"OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S BEAUTIFUL, INTIMATE LOVE FOR US!!!

**** Please Read This Aloud ****

JESUS CHRIST - HE WHO "...upholds, maintains, guides, and propels the Universe by HIS Mighty Word of power." (Hebrews           1:1-3/Amplified Bible).

HE WHO Creates Beautiful Flowers with such Exquisite designs of     color and shape, And creates the Beautiful Butterflies that love the       flowers so---

May HE breathe on you the very breath that says: "I love You with my everlasting love...". (Jeremiah 31:3)...

"THE ETERNAL GOD Is your Refuge...and underneath are the            Everlasting Arms..."  (Deuteronomy 33:27).

"Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the Shield of the LORD."  (Deuteronomy 33:29).

The breath that says "I call you Friend". (John 15:15).

The breath that says: "It is Finished".  (John 19:30).

AS I went outside to give these thoughts back to GOD our Heavenly    Father...I saw a butterfly on the ground, walking--- I very gently picked  it up, and carried it to some beautiful flowers that were growing in the sunshine.

As I sat underneath the White Dogwood tree...exchanging these thoughts with our Heavenly Father...a breeze stirred the White              dogwood tree  -  causing a shower of white petals to Blanket me.

In (Revelation 22:2) "the leaves of the tree of life are for healing          and restoration..."

May this (HIS) word be for Your healing and restoration:

"I have called you by your name, You are Mine..."  (Isaiah 43:1).

"I am called "...a child of God..."  (John 1:12).

" I (Jesus) have called you 'Friend' ".  (John 15:15)

"I love you with My everlasting love..(Jeremiah 31:3).

"...in Me, you may have peace."  (John 16:33).

"JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday, today, and forever."                  (Hebrews 13:8).

In the paragraph about the Butterfly (above)...The Hand that moved    the butterfly, placing it gently among the flowers in the sOnshine        is our Father God's hand... You are the butterfly...the breeze is the        Holy Spirit, JESUS says in (John 8:12): "I AM the light." 

Now, Please read it Two Times more!!!                                   

 

"SOUNDS OF MERCY, AND GRACE...AND..."

 Once while serving on a Christian Men's Retreat, I heard the Worship Leader singing the song "Amazing Grace".

That song begins with the beautiful and Holy Declaration: "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me..." As I sang along with that song...the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask:  "Father, what were those Sweet Sounds?"  He answered me, giving to me understanding:  "Those 'Sweet Sounds' were music."...I said..."Music?!?!?".

In the music---the "percussion instruments" were (1) The HAMMER DRIVING the spikes through JESUS' wrists into the wooden cross; and, (2) The "Thump!" as the cross hit the bottom of the hole in the ground.  (That caused a very Painful "jerk" on JESUS' muscles as the cross came to a sudden halt when it hit the bottom of the hole,).

The "String Instruments" were the lashes of the whip that ripped and tore JESUS' back, sides, arms and legs!!!  

The lyrics (words) of the song were the seven (7) statements that JESUS made while HE was on the cross; plus what the thieves said as they hung on their crosses; plus the Roman soldier's Declaration: "Surely that is a Righteous Man."  JESUS' last statement was "It is Finished!!!". (John 19:30). (Please YOU! look for yourself by reading the New Testament to find the other six (6) things JESUS said while on the cross.

***From a footnote below John 19:30: "It is Finished - The Greek tense indicates that the work of redemption has been COMPLETED ONCE AND FOR ALL, AND it's results are ABIDING CONTINUOUSLY."*****

I Must insert another insight here that the HOLY SPIRIT gave to me just now: The sounds are Sweet to HIM---because HE ALREADY KNOWS the Sweet Sounds that we will sing to HIM for eternity in Heaven (because we accepted HIS sacrifice for our sins!).

Some Helpful definitions: 1) Grace = favor, kindness, affection, un-merited favor, un-deserved Blessings. (Zech. 12:10/2 Cor. 12:9).           (2) Mercy = unfailing love, tenderness, pity, love; active desire to remove distress. (Micah 6:8/Hosea 2:13/Romans 9:15).

There are many great Blessings---From Genesis 1:1-3 "In the beginning...Let there be light"...all the way through Rev. 22:20-21 "Surely I am coming quickly...The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen."

