Help me to feel Your presence with me even when I don’t hear Your voice in my thoughts. You remind me that You are always with me; You never leave me or forget about me (Joshua 1:5). You are with me at all times, speaking to me and guiding me in the way I should go. I appreciate the love and affection You poured out on me today. Thank You for sharing your heart with me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Joshua 1:5, “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Job 19:25, I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth.

Psalm 18:16-19, 16He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. 17He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. 19He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.

Psalm 19:14, May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 34:22, The Lord will rescue His servants; no one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.

Psalm 44:26, Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.

Psalm 49:15, But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to Himself.

Psalm 69:14, Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

Psalm 91:14-16, 14“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. 15He will call on Me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”

Psalm 103:2-5, 2Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits–3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Isaiah 44:6, “This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from Me there is no God.”

Isaiah 48:17-18, 17This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. 18If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.”

Isaiah 59:20, “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord.

Isaiah 63:9, In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Daniel 6:26-27, “For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed. His dominion will never end. He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Galatians 4:4-7, 4But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.

Ephesians 1:7-8, In Him we have redemption thorough His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.

Ephesians 2:10, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 4:30, And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Colossians 1:13-14, For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

1 Thessalonians 1:10, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Titus 2:11-14, For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.

1 Peter 1:18-19, For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

2 Peter 2:9, If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 25 – Ask and It’s Yours

Apr16

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 25

Ask and It’s Yours

Dear Jesus, I ask for so many things all the time, but not always according to Your will or in Your name. Help me to separate what I want from what You want. Teach me to seek Your will and ask for the things that are important to You. Lord, help me make the time to ‘be still’ in relationship with You and know that You are God (Psalm 46:10). You will give Me what I ask according to Your will. Please show me Your will and teach me what and how to ask.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

My child, you have not because you ask not (James 4:2). I am here waiting to bestow so many blessings on you, yet you have not asked Me for any of them. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).

My wisdom is available to you, by My Spirit, any time of the day or night. You have access to Him 24 / 7. The Spirit of truth takes what is Mine and makes it known to you (John 16:13-15). All I have is yours; simply ask and it will be given to you. The key is to ask. I want nothing more than to give you My wisdom to help you live the life I have intended for you, and to live a life more pleasing to Me.

Make the time to meet with Me in the secret place, away from noise and distractions. Pray to Me. Talk to Me. Listen to Me. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matthew 6:6-8). I know what you need before you ask, however, I desire relationship with you, so I still want you to ask. I want you to know that you can depend on Me for all your needs. Ask Me for anything, and it’s yours. But I want to hear you ask. I want to communicate with you. I desire spiritual intimacy with you—face to face, heart to heart.

Remain in Me and let My words remain in you; then ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you (John 15:7). The key is to remain in relationship with Me. When you do, you will know My will. You have this assurance: Ask Me for anything, according to My will, and I will hear you, then you will know that you have what you asked of Me (1 John 5:14).

Approach My throne of grace with confidence. Receive My mercy and I will help you in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16). My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete (John 16:23-26). You may experience My joy even in the darkest of times.

When you ask, believe you will have it. Do not doubt (James 1:5-8). If you don’t receive it instantly, you doubt I heard you, or you doubt you will receive it. Wait on Me (Psalm 27:14). My timing is perfect. My ways are higher than your ways. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). I know what is best for you, and I know the best time to give it to you. Trust Me. I work all things together for the good of those who love Me (Romans 8:28). I love you, My friend, and I desire the best for you. The best thing for you is to remain in relationship and two-way communication with Me. Keep asking and believing.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for the confidence that I may boldly approach Your throne of grace and ask You for anything. I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! (Mark 9:24). Lord, I desire relationship with You also. Help me to make You, and time spent with You, a priority. I want to seek You in the secret place more often. I desire to know Your will, and I respect Your timing. Please give me the patience to wait on You. And now, as I knock on the door of Your heart, please open the door and let me in (Matthew 7:7). In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • God, my Father, please share Your heart with me today. What is it You want me to know? (Record what you hear in your thoughts.)

 

  • Lord, I am asking You right now for _______________ (fill in the blank) in the name of Jesus. I ask for answers according to Your will and in Your timing. Please speak to me now about this request. (Record all words, thoughts, and feelings you have.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, I ask for God’s wisdom for my current situation. What would You have me do about ________________ (fill in the blank)? (Write your thoughts and impressions here.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Father in heaven, thank You for hearing my prayers and for the listening to my requests. Lord, thank You for meeting with me today, and being available to me whenever I make time for You. Lord, I pray for Your wisdom and guidance in the situations we discussed above. Spirit of truth, reveal God’s wisdom, His will, and His answers to my requests. Thank You for walking with me 24/7 so that I may counsel with You any time. Teach me to pray and ask according to Your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 27:14, Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 46:10, He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”

Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Matthew 6:6-8, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Matthew 7:7-11, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”

Luke 11:9-13, 9“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

John 15:7, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you.”

