S0 THANKFUL - GOD does NOT--------(and) GOD DOES!!!!!!!!

                           10 -17 - 23   [MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE]:                         Recently, my wife Mary was in the Hospital for some medical treatment, so I slept at home (alone) for the night that she was in the hospital.  The following morning when I woke up (alone).....I began to have a Greatly Increased Appreciation for the WONDERFUL, POWERFUL TRUTH that GOD HIMSELF does NOT CHANGE!!!!!!!

"I AM THE LORD, I DO NOT CHANGE."   (Malachi 3:6)

"JESUS CHRIST IS THE **** SAME **** YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER."  (HEBREWS 13: 8).

**** JESUS SPEAKS:  "...I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS"... (Matthew 28:20).

GOD loves YOU and me so MUCH that HE Chose us as HIS IN JESUS BEFORE we were born. (Ephesians 1 : 1-6).                              

HE put us together in our Mother's Womb. (Psalm 139:15).

HE wrote down our every day before the day of our birth.  (Psalm 139:16).

IN HIS PERFECT TIMING --- HE sent HIS ONLY SON JESUS to die on the cross to:                                                                                           a) save us from our sins,                                                                           b) to become the LIVING WORD,                                                           c) and to Be THE WAY to GOD IN HEAVEN. (John 14:6).

Because GOD does NOT change --- HE loves you and me the SAME every minute---as HE did when HIS SON JESUS was dying on the cross to save us from our sins!!!

I remember a specific time when I was a young man - (I am now age 78) - the church in which I worshiped...both the Worship and the preaching of His Word was so powerful and profound --- On a certain Sunday Morning --- I looked around the Sanctuary...noticing many young children, and infants --- (Silently in my heart) I said "LORD, I wish that I had grown up in a church like this!!!"

So Graciously, GOD our FATHER..over the next few days gave to me Understanding (Proverbs 8:14) that HE "gave me what I would need for the life that HE had planned for me".  (Jeremiah 29:11). 

In this (later) part of my life - several times per week, I experience something that CONFIRMS for me the Truth that "He gave to me what I needed for the life that HE had planned for me"...

My wife Mary and I both grew up in churches where we sang many of the old Classic Hymns in worship. (Now), quite often as we get dressed and begin our day --- one or both of us will be singing or "humming" one of those old Classic Hymns!!!

Those songs are Very Biblical - so we both are inspired and encouraged, and our faith is strengthened by singing those songs!!!      PLUS, it brings back Wonderful, Sweet memories of singing those songs with our families and friends!!!

Now, the fulfillment of the second part of the title ("GOD DOES...")...

HOLY GOD our FATHER is Able, Willing, Purposeful, and Intentional in changing US!!!!!

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of The LORD, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the LORD." (2 Corinthians 3:18).

"...being confident of this very thing, that HE WHO has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of JESUS CHRIST. (Philippians 1:6).

So - GOD is Infinitely Creative...But HIS Righteous Character/His heart toward us NEVER CHANGES.  And HE will complete the work which he has begun in us.

OH LORD GOD, How do we submit to YOU and to YOUR plans for us?                                                                                                            ***"...The HOLY SPIRIT will guide us into all truth..." (John 16:13)******                                                                                           Study HIS Word.                                                                                     Share HIS Word.                                                                                       Share HIS Love.

"What a Friend we have in JESUS, all our sins and griefs to bear...        What a Privilege to carry everything to GOD in prayer..."   

"Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave..."

" 'Tis so sweet to trust in JESUS,                                                               and to take Him at His Word...                                                                 Just to rest upon His promise,                                                                   And to know, 'Thus says the LORD..."

AMEN - Let it be so in our hearts, in our words, through our actions.

   

 

   

            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

"ALWAYS...AND.....

ALWAYS is a word, a Concept, A Promise --- It is something that we speak, or text, or write--- But we as humans cannot live up to our words, nor can we fulfill our promises of "Always".

BUT GOD!!!  HE declares in Isaiah 55:9-11:                                         "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thoughts...(verse 11)...So shall MY word be... It shall not return to me void (empty, without any effect), But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

***ALL** of the Bible is GOD'S WORD.  In Genesis 1:3 - :..."And GOD said  'Let there be light; and there was light."  And thousands of years later...we still have light!!!

Let us be in WONDER...and be open to ALL that GOD was Releasing when HE said "...let there be light...!!!

HE  created the universe (Genesis 1) AND HE Upholds, Maintains, Guides, and Propels  the UNIVERSE by HIS MIGHTY WORD of POWER. (Hebrews 1:3/Amplified Bible).

