It has been said that"...the culture of the world--- And the culture of our society in our nation (USA) is growing darker and darker."
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
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JESUS HUMBLED HIMSELF........I sometimes judge others.....
When GOD "...formed us in our Mother's womb..." (Psalm 139:13)---HE was already preparing you and me to become like JESUS!!!
GOD built into our KNEES --- the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, and the Posterior Cruciate Ligament. They are named "Cruciate" because these two (2) ligaments CROSS in the knee joint!!! The word "cruciate" is from the Latin word "crux" (cross).
[I did ask my Primary Care Doctor if this is correct - and he verified this is Correct.]
If you want --- you can "Google" 'knee joint ligaments --- and see that these two ligaments do CROSS between the patella and the tibia in the knee joint.
JESUS: The only place in the Bible where JESUS describes HIS own Character is (Matthew 11:29) - "...learn from ME, for I AM gentle (meek) and lowly in heart...".
Definition: meek - "an attitude of humility toward GOD, and genrle toward men, springing from a recognition that GOD is in control." (Nelson Bible Dictionary).
JESUS submitted to GOD'S Plan---which led to HIS death on the cross in order to save you and me from our sins.
In both (Isaiah 45:23 and Romans 14:11)- IT IS WRITTEN "...that to ME, every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess to GOD."
EVERY knee shall bow, EVERY tongue shall confess to GOD..."
Because of GOD'S grace to us - in our acceptance of JESUS as our SAVIOR and LORD.....
GOD gives to us the BLESSED PRIVILEGE that we ++++ CAN and SHALL ++++ KNEEL before HIM in prayer, in Worship, in giving thanks to HIM, in Praise of HIM Many times every month, every week, every day---until HE comes to take us HOME in Heaven!!!
JESUS Says: "...I AM meek, and lowly in heart,,," (Matthew 11: 29).
As for me, and perhaps you---we often JUDGE others. I MUST CONFESS that I am the WORST in Judging others.
In (Matthew 7:1) JESUS HIMSELF says: "Judge not, that you be not judged."
I (Barry) confess that I do judge others...And the HOLY SPIRIT is convicting Me that I MUST CEASE that!!!
When we judge others---we (WRONGLY!) feel that we are ABOVE, or OVER those whom we judge.
For example, I will share two (2) instances when I experienced Judgement: a) As a young man, early each weekday morning---(for exercise) I ran several miles with some friends. Our usual route was about 4 miles in length, On a certain morning - I was running several hundred yards BEHIND my group of friends. One of my friends remarked to me - "Barry, it looks like you are taking it easy this morning." What my friend did not know was that on that specific morning---I had already run TWELVE (12) miles BEFORE we started our usual four (4) mile run. (So i was already tired before we started running together!!~! b) On a different day, I was with a large group of runners at rhe starting line for a marathon race (26.2 miles).
As I looked around at the other runners--- I noticed a lady who was dressed in very nice clothes. All the articles of her clothing were detailed with colors that EXACTLY MATCHED!! I remember thinking to myself: "She is not a 'SERIOUS RUNNER'--- she is here just to look good."
Guess what happened!!!!! Only a few miles after the start.....that same lady PASSED me-----and I finished the marathon so far BEHIND her---that I never saw her again!!!!!
So I welcome your prayers that I will keep my heart Humbled, bowed down before our LORD GOD, and confess HE IS WORTHY to be PRAISED and "...keep my thoughts captive to the obedience of JESUS CHRIST!!! (2 Corinthians 10:5).
JESUS SAYS: "...learn from ME, for I AM meek (gentle) and lowly in heart..." (Matthew 11:29).
(James 4:10) "Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and HE will lift you up."
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding the Glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image, just as by the SPIRIT of the LORD." (2 Corinthians 3: 18).
HOLY GOD demonstrated HIS perfect love by sending JESUS to the Cross to save us from our sins. By HIS Perfect love HE has crafted HIS perfect plan for EACH and EVERY one of us. (Jeremiah 29:11).
"Now thanks be to GOD WHO always leads us in triumph in JESUS CHRIST...". (2 Corinthians 2:14).
JESUS says: "...HE, the Spirit of Truth, will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13).
Monday, December 4, 2023
"THE LAMB........THE DOOR"
"And THE WORD became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld HIS GLORY, as of the only begotten of the FATHER, full of Grace and Truth. " (John 1:14-16).
"And of HIS fullness we have all received, and Grace for Grace.
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through JESUS CHRIST."
[From the footnote of John 1:16--- The fact that John states that GRACE comes from HIS FULLNESS teaches us that Grace is MORE than GOD'S disposition or impersonal favor. It is GOD meeting us at our point of need in the Person of JESUS CHRIST, including all HIS Power and provision.
