Tag Archives: joy in Christ

Seek the Lord, The Pursuit

Life in the Father’s House

There Is No Place Better

“See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are!”
—1 John 3:1 (NASB)

Come home, beloved. There is no place better than Life in the Father’s House. The ache in your heart, the weariness in your bones, the battle in your mind—all of it finds peace in the Father’s house. You were not made for the far country. You were not designed to dwell among the swine of shame and regret. You were made for communion, for sonship, for joy. And that joy is not a fleeting feeling. It is the presence of the Father Himself.

There is healing, there is grace, there is joy, but there is the presence of the Father.

When the prodigal son arose and returned, he did not find a cold reception. He found a Father who ran. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20, NASB). That is the image of the Father—watching, waiting, running to meet you before you even finish your apology.

When the Father sees you coming home, He doesn’t wait on the porch—He runs to embrace you. There is no place better. 🕊️

In the Father’s house, nothing is missing. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I will not be in need” (Psalm 23:1, NASB). You are not tolerated in His courts—you are treasured. Life in the Father’s House means the voices of condemnation cannot follow you into His presence. The accuser is silenced. “There is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, NASB).

And yet, the greatest gift of the Father’s house is not peace, or provision, or even pardon. It is presence. “Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10, NASB). There is no place better, because there is no Person greater. He is the prize. His nearness is the treasure. In His presence, “is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11, NASB).

You may feel unworthy. But your worth was never the price. The blood of Yeshua is. He gave Himself not only to rescue you from sin, but to bring you into the house again—to dwell, not visit. “For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18, NASB). It is Life in the Father’s House that offers this belonging.

Don’t let shame keep you from the doorway. Don’t let failure chain you to the porch. The Father is not inside waiting for a cleaned-up version of you. He steps out to meet you, robe in hand, ring in reach. You do not need to earn your place—you need only to come. “The one who comes to Me I certainly will not cast out” (John 6:37, NASB).

In the Father’s house, every room holds redemption. Every corner echoes with songs of mercy. Every meal is a feast of restoration. And at the center of it all is the Father Himself—rejoicing over His children, dwelling among them. “I will be their God, and they will be My people, and I will dwell among them” (Revelation 21:3, NASB).

So stop running. Stop performing. Stop hiding. You were never created to live apart from Him. Come to the place where the lights never go out, where the door never closes, where love never leaves. Come to the Father’s house and experience the true essence of Life in the Father’s House.

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O house of my Father, Your gates call me near,
Where mercy flows freely and love casts out fear.
Your voice I will follow, Your presence my song—
In the home of my God, forever I belong.

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Prayer

Father, I hear You calling. I know the world cannot give me what You already have prepared for me. I let go of my shame, my striving, my sorrow. Wash me in Your mercy. Cover me in Your love. Let me live not as a wanderer, but as Your child—resting, rejoicing, and returning to You daily. Let my heart stay anchored in Your presence. There is no place better. In Yeshua’s holy name, Amen.

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La Vida en la Casa del Padre: No Hay Lugar Mejor

“¡Mirad cuán gran amor nos ha otorgado el Padre, para que seamos llamados hijos de Dios; y eso somos!”

—1 Juan 3:1 (NBLA)

Vuelve a casa, amado. No hay lugar mejor. El vacío en tu corazón, el cansancio en tus huesos, la batalla en tu mente—todo encuentra paz en la casa del Padre. No fuiste creado para el país lejano. No fuiste diseñado para habitar entre los cerdos de la vergüenza y el remordimiento. Fuiste hecho para la comunión, para la filiación, para el gozo. Y ese gozo no es una emoción pasajera. Es la presencia del Padre mismo.

Hay sanidad, hay gracia, hay gozo, pero está la presencia del Padre.

Cuando el hijo pródigo se levantó y regresó, no encontró una recepción fría. Encontró a un Padre que corrió a su encuentro. “Y cuando todavía estaba lejos, su padre lo vio y sintió compasión por él; y corrió, se echó sobre su cuello y lo besó” (Lucas 15:20, NBLA). Esa es la imagen del Padre—vigilando, esperando, corriendo a encontrarte antes de que termines tu disculpa.

En la casa del Padre, no falta nada. “El Señor es mi pastor, nada me faltará” (Salmo 23:1, NBLA). No eres tolerado en Sus atrios—eres atesorado. Las voces de condenación no pueden seguirte hasta Su presencia. El acusador es silenciado. “Por tanto, ahora no hay condenación para los que están en Cristo Jesús” (Romanos 8:1, NBLA).

Y sin embargo, el mayor regalo de la casa del Padre no es la paz, ni la provisión, ni siquiera el perdón. Es Su presencia. “Mejor es un día en Tus atrios que mil fuera de ellos” (Salmo 84:10, NBLA). No hay lugar mejor, porque no hay Persona mayor. Él es el premio. Su cercanía es el tesoro. En Su presencia, “hay plenitud de gozo; en Tu diestra, deleites para siempre” (Salmo 16:11, NBLA).

Puede que te sientas indigno. Pero tu valor nunca fue el precio. La sangre de Yeshúa lo es. Él se entregó no solo para rescatarte del pecado, sino para traerte de vuelta a la casa—para habitar, no solo visitar. “Porque por medio de Él los unos y los otros tenemos nuestra entrada al Padre en un mismo Espíritu” (Efesios 2:18, NBLA).