John 16:13-15, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me what He will make known to you.”

John 16:23-26, “In that day, you will no longer ask Me anything. Very truly I tell you, My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:32, He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things.

Hebrews 4:16, Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

James 1:5-8, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

James 4:1-3, What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

1 John 5:14, This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.

 Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

 

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 24 – Listen and Obey

Apr15

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 24

Listen and Obey

Lord, how do I recognize Your voice from the other voices I hear in my thoughts? Teach me to know Your voice and follow You. Lord, give me the desire to obey You knowing that You have only my best interests in mind and want to protect me from the consequences of disobedience. Lord, help me remember that partial obedience does not equal obedience. I fully submit myself to Your good and perfect will. Teach me Your ways, O Lord.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

Get away from the crowds and noise. Meet Me in the secret place in the early hours of the morning. Pay attention to the whispers in your heart. Be sensitive to My Spirit. Spend time alone with Me to know Me better. When you know Me better, you will recognize the voice of My Spirit within you.

You will know My voice, because I will not contradict My character or My Word. Meditate on Scripture to know Me better. My will for You always aligns with what the Bible says. For the most part, you will experience peace when you hear from Me, unless it is a conviction or warning from the Holy Spirit.

I ask you to obey Me, because I do not want to watch you suffer the consequences of disobedience and sin. However, you know I will use all things for your good (Romans 8:28). Your obedience is pleasing to Me. Obedience is not always easy, but it is always the right way to operate. Obey Me and leave the rest to me.

I am the Shepherd and you are My sheep. My sheep know My voice and they follow Me (John 10:4). The Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). I protect My sheep from dangers, snares and traps. When My sheep listen to My voice, I am able to steer them away from threats and lead them into safety. When you are obedient to My voice, My commands and instructions will keep you safe in My protection. I hide you in the shadow of My wings (Psalm 17:8).

Like a lamb in My arms, I will carry you through your trials and challenges. You may depend on Me for all your needs. I will feed you in pastures of green, and lead you beside still waters to drink. I will protect you from the wolf and the bear. I keep you safe from your enemies and those who would devour you. Find your solace, peace, and rest in My loving arms. I will quiet your fears and bring comfort to your troubled soul.

I have sent My Spirit into your heart to help you live an obedient life more pleasing to Me. He will convict you of sin and empower you to resist temptation and disobedience. He will sanctify you through and through (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24), making you holy and pleasing in My sight. Pay attention to the Spirit’s prompting and heed His guidance. His subtle warnings may save your soul and keep you safe from the ill effects that disobedience produces.

My child, I love you and I want what is best for you. When you love Me, listen to My voice, and hold fast to Me, you will enjoy many years, for I am your life (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Choose life and experience all the blessings that I have for you. To all who have ears, let them hear what I say: Listen and obey. Experience My best for you.  

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit dwelling in my heart. I need His assistance to live a life more pleasing to You. Allow me to clearly hear Your voice within me—not only to hear, but also obey. Lord, thank You for the promise that when I love You and obey You, You make Your home in me (John 14:23). What an awesome promise! I pray that I will know Your voice right now as I meet with You alone to discern Your will for my life. Lord, speak to me in my heart and mind, as I listen intently, away from people and distractions. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • Father God, speak to me now with Your words of wisdom and instruction. What do you want me to hear today? (Record all thoughts He gives you now.)

 

  • Jesus, my Lord, I love you and want to obey You. Please make Your home in Me and teach me Your perfect will and ways. Lord, teach me to recognize Your voice. What does it sound like? (Write all words, ideas, and impressions He gives you.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, it is Your voice I long to hear at all times, in all circumstances. Teach me to be obedient to Your voice in my thoughts. Help me discern Your voice from the others in my head. How do I separate them? (Jot down all instructions and insights.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

 Lord, thank You for sharing Your heart as You speak to mine. Thank You for the relationship we have in the quiet places of my heart. Thank You that I may approach Your throne in confidence and experience intimacy with the King of kings and Lord of lords. How amazing is that? Thank You for being my friend, confidante, constant companion, counselor, and guide. I love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me to show my love through my obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Deuteronomy 4:2, Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

Deuteronomy 5:27, “Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.”

Deuteronomy 5:32-33, So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Deuteronomy 6:3-9, 3Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lied own and when you get up. 8Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on your doorframes of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 30:2-3, and when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where He scattered you.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20, This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

1 Samuel 3:10, The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

Psalm 17:8, Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 103:17-18, But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

Psalm 119:57, You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey Your words.

Proverbs 1:5, Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

Jeremiah 7:23, “But I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be My people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.”

Matthew 28:19–20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 9:7, Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!”

Luke 10:39, She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said.

