Tag: bible

The Banner of Love

On By Heather HensonIn Devotionals, Personal Reflections, Sharing from my JournalLeave a comment

As is often my first-thing-morning custom, I welcomed the presence of God that day in April, 2025.

Of course I knew that the beloved Holy Spirit never leaves me while I sleep, nor does He sleep! But this was a new day for me and, well, why wouldn’t I welcome the Lover of my soul who knows me better than I know myself? Why wouldn’t I welcome He who provides for me in all sorts of creative ways, He whose mercies are new every morning; the One whose joy will be my strength; and whose grace, faithfulness and love never ends?

In that restful and relaxed place of somewhere between sleep and morning wakefulness, I asked Who do You want to be for me today, Daddy1 and Jesus and Holy Spirit?

The words came like a gentle, clear whisper into my inner being, “My banner over you is love”.2 

Pondering on the word banner with its accompanying visual image, I replied asking, “Daddy, would You please show me or tell me more about Your banner over me?” 

These words seemed to flow into my heart…

“My banner is a declaration! Therefore My declaration of love for you, into you, is My protection over you. 

In the world—in the spiritual realm—this is seen as a light of flame burning so brightly that all must look away. You are therefore invisible to anyone who would approach with malicious intent to steal, kill or destroy. 

Nothing can penetrate My banner. You are secure in Me as you rest in Me, and I AM good.

My plans for you are good ones. 

Take heart, beloved! We will walk forward together on this journey of life. Holding My hand3 imparts strength into your being. This is what it means for you to not grow weary or faint, but to soar in the heavenly realms as on eagles wings4 – and keep going – one step at a time, infused by the joy of My strength and My peace, which passes all your understanding!

Celebrate life in Christ, life with Me, beloved!“

How might a picture adequately illustrate “God’s banner over me is love”? The memory of watching the sun rise over the beach at Anglesea (Australia) comes close. The experience caused me to stand in awe of who God is, revel in His great love for me, and worship Him!

I pray that you will choose to come to God through faith in His Son, Jesus; or draw closer to Him in intimate relationship, just as you are. You will be surrendering to the life-giving One whose loving-kindness never ends; the Lord of glory; the majestic, powerful, undefeatable, gentle, and wise Hope of our salvation! His grace really is sufficient for you and me. Truly, His banner over you and me is Love… because the One true God is love itself!

  1. In that glorious mystery, within the perfectly united Oneness of God, God is three: Father, Jesus the Son, and Holy Spirit. It seemed to me that Father God, the eternal I AM, said to me many years ago, “Beloved, I want you to call Me, Daddy!” His words instantly and powerfully ministered to a deep place of searching and longing in my soul. The fruit of that experience continues to be life-giving! Father God, exactly represented by the Son, Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 1:3), longs for people to go ever deeper into a place of intimacy in relationship with Him. Unlike so many earthly fathers, He is always a good and perfect Father. ↩︎
  2. The words resonated with my spirit, so it was no surprise to be reminded that the words “His banner over me is love” are the second half of a verse found in the Bible; Song of Solomon, chapter 2:4. (Complete Jewish Bible) ↩︎
  3. I continue to explore this as I journey in life with Jesus, but I wonder if holding My hand might include me staying with the Lord and agreeing with Him in a surrendered-to-the-Lordship-of-Jesus lifestyle. ↩︎
  4. “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” – Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬ ↩︎

2025: The Journey Continues

On By Heather HensonIn Devotionals, Life's Lessons, Personal Reflections, Sharing from my JournalLeave a comment

On 1 January 2024, I didn’t know how the year would unfold. 

Sure, I had a couple of signposts that helped me to plan for stages of the journey along with my beloved travel companion, my husband, Ross. The first signpost pointed to six weeks overseas in Greece—associated with our continued volunteer work with Hellenic Ministries. The second beckoned me toward the joy of celebrating my firstborn’s 40th birthday. 

But I didn’t know that I’d need spinal surgery preceded by scans, appointments and procedures; nor did I know I’d be supporting Ross through his urgent prostate surgery and rehabilitation.

I didn’t know about the bleeding disorder that had my haematologist telling me it’s a wonder I’ve lived for my 66 years and, ‘this is very serious, Heather’.

I didn’t know about the wonderful myriad of opportunities I would be offered to nurture and celebrate relationships with family and friends and neighbours-who-are-dear-friends. 

I didn’t know about the wonderful experiences in which I would be able to make new friends at home, in Athens, on Lesvos and Crete, in Liverpool and Enniskillen (Ireland), and through my social media groups! 

I didn’t know just how much this can be true and has been for me: “Courage is moving forward in the face of fear.” (Original author unknown.) Or Corrie Ten Boom’s well-known words: “It is safe to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

I didn’t know just how true were the gently whispered life-giving words into my soul that seemed to come from Father God during a conversation with Him on the first day of 2024, “You treated it as a burden, but I gave it to you as a gift.” (The it being my writing.)

