Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:4 KJV

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, ²⁰ where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
 Rev 3:20

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”

Luke 41:48 KJV

Did you ever just give thanks to our Father just for the sake of saying “thanks?”  So many of us run to the Father with requests putting ourselves before Him and wanting immediate service.

When we put God first in all that we do we walk in the spirit versus walking in the flesh.  He freed us to be one with Him…and bought our salvation…so we can share in eternity.

Sing praises to Him.

Shout with unending joy.

Thank Him in all you do.

This week…try to go a whole day with just praising Him…singing to Him…and loving Him.

The Lord will be smiling and will reap greater rewards upon your head than you could ever possibly imagine.

Amen and Amen~

******

Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

Psalm 9:11 (KJV)

To You, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold— my faithful God.

Psalm 59:17 (KJV)

Psalm 108

1 My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises
with the whole of my being.
2 Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.
3 I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
4 For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens,
and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5 God, be exalted above the heavens, and let Your glory be over the whole earth.
6 Save with Your right hand and answer me so that those You love may be rescued.
7 God has spoken in His sanctuary: “I will triumph!
I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim is My helmet;
Judah is My scepter.
9 Moab is My washbasin; I throw My sandal on Edom.
I shout in triumph over Philistia.”
10 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
11 God, haven’t You rejected us? God, You do not march out with our armies.
12 Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless.
13 With God we will perform valiantly; He will trample our foes.

Psalm 29:11

The LORD will give strength unto His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.

Peace of mind is difficult to put a price upon.  You might ask yourself, “what is peace of mind worth to you?”  

The state of peace in mind, heart, and soul, could mean different things to different people.  But, one thing we could possibly all agree upon is, that peace, is a state of being, that supersedes all else.  It is that peace of mind that brings joy, and a sense of tranquility, that touches our daily life all through our days…no matter the circumstances, because of our faith.

Sadly, there are many of our brothers and sisters who do not know “peace” and wander aimlessly through life, stumbling in the darkness.  They might not know what one day to the next will bring, they have no sense of worth, or anticipation of what’s to come.  One day is the same as the last, or the next, for those who don’t know the LORD, or His love and peace.

These people, who do not know Him, are those that we would like to plant seeds of truth with.  It becomes our purpose to lift those out of the darkness, wanting them to experience truth, light and peace of mind.

Peace allows us to sleep well and brings a huge sense of comfort to our entire being.

When we lay down and pray to the LORD to watch over us,  those of faith truly believe, and realize that we will be safely under His mighty powerful wings of protection.

I will lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

When we give the LORD our problems, and cast them to Him, we can reap the rewards of His love. He cares for us and wants us to know Him, and His everlasting joy.

Worship Him and give Him thanks…meditate upon His word, and know His glory.

Follow His word and live a life of peace, prosperity and love.

Give Him your whole being, mind, heart and soul. Surrender to His will,  and seek His face in all that you do, and realize the power of His magnificence and loving character.

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thunderth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.  

Psalm 29:1-4

Ask God for His perfect peace, ask God for His wisdom.

Don’t do things of your own accord, or try to be wise in your own eyes…because without Him or His mercy, we can’t do anything.

The LORD’s wisdom is a valuable tool and a gift, and we are nothing without it.

Wisdom is in everything we do…all the days of our life.

In Proverbs, wisdom is magnified in the majority of the book…God’s wisdom so very important.

He doesn’t want us to depart from it, Him or His word.   All three are components of need—His will and love—are the topping on the cake to complete the ingredients of His peace.

“My son, let not them depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion.  
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.”

Proverbs 3:21-23

Don’t toss all night long, don’t worry or fear.

Speak to the LORD, our merciful and loving Father.

Tell Him of your troubles, He knows your heart.

Ask for forgiveness, and turn everything over to Him.

After you’ve done all that you can…He is the One that will handle it exclusively, and resolve it entirely.

God can handle it, we can’t…but our Father in heaven can!

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt die down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”  Proverbs 3:24

Learn His commandments and keep them in your heart.  Lean on Him…trust Him…love Him.

If ye love Me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

When we listen, learn, meditate, and open our hearts to the Father, and His precious Son, our Savior…we feel joy.  It is complete. He alone brings peace of mind and comfort through the Spirit.

It is a clear choice and for most a no-brainer!

Jesus’ peace is not of this world.

