Monday, November 18, 2024
("SARA H") ...Grace!!!
Thursday, October 24, 2024
BEAUTIFUL LEAVES........HOLY!!!!!!!!
O "GOD MOST HIGH"!!! (Lamentations 3:35)
Because YOU "...are Faithful to Your Word and to Your Righteous Character..." (2 Timothy 2:12-13/Amplified Bible.)
Here on earth in the Autumn---You give the leaves of golden yellow, vibrant red, beautiful shades of orange, and Ever-green!!!!! More shades of beautiful colors than I can name!!!!!
All of the Beautiful Colors are Testimony of YOUR HOLY ARTISTRY and MAJESTY!!!!!!!
Not Physically visible---is the MOST HOLY BEAUTY---YOUR LOVE for us Your people!!! The trees with their leaves produce for us Your Loving gift that meets our Most vital immediate need---Oxygen!!!!!!!!
In the spring, we welcome the new leaves; in the summer, we welcome the cooling shade of the leaves; and the music of the summer breezes as they cause the leaves to dance before Our CREATOR!!!
Picture in your mind a tree that is near to your home---HOW MANY??? leaves on that tree??? HOW MANY leaves are there on ALL the trees that you can see from your home???
HOW MANY are there on ALL the trees in your county or region???
HOW MANY LEAVES are there on ALL the trees on ALL the earth????????
GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER has given to me understanding that there are COUNTLESS NUMBERS of leaves........So that we will have Countless numbers of reminders that "HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US!!!!!!!!! (Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5).
Of course those who have accepted JESUS CHRIST as our SAVIOR and LORD - will leave earth one day to live with HIM in HIS HOUSE FOREVER!!! (Psalm 23:6).
In (2 Corinthians 1:20) We have GOD'S WORD that HE, JESUS, is the YES and AMEN to every Promise of GOD..."
++++JESUS - THE TRUTH++++ (John 14:6) DECLARES "I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS" (Matthew 28:20).
We receive a new "crop" of leaves every year!!!
O LORD OUR GOD May our every breath give YOU Thanks! Praise! Worship! Glory! and Honor!!! (Psalm 23:6).
HALLELUJAH!!! HALLELUJAH!!! HALLELUJAH!!!
Monday, September 16, 2024
++++"STOP AND PRAY/BE STILL AND KNOW/TRUST AND OBEY"++++
In 1 Samuel 14: 1-45 We find (ISRAEL'S) King Saul leading Israel into battle against the Philistines.
(A brief note to explain the presence of 8 crosses (+) in the title and elsewhere in the messages: In the the translation of the Greek into English...the letters of JESUS = have a numerical value total of (8). So, When I put (8) crosses (4+4) around a sentence or a title...I am intending to Emphasize the Majesty and Authority of JESUS!!!).
First we see that Jonathan (the son of King Saul) and Jonathan's armor-bearer/loyal friend [just the two of them] go up to battle against the Philistines.
Jonathan said, "nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." (1 Samuel 4:6). Indeed The LORD GOD enabled the 2 (two) of them to be so victorious - "that the Philistines were Trembling...all were Trembling...the garrison (small fort) and the Philistine raiders also trembled and the earth quaked." (1 Samuel 14:15).
"Saul said to Ahijah (the priest), bring the Ark of God here (1 Samuel 14:18)." (At that time in Israel's history-the Ark of GOD represented the ++++ Presence of GOD++++). (Saul was asking the priest to seek GOD'S wisdom.)
(verse 19)- "Now it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the enemies' camp continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, 'Withdraw your hand' ."
(From the footnote: 'withdraw your hand' meant, 'stop trying to get guidance for me; I don't have time.' In verse 20 we see that there was then great confusion."
SAUL'S RASH OATH: (verse 24) "And the men of Israel were FATIGUED that day, for Saul had the people under oath, saying 'cursed is the man who eats ANY food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.' So none of the people tasted food.
(verse 25-26) "Now all Saul's people came to a forest, and there was honey on the ground...but none of the people ate any of the honey- for the people feared the oath.
