HOLY GOD'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE INTIMATELY WITH US!!!!!!!!!

OCTOBER 16, 2018

While standing outside praying aloud this morning......
Just as I PAUSED speaking aloud.....I heard  a soft sound above me, then a leaf fell
(from it's place where it had been attached to a limb), and that leaf fell onto my left
shoulder, then it continued down to the ground.

As I stood there - silently in awe of the INTIMACY that displayed.....I then saw
another leaf fall silently.....and it landed directly in front of my right foot.

In another moment, another leaf was detached from the limb to which it was attached,
this leaf also fell .....striking the ground directly in front of me.....I heard the
faint sound it made as it struck the ground.

As I wrote in the PREVIOUS paragraphs, the INTIMACY of where the leaves fell
(including the first one falling on my SHOULDER!!!) caused me to be (even more)
in awe of the INTIMACY of  "GOD MOST HIGH"  (Psalm 47:2); "THE HOLY ONE OF
ISRAEL" (Isaiah  29:19) -----

As we read, and meditate on GOD'S WORD---especially Psalm 139 and other Scriptures---
We know that HOLY GOD:
1) CHOOSES to live in our HEARTS (1 Corinthians 3:16)
2) He is "with us always" (Mathew 28: 20),
3) He has His hand on us (Isaiah 41:10),
4) He holds our right hand (Isaiah 41:13,
5) His "everlasting/everpresent arms hold us(Deuteronomy 33:27).

He knows our every thought before we think it, and every word before we speak it  (Psalm 139;
So HE is VERY intimate with us!!!  And He strongly encourages you and me, and He will ENABLE us to draw near to Him:

1)"Blessed is the man YOU choose, and cause to approach YOU, O GOD" (Psalm 65:4),
2)"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8),
3) "For I, THE LORD YOUR GOD, will hold your right hand, saying to you 'Fear not, I will help
     you".
4) "Do you not know that you are the temple of GOD and that the Spirit of GOD dwells in YOU".
     (1Corinthians 3:16).
5) "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the "everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy
     33:27),
6)"For HE HIMSELF has said, 'I will never LEAVE you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5.
And every spring HE gives to us another(crop) of leaves to remind us.

As I continued to meditate and pray about this, I sensed that OUR LORD GOD was giving to me
UNDERSTANDING for a message to me;
I Corinth. 1:30 He says(Jesus became wisdom from God to us; in Proverbs 8:14 "I AM understanding."

THE LEAVES WERE:
1) on my left shoulder-----(near my heart)
2) Before my right foot-----(That I should "walk in right standing with God"[by His HOLY SPIRIT and by JESUS' BLOOD!!!
3) Directly in front of me------(God saying to me 'Barry, 'move forward from the situation that is on your heart.
4)NO LEAVES(zero!!!) fell BEHIND me-----(GOD speaking to Barry: "LEAVE to ME the things
that are past.'
Psalm 31:14: "But as for me, I trust in you, Oh LORD; my times are in Your hand".

Our HOLY GOD is eager to hear us---in our prayers, praises, worship, and thanksgiving!!!
AND He is eager for us to LISTEN...waiting for HIM to speak to us.

"SURELY LOVE AND MERCY, YOUR PEACE AND KINDNESS WILL FOLLOW ME,
WILL FOLLOW ME". (Psalm 23:6)   
 "SURELY LOVE AND MERCY, YOUR PEACE AND KINDNESS WILL FOLLOW ME,
WILL FOLLOW ME (US)"

 

THERE IS   GOLD   IN MY FUTURE!!!........HOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FUTURE???

Many years ago, when I was in military service, my U. S. Navy job was to serve as a "rescue man".
At the Naval Air Station, we watched all of the planes come in on approach, landing, and taking off
again.....our job was to observe and see if the wheels, brakes, lights, etc. were functioning correctly.

And of course, anytime that a plane  crashed-----our job was to extinguish the fire and to rescue
the people from the plane.

Frequently, we practiced and drilled in order to become more proficient in our duties.(Another part of our ongoing training - was to (on our own time)  fly as a passenger on the different
types of planes that used our Naval Air Station.  This was done in order to become better informed
about where in each plane each crewman and passenger would be positioned.....thus we would  know how best to rescue them should they ever crash.

I remember clearly one such flight from our base... 90 miles to Seattle, Washington.
Before this flight, I arrived early.  One of the plane crewmen spoke to all of us (passengers)
saying, "If an emergency occurs, each of you must locate your parachute, and exit the plane through
the proper door."  He also told us of the various parachutes, and which person should use which
parachute. 

All of this information, he related to us in a very hurried manner, leaving no time for questions from us passengers.  I tried to listen very carefully, but the information was insufficient.

Immediately, we were told to board the plane, and we did so.

As the plane took off, and while it flew us toward Seattle - the plane's engines were very, very LOUD!!!  In truth, the engines were so loud that we (passengers) could not hear each other speak!

After flying for about an hour with these LOUD engines "clattering" away ---- we were out over the
North Pacific Ocean, no land in sight----- when "SUDDENLY" the engines all STOPPED!!!  TOTAL SILENCE!!!

Suddenly, my mind started racing---"WHERE IS MY PARACHUTE ?????
through WHICH DOOR should I exit???

It SEEMED like a long time of silence.....but it actually was only a few minutes... then the engines RE-STARTED!!!  OH!!! WHAT A RELIEF!!!  GONE was the PANIC, doubt, and overwhelming fear!!!  Soon, we found out that the flight crew had purposefully cut the engines off - just to scare
us!   IT WORKED!!! During those few moments I was filled with panic!!

So.....now let's talk about the  SPIRITUAL side of this personal story:  as you read earlier... we were
NOT well informed about what to do  "In case of Emergency."

In our personal life --- (WHEN, not if, but WHEN) the ultimate emergency happens: when we believe that we are about to die.....Are you ready???  Have you accepted JESUS CHRIST as your personal Savior???  If you do not know JESUS CHRIST as YOUR Savior---NOW is the day, the hour, the moment for you to ask JESUS to forgive your sins, and to save you!!!!!!!

As we read and study God's Word (THE BIBLE), we will be well informed  about what to do ---
"Where is my parachute?"  JESUS declares in Matthew 28:20 - "I am with you always." Also, God says in Isaiah 41:10,13..."Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I AM your GOD. I will Strengthen  you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with MY Righteous right hand."
and (verse 13)- "For I, the LORD YOUR GOD, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' "

Also, let's remember Deuteronomy 33:27---"The Eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting (ever present) arms."

Again - Through (by) which door do I exit?  In John 10:7 JESUS says 'I AM the door of the sheep' "
further - Jesus declares 'I am the way, the truth, and the life,' " No man goes (to heaven) except thru Me." (John 14:6).

Some business Executives/owners  have what is called a "Golden Parachute".  A "golden parachute" is usually an agreement which obligates his employer to pay him or her a large amount of money -
to fund retirement, etc. 

Of course most of us are not business executives, nor do we have a "golden parachute".....
BUT, if we have accepted JESUS as our Savior and Lord----- He will be there with us and He will take us to land safely in Heaven where the STREETS are GOLD!!! (Revelation 21:21), the gates
are PEARL, and we will FOREVER live in the PRESENCE of OUR HOLY GOD AND FATHER
and worship HIM FOREVER!!!

How do we get there?
The best WAY to get there is by "GPS" - GOD'S POSITIONING SERVICE - GOD'S WORD/THE BIBLE:
Start at John 3:16; then to (Acts 2:38) to "receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT".  For the balance of the journey - ask the HOLY SPIRIT TO  "guide you into all truth(John 16:13).
What about FOOD for the journey???  "...trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and 'FEED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS" (Psalm 37:3);
"HIS FAITHFULNESS" -  " He is Faithful to His WORD and to HIS RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER, for HE CANNOT DENY HIMELF." (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified Bible).

I will see you on "THE WAY, IN THE WAY (JESUS)and BY THE WAY, (John 16:13/John 14:6).

(JESUS ) " Your love and mercy,
Your peace and kindness, will follow me, will follow me -
 all the days of my life, and
I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6) 
AMEN!!!

  
 

 
  

"THE AWESOMENESS OF GOD AND THE INTIMACY OF HIS LOVE"!!!!!!!!!

 >GET THIS PICTURE!!!!!!!!

This morning (10-18-18) as I stood outside in the early sunlight praying ---
I looked down at the gravel in the driveway, ---I saw a very beautiful ray of
sunlight reflecting off a piece of gravel rock.......
Directly into my eyes.........and in truth - the light reflected into my   HEART !!!!!!!!!