HE CAN DO "... that which is infinitely beyond what we could dream, beyond what we would dare ask...". (Ephesians 3:20/Amplified Bible).

In (John 1:5 ) GOD says"...And the light shines in the darkness, and  the darkness did not comprehend it."

Definition:(the Greek word for 'comprehend') is capable of three (3) definitions: 1) "to seize, lay hold of, overcome.  As such,, verse 5 could read "the darkness does not gain control of (the light).  2) To perceive, attain, lay hold of with the mind, to apprehend with mental or moral effort.  With this meaning the verse could be translated ---    The darkness is unreceptive and does not understand the light."             3) "to quench, extinguish, snuff out the light by stifling it.  "The darkness will NEVER be able to eliminate the light."                            Light and darkness are antagonistic.  The Christian's joy is in Knowing that Light is not only greater than darkness but will also outlast the darkness!!!

In (John 8:12) JESUS says  'I AM the light of the world.  He who follows ME shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

HOLY GOD OUR FATHER is intimately aware of each, and every one of us --- HE "put us together in our Mother's womb...and HE wrote down our every day before the date of our birth." (Psalm 139: verses 13-16).   HE knows our every thought before we think it, and our every word before we speak it. (Psalm 139:1-6).  "HE knows the plans that HE has for us...plans for good...". (Jeremiah 29:11).

Let's go forward in time --- to the next-to-last page in the Bible---

"The Glory of the New Jerusalem/Heaven":                                             "But I saw no temple in it, for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and the LAMB are its temple.                                                                              The city has no need of the sun or of the moon in it, for the glory of GOD illuminates it,  THE LAMB is its light." (The Revelation of Jesus Christ 21:22-23).

"HE is faithful to His Word and to His righteous Character." (2 Timothy 2:13).

Let us take In His Word daily.  Let us ALLOW His Word to TAKE OVER our heart, our mind, our soul, our spirit!!!

"I AM THE LORD. I DO NOT CHANGE." (Malachi 3:6).                    "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER." (Hebrews 13:8)

LET US NOT FORGET!!!!!!! In Matthew 28:20 JESUS DECLARES:   "... I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS..."  

     ALWAYS **** AND**** FOREVER

***** DO YOU SMELL LIKE A (THE) KING? ****

In John 12:1-3 We follow Mary (The sister of Martha and Lazarus) as she takes a "POUND of nard (a Rare Perfume) that was breathtakingly expensive, and she poured it on JESUS' feet....and she wiped (His feet) with her hair.  And the WHOLE HOUSE WAS FILLED WITH THE FRAGRANCE OF THE PERFUME!" (John 12:1-3). 

By studying the cultural Background of JESUS' time on earth --- we find that Mary may well have been making a statement about WHO she believed JESUS was, proclaiming Him as MESSIAH (CHRIST).  The Hebrew word for MESSIAH is "MASHIACH" --- "THE ANOINTED ONE".

In the Ancient Middle East, the Majesty of a king was expressed not only by what He wore - His jewelry and robes - But by His "aroma". Even after a King was FIRST anointed, He would perfume His robes with precious oils for special occasions.  "Listen" to this from King David's "Wedding Song":

"GOD, Your GOD, has anointed You with the Oil of Gladness more than Your companions, all Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia." (Psalm 45:7-8).  Also, consider King David's son - King Solomon --- "Who is this...Perfumed with myrrh, and incense made from all the spices..."  (Song of Solomon 3:6-7).

Instead of being crowned during a coronation, Hebrew Kings were anointed with extremely expensive spices and oil.  The marvelous scent that it left behind acted like an "Invisible Crown."  During royal processions, the fragrance of expensive oils would inform the crowds that a King was passing by.

The significance of when Mary anointed JESUS' feet was probably more than a one-day thing.  It is likely that the smell of the perfume would have lingered for Days...  Imagine, in the Garden of Gethsemane, the guards who arrested JESUS...must have wondered WHO stood before them.  When JESUS was on trial, then, mocked, whipped, and stripped naked --- even then, the aroma may have clung to HIM.

WHAT AN AMAZING GOD YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!

How are you and I to live - so that we may be a "sweet aroma" to GOD, and to other people?

"Therefore be imitators of GOD as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, and offering and a sacrifice to GOD for a sweet-smelling aroma.  (Ephesians 5:1-2).

"Now thanks be to GOD Who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us 'spreads' and makes known the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  For we are to GOD the fragrance of Christ..."  (2 Corinthians 2: 14-16). 

