"LIVING IN REMEMBRANCE"
INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
"For I received from the LORD that which I also delivered to you: That the LORD JESUS
on the same night in which HE was betrayed took bread:
And when He had given thanks, HE broke it and said ' take, and eat; this is my body which is broken
for you; do this IN REMEMBANCE OF ME.
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying 'This cup is the new covenant in My
blood. This do, as often as you drink it, IN REMEMBANCE OF ME. (I Corinthians 11:24-25).
Now let me set the scene here:
My wife Mary, and I, have a nephew, Stewart, who lives with us part of the time. Stewart lives in a
separate part of our house, and Mary and I live in "our part" of the house.
Hold that thought for a few moments --- while I share and "set the scene in More Detail.
When I was age 6, both of my parents died.
In GOD'S wonderful GRACE........My Aunt Willard and Uncle Joe adopted me and raised me as their own child.
When I was a very young boy I was always encouraged to visit my Grandfather (on my Mother's side of the family). my "Granddaddy raised his own hogs, and cured his own hams in his own smoke house.
I often ate meals which included COUNTRY HAM CURED BY GRANDDADDY."
Occasionally, when there was some ham that had become (too strongly-flavored)--- Granddaddy set that ham aside for me, He knew that I would eat it and love it!!!
OK now, lets bring this (continuing) story to the present time.
A couple of days ago, Mary, my beloved wife cooked for supper one of my favorite meals; it included "smoked pork chops". These smoked pork chops have a flavor which is very similar
to the flavor of country ham.
Accidentally, Mary and I left the frying pan on "Stewart's side of the house. (There was some smoked pork chops left in the frying pan.) A day or two later, I went over to "Stewart's
side of the house, looking for the remainder of the pork chops.....hoping that Stewart had not eaten them nor disposed of them.
Indeed, Stewart had NOT eaten them Nor had he disposed of them. Thank You Lord!!!!!
As I thanked Stewart, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance (John 14:26) the details, and flooded my heart with REMEMBRANCE of the FEELINGS that accompanied my eating of the
country ham.
Soon after being adopted by my Aunt Willard and Uncle Joe, we had a meal which included my favorite-country ham. The message that was conveyed to my heart, soul, and spirit by that meal was that I was in truth chosen, adopted, and accepted into my new family, and that I could be sure that
I had, and would have my favorite things to eat.
As long as Aunt Willard/Mama Joe was able to cook - she frequently cooked ham for me --- continuing to confirm my acceptance!!!
In these current years, my treasure from GOD wife frequently cooks for me smoked pork chops, and other favorites for me ---thus (by the same Spirit) speaking "acceptance" and love to me.
Now I hate to disillusion you men out there --- but MY WIFE MARY IS THE BEST - she was, is, and always will be GOD'S BEST FOR ME!!!
Of course the title of this message "Living in Remembrance" - refers to JESUS CHRIST'S words in
(I Corinthians 11:24-25). Often those same words are spoken when we participate in communion service.
What Jesus did NOT say here, is as important as what He DID say; He DID say "Do this in remembrance of Me". He did NOT say "Remember (only) that I died on the cross to save you from your sins.
(But) Remember also that I was resurrected by My Father, I rose from the grave, and I ascended to My Father in Heaven - where I sit at His right hand (Hebrews 1:3).
Remember that I "continue forever, thereby He (JESUS) is also able to save (completely and forever) those who come to GOD through Him. Since He always lives to make intercession for us.(Heb. 7:25.
Live in remembrance that "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever". (Heb. 13:8) Remember that He is "With us always". (Matt. 28:20).
Live in remembrance that JESUS is Resurrected, Risen, Reigning, and soon Returning. (Rev. 22:20). (Definition (of 'able'): able-' Dunamai'/ a word that combines POWER and WILLINGNESS, inherent STRENGTH and ACTION.".
"Now to Him Who is able to keep us from stumbling, and to present you FAULTLESS before the Presence of HIS GLORY with exceeding joy. To GOD our Savior, Who alone is wise, be GLORY and MAJESTY, DOMINION and POWER, both now and forever. AMEN" (Jude 24)
Will YOU agree with that?