A partial list of "Sounds" of Grace and Mercy: 1) "...thus says the Lord Who created you..."I have called you by your name...you are Mine,"(Isaiah 43:1.  (2) "I have chosen you, adopted you, and accepted you as Mine in JESUS..." (Eph. 1:1-6). (3)  "I will have Mercy on (him/her) (Hosea 2:2-3).  (4) "The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make HIS face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His smile upon you, and give you peace." (Numbers    6:23-26).  (5) "The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deu. 33:27).  (6) JESUS says "I am with you always." (Matt. 28:20). (7) "Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You." (Psalm 63:3-4).  (8) "But YOU are Holy, you enthrone Yourself in the praises of Your people." (Psalm 22:3).  (9) "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people.." (Psalms 125:2). (10) Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is in within me." (Psalm 103:1-2)  (11) "Fear not, for I am with you, I will hold your right hand." (Isaiah 41:1-3). (12) "I know the plans that I have for you...plans for you to give you a future and a hope."  (13) "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, His compassions  fail not...they are new every morning, Great is Your faithfulness..." (Lamentations 3:22-25).  (14) "And Mary will bring forth a Son, and you shall call HIS NAME JESUS, fot HE shall save His people." (Matt. 1:21). (15) "Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will by no means pass away." (Mark 13:31).  (16) If you, then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much More will your Heavenly Father give The HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask HIM."  (Luke 11:13). (17) "...HE, the SPIRIT of TRUTH, will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13).

The above is only a partial list.  You Will have deep, thrilling blessings as you add your OWN list!!!  You can read all of GOD'S WORD this year---only about 30-40 minutes each day!  (Get your OWN plan at www.shilohplace.org

Our Sounds to GOD OUR FATHER, JESUS HIS SON, THE HOLY SPIRIT - are to be GIVING THANKS, PRAISE, and WORSHIP!!!  And our Sounds to others shall be: "I forgive you...Please forgive me...JESUS LOVES YOU...THANK YOU...I BLESS YOU IN JESUS CHRIST'S HOLY NAME!!!!!!!!               

*** REJOICE!!!...IN?...OVER? ****

 "REJOICE IN THE LORD"!!!!! ALWAYS!!!  Again I willl say Rejoice!!!"   (Philippians 4:4).

Definition: Rejoice - Joy, to  be greatly happy; to be excessively Happy!

In "THE MESSAGE BIBLE" this verse (Phil 4:4) says:                         "CELEBRATE GOD ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, I MEAN REVEL IN HIM!"

IN the NEW KING JAMES  BIBLE HE declares it this way:                  :...King David LEAPING and TWIRLING  before the LORD...".        (2 Samuel 6:6 New King James Version).).

Some translations state that "GOD rejoices over US with SINGING       and DANCES with Delight over US "!!!!!!!!

"The LORD your GOD in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; HE    will REJOICE over YOU with gladness, HE will quiet you with HIS  love, HE will rejoice over You with Singing."!!!!!!!! (Zephaniah 3:17).

If we focus on OURSELVES, or focus on our Circumstances--- that can make it more difficult to believe that HE REJOICES OVER US!!!

But many times in GOD'S WORD we are taught/Commanded to focus  on HIM---"but we all...behold the Glory of the LORD, being transformed into the same image from glory to glory...by the Spirit of the LORD." (2 Corinthians 3:18).

As we CONTINUE to focus our thoughts on HIM---we are reminded that HE is the "ONE TRUE GOD" (John 17:3)/ "THE LORD MOST HIGH" (Psalm 47:2) 

When HE looks upon us - HE KNOWS by HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE the Most Terrible Price that HE paid for us---and knowing what we will be when "...HE completes HIS good work in us..." (Philippians 1:6)

ONCE FOR ALL TIME AND INTO ETERNITY - HE-THE ONE TRUE GOD SET OUR VALUE TO HIMSELF by paying the HIGHEST POSSIBLE PRICE for EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US-   by sending HIS SON JESUS to a Tortuous death on the cross---to pay for OUR sins!!!  SO, BECAUSE GOD HIMSELF does NOT change     (Malachi 3:6); AND Because JESUS  CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND FOREVER." (Hebrews 13:8).---

"THE LORD YOUR GOD in your midst will save...(HE) will rejoice over you with gladness...[In HIS LOVE...He will make NO mention of past sins, nor even recall them].  HE will exult over you with singing." 

