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During my worship and quiet time with the Lord yesterday, he took me on a walk along the beach. In the distance I could see a lighthouse, and we stopped along a pathway of rocks. Jesus handed me a gift – it was a shell, and inside of it was a pearl. He asked me to study and seek for gems of truth from the Bible about pearls. Jesus then took the pearls and fashioned for me a pair of earrings, and I put them on. He called me his precious, and kissed my forehead. He then started to sing to me a song called the “Goodness of God”.

You can listen to the song “Goodness of God” down below.

Seeking for Gems of Truth in the Bible

In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again. Then in great joy he went and sold everything that he owned, and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking (actively pursuing) fine pearls, who on finding one very valuable pearl he went away, and sold everything that he owned and bought it.”

The message of these two parables teach us that The Kingdom of God is worth all and it requires all – it requires our whole hearted response (fully surrendered). The Kingdom of God is the rule of God – it is that place where He reigns, where His commands are obeyed. His people are safe and secure in His protection and care for them. It is a place of salvation and redemption.

The ultimate love story. The ultimate satisfaction of our heart.

Before bed I was thinking on the parables, and Jesus told me he had another gift for me. He loves to sing to me, so he started to sing the song down below in my ear. I laughed because it is a song written from a girls perspective. I always love when Jesus shows me his humor and unconditional love. He really is the best at wooing our hearts, and I enjoyed my time on the beach with him today.

I belong to my beloved and he belongs to me; he pastures his flock among the lilies.
Song of Solomon 6:3

Further Reflection from the Parables

God’s love never fails and He fulfills the desires of our hearts (Ps. 37:4), He puts gladness in our hearts (Ps. 4:7), He satisfies us with His likeness (Ps. 17:15), In His presence is the fullness of joy (Ps. 16:19), His lovingkindness is better than life itself (Ps. 63:3), His nearness is our good (Ps. 73:25-28). The Apostle Paul speaks of the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). Saint Augustine states “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

The treasures of this earth are only temporary. When we understand the value of our salvation, that is when we understand the great value in our relationship with Jesus – the King of that Kingdom. There is a fulfillment in pursuing Him – the only satisfaction for our heart – the joy of knowing God Himself.

He sells all that he has and buys the field and acquires the treasure. It costs him everything, yet he sacrifices all with joy. Why? Because he see its value. It is the greatest treasure! He is not burdened by the cost but sells all to obtain it with joy. The word Redemption is the word Pidyon and in Hebrew it refers to a price that must be paid to redeem. We see the cost of salvation in two ways. Salvation is possible because of what Jesus did, but those who find it, will surrender their life to obtain it. Jesus was born to die for our sins, we were saved to lay down our life (to die) for the Kingdom (Mark 8:34-36, Gal. 2:20). The cost is great for both, the one who secured our salvation and for the one who has received salvation. Those who truly see the value of the Kingdom, will lay down their life for it gladly.

Below is a promise from God that He will redeem His people, found in the old testament.

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”
Colossians 1:13-14

Unlike the first parable, the merchant is actively pursuing the pearl. He demonstrates that no cost is too great when it’s a matter of gaining the Kingdom. The parable of the lost sheep, and the lost coin (Luke 15:3-10) teaches us that God pursues us. Jesus wants us to understand the heart of God, and that he knows each person intimately (Matthew 10:29-31). Jesus mission on earth was to seek and to save that which are lost (Luke 19:10). To seek something means to pursue it – God pursues us because we are important to Him.

Every sacrifice, is worth much more than the price paid, and worth infinitely more that the cost of following Jesus. Those who understand this joyfully abandon everything else to secure it. This is not a works salvation, but a work God does in the heart of those who secure salvation. Just like the merchant, we must have a clear view of God’s Kingdom. What has greater value than eternal life with God? What can this world offer that lasts? Jesus is the Bread of Life, and offers a life that will never end. In him we will find everything we need. Salvation is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 6:23). On one hand it costs us nothing – we receive salvation apart from works (grace). On the other hand, salvation costs us everything. We follow Jesus without regard for the cost. Those who value the Kingdom, see the magnitude of God’s grace and the great treasure that has come upon us.

“And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 7:22

If we have truly received this great gift of the highest value, we are commanded to go to those who are deceived in believing that there is great value in chasing the things of this world. Jesus paid the price to break those chains. May God give us the grace to understand what life is really about, and what we’re to do while we are here on the earth.

For we must never forget that he rescued us from the power of darkness, and re-established us in the Kingdom of his beloved Son, that is, in the kingdom of light
Colossians 1:13

Down below is a fan made movies from clips from the series “The Chosen“

God’s Invitation For You

This redemption is an amazing gift of God’s grace. I pray that if you have never understood and accepted this, you will in this moment understand His great and intense love for you as demonstrated in Jesus Christ. I pray this truth penetrates your heart and produces faith needed to come to Him and find acceptance, forgiveness, wholeness and restoration. His grace is sufficient for you, for His power is made perfect in weakness

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” ( Ephesians 2:8-9)

“The lighthouse of the Lord beckons to all of us as we sail the seas of life”. – President Thomas S. Monson

“The name of the LORD (Yahweh) is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.”
Proverbs 18:10

A lighthouse is a wonderful reminder of God’s guiding light (the Word – Jesus) that pierces through the darkness to safely navigate us through this voyage of life, and of the strength that is found in His faithfulness and unchanging character.

Pursue Others Like Jesus Pursues You – THEY ARE PRECIOUS PEARLS OF GREAT PRICE.

Jesus is our example, and we can follow his lead. He pursued us not because we took the first step – but because he loves us.

When we engage with others, Jesus wants us to actively listen. Active listening refers to a pattern of listening that keeps you engaged with your conversation partner in a positive way. It is the process of listening attentively while someone else speaks, paraphrasing and reflecting back what is said … withholding judgment.

When we pray to God, he bends down so he can listening attentively to every word we say. Like Jesus – when we communicate with others we should be undistracted, engaged, and affected by what they say. We share, in some small way, the delights of the good things … and the burdens of the hard things. We should actively listen with love, understanding, humility, and grace. This can happen only if we pursue others as we have been pursued by Jesus.