Will YOU humble YOURSELF before GOD and say "AMEN" with your voice, AND with YOUR
ACTIONS?
GLORY TO GOD ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Friday, August 10, 2018
WAFFLE HOUSE, DOMESTIC TERRORISM, AND GOD'S WILL!!!!!!!!!!
What is (YOUR PART) IN ALL OF THIS??????????
Before I retired, HOLY GOD led me to begin to seriously study HIS WORD/THE BIBLE.
My place of employment was in Toccoa, Georgia (Stephens County). As I continued studying
GOD'S WORD, I sensed that our LORD was leading me to not listen to the radio...but to PRAY
as I drove back and forth from Cleveland, to Toccoa every work day.
Because I did not know the needs of the people in the homes, businesses, etc., God led me to pray
as Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:5-13 "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven" in the lives of all the people in their homes, in the lives of all the people in the businesses
that I passed by in my commute morning and evening. I enjoyed both His great joy, and contentment
as I drove and prayed.
Because I was working --- I had a regular schedule of driving, and a specific route which I drove morning and evening. So the homes, places of business, schools etc. were included in my prayers
daily.
So... what about the "domestic terrorism" that I mentioned in the title of this message, and
"YOUR PART" in all of this???
Okay, I will address both of those in that order.
When I did not know the specific things to pray for those people --- I would indeed pray: "Father,
in Jesus' Name "Come YOUR kingdom, be done YOUR will (as it is in heaven) in the lives of all the people that come to that place."
My EVENING drive from work to our home...took me past a "Waffle House" restaurant in Toccoa.
Our HOLY LORD gave me the understanding to pray over that Waffle House each time that I drove by it.
Because there were MANY people going in and out of that Waffle House day and night.....I understood
to pray "Come YOUR kingdom O GOD, be done YOUR will here on earth as it is in Heaven in the
lives of all those people and their families."
For several years, ONLY GOD KNEW WHY I was praying for the people who visited that Waffle
House. (Again) After several years of praying that (Matthew 6:5-13), I read an article in the local newspaper - "The Toccoa Record".....
The article revealed that several men (from both Cleveland and Toccoa) met regularly at that Waffle House. The article further revealed that local law enforcement officials had sent an "informer" to join
that group meeting there ---- and that group of men were in the process of planning, and equipping
themselves to kill Federal Officers, and to disburse Sarin (a poisonous gas) around the Atlanta area.
[Sarin gas has been used in some terrorists' attacks in other nations.]
When the men of that group were arrested --- they had ALREADY obtained a gun, AND the necessary
ingredients to make Sarin gas!!!
As I drove past that "Waffle House" a few days later ------- The HOLY SPIRIT reminded me that
( I, BARRY COKER???) had a part in preventing that terrorist attack!!!!!
My response was (" I did?") He reminded me that He had guided and enabled to pray: "Come, kingdom of GOD, " "BE DONE will of GOD On earth as it is in heaven" in the lives of ALL who came in and out of that place" --- and that HE had used those prayers to prevent that terrorists' attack!!!
HOW AWESOME IS OUR HOLY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Psalm 139:1 - 34 reveals to us that GOD KNOWS our thoughts before we think them, and our words
before we speak them ------- HE IS OMNISCIENT --- (HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!)
Probably there were others praying also. But all that I know for sure is that I PRAYED, HE ANSWERED!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOUR PART: I URGE you to pray every where that you go, and GOD will answer in the way that will be good for us and others, and FOR HIS GLORY!!!!!!!!!
Also, remember Isaiah 55:11 --- "So shall MY WORD be that goes forth from MY mouth; It shall
not return to me void (empty, fruitless). But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper
in the thing I for which I sent it."
SGD Sole Deo Gloria - FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE!!!!!!!!!
What is (YOUR PART) IN ALL OF THIS??????????
Before I retired, HOLY GOD led me to begin to seriously study HIS WORD/THE BIBLE.
My place of employment was in Toccoa, Georgia (Stephens County). As I continued studying
GOD'S WORD, I sensed that our LORD was leading me to not listen to the radio...but to PRAY
as I drove back and forth from Cleveland, to Toccoa every work day.