Luke 11:28, He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

John 8:51, “I am not seeking glory for Myself; but there is One who seeks it, and He is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys My Word will never see death.”

John 10:2-4, “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.”

John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me—just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

John 10:27, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 14:23-24, Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey My teaching. These words you hear are not My own; they belong to the Father who sent Me.”

Acts 5:29-32, Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging Him on a cross. God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

2 Corinthians 10:5, We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

James 1:22, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

1 John 2:3-6, We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commands. Whoever says, “I know Him, but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.

 Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

 

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 23 – Trust in Me

Apr14

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 23

Trust in Me

Almighty God, I lay down my false sense of security and control, to the One who knows all things and is in control of all things. I trust in You with all my heart and submit to You in all my ways (Proverbs 3:5-6). I put my confidence in Your promise that you will work all things together for my good (Romans 8:28). I trust You with my life. You have proven Yourself faithful in all things to all generations.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

My humble child, I delight in you. In your weakness, you are strong in Me (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Your life is but a vapor, a momentary breath. The sooner you learn to trust Me with all your heart, the better your life will be. I understand how difficult it is to lay down your life and submit yourself fully to Me. But I will not let you down. I do not ask you to trust in humans or the things of this earth, but trust in My name alone. 

I have proven Myself faithful to a thousand generations of those who love Me. I am the one True God, Creator and sustainer of all life. I am capable. I see the big picture, I know the future, and I know what is best for you. I know the plans I have for you, to prosper you; to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). My intentions for you are good. My ways are perfect and just (Deuteronomy 32:4).

Take delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Me and I will make your reward shine like the dawn (Psalm 37:3-6). My love reaches to the heavens and My faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 57:10).

I am trustworthy in all I promise and faithful in all I do. I uphold all who fall and lift up all who are bowed down. I give you your food at the proper time and satisfy your desires. I am righteous in all My ways and faithful in all I do. I am near to all who call on Me in truth (Psalm 145:13-18). I have shown My faithfulness to generations upon generations of My people, those who call Me their Lord and put their trust in Me.

Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Me, and I will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). I will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in Me. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal (Isaiah 26:3-4).

I am the God of hope. I fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Me, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). I love you, My child, and I will take care of you. I know you better than you know yourself. I know what is best for you and I give you everything you need. I will satisfy all your longings and provide for all your desires. I strengthen you and protect you. My power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Exercise your faith. Put your confidence in what you hope for and your assurance in what you do not see. Though you do not see Me, I am with you always. I will never leave you or forget about you (Joshua 1:5). The better you know Me, the more confidence you gain in Me. To know Me better, meet with Me alone daily. Listen to My voice within you, as I love you, guide you, comfort you and protect you. Remain in Me as I also remain in you (John 15:4) If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:7). Ask Me, and then, trust Me.

Prayer:

Father in heaven, as I know You better and know Your heart better each time we meet, I gain more and more confidence in You and Your faithfulness. In the flesh, many times I default to my own abilities, instead of trusting in Your Almighty power. But when I do muster my faith, and put my confidence in You, I am able to throw down mountains of fear and worry, because I am safe and secure in You. Lord, please share Your heart with Me today, and expose my weaknesses in the areas of trusting in You. Calm my fears and anxieties and replace them with peace and hope found in You alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God:

  • Father God, please tell me what You want me to know about my level of trust in You. (Record the thoughts God gives you now.)

 

  • Lord Jesus Christ, give me an idea where I am lacking in trusting You completely. Give me the confidence that I need to put my trust in You for all things. Tell me what I need to hear. (Write the ideas, words, and thoughts that enter your mind.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, convict my heart where I lack in faith and empower me to submit myself totally and completely to the Lord for Him to provide for all my desires, wants, and needs. Reveal to me today what I need to do to more fully trust in the Lord for everything. (Journal your thoughts and impressions.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, my Lord, empower me to submit myself fully to You. I confidently place my trust in You to meet all my needs for essentials and inessentials. Lord, I trust You to provide everything I need and protect me from all evil and the evil one. Lord, You are my warrior who fights for me. Deliver me now from all fears, insecurities, lies, vows, and bondages, and set me free with Your everlasting truth. I place my hope and trust in You. Thank You for Your grace, mercy, peace and love. I love You too, my Lord, with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let my confidence in You be evident as a witness in my words and actions. Let me actively live out my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Deuteronomy 7:9, 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 32:4, He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.

Joshua 1:5, No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Psalm 9:10, Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 13:5-6, But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me.

Psalm 18:25, To the faithful, You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless.

Psalm 20:7, Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 31:6, I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.

Psalm 33:4, For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.

Psalm 37:3-6, Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

Psalm 40:4-5, Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders You have done, the things You planned for us. None can compare with You; were I to speak and tell of Your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Psalm 40:11, Do not withhold Your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

Psalm 56:3-4, When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals to do me?

