“… lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. .”  Matthew 28:20

Grasping the entire message of that very strong and comforting promise from Jesus’ own lips is overwhelming.  It’s at times, difficult to digest the enormity of His prolific statement for so many reasons.  The first that comes to mind is that there isn’t one individual on this face of the earth who loves us the way He does!   His unconditional love and His compassionate characteristics are beyond explanation. No, there is no explanation other than “He loves us, so much…that He gave His only begotten Son for us.  And, His Son, Jesus Christ, came willingly to be a servant for us, and to serve us in order to defeat death, so that we could be with Him for eternity!

Wow! I know must of you reading this right now are aware of His love, and what He has sacrificed for us.  But, for those who are not aware, or who are just coming to know Him…let His words penetrate your mind for a moment.

“…lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world…”  Repeat it, meditate on these loving words, and then embrace it with every fiber of your being, and open your heart to  Him fully.  For He alone is worthy, and He alone is the most high, and He is simply put…what LOVE is all about.

From the beginning of time our Father has wanted a relationship with His children.  And He created us for His pleasure (Rev: 4:11 11 — Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.) –because He enjoys us and wants an intimate relationship with us.  But, He has always given us a choice whether to reciprocate in kind, or take off as a third of His children did in the first earth age, when Satan was cast from heaven.

When we embrace His doctrine in  all we do, and honor Him daily with praise and meditation, along with applying a hands-on practice to His ways, by following the Holy Spirits’ prompting, we are pleasing to Him, and are exhibiting a loving and open heart toward our Father, who is so worthy.

This season, the season of Christ’ coming to “live with us” is a significant piece of who we are as followers.  It is a time to share His gospel, His peace, and His love with others, as well as from within.

As we explore the basis for our existence, we should always take into consideration that it is His will that should be done, and His purpose for us as we go forward this season, and every season of our lives until we gain entry into the eternity.  But, while we’re here today, love Him…and feel joy at His promises, each and everyone of them.  He wants us to remind Him that we know of those promises, (Isaiah 43:26- Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.)

Most important of all…keep honoring Him all of your might, heart, body and mind.  And, remember, “He is with you always, even until the end of this age”  Praise His name!

“Father, thank You for the promises in Your word, and for the sacrifices that you’ve made for Your children since the beginning of time. Thank You for all the miracles You’ve given us from the beginning of time, and continue to do to this very day, and thank You for Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who through Him we are able to share in eternity, and through Him, our Sins are blotted out.  I love You, and I serve only You,  now and always.  May those who are not aware of Your incredible ways come to know You, and love You as Your followers do, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Isaiah 43:25

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:15-18 KJV

A highly productive feeling of importance associated with ones’ success or circumstances in life is usually fleeting at best.  To be productive is not a “bad thing” in fact, God wants us to produce both in terms of “work” and in terms of “fruit.” But, when we’re not in acknowledgment of GOD and the role of significance He plays in our life is when we get can get into trouble. Life on earth is fleeting.  Eternity is forever.

We are all one body in Christ, and we have the Holy Spirit within that abounds in joy and peace and wisdom, and gives us all a clear perspective of what is good and right, by conviction and unction.

Feeling joy from within is inherent in every follower of Christ.  To be one with Christ, and to experience the Sovereign Magnificence of His power is an awesome reality most of us live by.

Sadly, there are those who haven’t experienced this joyous and precious gift,  who are walking in the dark, not aware of His light or His dynamic- consuming pulsating- unconditional- and powerful  love.

The enemy wanders about seeking to destroy all of us.  Whereas, ostensibly, the LORD in His Grace and Sovereign Supernatural Magnificence, seeks to “love” and protect His children.

We have the choice, the LORD or the alternative.

Jesus said “go out and teach the gospel to all the nations in the world, shine your light so that others can see it.”

Don’t put it (your light)  under a bushel where the world cannot see it.  Instead openly display the light for those in the dark, and shine, shine, shine!

There are many ways to shine that light.

By being compassionate.

By being kind.

By smiling.

By offering encouragement,

By being an “ear.”

By being a friend.

By being a witness to God’s great glory,  sharing all of the victories you’ve received through the LORD.  Especially when going through a crisis, holding onto faith and believing in God’s promises, and recognizing He will “never leave us nor forsake us.”  We give witness to faith, when we go through the valley, holding onto to the LORD, while trusting in His will and His love.

The joy from within is the ability to rise above any occasion presented.

The joy from within is the ability to conquer the fiery darts the enemy throws our way, by the power of Jesus Christ and His glory in His name.

The joy from within is the ability to transcend the elements of this world knowing that this/earth is our temporary home, whereas eternity is forever.

The joy from within is the ability to commandeer a roomful of individuals who are non-believers, and provide seeds and pray the LORD will provide the water.

The joy from within is the ability to feel the love of the LORD 24hrs a day, 7 days a week.

And, finally the joy from within is the ability to listen to our Father, pray to our Father, and spending time with our Father, and loving our Father.

And, my brothers and sisters, just knowing that one day we will be with Him forever and ever, isn’t that joy in and of itself?

Now that is what I call joy!

Amen….

Rejoice evermore.  –  1 Thessalonians 5:16

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. – Psalm 27:6 (NKJV)

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. – Psalm 47:1-3

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered. – Psalm 71:23

10 Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, And the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, For My people who have sought Me.

