DEATH'S DOOR, OR HEAVEN'S BLESSINGS!!!'

In Genesis 3:1-24 we can see the serpent [representing Satan (see Rev.12:9)] introduce DOUBT as one of His weapons against us (God's people) In verse one (1) the serpent asks Eve a question: Has GOD (INDEED(?) said, " you shall not eat of every(?) tree of the garden("?")

(verse 2) Eve answers: "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; BUT of the fruit of the tree which is in the MIDST of the garden---GOD has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.

*** Pause now to PICTURE this in your mind- you probably know that when a serpent bites someone/something---it injects  venom/poison into the person/animal to begin the killing process.

(verse 4) Next, the serpent  his second question/takes his second bite...His teeth are just DRIPPING with the venom of doubt --- ----

'You will NOT surely die.' For GOD knows that in the day that you

eat of it your eyes will be opened...and you will be like GOD."---there Satan is tempting Eve to think: "I could have more/better than GOD

wants me to have!!  ( What a HUGE, "kingdom-sized" LIE!!)

Genesis 3:16-19 lists some of the deadly results of ...Eve's giving in to that temptation.  Thus doubt was used by Satan to open the door of Eve's heart.........and all the other works of Satan came through while the 

door was open-----and became part of the trials that we go through

in life.

BUT, lets not all blame EVE for all this-----ALL of us have.....at times, doubted GOD in our lives!!!!!  I have...haven't you???

Now, let's look at another (VICTORIOUS!!!) "Garden Situation".....

It was in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18-1:39) that JESUS allowed HIMSELF to be arrested and taken to trial-----leading to

HIS death on the cross to save US from OUR SINS ("the punishment necessary for us to have peace and healing... was put upon HIM....". 

(Isaiah 53:5).

".....looking unto JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith,

WHO for the joy that was before HIM endured the cross...

JESUS ON THE CROSS **PAID*** for EVERY SIN ever committed  by EVERY  PERSON who ever lived!!!

"For the joy that was before HIM, JESUS endured that!!!!!!!

So "THE JOY that was before HIM"  was EXCEEDINGLY POWERFUL!!!  JESUS on the cross was NOT a VICTIM-----

HE  was a VOLUNTEER--- AND the VICTORY for ALL of us!!!

"...be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and perfect will of GOD." (Romans 12:2)

So HOW can WE walk/live in victory now, and into the future???

Become more and more intimately familiar with JESUS OUR SAVIOR/GOD our HEAVENLY FATHER by reading HIS HOLY WORD/THE BIBLE.

If we will give an average of 15-20 minutes per day---we can read

all through the Bible in one year!!!

Go to  logostradingpost.com and you can get a reading plan.

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!!!!!!!

"THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH."

(John 16:13"        

     

Safe Passage Through Storms!!!

Monarch butterflies. One of Holy God's most beautiful and delicate creatures --- Early each fall, across North America, Monarch butterflies begin to gather in order to migrat,,e south. Yes, from all over the USA and even from parts of Canada...they gather to make their trip!!! As some of you probably know, butterlfies are considered a symbol of new life!!! Ok. Now let's put that thought "on hold" for a few moments...but don't let that thought "slip away". The "planned destination" for the Monarch butterflies is the mountains of Mexico where they gather to spend the winter. Now put that thought "on hold" also. Since the destination for the monarch butterflies is the mountains of Mexico...we don't have to wonder about the route they take to arrive at those mountains... Many of us who live in the south of the US have had the dreadful experiences of powerful, destructive hurricanes: high winds, flooding, rains - destroying homes as well as massive concrete-and-steel buildings. Most of those hurricanes come up through the Gulf of Mexico, gather strength from the warmer waters there - before they hit landfall. So here are the beautiful, FRAGILE, delicate Monarch butterflies poised near the beach areas of the Gulf of Mexico -- the very "storm track" of the hurricanes... How in the world do these butterflies get through all THAT...to get to the mountains of Mexico??? Well, their way is not "of the world". Rather, they are guided, enabled and carried by our Creator. As we are!!! To our mere human eyes --- butterflies are far more beautiful than we are -- Jesus is "the way" (NOT-directions to a location), But he is the Person who will take us there - to eternity in his radiance. (John 17:24) He does this not because of who we are, nor what we have done... But because of Who He Is. Because of What He Has Done, What He Is Doing, Which He Will Complete (Phil 1:6/2 Cor 3:18) How do we "get there"? Day by day, come to him humbly, submit to him, to him carrying us through the day and night, thanking him, praising him, and blessing him. Bringing our "thoughts captive to the obedience of Jesus" (2 Cor 10:5). Oh Lord, You are my shepherd. "You cause me to lie down in green pastures, you lead me beside still waters. You restore my soul. You lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me...your rod and your staff they comfort me...You annoint my head with oil...my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Pssalm 23:1-6) Praise Jesus Forever!!!

***** FOR THE FINAL PART (PART 5) OF "AFFORD"..... ### PLEASE 'CLICK' ON "OLDER POSTS"***** THANKS, BARRY

(Part 1) "AFFORD???" Now I am NOT talking about a brand of car or truck, nor the act of crossing a stream or body of water.....(BUT,do look for that in later parts of this message.) (Didn't the Israelites cross the Red Sea, and the Jordan River?) Let's briefly look at the definition of Afford: a)to have enough resources for; b)to bear the cost of without serious inconvenience; to be able (to do something without serious consequences.