The world is turmoil.   The world is filled with chaos and dismay.

Jesus is PEACE.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:27

Take a look in the mirror.

We are made in God’s image…and His Spirit, when we accept Him in our lives, dwells with us and will never leave us.

Our priorities should be HIM FIRST, all things second.

When we live in the Spirit, we have peace.

If we center our lives with the LORD as our FIRST PRIORITY, we will find eternal life and peace of mind.

Put your spirit in charge of your flesh, especially now, in these difficult days of trouble in the world.

When we shun evil, revere God, and seek His face and His commandments…life will be just that…LIFE!

Amen!

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

1 Peter 1:8 NLT

This epistle written by Peter addressed true believers who wer strangers in every city or country where they lived, and were scattered through the nations.

When we read it today…the message is the same.

It serves to ascribe salvation with the electing love of the Father, the redemption of the Son, and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.

Hope, in the world’s phrase is futile and relentless. But hope of the children of the living God is a living hope in every possible aspect of each believer’s life.

The Love of God is powerful. The hope and confidence in His promises brings comfort and a boundless joy to all those who partake of it.

Mercy and love is the springboard of our faith and our salvation which our redeemer gave to us, willingly and faithfully.

It’s an active and living principle and an automatic obedience in the soul of every single believer.

The believer wants to please the Father by being obedient to His will and doctrine.  To be obedient and to follow His will is to know pure joy and peace.

His love and our joy in His love is incorruptible.

His love and His promises are rewards in and of itself. This signifies purity and perfection.

And our Father is PERFECT.

His promises are powerfully fulfilling and a testament of His love for us. And it fadeth not. Just as His word fadeth not…so too His love and his mercy.

All worldly possessions are fleeting and cannot be taken with us when we are called home.

But…The love of our Father and His promises are everlasting.

The true and contrite hearts, set their whole being on the inheritance of eternal salvation.

God grants His children grace and offers them humility to allow them to acquire a higher sense of purity conforming to Him.

He wants to preserve His children unto glory, and through Him we are victorious.

Every believer shines a light and it shows in their countenance and conduct at all times.

The Lord doesn’t throw hard times on His children… but at times, His love might appoint sharp trials to bring them closer to Him, and for them to see they need Him. Thereby refining them and purifying them further drawing them closer to Him and to His heart.

When we Seek the LORD and we believe, His love will kindle a fire in our hearts as our growth in spirituality deepens in roots and prepares us for our permanent home.

When we embrace Him and all that He is…our cares, woes, hurdles and/or trials, will be easier to undertake, because He is our shield, and the lifter up of our heads.  He goes before us at all times…while holding us up bringing us through all adversity and issues at hand.

Joy…love…rewards….eternity…doesn’t that sound wonderful?

Open His Book and experience the love for yourself if you haven’t already.

I can tell you this…It’s a love like none other.

Amen.

I am thy servant; give me understanding,

that I may know thy testimonies.

Psalm 119:125 KJV

*********

Blessed are those who act upon the principles of the Gospel, which will cause us to behave justly to all those around us.

Our LORD of lords,  and King of kings, Jesus Christ  our Savior  and Surety, having paid our debt and ransom, secures and gives us freely all the blessings of salvation to every true believer.

The psalmists understood and pressed on for the word of God’s righteousness. No other salvation, but that by the Son, through His Father, and our Father,  is secured by that Word, which cannot fall to the ground.

The Lord’s word does not return void to His ears.

Isaiah 55:9-11

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

10  “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11  So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it”

He is the precipitous and Omnipresent wonder of all we undertake and all we encounter, and all we are.

When we ask the Father for understanding and knowledge He will open up the buds of our mind and our heart will bring forth clarity and the aptitude to apply it accordingly.

Speak from your heart to His heart

and wait for God and His Magnificence to

touch you in ways you never dreamed

possible.

Ask Him now if you haven’t before, to come into your heart and to “open further understanding” to His blessed Word and Voice, He listens to His children with sincerity and contrition in their hearts.

Amen~

The grass withereth,

the flower fadeth:

but the word of our God shall stand

for ever.

Isaiah 40:8

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.   Matthew 5:16

So what gets our light shining before men? And, what pleases God?

God has a plan for all of us..for all of mankind.  If we’re not on board with His plan,  or off on our own agenda without aligning with His Word, it can mean trouble on judgement day.