Because I did not know the needs of the people in the homes, businesses, etc., God led me to pray
as Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:5-13 "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven" in the lives of all the people in their homes, in the lives of all the people in the businesses
that I passed by in my commute morning and evening. I enjoyed both His great joy, and contentment
as I drove and prayed.
Because I was working --- I had a regular schedule of driving, and a specific route which I drove morning and evening. So the homes, places of business, schools etc. were included in my prayers
daily.
So... what about the "domestic terrorism" that I mentioned in the title of this message, and
"YOUR PART" in all of this???
Okay, I will address both of those in that order.
When I did not know the specific things to pray for those people --- I would indeed pray: "Father,
in Jesus' Name "Come YOUR kingdom, be done YOUR will (as it is in heaven) in the lives of all the people that come to that place."
My EVENING drive from work to our home...took me past a "Waffle House" restaurant in Toccoa.
Our HOLY LORD gave me the understanding to pray over that Waffle House each time that I drove by it.
Because there were MANY people going in and out of that Waffle House day and night.....I understood
to pray "Come YOUR kingdom O GOD, be done YOUR will here on earth as it is in Heaven in the
lives of all those people and their families."
For several years, ONLY GOD KNEW WHY I was praying for the people who visited that Waffle
House. (Again) After several years of praying that (Matthew 6:5-13), I read an article in the local newspaper - "The Toccoa Record".....
The article revealed that several men (from both Cleveland and Toccoa) met regularly at that Waffle House. The article further revealed that local law enforcement officials had sent an "informer" to join
that group meeting there ---- and that group of men were in the process of planning, and equipping
themselves to kill Federal Officers, and to disburse Sarin (a poisonous gas) around the Atlanta area.
[Sarin gas has been used in some terrorists' attacks in other nations.]
When the men of that group were arrested --- they had ALREADY obtained a gun, AND the necessary
ingredients to make Sarin gas!!!
As I drove past that "Waffle House" a few days later ------- The HOLY SPIRIT reminded me that
( I, BARRY COKER???) had a part in preventing that terrorist attack!!!!!
My response was (" I did?") He reminded me that He had guided and enabled to pray: "Come, kingdom of GOD, " "BE DONE will of GOD On earth as it is in heaven" in the lives of ALL who came in and out of that place" --- and that HE had used those prayers to prevent that terrorists' attack!!!
HOW AWESOME IS OUR HOLY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Psalm 139:1 - 34 reveals to us that GOD KNOWS our thoughts before we think them, and our words
before we speak them ------- HE IS OMNISCIENT --- (HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!)
Probably there were others praying also. But all that I know for sure is that I PRAYED, HE ANSWERED!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOUR PART: I URGE you to pray every where that you go, and GOD will answer in the way that will be good for us and others, and FOR HIS GLORY!!!!!!!!!
Also, remember Isaiah 55:11 --- "So shall MY WORD be that goes forth from MY mouth; It shall
not return to me void (empty, fruitless). But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper
in the thing I for which I sent it."
SGD Sole Deo Gloria - FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE!!!!!!!!!
Friday, July 27, 2018
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
FOREVER!!!
THAT IS A CONCEPT THAT IS DIFFICULT FOR OUR MINDS TO COMPREHEND!!!
HIS MERCY Le Olam
"O give thanks to the LORD, for HE is GOOD!"
for HIS mercy endures forever!" (Psalm 136:1).
DEFINITION:
Forever, olam ("OH lahm");
Strongs # 5769:
Eternity; the ages; infinity; the universe, the world.
Derived from the verb 'alam ("veil from sight", or conceal), 'olam refers to that infinite and
everlasting expanse GOD has created. It is BOTH an unending expanse of Space (Universe),
and time (eternity), indicating the limitless dimensions in which GOD's (Sovereignty) is
DISPLAYED. The word 'olam sometimes refers to the remotely distant past (Psalm 93:2)
and sometimes to remotely distant future (Jeremiah 25:5).
GOD HIMSELF is called 'EL OLAM' THE EVERLASTING GOD." (Genesis 21:33; Isaiah 40:28.
As GOD is eternal, so is His mercy le-'olam, that is, "unto the forever."