Psalm 57:10, For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 62:8, Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 100:5, For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 117:2, For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.

Psalm 118:8, It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.

Psalm 125:1, Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

Psalm 145:13-18, 13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. 14The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. 16You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 17The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does. 18The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.

Proverbs 3:5-6, 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.

Isaiah 26:3-4, You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 28:16, So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out it roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

Jeremiah 39:17-18, “But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in Me, declares the Lord.”

Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Romans 15:13, 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.

1 Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Thessalonians 3:3, But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

1 Peter 2:6, For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” (Isaiah 28:16)

Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 13:5, …“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Revelation 19:11, I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war.

Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved.

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 22 – Bread from Heaven

Apr13

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 22

Bread from Heaven

Father, give us this day, our daily bread. Satisfy our hunger with Your Bread from Heaven, Jesus Christ. He is the bread of life. We eat our daily bread in remembrance of the Lamb of God, who came to take away the sins of the world.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

Your ancestors at the manna from heaven in the wilderness, and yet they died. But I am the bread that comes down from heaven; anyone may eat this bread and never die (John 6:51). I am the true bread from heaven, the bread of God that gives life to the world (John 6:32-34).

I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me will never be hungry (John 6:35). I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread, My body broken for you, will live forever (John 6:51).

When you believe in Me, take part in the communion meal I have prepared for you. The bread is My body broken for you. The cup is My blood shed for you. Whenever you eat of the bread and drink of the cup, in remembrance of Me, you participate in proclaiming My death on the cross until I return again (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Be My witness and share My goodness with the world.

Partake of the feast, My body broken for you, and My blood shed for you, which brings you life and satisfies every hunger and thirst. When you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10). You have the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God the Father, and eternal life in heaven with Me. My Holy Spirit is My gift sent directly as a deposit into your heart; He seals you for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Listen to the voice of My Spirit within you. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it (Revelation 2:17). You are My child; I have called you by a new name. Spend time with Me, and I will reveal to you the secrets of My heart, hidden manna specifically meant for your ears only. I am the bread of life that came down from heaven to give life to the world. Take, eat, and live.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, my daily bread, I am forever grateful for Your sacrifice. Your body was broken for my sins; Your blood was shed for my forgiveness. You are victorious! Thank You for the promise that when I come near to You, You will come near to me (James 4:8). Come near to me now, Lord Jesus. Sit with me a while and share Your heart for me. Give me the identity you have for me alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 Two-way Conversation with God:

  • Father, please allow me to hear Your voice clearly as You speak my identity in You. Who do You see when you look at me? Who am I to You? (Write down all words and thoughts He give you.)

 

  • Jesus, my Lord, please reveal Your new name for me. Who do you say that I am? (Record all words and ideas that come to mind.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, how do You seal me for the day of redemption. Please tell me what that looks like. (Jot down all thoughts He gives you.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—Thank You all in One for a special time together just now. Thank You for revealing my identity and my name in You. I am so blessed that You created me and care for me as deeply as You do. Thank You for loving me no matter what. Thank you for dying for me and living again for me. Thank You for Your grace, mercy, peace and love. I am forever grateful for these gifts, along with Your Spirit in my heart. Help me to listen daily to Your voice within me and experience all that You have in mind for me. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 34:8, Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.

Matthew 26:26-28, While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Luke 4:4, Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

Luke 11:2-3, He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

John 6:32-34, Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

John 6:35, Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”

John 6:47-51, 47“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26, For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

Ephesians 1:13-14, And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of His glory.

James 4:8, Come near to God and He will come near to you.

Revelation 2:17, Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

 Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 21 – The Resurrection and the Life 

Apr12

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 21

The Resurrection and the Life 

Happy Easter, Lord! You are risen! Hallelujah! You are the reason for this season! Thank You for providing the way for me to experience a full life here on earth now, and life in heaven with You for all eternity. Thank You for dying for my sins and for Your resurrection to life. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in me and give me life! Please share Your heart with me now.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

My beloved child, I laid down My life in exchange for yours. I willingly experienced death on the cross as payment for your sin. I died and was buried. However, sin, death and the grave did not defeat Me. I am victorious! On the third day, I was raised according to Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:4). I am risen from the dead! The Father raised Me to life again, and now I live to give life to you through the gift of My Spirit within you. Do not waste this gift.

I did not die in your place, so that you could continue in a sinful lifestyle. Your sinful nature was crucified with Me. You no longer live, but now I live in and through you. The secret to experiencing the full life is to remain with Me in the secret place. Tap into the power of the Spirit by meeting with Me each day. Remain in tune to My voice within as you live out your day. Walk in step with the Spirit, and live a life of abundance.

I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6); the light of all mankind (John 1:4-5). No longer shall you remain in darkness and sin, but step into the light, as I am in the light, and the darkness will not overcome you. Remain in My presence, and the light I shine in your heart will give you the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:6). Meet with Me face to face, and when you depart, the light of My countenance continues to radiate from your face, bringing light for all the world to see and know that you belong to Me.