Several years ago,  when my wife Mary worked in a town (Dahlonega, Ga.) several miles from our home in Cleveland, Ga.---several times each week I would drive to a gym in Dahlonega-to exercise.  On some of those trips I would first stop by to visit Mary at her office .

On a certain day in April, I stopped by to visit Mary.  As I talked with her---I realized that she was experiencing a day which was even more stressful than usual!

My plan for that day was that I would go to the local library to look for a specific book.  But as I prayed and drove toward the library--- Our LORD gave to me understanding---that rather than look for a book---I should sit outside the library, enjoy the warm sunshine and the spring flowers that our LORD had provided for me...so that I could sit there and pray for Mary!!!

{Please allow me to insert here some information that will help make the rest of the story to be more clear:  Whenever we pray for someone OTHER THAN OURSELVES---it is called Intercessory Prayer}.

As  prayed for Mary, I also began to rejoice and thank our LORD for the warm sunshine, the beautiful flowers, And for the FREEDOM to be there and pray...and to praise and thank our LORD that "...HE HIMSELF is our peace..." (Ephesians 2;14); HE HIMSELF "... is our Strength and our Song..." (Exodus 15:2);  "JESUS CHRIST is the SAME yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8); and that JESUS is "...with us always..." (Matthew 28:20)

SO, I was rejoicing IN HIM---As i continued this---the HOLY SPIRIT moved me to ask:  "LORD, does this mean that I am to Rejoice IN YOU in an Intercessory manner for Others???  ONLY by HIS grace and by HIS FAITHFULNESS I do now, and I am to continue to "rejoice in the LORD..." in an Intercessory manner for others. HOW GOOD!!! Our HEAVENLY FATHER IS!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I mentioned earlier...Rejoicing can be "to dance and twirl in joy."

Back to Mary: As I talked to Mary later...her stress had eased, and her peace Increased As i rejoiced For her!!!

***(You may find this (following) Amusing---                                        Because i am now age 79, I sometimes have difficulty with my balance=so I do dance and twirl SLOWLY!  Sometimes in the parking lot outside the gym - I lift up my hands and twirl...and people walking nearby call out to me, asking "are you OK?" "Do you need help?"  That gives to me an opening to witness to them about "Rejoicing in the LORD"!!!

GOD REJOICES OVER US!!! HE IS WORTHY FOR US TO REJOICE IN HIM!!!!!!11!

HE     IS     WORTHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

("SARA H") ...Grace!!!

]Sara is a name that we find in the BIBLE.  [Sometimes it is spelled with an "h" (Sarah)].  According to Strong's Bible Concordance, the meaning of the name (Sara) is "Princess"

.

Sara was the wife of Abraham, and the Mother of Isaac ("The Child of Promise"). (Genesis 21:1-7).  Sara was 90 years old!!! when she gave birth to Isaac - (far beyond her Child-bearing years).

At the age of (127), Sara died and was buried - (Genesis 23:19-20). Sara is the only woman in the Bible whose age was recorded at death-A sign of her Great Importance to the early Hebrews.  The writer of Hebrews (In the New Testament) includes Sara as one of the Spiritual Heroines in his roll call of the Faithful. (Hebrews 11:11)- (From Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary).  [I urge you to buy a copy of this Bible Dictionary - it is Filled with helpful information.

Through many years of Bible study and prayer - Our LORD GOD has

given to me understanding that---that like a Tree that has DEEP, STRONG roots ---is more able to stand During, and Through, Storms!!! --- Just So - when we teach our children/grandchildren/ and Great-grandchildren that their parents, grandparents/Great grand- parents had Faith IN, and relationships WITH JESUS CHRIST!!! ---then those "Deep, Strong Roots" give children, grandchildren, and Great -grandchildren more strength and stability During, and

Through the "storms" that they WILL experience in their lives!!! 

HOLY GOD our FATHER has in HIS Infinite, and Intimate love so arranged my life (Psalm 139:16) ---that I am frequently reminded of the Faith of my Physical and Spiritual Family.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES:

Because both of my BIRTH parents died in the year of my 6th birthday...my Adoptive Parents taught me that my Birth Parents were active Followers of JESUS CHRIST; and that my Birth Mother was a Bible Teacher!!!  Thus GOD has enabled me to go through some "life storms", And HE continues to strengthen my faith as I live and Study HIS WORD!!!

