Tag: christianity

Relaxing with Jesus

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

Long ago the apostle Paul wrote to the first century church. His words inspired by God, the Holy Spirit, are also life-giving for us today. Very meaningful to me are words found within the second letter to the Corinthians:

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT)

The passing seasons of life as seen in the tree in front of my house.

Just like this tree, now with all of its glorious seasonal Autumn colours, we pass through seasons of life. For me, 2025 is a season which God seemed to designate as a “Sabbath”. It seems to me, Holy Spirit’s been at work in me to create space for a falling away of beliefs and thoughts and habits that never belonged to me in the first place, or are no longer serving me well, and must not be carried into the next season of life. While it’s been a stretching and challenging time, I sense I’m entering the next phase of this Sabbath year: a time of deep, peaceful, restorative rest which will quietly prepare me for the season to come.

Perhaps these thoughts I’m sharing might somehow resonate with you? Something of God’s comfort to me might also comfort you at this time. During a time of prayer journalling – writing what came to mind while listening and talking to Jesus (on 23 May, 2025) – it seemed to me that God said the following life-giving words to me:

“Beloved, remember My words to you; Relax! I just need you to enjoy Me…

I don’t expect perfection in you, or from you. I need you to relax and let Me mould and shape you—uniquely—to beautifully reflect Jesus, My beloved Son. 

Dance with Me, Jesus, and sing with Me for joy! Let My lavish, complete, life-giving love fill you and penetrate into the very core of who you are. For this to happen, I need you to relax in My presence. Relax from the inside-out. 

All will be well. All is well with your soul. 

Let that truth seep into the deep places within you. Truly, My grace will be enough—more than enough—for you!

Keep hold of My hand, and together, we will walk the one step at a time through life. Be patient and stay with Me, and remember…

Enjoy Me!“

May the Spirit of Jesus and our good-all-the-time beloved Father bless you with a deep, unshakeable knowledge and understanding of how wide and deep and eternal God’s love is for you because you experience Jesus for yourself.

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 ↩︎