We humans MIGHT (in our own understanding) be moved to grant mercy to an individual or group for a specific act, or for a specified portion of time--------
But our FATHER IN HEAVEN --- His mercy endures FOREVER!!! (Psalm 136:1).
"O give THANKS to the LORD --- to HIM WHO has done great wonders,
for His mercy endures Forever. (Psalm 136:4).
"To Him who divided the Red Sea in two...for His mercy endures forever!!!(Psalm 136:13)
"To HIM give THANKS - (He) who remembered us in our lowly state, for HIS MERCY
ENDURES FOREVER." (Psalm 136:23).
As GOD is Eternal, so is HIS mercy "le 'olam" that is, unto the forever. (Psalm 136:26).
PRAISE AND THANK YOU O GOD MOST HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!
THAT IS A CONCEPT THAT IS DIFFICULT FOR OUR MINDS TO COMPREHEND!!!
HIS MERCY Le Olam
"O give thanks to the LORD, for HE is GOOD!"
for HIS mercy endures forever!" (Psalm 136:1).
DEFINITION:
Forever, olam ("OH lahm");
Strongs # 5769:
Eternity; the ages; infinity; the universe, the world.
Derived from the verb 'alam ("veil from sight", or conceal), 'olam refers to that infinite and
everlasting expanse GOD has created. It is BOTH an unending expanse of Space (Universe),
and time (eternity), indicating the limitless dimensions in which GOD's (Sovereignty) is
DISPLAYED. The word 'olam sometimes refers to the remotely distant past (Psalm 93:2)
and sometimes to remotely distant future (Jeremiah 25:5).
GOD HIMSELF is called 'EL OLAM' THE EVERLASTING GOD." (Genesis 21:33; Isaiah 40:28.
As GOD is eternal, so is His mercy le-'olam, that is, "unto the forever."
We humans MIGHT (in our own understanding) be moved to grant mercy to an individual or group for a specific act, or for a specified portion of time--------
But our FATHER IN HEAVEN --- His mercy endures FOREVER!!! (Psalm 136:1).
"O give THANKS to the LORD --- to HIM WHO has done great wonders,
for His mercy endures Forever. (Psalm 136:4).
"To Him who divided the Red Sea in two...for His mercy endures forever!!!(Psalm 136:13)
"To HIM give THANKS - (He) who remembered us in our lowly state, for HIS MERCY
ENDURES FOREVER." (Psalm 136:23).
As GOD is Eternal, so is HIS mercy "le 'olam" that is, unto the forever. (Psalm 136:26).
PRAISE AND THANK YOU O GOD MOST HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
"YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!!!!!!!!!
"SO WHAT? SHOULD WE EAT???
CONTINUE READING.........JESUS CHRIST WILL ANSWER THAT QUESTION!!!!!!!!!
From the TITLE of this message------I'll bet you thought this to be a message about a diet/eating plan.
Somewhat,-----but really it is about Eternal Life - both in
A. Endless time, and endless space,
B. Our time here on earth --- living in the ETERNAL QUALITY of His life while we are here on earth. (please see John 10:10).
Let's see what JESUS CHRIST --- "THE TRUE BREAD FROM HEAVEN" has to say about this:
"Then (the people) said to Jesus, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of GOD?'
Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of GOD, that you believe in HIM whom HE has sent."
"Therefore they said to Him (JESUS) 'what sign will you perform then, that we may see it and believe YOU? What work will You do?
"Our Fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat."
Then Jesus said to them, ' Most assuredly I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven.
" For the bread of GOD is HE who came down from heaven and gives life to the world.
"Then they said to HIM, 'LORD, give us this bread always.' And Jesus said to them, 'I AM the bread
of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:28-35.
This, the first of the seven "I AM" sayings of Jesus, is unique to John's Gospel. There is an unmistakable parallel to GOD'S covenant name (YAHWEH) by which He revealed Himself to
Moses in Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM". Jesus makes the pronouncement "I am the Bread of life
THREE times (verses 35, 48,51 of chapter 6 of John. HE is the 'real' Heavenly Bread.
In John 6:57 Jesus says "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in ME, and I in him.