A LIST OF MY SPIRITUAL and PHYSICAL FAMILY:

1) Sara - the wife of Abraham - These Two are the 'Mother and Father' of our Faith (see Isaiah 51:2, and Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary).  Abraham and Sara gave birth to Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob; Jacob was the father of the 12 Tribes of Israel; Judah was the tribe from which JESUS descended.

2) Sara - my Birth Mother (A Bible Teacher).

3) Jennifer Sara- my first Daughter.  Jennifer Sara went to heaven early - (when she was just over 7 weeks old).

Approximately 10 years after our daughter Jennifer went to heaven, our Most Gracious Heavenly Father GOD brought another "Sarah "(Sarah Grace) into our lives --- "Listen" to the beautiful way that our Heavenly Father brought  THIS ("Sarah Grace") into our lives:

On a certain Sunday ---After the Morning Worship Service, our families were standing outside the church building - just talking among ourselves...while my wife (Mary) and I were talking with one of the couples with which we are close friends...one (1) of the three daughters of that couple...spoke to her Father and pointed at me (Barry)...and said: "I must talk to that man"...SO our LORD had this little girl say to me: "Today, I gave my life to JESUS!!!  (That little girl's name is "SARAH GRACE"!!!!!!!!! (She is now an adult).

In the Bible the word for "Grace" has two (2) meanings:

a) "to be merciful, compassionate toward someone, and... 

b) "to give to someone un-merited favor, un-deserved 

      blessings."

SO, GOD our HEAVENLY FATHER, in HIS mercy and compassion, was giving to me HIS UN-MERITED favor and HIS UN-DESERVED blessings through that little girl (SARAH GRACE)!!!

When Katy, our oldest daughter finished school, she worked in an office in Monroe, Ga.  Katy's Friend/mentor at that job was SARA Malcom.  One day while Katy was pregnant with our first grandson (Chandler)...a car drove past a stop sign and collided with Katy's car.  The first person who came to see if Katy was "OK"... was SARA Malcom.

Recently (September 2024), at age 79 I was a patient at Northeast Georgia Medical Center...To undergo two (2) procedures on my (Physical) heart.   While I was in the hospital, the Holy Spirit touched my (Spiritual) heart to remind me that one of my nurses was a special young lady named SARA!!!

Let us all continue to pass on to others - spiritual strength, blessings, and faith to those whom we encounter this side of heaven!!!

GOD says in (Jeremiah 29:11) 'I know the plans I have for you, plans for good to give you hope and a future".

"JESUS CHRIST is the SAME yesterday, today,, and forever."  Hebrews 13:8).

"GOD...in these last days has spoken to us by HIS SON JESUS - WHO became the brightness of HIS glory and the express image of HIS PERSON, and HE upholds, maintains, guides, and propels the universe by HIS mighty Word of Power." (Hebrews 1:3).

ALL GLORY to GOD MOST HIGH!!! (Psalm 47:22).

BEAUTIFUL LEAVES........HOLY!!!!!!!!

O "GOD MOST HIGH"!!! (Lamentations 3:35)

Because YOU "...are Faithful to Your Word and to Your Righteous Character..." (2 Timothy 2:12-13/Amplified Bible.)

Here on earth in the Autumn---You give the leaves of golden yellow, vibrant red, beautiful shades of orange, and Ever-green!!!!!  More shades of beautiful colors than I can name!!!!!

All of the Beautiful Colors are Testimony of YOUR HOLY ARTISTRY and  MAJESTY!!!!!!!

Not Physically visible---is the MOST HOLY BEAUTY---YOUR LOVE for us Your people!!!  The trees with their leaves produce for us Your Loving gift that meets our Most vital immediate need---Oxygen!!!!!!!!

In the spring, we welcome the new leaves; in the summer, we welcome the cooling shade of the leaves; and the music of the summer breezes as they cause the leaves to dance before Our CREATOR!!!

Picture in your mind a tree that is near to your home---HOW MANY??? leaves on that tree???  HOW MANY leaves are there on ALL the trees that you can see from your home???

HOW MANY are there on ALL the trees in your county or region???

HOW MANY LEAVES are there on ALL the trees on ALL the earth????????

GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER has given to me understanding that there are COUNTLESS NUMBERS of leaves........So that we will have Countless numbers of reminders that                                              "HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US!!!!!!!!! (Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5).

Of course those who have accepted JESUS CHRIST as our SAVIOR and LORD - will leave earth one day to live with HIM in HIS HOUSE FOREVER!!! (Psalm 23:6).

In (2 Corinthians 1:20) We have GOD'S WORD that HE, JESUS, is the YES and AMEN to every Promise of GOD..."

++++JESUS   -    THE TRUTH++++ (John 14:6) DECLARES "I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS" (Matthew 28:20).

We receive a new "crop" of leaves every year!!!

O LORD OUR GOD May our every breath give YOU Thanks! Praise! Worship! Glory! and Honor!!! (Psalm 23:6).

HALLELUJAH!!!        HALLELUJAH!!!        HALLELUJAH!!!  

++++"STOP AND PRAY/BE STILL AND KNOW/TRUST AND OBEY"++++

 In 1 Samuel 14: 1-45 We find (ISRAEL'S) King Saul leading Israel into battle against the Philistines.

(A brief note to explain the presence of 8 crosses (+) in the title and elsewhere in the messages: In the the translation of the Greek into English...the letters of JESUS = have a numerical value total of (8).    So, When I put (8) crosses (4+4) around a sentence or a title...I am intending to Emphasize the Majesty and Authority of JESUS!!!).

First we see that Jonathan (the son of King Saul) and Jonathan's armor-bearer/loyal friend [just the two of them] go up to battle against the Philistines.  

Jonathan said, "nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." (1 Samuel 4:6).  Indeed The LORD GOD enabled the 2 (two) of them to be so victorious - "that the Philistines were Trembling...all were Trembling...the garrison (small fort) and the Philistine raiders also trembled and the earth quaked." (1 Samuel 14:15).

"Saul said to Ahijah (the priest), bring the Ark of God here (1 Samuel 14:18)." (At that time in Israel's history-the Ark of GOD represented  the ++++ Presence of GOD++++).  (Saul was asking the priest to seek GOD'S wisdom.)

(verse 19)- "Now it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the enemies' camp continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, 'Withdraw your hand' ."

(From the footnote: 'withdraw your hand' meant, 'stop trying to get guidance for me; I don't have time.'  In verse 20 we see that there was then great confusion."

SAUL'S RASH OATH: (verse 24) "And the men of Israel were FATIGUED that day, for Saul had the people under oath, saying 'cursed is the man who eats ANY food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.'  So none of the people tasted food.

(verse 25-26) "Now all Saul's people came to a forest, and there was honey on the ground...but none of the people ate any of the honey- for the people feared the oath.

(verse 27) "But Jonathan had 

Not heard his father's oath...so he dipped his rod in a honey comb and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened!"

(v. 28) "Then one of the people said to Jonathan, 'Your father charged the people with an oath, saying 'cursed is the man who eats food this day.  And the people were faint."

(v. 31)"Now they had driven the Philistines back that day.  So the people were faint.  (v. 32) "And the people rushed  upon the plunder, and took sheep, oxen, and and calves and slaughtered them ...and the people ate them---with the blood!"

(v. 33) Then they told Saul, saying, 'look, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood.' "

In verses 33b-34 Saul tries to "fix" what had happened...by doing things his own way rather than GOD'S way'

(v. 37) "So Saul asked counsel of GOD, 'Shall I go down after the Philistines?  Will YOU deliver them into the hands of Israel?'  But GOD did not answer Saul that day."

(v. 43-44) "Then Saul said to Jonathan, tell me what you have done...'Jonathan told him and said...'I only tasted a little honey... Saul answered 'You shall surely die, Jonathan."

(v.45 "But the people said to Saul,'shall Jonathan die, who has today accomplished this great deliverance in Israei???  Certainly Not!  So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die."

