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

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

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

"THE SNIPER'S SCOPE"

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

Yes, that is the function in the physical world.

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

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

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

Let's go ahead to the Spiritual Truth now.

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The LORD  your GOD, in your midst, the MIGHTY ONE, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17).
AMEN!!!!! LET IT BE SO!!!!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*** ONE *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AMEN!!! LET IT BE SO!!!!!!!!!  
 

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

Proverbs 23:7  Has really touched my heart recently:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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