The light reflecting into my heart carried a MESSAGE:
HOLY AND ALMIGHY GOD  -  our Creator, and my LORD and MASTER
 --- sent that one ray of sunlight 93, 000,000 (ninety-three million) miles from
the sun -- to my EYES and into my HEART to BLESS me, and to
BLESS YOU  -  with HIS message that declares HIS awesome power,
HIS OMNIPRESENCE (HE IS---EVERYWHERE!!! (please see Psalm 139:6-12),
and the INTIMACY of His love and knowledge.  HE loves us, each and all of us,
SO, SO, MUCH!!!!!!!!!

JESUS CHRIST  -  THE SON OF GOD-------
says in  JOHN 8:12---
"I AM...THE LIGHT."

SING  THIS:

"SURELY LOVE AND MERCY, YOUR PEACE AND KINDNESS WILL
FOLLOW ME, WILL FOLLOW ME"
SURELY LOVE AND MERCY, YOUR PEACE AND KINDNESS WILL
FOLLOW ME, WILL FOLLOW ME..." (Psalm 23:6)

 GLORY TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (John 17:3) 

NAILS,    DOORS,    AND   JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!

(John 10;7-9)
"Then Jesus said to them again, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP."
*(Please read John 10:1 - 30).

"Know that the LORD, He is GOD.
It is HE who has made us, and not we ourselves;
"We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."
(JESUS speaking)"I AM the door. If anyone enters BY ME,
He will be saved, and will go in and out
and find pasture." (John 10:7-9)

(Entering the sheepfold through Jesus is a saving action and provides the sheep with abundant
life and provision.  The phrase "go in and out" (vs. 9) does not mean that one can vacillate about
being in Christ one moment and outside of Him the next.  The picture is one of security and
safety IN CHRIST JESUS as the DOOR to the sheep's daily comings and goings.)

OK, back to the  door-----there are nails that hold the hinge to the door FRAME, and nails that
hold the door to the hinge.
Also, of course there were nails (SPIKES!!!) that held JESUS on the cross.  The nails represent
THE TRUTH OF WHO GOD IS, AND HIS LOVE FOR US!!!

"FOR when  GOD made a promise to ABRAHAM, because HE could swear by no one greater,
HE swore by Himself.  Saying "surely blessing  I will BLESS you, and multiplying I will multiply
you.' "
"And so, after he (Abraham) had patiently endured...he obtained the Promise." (Hebrews 6:20)

"(Heb. 6:17) "Thus GOD, determining to show more  abundantly to (us) the heirs of promise,
the immutability (unchangeableness) of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath.

(vs. 18) "That by two (2) immutable (unchangeable) things, in which it is impossible  for
HOLY GOD to lie, we have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

(vs. 19) "This hope we have as an  ANCHOR of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters
   "THE PRESENCE behind the veil,
Where the FORERUNNER has entered for us, even   JESUS..."

*** An  ANCHOR   is only as secure as that to which it is fastened.****

"...even  JESUS  , having become HIGH PRIEST FOREVER according  to the order of Melchizedek.
(Heb.6:13-20)

"FOR I AM THE LORD, I DO NOT CHANGE."  "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER." (Malachi 3:6/Hebrews 13:8)      

OH!!! WHAT CAN WE DO?????  EXCEPT BOW DOWN IN AWE AND THANKSGIVING,   AND WORSHIP 'GOD MOST HIGH' "!!!!!!!! (Psalm 47:2)

HOLY GOD IS NOT LIMITED BY TIME NOR DISTANCE AS HE ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!

***PLEASE DON'T LET THE DATES AND NUMBERS MAKE THS DIFFICULT......
**** ALL WILL COME CLEAR AT THE END OF THIS MESSAGE!!!

I PLEAD WITH YOU---PLEASE ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO "GUIDE YOU INTO
ALL TRUTH" (John 16:13). This story might be a little difficult to believe....but I experienced this personally!!!

Does the name "Blake Blessing" mean anything to you???

Well, what it means to me is:  GOD is ALL KNOWING, EVERYFWHERE PRESENT, ALL
POWERFUL, AND "FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD AND TO HIS RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER FOR HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF." (2 TIMOTHY 2:13/AMPLIFIED BIBLE.

** GET THIS PICTURE:  After my Dad went to Heaven in 1983, my Mother lived  ALONE  in a
rural part of Franklin County, Georgia from 1983 until approximately 2004.


During that period of time, Mother lost much of her ability to hear.  During those years, I visited
Mother frequently, even though I lived approximately 35 miles from her house.

On a particular visit in 2004...I told Mother "Your grass looks nice in all of your yard."  Mother said,
"Blake cuts it for me."  Then she told me that "recently, the pump for her (water) well stopped working..... Mother said"Blake fixed it."

I then  noticed that she was wearing one of those safety devices for the elderly/disabled people.....
....that way...if the person has an emergency...they can pass the button on the device--- and it would
emit a signal that would  CALL  someone to help her.  Mother said, "BLAKE is my FIRST RESPONDER for my emergency  signal".

That really caused me to think:  "Well, I know that Mother has a (GRANDSON)  named "Blake.....
but he lives too far from her...for him to be a "first responder".  So I asked Mother "Blake Who???",
What is Blake's last name?"  She said "Blake Blessing."  I told Mother, "I would like to meet Blake".

###OK, stay with me on this now.....back to a visit with Mother (in approximately 1993)
During  this EARLIER visit with Mother, she gave to me a prayer request: a family who lived
about 2 miles from Mother's house --- Both parents of that family had died, leaving the children
with no parents.....so Mother asked me to pray for the children.  So I put the children's names on my (ongoing) prayer list.  BY GOD'S GRACE  I was faithful to continue praying for them.

@@@OK, for a few moments  --- ALL of this that you have read on this up until THIS point...
Put that "on hold" in the back of your mind...so  that YOU can  STOP, and answer the following\
question:

If  YOUR Mother was elderly, lived alone in a rural place, and she could not hear very well.....
What type of man would YOU want...to have a key to her home, so that he could go into her home
any time day or night, etc. ?????

How about a man that YOU had been praying for since he was a little boy?????

Because that is what (who!!!) MOST HOLY GOD provided for my Mother in and through Blake Blessing!!! (YES, Blake was that little boy that I had been praying for all those years!!!)

GOD REMAINS "Faithful to HIS WORD and to HIS RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER, for He CANNOT DENY HIMSELF."!!!!! (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified  Bible).

LET US BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP GOD AND THANK HIM FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!! 

SGD  Sole  Gloria Deo  FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE.

"LIVING    IN    REMEMBRANCE"

INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

"For I received from the LORD  that which I also delivered to you:  That the LORD JESUS
on the same night in which HE was betrayed took bread:
And when He had given thanks, HE broke it and said ' take, and eat; this is my body which is broken
for you; do this IN REMEMBANCE OF ME.

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying  'This cup is the new covenant in My
blood.  This do, as often as you drink it, IN REMEMBANCE OF ME. (I Corinthians 11:24-25).

Now let me set the scene here:
My wife Mary, and I, have a nephew, Stewart, who lives with us part of the time.  Stewart lives in a
separate part of our house, and Mary and I live in "our part" of the house. 
Hold that thought for a few moments --- while I share and "set the scene in More Detail.
When I was age 6, both of my parents died.

In GOD'S wonderful GRACE........My Aunt Willard and Uncle Joe adopted me and raised me as their own child.

When I was a very young boy I was always encouraged to visit  my Grandfather (on my Mother's side of the family).  my "Granddaddy raised his own hogs, and cured his own hams in his own smoke house.

I often ate meals which included COUNTRY HAM CURED BY GRANDDADDY."

Occasionally, when there was some ham that had become (too strongly-flavored)--- Granddaddy set that ham aside for me, He knew that I would eat it and love it!!!

OK now, lets bring this (continuing) story to the present time.

A couple of days ago, Mary, my beloved wife cooked for supper one of my favorite meals; it included "smoked pork chops".  These smoked pork chops have a flavor which is very similar
to the flavor of country ham.

Accidentally, Mary and I left the frying pan on "Stewart's side of the house.  (There was some smoked pork chops left in the frying pan.)  A day or two later, I went over  to "Stewart's
side of the house, looking for the remainder of the pork chops.....hoping that Stewart had not eaten them nor disposed of them.

