When Heaven and Your Heart Rejoice

When did your heart last rejoice over something that made heaven glad as well?

Luke 15 also teaches us a powerful picture of what pleases God, and ought to please us too. Jesus shares the three parables in this chapter: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. All of them describe God's great love for far-off people.

If you desire to understand what it means to truly serve as God's heart, these three key facts are what you have to know and live by.

Rejoice in Searching and Finding the Lost

(Luke 15:3–10, NIV)

Jesus emphasizes it: Heaven celebrates when one sinner repents and returns to God. That matters a great deal. The shepherd pursues one lost sheep. The woman sweeps the floor for one lost coin. They both celebrate when what was lost is found.

This tells us that God takes initiative. He doesn't wait. He moves. He reaches out. He saves.

If you desire to be a reflection of His heart, you do likewise. You care enough to bother people, even when it's a hassle. You don't judge or condemn them. Rather, you go out of your way to assist people in getting back to God. Evangelism is not just a church term. It's a way of life for people who love what heaven loves.

Rejoice in Waiting and Accepting the Prodigals

(Luke 15:11–24, NIV)

The father in the parable of the prodigal son represents God's heart. The father does not go after his son, but he waits and watches. When his son returns from being gone, he does not reprimand or shame him. Rather, he hurries, hugs him, and throws a party. No questions asked. No punishment necessary.

That's grace. That's love. That's acceptance.

If you have God's heart, you're prepared to accept people for who they are, despite their flaws. You don't maintain a record of their failures. You deal in restoration, not rejection. You rejoice over every return, even the small one, because each is a move back to life.

Rejoice in Giving and Sharing, Not Comparing and Complaining

(Luke 15:25–32, NIV)

The older brother did not understand. He obeyed and worked, but when his younger brother came back, he became bitter. Why? Because grace was not fair. He had forgotten what was most important: the lost had returned.

We sometimes fall into the same trap. We labor diligently in ministry. We serve dutifully. And then we notice others, new converts or even former workers of "sin", receiving glory, grace, and celebration. And if we don't watch ourselves, our hearts become jealous.

But you, who have God's heart, do not compare. You give. You share. You cheer. You know your value is secure. You know that God's grace is not limited; there is enough to go around.

How Do You Know If Your Heart Is Aligned with God's?

You celebrate what makes heaven celebrate. You don't merely listen to God, you love like Him. You go after the lost, wait for the prodigals, and rejoice in every comeback to His side.

You can start a small step today by:

• Reaching out to someone who's lost their way near God.

• Praying for a friend who has strayed.

• Greeting someone new at church.

• Joining a ministry such as REACH and serving with gladness.

Ready to Celebrate with Heaven? Join Us at RLCC!

If your heart aches to show God's love and touch the lost, you're not alone. At Real Life Christian Communities (RLCC), we do this journey together by pursuing the lost, embracing the prodigals, and rejoicing at every life transformed by God's grace.

Come be part of the mission. Check rlcc.ph or meet us this Sunday. Let's bring joy to your heart and heaven.