Part 2-a What started me on this train of thoughts was a truth on a bookmark: "Father is so pleased with me being his child, that HE will never leave me and HE wants to meet all my needs". That truth comes from: a) Luke 15:31 - "Son,you are always with me, and all that I have is yours". b) Hebrews 13:5 - "For HE HIMSELF has said 'I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Part 2-b But HOLY GOD --- HIS love is so great---He sent HIS ONLY SON to pay the price---His death on the cross---thus purchasing us---so that HE could (and DOES)meet all our needs in life ***AND** give to us the riches of heaven---for the "unlimited time" of ETERNITY IN HIS PRESENCE!!!!!!!!!

PART 3-A In doing that---HE SET!!! our value to HIM once for all time and into eternity-----HE set it by the price that HE PAID!!! Our value to HIM will never change---"JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, and FOREVER."

Part 3-b I am now age 75, and I testify that GOD has ALWAYS provided what I need for the life HE has planned for me.

Part 4-a If you will look back at the definitions (first part of this message)--- 2 of the definitions are--- (a)"to bear the cost without serious inconven- ience", and (b)"to be able to do something without 'serious consequences'. JESUS' torturous death on the cross (actually started before!!! HE was put on the cross) was so much more horrible than a 'serious inconvenience'; and so much more!!! serious and painful than...'able to do something without 'serious consequences'.

"AFFORD Part 4-b Some of you enjoy "puns"---but All of us can think about it this way: the definition of "ford" is 'cross a stream or body of water'--- while JESUS was on the cross... STREAMS of HIS BLOOD flowed down HIS face and body from the crown of thorns and other wounds.

"AFFORD???" PART 5 So, let's us (You and me) more and more FILL our days and nights with with giving thanks and praise unto HOLY GOD for the GIFT of HIS SON JESUS!!!!! In worship of JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!! HE!!! is the "Father of mercies and GOD of all comfort". (2 Corintians 1:3) HE!!! is "our hope". (1 Timothy 1:1)

THANKFULNESS --->JOY----->----->PEACE (GOD'S WAY!!!) I am NOT!!! a Hebrew scholar!!!! But-by GOD'S GRACE---JESUS saved me, and the HOLY SPIRIT guides and enables me to love and Honor and thank and worship GOD!!! Some years ago, He enabled me to memorize some praise and worship phrases in Hebrew!!! I do not know the exact Hebrew words---but I learned to pronounce them phonetically (by sound). Just a little later in this message---I will print them for you so that you can learn them for HIS GLORY and for YOUR VERY RICH BLESSING!!!!!!!!

This part---you may have read before---but -for your blessing--- read through to the end. The more that we read and hear God's Word--- the deeper HE will take us into HIS PEACE AND HIS PRESENCE. This morning,I was really struggling...trying to understand GOD's plan for me at this time. I was very frustrated....until the HOLY SPIRIT brought to remembrance the TRUTH that GOD'S PRESENCE is enthroned in the PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE. So HE enabled me to begin praising HIM!!! Soon, I became aware of HIS PRESENCE, then His Peace took over.

"It is often very difficult to praise GOD (in) our circumstances...BUT we can always PRAISE HIM for WHO HE IS: HE IS "THE ONLY TRUE GOD...(declared by JESUS in John 17); HE IS "KING OF KINGS (Revelation 19:16). HE IS our Heavenly Father WHO sent HIS only SON to die for my sins and your sins!!! (John 3:16) HE IS "With us always". (Matthew 28:20) HE IS "the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) HE IS "our Hope" (1 Timothy 1:1) HE IS "the Father of mercies and God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3) HE IS our "EVERLASTING FATHER". (Isaiah 9:6)

Recently, I read a very rich TRUTH about praising GOD and thanking HIM for HE IS and for all that HE has done for YOU and for me: "JOY grows and prospers in the "soil" of THANKFULNESS!!! So as I THANKED HIM for WHO HE IS...by HIS GRACE---then I moved into PRAISE---then to JOY---then into HIS peace!!!

Sound it out loud--- "AH-VEE HAH TOV"--- YOU!!! ARE MY GOOD!!! FATHER!!!!" "AH-VEE HAH YAH KARR"--- YOU!!! ARE MY DEAR!!! FATHER!!!" "MAHK MA DEE - YOU!!! ARE MY BELOVED!!!" "MAHK MAHD NAHF SHEE"---YOU!!! ARE THE DELIGHT OF MY SOUL!!!" "ME SOS CHA YAY"---YOU!!! ARE THE JOY OF MY HEART!!!" "KAH VAHSH TAH ET LA BE---"YOU!!! CONQUERED MY HEART!!!" "KEETO VEEM DOH DEE CHA ME YAH EEM---YOUR LOVE IS INFINITELYL, INFINITELY, INFINITELY SUPERIOR TO EVERYTHING...FOREVER!!! ***DO NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY OF PRONOUNCING THESE DECLARATIONS CORRECTLY-----WHAT MATTERS MOST TO HOLY GOD OUR FATHER IS THE ATTITUDE OF OUR HEART!!!!!!!!! I am EAGLERLY PRAISING JESUS CHRIST for the GLORY HE WILL RECEIVE as HE blesses you and enables you to exercise the TRUTHS HE has taught us in this HIS message!!!!!!!!! FOR GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST--- and rich blessings to YOU!!!