Please, I urge you - you will find MANY treasures by reading the book:  "Sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus".  [Our Rabbi Jesus.com (the authors: Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg}.

Please enjoy singing the words below to the tune of a hymn/chorus titled "Nothing but the blood of JESUS":

"No-o higher that I know...

No-Lower I could go-o...

How Precious is the flow...

Bearing the aroma of Jesus."

****..... GOD SEES ALL.....Our Vision is Limited *****

In recent history, a tunnel  was constructed, stretching from Great Britain UNDER the English Channel, in order to connect Britain with the rest of Europe. The total length of the tunnel is a little more than 20 miles.

IN order to accomplish that - of course they used machines of many types - including Massive machines that can bore a hole of more than 12 feet in diameter through soil and rock.

Of course they also used Gps (Global Positioning Satellite System) to accurately measure the route while digging THROUGH the soil - UNDER the water of the English Channel!  Altogether it is a marvel of engineering  It is called "The Chunnel".  (the Tunnel under The English Channel).  

More than 2,000 years Before the "Chunnel" --- We read in 2 Kings ** 20:20 *, and then 2 Chronicles 32:30 - that King Hezekiah had his men dig a tunnel from the spring at Upper Gihon---to the west side of the City of David.

Now To quote the Footnote  for 2 Kings  20:20  "Two crews dug the tunnel through solid rock.  One group started from the pool of Siloam, the other group started at the Spring of Gihon.  This tunnel was a remarkable feat of engineering, and can be seen in modern Israel today."  (Footnote/2 Kings 20:20/page 561/New Kings Bible).

It is obvious that during King Hezekiah's reign, they did not have massive machines to do the digging.  Also, they did not have a Global Positioning System!

BUT GOD gave to Hezekiah and his team ** 20:20 * vision!!! (See 2 Kings Footnote mentioned above).

So, no Global Positioning System --- But Hezekiah's men had GOD'S POSITIONING  SPIRIT!!!

No massive machines --- but GOD'S Power Through the men {"...Beyond what we would dare ask or dream..."} (Ephesians 3:20/Amplified Bible).

(Kings 20:20) "Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah - all his might, and how he made a pool and a tunnel and brought water into the city...".

(2 Chronicles 32:30) "This same Hezekiah also stopped the water outlet of upper Gihon, and brought the water by tunnel to the west side of the City of David..."

You and I cannot "see" the future --- but GOD our Heavenly Father  "...wrote down all our days before the day of our birth..." (Psalm 139:12-16).  And as we "bow down before Him, and Ask and Allow HIM" - He will guide and enable us through the events (tunnels) of our lives --- all the way to "...the city (in heaven) which is illuminated by GOD.  The Lamb is its light."  (Revelation 21:23).

(James 1:5) "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of GOD, Who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Because we cannot "see" the future, we can't "see" GOD--- We CAN and WILL TRUST HIS HEART.  He loves us  SO MUCH that He paid the highest  possible price for each and every one of us (the death of HIS SON JESUS on the cross); And HIS heart toward us DOES NOT CHANGE:

"I AM the LORD, I DO NOT CHANGE." (Malachi 3:6).

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."(Hebrews 13:8).

Jesus is "...the Yes and Amen to every promise of GOD." (2 Corin-

thians 1:20).

"I will guide you along the best pathways for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you."  (Psalm 32:8).

Let US Praise HIM!  Thank HIM!   Bow before HIM!  Worship HIM!

"Worthy is the Lamb". (Revelation 5:12).

 

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS TO .....???

I) GOD HAS ALWAYS ***Taken Great Care of Me** My Personal Experience!!!!!!!!!

A. Both of my Birth Parents died during the year of my 6th birthday:  My Birth father (Taft Coker), and (Mother-Sara Hemphill Coker).  [Mother was taken by cancer; Father was taken by diabetes]........          BUT GOD---HE ALREADY was working out HIS plan for Me!!!

(Now picture this in your mind and heart)---My Uncle Joe worked on the train which passed up and down the track across the street from our front yard.  When the train passed by our house --- there would come "flying out from that train into my front yard" would be a brown paper bag of candy---for Me!!!

When my Birth parents died --- Uncle Joe, and his wife (Aunt Willard) adopted me---they became my Adoptive Parents!!!

SO...before Anyone on Earth knew that both of my birth parents would die when I was age 6--- HOLY GOD our Father was already building a relationship of love and giving between me and Uncle Joe (Who would be my "Daddy" who raised me from age 6 to age 38!!!).