To eat the flesh of JESUS and to drink His blood must be understood SPIRITUALLY.........the
expressions point to the violent sacrificial death He would suffer, and the necessity of believers
PARTAKING in the benefits of His death by COMING TO HIM AND BELIEVING IN HIM.
HE is the TRUE life-sustaining power; ANYTHING ELSE, regardless of its religious significance, is an INADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE.
Jesus carried the argument beyond the essential recognition that HE is the bread of life. To believe
in Him means to partake of HIM. It is necessary for believers to partake in the benefits of His death
by coming to HIM and believing in Him.
OK, are you ready to eat now????????
"Trust in the Lord, and do good;
DWELL in the land and FEED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS..(Psalm 37:3)
"HE remains true [faithful to HIS WORD and HIS righteous character], for HE cannot deny HIMSELF." (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified Bible).
WHAT A "BLESSED ASSURANCE"!!!!!!!!!!!!
"SO WHAT? SHOULD WE EAT???
CONTINUE READING.........JESUS CHRIST WILL ANSWER THAT QUESTION!!!!!!!!!
From the TITLE of this message------I'll bet you thought this to be a message about a diet/eating plan.
Somewhat,-----but really it is about Eternal Life - both in
A. Endless time, and endless space,
B. Our time here on earth --- living in the ETERNAL QUALITY of His life while we are here on earth. (please see John 10:10).
Let's see what JESUS CHRIST --- "THE TRUE BREAD FROM HEAVEN" has to say about this:
"Then (the people) said to Jesus, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of GOD?'
Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of GOD, that you believe in HIM whom HE has sent."
"Therefore they said to Him (JESUS) 'what sign will you perform then, that we may see it and believe YOU? What work will You do?
"Our Fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat."
Then Jesus said to them, ' Most assuredly I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven.
" For the bread of GOD is HE who came down from heaven and gives life to the world.
"Then they said to HIM, 'LORD, give us this bread always.' And Jesus said to them, 'I AM the bread
of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:28-35.
This, the first of the seven "I AM" sayings of Jesus, is unique to John's Gospel. There is an unmistakable parallel to GOD'S covenant name (YAHWEH) by which He revealed Himself to
Moses in Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM". Jesus makes the pronouncement "I am the Bread of life
THREE times (verses 35, 48,51 of chapter 6 of John. HE is the 'real' Heavenly Bread.
In John 6:57 Jesus says "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in ME, and I in him.
To eat the flesh of JESUS and to drink His blood must be understood SPIRITUALLY.........the
expressions point to the violent sacrificial death He would suffer, and the necessity of believers
PARTAKING in the benefits of His death by COMING TO HIM AND BELIEVING IN HIM.
HE is the TRUE life-sustaining power; ANYTHING ELSE, regardless of its religious significance, is an INADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE.
Jesus carried the argument beyond the essential recognition that HE is the bread of life. To believe
in Him means to partake of HIM. It is necessary for believers to partake in the benefits of His death
by coming to HIM and believing in Him.
OK, are you ready to eat now????????
"Trust in the Lord, and do good;
DWELL in the land and FEED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS..(Psalm 37:3)
"HE remains true [faithful to HIS WORD and HIS righteous character], for HE cannot deny HIMSELF." (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified Bible).
WHAT A "BLESSED ASSURANCE"!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA TRES DIAS #1
It happened about 24 years ago---
(Now YOU may be thinking - "Here's another OLD story from "OLD Barry")
Well, it is (even OLDER) old Barry --- But I am not the same - Because GOD is faithful to
HIS WORD: '..He who has begun a GOOD work in you, will complete it until the DAY of
CHRIST JESUS." (Philippians1:6).
So, in 1994, - by God's Grace - He chose me (among many others) to go on a short-term
(2 weeks) mission trip to Moscow, Russia.
The main purpose of the trip was to help strengthen the faith of and unity of the body of Christ
in Moscow.
The LORD fulfilled His purpose - through His answers to many prayers - and indeed strengthened
the faith and unity of us all as He brought and our brothers-and-sisters-in-JESUS CHRIST through
first, a men's retreat, then a women's retreat - both called by the name "Tres Dias" (3 days with
Jesus Christ).
Again - by GOD'S GRACE - we were covered in prayer 24 hours per day - for the entire 2 weeks
that we were gone!!!
