Isaiah 66:23 ” ‘From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before Me,’ says the Lord.”

We take it for granted that the days…weeks…months…years will pass before us.  We just assume that the Seasons will follow each other.  But are we just as indifferent about the Lord?  Do we just assume that  He’s always there…whether we need Him or not.  It says in Revelation 15:4,  “that all Nations will come and worship before You.”  There is coming a day when the whole human race will bow in submission and acknowledgement of the Lord.  We will no longer be able to take things for granted, or assume  the status quo will continue unheeded…for it will be the dawning of a new day, and we will be forced out of our stupor into the truth of His light.

Ephesians 1: 18-19 ” I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. “

As Paul prayed this for the Church in Ephesus, I too pray this over you today.   I ask the Lord to shine a light on His Word that you may have understanding and confidence in His purpose and plan for your life.  I ask that He show you very plainly that you are a precious child of His, and an heir of heaven.

Deuteronomy 32:3 ” I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!”

Declare the majesty and strength of the Lord Almighty.  Let those around you today know just how great your God is.  Don’t be afraid to share what He has done in your life.  For elsewhere in Deuteronomy it proclaims,  ” O Sovereign Lord, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand.  For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works You do?”

Psalm 45:1 ” My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the King; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”

Religious scribes were an important and integral part of ancient Jewish history.  They preserved and interpreted the Holy Scriptures.  When they spoke the word of the Lord out loud to the people…they were speaking on behalf of God…knowing His word would never return void without first accomplishing its purpose…the ultimate purpose for each listening ear.

Psalm 95: 1-2 “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our Salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.”

We tend to go to the Lord in bad times only…when life is treating us unfairly and we’re filled with sadness.  But the Psalmist is telling us – Go to God when your happy and content…Go to Him when life is good and you feel truly blessed of Him.  For He desires to hear  you during the hard times…but He delights in hearing your praises.

Ephesians 6: 16 ” In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

The shield of the Roman soldier was long and rectangular in shape…and almost as tall as he was.  Its protection was superb, and when groups of soldiers closed ranks, fit the shields together, and advanced as one, the line was impenetrable.  They would also hold the shields overhead, forming a circle of protection from arrows flying down from enemy walls above.  Our saving faith…that firm and confident belief in Jesus and His Gospel covers us with complete protection from the devil.  And when the Body of Believers band together  with our shields of faith…we are unstoppable…we are victorious.

Ephesians 6:12 ” For our strength is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

It’s the age-old battle of good versus evil…but the battle isn’t against our fellow-man, but against what initiates the evil within us.  The armor of God isn’t made for battles with man.  Rather, its strength and protection is for battles from forces so powerful that without it we would be completely defenseless.  It’s made for battles far beyond what we can comprehend…and battles that come from deep within.

II Chronicles 20:20 ” Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in His prophets and you will be successful.”

On this last day of 2015, whose report will you believe today?  The pessimistic and slanted world’s view, or the Lord’s divine perspective on things?  The most reliable truth comes from God and His people.   His Word will sustain you, and cause you to prosper…to be happy and victorious in this next coming year.  Look to Him and His people for this guidance as you move into 2016.

Hebrews 1:3 ” The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word.”

Another beautiful word for radiance is effulgence…God’s splendor was emitted through Jesus, showing us a perfect expression of God’s Divine essence. In John this is spoken about…Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” And John wrote, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Lord came to uphold all things by the strength of His spoken Word. Jesus was fully divine…and fully human, giving us just a glimpse at what our Heavenly Father was like.