UPON THE SHORE

Eph 3:16-19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Who have we in Heaven but you? Who are we serving? Who have we been wanting to see all this time? Who has been walking with us, talking with us, guiding us all these years? Who do we want to see first when we get to Heaven? Who will we be praising throughout the ages? Who on earth do we desire beside you? Who loves us more than anyone else? Who has been our most faithful friend down through the years? Who has always stuck with us, been by our side, been on our side, and never forsaken us? Who cares for and loves us more than any mother, father, brother, sister, friend, relative, or anyone else, even a spouse, could ever love us? Of course it's our lover, friend, companion, guide, our supplier, the wielder of all power, the loving Savior, Jesus Christ. No one else even comes close. We don't even love ourselves as he loves us. Praise his name forever and ever!
Let this be your fervent prayer as you wait for the day you will be with your Lord: "Jesus, as I your face behold, so my feet stand within that strand. For I hear your voice coming from the mountain, resounding among the hills. The very hills which encircle me round about, as they did the children of Israel when they were faced with the sea on one side and the enemy hotly pursuing on the other side. But your voice reached across the sea and opened up a path for them, until they passed through safely, while their enemies were drowned. Then they did sing a great song of deliverance to you. Then they did sing and rejoice, when they stood securely on the other shore. And with the faith you have given me in your word, I stand upon that other shore right now, and so founded upon a solid hope (my hope is in you, Lord Jesus), the hope of becoming made in your image, I your face shall behold, and I shall clasp your hand, never to let it go, and I shall be made like you--perfect in beauty and love--and I shall forget all the past. All the sin, all the woe, and every tear from my eye, you shall remove, Lord Jesus.
So now, Lord Jesus, as you stand before me here upon this earth, as you stand by me, my ever constant friend and companion, as your Spirit now rises up within me Lord, I rejoice in what I have in you now. It is mine now. By the eye of faith I see it now. I see a beautiful land fairer than day, and in joy I rejoice. I bind the evil spirits in the name of Jesus Christ. Satan, get behind me. I resist you. There is no room for doubt, or any other sin, in my heart, as I submit myself, oh my Father, to you. My Father, my heart is yours. My Father, my joy is in you, for all the joys of earth shall pass away. For the earth is changing day by day. It changes; no two days are alike. For each day holds new things, but always and ever my heart rests in your word, the sure foundation, the rock of my salvation. And with the knowledge that my feet shall stand on that strand, I stand firm upon this hope, as though it were already accomplished, and so my joy ever flows and never ceases. Thank you, Father!"