B) After high school - the Vietnam War was becoming very Fierce and Hot!!! Rather than having to fight in a horrible war in the terrible jungles and mountains of Southeast Asia--- GOD'S Plan brought me into the U. S. Navy --- so that for 2 years I was stationed on an island off the coast of Washington State.  After that 2 years...I was transferred to be stationed for 2 years in Hawaii. (How Good GOD is!!!).

C) When I was discharged from the Navy, I expected to go to college...but I had no idea what I should choose for my Major courses...so GOD used my Minor courses to prepare me for the job that became my career---that I truly loved for 34 years!!!

D) When it became (GOD'S Time) for me to retire --- the only "plan" that I had...was a desire to be free to walk in the woods and pray each day...But GOD'S  plan was, and is...for me to study His Word (the Bible), and to bow before Him, and to share through this (HIS) blog, and through the U. S. Mail --- how HE guides and enables my life.  And His plan of sharing His Word is indeed the most fulfilling thing that I have done!!!

II  GOD is faithful to His Word and His Righteous Character"...if we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him]; HE remains True [faithful to His word and to His Righteous Character]".  (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified Bible).                                                                            A) In (1 Kings 19:19-20), Elisha became a servant to the prophet ELIJAH.                                                                                                   In (2 Kings 2:1-10), When ELIJAH is about to go to heaven --- ELIJAH asks his servant Elisha -"Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?"                                                                    Elisha said 'Please let a Double Portion of your Spirit be upon me.'      ELIJAH answered 'You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you See Me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you..."                  In (2 Kings 2:11-12)  "...ELIJAH went up by a whirlwind into heaven...and Elisha saw it...".

I (Barry) am not going to list here Every one of the the Miraculous things that HOLY SPIRIT did through ELIJAH and Elisha...But if you will read 1 Kings and 2 Kings for yourself (asking the Holy Spirit to "guide you into the truth...") then you will learn it for yourself!  (In John 16:13, JESUS Says "...HE (HOLY  SPIRIT) will guide you into all truth...").                                                                                                In (2 Kings 13:14-21)  We see that "...Elisha died, and they buried him..."Moab invaded the land in the spring...So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders, and put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet."

SO what are WE to learn from this?

1) Worship JESUS CHRIST!!!                                                                2) Read the Bible, asking the HOLY SPIRIT to "...guide me into the truth...".                                                                                                    3) In GOD'S timing, HE will teach us that "HE will carry out His plan and do far over and above all that we dare to 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 (so be it)". (Ephesians 3:20/Amplified Bible).         

"THE LORD IS GOD OUR GOD THE LORD IS ONE." (Deuteronomy 6:4)

 Psalm 63 + Psalm 23 +

A MEDITATION 

JESUS says in John 16:13 "He (the Holy Spirit) will guide you into all Truth."

"O GOD, You are my Strong God (God Almighty)/Genesis 17:1-2).      Early will I seek You.                                                                              My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where is no water.                                                                            So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your Glory.                                                                                                        Because Your lovingkindness is better than life; my lips shall praise You, thus  I will bless You while I live.  I will lift up my hands in Your Name.   (Your "Name is above every name.")/Philippians 2:9).

My soul shall be satisfied as with Your abundance - (Your love and Presence beyond what we would dream or would dare ask)/Ephesians   3:19-20); and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed, I lay awake thinking of You, meditating on You through the night.

Because You have been my help, therefore I will rejoice (dance, leap, and sing for joy)/ Habakkuk 3:18.

My soul follows close behind You, Your right hand upholds me ("For I am your God - I will uphold you with My righteous right hand"./Isaiah 41:10).

But those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.  They shall fall by the sword, they shall be food for the jackals.

But I shall rejoice in God. Everyone who binds himself by GOD'S authority, acknowledging His supremacy, and devoting himself to His glory, and serving HIM alone; every such one shall PRAISE HIM; but the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped."    

Oh Lord Jesus!!!  Because You ("The good Shepherd"/John 10:11) are my Shepherd - I will not lack anything that I truly need (Luke 12:22-32). 

You make me lie down in green pastures.  I rest in You; You, "the fountain of living waters"/Revelation 21:6) lead me by the waters of rest.  (Come to Me, I will ease and relieve and restore your soul/"Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you,/Psalm 116:7).

You ("the Way"/John 14:6) lead me in paths of righteousness for Your Name's sake.  Lord Jesus "...You became for us wisdom and righteousness from God."/1 Corinthians 1:30. 

Yes, O Lord, though I walk THROUGH the VALLEY of the SHADOW of death - You ("the LIGHT"/John 8:12) won the victory on the HILL of Calvary for each and every one of us,,,You are "...with us always"/Matthew 28:20). Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  (You, the "God of all comfort.."/2 Corinthians 1:3) guide me and protect me.

