My Beloved Child,

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In the quiet moments of your heart, I whisper these words of eternal truth and love. My heart overflows with joy, love and happiness, not only for all of creation, but uniquely and profoundly for you!  You are My delight, and it is My deepest desire for you to experience life as I envision it for you--full of joy, blanketed in My love, hope for the future, and abundant in happiness.

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From the very beginning, I crafted the universe with joy, setting the foundations of earth with "Songs of the Stars" (Job 38:4-7).  In every sunrise, every blooming flower, and in the laughter of humanity, My joy is made manifest, My testament to My incredible and unconditional love for you and all of creation. 

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The Psalms are replete with affirmations of My joy and my desire for your happiness. "You make known the path of life; In Your presence there is fullness of joy; At Your right hand all pleasures are forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). This joy is not fleeting or superficial, but is the profound joy found in My presence, the eternal and unshakeable happiness that comes from knowing you are deeply loved by Me. 

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In My son, Jesus, you see the embodiment of My joy and love. "He came so that you might have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).  His teaching, His miracles, and His very life were expressions of My heart's desire for you. All with the hope that you would experience the complete richness of life, filled with love, joy and peace.  Jesus spoke of My joy being made complete in you (John 15:11).  A joy that is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging and forever lasting nature of My love for you. 

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Consider the parables Jesus shared, like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), where I welcome you back with open arms, celebrating your return with feasting and joy, regardless of your past, regardless of where you have been, regardless of what you have done!  This is the depth of My love for you, My child, a love that rejoices in forgiveness, restoration, redemption, and the sheer joy of being in an intimate relationship with you. 

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A simple reminder of what it is like to be in My spirit can be found in Galatians 5:22-23, "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."  These attributes are a reflection of My character and a blueprint for how I desire you to experience life, rooted and grounded in My joy and love. 

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My promises to you are as sure as the sun rises and sets each and every day.  In Isaiah 61:10, I speak of "clothing you with garments of salvation and arraying you in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."  This imagery is one of celebration, one of joy and one showing the deep abiding love I have for you. 

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Let not you heart be troubled by the shadows of this world, for My joy is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).  In every moment, I am with you, guiding you to streams of living water where you can drink deeply of My joy and peace.  Remember, "My plans for you are to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future filled with joy" (Jeremiah 29:11). 

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So, My child, and you are My child, My dearly beloved, live freely in My truths:

1. You are Deeply Loved - Jeremiah 31:3 states, "The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

2. You are Never Alone - As Matthew 28:20 reads, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

3. You are Valued - Isaiah 43:4 reads, "Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life."

4. You have a Future Filled with Hope - Jeremiah 29:11 reads, "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."

5. You Can Trust Me with Your Fear and Anxiety - 1:Peter 5:7 reads, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." And Philippians 4: 6-7 reads, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." 

6. You are Called to Peace - John 14:27 reads, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 

7. You are Forgiven - Isaiah 1:18 reads, "Come now, let us settle the matter,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." And 1 John 1:9 reads, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all righteousness." 

8. You are a New Creation in Me - 2 Corinthians 5:17 reads, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here." 

9. You are not Defined by Your Past - Hebrews 8:12 reads, "For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more." And Isaiah 43:18-19 reads, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

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Let these truths be the foundation upon which you build your life, the lens through which you see the world, and the song that fills your heart! Of you, I am proud, and in you, I find great joy. 

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Love your Heavenly Father,

God

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Brandon Hokenstad

3/1/2024​​​​​​​​