Isaiah 65:10

Achor trouble — This valley near Jericho was the consequence of trouble and sin of Achan— (Joshua 7:24 Joshua 7:26.)

Therefore, the saying of  “Valley of Achor”  more than likely became a term for that which caused trouble.

Isaiah (Isaiah 65:10) used it;  “The Valley of Achor, a place for herds to lie down in” which essentially refers to “trouble and issues of unrest” — however, it became a source of a blessing, as Hosea stated; ( Hosea 2:15)  “The Valley of Achor for a door of hope” where trouble is turned into joy, and despair into hope.

Jesus is the “door” and our “Anchor” into hope, peace, and eternity. He is our peace and hope in this turbulent world of chaos and evil principalities.

He is the anchor of our daily life, and He is the culmination of prosperity and spiritual growth each day of our life as we adhere to His gospel and walk in faith.

He is our protection.

Although there is troubling times in our world today, evil is surfacing everyday,  it is our “Anchor” Christ, our Lord of lords, and King of kings, and our Savior, that ultimately delivers us from evil and catapults us into a sublime reality which is inherently our reward of accepting Him as our Savior.

He supplies provisions in terms of our need, and offers His yoke to ease our burdens of everyday circumstances throughout our life.

When we listen to His voice, He will always lead us to “calm pastures” and allow us to be protected under His wings.

Even when we can’t understand or grasp the enormity of what is transpiring in the world today, for example, the horrific and evil act that took innocent lives in Texas while praying in church, we must hold onto our faith, and pray even harder than before.

His thoughts and ways are higher than our ways, and we won’t understand all of which happens in this world.  But, we do have a promise from our Father that we will be offered eternal rewards when we enter Paradise.

Hold onto the Anchor and know that He is with us always, no matter what.

“Dear Lord, shine Your light into this world of darkness,  lead us to the safe pastures in which You offer, and guide us each day while offering us Your perfect peace, and wisdom, and show us Your will and Your purpose for our lives  while here on earth, may the victims family find comfort in You and Your promises, and may the survivors find peace in Your word,  in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”  John 10:9

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 Ephesians 5:17 ( KJV)

The Lord’s will is for our good.

He knows what we can handle, what are hearts need, and what our soul desires.

We lost our precious “fur baby” Max this past weekend.  After almost 15 years of an amazing relationship filled with pure unadulterated and unconditional love,  sheer happiness and endless adventures.

I prayed since we took him home all those years ago, that when he needed to leave this earth, that the LORD would allow him to do it naturally at home, preferably in his sleep.

After 12 weeks following a diagnosis of Kidney failure, Max basically still had an amazing quality of life. He played, was eating, and filled with a zest for living.

We enjoyed a beautiful summer together, and fun.  You’d never think he was sick, still looking so beautiful, and happy.  But, the last two weeks of his life, he slowed down considerably, and it was obvious he was not long for this world.

On October 27, we tried one more thing on the advice of our Vet, to try and flush the toxins from his system.  It proved to be futile, but one we had to do in order to have given him one last chance at life.  The Vet explained that 90% of the time, dogs can rebound for an additional 8 weeks to 6 months.  It wasn’t to be for our baby Max.  He was tired, and run down.

We took him home. We never left him at the vet, sat with him the entire time. Max was never out of our sight.

12 hours upon returning home, the morning of October 28th,  I prayed to God aloud, “LORD, if it’s your will… please, take him home with you…he’s suffered so much these past hours please take him home.  Don’t let us make the decision of taking his life, please, LORD, if it’s your will, take him now.”

Within seconds of my tearful plea,  Ron and I held him in our arms, as he took his last couple of breaths, and suddenly, he was gone at 7:15 am.  He looked like he was sleeping, so beautiful, so quiet, so peaceful.  Our baby, in our arms…went home.

We cried, yet were overjoyed that we received our miracle, thanks to the LORD, our amazing God.  He answered our prayers, according to HIS WILL and His timing.

I wanted to share this highly personal experience to be a witness to God’s miraculous and amazing grace, and His love for us, His children.

He is in control at all times.  Since the beginning of time, and right this moment…the LORD is in control.

He knows what we can handle, and for me, the thought of brining Max to be euthanized would have quite possibly, pushed me over the edge…so the LORD waited for me to come to terms with it, and when I realized it was time to bring him to be euthanized, He KNEW I couldn’t handle it.  And, to that end, He protected me, for He knows what my heart can handle.  And, HE NEVER gives us more than we can handle.  Plus, HIS WILL, is always the best for us.  No matter what…always the best for us.

His timing.

His will.

His blessings.

And, His miracles.

How amazing is our Father?

Praise His name.

All glory and honor belong to Him.

The victory is His, now and always.

“Father, thank You for Your endless love, protection. You are faithful, loyal, and loving, I adore You, I worship You, I am Yours forever and a day.  Thank You, I love You…and thank You for bringing Max into our lives, all those years ago, He was your creature whom we loved fully and completely, Thank You. All the glory and honor be yours, now and forever, in Jesus name, amen…”

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13  (KJV)

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15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

                                                   Ephesians 5:15-20 (KJV)