PART 1-A

*** ALERT ** Seriously, because of some computer problems...some of the parts may seem out of sequence; BUT.....just read straight through from top to bottom---and be BLESSED BY HIS WORD!!! ("The HOLY SPIRIT will guide you into all the truth." (Stated by JESUS in John 16:13).** JESUS will COME!!! JESUS will CALM!!! (calm you or the storm!!!)! JESUS will BE!!! JESUS will NEVER!!! Recently I was driving through a POWERFUL THUNDERSTORM...the AIR was so full of rain that I was having difficulty seeing well enough to keep the car on the road!!!

PART 1-B

THANK THE LORD!!! HE did enable me to drive to a place beyond the storm to a place where I could rest and recover. As I am sure you know, hurricianes are given PEOPLE names; for example: Katrina, Floyd, etc. Maybe that is a hint for us---truly the most destsructive storms are those between groups of people---wars, riots,etc.

PART 2-B

Matthew 8:23-26--- "JESUS got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.....suddenly a great storm arose on the sea...the boat was being covered by the waves, but Jesus was asleep..... The disciples awoke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We are perishing!...Then HE arose and rebuked the winds and the sea...and there was a great calm.

PART 2-C (John 6:15-21) JESUS departed to pray alone. The disciples had rowed about 3 miles...they saw JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA...and they were afraid. "It is I; be not afraid." They received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going!!!

PART 3---JESUS WILL COME!!! Now back to the storm...shortly after the storm (on the same road) I was driving, and as I neared a church...The Holy Spirit gave to me understanding that I was to stop and pray in the parking lot and be quiet. He gave me understanding for this message, and the title.

PART 4 JESUS WILL COME OK, What about JESUS will NEVER leave you nor forsake you--- "For HE HIMSELF has said 'I WILL NEVER FORSAKE YOU..." (Hebrews 13:5) There will be times when we may FEEL forsaken-but JESUS IS, and Speaks "THE TRUTH" (John 14:6) Covid 19 is a storm around the world...Let's stay home, and wait before HIM. As we read through the New Testament, Jesus often took His first disciples aside to pray. Let us be quiet and still before Him.

JESUS WILL COME........JESUS WILL CALM.........JESUS WILL BE.........JESUS WILL NEVER!!!!!!!!!

PART 5 (JESUS WILL COME) GOD'S WORD PROMISES (in Psalm 22:3) that He will enthrone HIMSELF in our praises!!!!!!! JESUS WILL CALM---The storm, or HE WILL calm us!!! JESUS will BE---"with us always" (Matthew 28:20)/Jer. 23:24) JESUS will NEVER "leave us nor forsake us." (Hebrews 13:5) HE WILL ALWAYS ENTHRONE HIMSELF IN OUR PRAISES!!!!!!!!! LET'S BE PRAISE HIM AND THANK HIM FOR WHO HE IS AND FOR ALL THATS HE HAS DONE AND WILL DO!!!!!!!!!

Part 1 of I STAND WITH ISRAEL

It was a Thursday afternoon in Atlanta...I had just completed an appointment with my doctor, and I was on my way to Georgia Mall, to look for a gift that my wife Mary had requested... Let me pause here for a moment to give you some background information that will clarify this story, and add inspiration to it. By God's Grace, I love to wear Christian t-shirts - that quote GOD's WORD- and thus directs people to JESUS CHRIST!!! Because HOLY GOD "...knows the plans that He has for us..." (see Jeremiah 29:11), and HE knows our thoughts before we think them and our words before we speak them (Read Psalm 139:1-4)---He knows who will see HIS WORD on my t-shirt--- and thus answers my prayers asking Him which shirt to wear each day.

PART 2 OF I STAND WITH ISRAEL

Now,back to my trip to Georgia Mall... As I drove toward the parking area, the Holy Spirit made me aware that He would direct me (and He gave me the desire to obey Him). Normally, I have a specific place where I want to park...but the HOLY SPIRIT directed me to a different place. USUALLY I enter the mall at the main entrance...but the HOLY SPIRIT directed me to enter the store closest to where I was parked.

"I Stand with Israel (part 3)

On the t-shirt that I wore that day, the message was "I STAND WITH ISRAEL!" As I entered the store I noticed a "pathway" that would lead me through the store into the mall...but I sensed that the Holy Spirit was directing me to walk STRAIGHT THROUGH the area where a salesperson was helping a customer. My direction took me BEHIND the salesperson as he helped the customer "try on" a coat. As I passed behind the salesperson---I heard a voice say "I DO TOO". I then realized that the salesperson was responding to the message on my shirt! As I walked through both levels of the mall - Hundreds of people SAW the shirt; SOME READ the shirt; SOME verbally responded to it in my hearing.