(verse 27) "But Jonathan had
Not heard his father's oath...so he dipped his rod in a honey comb and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened!"
(v. 28) "Then one of the people said to Jonathan, 'Your father charged the people with an oath, saying 'cursed is the man who eats food this day. And the people were faint."
(v. 31)"Now they had driven the Philistines back that day. So the people were faint. (v. 32) "And the people rushed upon the plunder, and took sheep, oxen, and and calves and slaughtered them ...and the people ate them---with the blood!"
(v. 33) Then they told Saul, saying, 'look, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood.' "
In verses 33b-34 Saul tries to "fix" what had happened...by doing things his own way rather than GOD'S way'
(v. 37) "So Saul asked counsel of GOD, 'Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will YOU deliver them into the hands of Israel?' But GOD did not answer Saul that day."
(v. 43-44) "Then Saul said to Jonathan, tell me what you have done...'Jonathan told him and said...'I only tasted a little honey... Saul answered 'You shall surely die, Jonathan."
(v.45 "But the people said to Saul,'shall Jonathan die, who has today accomplished this great deliverance in Israei??? Certainly Not! So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die."
++++So, in v. 19 Saul said 'Stop trying to get guidance for me, I do not have time.' (V. 24-31 Saul made a Rash oath---causing the people to sin. (v. 44-45)- Saul sentenced his son Jonathan to die.++++
++++MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Many years ago...as I was driving home...as I drew near an intersection, the Holy Spirit prompted me to stop, and go into a store. I examined the items that were for sale...and found nothing that I wanted to buy. So I asked Our LORD, saying, "I don't see anything I should buy for myself nor for anyone else...So why did YOU direct me to stop here?" Our MOST GRACIOUS LORD gave me understanding...'Remember that time in Toccoa when a car pulled from a side street, and you missed hitting them by a "split second"? If you had not stopped here at this store...you would have been involved in a very Serious accident before you reached home." I BOWED and THANKED HOLY GOD OUR FATHER++++
REMINDERS: (A) In our battles in this life---If needed. GOD can even cause an earthquake to help us!!! [1 Sam 14:15] (B) Saul was listening to the "Noise" from the Enemies' camp. (1 Sam. 14:15). You and I are to "listen" to what GOD'S WORD tells us!!!
John 1:1-15 /Jesus speaking: "I am the Good Shepherd...The Good Shepherd gives His life for His Sheep...My sheep know My voice...and they follow Me...they will not follow the voice of a stranger...for they do not know the voice of a stranger."
++++Stop and pray///Be still and Know GOD///Trust and Obey..... ...for there is no other way to be Blessed-In-JESUS++++
++++JESUS! YOU!!! ARE THE WAY"(John 14:6)++++
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
++++A MEDITATION++++
"And GOD said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM AND WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE: "and HE said, you shall say to the people, I AM has sent ME to you." (Exodus 3:14/Amplified Bible).
"Then GOD spoke all these words: "I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD WHO has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the land of bondage/slavery." (Exodus 20:1).
"You shall have no other gods before or besides Me."
"You shall not make for yourself any graven image (to worship it) or any likeness of any thing that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth, or that is in the water under the earth."
"You shall not bow down yourself to them, for I AM the LORD your GOD showing mercy to a thousand generations...to those who love ME and keep MY commandments.
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain (in false affirmations or profanity.)
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (dedicated to God).
"Treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord gives you.
"You shall not commit murder.
"You shall not commit adultery.
"You shall not steal.
"You shall not witness falsely.
"You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, house, servant, ox, or donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's. (Covet = wanting something at the expense of others, or from a motive of jealousy or envy." (Exodus 20:1-20).
"Hear, O Israel (My people), the LORD our GOD is one LORD (the Only Lord). (Deuteronomy 6:4).
"Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the LORD your GOD, HE is GOD, the Faithful GOD, WHO keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep HIS commandments, to a thousand generations," (Deuteronomy 7:9).