Indeed, Stewart had NOT eaten them  Nor had he disposed of them. Thank You Lord!!!!!
As I thanked Stewart, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance (John 14:26) the details, and flooded my heart with REMEMBRANCE  of the FEELINGS that accompanied my eating of the
country ham.

Soon after being adopted by my Aunt Willard and Uncle Joe, we had a meal which included my favorite-country ham. The message that was conveyed to my heart, soul, and spirit by that meal was that I was in truth chosen, adopted, and accepted into my new family, and that I could be sure that
I had, and would have my favorite things to eat.
As long as Aunt Willard/Mama Joe was able to cook - she frequently cooked ham for me --- continuing to confirm my  acceptance!!!

In these current years, my treasure from GOD wife frequently cooks for me smoked pork chops, and other favorites for me ---thus (by the same Spirit) speaking "acceptance" and love to me.

Now I hate to disillusion you men out there --- but MY WIFE MARY IS THE BEST - she was, is, and always will be GOD'S BEST FOR ME!!!

Of course the title of this message "Living in Remembrance" -  refers to JESUS CHRIST'S words in
(I Corinthians 11:24-25). Often those same words are spoken when we participate  in communion service.
What Jesus did NOT say here, is as important as what He DID say;  He DID say "Do this in remembrance of Me".  He did NOT say "Remember  (only) that I died on the cross to save you from your sins.
(But) Remember also that I was resurrected by My Father, I rose from the grave, and I ascended to My Father in Heaven - where I sit at His right hand (Hebrews 1:3).
Remember that I "continue forever, thereby He (JESUS) is also able to save (completely and forever) those who come to GOD through Him. Since He always lives to make intercession for us.(Heb. 7:25.
Live in remembrance that "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever". (Heb. 13:8) Remember that He is "With us always". (Matt. 28:20).

Live in remembrance that JESUS is Resurrected, Risen, Reigning, and soon Returning. (Rev. 22:20). (Definition (of 'able'):  able-' Dunamai'/ a word that combines POWER and WILLINGNESS, inherent STRENGTH and ACTION.".
"Now to Him Who is able to keep us from stumbling, and to present you FAULTLESS before  the Presence of HIS GLORY with exceeding joy.  To GOD our Savior, Who alone is wise, be GLORY and MAJESTY, DOMINION and POWER, both now and forever. AMEN" (Jude 24)

Will YOU agree with that?

Will YOU humble YOURSELF before GOD and say "AMEN" with your voice, AND with YOUR
ACTIONS?

GLORY TO GOD ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
   
 

  

    

WAFFLE HOUSE, DOMESTIC TERRORISM, AND GOD'S WILL!!!!!!!!!!

What is (YOUR PART) IN ALL OF THIS??????????

Before I retired,  HOLY GOD led me to begin to seriously study HIS WORD/THE BIBLE.
My place of employment was in Toccoa, Georgia (Stephens County).  As I continued studying
GOD'S WORD, I sensed that our LORD was leading me to not listen to the radio...but to PRAY
as I drove back and forth from Cleveland, to Toccoa every work day. 
Because I did not know the needs of the people in the homes, businesses, etc., God led me to pray
as Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:5-13 "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven"  in the lives of all the people in their homes, in the lives of all the people in the businesses
that I passed by in my commute morning and evening. I enjoyed both His great joy, and contentment
as I drove and prayed.

Because I was working --- I had a regular schedule of driving, and a specific route which I drove morning and evening.  So the homes, places of business, schools etc. were included in my prayers
daily.

So... what about the "domestic terrorism" that I mentioned in the title of this message, and
"YOUR PART" in all of this???

Okay, I will address both of those in that order.

When I did not know the specific things to pray for those people --- I would indeed pray:  "Father,
in Jesus' Name  "Come YOUR kingdom, be done YOUR will (as it is in heaven)  in the lives of all the people that come to that place."

My EVENING drive from work to our home...took me past a "Waffle House" restaurant in Toccoa.
Our HOLY LORD gave me the understanding to pray over that Waffle House each time that I drove by it.
Because there were   MANY  people going in and out of that Waffle House day and night.....I understood
to pray "Come YOUR kingdom O GOD, be done YOUR will here on earth as it is in Heaven in the
lives of all those people and their families."

For several years,  ONLY GOD  KNEW WHY  I was praying for the people who visited that Waffle
House.  (Again) After several years of praying that (Matthew 6:5-13), I read an article in the local newspaper  -  "The Toccoa Record".....

The article revealed that several men (from both Cleveland and Toccoa) met regularly at that Waffle House.  The article further revealed that local law enforcement officials had sent an "informer" to join
 that group meeting there ---- and that group of men were in the process of planning, and equipping
themselves to kill Federal Officers, and to disburse Sarin (a poisonous gas) around the Atlanta area.
[Sarin gas has been used in some terrorists' attacks in other nations.]

When the men of that group were arrested ---  they had  ALREADY obtained a gun, AND the necessary
ingredients to make Sarin gas!!! 

As I drove past that "Waffle House" a few days later ------- The HOLY SPIRIT reminded me that
( I, BARRY COKER???) had a part in preventing that terrorist attack!!!!! 
My response was ("  I did?")  He reminded me that He had guided and enabled to pray: "Come, kingdom of GOD, "  "BE DONE will of GOD On earth as it is in heaven" in the lives of ALL who came in  and out of that place" --- and that HE had used those prayers to prevent that terrorists' attack!!!

HOW AWESOME IS OUR HOLY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Psalm 139:1 - 34 reveals to us that GOD KNOWS our thoughts before we think them, and our words
before we speak them ------- HE IS OMNISCIENT --- (HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!)
Probably there were others praying also.  But all that I know for sure is that I PRAYED, HE ANSWERED!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOUR PART:  I  URGE  you to pray every where that you go, and GOD will answer in the way that will be good for us and others, and FOR HIS GLORY!!!!!!!!!

Also, remember Isaiah 55:11 --- "So shall MY WORD be that goes forth from MY mouth; It shall
 not return to me void (empty, fruitless).  But it shall accomplish what   I    please, and it shall prosper
 in the thing  I for which  I   sent it."

SGD  Sole Deo Gloria   -  FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE!!!!!!!!!  
 

BEAR,.............BARE........?................YES!!!!!!!!!

Definition: Bear...to carry, to have, or to exhibit.

Definition: BARE...to expose to view.

JESUS  CHRIST indeed wants us to Bear HIS NAME.....(JESUS CHRIST>>>>>>> CHRISTian)

THE HOLY SPIRIT ("will guide us into all truth".(John 16:13)

FOREVER!!!
 THAT IS A CONCEPT THAT IS DIFFICULT FOR OUR MINDS TO COMPREHEND!!!

HIS MERCY  Le  Olam

"O give thanks to the LORD, for HE is GOOD!"
for HIS mercy endures forever!" (Psalm 136:1).

DEFINITION:
Forever, olam  ("OH lahm");
Strongs # 5769:

Eternity; the ages; infinity; the universe, the world.
Derived from the verb 'alam ("veil from sight", or conceal), 'olam refers to that infinite and
everlasting expanse GOD has created.  It is BOTH  an unending expanse  of Space (Universe),
and time (eternity), indicating the limitless dimensions in which GOD's (Sovereignty) is
DISPLAYED.  The word 'olam sometimes refers to the remotely distant past (Psalm 93:2)
and sometimes to remotely distant future (Jeremiah 25:5).

GOD HIMSELF  is called 'EL OLAM' THE EVERLASTING GOD." (Genesis 21:33; Isaiah 40:28.
As GOD is eternal, so is His mercy le-'olam, that is, "unto the forever."

We humans  MIGHT  (in our own understanding) be moved to grant mercy to an individual or group for a specific act, or for a specified portion of time--------

But our FATHER IN HEAVEN --- His mercy endures FOREVER!!! (Psalm 136:1).

"O give THANKS to the LORD --- to HIM WHO has done great wonders,
for His mercy endures Forever. (Psalm 136:4).

"To Him who divided the Red Sea in two...for His mercy endures forever!!!(Psalm 136:13)

"To HIM  give THANKS - (He) who remembered us in our lowly state, for HIS MERCY
ENDURES FOREVER." (Psalm 136:23).

As GOD is Eternal, so is HIS mercy "le 'olam" that is, unto the forever. (Psalm 136:26).

PRAISE AND THANK YOU O GOD MOST HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!       

"YOU    ARE    WHAT    YOU    EAT!!!!!!!!!

"SO WHAT? SHOULD WE EAT???

CONTINUE READING.........JESUS CHRIST WILL ANSWER THAT QUESTION!!!!!!!!!