( PART 4) I STAND WITH ISRAEL!!! A helpful explanation of the message - " I stand with Israel": a.In the genealogy of Jesus Christ, we learn that Jesus Christ is a descendant of Abraham. b.{Abraham was father to Jacob (Jacob's name was changed to Israel]. In Genesis 12:2-3, Holy God promises to Abram (Abraham): "I will bless you...and you will be a blessing...I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you." Throughout history, individuals and nations who blessed Abraham's descendants-- were themselves blessed by God; those who cursed Abraham's descendants were themselves cursed by God. Hebrews 1:3 Amplified Bibles says: "God's Son (Jesus)He is the sole exression of the glory of God...upholding and and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power." Let us ask, and submit to Jesus to "uphold and maintain, guide and propel" us to Stand with Israel - Bless Israel/ the Jewish people, and the body of Christ worldwide!!! FOR HIS GLORY!!!!!!!!!

"THE STORY GOES....."
THERE WAS A FARMER WHO HAD A VERY NICE FARM...HIS FARM HAD BEAUTIFUL PASTURES, WITH A LAKE. ...THE FENCES AROUND HIS PASTURES WERE VERY STRONG - AND THE FENCES WERE VERY ATTRACTIVE - ("PICTURE" THIS: THE FENCES LOOKED like PICTURE FRAMES OF THE NATURALLY BRIGHT GREEN GRASS!)
THE FARMER HAD LIVED THERE FOR MANY YEARS.....HIS PASTURES WERE **SO* PRODUCTIVE - IT FED THE HORSES AND CATTLE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, **AND* PRODUCED ENOUGH GRASS - SO THAT IT COULD BE CUT AND BALED INTO ENOUGH HAY TO FEED THE CATTLE AND HORSES ALL THROUGH THE WINTER!!!
THERE CAME A DAY WHEN THE FARMER DECIDED TO SELL HIS FARM AND HOME...AND THEN RETIRE. THE FARMER CONTACTED A REAL ESTATE AGENT, ASKING THE AGENT TO SELL HIS FARM.

A FEW DAYS LATER,THE FARMER WAS READING THE NEWSPAPER...HE SAW AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR "A VERY COMFORTABLE, NICE COUNTRY HOME, OVERLOOKING A BEAUTIFUL LAKE, SPACIOUS PASTURES AND A LARGE BARN".
THE FARMER WAS SO ATTRACTED BY THE DESCRIPTION IN THE ADVERSTISEMENT.....THAT HE CALLED THE REAL ESTATE AGENT AND EXCLAIMED "THAT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT **I* WANT TO BUY!"
THE AGENT CHECKED HIS FILES...AND SAID TO THE FARMER: "SIR, THAT IS ***YOUR** FARM---WHICH YOU
ASKED US TO SELL!!!
***STORY #2:
I (Barry) HAVE A FRIEND NAMED JOHN. JOHN AND I HAVE BEEN CLOSE FRIENDS FOR MANY YEARS, AND WE SHARE WITH EACH OTHER ALMOST EVERYTHING IN OUR LIVES.
JOHN AND I HAVE A MUTUAL FRIEND NAMED JACK. JOHN SAID TO ME THAT JACK IS A MULTI-TALENTED MAN! JACK IS A TALENTED AUTO MECHANIC, HE CAN BUILD HOUSES AND OTHER TYPES OF BUILDINGS, AND HE CAN DO ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING WORK NEEDED IN THOSE BUILDINGS.
JOHN WAS TELLING ME (BARRY) THAT HE (JOHN) WISHES THAT HE WISHES THAT HE COULD DO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS "LIKE JACK CAN DO"!
JOHN THEN SAID (OF HIMSELF) "I CANNOT DO **ANY* OF THE THINGS THAT JACK CAN! ALL I CAN DO IS STUDY THE BIBLE AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!"
RECENTLY, JOHN SAID THAT "...THE LORD GAVE HIM UNDERSTANDING THAT HE (THE LORD) IS USING JOHN'S BIBLE STUDY/ TO DO AN ETERNAL WORK-BUILDING OTHERS' FAITH!
**FOCUS ON JESUS, NOT ON OTHERS. SEEK AND FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN! (ICor.1:30/Jer. 29:11)

"THE SNIPER'S SCOPE"

"THE SNIPER'S SCOPE"??? Isn't a sniper's scope used to be sure that the bullet hits the planned target? (For example)...to kill the specified person (during war-time), or the deer, etc. in game hunting?

Yes, that is the function in the physical world.

But in the Spirit, it is a LIFE - GIVING tool!!!

The specific part of the sniper's/hunter's scope that I am writing about here is called the {"cross-hairs" - (looks like a "plus sign")}!!! And, as mentioned above, the scope is used to guide the "aim" so that the bullet (or prayer)will impact the precise point necessary to achieve the desired result.

In the military/game hunting aspect, the accuracy of "the shot" DE-creases as the distance between the shooter and the target IN-creases.

Let's go ahead to the Spiritual Truth now.

In the Spirit the accuracy and precision are NOT affected by the distance. Because GOD is everywhere present. (See Psalm 139:1-12 and Matthew 28:20)That eliminates the problem of distance.