"...and thus says the LORD, WHO created you, and HE WHO formed you: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name. You are MINE. I will be with you." (Isaiah 43:1-2).
"Thus says the LORD, the KING of (you my people), and your REDEEMER, the LORD of HOSTS: I AM the FIRST, and the LAST; besides ME there is no GOD." (Isaiah 46:6).
"For I AM the LORD, I do not change." (Malachi 3:6).
++++++++
(JESUS prays) "...that they may all be one, as YOU, FATHER, are in ME and I in YOU, that they may also be one in US, that the world may believe and be convinced that YOU sent ME." (John 17:21).
JESUS says "I AM the bread of life." (John 6:48). (From the footnote: Jesus is the True heavenly Bread, the true life-sustaining power; anything else, regardless of its religious significance in past or present, is an inadequate substitute. +++(This is the first of 7 "I AM" statements of JESUS, exclusive to John's Gospel).
(JESUS Says) "I AM the Light of the world." (John 8:12) Footnote- "the world is in darkness apart from JESUS").
"JESUS said to them "...most assuredly I say to you 'I AM the door of the sheep. (John 10:7), Footnote-"He who enters by ME will be saved, and will go in one and out and find pasture. (The phrase "go in and out" does Not mean that one can vacillate about being in JESUS one moment and outside the next. The picture is one of security and safety in JESUS as the door to the sheep's daily comings and goings.
"I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives HIS life for the sheep. I AM the Good Shepherd; and am known by MY own. (John 10:11-14).
"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6).
PLUS (+) "I AM coming quickly", (Rev. 22:20).
In Matthew 16:15 JESUS asks His EARLIEST Disciples: "WHO do You say that I am?"
For us (You and me)---with our thoughts, our words, our actions---Who do you and I say JESUS is???
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
*** DIVINE APPOINTMENTS *****
HOLY GOD OUR ETERNAL FATHER is NOT limited by time. HE was before time began.
HE is, and will be "I AM WHO I AM" into eternity. (Exodus 3:14).
HE uses time to help us regulate our lives.
HE wrote down our every day - before the day of our birth. (Psalm 139: 16).
HE uses Time to PREPARE us for ETERNITY.
When we choose JESUS as our Savior and Lord (John 3:16), we choose to be with HIM forever (Psalm 23:6), choosing HIM---HE WHO chose to pay the HIGHEST Possible price for us!!!
"I AM the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life. No man comes to the Father (in heaven) except through ME". {John 14:6).
Some Personal Experiences: 1) On a certain day in May 2024 --- I had planned to drive to the White County Library, in order to have some letters copied. My plan was: First-I would go to a grocery store to get some cash - so that I could pay for the copies; then I could go the library. But.....I drove Past the grocery store.....then I had to turn around and go Back to the grocery store for cash. Then - while in the grocery store, I forgot something...so I walked back into the grocery store---then back to my car, and drove to the Library. (*Note. I am listing all of these steps..... in order to illustrate GOD'S Perfect timing!!!).
I arrived in the Library parking lot, as I started walking toward the building...then the cord by which my glasses hang around my neck... the cord fell off my glasses --- so I had to remove my glasses and carry them in my hand. From previous visits to that library, I knew that just inside the library door - there is a table at which I could sit and repair my glasses.
A minute or two after I sat down, a very young boy walked away from his Mother, and he went to the nearest bookshelf, picked up a large book.....and he brought it to me. I THANKED him for bringing the book to me. Immediately - he went back to the bookshelf, picked up another book and brought it to me. A third time, he picked up a very large, heavy book - and walked toward me. This third book was much larger, so he Struggled to carry the book--so I reached out and helped him bring the book to the table, Again, I Thanked him...then our Lord prompted me to put my hand on his hand...and I Blessed him in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST!!!
As I left the library, I spoke with the Mother of that little boy, and asked her, How old is your child? She answered, he is eighteen (18) months old, and he loves books."
Only a few days after I blessed that little boy in the library...I had another Divine Appointment.