"No one has seen GOD at any time The ONLY Begotten SON WHO is in the bosom of the FATHER, HE has declared HIM." (John 1:18).
"The next day John saw JESUS coming toward him and said, 'Behold! The LAMB OF GOD WHO takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29).
In John 10:7-9, we can hear JESUS speaking to us: Then JESUS says to us---"Most assuredly, I say to you, I AM the Door of the sheep. I AM the door. If anyone enters by ME, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
[Footnote for John 10:7-9---entering the sheepfold through JESUS is a saving action and provides (us) the sheep with abundant life and provision. * To go in and out does NOT mean that one can vacillate about being in Christ one moment and outside of HIM the next. The picture is one of security and safety in JESUS as the Door to the sheep's daily comings and goings."
The doorway was of great importance in Hebrew tradition and thought; much more so than in our culture today. It was against the background of the Hebrew respect for 'the door' that JESUS made this assertion repeatedly - 'I AM THE DOOR'"
Early in her history as a nation, Israel had been enslaved by the Egyptians. For hundreds of years they were driven by their taskmasters to work in slime pits in the hot sun making bricks with which to build great cities for their enemies. In desperation they cried out to GOD for deliverance.
The final act of GOD freeing them...had to do with the Door of each man's home! A spotless Passover lamb was to be slaughtered for each household. The blood of each lamb was to be liberally sprinkled on the lintel over the door and on the doorposts. (Picture this in your Mind and Heart: Draw a line down from the blood Over the door...down to the floor where the blood would have dripped. Then draw a line from the blood on one of the doorposts across to the blood on the other door post---These two lines form a CROSS---like the one on which JESUS died to SAVE US from OUR SINS!!!
In John 14:1-6 we hear JESUS' conversation with Thomas (and with Us): "Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in GOD, believe also in ME. In MY FATHER'S House are many dwellings; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to MYSELF, that where I AM, there you may be also."
"And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to HIM, 'LORD, we do not know where YOU are going, and how can we know the way?' "
"JESUS said to him, I AM the Way, the Truth, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME."
How then should we live before HIM.....we shall bow our hearts before HIM---submitting to HIM, that HE will live THROUGH us--- so that others will be "Eyewitnesses of HIS MAJESTY" in and through our lives. (2 Peter 1:16).
(For many more blessings/treasures/understanding...Please read "The Shepherd Trilogy" by Phillip Keller).
(JESUS Speaking): "It is the Spirit Who gives life; the flesh profits nothing, The WORDS that I speak to you are Spirit and they are Life." (John 6:63).
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
***"THANKS........or APPRECIATE...???
HOLY GOD OUR FATHER "APPRECIATES" EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US!!!!!!!!
Sitting in the "Visitation Room" of a Funeral Home.....with the Family of a deceased Sister-in JESUS...Reminiscing about the Faithfulness of GOD in, and through the life of our dear Sister. My wife Mary and I were sitting beside a young lady (whom we had never before met).
That young lady was sharing with us about how The HOLY SPIRIT was working in and through her life. Her sharing was very Inspirational.
She was saying that she "appreciated the example left by her aunt; and she "appreciated" the privilege of sharing with us.
As Mary and I listened, and talked with her, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance, and guided us into the truth (John 14:26 and John 16:13)...that there are two (2) definitions of the word "appreciate": 1) "to recognize the quality and significance of..."; and (2) - "to increase in value". So, as we shared with each other, the Holy Spirit guided and enabled us to (a) "recognize the quality" of the LORD within each other; and (b) "increasing the value" of each other by the Truth of GOD'S WORD!!!
So, what does God's Word say about the conversation that we were having with that young lady?
"Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER of Mercies and GOD of all comfort...HE consoles and encourages us in our every trouble, that we may be able to comfort and encourage THOSE who are in any tribulations --- with the comfort and encouragement which we have received from GOD." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
"But encourage one another daily, while it is called 'Today'... (Hebrews 3:13).
"Let us hold fast the confession of our Hope without wavering, for HE WHO *** Promised **** is 'Faithful to HIS Word and to HIS Righteous Character..." (Hebrews 10:23/2 Timothy 2:13).
"For thus says the LORD: I will extend peace to her/him like a river...as one whom his Mother comforts, so I will comfort you...". (Isaiah 66:12-13).
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, ...encouraging one another, and...So Much...More............................ AS........YOU...SEE.....The DAY... APPROACHING." (Hebrews 10:25).
(JESUS Speaking) "...'Surely I AM coming quickly'--- "the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. AMEN." (Revelation 22: 20-21).
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
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.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
"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
Sunday, August 27, 2023
***** 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."
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