THE PAIN.....OR THE JOY AND PEACE.....WHICH DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE???
The pain of rejection can be excruciating, and the pain can continue for years and years...the pain can possibly continue for the rest of your life!!
But IN Jesus Christ you can be accepted -forever!!! Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord---you are accepted IN Him!!!!!!!! And you are accepted forever---because "....Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."!!!!!!!!! (Ephesians 1:6/Hebrews 13:8) And, there
are many, many other blessings in addition to being accepted in Him!!!!!!!!
Before anyone ever rejected you...Holy God "...CHOSE you as His-in-Jesus Christ [God's Beloved Son].. "!!!!!!! (Ephesians 1:4)
Your Heavenly Father saw you and APPROVED of you - while you were still in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:16-19). And He ADOPTED you!!! (Ephesians 1:5/Romans 8:15)
So HOLY GOD - The Creator of the Universe - CHOSE you, ADOPTED you, and ACCEPTED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh! How Awesome He Is!!!!!!!
In spite of the rejection that you have suffered---please join me now in declaring unto God:
"Holy God You are the God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4; Lord Jesus Christ You are the Truth (John 14:6); Oh Holy Spirit, You are the Spirit of truth (John 16:13)---Everything YOU say about me in Your Word is true:
[Oh Holy Spirit please guide me into all the truth"] (John 16:13);
"I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
"I am chosen by You, my Father. (Eph. 1:4)
"I am holy and without blame. (Eph. 1:4)
"I am Your child according to the good pleasure of Your will. (Eph. 1:5)
"I am accepted in the Beloved. (Eph. 1:6)
"I am redeemed through the blood of Jesus. (Eph. 1:7)
"I am a person of wisdom and prudence. (Eph.1:8)
"I have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. (Eph. 1:17)
"I am saved by Your grace. (Eph. 2:5)
"I am seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:6)
"I am Your workmanship. (Eph. 2:10)
"I am near to You by the blood of Jesus Christ. (Eph.2:13)
"I am a new creation. (Eph. 2:15)
"I am of Your household. (Eph. 2:19)
"I am a citizen of heaven. (Eph. 2:19)
"I am a partaker of Your promises in Christ. (2 Peter 1:4)
"I am strengthened with might by Your Spirit. (Eph. 3:16)
"I allow Jesus Christ to dwell in my heart by faith. (Eph. 3:17)
"I am rooted and grounded in love, (Eph. 3:17)
"I speak the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15)
"I am renewed in the spirit of my mind. (Eph. 4:23)
"I am Your follower. (Eph. 5:1)
"I walk in love. (Eph. 5:2)
"I am light in You. (Eph. 5:8)
"I walk circumspectly. (Eph. 5:15)
"I am filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18)
"I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)
"I am an overcomer. (Revelation 12:11)
"I am Your righteousness in Christ Jesus. (I Corinthians 1:30)
"I am healed. (I Peter 2:24)
"I am free. (John 8:36)
"I am salt. (Matthew 5:13)
"I am consecrated. (I Cor. 6:11/Amplified Bible)
"I am sanctified. (I Cor. 6:11/Amplified Bible)
"I am victorious. (I John 5:4)
Everything YOU say about me is true, Lord.
Oh Praise Your Holy Name Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Continue to read His word OFTEN!!!
Be blessed to let His Word wash over you, fill you, bless you, strengthen you, comfort you, heal you, protect you, continuously renew your mind, affirm you, and transform you more and more into the image of Jesus Christ (by the Holy Spirit)!!!!!!!!! [II Corinthians 3:18)
AMEN.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
A M E D I T A T I O N
################################################################################
*** Please read this as a meditation, reading slowly, aloud to your self, speaking in a soft voice.**
################################################################################
Oh Holy God, Oh Holy Lord Jesus, Oh Holy Spirit,
Oh Holy God, Oh Holy Lord Jesus, Oh Holy Spirit.
Oh Yahweh, Oh Yeshua, Ruach HaKodesh (Hebrew for "Holy Spirit")
Oh Yahweh, Oh Yeshua, Ruach HaKodesh.
Yes You are, Yes You are, Yes You are,
Yes You are, Yes You are, Yes You are.
Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah,
Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah.
