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May the Lord display His splendor in you, IJMN, Amen. This is something I've been praying over myself for a long time, and as the year comes to a close, I want to speak that very word over you.


We are told in Isaiah 49:3 - He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” God's splendor refers to His anointing, His best, His glory, His grace, His goodness, and so much more. When His splendor is on display in a person's life, others will look at them and know there is something special about them. Some will recognize that what they see in that person is not just physical but spiritual. And those who know will understand that they are witnessing the evidence of God at work in that person's life.


So again, I say, may the Lord display His splendor in you, IJMN, Amen.


Please notice that in Isaiah 49:3, God promised to display His splendor on His "servant." Remember that we are told in Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (NLT). Assuming that you love God, it is time to walk in His purpose for your life so that all things will indeed work out for your good.


Therefore, if you don't yet live a life of service to the Lord, I implore you to start now. As long as you have breath, it is never too late. Desire to serve, then ask how in prayer. Do not skip this step. While waiting for God's direction, you can emulate Jesus, who always showed the love of God to people. He prayed for them, took care of the sick, fed the hungry, and, of course, taught the word.


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Be eager to do good, be kind, compassionate, and gracious. It costs nothing to pray for another person and do so regularly. If that seems difficult, swing by here on Tuesdays and Fridays at Noon EST. At least one person will be standing in the gap via intercession. Care for the physically and spiritually sick by joining a team that visits hospitals to pray.


Be generous in your giving. Donate to your church's food pantry, shelters, and/or make care packages for the homeless and hungry in your city. Feed souls by preaching the gospel, not only with the words from your mouth but with the very things you do. Pray, pray, and pray some more for the salvation of souls.


These are a few ways to step into serving God through the way we show love to other people. However, to have a solid foundation, consistently studying the Holy Bible must be a part of your lifestyle. I recommend you always pray for understanding so the mysteries of the Bible come alive for you (Luke 24:45). The more you digest its contents, the more your life will change, and observers will see the splendor of God in you.


The new year provides an opportunity to do new things. I pray you will choose to serve the Lord all the more in 2026. I pray that as you do so, God's glorious splendor will mark you as someone He has placed His hand upon for good, IJMN, Amen. Happy New Year!




As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:


 
 
 

I've always wanted to go to heaven. Perhaps that's a result of my time in children's Bible school and all the lessons taught there. Whatever the case, I've always known heaven as the place to be. Once I became a practicing born-again Christian (meaning I chose to apply God's word in my life intentionally), I knew I needed to be serious about where I wanted to spend eternity, and hell could not be my destination. After all, Jesus literally died to provide everlasting life with God in heaven, and I wasn't going to squander that privilege.


To that end, a recent Bible study proved insightful. There was a verse in the Beatitudes that stood out to me and gave me hope. It was Matthew 5:3 - God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven! (CEV). Listen, the Lord is always teaching me about trusting Him completely, so this verse was very timely when I read it. I couldn't help but notice its call to depend on the Lord alone and that those people belong to the kingdom of heaven.


Now Matthew 5:3 is phrased differently in other Bible translations/versions. For instance, the Amplified Bible states, “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]." Still, the message remains the same - that a person who doesn't overlook their need for the Lord will inherit heaven. This verse teaches that to reach heaven, a person must totally rely on the Lord. They must reject pride and ego to walk humbly before God, as stated in Micah 6:8.


And so, if you have prayed to reach heaven, don't be surprised if you go through experiences where the only way through is to completely depend on God and God alone. He might put you in circumstances where the people you would normally rely upon just can't help you. The situation could be one where only a miracle could resolve it. One way or the other, the Lord will bring you to a point where you have no other option but to look to Him alone. God isn't doing this to punish you or cause unnecessary suffering. Instead, He's blessing you with a pathway to His rewards here on earth and also providing a ticket to heaven.



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This need to submit to God and rely upon Him shouldn't shock any of us. God warns in Jeremiah 17:5 that anyone who depends on human beings and whose heart turns away from Him will be cursed. We are also told in Romans 8:14 that those who are led by His Spirit and therefore rely upon Him qualify to be called His children. Thus, this issue of relying upon the Lord is a serious matter. No wonder He lets us know that those who obey this instruction belong to heaven.


I don't know what you are going through or what you've been through, but if you are reading this message, I want to encourage you to take Matthew 5:3 to heart. Write it down somewhere you'll see it often. Let it remind you to trust in God and not in yourself, another person, or some entity. Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. This verse has proven true in my life over and over. I've seen God make me promises and keep every one of them, even when I messed up (and I did that a lot). Also consider 2 Timothy 2:13 - If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is (NLT). He's faithful and can be trusted.


I wonder how He will call on me to depend on Him in 2026. If I'm honest, He's already arranged my life so I have nobody but Him to call in times of need. As I am now armed with the wisdom of Matthew 5:3, I understand that His reason for this is to ensure my entry into heaven. I know that no matter what happens, He will help me to stand firm in faith and the knowledge that the faithful God who came through for me in the past will come through again and again. Plus, as I fix my face like flint against anything that comes my way, my complete reliance on Him means that the King of heaven must move mountains to give me - a stakeholder in heaven - complete victory.


God bless you. I pray you walk into 2026 reassured of God's faithfulness and favor. I pray that you will live a life pleasing to Him. One that causes Him to rejoice over you. I pray that you will remember your Jericho Moments - those times God worked miracles for you. I pray the Lord will reveal Himself to you afresh and that you will draw nearer to Him and be blessed beyond your comprehension. I also pray that your relationship with God, His Son, and Spirit will deepen. That you will remember your name is written in heavenly books and that you belong to God's heavenly kingdom, IJMN, Amen.





As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:


 
 
 
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