2) First, allow me to set the background for This Divine Appointment.
For several months I had been trying to think of a way to contact a friend that I knew before I retired.
Sara is a dear friend/Sister in JESUS CHRIST. I enjoyed the Privilege of working with her for several years! As I said (above)- I had no way to contact Sara - (no phone number, no mailing address).
On a certain day, I had an appointment with a doctor in Gainesville, Ga. My wife Mary went with me to the doctor's office. At the doctor's office, first, there is a large waiting area - where your insurance is processed etc. Next, you are sent to a smaller waiting room...this is an area where patients wait their turn to be processed before leaving the building. (*Again, all these details are to illustrate GOD'S Timing). As Mary and I waited our turn to be "processed out".....MARY heard a nurse call out the name of the next person (to consult the same Doctor that I had seen)...Mary whispered to me "Sara is the next person coming in here"!!!
HALLELUJAH!!! Immediately I stood up at the door and greeted SARA!!! Because the doctor was waiting for Sara---we did not have much time to talk. So I got one of my business cards from our car, wrote my text/phone number on the back of it, and asked the nurse to give it to Sara. A few days later, Sara texted me, so now we can share prayer requests, and maintain contact. *** Even more personal experience/proof that it was ONLY GOD'S Perfect timing---my original appointment with this Dr.---had been RE-scheduled to this date!!!
So, in GOD'S Perfect timing HE had me there for that Little boy at the Library!!! GOD used a few minutes of my time---plus HIS answers to my Ongoing prayers---to change the eternity of that little boy!!! And the same for others Whom HE will touch through that little boy!!!
Some great Truths I have learned as I study HIS WORD: -"Bring our thoughts captive to Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). -He knows our thoughts before we think them, and our words before we speak them (Psalm 139:1-6). -The Holy Spirit will "guide you into all truth". (John 16:13).
YOU: ask JESUS to save you from your sins. -Ask JESUS to fill you with the HOLY Spirit. -HE has "good plans for you to give to you a future and hope". 29:11). -Submit to Him so He will do things through you beyond what you would dare ask. (Ephesians 3:20). -Read His Word (the Bible) regularly. You can read through the Bible in one year (30-40 minutes/Day. Get your own reading plan-at www.LogosTradingPost.com.
"BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF MERCIES, AND GOD OF ALL COMFORT, CONSOLATION, AND ENCOURAGEMENT." (2 Cor. 1:3). "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER." (Hebrews 13:8).
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
JESUS...The Sea...You...and me...
Picture this in Your Mind----
"If we are faithless (Do not believe and are untrue to HIM) HE remains True (Faithful to His Word and to is HIS Righteous Character), for HE cannot deny HIMSELF." (2 Timothy 2: 13/ Amplified Bible).
"When JESUS went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had Compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and healed their sick.
"When evening came, the disciples came to HIM and said, this is a remote, barren place...Send the multitudes away into the villages to buy food for themselves.
"JESUS said, they do not need to go away; You give them something to eat.
"They said to JESUS, we have nothing here but five (5) loaves and two (2) fish."
HE said, Bring them here to me."
"Then JESUS ordered the crowd to sit down on the grass; and HE took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to Heaven, HE gave Thanks and Blessed and broke the loaves and handed the pieces to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people."
And they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve (12) baskets full of the broken pieces left over, ++++(HE is our compassionate Provider.++++).
"Immediately, JESUS urged HIS disciples to get into the boat and go before HIM to the other side, while HE sent the multitudes away."
"And when HE had sent the multitudes away, HE went up on the mountain by HIMSELF to pray. Now, when evening came, HE was still there alone."
"But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them."
"Now, in the 4th watch (between 3:00 am and 6:00 am), JESUS went to them, walking ON the sea."
"And when the disciples saw HIM walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, it is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright!".
"But instantly JESUS spoke to them saying, Take courage! "I AM". Do not be afraid." ++++[Exodus 3:14 "And GOD said to Moses,
"I AM WHO I AM"/Matthew 14:27 "JESUS said, take courage! I AM.]...