Be prepared to give an account for the hope which you have in Christ. I give you new birth into a living hope through My resurrection, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. I keep this inheritance in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4). Whoever believes in Me shall not die but have eternal life (John 3:16). This is the hope you may share with all the world. The anticipation of an eternity with Me in heaven helps you endure this life through good times and bad. Put your confidence in Me. My promises are true. Celebrate the truth of My resurrection. I am risen! I am alive, and I live in you.

I proclaim good news to the poor in spirit. I bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom for those held in spiritual bondage. I release prisoners from darkness and open the eyes of the spiritually blind. I proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and provide comfort those who mourn. I bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. You will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor (Isaiah 61:1-3).

Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Live a good life and point others to Me. Profess My goodness and let your life be a witness to those who do not yet know Me. Let the light of your hope shine on them and share the gospel of peace. You are My representative of hope, the light of My salvation, and My messenger of good news. Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel (Mark 16:15).

Prayer:

O Lord, my God, You are the Bright Morning Star, the Light of the World, who lights my way in the darkness. I step out of the darkness and into your wonderful light. I leave behind the lies, the bondage, the despair and depression. I break all vows I made with the enemy, and receive the light of truth You proclaim. Thank You for opening my blind eyes and bestowing on me a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of grief, and the garment of praise instead of despair. I lift off all evil and trauma that held me captive, and receive my freedom with your truth. Your truth has set me free, so I am free indeed (John 8:32). Allow me to hear your voice clearly now as You share more of Your heart with me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • Father in heaven, thank You for Your great plan of salvation through Your Son whom You raised from the dead. Lord, please share with me Your plan for me. (Record the thoughts God gives you right now.)

 

  • Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, please share with me how to experience abundant life here on earth as I wait to experience life eternal with you. (Write down the thoughts and impressions you receive from Christ.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, please share with me Your role in the resurrection and life. Tell me how you impact my life in this area. (Record the ideas you receive in your thoughts.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now. 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sharing with me Your One and Only Son, Jesus, and the gift of Your Holy Spirit in my heart. I am so blessed that You provided a way to be reconciled with You, so that I might experience a full life here on earth, and a life of eternity with You in heaven. You are the God of all peace, and I put my complete hope and trust in You. I surrender my life to Your plan. Lord, please use me to share Your goodness with others and impact the direction of their lives. Help me lead others to a saving knowledge of Your grace and a relationship with You. Let Your light shine through me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Isaiah 61:1-3, The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

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

Matthew 28:5-7, The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. The go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee, There you will see Him.’ Now I have told you.”

Mark 16:15-16, He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Luke 24:33-34, They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”

John 1:4-5, In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 8:31-36, To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 10:8-10, “All who have come before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 11:25-26, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.Acts 2:32-33, God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:3-6, For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

2 Corinthians 4:6, For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Galatians 5:24-25, Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Philippians 3:10-11, I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

1 Peter 1:3-6, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

1 Peter 3:21-22, And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him.

James 1:12, Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1 John 1:1-2, That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

1 John 5:11-12, And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:20, We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Jude :20-21, But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 20 – I am Your Rock and Refuge

Apr11

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 20 – I am Your Rock and Refuge

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth (Psalm 8:1). You are my Rock and my Refuge, my stronghold in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9). Deliver me now from the hands of my enemies and hide me in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91). Allow me to find refuge under your wings. Be my shelter and my sanctuary. You are my safe place. I find my rest in You alone.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

O my child, do not fear your momentary troubles. I am with you. I am your Rock and Refuge. I am the stronghold for your life. I am your shelter in the storm; your sanctuary in the chaos. I am your hiding place; under My wings you will find safety. I protect you from your enemies. I fight your battles with the evil one. I stand beside you to strengthen you in the midst of your foes. I clothe you in My battle armor. You will stand firm in the fight. And when you have done everything, you will remain standing (Ephesians 6:10-18).

I hear your pleas and cries for help. I turn My ear to you and quickly rescue you (Psalm 31:2). I will save you from your perils and impending doom. I deliver you from all your troubles (Psalm 34:17). I am your strong tower, a refuge in times of need. I strengthen the weak and weary (Isaiah 40:30). I am a father to the fatherless; a defender of widows (Psalm 68:5). I look after the orphans and women with no husbands. I am your protector and provider.

When danger lies in wait for you, I am with you. Run to Me when you are afraid. Escape into My everlasting arms. I am your refuge, your safe haven. I will rescue you and protect you. I will quiet you with My love. I will delight in you and rejoice over you with singing. You are my sons and daughters. I will take away your punishment and turn back your enemy. You will never again fear harm. I am with you (Zephaniah 3:15-17).