Of course I cannot relate to you ALL that GOD accomplished there and then, but I CAN give to you HIS WORD, and some highlights from that time:
"Now to HIM WHO, by His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out HIS purpose and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] -
"To HIM be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations forever and
ever. Amen". (Ephesians 3:20 -21)/Amplified Bible.
YES!!!!!!! Those 2 verses are certainly worth reading again!!! Go ahead now, and read that again,
please. Thank you!!!!
Some highlights (in no particular order);
1)"So King David went and brought up the ARK OF GOD from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with rejoicing - (the ARK OF GOD represented the PRESENCE OF GOD).
(verse 14) And David danced before the LORD with all his might...(II Samuel 6:12-14/Amplified
Bible).
The SAME SPIRIT WHO guided and enabled David to rejoice and dance before the LORD --- The
SAME HOLY SPIRIT guided and enabled me to rejoice, sing praises, and dance on Red Square in Moscow - in worship and praise to JESUS CHRIST - declaring JESUS CHRIST'S victory over the spirit which empowered the earlier leaders of Communism - which caused MILLIONS of people to be murdered. (In the area where I was dancing, singing, and rejoicing unto JESUS --- were the TOMBS of some of some of those early Communist leaders).
2) Before we arrived in Moscow, the Christians of DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS would not
KNOWINGLY be in the same BUILDING at the same time.........
BUT GOD had "gone before us" and "prepared the way".....
On the FIRST EVENING of the retreat.....brothers of different denominations were "hugging" each other!!!
3) Before we arrived in Moscow, the people of the city did not know of us.......yet there were complete strangers coming up to us, asking us "Why are you here?" "May we join you?"
4) We gave Bibles (in English or Russian Language) to people that we encountered on the street -----
A. There was one ELDERLY lady walking through a wooded area on a path --- When we gave to her a Bible in the Russian language --- she got down on her KNEES in the MUD, and on SHARP ROCKS --- and WEPT her "thank you" to us for the BIBLE.
5) Although the Russian ladies were financially very poor --- some of them went out to local stores
and bought gifts for the lady team members.
6) AND after the retreat, some of the Russian ladies skipped/fasted some meals --- so that they could invite team members to their homes for a meal!!!
AGAIN - "Now to Him who, by His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] -
To HIM be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations forever and ever.
AMEN. (Ephesians 3:20-21/Amplified Bible
SGD Sole Gloria Deo FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE!!!
It happened about 24 years ago---
(Now YOU may be thinking - "Here's another OLD story from "OLD Barry")
Well, it is (even OLDER) old Barry --- But I am not the same - Because GOD is faithful to
HIS WORD: '..He who has begun a GOOD work in you, will complete it until the DAY of
CHRIST JESUS." (Philippians1:6).
So, in 1994, - by God's Grace - He chose me (among many others) to go on a short-term
(2 weeks) mission trip to Moscow, Russia.
The main purpose of the trip was to help strengthen the faith of and unity of the body of Christ
in Moscow.
The LORD fulfilled His purpose - through His answers to many prayers - and indeed strengthened
the faith and unity of us all as He brought and our brothers-and-sisters-in-JESUS CHRIST through
first, a men's retreat, then a women's retreat - both called by the name "Tres Dias" (3 days with
Jesus Christ).
Again - by GOD'S GRACE - we were covered in prayer 24 hours per day - for the entire 2 weeks
that we were gone!!!
Of course I cannot relate to you ALL that GOD accomplished there and then, but I CAN give to you HIS WORD, and some highlights from that time:
"Now to HIM WHO, by His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out HIS purpose and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] -
"To HIM be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations forever and
ever. Amen". (Ephesians 3:20 -21)/Amplified Bible.
YES!!!!!!! Those 2 verses are certainly worth reading again!!! Go ahead now, and read that again,
please. Thank you!!!!
Some highlights (in no particular order);
1)"So King David went and brought up the ARK OF GOD from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with rejoicing - (the ARK OF GOD represented the PRESENCE OF GOD).
(verse 14) And David danced before the LORD with all his might...(II Samuel 6:12-14/Amplified
Bible).