..............................................................................................................................
"Neshamah" (ne-sha-mah) the Hebrew word for "breath". [Psalm 150:6]
[In Genesis 2:7, God breathed into man's nostrils the nishmat chayim, "breath of life."]
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.!" (Psalm 150:6)
"Shalom" (shah-loam) Hebrew word for "peace". [Nahum 1:15]
"Jehovah Immeka" Hebrew for "THE LORD is with you". [Judges 6:12]
"Menuchah" (meh-noo-chah) Hebrew word for "...place of stillness, rest,, and peace; menuchah is
greatly soothing, comforting and settling." [Isaiah 28:12]
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
*** All right, by the power of the Holy Spirit, let's put it all together now........PLEASE read this as a meditation, reading slowly, aloud to yourself, speaking in a soft voice. Also, singing it softly is very calming, soothing, and comforting.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
"Oh Holy God, Oh Holy Lord Jesus, Oh Holy Spirit, Oh Yahweh,, Yeshua, Ruach HaKodesh, Oh Yahweh, Oh Yeshua, Ruach HaKodesh, Oh Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah...Yes You are , ..Yes You are...Yes You are...Yeshu-ah,...Yeshu-ah...Yeshu-ah...neshamah (see above)...neshamah, neshamah...shalom, shalom, shalom... Jehovah Immeka, Jehovah Immeka, Jehovah Immeka,...Menuchah, Menuchah, Menuchah...Shalom, Shalom, Shalom.. Shalom.....Shalom.
Repeat. Repeat.
"I love you, Jesus."
"I belong to You forever!!!!!!!!"
Amen!!!
***Please repeat this frequently!!!!!!! ****
################################################################################
*** Please read this as a meditation, reading slowly, aloud to your self, speaking in a soft voice.**
################################################################################
Oh Holy God, Oh Holy Lord Jesus, Oh Holy Spirit,
Oh Holy God, Oh Holy Lord Jesus, Oh Holy Spirit.
Oh Yahweh, Oh Yeshua, Ruach HaKodesh (Hebrew for "Holy Spirit")
Oh Yahweh, Oh Yeshua, Ruach HaKodesh.
Yes You are, Yes You are, Yes You are,
Yes You are, Yes You are, Yes You are.
Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah,
Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah.
..............................................................................................................................
"Neshamah" (ne-sha-mah) the Hebrew word for "breath". [Psalm 150:6]
[In Genesis 2:7, God breathed into man's nostrils the nishmat chayim, "breath of life."]
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.!" (Psalm 150:6)
"Shalom" (shah-loam) Hebrew word for "peace". [Nahum 1:15]
"Jehovah Immeka" Hebrew for "THE LORD is with you". [Judges 6:12]
"Menuchah" (meh-noo-chah) Hebrew word for "...place of stillness, rest,, and peace; menuchah is
greatly soothing, comforting and settling." [Isaiah 28:12]
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
*** All right, by the power of the Holy Spirit, let's put it all together now........PLEASE read this as a meditation, reading slowly, aloud to yourself, speaking in a soft voice. Also, singing it softly is very calming, soothing, and comforting.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
"Oh Holy God, Oh Holy Lord Jesus, Oh Holy Spirit, Oh Yahweh,, Yeshua, Ruach HaKodesh, Oh Yahweh, Oh Yeshua, Ruach HaKodesh, Oh Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah, Yeshu-ah...Yes You are , ..Yes You are...Yes You are...Yeshu-ah,...Yeshu-ah...Yeshu-ah...neshamah (see above)...neshamah, neshamah...shalom, shalom, shalom... Jehovah Immeka, Jehovah Immeka, Jehovah Immeka,...Menuchah, Menuchah, Menuchah...Shalom, Shalom, Shalom.. Shalom.....Shalom.
Repeat. Repeat.
"I love you, Jesus."
"I belong to You forever!!!!!!!!"
Amen!!!
***Please repeat this frequently!!!!!!! ****
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
ICE & RAINBOWS. . . . . . . .LEAVES & FAITHFULNESS!!!!!!!!!
FEBRUARY 27, 2015 (Early morning).....Looking out the window at.........