++++So, in v. 19 Saul said 'Stop trying to get guidance for me, I do not have time.'  (V. 24-31 Saul made a Rash oath---causing the people to sin.     (v. 44-45)- Saul sentenced his son Jonathan to die.++++

++++MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:                                                           Many years ago...as I was driving home...as I drew near an intersection, the Holy Spirit prompted me to stop, and go into a store.  I examined the items that were for sale...and found nothing that I wanted to buy.  So I asked Our LORD, saying, "I don't see anything I should buy for myself nor for anyone else...So why did YOU direct me to stop here?"  Our MOST GRACIOUS LORD gave me understanding...'Remember that time in Toccoa when a car pulled from a side street, and you missed hitting them by a "split second"?  If you had not stopped here at this store...you would have been involved in a very Serious accident before you reached home." I BOWED and THANKED HOLY GOD OUR FATHER++++

REMINDERS:  (A) In our battles in this life---If needed. GOD can even cause an earthquake  to help us!!! [1 Sam 14:15]  (B) Saul was listening to the "Noise" from the Enemies' camp. (1 Sam. 14:15).         You and I are to "listen" to what GOD'S WORD tells us!!! 

John 1:1-15 /Jesus speaking:  "I am the Good Shepherd...The Good Shepherd gives His life for His Sheep...My sheep know My voice...and they follow Me...they will not follow the voice of a stranger...for they do not know the voice of a stranger."

++++Stop and pray///Be still and Know GOD///Trust and Obey.....       ...for there is no other way to be Blessed-In-JESUS++++ 

++++JESUS! YOU!!! ARE THE WAY"(John 14:6)++++

 

++++A MEDITATION++++

"And GOD said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM AND WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE: "and HE said, you shall say to the people, I AM has sent ME to you." (Exodus 3:14/Amplified Bible).

"Then GOD spoke all these words: "I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD     WHO has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the land of        bondage/slavery." (Exodus 20:1).

"You shall have no other gods before or besides Me."

"You shall not make for yourself any graven image (to worship it) or any likeness of any thing that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth, or that is in the water under the earth."

"You shall not bow down yourself to them, for I AM the LORD your GOD showing mercy to a thousand generations...to those who love ME and keep MY  commandments.

"You shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain (in false affirmations or profanity.)

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (dedicated to God).

"Treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord gives you.

"You shall not commit murder.

"You shall not commit adultery.

"You shall not steal.

"You shall not witness falsely.

"You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, house, servant, ox, or donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.  (Covet = wanting something at the expense of others, or from a motive of jealousy or envy." (Exodus 20:1-20).

"Hear, O Israel (My people), the LORD our GOD is one LORD (the Only Lord). (Deuteronomy 6:4).

"Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the LORD your GOD, HE is GOD, the Faithful GOD, WHO keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep HIS commandments, to a thousand generations," (Deuteronomy 7:9).

"...and thus says the LORD, WHO created you, and HE WHO formed you: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name.  You are MINE. I will be with you." (Isaiah 43:1-2).

"Thus says the LORD, the KING of (you my people), and your REDEEMER, the LORD of HOSTS: I AM the FIRST, and the LAST; besides ME there is no GOD." (Isaiah 46:6).

"For I AM the LORD, I do not change." (Malachi 3:6).

++++++++

(JESUS prays) "...that they may all be one, as YOU, FATHER, are in ME and I in YOU, that they may also be one in US, that the world may believe and be convinced that YOU sent ME." (John 17:21).

JESUS says "I AM the bread of life." (John 6:48). (From the footnote: Jesus is the True heavenly Bread, the true life-sustaining power; anything else, regardless of its religious significance in past or present, is an inadequate substitute. +++(This is the first of 7 "I AM" statements of JESUS, exclusive to John's Gospel).

(JESUS Says) "I AM the Light of the world." (John 8:12) Footnote- "the world is in darkness apart from JESUS").

"JESUS said to them "...most assuredly I say to you 'I AM the door of the sheep. (John 10:7),  Footnote-"He who enters by ME will be saved, and will go in one and out and find pasture. (The phrase "go in and out" does Not mean that one can vacillate about being in JESUS one moment and outside the next.  The picture is one of security and safety in JESUS as the door to the sheep's daily comings and goings.

"I AM the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd gives HIS life for the sheep.  I AM the Good Shepherd; and am known by MY own. (John 10:11-14).

"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6).

PLUS (+) "I AM coming quickly", (Rev. 22:20).

In Matthew 16:15 JESUS asks His EARLIEST Disciples: "WHO do You say that I am?"

For us (You and me)---with our thoughts, our words, our actions---Who do you and I say JESUS is???