My grace is sufficient for you. When you are weak, you are strong in Me (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). I am your tower of strength, your pillar of power, your Mighty God. I arm you with strength and keep your way secure (2 Samuel 22:33). My ways are perfect and My Word is flawless. When you speak, speak My words; when you serve, serve with my strength (1 Peter 4:11).

 I hear the cry of the righteous; I deliver you from your troubles. I am close to the brokenhearted and save those crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:17). Your troubles may be many, but I deliver you from them all. I protect every bone in your body, and keep you strong for the battle. You are My beloved child, I will not allow you to be overtaken. You will overcome your struggles; your victory is sure in Me. Do not fear, I am with you. I will strengthen you and uphold you (Isaiah 4:10.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, my Rock and my Refuge, I will trust in You and You will deliver me from all my fears and trials. Thank You for being my stronghold and the horn of my salvation. I have nothing to fear. You are my Mighty God, my strong tower, my refuge in the storm. I take my rest in your loving arms, and I draw from Your strength when I am weak. Lord God, speak to me now as we sit together for a while. Calm my fears and prepare me for the battles I face today and in the days to come. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • Father God, how do you strengthen me? Will you share your secrets with me? (Record what He says.)

 

  • Jesus, my Deliverer, please rescue me from the enemy that holds me captive. Set me free with Your perfect truth and Your flawless Word. (Write the truth He reveals to you now.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, teach Me from the heart of God. Instruct me and guide me through the next steps in my journey. Allow me to hear clearly from You right now and every time I turn to You. (Enter the ideas that pop into your mind just now.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Almighty God, my strength and my shield, my warrior and deliverer, in You, I place my trust. You will protect me and strengthen me for all my battles. You rescue me and deliver me from all my troubles. I have nothing to fear when I put my trust in You. You hear my cries and You are faithful to protect me and uphold me. I am so blessed to have the one, true God as my Warrior and my friend. Thank you for speaking Your heart to me today. I will tuck Your truths down into my heart and pull them out again when needed. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Deuteronomy 32:4, He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.

Deuteronomy 33:27, The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’

2 Samuel 22:2-3, He said, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent people You save me.”

2 Samuel 22:31-33, “As for God, His way is perfect; The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”

Psalm 7:1, Lord my God I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me.

Psalm 8:1, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Psalm 9:9, The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 18:1-2, I love You, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 19:14, May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 31:1-4, In You, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in Your righteousness. Turn Your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock and refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me. Keep me from the trap that is set for me, for You are my refuge.

Psalm 34:17-20, The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers Him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 62:8, Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 68:5, A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.

Psalm 91:2, I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 92:15, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.”

Isaiah 26:4, Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 40:28-31, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Nahum 1:7, The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

Zephaniah 3:17, The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

1 Corinthians 10:3-4, They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Ephesians 6:10-18, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, an after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

1 Peter 4:11, If any speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If any serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 19 – Crucified with Christ

Apr10

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 19 – Crucified with Christ

Lord Jesus, Romans 6:6 concludes that I have been crucified with You and I died with You, and if I died with You, then I was raised with You and now live with You. This concept is so difficult for me to grasp. I have suffered nothing compared to the sacrifice You made for me. I do not feel worthy to claim this truth, and yet, if I do not, then You died for nothing! Lord, help me understand the meaning of being crucified with Christ.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

My beloved sons and daughters, do not be confused by the concepts in My Word. The simple truth is I died for you. I died once for all the sins of all mankind, past, present, and future. When you invite Me into your heart to be your Savior and Lord, you confess that I am the Son of God, the Lamb of God, who died to take away the sins of the world. You believe in your heart that God raised Me from the dead. When you confess this and believe this, you will be saved. You become My child, and you will spend all eternity with Me.

I died for your sin, in your place, on the cross. So, in essence, your sin died with Me; your old sinful self died with Me. My Word says that you have been crucified with Christ, and you no longer live, but Christ lives in you (Galatians 2:19). But wait, there’s more! Christ did not remain in the grave. God raised Him from the dead! He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father.

Therefore, if you died with Christ, you were raised with Christ. Your old self is gone, your new self is here (2 Corinthians 5:17). You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Do not spend too much time trying to grasp the depth of this concept. Keep it simple. Sometimes, you need to exercise your faith and simply believe that My Word is true. You have been crucified with Christ, and you no longer live, but Jesus Christ lives in and through you (Galatians 2:19).

Do not give in, then, to the former ways of the flesh. Those old ways were nailed to the cross and died. You are dead to sin and alive to Christ. Live your new life in step with the Spirit of the risen Jesus Christ, whom I have deposited in your heart.

I have reconciled you to Myself, and I remember your sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34). You must forget them also. Do not cling to the past, but live in your present state, alive in Christ and fully forgiven. Accept My forgiveness in full. When you do not accept My forgiveness in full, you do not accept the complete work of Christ on the cross. Now, do as I do, and remember your sins no more. You are fully forgiven; fully accept it and live in the freedom that brings.

