“What is the heart of the matter?” I heard the Lord say
“I’m not sure what You mean,” I tried to convey
“The heart of the matter is the heart most of all
On this you will be judged worthy or you will fall”

“Search your heart then,” He said, “For you need to know
What’s stored deep in your heart is what will overflow
You will give an account for every careless word you spoke
You’ll be acquitted or condemned by the words you evoke”

“Who can be saved then?” I declared in dismay
“Whose heart is perfect, who has not sinned in this way?”
“The crux of the matter,” the Lord replied, “Is the cross-
It makes the bitter sweet so you will not suffer loss”

“The heart of the matter is tied to the cross
It was for love that I suffered great loss
The heart can be changed from bitter to sweet
When My blood is applied to Heaven’s mercy seat”

Debbie Furey
November 5, 2021

Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Matthew 12:33–37
Matthew 25:31–46
Exodus 15:22–26

As I waited this morning to hear from the Lord, I heard Him ask me a question, “What is the heart of the matter?” Because I was not sure what He was asking me I looked up that phrase online. It means, the most important, basic, or fundamental essence or elements of an issue, problem, or matter at hand. It also means the most central issue of the matter and the most important part of a situation, problem etc. It also means the same as the crux of the matter. Crux is an old-fashioned word meaning cross. So, the heart of the matter is tied to the cross on which Christ died. Because of Jesus dying on the cross for us, our hearts can be changed from bitter to sweet.

Lord, open up the way before me as I follow close behind
Unlock the doors that had been closed and kept my soul confined
The way has not been easy, but I have learned many things
I’m ready now to soar great heights upon my newfound wings

My days of preparation were important up till now
The hidden place You had me in produced great change somehow
Who can tell what happens inside of each cocoon?
Until the butterfly bursts forth to find winds opportune

From the day they were created they were always meant to soar
While they crawled upon the earth they could not have imagined more
Then came the day they were released from their hidden place
To fulfill their true calling with beauty, purpose and grace

Debbie Furey
March 12, 2022

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Psalm 139:15–16 – “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Psalm 139:1–18
Isaiah 45

As I was writing this, I kept picturing a cocoon hidden deep in the forest. Then came the day when the butterfly was released from its secret place. How do they know to jump off from the branch they are on? How do we know to take that leap of faith that God is calling us to? Who knows but that your whole life was a preparation for what God is calling you into now? Take that leap and soar!

Me:
This world is not my home, I’m only passing through
It’s not a time of rest, I’ve got a job to do
I hear You knocking on the door, “Come join Me in the field
The crop is ripe and ready with the promise of great yield”

Lord:
Wake up My love, My flawless one, come join Me in the night
Together we will reap the harvest in the dim moonlight
Gather oil for your lamp and open up the door
Together we will travel far, new places to explore

Your supply and your direction only come from Me
Know that persecution comes to the yielded devotee
The hours are long and dirty as you labor by My side
Sweet fellowship we’ll share together as you’re purified

When I’m coming for My bride, she’ll be dressed in purest white
The angels will be stunned to behold this beauteous sight
They’ll acknowledge she’ll be worthy to become My wife
She has come to know Me as the way, the truth, and life

Debbie Furey
November 8, 2021

Song of Songs 5:2 – “I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.”

Song of Songs 5:2–6
John 4:34–38
Malachi 3:2–5, 16-18

The parable of the 10 virgins found in Matthew 25 is hidden in a few chapters in the Song of Songs. I explore this in great detail in my book, “The Rapture.” We see a picture of the foolish virgin in Song of Songs, chapter 5. When her lover comes to her and invites her to labor with him through the dark of the night, she is not ready. She doesn’t want her feet to get dirty and she wants to continue to sleep. Because she doesn’t answer the door, he departs without her. Then she realizes her mistake but it is too late, he has already left. 
In contrast to this, the wise virgin hears the call to prepare and get ready for her bridegroom. Hidden in the Song of Songs chapter 3 is a picture of her looking for her lover and rising out of her bed and searching for him with a passion. She is ready and longing for him when he comes to get her.
Do you hear the Lord knocking on your door? What is your reply?

Know that I care about everything you go through
It is by fire that precious gold is proved true
Some things you won’t know until we meet face-to-face
Then you will realize the real meaning of grace

Know that I am with you and see all you do
That could be good or bad from My point of view
I know your motives that reside deep inside
So, you can trust Me and in Me confide

How I long to hear your prayers ascend
Trust in My promises and on them depend
The rewards of faith are much greater than you know
Stay close to My side as you walk here below

Debbie Furey
November 6, 2021

Genesis 5:24 – “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”

Hebrews 11:5–6 – “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Psalm 50

If you wake up in the deep part of the night when all is still and quiet around you, know that God is waiting for you to turn to Him and confide in Him. Know that He cares about everything you are going through.

Why do you call Me Lord, but do not do what I say?

You mistake My silence as approval to disobey

My eyes are watching to see the way you will take

Will you live by My Word or the straight path forsake?