And also from Psalm 139:2-4...GOD knows our every thought before we think it, and our every word before we speak it---so HE knows which truth of His we will need at each and every moment!!! Therefore (HE can and will) guide and enable us to pray that truth for WHOMEVER/WHEREVER it is needed!!!!!!!!!

So...we must Submit/ask HIM to guide and us which truths to pray for whom and when.


We need not be concerned about accuracy/effectiveness ---- because HE PROMISES accuracy in (Hebrews 4:12) --- ---"For the Word of GOD is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And there is no creature hidden from HIS sight, but all are naked and open to the eyes of HIM to WHOM we must give account."

In summary --- we must submit/ask HIM: how to pray, what to pray --- and TRUST HIM to guide and enable us.

HE also promises the effectiveness of our prayers (from Isaiah 55:11 --- "HIS WORD will NOT come back void, but will complete the assignment for which it is sent, and will prosper in it."

We must look at everyone and every situation through the TRUTHS of what JESUS accomplished on HIS cross!!!!!!!!!

1)READY!!!
2)SUBMIT/ASK HIM WHAT TO PRAY.
3)PRAY FREQUENTLY!!!
4)PRAISE AND THANK GOD FOR HIS ANSWERS, AND FOR THE GLORY HE WILL RECIEVE AS HE ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!

POWERFUL, AND  INTIMATE  TRUTHS FROM GOD'S WORD TO PRAY FOR OTHERS
AND FOR YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIRST, LET ME SHARE SOME CLARIFYING INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE USED
IN THE REST OF THIS MESSAGE:

1) The word "flood"  (will be used later on in this message).

HOLY GOD CAN "DO" FLOOD:
Beginning in (Genesis 6:17) is the description of the flood --- "The waters prevailed.....the
mountains were covered by at least 15 cubits/7 meters/22 ft. of water.
So YES, even Mount Everest was covered with at least 22 ft. of water!!!

2)"The LORD, the Fountain of Living Waters" (Jeremiah 17:13).
3)JESUS - "For HE HIMSELF is our PEACE". (Ephesians 2:14)
4)  (JESUS CHRIST)  "For All the PROMISES of GOD  in HIM are 'YES',
and in HIM (JESUS) 'AMEN'!!! (I Corinthians 1:20).
5)(John 14: 6)  (JESUS speaking)  "I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE".
6) "ANOINTING": To anoint with the HOLY SPIRIT, to assign a person to a spiritual
task, implying a giving of power by GOD, to accomplish the task. (Acts 10:38).

"May GOD'S peace like a river flood your heart, may JESUS' joy overflow in your heart
like a fountain"!!! (Jeremiah 17:13),

LORD JESUS, May YOU hold her/him/me and cradle her/him/me with You very BEING!!!
LORD JESUS, May YOUR ANOINTING be massaged gently and lovingly into her heart...
LORD JESUS, May YOU whisper to his soul and spirit of Your intimate love for him...
O HOLY SPIRIT, please bind up the wounds of her heart with the blood from JESUS'
stripes that HE took for our healing (Isaiah 53:5).
Gently speak to my heart that YOU YOURSELF are my PEACE (Ephesians 2:14)---
----because the PUNISHMENT necessary for US to have peace was put UPON YOU, JESUS!!! (Isaiah53:5).
"With Your arms that were on Your cross to save us - Please hold us with Your "everlasting arms". (Deuteronomy 33:27).
"Create in me a clean heart ,O GOD, and renew a steadfast heart within me". (Psalm 51:10)
Remind us that You are the TRUTH  (John 14:6); and that YOU are "with us always" (Matt. 28:20.

"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).
AMEN!!!!! LET IT BE SO!!!!!!!

Suggestion:
It is extra blessing to SING this prayer to the tune of the song "It is well, it is well with my soul.

JESUS IS!!! COMING BACK----------QUICKLY???-------YES!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmm--- We will get to the rest of the answer of that question in a few minutes.....
But for now, let's look at  GOD and time...

A number of years ago, before I retired from my job, I had an experience that demonstrated
to me how VERY QUICKLY things can happen.

In my work office, my furniture was arranged so that I could sit at my desk and look out
the window.  Just outside my office was a small parking lot, and just beyond the parking lot
was a city street.

Near 6:00 PM on a certain day, I was working at my desk, and I saw a car coming down the
street .....the  car was moving at a very high speed!!!  Suddenly I heard the car's tires "squealing"
as if the driver were trying to stop very quickly!!!

The very INSTANT that I heard the sound of the tires "squealing".....I began praying for the
people in the vehicle-----Approximately 2 seconds later I heard a VERY LOUD  "CRASH-BANG"
as 2 vehicles slammed together!!!!!

Immediately, I arose from my desk and walked to the front of the building---where I could go
outside and clearly see the scene of the collision.  I watched an ambulance arrive,
and saw the emergency medical team load one patient into the ambulance, and then watched
the ambulance drive away.

As I watched closely, I discerned that the vehicle which I saw speed by my window.....had crashed
into a small car---which had been crossing the intersection.

A day or two later, I found out that the small car ...which had been struck---had been driven by my
co-worker and friend Agnes  Smith; and I learned that she was the person whom the ambulance
had transported to the hospital.

