So, one of the roads leading to our house is Gould. The name Gould came from gold and was a nickname for someone with fair or golden hair. When I first drove it, I said to myself, “Streets of Gould” thinking the the street of gold described in heaven in Revelation.
This morning the Lord reminded me of my street of Gould, and asked me, ” What do you think heaven is like?” I said, “I think it’s warm and radiant, bright but not blinding light.” He said, “What else?” “Well, it’s a place where your presence is always felt. There’s unsurpassable peace and calm. “What else?” he asked. I said, “Everyone smiles there. There is a rest. No anxious thoughts. There’s no fear. There’s no sting of pain in the body or mind.” And I said, “I’d like to think that people hold hands. There’s unity. It’s the final restoration of all things right and righteous. I imagine lots of green- vibrant life everywhere you look. It’s alive 2.0, and we’re all more alive than we ever were before.” I told him, “It’s the marriage of faith meeting my promise of seeing you face to face and spending forever with you.” And when I said that I heard a lyric from an old hymn, “And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace (Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus). I said, “Yes, it’s like that! Gazing upon you so that even the beauty of heaven fades and all I see is you, full of glory unafraid. So much joy in your presence. Finally with my best, most life-long friend.”
The Lord spoke this to me. He said, “Some people have no concept that heaven exists. Use your imagination to tell them that My heaven is real, and that I am preparing a place for them. Tell them not to be troubled by what they see coming forth on the earth. Tell them that there are many mansions in My Father’s house, and I’ve been making room for them too. The day is coming when I will return and collect my beloved to be with Me in heaven, and their eyes will behold things they have never seen. They will feel what they have yet to experience. I died to save those who are troubled in spirit. I died to set the captives free. I died to bring holy restoration of my order.“
“I am not searching for the one who thinks they have it all together. I am calling out, knocking on the door of your heart. I want to save you! Will you receive me? Will you let me in to your life today? Your dissatisfaction is only quenched in Me. I’ll seal you as Mine until I return so that you will be with me always.“
“I love you. I died for your sins so you could be free from the torment of your decisions. Free from shame. Free from what the devil has unleashed against you. I say today, you are Mine. Welcome me into your heart, and make Me your Savior. Make me your Lord. I want to be your best friend. Yes, really.”
He led me to a verse, John 20:24: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
And, Hebrews 12:13: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I wanted to add that you are part of the joy that was set before him when he chose to go the cross. He died for your sins and mine because of his great and unfailing love and commitment to us. He knew everything you would and will do before you ever drew your first breath, and he loves you. He wants relationship with you.
Just as Jesus didn’t give up, you don’t give up either.
Everyone stumbles. Everyone falls, but in Christ, we can get back up again. Keep your focus on your Savior, not on your circumstances. I strongly encourage you to go to God’s word. Take your vitamin B! It has everything you need for everything you’re facing, and you might be saying, but Jess, I don’t need bible verses right now. I need a miracle right now! But I can personally testify of countless times when God has illuminated his word to me so that the change and shift I needed produced miracles in my life.
The bible is God’s love letter. It’s his book of promises for you. It’s his instructions for successful living. It has everything you need. Start there and ask the holy spirit to speak to you as you read. He’ll show you, I promise.
To the person who has not made Jesus Lord of their life:
There are no coincidences in life. God has written this for you because today is the day of your salvation. I want to lead you in a prayer that you can pray out loud. Here goes:
“Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior and friend. In your name, Amen.“
If you prayed that prayer, please get a bible and get into community with other believers. You can also reach out to me at gritfull.life@gmail.com, and I’ll be happy to help you search for a biblically sound church in your area. If you have a bible, start in the book of John to get to know Jesus better. His word will come alive in you like never before and you will have the hope of heaven and seeing him face to face. See you there!
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