I didn’t know just how much I can procrastinate because of the distant echo of voices demanding that everything—that I—must be perfect… 

But this I do know: through it all, God the Holy Spirit has been helping me to trust more deeply that Father God is good all the time and that His plans, which are actually not all about me, but rather, all about Jesus, are good and right ones designed to promote my wellbeing and freedom to be the real me—who He created me to be.

Photo Credit: Unsplash – Ch Photography

I might not know what is around the corner—what will happen in my life, in the lives of my family and friends, and in the world in this new year, 2025…

But this I do know: with Holy Spirit’s grace at work in me, I am able to practise the truth in 2025; it is wise, right, life-giving, and an act of worship and loving obedience to God for me to keep hold of the hand of His Son and my beloved Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

And I know, and have experienced, that to remain intimately and vitally connected into the life of Jesus is to agree with Him because God made Him, Jesus; the Word, to be Wisdom itself (Read 1 Corinthians 1:30 and John 15, especially verses 1-17.)

Thankfully I know, and have experienced, that His mercy means that no matter what, the Spirit of Jesus will never leave or forsake me. He will gain my focus and gently woo me back to where I am the most secure—in the centre of His heart!

And so, I will keep going… 

I choose to journey into 2025 with the word, gentle accompanying and guiding me because it comes with peace and hope, and resonates in my soul. I sense that gentle has travelling companions including (but not limited to), Rest. Relax. Go forward slowly and mindfully.

For years now, I’ve been asking God for a word or phrase to serve as a compass point directing me toward Jesus who is True North. I know from the past that I will explore life with all of its adventures as I walk with Jesus, but I will never be lost because I know that this is true: Jesus is “…the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through (Him).” (John 14:6 NLT – paraphrased). And, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 – NLT)

As I journey gently and mindfully with Jesus into 2025, I see and know that healing will come—transformational healing from the inside out! Let it be, Lord, because this is for your glory and my good. I also know that others who come near will somehow be impacted too! 

Did you notice the sign nailed to the tree on the left in the photo? Having being a very significant Scripture verse for me for a very long time, I did! I saw it as Ross and I walked the road to the retreat centre, our accomodation in Ireland.

The words of Joshua recorded in the Bible say it better than I could ever do: “…be strong and brave, Do not yield to fear nor be discouraged, for I am YAHWEH your God, and I will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9; The Passion Translation)

Dear reader, I pray that you will know and experience the truth: you are wonderfully created, deeply loved, and wanted! I pray that you will know that the Father planned for you to be born and that your life, (created by Him) and how you live it, really does matter to Him. God has made a way for you to be in intimate relationship with Him through faith in Jesus, His beloved Son! His Spirit will help you to come to Jesus, or to come back to Him; or to even draw closer into the Father-heart of God to enjoy Him forever—in spirit and in truth.

Reach out to Jesus. There is no valid reason for you to walk the journey of life alone.

It seems to me that Jesus is reaching out to you and says: Come to Me. Come and don’t delay. Test Me and see that I will not fail you. Walk and talk with Me along the way that is the journey of 2025 and beyond. I—who am Love, Truth and Grace—AM faithful and will never leave you or forsake you. Trust Me! I AM trustworthy!

I pray that you and I will feel free to be active and engaged in this part of our life’s journey—2025—a year of peace and increasing freedom in Christ.

Imagine that it is God's Son Jesus's hand that you are holding. He knows you, He sees you, He loves you! He is the way and will guide you forward on your journey in life.

The Lord is my Shepherd

On By Heather HensonIn Personal Reflections, Sharing from my Journal2 Comments

Perhaps these words I wrote might speak to you today as deeply as they speak to me each time I read them and let myself feel them.

Perhaps you might even look at the photo and imagine that you are walking with Jesus, holding His hand on this journey that is life. It is safe to be still and listen to His voice today.

It seems to me that He says: 

“Come beloved, trust Me because I will be with you and I will provide for you in all sorts of creative ways!

Don’t be dismayed. Don’t be discouraged, because I AM with you and will prove to you that I am your Helper, your Advocate, your Comforter and your Guide. I need you to trust Me, especially that I AM good. 

My plans never fail, so come, walk with Me and talk with Me and you will see doors open that will leave you looking upon My Presence in wonder and adoration! 

Fear not, beloved, for I AM with you! My plans for you are ALL about Jesus and so they WILL be worked out as you surrender to the Spirit of Jesus.”

For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Isaiah 41:33 (New Living Bible)

The Lord my God loves to intervene in the circumstances of my life, and in yours, a reality which might seem impossible to us. But Jesus is the Way-Maker… 

Jesus wants to be the One who holds your hand and mine. We never have to walk alone!

Would you read through the words of one of my favourite chapters in the Bible, Psalm 23, with me? Take your time, beloved. Let the words and word-pictures wash over you and into your soul because they are life-giving.

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.”

Psalm 23 NLT
(Verse numbers intentionally omitted.)

The Lord, who is the always-good Shepherd, loves you and me! No matter what you have done (or not done), or who you think you are (or are not), the one true God loves you just as you are, and invites you to surrender to Jesus.

The Father’s perfect love expressed in and through Jesus is always redemptive.

(Photo credit: Fiona Wu)