Revelation 21:22 – “The city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it, FOR the glory of GOD brightens it and the Lamb is the lamp of it.”

Today, my reading took me to Isaiah 60 and Revelation 21. The Holy Spirit used similar verbiage in those chapters to speak to my heart. He caused me to focus on the New Jerusalem and the Wonder of God.

Isaiah 60:19 – “The sun shall be no more your light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light to you; for the LORD shall be to you an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.”

Revelation 21:22 – “The city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it, for the glory of GOD brightens it, and the Lamb is the lamp of it.”

As I read those passages, the wonder of heaven became clearer than I had previously imagined.  It makes me homesick for heaven.  However, what the Lord spoke to my heart was something for right now.

When we enter the Light of God, who is light, that light dispels everything that weighs us down and hinders our progress.  That light lifts burdens and heals (body, soul, and spirit).  That light sets us free totally.

Isaiah 60:19 tells us of a healing we all need in some area of our lives.  “…and the days of your mourning shall be ended.”

The joy of God and the imagery of heaven turn tears into joy.  How can I not rejoice when I truly see heaven, my eternal destiny?  No matter what I’m weeping over, seeing His light and the awesomeness of heaven deposits joy without measure.

This morning, heaven is on my mind.  I think of that great host of those I love who have gone before me, and I imagine their exquisite exuberant joy right now, and tears of joy fill my heart.   One Day, we will see that too.   One Day, we will hear the sounds, see the sights, and feel the feeling they now know.

Heaven makes my heart rejoice. Jesus is coming, and I believe very soon.  Let heaven fill your heart.  It will do what nothing else can.   One Day, One Day Soon!

Let Heaven fill your heart here and now.  Have a great day in Jesus!

Matthew 18:1 – “At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

This morning, the Lord caused me to reflect on flawed humanity, mine and others. The disciples showed their flawed understanding and self-centeredness multiple times. Yet, God transformed and used them mightily. 

In Matthew 18:1, they asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  Was that seeking historical insight, or was it?  Their question was, “Which of us is best?”

Peter’s question on forgiveness seems to reveal which.  How often do I have to forgive before I can get my pound of flesh?  Matthew 19:24 caused such shock the disciples questioned if anyone could be saved.  Was it because they were rich or wanted to be?

Matthew 20:20-28 speaks to their humanness and self-centeredness.   James and John, in tow by Momma, asked for preeminence in the kingdom for the two boys.  The others were angry.  Was it righteous anger or jealousy wanting the same thing?

True discipleship is servanthood.  The flesh does not like to serve because it requires self-effacing subservience.   It requires putting the needs of others above our wants and ambitions.

But, if He is First, having a servant’s heart becomes easy because there we die to self and refuse to let there be a resurrection of the flesh.  That is Only Possible through the Holy Spirit. 

• Love serves and does not demand.  
• Love gives and does not expect a return. 
• Love exposes itself, not fearing hurt. 
• Love surrenders the heart to the object of its love. 
• Love is powerful and can defeat the flawed nature of the flesh.

Today, we know God’s love is available.   Receive it and allow it to produce that manifestation in our lives.   Love God.  Love people, and then we can love ourselves rightly.

We all have flaws, but so do those nearest to Jesus.  They overcame it through love, and so can we.  We can manifest who He says we are. 

Have a victorious day in Him!

Leviticus 6:12-13 – “ But the fire which is on the altar must be kept burning on it. It must not be extinguished. So the priest must kindle wood on it morning by morning, and he must arrange the burnt offering on it and offer the fat of the peace offering up in smoke on it. ¹³ A continual fire must be kept burning on the altar. It must not be extinguished.

I was deeply stirred recently as I listened to a clip from Dave Wilkerson’s message.  The word ‘anguish’ gripped my heart.   Today, as I read, prayed, and meditated on God’s Word, the words ‘anguish’ and ‘fire’ filled my consciousness.

Have we lost God’s fire because anguish is absent in us and much of the church today?  Do we weep over sin?  Sin in us and the world? Have we become so anesthetized that sin no longer keeps us awake at night?  Have we become so Hollywoodized that we have super short attention spans and lose interest if something is not entertaining?  Is the gospel enough anymore?  Of course, it is, but is it to us?

Leviticus 6:13 has a repeated directive: “The fire on the altar is to be kept burning continuously.” When God repeats Himself, it’s time to pay careful attention to what He says.

Heaven is real, and hell is real.  One will be our eternal destiny.  Does the thought of Anyone going to hell give you anguish?  It does, God!  I’m stirred deep in my heart over the carnality visible in too much of modern Christianity.  It seems there is much superficiality but a lack of deep spirituality. We see sin without being devastated by it.  I am not suggesting we become legalistic with sets of rules and regulations but that we rekindle the fire on the altar of our hearts.

James 3 and 4 speak to superficiality in the heart, which allows self-centeredness to prevail. It opens the door to trouble and diminishes the presence and power of God. It blocks prayers and strips of joy.  The world is unaffected, and hell expands because of a lack of anguish over sin.