Another day later I learned that Agnes had sustained a "serious injury" in the accident.  (Of course I continued praying for Agnes!!!)  Only a few weeks later, Agnes returned to work---
--she was feeling "fine, and ready to work".  PRAISE GOD INDEED!!!!!!!!!
Now, let us take a careful look into how very quickly things can happen.....First, we will examine
"quickness" from a Biblical  example:  (1 Corinthians 15:52...titled 'Our Final Victory)':
"Behold, I tell you a mystery;  We shall NOT all sleep, but we shall ALL be changed....In a MOMENT, in the TWINKLING  of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we all shall be changed."
"IN  A MOMENT".....

MOMENT,  atomos ("at-om-oss") Strong's Concordance #823: Compare 'atomic".    Un-cut. indivisible, un-dissected, infinitely small.  The word, when used of time, it represents an extremely
short unit of time, a flash, an instant, a unit of time that cannot be divided.  A second can be  calibrated to one-tenth,  one-hundredth, and  one-thousandth of a second.  But how do you calibrate an Atomic second??? JESUS CHRIST'S return will be in an atomic second."

I have spent much time re-examining the time that passed between me seeing that car FLASH
through my vision.....and the time that I heard the CRASHING sound of the collision of the cars.
I am very SURE that it was no more than 2 seconds. ( IF that is difficult for you to believe...I PERSONALLY  experienced this incident.

Knowing that HOLY GOD can do more than we dare ask (Ephesians 3:20)...Through that 2 second prayer...HOLY GOD saved Agnes for how many days, weeks, months, years!!!
ONLY GOD KNOWS those details!!!
Another question: How many people will JESUS save through Agnes' life???
For how many days will those people live???
As we  move from life into eternity...where there is NO END???
ONLY HOLY GOD knows the answers.  HE holds the people in His heart!!!

WE must commit to GOD that we will pray whenever He calls on us; knowing that HE will answer in accord with HIS RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER!!!

In closing, let's see in HIS WORD what HE says about HIS answers to our prayers:
(from Ephesians 3:20/The Amplified bible): 
"Now to HIM WHQ by His power that is at work in us is able to carry out HIS purpose and do
superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think---infinitely beyond our highest
prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams...TO HIM BE ALL GLORY!!!!!!!!!

Let us say "Amen" with our lips, our thoughts, our hearts, and our actions.  

*** ONE *****

WHILE STUDYING MY BIBLE , I was reading in II Chronicles, chapters 5 and 6-----

As I read about Solomon building the temple of GOD, and His PRAISE AND PRAYER 
in the dedication of the completed temple-----

II Chronicles 5:12-14---
"As it came to pass when the priests came out of the Most Holy Place...and the Levites
who were the singers.....and one hundred twenty priests sounding with trumpets---

"Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as ONE, to make ONE
sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their
voice (ONE!!!) with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised
the LORD, saying 'For HE is good, For HIS mercy endures forever', that the house of
the LORD was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because
of the cloud; for the GLORY of the LORD FILLED the house of GOD."

As I read this---the HOLY SPIRIT just lifted me up in ecstasy - when He gave to me the
understanding of how all of this comes together...

JESUS' prayer in John 17:21-24....."that they all may be ONE, as YOU, FATHER are in
ME, and I in YOU; that they also may be ONE in US, that the world may believe that YOU
Have sent ME, and have loved them as YOU have loved ME."

"FATHER, I desire that they also whom YOU gave ME may be with ME where I am, that
they may behold MY glory which YOU have given ME; for YOU loved ME before the
foundation of the world.

 TO RECAP:
In Genesis 9:12-17 GOD established  His covenant with us; the SIGN of the covenant which I
make between ME and you for perpetual generations: I set MY rainbow in the cloud, and it shall
be for the sign of the covenant between ME and the earth.
[A rainbow is composed of Light, water vapor, and the Faithful,Covenant Love of GOD.
In John 8:12 JESUS declares : "I AM THE LIGHT".]

GOD'S covenant FULFILLED: The proclamation of Solomon in the temple of GOD that "the house of
the LORD was filled with a cloud...for the glory of the LORD filled the house of GOD." (II Chronicles 5:11-14).

GOD'S covenant FULFILLED: GOD enthrones HIMSELF IN our  praises...(Psalm 22:3).( as long as we are on earth and praise HIM.)

All of (the above) building into His fulfillment when we are as ONE in praise and worship as we see HIS GLORY when we are with HIM in heaven.

SO LET US SET OURSELVES BEFORE OUR HOLY GOD.....
SUBMIT UNTO HIM,
"HE (JESUS) upholds, maintains, guides, and propels the UNIVERSE by HIS mighty Word of Power..."  (Hebrews 1:3/Amplified Bible).

Let us bow before HIM.....And Let HIM Uphold, Maintain, Guide, and Propel US in Praise, Worship and giving JESUS ALL HONOR!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMEN!!! LET IT BE SO!!!!!!!!!  
 

"WATCHING,   THINKING,   BEING!!!!!!!!!

Proverbs 23:7  Has really touched my heart recently:

"For as he thinks in his heart......so is he."