The beautiful, brilliant sunlight (Son-light) being reflected by the ice crystals of the melted - (now frozen) snow-----The ice crystals - countless, numberless.....each reflecting all of the colors of the rainbow--------(more about the colors in a moment);
The rainbow is a sign of God's covenant-keeping/ God's promises/God's faithfulness!!! "The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature..."(Genesis 9:14-16) "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." (II Timothy 2:13)... (Also see 1 Kings 8:56).
.
The infinite "number" of ice crystals- (every single crystal is unique!)- reflecting the light of the sun (Son )---is in itself a "reflection" of the glory that our Holy God is worthy to receive!!!!!!!
He is "...worthy...to receive ALL the wisdom, might, riches, glory, honor, splendor, blessing, ...praise...worship...adoration...thanksgiving...reverence...obedience...and love"........forever!!!!!!!
(Revelation 4:11; 5:12; I Peter 4:11; and Genesis 1:1 - Revelation 22:21)
The patches of snow/ice crystals are framed by expanses of leaves on the ground. All of the leaves on the ground, plus all of the leaves that God puts on the trees, bushes, etc. every year--------Let's allow every leaf that we see... be a reminder to us of God's promise to each one of us: "I will never leave you nor forsake you."!!! (Hebrews 13:5)
Back to the light reflected by the ice crystals.....viewed from slightly different angles, the light does contain all of the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). [The sign of God, His covenant].
O Holy God!!! In Your righteousness, Your grace, Your omnipotence, in the transcendant beauty of Your infinite, and intimate love, you will "...always lead us in triumph"!!! (II Cor. 2:14)
And Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ, is the "Yes" to every promise of God!!! (II Corinthians 1:20)
Now there will be times when we feel forsaken; but we must not allow our emotions or feelings to rule our lives, for emotions and feelings are often not consistent with the truth.
To summarize........as long as the sun rises, God's Son Jesus Christ is always with us, and always He is for us. (Mathew 28:20) Wherever we are-----as long as we CONTINUE to praise Him and worship Him and thank Him, as we CONTINUE to ask Him and trust Him and obey Him, then His "light and truth..." will lead us. (Psalm 43:3)
JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF DECLARES:
"I am the light". (John 8:12)
"I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6)
"My words will no means pass away."(Matthew 24:35)
GOD'S WORD DECLARES:
Jesus Christ is the "Yes" answer to every promise of God. (II Cor. 1:20)
Jesus Christ is "...the same yesterday, today, and forever". (Hebrews 13:8)
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
"Therefore He (Jesus Christ) is able to save to the uttermost (forever) those who come to God through Him..."!!!!!!!!! (Hebrews 7:25)
AMEN!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!
PRAISE YOU O HOLY LORD JESUS!!!
PRAISE YOU O HOLY GOD!!!
FEBRUARY 27, 2015 (Early morning).....Looking out the window at.........
The beautiful, brilliant sunlight (Son-light) being reflected by the ice crystals of the melted - (now frozen) snow-----The ice crystals - countless, numberless.....each reflecting all of the colors of the rainbow--------(more about the colors in a moment);
The rainbow is a sign of God's covenant-keeping/ God's promises/God's faithfulness!!! "The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature..."(Genesis 9:14-16) "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." (II Timothy 2:13)... (Also see 1 Kings 8:56).
.
The infinite "number" of ice crystals- (every single crystal is unique!)- reflecting the light of the sun (Son )---is in itself a "reflection" of the glory that our Holy God is worthy to receive!!!!!!!
He is "...worthy...to receive ALL the wisdom, might, riches, glory, honor, splendor, blessing, ...praise...worship...adoration...thanksgiving...reverence...obedience...and love"........forever!!!!!!!
(Revelation 4:11; 5:12; I Peter 4:11; and Genesis 1:1 - Revelation 22:21)
The patches of snow/ice crystals are framed by expanses of leaves on the ground. All of the leaves on the ground, plus all of the leaves that God puts on the trees, bushes, etc. every year--------Let's allow every leaf that we see... be a reminder to us of God's promise to each one of us: "I will never leave you nor forsake you."!!! (Hebrews 13:5)
Back to the light reflected by the ice crystals.....viewed from slightly different angles, the light does contain all of the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). [The sign of God, His covenant].