No dejes que la vergüenza te detenga en la puerta. No dejes que el fracaso te encadene al umbral. El Padre no está adentro esperando una versión pulida de ti. Él sale a tu encuentro, túnica en mano, anillo al alcance. No necesitas ganarte tu lugar—solo necesitas venir. “Al que viene a Mí, de ningún modo lo echaré fuera” (Juan 6:37, NBLA).

En la casa del Padre, cada habitación guarda redención. Cada rincón resuena con cánticos de misericordia. Cada comida es un banquete de restauración. Y en el centro de todo está el Padre mismo—regocijándose por Sus hijos, habitando entre ellos. “Y oí una gran voz que decía desde el trono: ‘El tabernáculo de Dios está entre los hombres, y Él habitará entre ellos; y ellos serán Su pueblo, y Dios mismo estará entre ellos’” (Apocalipsis 21:3, NBLA).

Así que deja de huir. Deja de actuar. Deja de esconderte. Nunca fuiste creado para vivir lejos de Él. Ven al lugar donde las luces nunca se apagan, donde la puerta nunca se cierra, donde el amor nunca se va. Ven a la casa del Padre.

Faith

The Everlasting Blessing of God

Beloved, behold the immeasurable love of God, who gives richly to His children both in this life and the life to come. Even now, His blessings are poured out upon us, as His Word declares: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). Through Christ, we have salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), the seal of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14), and peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). He fills us with joy through the hope of His promises (Romans 15:13), clothes us in His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), and adopts us as His beloved children, making us heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17). He has not left us empty-handed but has given spiritual gifts to serve Him (1 Corinthians 12:4-7), wisdom for the journey (James 1:5), and strength to endure trials (Isaiah 40:29), while providing for every need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). Yet these blessings are but a foretaste of what is to come!

For in the age to come, the fullness of His blessing will be revealed. “A thousand generations” of those who love Him will inherit His promises (Exodus 20:6). We shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2), and all that is broken will be made new (Revelation 21:5). He will dwell among us, and there will be no more death, mourning, or pain, for He will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:3-4). In His presence, we will experience fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11) and eternal peace, for the Prince of Peace reigns forever (Isaiah 9:6-7). Faith will give way to sight (1 Corinthians 13:12), and we will reign with Christ in His glorious kingdom (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 22:5). He is preparing a home for us in the New Jerusalem, where His blessing and favor will shine upon us forevermore (John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:2).

Oh, children of God, lift your hearts to Him who blesses and keeps you. His favor is upon you and your children, and their children, as His faithfulness extends to all generations (Deuteronomy 7:9). Do not grow weary, for He is coming, and His reward is with Him (Revelation 22:12). Press into Him today, for His blessing is not just for this life but points to the eternal glory that awaits (Philippians 3:14). He is with you, before you, behind you, and all around you. Let us live as those who have been called by His name, eagerly awaiting the day when we will dwell in His unending favor and everlasting peace. To Him be the glory, both now and forevermore! Amen. (Romans 11:36).

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Unity

Vacation – Call to Prayer

Beloved, let us come together in prayer with a deep yearning for God to bring healing, unity, and joy to His Church, that we may be a true testimony of His love and light in this world.

Recently, during our travels, we encountered individuals whose questions and observations revealed the deep wounds and sorrows within the Body of Christ. One driver, in his searching, asked, “How can anyone know God—there are so many churches, and they all have their own beliefs?” This question should stir our hearts, beloved, for it highlights the confusion and division that many see in the Church. These divisions hinder our witness to the world, and we must remember the words of Jesus, who prayed for us, saying, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21 NKJV).

The lack of unity within the Church is not just a theological issue; it is a spiritual wound that affects our ability to shine as a beacon of hope and truth. We assured the driver that God is aware of these divisions and that He is at work within His Church. Each of us is a work in progress, being transformed into the image of Christ, but we must strive towards the unity that Christ desires for us. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:3-4 NKJV). Let us pray fervently for the healing of these self-inflicted wounds, asking God to unite us as one body so that we may effectively testify to His greatness and love.

Later, as we arrived at our destination in Virginia Beach, we had another conversation, this time with an Uber driver. When we asked about the mood of the locals, he responded with a disheartening observation: “Oh, you don’t want to go to a church; they are the most unhappy of them all.” This statement should deeply grieve us, for it indicates a sorrow that has taken root in the hearts of many within our church communities. The Church is meant to be a place of joy, a refuge where the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Yet, too often, our gatherings are marked by burdened spirits and weary hearts, reflecting not the joy of Christ, but the struggles of life.

This perception of unhappiness not only affects those within the Church but also diminishes our light to the world. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35 NKJV). But how can this love be evident if our hearts are weighed down with sorrow and discontent? Let us pray for a revival of joy within the Body of Christ. May our churches be filled with the light of God’s presence, lifting every burden and filling every heart with the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Let us ask God to restore to us the joy of His salvation and to uphold us with His generous Spirit (Psalm 51:12 NKJV), so that we may be a true reflection of His love and a beacon of hope to the world.

Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts burdened for Your Church. We ask that You heal the divisions that have wounded us and bring us together in unity as one body, that we may faithfully represent You to the world. Breathe new life and joy into our communities, dispelling the shadows of sorrow and weariness. Fill us with the joy of Your presence, and let that joy be our testimony to the world. May our gatherings be marked by love, peace, and the overwhelming sense of Your goodness. We pray for a renewal in our spirits, that we may reflect Your light and love to all who see us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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