"RAIN AT SUNSHINE.........JOY AT THE GRAVESIDE!!!!!!!!!

 Before I relate this story which I personally experienced...I will lay the foundation with some background information:

HOLY GOD---Our HEAVENLY FATHER has richly and intimately blessed me in and through my family!!!  I have had two (2) Godly Mothers, two (2) Godly Fathers, two Godly daughters, and two (2) marriages.  (The first marriage I messed up by failing to be the man that GOD had called me to be).

But in GOD'S ABOUNDING GRACE - HOLY GOD gave me a second chance at marriage, and in this second marriage GOD has enabled me to submit myself unto HIM, and in HIS GRACE HE continues to Bless me.

Let me clarify these family relationships by giving the names of some of these family members:

My birth Mother (SARAH) died of cancer in the year of my 6th birthday.  Her sister (my Aunt Willard), adopted me---and became my "Mother who raised me".  My Mother who raised me has always been called "MAMA JOE" by her grandchildren.

Approximately 10---12 years ago, (MAMA JOE went home to Heaven!!! ) OH!!! we all miss her So Much!!!!!

Both of my Mothers are buried in the cemetery at Sunshine Methodist Church several miles south of Toccoa, Georgia.

About 8---9 years ago, my youngest daughter ("CARRIE") drove up to visit me in Toccoa, Ga. where I was employed.

When our visit was concluded, and it was time for CARRIE to return to her family---she asked me to give to her directions to Sunshine Methodist Church - because she wanted to visit "MAMA JOE'S grave.  So very tenderly-HOLY GOD our ABBA FATHER guided me to say "It would be better if I just drive down there---and you just follow me".

When we arrived at Sunshine Cemetery, it was RAINING ("Rain at Sunshine"); (neither of us had an umbrella), but I joined CARRIE beside MAMA JOE'S grave.....we were Blessed with a very intimate time together---sharing how sweetly MAMA JOE loved us, how we loved and TREASURED Her; and how MUCH WE MISS HER!!!!!!!!!  (We both cried "tears of joy" at the Grave side; and I cried "tears of joy" as I drove back to work!!!)

BUT!!! The story DOES NOT end there...

Because MAMA JOE had given her heart to JESUS CHRIST-accepting HIM as her SAVIOR AND LORD, and because I (Barry) accepted JESUS as my SAVIOR and LORD...and CARRIE has accepted JESUS as her SAVIOR and LORD-----We will (in the LORD'S timing!!!)----- we will be in HEAVEN TOGETHER FOREVER!!!!!!!!!

Now. YOU who are reading this message---JOIN us in THANKING, PRAISING, and WORSHIPING GOD for HIS PERFECT LOVE, HIS ABOUNDING GRACE, and HIS RICH MERCY!!!!!!!!!  (Read 1 John 4:18/Romans 6:1/Ephesians 2:4 !!!!!!!!!). 

AND YOU MUST JOIN US in ACKNOWLEDGING JESUS CHRIST AS OUR SAVIOR AND LORD_____SO THAT YOU CAN JOIN US ALL IN HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT DELAY!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Too soon.....the time 

WHEN SOMEONE'S NAME OR FACE COME'S TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE.....

The BEST thing to do in that situation is to PRAY FOR THEM!!!

According to Psalm 139:1-4 (Living Bible), GOD knows our thoughts before we think them and our words before we speak them.  And HE certainly is ready to answer our Prayers!!!

Of course, when that face or name comes to our mind---We might think that we don't know HOW best to pray for them...so we should just simply PRAY: "LORD, come YOUR kingdom, be done YOUR will" ---That is the BEST thing to pray!!!

Let me share with you a personal experience that illustrates that principle:

When I was a young man (Years ago!) I was working a full-time "day-job, AND also working at a convenience store on the "night-shift".  As the night shift person, one of my duties was to sweep and mop the entire floor each night.

Late on a particular evening, as I was mopping the floor, there was a customer in the store - he was playing a game on the "pinball machine".  (For you "younger people" that is similar to today's video games).