You (the "Living Bread Who came down from Heaven"/John 6:51) prepare a table for me - at which I may partake of the Blessings provided by Your Death and Resurrection - by believing in You/ John 6:53-58.

"You anoint my head with oil - as Samuel anointed David the shepherd boy with oil-giving to him the wisdom, strength, and a heart for worship - equipping him to be the king of Israel /1 Samuel 16:13).  JESUS was a descendant of David; one of JESUS' names is "Son of David"/Luke 18:38.                                                                                   "But to the Son (Jesus), God says 'God, Your God, has anointed You"/ Hebrews 1:8-9.

"My cup runs over with Your Blessings - so the Table is wet - the table runs over - so the floor is wet - so my shoes are wet...OH! that I may always walk in Your anointing!!!

Surely Your goodness and mercy shall follow me ("Your mercies... are new every morning/Lamentations 3:22-23. and "they endure from everlasting to everlasting"/Psalm 103:17;  and I will dwell with You in Your house - in the new Jerusalem/Heaven forever"/Revelation 21:10).

"The city (New Jerusalem) has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of GOD illuminates it.  The Lamb is its light.  (Revelation 21:23).

"Even so, come, LORD JESUS!"  PLEASE read this aloud for 8 days.  You will be richly Blessed!!!                                                                   AMEN.                                                               

??? HOW MANY TIMES ??

 Something Most Important That We ALL Must Give And Receive!!!!!

The Passion of JESUS CHRIST was to die on the cross to pay the price for forgiveness for our sins, to teach His earlier disciples so that through them the Holy Spirit would write the New Testament, and to draw "all who will come" to accept HIM as Savior and Lord --- and to continue to draw others into His kingdom!!!

 HIS passion Has NOT changed, Will NOT change!!!                                  "JESUS CHRIST is the SAME yesterday, today, and Forever."              (Hebrews 13:8).

By GOD'S Goodness, HE will change us more and more into HIS image. (2 Corinthians 3:18).  He will Complete the "... good work HE has begun in you until the Day of JESUS CHRIST." (Philippians 1:6).

In Matthew 18: 21-35, Jesus is answering Peter's question: "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  Up to SEVEN times??!!!??"

Please, before we read JESUS' answer to Peter's question --- let's take a look at the culture in which Jesus and His disciples grew up --- JESUS knew that--- beginning at a very young age ---all children were taught what we call the "Old Testament".

In (Genesis 4:23-24), a man named Lamech is speaking to his two wives: "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!  For I have killed a man for wounding me,  Even a young man for hurting me.  If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, then Lamech Seventy-sevenfold."

Now, let us go back to Peter's question.  Peter asked Jesus:  "How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to SEVEN times??!!!??  "Jesus said to him, I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."  

Later on in this passage (Matthew 18: 21-35/ Living Bible): "The kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up-to-date.  In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him 10,000 talents (the largest sun that could be imagined).  The man could not pay that, so the king ordered him sold for the debt, also, his wife and children and everything he had.

But the man fell down before the king, his face in the dust, and said, 'Oh sir, be patient with me and I will pay it all.'  Then the king was filled with pity for him and forgave his debt.

But when the man left the king, he went to a man who owed him 100 denarii (a very small amount), he grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.  The man begged him: 'give me a little time''.  But his creditor would not wait - and had the man put into prison.

And the king called before him the man He had forgiven and said 'you evil-hearted wretch!  Here I forgave you all that tremendous debt, because you asked me to---shouldn't you have mercy on others, just I had mercy on you?"

Please notice, Jesus does not give a legalistic nor mathematical formula.  HE means limitless forgiveness!!!

So, back to the numbers that Peter said ("up to SEVEN times?")  And Jesus answered: "Seventy-times seven,"                                                  The message that JESUS was teaching - was:  I want you to be at Least as Passionate about FORGIVENESS as Lamech was about vengeance!!!

*** Please, YOU read those 15 verses for yourself (Matthew 18:21-35)*****

So, let us (You and me) pray with our hearts, our speech, and our actions:                                                                                                      " Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  Forgive us our debts (our sins) as we forgive (those who sin against us.) 

JESUS paid the price for ALL of the forgiveness we need--so let US be PASSIONATE about FORGIVENESS!!!!!!!!

For YOURS is the kingdom and the power and the glory Forever.

LORD, we bow before YOU and ask YOU to enable us to have, and to live out, a Passion for Forgiveness!!!

Amen. Let it be so in our hearts.