From the TITLE of this message------I'll bet you thought this to be a message about a diet/eating plan.

Somewhat,-----but really it is about Eternal Life  -  both in

A. Endless time, and  endless space,
B. Our time here on earth --- living in the ETERNAL QUALITY of His life while we are here   on earth.  (please see John 10:10).

Let's see what JESUS CHRIST  --- "THE TRUE BREAD FROM HEAVEN"  has to say about this:
"Then (the people) said to Jesus, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of GOD?'

Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of GOD, that you believe in HIM whom HE has sent."

"Therefore they said to Him (JESUS)  'what sign will you perform then, that we may see it and believe YOU?  What work will You do?
"Our Fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat."

Then Jesus said to them, ' Most assuredly I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven.

" For the bread of GOD is HE who came down from heaven and gives life to the world.

"Then they said to HIM, 'LORD, give us this bread always.'  And Jesus said to them, 'I AM the bread
of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:28-35.

This, the first of the seven "I AM" sayings of Jesus, is unique to John's Gospel.  There is an unmistakable parallel to GOD'S covenant name (YAHWEH) by which He revealed Himself to
Moses in Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM".  Jesus makes the pronouncement "I am the Bread of life
THREE times (verses 35, 48,51 of chapter 6 of John.  HE is the 'real' Heavenly Bread.
 In John 6:57 Jesus says "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in ME, and I in him.

To eat the flesh of JESUS and to drink His blood must be understood SPIRITUALLY.........the
expressions point to the violent sacrificial death He would suffer, and the necessity of believers
PARTAKING in the benefits of His death by COMING TO HIM AND BELIEVING IN HIM.

HE is the TRUE life-sustaining power; ANYTHING ELSE, regardless of its religious significance, is an INADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE.

Jesus carried the argument beyond the essential recognition that HE is the bread of life.  To believe
in Him means to partake of HIM. It is necessary for believers to partake in the benefits of His death
by coming to HIM and believing in Him.

OK, are you ready to eat now????????

"Trust in the Lord, and do good;
DWELL in the land and FEED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS..(Psalm 37:3)

"HE remains true [faithful to HIS WORD and HIS righteous character], for HE cannot deny HIMSELF." (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified Bible).

WHAT A "BLESSED ASSURANCE"!!!!!!!!!!!!

MOSCOW, RUSSIA    TRES DIAS    #1


It happened about 24 years ago---
(Now YOU may be thinking - "Here's another OLD story from "OLD Barry")

Well, it is (even OLDER) old Barry --- But I am not the same  -  Because GOD is faithful to
HIS WORD: '..He who has begun a GOOD work in you, will complete it until the DAY of
CHRIST JESUS." (Philippians1:6).

So, in 1994, - by God's Grace - He chose me (among many others)  to go on a short-term
(2 weeks) mission trip to Moscow, Russia.

The main purpose of the trip was to help strengthen the faith of and unity of the body of Christ
in Moscow.

The LORD fulfilled His purpose - through His answers to many prayers - and indeed strengthened
the faith and unity of us all as He brought and our brothers-and-sisters-in-JESUS CHRIST through
first, a men's retreat, then a women's retreat  -  both called by the name "Tres Dias" (3 days with
Jesus Christ).

Again - by GOD'S GRACE - we were covered in prayer 24 hours per day - for the entire 2 weeks
that we were gone!!!

Of course  I cannot relate to you ALL that GOD accomplished there and then, but I CAN give to you HIS WORD, and some highlights from that time:

"Now to HIM WHO, by His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out HIS purpose and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] -

"To HIM  be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations forever and
ever. Amen". (Ephesians 3:20 -21)/Amplified Bible.

YES!!!!!!! Those 2 verses are certainly worth reading again!!! Go ahead now, and read that again,
please. Thank you!!!!

Some highlights (in no particular order);
1)"So King David went and brought up the ARK OF GOD from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with rejoicing - (the ARK OF GOD  represented the PRESENCE OF GOD).

(verse 14) And David danced before the LORD with all his might...(II Samuel 6:12-14/Amplified
Bible).

The SAME SPIRIT WHO guided and enabled David to rejoice and dance before the LORD --- The
SAME HOLY SPIRIT guided and enabled me to rejoice, sing praises, and dance on Red Square in Moscow - in worship and praise to JESUS CHRIST  -  declaring JESUS CHRIST'S victory over the spirit which empowered the earlier leaders of Communism - which caused MILLIONS of people to be murdered.  (In the area where I was dancing, singing, and rejoicing unto JESUS --- were the TOMBS of some of some of those early Communist leaders).

2) Before we arrived in Moscow, the Christians of DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS would not
KNOWINGLY be in the same BUILDING at the same time.........
BUT GOD had "gone before us" and "prepared the way".....
On the FIRST EVENING of the retreat.....brothers of different denominations were "hugging" each other!!!

3) Before we arrived in Moscow, the people of the city did not know of us.......yet there were complete strangers coming up to us, asking us "Why are you here?"  "May we join you?"

4) We gave Bibles (in English or Russian Language) to people that we encountered on the street -----
A. There was one ELDERLY lady walking through a wooded area on a path --- When we gave to her a Bible in the Russian language --- she got down on her KNEES in the MUD, and on SHARP ROCKS --- and WEPT her "thank you" to us for the BIBLE.

5) Although the Russian ladies were financially very poor --- some of them went out to local stores
and bought gifts for the lady team members.

6) AND after the retreat, some of the Russian  ladies skipped/fasted some meals --- so that they could invite team members to their homes for a meal!!!

AGAIN - "Now to Him who, by His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] -
To HIM be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations forever and ever.
AMEN. (Ephesians 3:20-21/Amplified Bible

SGD  Sole Gloria Deo     FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE!!! 

"THE WIND AND WAVES RECOGNIZE, AND MUST OBEY, HIS NAME
STILL (YET)!!!!!!!!!

Several years ago I read a very interesting article in National Geographic Magazine...
As I am sure you know - National Geographic is a Scientific magazine, NOT a Christian
magazine.

The specific article to which I am referring was about the Elements: (Oxygen, Iron, Nitrogen,
Carbon, etc.)  The article further states that... "Oxygen has a cycle of approximately 2,000 years.
Please, now - "Listen" to the following quote:

"Oxygen has a cycle of about 2.000 years --- So we who are alive on earth NOW --- we may be
Breathing some of the  SAME  Oxygen molecules that  JESUS CHRIST  breathed when He
walked on the earth." !!!!!!!!!

BIG TIME WOW!!!!!!!!!  Isn't GOD AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, let's get a little more personal now ---
I (Barry Coker) by the GRACE OF GOD spend a good bit of my time in prayer.  Most of the time
I am interceding (praying for others).   Also, several times per week - I pray about the WEATHER!!!

I pray in JESUS' NAME that GOD'S KINGDOM COME, HIS WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.  I speak to most of the various "elements" of the weather: the Jet streams, the High pressure systems, the Low pressure systems. the winds, the light and the darkness, the temperature, the barometric pressure, the humidity, the precipitation, the earth crust's temperature, the ocean's temperature, etc. -  In JESUS' NAME I COMMAND THE "ELEMENTS TO COME, KINGDOM OF GOD, BE DONE WILL OF GOD... And I pray that "if it can be Father's will, that there be no storm damage in this area" (N.E GA).

"Listen" to JESUS' words now --- (Mark 4:35-41) -
"On that same day (when) evening had come, He (Jesus) said to them, 'Let us go over to the other side [of the lake/the sea of Galilee].

And leaving the crowd, they took Him (Jesus) with them.  As He was...in the boat in which He was sitting).
And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating on the boat,
so that it was already becoming filled.
But HE (HIMSELF) was in the stern (of the boat), asleep on the (leather cushion);  and they awoke Him and said to Him,  'Master, do You not care that we are perishing?'
And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ' Be STILL (muzzled)!  And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating)  and there was [immediately] a great Calm ( a perfect peacefulness).

He said to  them, 'Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?
And they were filled with Great Awe and feared exceedingly and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?' (Mark 4:35-41/Amplified Bible)

The wind and the waves recognize JESUS' NAME, STILL (yet).
Again - by GOD'S GRACE - There has been no damage to our house.

As I meditated on all of this recently - seeking the LORD about it --- these are some of the thoughts that I had ---
1) When I speak to the storms (wind and waves) ...
A. I may be speaking WITH some of the same Oxygen molecules (H20) that JESUS did...
2) While it is possible that I can speak (WITH, and TO) the same Oxygen molecules that Jesus did ---
3)  What is  CRUCIAL is that I speak by the same SPIRIT (the HOLY SPIRIT) that Jesus did ---
*** "crucial" from the Latin word (crux, cruc) (CROSS).
4) You also can, and should, speak in HIS NAME when you pray, etc.

