What We Missed in the Garden

 

I told them to eat from any tree. Any tree. Except one. Of the many trees in the Garden, only one was forbidden.

There were only 10 commandments. Out of all the things I could have forbidden, I picked only ten. And all of those commandments can be distilled into only one: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

So don’t let your actions be guided by fear or guilt. I invented pleasure so you don’t need to be afraid of it. Instead, eat from the smorgasbord of life. Delight in sweet relationships, hobbies, nature, or any of the wholesome pleasures I bountifully provide. For I am a generous God.

With love beyond measure,

Jesus

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What Heaven Makes From Your Tears

In 2 Corinthians 4:17, I say that your suffering produces a heavenly glory that is exceedingly, abundantly beyond any trouble you face in the present. In heaven I reward you with infinitely more than anything you have lost on this earth. Your suffering here is like ripping off a band-aid — a very short moment in the face of eternity, even though it feels like forever. The true forever is filled with happiness, pleasure, and fulfillment. There are no more tears in heaven, no more pain, no separation from loved ones, no grief. That is what lasts forever.

And notice this: your suffering produces — achieves — heavenly treasure, all those good things I just mentioned and more. It achieves exceedingly, abundantly more reward than the suffering you experience. The pain itself is working to produce heavenly rewards. You don’t have to have a good attitude, be grateful, or escape the trial. The suffering does the work all by itself.

So, fix your gaze on Me — the One who keeps every tear, the One who turns sorrow into treasure — and let this truth give you a small measure of encouragement in your trial.

And when eternity seems too far away, remember the verse that says, “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.”

With love beyond measure,

Jesus

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God’s word isn’t just a book; it’s alive

 My Holy Spirit will speak to you through My Word. You have spiritual ears—spiritual senses—to hear what I say. Learn to recognize My voice by spending time in My Word, My living Word. The Truth is there to comfort you, challenge you, and help you grow.

Unlike any other book, the Bible is living and active, working deep within you to change your heart and your life. My Word isn’t like any other book. As you read it, it comes to life, enters your heart, and feeds your soul. Your faith grows, for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. You also become aware of the areas where you need to change and grow.

My love relationship with you is primary. Above all, My Word gives you a clearer picture of who I am and helps you fall more deeply in love with Me, so we can commune—relate—more fully.

Don’t read chapters at a time or try to read the Bible in a year. It is best assimilated in small chunks. Read until you come across a verse that moves you. Stop and absorb it—meditate on it—and listen for what I have to say to you through it. Perhaps highlight it so you can return to it easily.

As you read in this way, your Bible will become a precious tool to help you grow and come to know Me more deeply.

You may also be encouraged by the post “Stop and Steep.”

With love beyond measure,

Jesus

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Companion in Pain

 

You have been scorned and rejected, but so have I. The ones I loved the most betrayed and abandoned me. No depth of human rejection can compare to what I felt when I carried the rejection of mankind. I understand. I am God, but I have a human heart.

Although you may despair, rejoice that we have suffered together, companions in pain (Philippians 3:10). Count the blessings that come from the pain and make them your focus. Make Me the center of your interest, knowing that I have felt what you feel now—the same yet with greater intensity. I am not asking you to do anything that I have not done.

It is God who justifies you; who then can condemn you? (Romans 8:33–34)

With love beyond measure,

Jesus

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