Many times in GOD'S WORD we are cautioned/directed to be careful about what we think in our hearts,
what our eyes focus on, to be careful about what we say or listen to, etc. Because what we dwell
upon in our thoughts, in our hearts---will eventually end up being spoken to someone, and eventually
our thoughts will manifest in actions that we "do".

II Corinthians 10:1-6 is a passage in the New Testaments that is titled  "The Spiritual War".
verses 4 and 5 states: "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty in GOD
for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against
the knowledge of GOD, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Definition: obedience---, hupakoe ("hupa-ak-oh-ay") Strong's #5128: from hupo (under), akuo -
"to hear":
The word signifies attentive hearing, to listen with compliant submission.   It is used for obedience
in general, for obedience to GOD'S commands. (2 Corinthians 10:5).

And as we well know: JESUS said only what he heard GOD say; he did only what He had seen
GOD do.
"Then JESUS answered and said to them 'Most assuredly, I say to you, the SON can do nothing
of Himself, but what HE sees the FATHER do, for whatever HE DOES, the SON also does in like manner". (John 5:19) ***Please also see (John 8:28, John 8:38, John 12:49, John 12:50).

So, more and more it is clear that JESUS' OBEDIENCE was/is total, complete, unchanging, indeed HOLY, and ETERNAL.
      
In "quiet time" before FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT "...be still and know that I AM GOD...
....bringing every thought captive to the obedience of JESUS CHRIST" (Psalm 47:10
/2 Corinthians 10:5).

In the past, I had a friend, (His name is Scott, ask me to pray about what  ' leadership style'
would OUR LORD have him (live out) in his new role as a leader in CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

Our LORD gave me understanding by a "mental picture"... in which Scott was laying face
down, with his right arm extended - pointing (those whom (Scott) was leading)
 to JESUS!!!
As I continued meditating on that "mental picture" (mentioned above) it became clear that
in lying face down---the focus would NOT be on the leader's face, but the focus would be
on THE ONE to WHOM he was pointing ......... (JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!)

In pointing toward JESUS....He was not (saying) look at JESUS.....rather, he  was saying
GO to JESUS!!!  HE is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE!!!
"JESUS said to him, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE!!!  No one comes to
the FATHER except through ME."  (John 14:6)

BROTHERS AND SISTERS, PLEASE JOIN ME IN BRINGING OUR EVERY THOUGHT
CAPTIVE TO THE OBEDIENCE OF JESUS CHRIST, AND LET EVERY PART OF OUR
LIVES POINT OTHERS TO JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!  

  
   
    
     
  

A       PLACE        FOR           ME!!!!!!!!! 

A Wonderful Contemporary Christian Worship Song gives us some lyrics that speak of
some powerful truths about needs--- for all of us-----
(A sample)---
"I am no longer a slave to fear, I AM A CHILD OF GOD!!!!!
"There is a PLACE FOR ME in MY FATHER'S HOUSE!!!!

*** A subtitle for this message-----"Is your name MEPHIBOSHETH"???

Do you or I have a situation or circumstance in our lives which causes us to believe
or "feel" that we do NOT have a place in our Father's House?

Let's take a look at "MEPHIBOSHETH".

Please turn in your Bible to 2 Samuel, chapter 21.  (Of course you probably already know
that is in the Old Testament).  Look at some of  the difficult things in Mephibosheth's life:
1) He was a grandson of King Saul, the crippled son of Jonathan; Because Saul did not obey
GOD------it was somewhat of a curse on Saul's sons and grandson;
2) Being handicapped caused Mephibosheth to be treated somewhat as a second-class citizen.

In 2 Samuel, chapter 4, we learn that when Mephibosheth was only 5 years old--- news came that
Saul and Jonathan died in a war; the nurse who took care of Mephibosheth  picked (M) up and
fled their home.  In her haste, (M) fell and "became lame".

In 2 Samuel 9:1-11 we read that Kings David asked: "Is there still anyone left of the house (family) that I may show him the 'Kindness of GOD' for Jonathan's sake?  (In 2 Samuel 12-16,
we see that David and Jonathan had made a covenant  with each other to be kind to each other
and to each other's family in the future).

Back to 2 Samuel 9:4 (AGAIN)....King David asked "...where is he" (Mephibosheth)? 
Then King David sent and brought (M).....now when (M) the son of Jonathan, grandson
of Saul, had come, he (M) fell on his face and prostrated himself.  Then King David said
'Mephibosheth?' and (M) answered  'Here is your servant!'   So David said to him  'Do not
fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan's sake, and will restore to you all the
land of Saul your grandfather.

'As for Mephibosheth', said KING David, 'He shall eat at my table like one of the King's sons.'

(this next sentence ONLY is from the footnotes):  Mephibosheth is put on the royal pension for the
rest of his life, and lives as one of the King's sons, and even eats at the King's table.

In John 17, Jesus prays "That they may be one as YOU, FATHER, are in ME, and I in YOU.
"FATHER, I desire that they also  whom YOU gave ME may be with me where I AM, that they 
may behold MY GLORY!!! !!!!!!

(I dare say that ALL of us have at times been "lame" in our dedication, our obedience, our love
unto GOD OUR FATHER.....

So YES!!! there is room in our FATHER'S house for you and for me...and we shall "dwell in the house of the LORD FOREVER"!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT HOLY LOVE GOD IS, AND GIVES TO US!!!

