***** 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)