Just think about it - Meditate on it - when we are Praising HIM - "HIS PRESENCE is enthroned IN our praises" (Psalm 22:3) --- and we are speaking HIS WORD - by HIS SPIRIT, in HIS NAME---
with some of the same Oxygen!!!!!!!!!

 SGD  Sole Deo Gloria  - For the Glory of  GOD ALONE.        
       

I AM WHO/ WHAT  "THE  I AM" SAYS I AM!!!!!!!!!

Exodus 3:14
"Then Moses said to God, 'Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel
and say to them, The GOD of your fathers has sent me to you, and they
say to me, What is HIS name?

And "GOD said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.  Thus you shall
say to the children of Israel, ' I AM has sent me to you.' "

"Then Abram fell on his face, and GOD talked with him, saying,
'As for ME, behold, MY covenant is with you, and you shall be
a father of MANY NATIONS.

" 'No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be
ABRAHAM, for I have made you a FATHER OF MANY NATIONS."

One of the explicit teachingsof the BIBLE is the IMPORTANCE OF THE
WORDS WE SPEAK.  In this text GOD changes Abram's Name to
ABRAHAM,  AND PROMISES ABRAHAM that HE will become the FATHER
of many nations.. 'Abram means  "High Father" or "Patriarch."

ABRAHAM means "Father of a MULTITUDE".  Thus GOD was arranging
that EVERY TIME Abraham HEARD or SPOKE HIS OWN NAME. He would be
reminded of GOD'S PROMISE!!!

"... YOU, AND I MUST LET GOD'S WORDS, HIS WILL AND PROMISE
...FOR YOUR LIFE AND MINE,  BECOME AS (FIXED IN OUR MIND) AND
AS   GOVERNING OF  OUR SPEECH    as GOD'S changing Abraham's name was
in SHAPING   HIS CONCEPT OF HIMSELF.
DO NOT "NAME"  OR CALL YOURSELF, (OR ANYONE)   ANYTHING LESS THAN
GOD DOES!!!!!!!!!
Living examples:
**DO NOT SAY- "old, ancient "            
***Do say-I/they have eternal life!                      

--Do not say "stupid"
***DO say-I have the mind of Christ(1 Cor.2:16)
--Don't say "I have no future"
***Do say" I have abundant life here, eternal life here after.(John 3:16, John 10:10.
--Do not say  "I can't".
***Do say "GOD by His power that is at work within us, is able to do far over all that we dare ask or think, beyond our highest dreams..." (Ephesians 3:20)
--Do not say "God can't use someone like me"
***Do say "GOD spoke through a donkey (Numb. 22:28), through Pilate-who sentenced Jesus to be whipped, through the Roman soldier who guarded Jesus on the cross (See Matthew 27:54).........So
GOD, by His strength in me CAN and WILL speak through me!!!!!!!!!

JESUS IS THE WORD, HE IS THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!! (See Rev.19:13/
John 14:6)                                                                                                     
                                                                          
ALL PRAISE TO JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!                                                                               
                                                                           
 SDG   SOLI   DEO  GLORIA         " FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE"!!!                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                    

"ROUGH DAY?   ROUGH NIGHT?       ARE YOU GOING THROUGH A "DRY PATCH"?

Of course we (ALL) have some difficult times, "bad day", "bad night", or we go through times in our
lives in which we feel like we are in a "dry Patch".

In times like these--------- HOW can OUR LORD instruct/command us to:

"Rejoice IN THE LORD always.  Again I will say "REJOICE"!!!" (Philippians 4:4-7)


HOW?????

Well, because in MATTHEW 26:17-30 IT IS WRITTEN---
(Please, please, NOW before you read this any further, read Matthew 26:17-30 (It is only 14
verses).    
" JESUS celebrates Passover with HIS disciples.

MATTHEW 26:30 "And when they had "sung a Hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives".

Next, they go to the Garden of Gethsemane---where JESUS PRAYS, IS BETRAYED,
and HE IS ARRESTED. (Matthew 26:36-56)

For a moment,  let's go back to (Matt. 26-30)---Where they "sung a hymn".

Study notes in the Bible verify that it was "it was customary to conclude the Passover,
by singing the "Hallel" (a part of Psalm 115---118)."   This occurred just before
JESUS is Accused, spat upon, and Beaten.

Now then, let's make a closer examination of WHAT exactly JESUS SANG:
It is indeed Psalm 115 - Psalm 118 (the "Hallel"); we will not print out the complete
text, but ...you should read it for yourself!!!

We will look more closely at a few "crucial verses":
[By the way..."crucial" is from the Latin word  "crux"  meaning "cross"].

Psalm 118:23-24--- "This was the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes:
"This is the day the LORD has made; We will  REJOICE and be glad in it."

***So, on that most stressful (crucial) day---JESUS REOICED !!!!!!!!****

Our LORD  KNOWS  that we all have "Rough days", "dry patches" in our lives.

When we do have them - Let us be reminded that JESUS has made a way
by HIS BLOOD, and by the "living water" that  HE gives to us so that we can
go "HIS WAY"...and by the HOLY SPIRIT we can "REJOICE IN THE LORD"!!!
We can REJOICE     IN  THE  LORD!!!!!!!!  HE went before us, HE is "with us
always" (JESUS DECLARES THAT IN (Mathew 28:20).  We can REJOICE IN
THE LORD ("the LORD...the fountain of living waters" /Jeremiah 17:13); also,
we can REJOICE IN THE LORD because HE REJOICES OVER US!!!!!!!!! (Zephaniah 3:17).

Let us continue to pray for each other, and help each other through each day (good days and
rough days.

"Rejoice in the LORD always. Again  I will say Rejoice." (Philippians 4:4-7)

By GOD'S GRACE-----I have myself done this (Rejoiced IN  THE  LORD on some difficult
days/situations and THE HOLY SPIRIT guided and enabled me...
HE  did  indeed make me able to rejoice IN THE LORD, and enabled me to triumph!!!!!!!!!

REJOICES Definition: sus ("soos") Strong's #7797:
To rejoice, be glad,, be greatly happy.

Rejoicing can include singing, spinning around/dancing.
Rejoicing is a pervasive, irresistible joy.

" REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS.  AGAIN I WILL SAY REJOICE"  (Philippians 4:4-7)


SDG  -  Soli Deo Gloria  -  "For the GLORY of GOD alone"
  
    

HAVE    MERCY!!!!!!!!!


"FOR THE MOUNTAINS SHALL DEPART
AND THE HILLS BE REMOVED,
BUT  MY  KINDNESS SHALL NOT DEPART
FROM YOU,

NOR SHALL   MY  COVENANT OF PEACE
BE REMOVED,
SAYS THE   LORD    WHO HAS MERCY ON YOU."
(Isaiah 54;10)

***[ Please allow me a brief "parenthetical" interruption here.............
        Recently, while I was studying in the Old Testament,
        closer to the end of the Old Testament.........the text              
made a reference to " My covenant with Abraham and Jacob", and a footnote
gave a clarifying addition to the text: "At the time of
writing  of this part of the text...BOTH ABRAHAM AND ISAAC
HAD BEEN DEAD FOR MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND(1000)
YEARS.........THIS ILLUSTRATES HOW FAITHFUL GOD IS
 TO HIS COVENANT; AND THAT "GOD DOES NOT
CHANGE." (Malachi 3:6)---("JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME
YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER." (Hebrews 13:8)]*****

"And I will HAVE MERCY on her." (Hosea 2:23)

"Have Mercy" (Definiton):
Have Mercy, racham  ("rah - chahm"); Strongs # 7355:
To feel or show compassion, to love deeply, to show pity
or mercy; to tenderly regard someone; to tenderly love
(especially as parents love their infant child).  Rah-chahm
is the ORIGIN OF THE HEBREW WORD for  "WOMB".
(isn't that AWESOME OF OUR HOLY HEAVENLY
FATHER!!!!!!!)
Fathers, too, can show this feeling for their offspring
(Psalm 103:13).  GOD wants parents to tenderly love their
offspring and to show compassion toward all who are
weak and defenseless.  GOD sets the example by His
compassion for the helpless and undeserving (54:8, 10).

In Psalm 136 - GOD declares twenty-six (26) times -
'For His mercy endures forever"!!!!!!!!!

