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).
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
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".
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".
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
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)
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)
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
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)
"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)
Monday, March 5, 2018
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!!!!!!!!!!!!
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!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, February 19, 2018
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!!!!!!!!!!!!
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!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, February 5, 2018
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)
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)
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