O LET US BE IN REVERENT AWE of HOLY GOD OUR FATHER!!!!!!!!! 
 AMEN.     

A    LIONESS    NAMED    MARY???!!!!!   YES!!!!!!!

"FEAR NOT, FOR THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH HAS TRIUMPHED!!!!!!!!!
(Revelation 5:5)
" Then JESUS  said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.'
For the bread of GOD is HE who comes 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
he who believes in Me shall never thirst."  ( John 6:32-35)

Thankfully, one "visual aid" that we see before, and during, Christmas...is called a "manger
scene"; sometimes called a "nativity scene".

Many of us remember that scene is there to cause us to be reminded of the birth of JESUS
in a stable.  Because it is a stable.....there are included in the scene items that represent animals--
--- For example - cattle, a donkey, etc.

But what ELSE do we see there?  Often the scene includes a lamb, [and a baby in a manger.  (another name for a "manger" is a Feeding trough - in  which animals are fed.) [ A little side note: One of the names of JESUS is "The bread of life", "Bread of GOD" (John 6:32-35)---
Isn't it interesting  JESUS - the "bread of GOD"- - - was placed into a (feeding trough)!)

The scene also can be called a "crèche".

[Let me add some clarifying information:  sometimes when I am at home, I watch some TV programs that feature wild animals, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, etc.
Recently, a program featured lions in the wilds of Africa.  The program pointed out that where the lions sleep- - - there is an area set aside - - - where the lionesses nurse the cubs, and watch over the lion cubs- - - - This area is also called a "crèche" ("cresh").

(Revelation 5:5) tells us:  "But one the of elders said to me, "Fear not, for the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed!!! ("JUDAH means PRAISE)

*** Now, Picture in your heart/your spirit - - -Mary, in the stable - with ("Baby") JESUS  in her arms as she nurtures Him.

*** Now, picture in your heart/your spirit - - - JESUS being tortured to death on the cross for my sins and your sins!!! (Hebrews 12:2).

(John 1:29)- - - "The next day John saw JESUS coming toward him, and (John) said " The
LAMB OF GOD Who takes away the sins of the world."

***Receive in your heart the Truth- - - JESUS CHRIST - THE LION, AND THE LAMB chooses to live in Your heart, and to live His heart out, through your heart and through my heart!!!

Let us all bow our hearts in worship of JESUS!!!

"Give to the LORD the glory due His Name: Bring an offering.....O worship the LORD in the
beauty of (His) holiness.  Tremble before Him, all the earth."(I Chronicles 16:29-30)   
       

MY SAVIOR!!!!!!!     MY STRENGTH!!!!!!!     MY SONG!!!!!!!    MY VICTORY!!!!!!!!!

"...Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." (Hebrews 12:2).

It happened in January, 1984, in Athens, Georgia.....

When I was much younger, I enjoyed running for exercise.  I was never able to increase my running speed; but (by God's grace) He did enable me to build up my endurance; so that I
was able to run a marathon each year (for several consecutive years). [ A marathon is 26.2 miles]

In order to complete a marathon, I usually started my training and preparation approximately
6 months before the race.

During the fall of 1983 --- Because of very stormy weather on most weekends....I was not able
to complete many long runs.

Also an important part of my pre-race preparation ---was to arrive at the starting line about 1/2
hour early---so that I could rest and "loosen" my muscles after a long drive to the race site.
Of course - Long before race day I realized that my preparation was incomplete because of the
inadequate number and duration of long runs that I had completed.

In addition to that inadequacy...I arrived at the starting line so late that I had NO time to
rest and loosen my muscles ---so I had to run to the starting line and begin running the race!

(Please allow me to add an interjection here)---
Well before race day I had prayerfully decided to fill the race time with praise songs to JESUS CHRIST, and to pray for the other runners, as well as pray for the families who lived along the race route).

As I drew nearer to the finish line-----at about the "mile 23 mark", it became clear the final 3
miles...we would be running DIRECTLY INTO a stiff wind!!!

Of course I was already very tired at that stage --- then my "Savior" appeared.

My good friend/brother in Jesus Christ/running partner Wayne Douglas had found out that I was running the marathon that day--- so when Wayne completed the 5k (3.1 miles)---He went to the finish line for the marathon, started there, and ran the route in reverse...so that he met me at "mile marker 24!!!

AND, Wayne told me "I will run in front of you and break this wind for you; you just "tuck" yourself behind me, and I will take you to the Finish Line."

So!  With JESUS being "my Strength and my Song", and my brother Wayne helping me to the
finish line ---and JESUS being my FINISHER --- my elapsed time for that marathon was my fastest ever (a personal record)!!!

When compared to other runners.....my elapsed time was not fast...but for me it was a personal
record!!!

JESUS-"MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG" (Isaiah 12:2).
JESUS - "AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH" (Hebrews 12:2)

I realized later on that Wayne's sheltering me through the wind...
is like JESUS CHRIST'S protecting us and making  "the way" to our finish line/
HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!  

"He is faithful to His word and to His righteous character...for He cannot deny HIMSELF".
(2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified Bible).

ALL PRAISE TO JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!(Revelation 12:5)