The anguish of the heart, weeping over sin, propels us into God’s presence.  Out of that condition, we not only address sin with words but manifest it in our lives in the heart of God, which brings conviction.

I’m broken today!   The question is, am I broken enough to cause genuine anguish of spirit that will transform me?  I pray so!   It is more than keeping people out of hell but introducing them to the heart of God and the life He offers! But keeping them out of hell is vital, too!

How can we say we love God and be unmoved by sin? How can what breaks God’s heart not break ours?

James 1:14-15 speaks a needed word of clarity. “Instead, it is each person’s own desires that drag them into evil and thoughts that lure them away into darkness. 15 Evil desires give birth to evil actions.” What we want, we think or focus on, then we do it.

My prayer is, “God, please break my heart and cause anguish to rekindle Your fire in me. I want Your fire continuously!”   I’m praying for each of us to receive the full measure of His grace!  God wants us to have complete victory!

Have a wonderful day!

Matthew 25:14-15 – “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. ¹⁵ To one, he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 

I have discovered that sometimes, we are fearful to do things because of the unknown, unfamiliar, and uncertainty.  We like comfort zones.  I have had people tell me that they do not like sameness, but when a disruption to their routine occurred, they were distraught and filled with anxiety.   Sameness is safe for many, and traversing uncharted territory is not appealing.

I have discovered, and the Lord is teaching me, that unless I am willing to trust Him completely, I will muddle through my life of sameness and never achieve His purposes.  I will be like the servant given one talent and, out of fear and uncertainty, do nothing with it. 

According to Matthew 25, each servant was given “According to their ability.”   That is a powerful revelation.   God does not expect us to perform what someone with greater or different abilities does.  He expects us to take what He has given us and use it without fear.  If we use what He has been given, it will grow. 

Heaven’s rewards will not be based on quantity but on obedience.    I am convinced that some serving in seeming obscurity will receive greater rewards in heaven than those well-known and doing great exploits.  I reflect on when Jesus sat at the treasury and watched people put in their offerings.  The little woman with two mites or two copper coins, according to Jesus, gave more than those who put in large sums. 

She gave out of her lack, they of their abundance.  The LORD looks at what is left rather than what is given.  That is true in money, time, energy, ability, etc.  If we only expend a little of what we have to expend, are we being good stewards and obedient servants?  He wants us to trust Him wholeheartedly and use what He has given us. 

Today, I pray that the LORD will help us fully use the gifts, talents, abilities, and opportunities He has given us for service.  Lord, help us fulfill Your purposes for our lives and refuse to compare ourselves to anyone else.  Help us to be Who you made us and purposed us to be.  Please help us be a vessel you can use and use as you choose.   Thank you!  Amen!

God bless you, and have a fantastic day in Jesus!

Lamentations 3:21-23 – “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: ²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; ³ they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

It is not an infrequent experience, but the Lord rattled my cage powerfully as I read and prayed.   He took me to the Book of Jeremiah’s Lamentations, Chapter 3.  If you read it, I believe you will see the message that probably resonates with every person’s heart and speaks to a mindset we all have likely had or have.

Jeremiah gave a lengthy list of troubles.   He lamented that God had abandoned him, leaving him to blow like a rag in the wind.  He saw no answers, only troubles.

Then, in Lamentations 3:21-23, the light comes on for the prophet.  He called to his remembrance something that restored his Hope in God!  He saw and refreshed in his heart that God’s kindness Never ceases, and His mercies Never fail.  Wow!  What a reminder.

He continued, “Those are new or renewed Every Morning!”   He rehearsed in his heart and mind the Great Faithfulness of God!  That is an exercise that will get your heart pumping.

In Lamentations 3:33, he made an incredible statement that should grip our hearts like a vice.  “For He (God) does not afflict Willingly…”  Wow!   If God allows afflictions to come, there is a situation that drove Him to it.   It is not what He prefers.  He prefers obedience.

Then, in Lamentations 3:40-41, we have the answer.  “Let us search and try our ways…”  Who searches and tries them?  We do!  “And turn again to the LORD…”   But we argue, “I haven’t turned away.”  Well, something opened the door.  If we are pure in heart, God is unrighteous in allowing it to come. 

We know that God is never unrighteous.   Please hear me; I am not saying trouble is always evidence that we are in rebellion.  However, the Bible tells us that a curse cannot land on us without legal ground.   Self-examination is a good thing to ensure the pureness of the heart.

Lamentations 3:21 – “Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to God in heaven.”

Mark 3:27 – “No man can enter into a strong man’s house and plunder his goods Unless he first binds the strong man, and Then he plunders his house.”

I ask that you consider that in two directions.   Consider it as us binding and us being bound.  We have authority.   We need purity to operate in the fullness of His power, and His mercies are renewed daily.   So, we are pure through Him, not what we do in our own strength.  We are overcomers, He said it.

Today is Victory Day for you!  See, believe, receive, and begin to be it!