"And those in the boat kneeled and Worshiped HIM, saying, Truly YOU are the SON OF GOD!" (Matthew 14:14...33/Amplified Bible).
(From further study and prayer, our LORD gave to me understanding: JESUS walked on the water (1) to demonstrate HIS authority over nature, and (2) to demonstrate that HE always know where we are, (see Psalm 139:16), and that HE will walk with us Through the storms of our life. In (Matthew 28:20 JESUS says "I AM with you always.").
++++ Now Picture this in YOUR HEART and YOUR SPIRIT ++++...
The sUnlight danced on the waves of the sea...then a Rainbow appeared...
"JESUS the SON of GOD WALKED ON the sea.."(Matthew 14:25-27/Amplified Bible).
"GOD SAID 'I set MY rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant/Solemn Pledge between ME and the earth... for All future generations..." (Genesis 2:13/Amplified Bible),
"JESUS CHRIST...for ALL the promises of GOD are in HIM (YES, and in HIM AMEN), to the Glory of GOD through us." (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Now What is to be Our Response to this HIS TRUTH revealed???
Frequently, we are to Bow in Reverent Awe toward GOD, and Confess: "O GOD, teach me how to respond to YOU!!!"
Friday, May 17, 2024
AN "ALKA-SELTZER MOMENT"!!!
4-11-24 (AM) I Awoke from what seemed to be a long dream...In the dream, my wife Mary and I were attending a Christian Conference...there were many, many people at this conference, and we all were moving to different buildings to hear different speakers and teachers.
++++OH Please ASK and Allow the "Holy Spirit to guide you into all Truth" (John 16:13)!!!!!++++
SUDDENLY, a powerful wind storm blew into the area. The wind gusts were blowing so forcefully that one building rolled over on its side!
In the confusion caused by the storm --- different groups of people were surging in different directions.....trying to understand where they were---and where to go next!!!
At that time, I realized that I did Not know where Mary was.....I did not know where my phone was --- so I could not call her...
THEN I awoke from the dream, opened my eyes --- and saw that I was in our bedroom and Mary was right beside me!!!
++++OH! what a relief that was!!!++++
[A brief interjection here---for those who are too young to remember/ understand Alka-Seltzer commercials on television. (Alka-Seltzer is an "over the counter" medicine, taken by mouth, to relieve a headache, upset stomach, etc.)
In the television commercials---the two (2) Alka-Seltzer pills are dropped into a glass of water (Plop-Plop)---as the pills hit the water, these words are spoken: "Plop Plop - fizz fizz---OH!!! What a relief it is!!!"
As long as we are on the earth---We WILL have Weather storms, AND other storms/trials!!!
IF you have Already accepted JESUS CHRIST as your Savior and LORD --- JESUS IS "always with us."
++++JESUS HIMSELF SAYS "I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS... AMEN." (Matthew 28:20).
"For HE HIMSELF is our PEACE ..."(Ephesians 2:14).
"JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8).
NOW, let us read about JESUS and HIS (earlier) disciples: In (Mark 4:35) JESUS says "Let us go over to the other side" (of the Sea of Galilee).
"And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But JESUS was in the stern asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?'
"Then (JESUS) AROSE and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea 'PEACE, be still! And the wind ceased and there was a great calm."
And (the disciples) were filled with great AWE and said to one another, 'WHO can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey HIM?" (Mark 4:35-41).
A lesson to be learned here: When JESUS says "Let's go OVER"---then we are NOT going under!!!
LET US ALWAYS give great REVERENCE to JESUS' words!!! In (JOHN 6:63) JESUS SAYS "...the words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life."
PRAISE! PRAISE! What a SAVIOR JESUS IS!!!!!!!!!
**** PLEASE STOP NOW, read this again from the beginning..... and then Answer this Question:
Are you ready to go Over with JESUS..... OR, are you Going UNDER???
IT IS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS!!!!!!!!!