O Holy God!!! In Your righteousness, Your grace, Your omnipotence, in the transcendant beauty of Your infinite, and intimate love, you will "...always lead us in triumph"!!! (II Cor. 2:14)
And Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ, is the "Yes" to every promise of God!!! (II Corinthians 1:20)
Now there will be times when we feel forsaken; but we must not allow our emotions or feelings to rule our lives, for emotions and feelings are often not consistent with the truth.
To summarize........as long as the sun rises, God's Son Jesus Christ is always with us, and always He is for us. (Mathew 28:20) Wherever we are-----as long as we CONTINUE to praise Him and worship Him and thank Him, as we CONTINUE to ask Him and trust Him and obey Him, then His "light and truth..." will lead us. (Psalm 43:3)
JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF DECLARES:
"I am the light". (John 8:12)
"I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6)
"My words will no means pass away."(Matthew 24:35)
GOD'S WORD DECLARES:
Jesus Christ is the "Yes" answer to every promise of God. (II Cor. 1:20)
Jesus Christ is "...the same yesterday, today, and forever". (Hebrews 13:8)
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
"Therefore He (Jesus Christ) is able to save to the uttermost (forever) those who come to God through Him..."!!!!!!!!! (Hebrews 7:25)
AMEN!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!
PRAISE YOU O HOLY LORD JESUS!!!
PRAISE YOU O HOLY GOD!!!
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
J E S U S, Y O U C A M E ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
{You will find yourself in this list, (maybe in different categories on different days). He came, asking you to allow Him to live His life in you, and through you---because He loves you--- so passionately; and He came that His "...kingdom will come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"!!! } (Matthew 6:9-10)
*** Please read this slowly, meditating as you read. **
For the tired, for the weary,
For the pushed, for the hurried,
You came, Jesus , You came!!!
For the lost, for the lonely,
For the hurting, for the homeless,
Jesus Christ, Jesus only ........can save.
Jesus, You came; Jesus, You save!!!
(Matt. 1:21)
For those afraid, or when you're depressed-
God understands - He sent His Best.
Jesus, You came, You understand; (Isaiah 40:28)
You are "our glory, the Lifter of our head".
(Psalm 3:3)
God's "grace and truth", "rich in mercy";
Bringing God's favor, His "wisdom to us"!
Jesus, You came - Forever You reign!!!
(Ephesians 2:4/John 1:17/ I Cor. 1:30)
You are "our peace", Lord , (Eph. 2:14)
Our joy and our hope. ( Psalm 43:4/I Tim. 1:1)
You are "our strength", Lord,
And You are "our song". (Isaiah 12:2)
"So He (Jesus) came to Nazareth (to your home)... And as His custom (is) He read...the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
"To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.'
"Then He closed the book,
and gave it back to the attendant and sat down.
And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue
were fixed on Him."
"And He began to say to them, 'Today this
Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
(Luke 4:16-21)
*** Paraphrase **
Then He closed the book,
and gave it to the attendant and sat down.
And the eyes and hearts of us all are fixed on HIM.
And He says to us, 'Today this Scripture is
fulfilled in your hearing. Will you receive it?
He says TO YOU and TO ME: "Will you allow Me
to reign in you and through you NOW...so that
you can reign WITH ME forever"???!!!!!
"Surely I am coming quickly." (Revelation 22:21)
{You will find yourself in this list, (maybe in different categories on different days). He came, asking you to allow Him to live His life in you, and through you---because He loves you--- so passionately; and He came that His "...kingdom will come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"!!! } (Matthew 6:9-10)
*** Please read this slowly, meditating as you read. **
For the tired, for the weary,
For the pushed, for the hurried,
You came, Jesus , You came!!!
For the lost, for the lonely,
For the hurting, for the homeless,
Jesus Christ, Jesus only ........can save.
Jesus, You came; Jesus, You save!!!
(Matt. 1:21)
For those afraid, or when you're depressed-
God understands - He sent His Best.
Jesus, You came, You understand; (Isaiah 40:28)
You are "our glory, the Lifter of our head".
(Psalm 3:3)
God's "grace and truth", "rich in mercy";
Bringing God's favor, His "wisdom to us"!