In order to mop the entire floor, I had to (kindly) ask the young man to move...so I could mop where he was standing.  The young man was not pleased...but he did move for a moment.

A while later, the young man left the store.

Another while later, I heard a car drive into the parking area, then I heard a loud noise and commotion at the door---Then, quickly two (2) policemen came in the door---and they explained to me the "commotion" that I had heard at the door---

The SAME YOUNG MAN that I had asked to move so I could mop---had driven into the parking area, got out of his car,,,and was walking toward the door with a KNIFE in his hand!!!

The policemen had been parked across the street - watching the store, then saw the young with the knife, stopped him, and took him away!!!

SOMEBODY WAS PRAYING FOR ME!!!!!!!!!

If the policemen had not been watching the store --- I would probably have been seriously injured, possibly killed!!!

And thus I would have missed seeing my two daughters grow up, I would have missed meeting and marrying my "wife-from GOD-MARY...AND our five wonderful grandsons, And our twin Great-Grandchildren that we have!!!

"Hear my prayer, O LORD: Answer my plea.  Let me see YOUR kindness to me in the Morning, for I am trusting YOU.  Show me where to walk, for I my prayer is sincere.  Help me to do YOUR will, for YOU are my GOD.  Lead me in good paths, for YOUR SPIRIT is GOOD." (Psalm 143: 1-10/THE LIVING BIBLE)

REMEMBER!!!  When that name, or that face comes to your mind---PRAY!!!!!!!!!  Someone will be HELPED!!!!!!!!

AMEN!!!!!!!!!

"CRYING OUT TO THE LORD (Restoration)

 The year was 1980---I remember in which house I was living---

I was recently divorced, working 2 jobs, lonely, depressed, angry, and suffering many of the results of being divorced.

I remember in which room I was sitting, in which chair I sat...anxious about both the present and the future...

At that time, I had ALREADY given my heart to JESUS CHRIST...so I got down on my knees behind the chair---and I cried out ....."OH GOD, I CANNOT LIVE this Christian life: YOU will just have to live it THROUGH me!!!!!

At the time, I realized that might not be the BEST way to phrase that cry---but that was the TRUTH from my HEART!!!

As I look back now, I realize that I was indeed confessing the genuine truth.

JESUS CHRIST ["THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE". (John 14:6)] said it this way:

"Abide in ME, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in ME.

"I AM the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in ME, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without ME you can do NOTHING." (John 15:4-5).  Not very long after that time of confessing/crying out that "I can't live this Christian life, YOU will have to live it out through me".....JESUS filled me with THE HOLY SPIRIT/"THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH---as HE says just a few verses later in John: "But when the HELPER comes, whom I shall send to you from the FATHER, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH WHO proceeds from the FATHER, HE will testify of ME.  And you also will bear witness because you have been with ME..." (John 15:26-27).

"HELPER" - parakletos - ("par-ak-LAY-toss"),,,[Strong's #3875.  The word signifies an intercessor, comforter, helper..."].

HOLY GOD OUR FATHER still has much to do in order to transform me into the image of JESUS (2 Corinthians 3:18); but "HE WHO has begun a good work in you WILL complete it..." (Philippians 1:6).

The word "Restoration" is in the subtitle at the top of this message...GOD is not restoring me ONLY to how I was before the divorce---INSTEAD HE is restoring me to the FULLNESS of "the life HE has planned for me" (Jeremiah 29:11).

A very IMPORTANT part of HIS restoration of me is that HE brought me together with MARY - a truly Godly woman who HE called (us) to become MAN AND WIFE.  Also, HE has restored me to the point that HE enables me to share JESUS with you through this blog and through the mail.  All of this HE is accomplishing by HIS GRACE; in NO WAY could I be restored by my own merit!!!

In (John 18:15-36) Peter DENIED JESUS three (3) times (verses 17-27).

Later on, JESUS three (3) times asked (Peter)-"Do you love ME?" Peter answered 'Yes' 3 times.