Do not hold on to your sinful nature. That was nailed to the cross as well. You now have new life in Jesus. Live for Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and God, Himself, who sanctifies you through and through (1 Thessalonians 5:23). You are holy and righteous because I have bought you with a price and redeemed you (Psalm 103:4). You are Mine.

Prayer:

Father, Your work in me is amazing. Your Spirit in me is right. I am no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:6), sin is not my master. I am dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. Thank You for your gift of saving grace through the death of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. I am crucified with Christ, and therefore, I am risen with Him, and He lives in me. Hallelujah! Praise You, Lord. And now will you speak to my heart about this some more. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • Father, why did You send Your Son, Jesus, to die for me? (Record what God says to you in your thoughts.)

 

  • Jesus, I am so humbled that You would die for me and count me in on the act. I am crucified with You. Please share Your heart with me on this. (Write the words Jesus gives you in your heart and mind.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, empower me to claim this victory over death, sin, and the grave, by the precious blood of Jesus, my risen Savior. Show me my part in this plan. (Note the impressions and thoughts you experience right now.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You all are so precious to me. Thank You for Your love and work in my life. Thank You for Your favor and Your grace. Thank You for Your unselfish acts. May You be glorified! Thank You for the words and thoughts You gave me just now. I am so blessed to be in relationship with You, to know Your heart and Your thoughts. Let me not take this for granted. You are my personal, living Lord, who lives and reigns in me. Have Your way in me, Lord. Sanctify me through and through, to make me more like You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 103:2-5, Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Jeremiah 31:34, “No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins on more.”

Romans 6:5-14, 5For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—7because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. 10The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. 11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness. 14For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.

Galatians 2:19-21, 19“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Galatians 5:24-25, Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

2 Thessalonians 2:13, But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

1 Peter 1:2, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

 Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 18 – Serve One Another in Love

Apr9

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 18

Serve One Another in Love

Lord, how would you have us serve others? Submitting ourselves to one another is a difficult task. You are the Lord of the universe, and yet, You set a serving example for us by washing the disciples’ feet. Lord, do you really require that of us? Furthermore, You submitted Yourself to the Father’s will and died on the cross to pay my sin debt. You laid down Your life in exchange for mine. Thank You, Jesus. You are the ultimate servant leader.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

Serving one another in love fulfills the second greatest commandment under the new covenant: Love your neighbor as yourself. This is second only to the greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. It’s that important to submit to one another in love, as Christ submitted Himself to death on the cross, giving Himself up for His bride, the church. You are able to love, because He first loved you (1 John 4:19).

Don’t get hung up on the words ‘servant’ and ‘submission.’ To submit yourself means to be obedient, surrendering your will to another. I, first, require that you submit yourself to Me. You will be obedient to Me as you submit yourself to another and serve another in love. I am King of kings and Lord of lords, however, I did not come to earth to be served, but to serve. I am a servant King, and I require no less of you.

When you serve another in love, you will be blessed (John 13:17). I modeled serving the Father, as I served My disciples by washing their feet. I humbled Myself and the Father exalted Me. I do not ask you to do more than I, myself, will do.

Perhaps you need to complete a pride inventory. Do you carry pride in your heart? If so, do what you must do to quickly get rid of all pride, haughtiness, and arrogance. Pride is detestable to Me (Proverbs 16:5). Humble yourself and I will exalt you (Matthew 23:12). Those who are greater should become the lesser, and those who rule should become the ones who serve (Luke 22: 26-27). Take up your cross and follow Me (Luke 9:23-24), then follow My example. Whoever loses their life for Me will save it. Let go of your pride.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:21-27). Be obedient to Me and submit to one another in love. Lay down your pride and serve one another, as I have served you by the laying down of My life. That is how much I love you.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thank You for humbling Yourself by leaving Your throne in heaven to take on the flesh of mankind. Thank You for submitting to the Father’s will by laying down Your life for Your bride, the church, to make us spotless, holy, and blameless. I am so grateful that You paid the full debt of My sin, by death on the cross, to make me presentable to my Heavenly Father. Thank you for making the way for me to be reconciled to Him. I appreciate the opportunity You give me to communicate with God as His child and friend. Please allow me to hear Your voice clearly in these few moments I spend with You in the secret place. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • Father God, please share Your heart with me; share Your desires for how I can best serve others. (Record all thoughts and ideas He gives you right now.)

 

  • Jesus, my Savior, please help me know Your heart for serving others. Teach me to be willing to follow in Your footsteps and the example You set for me. Please give me ideas of how I can bring glory to You by serving others.