The SAME SPIRIT WHO guided and enabled David to rejoice and dance before the LORD --- The
SAME HOLY SPIRIT guided and enabled me to rejoice, sing praises, and dance on Red Square in Moscow - in worship and praise to JESUS CHRIST - declaring JESUS CHRIST'S victory over the spirit which empowered the earlier leaders of Communism - which caused MILLIONS of people to be murdered. (In the area where I was dancing, singing, and rejoicing unto JESUS --- were the TOMBS of some of some of those early Communist leaders).
2) Before we arrived in Moscow, the Christians of DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS would not
KNOWINGLY be in the same BUILDING at the same time.........
BUT GOD had "gone before us" and "prepared the way".....
On the FIRST EVENING of the retreat.....brothers of different denominations were "hugging" each other!!!
3) Before we arrived in Moscow, the people of the city did not know of us.......yet there were complete strangers coming up to us, asking us "Why are you here?" "May we join you?"
4) We gave Bibles (in English or Russian Language) to people that we encountered on the street -----
A. There was one ELDERLY lady walking through a wooded area on a path --- When we gave to her a Bible in the Russian language --- she got down on her KNEES in the MUD, and on SHARP ROCKS --- and WEPT her "thank you" to us for the BIBLE.
5) Although the Russian ladies were financially very poor --- some of them went out to local stores
and bought gifts for the lady team members.
6) AND after the retreat, some of the Russian ladies skipped/fasted some meals --- so that they could invite team members to their homes for a meal!!!
AGAIN - "Now to Him who, by His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] -
To HIM be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations forever and ever.
AMEN. (Ephesians 3:20-21/Amplified Bible
SGD Sole Gloria Deo FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE!!!
Monday, June 4, 2018
"THE WIND AND WAVES RECOGNIZE, AND MUST OBEY, HIS NAME
STILL (YET)!!!!!!!!!
Several years ago I read a very interesting article in National Geographic Magazine...
As I am sure you know - National Geographic is a Scientific magazine, NOT a Christian
magazine.
The specific article to which I am referring was about the Elements: (Oxygen, Iron, Nitrogen,
Carbon, etc.) The article further states that... "Oxygen has a cycle of approximately 2,000 years.
Please, now - "Listen" to the following quote:
"Oxygen has a cycle of about 2.000 years --- So we who are alive on earth NOW --- we may be
Breathing some of the SAME Oxygen molecules that JESUS CHRIST breathed when He
walked on the earth." !!!!!!!!!
BIG TIME WOW!!!!!!!!! Isn't GOD AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, let's get a little more personal now ---
I (Barry Coker) by the GRACE OF GOD spend a good bit of my time in prayer. Most of the time
I am interceding (praying for others). Also, several times per week - I pray about the WEATHER!!!
I pray in JESUS' NAME that GOD'S KINGDOM COME, HIS WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. I speak to most of the various "elements" of the weather: the Jet streams, the High pressure systems, the Low pressure systems. the winds, the light and the darkness, the temperature, the barometric pressure, the humidity, the precipitation, the earth crust's temperature, the ocean's temperature, etc. - In JESUS' NAME I COMMAND THE "ELEMENTS TO COME, KINGDOM OF GOD, BE DONE WILL OF GOD... And I pray that "if it can be Father's will, that there be no storm damage in this area" (N.E GA).
"Listen" to JESUS' words now --- (Mark 4:35-41) -
"On that same day (when) evening had come, He (Jesus) said to them, 'Let us go over to the other side [of the lake/the sea of Galilee].
And leaving the crowd, they took Him (Jesus) with them. As He was...in the boat in which He was sitting).
And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating on the boat,
so that it was already becoming filled.
But HE (HIMSELF) was in the stern (of the boat), asleep on the (leather cushion); and they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Master, do You not care that we are perishing?'
And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ' Be STILL (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great Calm ( a perfect peacefulness).
He said to them, 'Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?
And they were filled with Great Awe and feared exceedingly and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?' (Mark 4:35-41/Amplified Bible)
The wind and the waves recognize JESUS' NAME, STILL (yet).
Again - by GOD'S GRACE - There has been no damage to our house.