There is nothing wrong with being successful in finances, but it’s when wealth becomes an obsession and more important than God that ceases to make our light shine.

Our light shines brightest when we seek that which is the will of our Father in heaven.

It is when we proclaim His glory and define and live according to His doctrine of love and tolerance.

Money, cars, clothes, lifestyle of riches cannot buy salvation. Again, there is nothing wrong with being wealthy as a result of God’s blessings…just keep in mind again, no amount of money can buy salvation.   So, sometimes we see those “false preachers” begging for money promising your salvation.  Not going to happen.

There was only One who paid the price for our salvation.

The One who is the Light of the world.

None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God  a ransom for him; For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever. That he should live for ever and not see corruption. For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.  

Psalm 49:7

This season of Christmas…when Christ started to “live” with us, when His Light lit up the darkness,  so too can we light up the room according to His purpose and His commandment.

Let your light shine!

Jesus came to fulfill the law, and to redeem us while offering us eternal salvation, and life through His sacrifice.

He was born, crucified, buried, and rose again.

He defeated death! He was victorious!

The author of salvation!

Hallelujah!

Spread His Word, and shine your light to those in darkness.

Whosoever, therefore shall break on of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.  

Matthew 5:19

With the touch of the Holy Spirit we can convey God’s truth to others. We should be doers of the Word as well.  If we teach truth and don’t do truth, we can be called hypocrites.

Our works alone are insufficient to enter heaven. We need to reach others while not showing off our knowledge of the Word. Some people may think they’re “better” than others. Not so!

Those who think of themselves as “holier than thou” are like smoke in God’s nose. (Isaiah 65:5)

Light up the world by yielding to the Holy Spirit and being a doer in conformity to His purpose while giving Him all the glory.

The law is good; man is bad. If we lived under the law only, not one of us would have sufficient works to enter heaven. We all fall short.

Humble yourself, repent.  Trust in god’s mercy and salvation, and then let your light shine for the Light of the world who so shined His for all mankind!

Amen

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.

The newly fallen snow glistened as it kissed the trees branches in my backyard. The pristine beauty akin to a painting on a greeting card. The fir tree standing the tallest among the trees…was magnificent and majestic at once.  Three squirrels danced around the tree foraging for their stored goodies.  The entire scene signified elegance and gave a sense of peace to the onlooker.  And, I said aloud, “Father, I behold Your magnificence in this classic winter scene.  I see Your works, and I hear Your voice.”

God is everywhere. He’s in the sound of a baby crying, a puppy yapping, a crow crowing, and in the sound of an orchestra playing softly.

We’re never alone. He’s with us always, in fact that’s one of His promises, “Lo, I’m with you always, even until the end of the world” Matthew 28:20.

There are times we have to push past hard times…but hang on because the tough times shall pass.

During this blessed season of Christmas, a lot of people are alone and feeling lonely missing a loved one. Someone out there, is a newly crowned widow or widower and hurting so badly.  Likewise, there are those who lost a dear one, a parent, a sibling, a friend…and feeling the pain from their death.

This season, of Christ…who is the epitome of love…reach out to those who need a hug, a word of encouragement and let them know they’re never alone.  Remind them of His Word…His promises, and His voice.

Listen, do you hear Him?

Sometimes His voice is so small and subtle.

Sometimes His voice can be silent…that’s the time to wait and listen, and know that He is God.  Psalm 46:10

Remember….no one gets through this life without hardship and pain, it’s part of life.  And some go through it sooner than others, but eventually it’ll touch everyone.  But, isn’t it so much better going through it with the LORD?   And, He promises we’ll be comforted when we hurt.

So, when you look at a picturesque scene like the one in my yard this morning.  Or view a breathtaking sunset…or see a new life come into this world, remember that God made it all possible.  Which brings me to the best message of all:  With God all things are possible.

Amen~

Peace and Joy to all.

Leviticus 26:12

‘I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

Deuteronomy 31:8

“The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Psalm 113:3

From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise him.  

Psalm 28:7

Psalm 3:3
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

The Lord brings us comfort in times of stress, sickness & grief. Ostensibly, He is there for our joyous moments & celebrations.

He alone brings the strength and comfort we need no matter the occasion or circumstance, in other words, He is our sole provider.

The Lord  brings us what we need, and best of all, when we need it. We can’t see beyond our scope of vision, whereas the LORD sees and knows all.  His Omnipotence is ever present and His untrammeled vision is not that of Man/Woman.