 

  • Holy Spirit, please reveal all the ways I am prideful. I confess the sin of pride in my heart and ask forgiveness. How may I do better in the future of submitting my spirit to Yours? Please give me examples of changes that need to be made in my life to be obedient to Your will of serving others. (Write every thought that the Holy Spirit impresses on you.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

 Dear Lord, thank You for communicating Your heart’s desires of how I might serve You and others in ways that bring glory to Your name. Humble me and help me be reverent and respectful to You by being obedient to Your commands to love and serve one another. Help me to submit to You and to others, the way Jesus submitted Himself to You and Your will. May you receive all the glory, honor, and praise. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I pray. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Proverbs 6:16-19, There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Proverbs 16:5, The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

Matthew 20:26-28, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 23:12, For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Luke 22:26-27, “But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”

John 13:5…12-17, After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciple’s feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him…When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Galatians 5:13-14, You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather; serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Ephesians 5:21-27, Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Ephesians 6:7-8, Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Colossians 3:23-24, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

James 4:6-8, But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.

1 John 4:19, We love because He first loved us.

Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 16  – I am the Lover of Your Soul

Apr7

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 16  – I am the Lover of Your Soul

Dear God, how is it that You, the Creator and Ruler of the universe, love someone like me? How do I know that you love me for sure? I do not deserve your love. I cannot earn your love. And yet, Your Word says You love me. Why is it that You love me, Lord?

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

My child, I am the lover of your soul. I knew you and loved you long before I created you. You are mine. You belong to me. I love you with a deep, unconditional, everlasting love. My love for you will never change. I am the same yesterday, today, forever (Hebrews 13:8). I am love (1 John 4:8).

My love for you is My greatest gift to you. You cannot earn My love. It is a free gift, just like My grace. Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). My love defines who you are and whose you are. I demonstrated My love for you in this, while you were still a sinner, I sent My Son, Jesus, to lay down His life for you (Romans 5:8). I loved you then, and I will always love you. I am dependable. You can count on Me to love you into all eternity.

I love you no matter what you do. My love for you is unchanging and consistent. My love is forgiving and forgetting. My love is unfailing and wonderful. Nothing you do will increase or decrease My love for you. You are My beloved child. I love you no matter what. You do not understand the depth of my love for you because you cannot grasp it. It is so much different from any other love you know and feel.

You need not wonder whether I love you and accept you as you are, I do. You are worthy of My love because you are My child. I created you to love you, and ask that you, in turn, love Me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). If you love Me, you will obey Me, and I will come and make My home in you (John 14:23). I will never leave you or forget about you (Joshua 1:5).

Respond to Me in love. Accept My free gift of love and grace. When you invite Jesus into your heart, I give you another indescribable gift. I send My Holy Spirit to live in your heart. I not only love you, but I live in you. Your body is My temple, My dwelling place (1 Corinthians 3:16). I love you from the inside out. You have a member of the Godhead living in you and loving you at all times. How wonderful is that? I am the lover of your soul, because your soul is My home. I have made My home in you, and I love My home. I love you, My friend. I have loved you before the beginning of time, and I will love you through all eternity. 

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your good and perfect love. Help me to grasp the depth of that love as we communicate today. Lord, will you show me Your heart for me as Your child. Lord, help me to know and feel Your presence with me right now as we talk heart to heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God:

  • Father, describe to me what it was like to send Your one and only Son, Jesus, to die for me. (Write the thoughts that come into your mind.)

 

  • Jesus, so great is Your love for me, that You were willing to die in my place, for my sin. Please share Your heart with me about this sacrificial love. (Record any words or impressions that enter your heart.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, You are the gift of God’s love, who dwells in me. Please share with me what You want me to know today. (Jot down all thoughts and senses you experience in your mind and heart.)

 

Review the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I cannot thank You enough for Your unconditional love and Your sacrificial demonstration of that love on my behalf. Thank You for making a way to be reconciled to God, the Father, and for the gift of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, so that I may communicate with all three members of the godhead any time of the day or night. This is such a spectacular gift. I so appreciate all that You have done for me and continue to do for me. I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Joshua 1:5, I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Psalm 25:10, All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of His covenant.

Psalm 32:8, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 100:5, For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 86:13, For great is your love toward me; You have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

Psalm 108:4, For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 117:12 For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.

Psalm 118:1, Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:3, Give thanks to the Lord of lords; His love endures forever.

Psalm 144:2, He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Song of Songs 2:4, Let Him lead me to the banquet hall, and let His banner over me be love.

Isaiah 54:10, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Mark 12:30, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

John 14:23, Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them.”

John 15:13-14, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command.”

John 16:27, “No, the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.”

Romans 5:5, 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 5:8, God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 3:16, Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

Ephesians 2:4, But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 3:16-19, I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through 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 high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know His love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

James 1:17, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1 John 3:1, See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

1 John 4:8-10, Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:19, We love because He first loved us.

Revelation 1:5-6, To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved