Heaven Calling: Hearing Your Father's Voice Every Day of the Year

First Chapter

Heaven Calling

Zondervan

Chapter One

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness." -Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

YOU ARE MY MASTER PIECE

Out of all of my creation, do you know what I consider my masterpiece, my crowning jewel? You. You have great worth in my eyes, beloved. I made the world for you to live in, enjoy, and care for. Each tiny flower, each fluttering butterfly, each vivid sunset is my love poem to you. You are far more valuable to me than the earth, the sky, the animals, and the rest of my creation combined. While you are unique from all other persons, you share similarities: a bit of heaven in your inmost being and my reflection in your life. It was my pleasure to take extra care as I fashioned you from the dust of the earth.

On the days when you feel put down by others, remember that you are precious in my sight. My masterpiece.

Read Genesis 1:1-2:3.

Lord, help me to realize my value to you each day.

JANUARY 2

Then the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" -Genesis 3:9 (NLT)

IF YOU HIDE, I WILL SEEK

Dear one, long ago I fashioned a people on which to lavish my love. I took on flesh to walk with them each day. My daily times with Adam and Eve were my greatest delight. Yet my anguish was great when they broke the rule I set before them and tried to hide from me, the lover of their souls. In love, I called out to them, to bring them out of hiding. I made provision for them and for their children's children so that no one would ever have to hide from me again.

Child, I know the temptations you face each day, the struggle to follow my rules. When you fail at doing what is right, you want to run and hide. But I will always seek you. I will never let you go, never let you rest in the lie that I no longer love you.

Read Genesis 2:4-3:23.

Jesus, lover of my soul, thank you for your willingness to seek me when I try to hide.

JANUARY 3

Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?" -Genesis 4:6 (NIV)

WHY ARE YOU ANGRY?

I love all of my children, beloved. I don't disparage one in favor of another. It grieves me when you believe that I do.

I favored Abel's offering, but did not favor Abel over Cain. Cain misunderstood the difference and allowed his anger to blind him.

My child, I caution all of my children to be slow to anger because of the devastation that anger can unleash. I did not want Cain to go down that path of destruction. Instead of giving in to his emotions, I wanted him to examine why he was angry. Envy was the match that ignited his fury. He chose to hang on to anger instead of me.

Child, when you're upset, don't focus on it to the exclusion of all else. Bring it to me. Let's explore together why you're angry. Then, let's douse that flame together.

Read Genesis 4:1-16.

Lord, show me the root of my anger. I need your help to deal with it.

JANUARY 4

Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. -Genesis 6:14 (ESV)

IN A BIG WAY

From the beginning, my thought has always been to save my people. First, I made a way to save Adam and Eve when they broke my commandment. Then, in Noah's day, even as I contemplated sending a flood, I came up with a plan to preserve him and his family, along with every kind of animal in the world. An ark-a vessel no one had ever seen before-was my method of choice.

Beloved child, my way of salvation will always be contrary to human expectation. Yet no price is too great for me to pay. I gave my life to save an entire world-something no one would have expected. I also give you the instructions in my Word and the quiet whispers of my Spirit to save you from yourself.

When I save, I save in a big way. That's what a Savior does.

Read Genesis 6:9-22.

Lord, I am humbled by your way of salvation.

JANUARY 5

Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures ... came to Noah and entered the ark. -Genesis 7:8-9 (NIV)

GIVE ME YOUR WORRIES

I am strong enough to toss a mountain like a pebble. I am bigger than the universe. So you can absolutely rest your cares safely upon my shoulders.

I know the worries that collect in your life like beads on a string. Sometimes you even add worries that aren't yours to bear. These anxieties sap your energy, beloved. When I gave Noah the task of building the ark, I didn't want him to worry about how the animals would get on board. His job was just to build the ark. My task was to get them there.

Rest assured that I have everything under control in your life too. Just give me your worries, child. In exchange, I'll give you my peace.

Read Genesis 7.

Lord, I will not worry today. I know you are in charge.

JANUARY 6

When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded. -Genesis 8:11 (NIV)

IN THE WAITING TIMES

Child, I know how difficult waiting can be. I waited for you to admit your need of a Savior. I wait for you each day to meet with me. So, I know the pain you feel when you wait a long time for something you dearly want.

After the great flood, Noah and his family wondered when the waters would ever recede. The times the raven returned without a sign of greenery added to the weight of their wait. But in my time, the waters dissipated-and Noah's wait was over.

Let's make an agreement here and now, dear one. In the waiting times, offer me your trust. In return, I'll offer you grace, peace, hope-and a guarantee that I'll come through for you.

Is that a deal?

Read Genesis 8.

Lord, I accept your deal. Grant me the patience to trust your timing.

JANUARY 7

I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. -Genesis 9:13 (NLT)

LOOK FOR MY SIGNS

Look around you, child. There are signs of my love for you everywhere. A field of blushing poppies expresses my joy in creating a beautiful environment for you. A rainstorm to water the crops indicates my blessing. A kind word from a stranger ... that's a sign of my encouragement. A rainbow arcing across the sky ... that's a display of my faithfulness.

Look for my signs, beloved. You'll find them most evident on your darkest days, when fear or hopelessness are darkening your vision. Some of these signs are attached to things you don't typically welcome. But without the rain, there would be no rainbow. Without the toil of tilling the earth, there would be no flowers or crops.

If you can't find my signs, ask me. I'll point the way with one more sign: my nail-printed hand. It's the expression of my eternal love for you.

Read Genesis 9:1-17.

Lord, I will look for your signs.

(Continues...)

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