Jesus, You came - Forever You reign!!!
(Ephesians 2:4/John 1:17/ I Cor. 1:30)
You are "our peace", Lord , (Eph. 2:14)
Our joy and our hope. ( Psalm 43:4/I Tim. 1:1)
You are "our strength", Lord,
And You are "our song". (Isaiah 12:2)
"So He (Jesus) came to Nazareth (to your home)... And as His custom (is) He read...the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
"To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.'
"Then He closed the book,
and gave it back to the attendant and sat down.
And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue
were fixed on Him."
"And He began to say to them, 'Today this
Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
(Luke 4:16-21)
*** Paraphrase **
Then He closed the book,
and gave it to the attendant and sat down.
And the eyes and hearts of us all are fixed on HIM.
And He says to us, 'Today this Scripture is
fulfilled in your hearing. Will you receive it?
He says TO YOU and TO ME: "Will you allow Me
to reign in you and through you NOW...so that
you can reign WITH ME forever"???!!!!!
"Surely I am coming quickly." (Revelation 22:21)
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
THE TRANSFORMING BEAUTY OF HIS LIGHT!!!!!!!!
February 17, 2015
Standing here in our living room.....looking out the window...at the brilliant, incredible beauty of the sun shining through the trees - that Holy God has coated with crystal-like ice - transforming each tree into a Heavenly crystal chandelier!!!
I look down, and see the sunlight shining upon a ceramic dish on the table in front of the window........The top edge of the dish is carved so that the shadow (caused by the sun shining through the dish)........spells: F A I T H.
[Yes, read that (above) again!!!]
Jesus Christ is reminding each one of us that HE is "the light" (John 8:12)!!! He so passionately desires - to so beam through us the light of the truth that shines from HIS tree (the cross upon which He was crucified for our sins) the "...truth that sets us free" (John 8:32)!!!!!!!
His light-His truth (John 8:12, 14:6) will thereby transform our lives into "Light-bearers" - ones who reflect His light for all to see - HIM - the light of heaven (Revelation 21:23)!!!
TODAY Jesus Christ calls us to bow down before Him, and to ask Him to fill-us-to-overflowing-with Himself!!!!!!!!
In agreement with His Word in Psalm 43:3 Let us declare---
"Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
"Let them lead me..." !!!!!
(By the power of the Holy Spirit, I am doing that right now).
Oh please join me in this!!!!!
For the glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!!!
February 17, 2015
Standing here in our living room.....looking out the window...at the brilliant, incredible beauty of the sun shining through the trees - that Holy God has coated with crystal-like ice - transforming each tree into a Heavenly crystal chandelier!!!
I look down, and see the sunlight shining upon a ceramic dish on the table in front of the window........The top edge of the dish is carved so that the shadow (caused by the sun shining through the dish)........spells: F A I T H.
[Yes, read that (above) again!!!]
Jesus Christ is reminding each one of us that HE is "the light" (John 8:12)!!! He so passionately desires - to so beam through us the light of the truth that shines from HIS tree (the cross upon which He was crucified for our sins) the "...truth that sets us free" (John 8:32)!!!!!!!
His light-His truth (John 8:12, 14:6) will thereby transform our lives into "Light-bearers" - ones who reflect His light for all to see - HIM - the light of heaven (Revelation 21:23)!!!
TODAY Jesus Christ calls us to bow down before Him, and to ask Him to fill-us-to-overflowing-with Himself!!!!!!!!
In agreement with His Word in Psalm 43:3 Let us declare---
"Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
"Let them lead me..." !!!!!
(By the power of the Holy Spirit, I am doing that right now).
Oh please join me in this!!!!!
For the glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!!!
Thursday, February 12, 2015
"A LITTLE JOKE"
It happened when I was a young boy.....
My parents had taught me to ALWAYS be reverent toward God.
On a certain day, I was telling a joke to my mother. It was a very clean, simple joke; but because it had been so strongly emphasized to me to "always stand in awe of Holy God"--------I was a little nervous and unsure.....so I said to Mother: "Mama, God loves a little joke, doesn't He?"
Mother answered: "Sure! He loves you , doesn't He?"
I was a little taken aback by what she said........but after hesitating for a moment, I answered: "Yes, Ma'am"; then we both had a good laugh!
