New Christmas Hymns - O Blessed Night, O Brightest Day
To the Ends of the Earth: Legacy – Week 10, Day 5 – Christ Is With Us Always
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“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
John 14:15–20
Jesus promised to be with us forever (see Mt 28:20). He is “Emmanuel,” God with us — meaning his coming into our lives is not a temporary thing. He did not come to earth thousands of years ago to speak some encouraging words to a few people and then go back home to heaven. He came for all time and for all people. This is the foundation of all our actions as believers. We are living out the joyful reality that God is with us in every moment, every word, every deed, and every hope.
The Holy Spirit has been given to us as a guarantee of what is to come (see 2 Cor 1:22). He is our advocate, our teacher, our empowering strength, and our unending joy. Because he lives in us, we have all we need to complete the good work God has given us to do. We are no longer wandering orphans, cut off from heaven, and dead in our sins. We are saints set apart for the divine purposes to which God has called us. We are one in Spirit with the Son of God!
Questions for reflection
Where have you experienced God’s presence most fully in your life?
When you struggle to recognize God’s presence, where do you turn?
How can you help a brother who may be struggling to believe in Christ’s enduring presence in his life right now?
Praying with Scripture
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Jos 1:9)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
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About the Author
Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
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