In Psalm 22:10 GOD wrote through David: "From
my Mother's womb YOU have been MY GOD."

So, you all help me out here now--------
"He put us together in our Mother's womb
(Psalm 139:13)

"From my Mother's womb YOU  have been
My GOD" (Psalm 22:10)

GOD says "I will have mercy on you" (Isaiah 54:10)

In various places in GOD'S WORD.....that together
form a principle called "The Law of the Harvest"...
Basically this principle teaches us that what we
"put out" (sew, give) is what we will Harvest/Receive.

A good example is found in JOB 4:8---"Those who sow
(plant/give) trouble reap (receive/harvest) the same."

Here on earth, we can plant one (1) grain of corn in the
ground; from that one grain/kernel can grow one stalk
of corn; and on that stalk will be several  "ears"
of corn.  Each "ear" has hundreds! of grains of corn.
Just picture in your mind "corn on the cob".

HOLY GOD wants us to (like HIM!) to
HAVE MERCY, to tenderly love, to love deeply,
to tenderly regard, to show pity.

OK now, as we do that,.....Just Guess--------
we will receive/harvest mercy multiplied!!!!!!!
And GOD will receive MUCH GLORY!!!!!!!!

And GOD'S Kingdom will grow/spread!!!

So I say to you:

May GOD'S  MERCY be MULTLPLIED to You, and
through you!!!

"FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER"!!!!!!!!
(see Psalm 136:1---26)

S  D  G    Soli Deo Gloria  (for the glory of GOD alone).      

JESUS CHRIST    OUR    "TUNING    FORK"!!!!!!!!!

Definition: Tuning Fork - A small two-pronged metal device that when STRUCK produces a sound
of fixed pitch, used for tuning musical instruments.

JESUS CHRIST is our "Strength and our Song" (Isaiah 12:2); and our Tuning Fork.

"HE was pierced for our transgressions,
HE was crushed for our iniquities;
The punishment necessary for us to have peace - was put on HIM,
and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

As punishment for MY SINS and for YOUR SINS-
JESUS was STRUCK repeatedly with a WHIP ("scourged") (John 19:1).

JESUS was STRUCK with the hands of the Roman soldiers. (Luke 22:62-63).

HE was STRUCK with the extreme difficulty of His sacrifice for us...

"And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like
great drops of BLOOD falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44)

BUT JESUS responded with "a sound of fixed pitch" (see definition of tuning fork-above):
"And HE said, 'ABBA, FATHER, all things are possible for YOU. Take this cup away from
ME; nevertheless, not what I will, but what YOU will." (Mark 14:36)


Let us (you and me)--- as Jesus always did---submit to our FATHER-------
Let us CONTINUE to SUBMIT to our FATHER-----so that HE can work into our character
the same heart as JESUS---

Here are three (3) declarations that would be great to start with:
1) "Father, not my will, but THY will be done."

2)"THANK YOU, O GOD MOST HIGH!!!"

3)"PRAISE YOU O HOLY LAMB OF GOD!!!"

Let us submit to HIS transforming of us---so that when WE are "struck" by life, circumstances, etc.---
so that we (will respond with "a sound of fixed pitch."  ***(see 1, 2, or 3 above).

"LIKE JESUS" - that is GOD'S PLAN;
let it be our ACTION!!!

SDG   Soli Deo Gloria "to the glory of GOD alone".

JESUS,   I   AM    FALLING   TO   MY   KNEES!!!!!!!!!

I delight in surrendering to thee---
Because You delight in showing me mercy.
(Micah 7:18-20)

JESUS, You are the light that God called forth in the Creation ----
GOD said  "Let there be light; and there was light.

And GOD saw the light, that it was good---suitable, pleasing, and HE approved it...
(Genesis 1:3-4a)

Let there be light, the Father said---
Knowing that in YOUR time YOU would raise YOUR SON from the dead.


LORD JESUS, YOU are the Light that GOD beamed forth  "...into our hearts
so as to illuminate the knowledge of the Majesty and Glory of GOD as it is
MANIFEST in the PERSON, and REVEALED in the FACE of  JESUS THE MESSIAH!!!
(2 Corinthians 4:6/Amplified Bible).

JESUS, YOU are the LIGHT that reflects from the Sea of Galilee
as the sun rises---
Just as surely as YOU rose from the dead --- (Luke 24:24-26)---then
just as surely we will rise up in YOU "as You always lead us in
triumph." (Corinthians 2:14)

LORD JESUS, YOU are the LIGHT in Heaven --- "The New Jerusalem"
---"The city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to shine in it, for the GLORY
of GOD illuminates it and the LAMB is its Light." (Revelation 21:23)

LORD JESUS,  I am falling on my knees,
Because YOU delight in showing me mercy.

"Rejoice in the LORD, you who are in right standing with GOD---and
give thanks at the remembrance of HIS Holiness." (Psalm 97:12)  

BASKING   IN   THE   SON   (LIGHT)!!!!!

"Do you not understand...that God's Spirit has   HIS PERMANENT DWELLING IN YOU..
to be "AT HOME IN YOU!!!???!!!!  (I Corinthians 3:16/Amplified Bible).

"For GOD WHO said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth]
the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of GOD (as it is manifest in
the person and is revealed in the face of JESUS CHRIST". (2 Corinthians 4:6/Amplified Bible).
[PLEASE read that verse (above) again.]

OHHHHH, Our HOLY LORD knows ALL of our needs, our desires, HIS own perfect love for us..........!!!

He knows that most of us like (Love!!!) to bask in the warm Sun light.

And we know that JESUS (HIS SON) is "the Light" (John 8:12).

"Listen" to the dictionary definition of "bask":
1) to expose oneself to pleasant warmth;
2) to take great satisfaction: (example "basked in the teacher's praise")


(I believe that  GOD OUR HOLY FATHER  wants us to "bask" in the Light of JESUS, as the HOLY
SPIRIT 'guides us into all truth' of this HIS WORD---"...GOD'S SPIRIT has HIS PERMANENT
DWELLING in US---to be "at home" in us!!!!!!!!! (2 Corinthians 3:16/John 16:13)

"THE LORD bless you and
keep you;
THE LORD make His face shine
upon you,
and be gracious to you;
 THE LORD lift up His countenance
upon you
and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

"I say, 'You are my GOD-----
Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
save me for Your mercys' sake."
(Psalm 31:16

"Restore us, O GOD;
cause Your face to shine,
and we shall be saved!"
(Psalm 80:3

"Restore us, O GOD;
cause Your face to shine,
and we shall be saved!"
(Psalm 80:7)

"Restore us, O GOD;
cause Your face to shine,
and we shall be saved!"
(Psalm 80:19)

"O GOD, to Whom vengeance belongs,
Shine forth!"
(Psalm 94:1)

" I say, 'YOU are my GOD---
Make Your Face shine upon Your servant;
Save me for Your mercy's sake."
(Psalm 31:16)

HOLY    GOD    IS    ENTHRONED........WHERE?????

Several years ago, before I retired from my job, an incident occurred at work.....through which
OUR HOLY LORD taught me (2) two very powerful lessons - which I remember vividly!

My job (which I really enjoyed) had me working for the state of Georgia, using the rules,
policies, and procedures to  determine which people would be eligible to receive assistance
from the state of Georgia - such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program - better known as
"Food Stamps", and other assistance programs as well.

As you might expect, the rules required that the members of each family obey the rules in order
to qualify for assistance.

I was richly-blessed to have many great friends among my fellow employees.

The incident through which I was taught those 2 powerful lessons..........included one of my
friends/fellow employees/sister-in-Jesus Christ - we will call her "Josephine".

Josephine's job also required her to determine which people would qualify for/receive assistance.
and, as mentioned above, if the client did not obey the rules---then the rules required that client's
case be terminated.

One of Josephine's clients was a young woman   -  let's call her "Tonya"  -  Tonya was well known
in the area - as a tall, VERY STRONG, athletic person.  It was also widely known that Tonya
was sometimes a very violent person!

When Tonya received her notice that her assistance had been terminated for NOT cooperating
 with the rules.....Tonya immediately called  and requested an appointment with Josephine. 
(Josephine was required by the rules to give an appointment to Tonya).

In the same phone call, Tonya told Josephine........."I am bringing my knife, and I am going
to "(CUT YOU)" for closing my assistance case!!!  Again - as mentioned above - Josephine
KNEW that Tonya was prone to violence!!

Because Josephine was my sister-in-Jesus Christ, she and I occasionally exchanged prayer requests.