And yes! "the Lord, the Most High God" (Genesis 14:22), "The Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 29:19) -
He does approve of laughter. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 He declares: "To everything there is a season...' a time to weep, and a time to laugh...". The word used in that passage for "laugh" means: " to laugh; to rejoice; to play; to be amused..." (Strong's # 7832).
With all that (above) in mind, may I share with you another "little joke".....
My lovely wife Mary gave to me an "early Valentine gift" - a new book cover for my Bible!!! This new Bible cover is very nice. In addition to covering and protecting my Bible, it also has a separate compartment that holds a writing pad and a highlighter pen.
Enclosed in the new cover was a pad of foam rubber - designed to maintain the cover in the proper shape during shipping.
When I described this gift to my pastor, I told him about all the various benefits of the cover (the carrying strap, separate compartment with the writing pad, highlighter pen, etc.). Then I told him:
"Another benefit that came with the cover is a 'foam pad.....that will make a great pillow if I get to feeling sleepy during one of your sermons!!!!!"
[Yes, he very graciously laughed WITH me!!!!!]
Most Holy God!!! I pray that you will bless my lovely wife Mary, my pastor Roger Bourgeois, and each of you dear brothers and sisters - in Your name : "GOD my exceeding joy"!!! (Psalm 43:4) Amen.
It happened when I was a young boy.....
My parents had taught me to ALWAYS be reverent toward God.
On a certain day, I was telling a joke to my mother. It was a very clean, simple joke; but because it had been so strongly emphasized to me to "always stand in awe of Holy God"--------I was a little nervous and unsure.....so I said to Mother: "Mama, God loves a little joke, doesn't He?"
Mother answered: "Sure! He loves you , doesn't He?"
I was a little taken aback by what she said........but after hesitating for a moment, I answered: "Yes, Ma'am"; then we both had a good laugh!
And yes! "the Lord, the Most High God" (Genesis 14:22), "The Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 29:19) -
He does approve of laughter. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 He declares: "To everything there is a season...' a time to weep, and a time to laugh...". The word used in that passage for "laugh" means: " to laugh; to rejoice; to play; to be amused..." (Strong's # 7832).
With all that (above) in mind, may I share with you another "little joke".....
My lovely wife Mary gave to me an "early Valentine gift" - a new book cover for my Bible!!! This new Bible cover is very nice. In addition to covering and protecting my Bible, it also has a separate compartment that holds a writing pad and a highlighter pen.
Enclosed in the new cover was a pad of foam rubber - designed to maintain the cover in the proper shape during shipping.
When I described this gift to my pastor, I told him about all the various benefits of the cover (the carrying strap, separate compartment with the writing pad, highlighter pen, etc.). Then I told him:
"Another benefit that came with the cover is a 'foam pad.....that will make a great pillow if I get to feeling sleepy during one of your sermons!!!!!"
[Yes, he very graciously laughed WITH me!!!!!]
Most Holy God!!! I pray that you will bless my lovely wife Mary, my pastor Roger Bourgeois, and each of you dear brothers and sisters - in Your name : "GOD my exceeding joy"!!! (Psalm 43:4) Amen.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
The NUMBERS OF HOPE 3:16 (John 3:16)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
In the Bible, the number "3" stands for Divine perfection.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
(Colossians 2:2, 6, 9; John 16:13)
The number "1":
"Hear, O Israel: 'The Lord God, the Lord is one!' "
(Deuteronomy 6:4)
The number "6":
"6" is the number of man; (man was created on the 6th day
of creation. (see Genesis 1:3-31)
Everyone of us is incomplete - until we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord!!!
Man (6), plus God (1) = 7. In God's Word (the Bible), "7" is the number for perfect, complete:
"And on the seventh day God ended His work (creation) which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
"Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." (Genesis 2:2-3)
Holy God, our Father, Creator of the universe, "The High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy" (Isaiah 57:15); He Who is Almighty (Gen. 17:1-2), and Righteous (Psalm 4:1) ........yet He loves each and every one of us with His infinite AND intimate love!!!
He "...chose (you and me) in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world..." (Ephesians 1:4)........knowing the times that we would sin against Him, and break His heart;...knowing that He would have to allow His Son Jesus Christ to be "broken" and crucified on the cross for our sins........