As I meditated on all of this recently - seeking the LORD about it --- these are some of the thoughts that I had ---
1) When I speak to the storms (wind and waves) ...
A. I may be speaking WITH some of the same Oxygen molecules (H20) that JESUS did...
2) While it is possible that I can speak (WITH, and TO) the same Oxygen molecules that Jesus did ---
3) What is CRUCIAL is that I speak by the same SPIRIT (the HOLY SPIRIT) that Jesus did ---
*** "crucial" from the Latin word (crux, cruc) (CROSS).
4) You also can, and should, speak in HIS NAME when you pray, etc.
Just think about it - Meditate on it - when we are Praising HIM - "HIS PRESENCE is enthroned IN our praises" (Psalm 22:3) --- and we are speaking HIS WORD - by HIS SPIRIT, in HIS NAME---
with some of the same Oxygen!!!!!!!!!
SGD Sole Deo Gloria - For the Glory of GOD ALONE.
STILL (YET)!!!!!!!!!
Several years ago I read a very interesting article in National Geographic Magazine...
As I am sure you know - National Geographic is a Scientific magazine, NOT a Christian
magazine.
The specific article to which I am referring was about the Elements: (Oxygen, Iron, Nitrogen,
Carbon, etc.) The article further states that... "Oxygen has a cycle of approximately 2,000 years.
Please, now - "Listen" to the following quote:
"Oxygen has a cycle of about 2.000 years --- So we who are alive on earth NOW --- we may be
Breathing some of the SAME Oxygen molecules that JESUS CHRIST breathed when He
walked on the earth." !!!!!!!!!
BIG TIME WOW!!!!!!!!! Isn't GOD AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, let's get a little more personal now ---
I (Barry Coker) by the GRACE OF GOD spend a good bit of my time in prayer. Most of the time
I am interceding (praying for others). Also, several times per week - I pray about the WEATHER!!!
I pray in JESUS' NAME that GOD'S KINGDOM COME, HIS WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. I speak to most of the various "elements" of the weather: the Jet streams, the High pressure systems, the Low pressure systems. the winds, the light and the darkness, the temperature, the barometric pressure, the humidity, the precipitation, the earth crust's temperature, the ocean's temperature, etc. - In JESUS' NAME I COMMAND THE "ELEMENTS TO COME, KINGDOM OF GOD, BE DONE WILL OF GOD... And I pray that "if it can be Father's will, that there be no storm damage in this area" (N.E GA).
"Listen" to JESUS' words now --- (Mark 4:35-41) -
"On that same day (when) evening had come, He (Jesus) said to them, 'Let us go over to the other side [of the lake/the sea of Galilee].
And leaving the crowd, they took Him (Jesus) with them. As He was...in the boat in which He was sitting).
And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating on the boat,
so that it was already becoming filled.
But HE (HIMSELF) was in the stern (of the boat), asleep on the (leather cushion); and they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Master, do You not care that we are perishing?'
And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ' Be STILL (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great Calm ( a perfect peacefulness).
He said to them, 'Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?
And they were filled with Great Awe and feared exceedingly and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?' (Mark 4:35-41/Amplified Bible)
The wind and the waves recognize JESUS' NAME, STILL (yet).
Again - by GOD'S GRACE - There has been no damage to our house.
As I meditated on all of this recently - seeking the LORD about it --- these are some of the thoughts that I had ---
1) When I speak to the storms (wind and waves) ...
A. I may be speaking WITH some of the same Oxygen molecules (H20) that JESUS did...
2) While it is possible that I can speak (WITH, and TO) the same Oxygen molecules that Jesus did ---
3) What is CRUCIAL is that I speak by the same SPIRIT (the HOLY SPIRIT) that Jesus did ---
*** "crucial" from the Latin word (crux, cruc) (CROSS).
4) You also can, and should, speak in HIS NAME when you pray, etc.
Just think about it - Meditate on it - when we are Praising HIM - "HIS PRESENCE is enthroned IN our praises" (Psalm 22:3) --- and we are speaking HIS WORD - by HIS SPIRIT, in HIS NAME---
with some of the same Oxygen!!!!!!!!!
SGD Sole Deo Gloria - For the Glory of GOD ALONE.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)