Still later, after JESUS' resurrection, Peter "LED" the disciples of JESUS (Acts 1:15-26); and Peter preached at Pentecost and >"3,000 souls were added to them"!!!

HOLY GOD is ABLE and EAGER to RESTORE ALL OF US!!!!!!!!!

May I boldly urge EACH and EVERY ONE of us to submit to GOD - asking HIM to restore us!!!!!!!!!

HE IS ABLE!!!  HE IS READY!!!  HE IS WAITING FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!   

"EYE WITNESSES OF MAJESTY"!!!!!!!!!

 (II PETER 1:13 - 19)

"...Yes...It is right, as long as I live in this (body), to stir you up by 

reminding you...For JESUS CHRIST received from GOD the FATHER honor and glory when such a voice came to HIM from

THE EXCELLENT GLORY:  'This is MY BELOVED SON,

in WHOM I AM well pleased,'

     And we heard THIS VOICE which came from heaven when we

were with HIM on the holy mountain.  ...we made known to you the power and coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST {we} were eye witnesses of HIS majesty."

     MAJESTY (meg-al-eye-OT-ace); Strong's # 3168: Sublimity, grandeur, glory, magnificence, splendor, superbness, greatness.  (Luke 9:43),

     King David (Jesus' ancestor) (Matthew 1:6-17), reigned over all Israel (2 Samuel 8:15),  JESUS THE MESSIAH shall reign FOREVER over Israel and ALL nations!!!

On an early morning in early March...I was watching the sunrise and it was SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!   The whole eastern sky was a beautiful pink color---that continued to expand---It was just TRANSPORTING me in joy and AWE of GOD---and HE gave to me understanding to put into

 words what I was SEEING and FEELING:

"O HOLY GOD!!! YOU write MAJESTY in the skies with every sunset and every sunrise.

YOU write MAJESTY in our eyes---so that we can SEE YOUR MAJESTY!!!

YOU write MAJESTY in our hearts!!!

Because of YOUR MAJESTY...we are together forever---never apart.

O Worship HIS  MAJESTY!!!

JESUS WHO DIED___NOW GLORIFIED  FOREVER MORE!!!!!!

Now, YOU join me in WORSHIP OF JESUS!!!!!!!!! 

  

HOW DO YOU SPELL THE NAME OF GOD"S SON???

 V-I C-T-O-R-Y!!!!!!!!!

(HE) Volunteered

        Initiating (Beginning)

        Conquering

         The (enemy"s) opposition

       TO

        Our

         Righteousness

In       Yahweh (GOD)>

  What was JESUS' response to GOD?

JESUS (The TRUTH) (John 14:6) said to GOD (He prayed) "FATHER, If it is YOUR will, take this cup (His death on the cross) away from ME; never the less NOT MY will, but YOUR will be done," (Luke 22:42).

So on the cross, JESUS defeated death, hell, sin, and the grave!!!

HE said "IT IS FINISHED!!! And bowing HIS head, HE gave up His spirit. (John 19:30).

"IT IS FINISHED", The Greek tense indicates that the work of redemption has been COMPLETED ONCE FOR ALL and it's RESULTS ARE ABIDING CONTINUOUSLY.

And HE gave the VICTORY to US!!!

So what is to be our response?

A) Be imitators of JESUS---As Paul said in (1 CORINTHIANS 11:1) "Imitate me, just as I 

imitate CHRIST".

B) WORSHIP THE LORD!!!  THANK HIM!!!

HE IS WORTHY!!!!!!!!! (Rev. 5:12).  HIS essential priority for us is Worship!!!

"Now therefore, if you will indeed obey MY voice and keep MY covenant, then You shall be

a SPECIAL treasure to ME...a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:5-6)

Let us (You and me) share HIS victory by Worshiping HIM and Loving others.

LORD JESUS, "YOU are my Shepherd, I shall not lack. YOU cause me to lie down ln green pastures, YOU lead me by still waters, You restore my soul.  You lead me in paths of righteousness for YOUR NAME'S SAKE.