But also knowing all the moments when we would be obedient to Him---and that He would receive glory and joy - because of what He is doing in us and through us!!!! [LORD! May those times that we are obedient to You always be on the increase!!!] God says to us: "I love you, My child."
With His most tender lovingkindness, He "put us together in our mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13-15)........He "...wrote down our every day before we were born" (Psalm 139:16................
In His holy love He prepared, and directed to my eyes, the light beams that came from the sun, to reflect off the rose-red branches that I stood by Monday morning...in order to remind me (and now remind you) how intimate and how powerful His love is.
[The tree branches were "rose-red": RED - because of Jesus Christ's blood that He shed on the cross as He was giving His life FOR our sins. ROSE - because Jesus "A-rose" from the grave to give His life TO us!!!!!!! (Luke 23:33 - 24:6)]
With His same all-knowing yet perfectly-intimate love........He grew the trees...that became the two wooden beams that made up the cross...on which He was crucified for you and for me!
With His same eternal love, He "through men" wrote every single letter of His Word the Bible---His love letter to each of us - spelling out: "I know the plans I have for you...plans for good...to give you a future and a hope.." (Jeremiah 29:11)........"In this love letter are both My guidance and My enablement for how to follow me day-by-day and moment-by-moment........
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life...you will live with Me in My house forever" (Psalm 23:1-6)........I am "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8)........I am "with you always" (Matt. 28:20)
I AM YOUR HOPE. (I Timothy 1:1)
Your "Abba (Daddy) Father"
(Romans 8:15)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
In the Bible, the number "3" stands for Divine perfection.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
(Colossians 2:2, 6, 9; John 16:13)
The number "1":
"Hear, O Israel: 'The Lord God, the Lord is one!' "
(Deuteronomy 6:4)
The number "6":
"6" is the number of man; (man was created on the 6th day
of creation. (see Genesis 1:3-31)
Everyone of us is incomplete - until we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord!!!
Man (6), plus God (1) = 7. In God's Word (the Bible), "7" is the number for perfect, complete:
"And on the seventh day God ended His work (creation) which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
"Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." (Genesis 2:2-3)
Holy God, our Father, Creator of the universe, "The High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy" (Isaiah 57:15); He Who is Almighty (Gen. 17:1-2), and Righteous (Psalm 4:1) ........yet He loves each and every one of us with His infinite AND intimate love!!!
He "...chose (you and me) in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world..." (Ephesians 1:4)........knowing the times that we would sin against Him, and break His heart;...knowing that He would have to allow His Son Jesus Christ to be "broken" and crucified on the cross for our sins........
But also knowing all the moments when we would be obedient to Him---and that He would receive glory and joy - because of what He is doing in us and through us!!!! [LORD! May those times that we are obedient to You always be on the increase!!!] God says to us: "I love you, My child."
With His most tender lovingkindness, He "put us together in our mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13-15)........He "...wrote down our every day before we were born" (Psalm 139:16................
In His holy love He prepared, and directed to my eyes, the light beams that came from the sun, to reflect off the rose-red branches that I stood by Monday morning...in order to remind me (and now remind you) how intimate and how powerful His love is.
[The tree branches were "rose-red": RED - because of Jesus Christ's blood that He shed on the cross as He was giving His life FOR our sins. ROSE - because Jesus "A-rose" from the grave to give His life TO us!!!!!!! (Luke 23:33 - 24:6)]
With His same all-knowing yet perfectly-intimate love........He grew the trees...that became the two wooden beams that made up the cross...on which He was crucified for you and for me!
With His same eternal love, He "through men" wrote every single letter of His Word the Bible---His love letter to each of us - spelling out: "I know the plans I have for you...plans for good...to give you a future and a hope.." (Jeremiah 29:11)........"In this love letter are both My guidance and My enablement for how to follow me day-by-day and moment-by-moment........
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life...you will live with Me in My house forever" (Psalm 23:1-6)........I am "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8)........I am "with you always" (Matt. 28:20)
I AM YOUR HOPE. (I Timothy 1:1)
Your "Abba (Daddy) Father"
(Romans 8:15)
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