A young one is trained so they know the way to go

But for the mature saint this is not always so

Steadfast obedience will prove your love for Me

The way you will choose leads to your destiny



The bit of a horse is for the young and headstrong

I’d rather guide you by My eye to keep you from wrong

You can only do this by looking toward Me

In times of temptation plead for My grace and mercy



Is your foundation the rock, or the world’s shifting sand?

Choose whom you will serve, choose where you will stand

The house built on My rock will weather any storm

When night’s trial is over, behold a new morn!



Debbie Furey

March 21, 2021



Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”



Joshua 24:15 – “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”



Luke 6:46-49

John 14:15-24

Holy Spirit light my way

Fill my lamp while it is day

Night time comes, I’ll need it then

Watching, waiting for my Friend



He said He’d come in dark of night

He’ll know I’m ready by my light

I must keep it full of oil

To be ready, watching, loyal



Refrain:

The oil is costly, precious, rare

You can’t just get it anywhere

Holy Spirit lead me where

I’ll find the oil to prepare



I hear You come in dark of night

My lamp is ready, burning bright

I see an open door before me

Great is my expectancy



Refrain:

The oil is costly, precious, rare

You can’t just get it anywhere

Holy Spirit lead me where

I’ll find the oil to prepare





Debbie Furey

June 2, 2021



Luke 12:35-36 – “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him.”



Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”



Psalm 18:28 – “You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”



Matthew 25:1-13, 7:21-23

James 1:22-25, 2:14-19

Lord, take Your place upon Your glorious throne

Only You are worthy to be worshipped alone

The nations will come and bow down before You

You are Lord and Your righteous judgments are true



Praise, honor and glory and power forever

Belongs to the One under cherubim’s feathers

Holy, holy, holy is their loud cry

To Him who is seated on the throne up high



Flashes of lightning and loud peals of thunder

Cause those around You to be filled with great wonder

Lord, take Your place in each and every heart

On those who call you, “Lord,” grace and mercy impart



Debbie Furey

April 13, 2021



Daniel 7:9-10 – “As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.

His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.”



Exodus 25:10-22

Revelation 5

Me:

Lord, speak to me clearly, I bow my head to hear

The day has been so busy, I neglected to draw near

In the night’s still darkness, I long to hear Your heart

Patiently I wait to receive what You’ll impart



A feast of richest foods appeared before my eyes

As I turned each page my soul was edified

Sweet communion started as I fed upon Your Word

Clearly on each line, Your voice was overheard



Lord:

Be prepared and ready as I send you out

My Presence will go with you in the world throughout

As you eat My Word, I become a part of you

When you speak to others, I’ll come clearly into view



Debbie Furey

April 6, 2021



Romans 8:29 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”



1 John 3:2 – “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,  we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”



Romans 8:28–39

Psalm 36:5-12

The sin of vainglory is an ever-present danger

To seek the praise due God is a deceiving game-changer

Pride will cloud your vision so you cannot see

An ambush from hell’s depth leading to captivity



A humble, servant heart can prevent these attitudes

To know God’s perfect will, look to the beatitudes

Jesus always lived what He taught to others

Leaving heaven’s glory to live as mankind’s brother



We should be like-minded, having the same love

Being wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove

Jesus was obedient to death and to the cross

If we live to gain vainglory, great will be our loss



Debbie Furey

April 1, 2021



1 Corinthians 1:26-29 – “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.”



Matthew 5, 6

Philippians 2:1–11



Vainglory-an extreme pride in oneself; boastful vanity; worthless pomp or show



Beatitude – let this be your attitude



As I was listening to a song this morning and worshiping, my thoughts centered on the Lord and His humility. I am not sure the name of the song, but the words are: “Jesus take Your place–let all the other names fade away–till there’s only You.” The melody was so beautiful and powerful. How can anyone presume to take the glory and honor that is only due the Lord? Let us strive not to lift up our accomplishments and name, but to lift the Lord’s name up to be honored and glorified.



Quote from Thomas a Kempis:

	“It is good that we at times endure opposition and that we are evilly and untruly judged when our actions and intentions are good. Often such experiences promote humility and protect us from vainglory.”

I can speak through children whose hearts are trusting, pure

On My sons and daughters, My Spirit I’ll outpour

This promise has no limit on the age that I will use

The faithless and the lukewarm souls will be the ones to lose



It’s those with servant hearts that will receive this treasure

On the day of outpouring–My Spirit given without measure

The oil of anointing will be enough to fill each lamp

Around the harvest battlefield My angels will encamp



These are the days the book of Acts had just begun

Before the days of lukewarmness had set upon the sun

The day of the great harvest is now coming into view

The fields are ripe and ready to receive what’s right and true



The book of Acts continues until this very day

The time of My outpouring is now on full display

Do you hear Me calling, will you then receive?

My Spirit and My promises are for those who will believe



Debbie Furey

March 19, 2021



Acts 2:17-18 – “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”



Matthew 25:1-13

Luke 12:35–48