He alone can heal.

He alone can comfort.

He alone can provide.

He alone holds us up.

He alone is the foundation our our existence.

Trust in Him for all things.

And lean on Him.

He promises to be our answer to all that we need.

It’s in His Word.  Read it!

You will not only be pleased, but you will reap rewards of peace, joy, wisdom,

and endless love.

LOVE another name for our Father in heaven.

Amen~

O how love Thy law! It  is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments has made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding that all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation.  Psalm 119:97-99 KJV

We all know that meditating on God’s Word brings wisdom and Divine instruction, more than any instruction man/woman can bring forth. It’s through the dedication of meditation and seeking His face that we gain entry into the category of “wisdom” and “keen insight” straight from His mighty and powerful Word.

Wisdom.  We can all use more wisdom and understanding as we face our giants in the world today.  The prince of darkness rules the air and reigns in lies and confusion.  It is the Word and our belief that keeps our “feet steady” and strong in the LORD where the enemy can’t garner any kind of “stronghold” over us.

It is His Word and the Armor in which we wear that protects us from the lies, treachery, confusion, trickery, and perversion reigning today, just as it did so many years ago in the Bible.

Look around.  See and hear His Words of warning.  Open eyes. Open ears…seek His face and His kingdom in every crevice of life.  For with Him there is LIFE.  Without Him…there is utter darkness, that is to say “death” – spiritually speaking of course.

God is a loving Father who seeks to give us provisions and nutrients to harvest our growth in Him.  He longs to protect us through His mighty ways, through His omnipotence we are capable of victory…through Him only.  We cannot do it without Him.

With God we can do anything.

Without God we can’t do anything viable or enhancing of growth.

God is our sanctuary and our Rock.  There is none like Him.

When we accept and surrender to Him, and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, from the moment on He dwells within us!

Do you sometimes sit back and get emotional about WHO IS IN YOU?

The overwhelming fact of His Spirit inside…with us always…how awesome is that to have that kind of connection to the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Amen!

We have a long road ahead of us my brothers and sisters, and we can be prepared through His Word, and be protected by His grace.  Or we can go the other route which invariably will lead to a “gathering of self-destruction” perpetrated by “false and evil manipulations” of the world today.

God is the answer to EVERYTHING!

As one of the churches I pass along the way has on their billboard says:

“God answers Knee-mail”  and “God has His own Twitter account…located in the BIBLE.”  

And of course a favorite of so many people, an oldie but goodie that will ring in your ears forever.  Because truth will set you free and there is nothing more truthful than this saying:

                                              NO GOD…NO PEACE.

                                          KNOW GOD…KNOW PEACE.

                                                            AMEN!

Only be thou strong and very courageous that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shall have good success.  

Joshua 1:7-8 KJV

His Word and His message exude LOVE.  

His promises throughout the Bible, His ultimate sacrifice to save us are all powerful signs and examples of LOVE.

It’s through His example of pure, unadulterated, and unconditional love, which are the basic foundation, for His children to carry on His important message to all those we come in contact with.

 To be an extension of His “arm of love” is to allow the Spirit to guide us and for us to grow in the process.

God doesn’t look on the outside but instead, He looks inside at the heart of the person.  He also doesn’t care what your status is in life..He’s not interested in your monetary or materialistic worth…He’s interested in your heart and how you use it towards others.

Jesus said to “love one another as I have loved you” as a prime example of perpetuating His doctrine throughout the ages…in other words, it never gets old.

Love is limitless as is His loyalty and love for us.

To be in the center of His love is an experience that one can’t describe unless you’ve been there.  It’s like trying to describe “air” or “wind.”  You feel it, but you can’t place a color to it, or a texture…but you feel it.

So is God’s love.  He is as faithful as He was from day one of creation…and He is the same to all of His children.

He loves us.  He may not like the sins we sometimes fall into, but He loves us and forgives us over and over again.

The love of GOD supersedes all else.  There just isn’t anything that comes close nor anything as magnificent!

And…God Himself?  How would we describe Him?   I would sum it up in one word.  LOVE!

“Thank You Father God for Your hands of Love, for Your faithful heart, and for Your unconditional life affirming Love.  You are victorious in all that You do, all glory and honor belong to You and You alone…in Jesus name,  Amen.”