Have you ever experienced the fullness of God? That overwhelming joy for no apparent reason? I did, this past weekend and I just can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Sometime back, I heard a Jewish Rabbi talk about the fullness of God being like “divine happiness.” That’s a pretty good description of what I felt during an event that I spoke at this past Saturday.

Earlier in the week, as I prepared my message, the pastor called me to touch base. Before ending the call, we prayed together. Excitement began to well up inside me, as I felt God moving in my spirit.

When I arrived at the church on Saturday morning, that same pastor and one of her members pulled me aside to pray over me yet again. My joy continued to bubble up as I felt the spirit moving even more.

“Divine Happiness”

Afterwards, I joined the other ladies for a delicious breakfast. Visiting with them around the table, they began to share stories of who they were and where they were from. I was elated to hear one woman’s story of her and her husband being missionaries to numerous countries including Kenya and South Sudan. She explained how they went to minister to the people but every time, they were the ones who were blessed.

After the meal, we shared things we were thankful for, such as; our husbands, family and our friends. As we moved into a time of worship, we sang praise songs and it felt as if heaven opened up. We were in the presence of the Lord.

Then it was my turn to speak. Normally, I get so nervous but I wasn’t. I felt comfortable and at ease. I told my story of hearing, trusting and obeying God. As we closed in song, the pastor invited the women to come up for us to pray over them. And they did! We prayed over so many women that day. It was incredible. We experienced the fullness of God, the kingdom of heaven, here on earth.

When that Jewish Rabbi spoke about the fullness of God being like ‘divine happiness”, he referenced Matthew 5:3 NIV; “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

My study note reads; “Blessed. The word means more than “happy,” because happiness is an emotion often dependent on outward circumstance. “Blessed” here refers to the ultimate well-being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the kingdom of God.”

We shared in the salvation of the kingdom of God that day. Not just me, all of us. We received that distinctive spiritual joy. But what does that have to do with being “poor in spirit?”

My section heading for Matthew Chapter 5 reads, “The Beatitudes“. The definition of beatitude is: a state of utmost bliss. However, the definition of poor is:

How could you be poor in spirit, (i.e.-lacking, less than, small) yet inherit the kingdom of heaven? Some people read ‘blessed’ as ‘happy.’ Happy are those that feel inadequate, inferior, and unworthy. Why are they happy? Why are they blessed? Because they get it all. The promise is theirs and it is written in God’s Word. It’s the ultimate reward, the greatest gift. The kingdom of heaven.

How many times have you felt less than adequate; in your life, in your workplace, in your church, in yourself? I know I have. Every time I step up to speak, I feel small. I feel like I can’t this, I’m not qualified and I am definitely not worthy. But Jesus reminds us, Yes we are!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs in the kingdom of God.”

Ours is the kingdom. We experienced that kingdom on Saturday. Or at least a little piece of it. As we relished in the fullness of God, we experienced heaven on earth. It’s hard to describe, but divine happiness, overwhelming joy and utmost bliss is a good place to start.

I hope you have experienced the fullness of God. If you haven’t, my prayer is that you do. It will change you. Because, every time we encounter God, God changes us. In the meantime, check out my YouTube Channel where later this week I will share some characteristics I believe that changed the atmosphere on Saturday and enabled us to step into the fullness of God.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus Name, Amen. -M