January 18

I AM LEADING YOU ALONG THE HIGH ROAD, but there are descents as well as ascents.  In the distance you see snow-covered peaks glistening in brilliant sunlight.  Your longing to reach those peaks is good, but you must not take shortcuts.  Your assignment is to follow Me, allowing Me to direct your path.  Let the heights beckon you onward, but stay close to Me.

Learn to trust Me when things go “wrong.”  Disruptions to your routine your dependence on Me.  Trusting acceptance of trials brings blessings that far outweigh them all.  Walk hand in hand with Me through this day.  I have lovingly planned every inch of the way.  Trust does not falter when the path becomes rocky and steep.  Breathe deep draughts of My Presence, and hold tightly to My hand.  Together we can make it!

John 21:19; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Habakkuk 3:19

January 19

SEEK MY FACE, and you will find more than you ever dreamed possible.  Let Me displace worry at the center of your being.  I am like a supersaturated cloud, showering Peace into the pool of your mind.  My nature is to bless.  Your nature is to receive with thanksgiving.  This is a true fit, designed before the foundation of the world.  Glorify Me by receiving My blessings gratefully.

I am the goal of all your searching.  When you seek Me, you find Me and are satisfied.  When lesser goals capture your attention, I fade into the background of your life.  I am still there, watching and waiting; but you function as if you were alone.  Actually, My Light shines on every situation you will ever face.  Live radiantly by expanding your focus to include Me in all your moments.  Let nothing dampen your search for Me.

Psalm 27:8(NKJV); Philippians 4:7(MSG); Jeremiah 29:13

January 20

APPROACH THIS DAY WITH AWARENESS OF WHO IS BOSS.  As you make plans for the day, remember that it is I who orchestrate the events of your life.  On days when things go smoothly, according to your plans, you may be unaware of My sovereign Presence.  On days when your plans are thwarted, be on the lookout for Me!  I may be doing something important in your life, something quite different from what you expected.  It is essential at such times to stay in communication with Me, accepting My way as better than yours.  Don’t try to figure out what is happening.  Simply trust Me and thank Me in advance for the good that will come out of it all.  I know the plans I have for you, and they are good.

Isaiah 55:9-11; Jeremiah 29:11

January 21

I WANT YOU TO BE ALL MINE.  I am weaning you from other dependencies.  Your security rests in Me alone—not in other people, not in circumstances.  Depending only on Me may feel like walking on a tightrope, but there is a safety net underneath:  the everlasting arms.  So don’t be afraid of falling.  Instead, look ahead to Me.  I am always before you, beckoning you on—one step at a time.  Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate you from My loving Presence.

Deuteronomy 33:27; Romans 8:39

January 22

STRIVE TO TRUST ME in more and more areas of your life.  Anything that tends to make you anxious is a growth opportunity.  Instead of running away from these challenges, embrace them, eager to gain all the blessings I have hidden in the difficulties.  If you believe that I am sovereign over every aspect of your life, it is possible to trust Me in all situations. Don’t waste energy regretting the way things are or thinking about what might have been.  Start at the present moment—accepting things exactly as they are—and search for My way in the midst of those circumstances.

Trust is like a staff you can lean on, as you journey uphill with Me.  If you are trusting in Me consistently, the staff will bear as much of your weight as needed.  Lean on. Trust, and be confident in Me with all your heart and mind.

Psalm 52:8; Proverbs 3:5-6(AMP)

January 23

IT’S ALL RIGHT TO BE HUMAN.  When your mind wanders while you are praying, don’t be surprised or upset.  Simply return your attention to Me.  Share a secret smile with Me, knowing that I understand.  Rejoice in My Love for you, which has no limits or conditions.  Whisper My Name in loving contentment, assured that I will never leave you or forsake you.  Intersperse these peaceful interludes abundantly throughout your day.  This practice will enable you to attain a quiet and gently spirit, which is pleasing to Me.

As you live in close contact with Me, the Light of My Presence filters through you to bless others.  Your weakness and woundedness are the openings through which the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines forth.  My strength and power show themselves most effective in your weakness.

Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Peter 3:4; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7; 2 Corinthians 12:9(AMP)

January 24

MY PEACE is the treasure of treasures:  the pearl of great price.  It is an exquisitely costly gift, both for the Giver and the receiver.  I purchased this Peace for you with My blood.  You receive this gift by trusting Me in the midst of life’s storms.  If you have the world’s peace—everything going your way—you don’t seek My unfathomable Peace.  Thank Me when things do not go your way, because spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials.  Adverse circumstances are normal in a fallen world.  Expect them each day.  Rejoice in the face of hardship, for I have overcome the world.

Matthew 13:46(NKJV); James 1:2; John 16:33

January 25

LET MY LOVE ENFOLD YOU in the radiance of My Glory.  Sit still in the Light of My Presence, and receive My Peace.  These quiet moments with Me transcend time, accomplishing far more than you can imagine.   Bring Me the sacrifice of your time, and watch to see how abundantly I bless you and your loved ones.

Through the intimacy of our relationship, you are being transformed from the inside out.  As you keep your focus on Me, I form you into the one I desire you to be.  Your part is to yield to My creative work in you, neither resisting it nor trying to speed it up.  Enjoy the tempo of a God-breathed life by letting Me set the pace.  Hold My hand in childlike trust, and the way before you will open up step by step.

Hebrews 13:15; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 73: 23-24

January 26

GIVE UP THE ILLUSION that you deserve a problem-free life.  Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties.  This is a false hope!  As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble.  Link your hope not to problem solving in this life but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven.  Instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me:  the Perfect One.

It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances.  In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark.  That kind of trust is supernatural:  a production of My indwelling Spirit.  When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway.  I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way.

John 16:33; Psalm 112:4, 7

January 27

TRUST IS A GOLDEN PATHWAY TO HEAVEN.  When you walk on this path, you live above your circumstances.  My glorious Light shines more brightly on those who follow this path of Life.  Dare to walk on the high road with Me, for it is the most direct route to heaven.  The low road is circuitous:  twisting and turning in agonizing knots.  There the air hangs heavy, and dark, ominous clouds predominate.  Relying on your own understanding will weigh you down.  Trust in Me absolutely, and I will make your path straight.

John 14: 1-2; Proverbs 3: 5-6

January 28

I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS. These were the last words I spoke before ascending into heaven.  I continue to proclaim this promise to all who will listen.  People respond to My continual Presence in various ways.  Most Christians accept this teaching as truth but ignore it in their daily living.  Some ill-taught or wounded believers fear (and may even resent) My awareness of all they do, say, and think.  A few people center their lives around this glorious promise and find themselves blessed all expectations.

When My Presence is the focal point of your consciousness, all the pieces of your life fall into place.  As you gaze at Me through the eyes of your heart, you can see the world around you from My perspective.  The fact that I am with you makes every moment of your life meaningful.

Matthew 28:20; Psalm 139: 1-4

January 29

KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON ME.  I have gifted you with amazing freedom, including the ability to choose the focal point of your mind.  Only the crown of My creation has such remarkable capability; this is a sign of being made in My image.

Let the goal of this day be to bring every thought captive to Me.  Whenever your mind wanders, lasso those thoughts and bring them into My Presence.  In My radiant Light, anxious thoughts shrink and shrivel away.  Judgmental thoughts are unmasked as you bask in My unconditional Love.  Confused ideas are untangles while you rest in the simplicity of My Peace.  I will guard you and keep you in constant Peace, as you focus your mind on Me.

Psalm 8:5; Genesis 1:26-27; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Isaiah 26:3(AMP)

January 30

WORSHIP ME ONLY.  Whatever occupies your mind the most becomes your god.  Worries, if indulged, develop into idols.  Anxiety gains a life of its own, parasitically infesting your mind.  Break free from this bondage by affirming your trust in Me and refreshing yourself in My Presence.  What goes on in your mind is invisible, undetectable to other people.  But I read your thoughts continually, searching for evidence of trust in Me.  I rejoice when your mind turns toward Me.  Guard your thoughts diligently; good thought-choices will keep you close to Me.

Psalm 112:7; 1 Corinthians 13:11

January 31

I AM YOUR STRENGTH AND SHIELD. I plan out each day and heave it ready for you, long before you arise from bed.

I also provide the strength you need each step of the way.  Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what’s on the road ahead, concentrate om staying in touch with Me.  My Power flows freely into you through our open communication.  Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.

Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield.  But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active.  My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers.  Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available.  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.

Psalm 28:7; Matthew 6:34; Psalm 56:3-4; Genesis 28:15