So Josephine asked me to  -  when Tonya comes to her appointment - I (Josephine) will leave my
office door open, and "please you (Barry) walk back and forth - passing my door and be praying
for me, Tonya, etc."

I readily agreed to do that for Josephine.  Even before Tonya arrived, I began to pray.  After a few minutes of praying, I sensed that the HOLY SPIRIT was leading me to 'stop praying, and begin to
fill that office with PRAISE unto HOLY GOD"!!!!!!!!!

I am sure that may sound rather startling to some of you!  But this is something that I  PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED.

I know now, and also knew at that time  - God's Word says in Psalm 22:3  "But You (God) are holy,
enthroned in the praises of Israel (Your people)".

Different translations of the Bible say it a little differently - for example:
"But You, o god, are holy, you enthrone YOUR PRESENCE in the praises of Your People."

Okay, back to Tonya's presence in Josephine's office-----
Sure that the HOLY SPIRIT was leading and enabling me, I began, and continued, "Filling that
office with (silent) praise unto GOD!!!!!!!!!

In a few minutes the interview ended; everything went smoothly, there were no more threats, and
no "Cutting".  And, as Tonya  walked back up the hall---she was humming a song of worship unto Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!


Oh, I was ECSTATIC!!! At what GOD HAD DONE!!!!!!!  As you can only IMAGINE--- I was Thanking and PRAISING GOD!!! for the transformation that HE accomplished with HIS PRESENCE!!!!!!!

But ...wait.... did I not say in the first paragraph of this message that there two (2) lessons in this
for me?
Yes, indeed I did.

So, Tonya walked back to the front of the office building - Praising God!!! And I was joyous!!!

What I did not know until later in the day.........Tonya walked (through) the lobby... then down another hall - where she "cleaned" off the desks by knocking every thing to the floor--- in general,
she caused such a disturbance that the police were called to come and arrest her.

So - I stopped praising GOD too early!  Perhaps I should have continued Praising GOD until she
drove away!

*** The following portion of God's Word might seem a little long- but hang in there, it is an important lesson.  Thank you! **

II Kings 13:14-19:
"Elisha the prophet had become sick with the illness of which he would die.  Then Joash the king
came down to Elisha, and wept over (Elisha's) face, and said, 'O my Father, my father, the chariots of
Israel and their horsemen!'
     "And Elisha said to him, 'Take a bow and some arrows.  So. he (the king) picked up a bow and some arrows.
Then He (Elisha) said to the king, 'put your hand on the bow.  So the king put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king's hands.
     "And he (Elisha) said , 'open the east window', and the king opened it.
Then Elisha said 'Shoot', and the king shot the arrow.
And Elisha said 'the arrow of the LORD's deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them!
Then Elisha said, 'take the arrows', so the king took them, and Elisha said 'Strike the ground!'
So the king struck three (3) times, and stopped.
And Elisha was ANGRY with the king, and said, 'You should have struck 5 or 6 times; then you
would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it!  But now, you will strike Syria only 3 times."
-verse 25 tells us that the king defeated (Syria) (3) times."

The king had an OPPORTUNITY to participate in an ENACTED PROPHECY that symbolized  his
future victories over the Syrians.

The king was not as victorious as he COULD have been, because he lacked faith and was unwilling
to do ENTHUSICALLY something that may have seemed foolish to him.

So what is the specific lesson - both from my experience, and from this passage in the Bible?
A. GOD is ALWAYS worthy of praise!!!
B. GOD never changes.(see Malachi 3:6)
C. When God guides and enables us to do something.....let's be encouraged to continue doing it/continue submitting to GOD, and confess to Him that we need His wisdom.

All that (above) might not be as specific as you would like.....but I believe that is intentional by GOD,
because He knows us so well!!!

We as humans tend to want to turn it into a formula - so that WE can do THIS , then do THIS, .....so the result will ALWAYS be (the result that we think we want!).  Subconsciously - we think that if we can get it down to a formula.....then WE can do it  by OURSELVES...and don't need GOD'S help and
enablement.  Of course that is a lie---"without HIM we can do nothing."(John 15:5).

Psalm 139:1-4 shows us that GOD knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we say them---so HE is WELL ABLE to communicate to us!!!

Let's confess to GOD our faith in HIM, (not in our self)!!!!!!!!!

O come let us kneel before the LORD OUR MAKER AND WORSHIP HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!  

  

THE     THRONE     OF     GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

DIAMOND,   SARDIUS,    EMERALD,   AND    MERCY!!!!!!!

One of my most favorite worship songs (from approximately 2010) continues
("going around" in my head/mind  -  and I am so-o-o-o thankful that it does!!!!!!!!!
It is EXCEEDINGLY RICH in worship!!!!!

[Because of copyright laws I will not list the lyrics here], but I will list just a few of the words:

There is a rainbow of Mercy around YOU (Holy God);
drawing me closer,
The blood of Your SON has made for me a way,
a way to come closer
for YOU delight in showing me mercy...

[Because I am somewhat acquainted with the worship team that sings this song---
--I felt sure that this song was written from GOD'S WORD...]
and indeed it is!!!

"Listen" to Revelation 4:1-3---
"After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.  And the first
voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, 'Come up here, and I
will show you things which must take place after this.'

vs 2"Immediately I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne set in heaven, and ONE
sat on the throne.

vs 3 and HE who sat there was like a jasper (diamond) and a sardius stone (deep red in color)
in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

(Through further study, and prayer, OUR HOLY LORD gave me understanding for this
information:
a. "jasper" is probably a Diamond (see Rev.21:1) suggesting purity or Holiness.
b. Sardius is carnelian, deep red, picturing God's avenging wrath.
c.EMERALD, is green, the dominant color in a rainbow, symbolizing MERCY.
   (See also Genesis 9:3)

Remember, the song says: "There is a rainbow of mercy around YOU (OH GOD)---
drawing me closer, closer..."Draw near to GOD and HE will draw near to you."
(James 4:8)

Micah 7:18-20---"Who is a GOD like YOU,
(YOU) do not retain your anger forever,
because (YOU) delight in mercy."

Now, let's look at the "Direction.":
"Blessed is the man(one) whom YOU choose,
and cause to approach YOU." (Psalm 65:4)


So, Let's get the picture here---

HOLY GOD IN HIS HOLINESS AND PURITY---IS ON THE THRONE;

The sardius, deep red in color - representing GOD'S avenging wrath against sin, and there is a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald." (Also, rainbow is symbolic of God's
Promises (See Genesis 9:12-15).

MERCY-That despite our sins, GOD has mercy on us that WE may approach
THE THRONE OF GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
"have mercy" (definition): racham ("rah chahm"), Strong's #7355, to feel or show compassion,
to love dearly, to tenderly love; racham is the origin for the Hebrew word for "womb".

FEAR, pachad ("pah-kahd") to tremble, to stand in awe, to revere. Pachad concerns a person's
reaction to something sudden and startling, to the point of trembling."

In Hosea 3:5 Israel will tremble because of GOD'S startling, sudden, amazing goodness showered
upon them in the latter days!  This verse shows how (POSITIVE)  the Hebrew concept of fear,
trembling, and reverence can be.

"Afterward the children of  Israel shall return and seek the LORD THEIR GOD and David their
King.  They shall fear (pachad) the LORD and HIS goodness in the latter days. (Hosea 3:5).

So in HIS GOODNESS/KINDNESS GOD is calling us to HIMSELF; in HIS MERCY the blood
of HIS SON has "...made a way for us". (John 14:6)

HIS GOODNESS leads us to repentance." (Romans 2:4)


LET US approach HIM with (pachad)---reverent awe and trembling at HIS AMAZING GOODNESS...giving to HIM the PRAISE, WORSHIP, AWE, AND HONOR that HE
is "WORTHY" OF!!!!!!!!! (Rev. 5:12)

"Blessed is the one (OH GOD) YOU choose, and cause to approach YOU." (Psalm 65:4)

"Blessed is the one who is always reverent (pachad)." (Proverbs 28:14)

YOU, OH GOD "...delight in showing me mercy." (Hosea 2:23)

"Draw near to GOD, He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)

COME  ON   BROTHERS   AND   SISTERS!!!!!!!
We MUST draw near!!!!!!!!!!!! 

    

PSALM 23: AND, AND AND.....

ALL OF US ARE (ALWAYS) GOING SOMEWHERE (IN AND THROUGH EXPERIENCES)
THAT WE HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE!!!!!!!!

(Psalm 23: and, and, and.........

