"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!" (Matthew 13:45–46 NLT)
These three words came like a holy whisper through my spirit: "Only Jesus matters."
The voice wasn't loud; it didn't come in booming. It was tender, gentle, and sacred. It settled over me like warm oil—soothing, stilling, and awakening. At that moment I knew the Lord was pulling back the veil, letting me see through Heaven's lens.
Jesus is the pearl of great price, the treasure hidden in a field, and the desire of all nations. He is altogether lovely, radiant with majesty and mercy. He is more precious than silver, more costly than gold, and more fulfilling than the applause of men. When all is said and done, only Jesus matters.
Enter Heaven with Empty Hands but Full Hearts
I saw it in the spirit. People were running in every direction, the weight of this world crushing them with busyness, anxiety, and stress. Their calendars were full, but their hearts were empty. Their days were crowded, but their spirits were famished.
Through the noise I heard Him again: "Only Jesus matters—not your titles, not your deadlines, and not your performance, only Jesus."
Then I saw another scene: people striving for wealth. They were chasing promotions, investing in stocks, flipping homes, and seeking the next big deal. I felt the Lord's compassion as He gently spoke, "It's not wrong to have resources—just don't let them have you." (Photo via Pixabay)
We can fund the Kingdom with our abundance, but we can't take riches into eternity. We enter Heaven with empty hands but full hearts. Beloved, your earthly mansion cannot compare to the one He's preparing in glory. Only Jesus matters.
The Way up Is Still Down
Then I saw a boardroom—polished shoes, name badges, and ambition thick in the air. Some were obsessed with status, craving the attention of men, chasing titles and platforms. But Jesus leaned in close to whisper, "The way up... is still down." Heaven crowns the humble. The applause of angels is reserved for those who disappear into His will.
Promotion in the Kingdom is never self-appointed; it is God-ordained. It comes when we decrease so that He might increase. Dear one, the ladder to greatness was never made of success but surrender. Only Jesus matters.
Pleasure Without Presence Is a Shallow Drink
And then I saw wanderers—always planning and dreaming of sandy beaches, exotic vacations, and the next thrilling escape. But even after the fifth vacation, they still felt hollow inside. And I heard it again: "Only Jesus matters."
You can fly first class, dine in the finest restaurants, and still ache with emptiness. There's nothing wrong with getting away, but leisure was never meant to replace the presence of the Lord. Pleasure without presence is a shallow drink. Don't become a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God (2 Timothy 3:4). Only He can satisfy the deep thirst of the soul.
Only Jesus Can Heal the Wounds the World Can't See
Then came the most sorrowful sight. I saw men and women numbing their pain—drinking, smoking, and self-medicating with prescription pills or distractions. They weren't trying to be rebellious; they were just broken and trying to silence the scream inside. But only Jesus heals the wounds the world can't see.
No pill can mend a shattered spirit. No substance can still the ache for eternal love. You need the Healer, not just a coping mechanism. He is standing at the well of your soul, dear one, asking, "Will you drink of Me? Will you let Me heal what no one else can touch?"
Only Jesus matters. So I ask you, beloved, is there something you're holding on to tighter than Him—a dream, a relationship... an idol tucked deep within? Lay it down. Let go. Let Him be your everything. Has something stolen your time or your heart? Is it a distraction that once felt harmless but now pulls you away from intimacy? Cut the cords. Set the boundaries. Re-center your soul. (Photo via Pexels)
Return to Your First Love: Only Jesus Can Fill What the World Leaves Hollow
Return to your first love. He's waiting. What pain are you hiding beneath the surface? Is there a wound you've carried so long you've learned to function around it? Don't bury it. Don't hide it. Bring it to the feet of the Savior. He binds up the brokenhearted. He will not shame you; He will heal you. And where have you been running for satisfaction? Wealth? Fame? Leisure? Status? These are but shadows pretending to shine.
Only Jesus is the Light. Only Jesus can fill what the world leaves hollow. Let this be the moment of surrender—the sacred turning point where you declare with tears in your eyes and joy in your heart, "Only Jesus matters."
It's Your Surrender He Remembers
Dear friend, eternity will not weigh your resume. Heaven will not be impressed by your net worth. The angels will not celebrate your Instagram feed. It's your heart that He wants; it's your surrender He remembers. One day You'll stand before Him, with His eyes of fire and a voice like many waters. And in that moment, nothing else will matter but this: Did you know Him? Did you love Him? Did you make room for Him?
Oh, beloved, may these simple words ring in your heart like a holy bell: Only Jesus matters. Say it until it settles your soul. Whisper it until it reorders your desires. Shout it until every idol breaks. And when it grips you fully—when it owns you the way it owned me that day—tears will fall, joy will rise, and peace will flood your heart.
Because the greatest revelation of all is this: He is enough, He is everything... He is all.
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Steve Porter
Refuge Ministries
Email:Â G524walk@yahoo.com
Website:Â www.findrefuge.tv
Steve and Diane Porter have dedicated their lives to helping others experience a deeper relationship with God. Through their work with Refuge Ministries and Deeper Life Press, they have created resources that touch lives all over the globe. Steve has a special anointing to bring forth the deep truths of the Spirit, and his books, articles, and videos have helped people draw closer to God. The Porters live near Rochester, NY, and their greatest joy is to share the incredible love of their wonderful Lord.
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