Surely Your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will live with YOU in YOUR house FOREVER> (Psalm 23::1-6) {Living Bible]

                                                                                                                

      

PLANS FOR YOU, PLANS FOR ME, AND?????????

As long as I worked at my last job - (approx. 32 years) - I drove from our home in Cleveland, Ga. to my work place in Toccoa, Ga: and of course back home in Cleveland in the evening.

   Each trip took about 50 minutes.  Early in my working life, Our LORD gave me understanding that I should make good use of that

travel time by praying as I drove.  [All those years, I was blessed to travel alone. (But of course JESUS was and is) "with me always" as 

HE promises in Matthew 28:20)].

     Of course I prayed much for our family; but gradually the LORD

expanded my horizons, guiding and enabling  me to pray for the families that lived in the houses that I passed by, as well as hospital

patients and their families, and for people who worked at the various

businesses that I saw.  

     Not knowing the specific identities of the individuals, nor specific

needs---I prayed "Father, come Your kingdom, be done Your will on

earth as it is in heaven, in and through their lives and their families.

     Calculating the number of work days in that 30+ years,  the sum

is 13,000+ trips!!!

     Recently I learned that in one of the houses that I prayed for the

family---years later , one member of that family became my personal friend!!!

     Another time I learned that a man who lived in a subdivision that

I prayed for---later, he became the associate pastor of the church that I attended!!!

     So what lessons/principles can we learn from my personal ex-

periences and HIS Faithfulness??? (read 2 Timothy 2:13 in the Amplified Bible).

1)"I know the plans that I have for you, says the LORD..." (Jeremiah

29:11).

2) " Pray on every occasion..."(Ephesians 6:18).

3) "Now to HIM who is able to do infinitely beyond all that  you dare or ask, beyond what you could dream..." (Ephesians 3:20 in the

Amplified Bible).

     PRAY!!! in the NAME OF JESUS---

     "Blessed be the GOD of our LORD JESUS CHRIST the FATHER OF MERCIES AND GOD OF ALL COMFORT."

(2 Corinthians 1:3).

HE is waiting to hear from you and ready to answer!!!!!!!!!!!!           

THE GREATEST POWER!!!!!!!!!

(THE POWER OF JESUS' JOY!!!!!!!!!) "...Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the JOY that was set before HIM endured the cross..." (Hebrews 12:2). "JESUS...endured the cross...". "Endured the cross" sounds like a very SIMPLE phrase...describing maybe a person surviving a time of very difficult trials---perhaps a very serious illness, or multiple injuries suffered in a terrible accident---but they DID make it through (endured). But "SIMPLE" is not always "easy". For example - if you want to get to the summit of the highest mountain on earth (Mount Everest)...it is simple - just climb it! But the "endurance" part of it includes hour after hour, day after day, climb- ing over and throughsnow and ice, sometimes fighting through winds of "hurricane force winds...all this and more while the air is so "thin" that if you don't CARRY supplemental oxygen...you will probably die! Simple but the very OPPO- SITE of easy! Then, you may be "on top of the world"-but that will NOT get you into heaven! For a personal example of endurance-if you are going to run a marathon (26.2 miles)...it is simple - just put one foot in front of the other for approxi- mately 46,112 steps- up and down hills, thirsty,tired beyond measure steps! But JESUS - enduring the cross-"numbers" fall short of illustrating all that JESUS endured on the cross! There are almost 8 billion people on earth at this time; and ONLY our LORD knows how many more will be here before JESUS comes back for us! What JESUS endured for us was the punishment necessary to forgive put ALL the sins of Hitler, Salin, Sadaam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden, ALL the sins of BARRY COKER and all your sins! How can I, how can YOU thank JESUS "enough" for enduring the cross??? Daily: Pray, Thank Him, Praise Him, obey Him, and share Him with others- with our hearts, our lips, our thoughts, forgiving others, study His Word, sub* mit to HIS transforming us into HIS image. (Philippians1:6/2 Cor. 3:18). LET'S GET TO IT!!! WORTHY IS THE LAMB!!! (Rev. 5:12)