Verse 1) OH  JESUS OUR " LORD, YOU ARE MY SHEPHERD;
Because YOU are my SHEPHERD  -  I shall not lack...
(JESUS said) "...(MY) sheep hear (MY) voice...I call them by name, and lead them...
And My sheep follow (ME) for they (KNOW) MY voice...My sheep will by no means
follow a stranger for they do not know the voice of a stranger...(John 10:3, 4, 5).

"We are the people of HIS pasture, and the sheep under His care."  (Psalm 95:7)

(verse 2)  "HE makes me to lie down in pastures of tender green grass, HE
leads me beside still waters [literally) "the waters of rest].

(verse 3)"HE restores my soul -
"He is HIMSELF MY PEACE." (Ephesians 2:14)
He (continues) to make me more like HIM. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

(verse 3-a) "He leads me in the path of righteousness for His Name's sake...
"I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6)
"Follow Me" (Matthew 9:9)
"For I, the LORD your GOD, will hold your right hand, saying to you,
'Fear not, I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13)

(verse 4) "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil."
"Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your GOD.  I will
strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with MY righteous right
hand."  (Isaiah 41:10)

(verse 4-b)"Your rod, and Your staff, they comfort me."
"Blessed be the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER
of MERCIES and GOD of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3)

(verse 5)  "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
(Jesus speaking):"Take, eat, this is My body...this is My blood, drink from it."
[To partake of Jesus means to receive Him, and follow Him].

(verse 5a) "You anoint my head with oil" (thus showing both favor and hospitality
toward us His worshipers/His sheep.)

(verse 5b) "My cup runs over."
JESUS blesses me so MUCH and so DEEPLY - my cup runs over - so, the  TABLE is wet,
and the FLOOR  is wet, and my SHOES and FEET are WET, and, and, and!!!!!!!!!!!!

(verse 6) "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will
dwell in the House of the LORD forever."
(JESUS speaking) "I am with you always." (Matthew 28:20)
"Follow ME." (Matthew 19:21)

"HE IS THE AMEN."  (2 Corinthians 1:20/Revelation 3:14)

HOLY   GOD'S   FUNNEL!!!!!!!!!

HOLY GOD'S FUNNEL?????

"What in the world is that?!?!???

Well, actually...it is not OF THIS WORLD!!!!!!!

Psalm 63:3-5.....
(Oh God) Because YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS is better than
life,
My lips SHALL PRAISE YOU.
Thus I WILL BLESS YOU (Oh GOD!!!)
while I Live.
I will lift up my hands in YOUR NAME.
My soul shall be satisfied (as with abundance).....
And my mouth SHALL PRAISE YOU WITH JOYFUL LIPS."

Psalm 47:1-2.....
"Shout to GOD with the voice of triumph!
For the LORD MOST HIGH is awesome!"

Psalm 113:5-6
"Who is like the LORD  OUR GOD,
Who dwells on High,
WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF to behold the things
that are in the heavens and on the earth?"


Definition: Humble, shaphel  ("shah-fail")
Strongs #8213.  To humble, bring down, or make low...
"GOD, WHO dwells on high, HUMBLES HIMSELF,
to watch what is occurring in heaven and on earth."

I Timothy 2:8...
"I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, with the lifting
up of holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

Prayer (and worship) with the lifting
up of holy hands.....The... hands were lifted
and spread out toward heaven
as a posture of SURRENDER.


I once heard of a speech therapist teaching a group of worship leaders:
He (the speech therapist) stated:
"The best (most effective) body position for singing is-
standing with both arms extended upward"with our
hands farther apart than the width of our shoulders-----

Indeed that position is similar to the shape of a FUNNEL-----
whereby our hearts, and our lives can be like a funnel -
through which the VASTNESS OF ALMIGHTY GOD
can flow through our lives into the VAST NUMBER  of LIVES
all over the earth that NEED HIM!!!

ONLY BY HIS GRACE, our LORD has given me understanding...
(Please bear with me now, please be asking the HOLY SPIRIT to
"...guide you into all truth." (As Jesus says in John 16:13.).

It is as if you and I are in the narrow part (the "neck") of a
funnel.........

When we are HUMBLE.....our head (and heart) are bowed down-----
so the VASTNESS OF GOD'S LOVE can flow through the
narrow part of the funnel to those (everyone!) who needs HIM!!!

BUT, when we are arrogant, proud, "stiff-necked".....
then our upraised head and neck BLOCK the flow and the LORD
GOD MOST HIGH cannot flow through us (the funnel) to the
people.


Let us ALWAYS remember that THE ONLY TRUE GOD (John 17:3),
"GOD MOST HIGH" (Psalm 47:2), "THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL"
(Isaiah 29:19)---HE says to us in (James 4:10)---
"Humble YOURSELVES in the sight of the LORD, and
HE will lift you up."

"Oh come, Let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the LORD our MAKER...
OH WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAULTY OF
(HIS) HOLINESS!"

TREMBLE BEFORE HIM, ALL THE EARTH."
(Psalm 95:6, Psalm 96:9)       

"THE    2ND     FLOOD!!!!!!!!!


THE  SECOND(?) FLOOD??????

A few years ago, the movement of tectonic plates in the earth's crust caused that
most terrible tsunami that flooded many parts of Southeast Asia.  Many people
were killed by that tsunami - as it destroyed everything in its path.

We have floods in many coastal locations in the USA, (And some states which have no
ocean coasts) have been flooded by BIG storms...hurricanes, tropical depressions, etc.


JESUS CHRIST - the ONE (BORN in a STABLE)---is the ULTIMATE HOLY STABILITY---
because  ("HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER."III (Hebrews 13:8)

Yet HE changed EVERYTHING by HIS Birth, Life, Crucifixion, Death,, Resurrection, Reign,
and Soon Return!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Flood in Noah's Time (COVERED) all of the earth ------- (EVEN) the highest mountains
(Yes, including Mount Everest) with approximately 22 and 1/2 feet of water...thus cleansing the
earth physically and spiritually, thus enabling a New Beginning!!!

The Flood in Noah's time lasted 150 days.


THE  2ND FLOOD - THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST [BEGAN (in time) approximately
One thousand, nine hundred and 84 years ago; 

IN THE SPIRIT - the 2ND FLOOD began before the foundation of the world (Please see Ephesians 1:4).

This FLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST'S BLOOD IS (MORE!!!!)than enough to cover the earth, and to
"cover"/FORGIVE/ and wash away EVERY sin of EVERY Person who ever lived on the earth!!!

Also, the FLOOD of JESUS' BLOOD IS MORE THAN ENOUGH to heal every person who ever
lives on earth (body, mind, spirit, heart, and soul)!!!


The name "NOAH" means "rest, relief, comfort".

ONE (1) of JESUS CHRIST'S names is  "The Father of all mercies and God of all comfort". (Please see II Corinthians 1:3).

JESUS HIMSELF is our "RESTING PLACE" 
"Come to Me, all you labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  (Matthew 11:28)

"The Beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; and
he shall dwell between HIS shoulders" (Deuteronomy 33:12)


The SALVATION "effects of this SECOND FLOOD are eternal, and will carry us INTO ETERNITY!!!   (Psalm 23:6)

WE DO NOT want to flee from this the 2nd Flood!!! 
We must WELCOME THE BLOOD OF JESUS, submit to it that we may be saved and healed.

Indeed, we should actively "PLEAD" THE BLOOD OF JESUS over ourselves and others daily
for forgiveness, healing, protection, peace, provision, and more!!!
For forgiveness     See Hebrews 9:22
for protection         See Exodus 12:13
For peace               See Colossians 1:19-20/Eph. 2:14
For provision          See Psalm 105:37a
For healing             See Isaiah 53:5
For redemption       See Ephesians 1:7
For Salvation          See Mark 14:4/Acts 4:12

We do NOT  want an ark to rescue us from HIS BLOOD '
We want to carry Nothing  of this "old self"
nor "old world"    with us into heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!

LET'S BOW BEFORE THIS FLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST'S BLOOD...
SUBMITING OURSELVES TO ITS HOLY (ETERNAL) CLEANSING!!!!!!!!!!!! 
BOW!!!   SUBMIT!!!   IMMERSE!!! AND PLEAD  HIS BLOOD--- AND  PRAY
SO THAT MANY, MANY MORE PEOPLE WILL BE COVERED AND FILLED UP
FOR ETERNITY.

FOR THE GLORY OF JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!  HE IS WORTHY!!!!!!!!!!!!