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!!!!!!!!!!!!  

  
   
    
     
  

A       PLACE        FOR           ME!!!!!!!!! 

A Wonderful Contemporary Christian Worship Song gives us some lyrics that speak of
some powerful truths about needs--- for all of us-----
(A sample)---
"I am no longer a slave to fear, I AM A CHILD OF GOD!!!!!
"There is a PLACE FOR ME in MY FATHER'S HOUSE!!!!

*** A subtitle for this message-----"Is your name MEPHIBOSHETH"???

Do you or I have a situation or circumstance in our lives which causes us to believe
or "feel" that we do NOT have a place in our Father's House?

Let's take a look at "MEPHIBOSHETH".

Please turn in your Bible to 2 Samuel, chapter 21.  (Of course you probably already know
that is in the Old Testament).  Look at some of  the difficult things in Mephibosheth's life:
1) He was a grandson of King Saul, the crippled son of Jonathan; Because Saul did not obey
GOD------it was somewhat of a curse on Saul's sons and grandson;
2) Being handicapped caused Mephibosheth to be treated somewhat as a second-class citizen.

In 2 Samuel, chapter 4, we learn that when Mephibosheth was only 5 years old--- news came that
Saul and Jonathan died in a war; the nurse who took care of Mephibosheth  picked (M) up and
fled their home.  In her haste, (M) fell and "became lame".

In 2 Samuel 9:1-11 we read that Kings David asked: "Is there still anyone left of the house (family) that I may show him the 'Kindness of GOD' for Jonathan's sake?  (In 2 Samuel 12-16,
we see that David and Jonathan had made a covenant  with each other to be kind to each other
and to each other's family in the future).

Back to 2 Samuel 9:4 (AGAIN)....King David asked "...where is he" (Mephibosheth)? 
Then King David sent and brought (M).....now when (M) the son of Jonathan, grandson
of Saul, had come, he (M) fell on his face and prostrated himself.  Then King David said
'Mephibosheth?' and (M) answered  'Here is your servant!'   So David said to him  'Do not
fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan's sake, and will restore to you all the
land of Saul your grandfather.

'As for Mephibosheth', said KING David, 'He shall eat at my table like one of the King's sons.'

(this next sentence ONLY is from the footnotes):  Mephibosheth is put on the royal pension for the
rest of his life, and lives as one of the King's sons, and even eats at the King's table.

In John 17, Jesus prays "That they may be one as YOU, FATHER, are in ME, and I in YOU.
"FATHER, I desire that they also  whom YOU gave ME may be with me where I AM, that they 
may behold MY GLORY!!! !!!!!!

(I dare say that ALL of us have at times been "lame" in our dedication, our obedience, our love
unto GOD OUR FATHER.....

So YES!!! there is room in our FATHER'S house for you and for me...and we shall "dwell in the house of the LORD FOREVER"!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT HOLY LOVE GOD IS, AND GIVES TO US!!!

O LET US BE IN REVERENT AWE of HOLY GOD OUR FATHER!!!!!!!!! 
 AMEN.     

A    LIONESS    NAMED    MARY???!!!!!   YES!!!!!!!

"FEAR NOT, FOR THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH HAS TRIUMPHED!!!!!!!!!
(Revelation 5:5)
" Then JESUS  said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.'
For the bread of GOD is HE who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world'.
Then they said to Him, 'Lord, give us this bread always.'
And JESUS said to them, I AM the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and
he who believes in Me shall never thirst."  ( John 6:32-35)

Thankfully, one "visual aid" that we see before, and during, Christmas...is called a "manger
scene"; sometimes called a "nativity scene".

Many of us remember that scene is there to cause us to be reminded of the birth of JESUS
in a stable.  Because it is a stable.....there are included in the scene items that represent animals--
--- For example - cattle, a donkey, etc.

But what ELSE do we see there?  Often the scene includes a lamb, [and a baby in a manger.  (another name for a "manger" is a Feeding trough - in  which animals are fed.) [ A little side note: One of the names of JESUS is "The bread of life", "Bread of GOD" (John 6:32-35)---
Isn't it interesting  JESUS - the "bread of GOD"- - - was placed into a (feeding trough)!)

The scene also can be called a "crèche".

[Let me add some clarifying information:  sometimes when I am at home, I watch some TV programs that feature wild animals, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, etc.
Recently, a program featured lions in the wilds of Africa.  The program pointed out that where the lions sleep- - - there is an area set aside - - - where the lionesses nurse the cubs, and watch over the lion cubs- - - - This area is also called a "crèche" ("cresh").

(Revelation 5:5) tells us:  "But one the of elders said to me, "Fear not, for the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed!!! ("JUDAH means PRAISE)

*** Now, Picture in your heart/your spirit - - -Mary, in the stable - with ("Baby") JESUS  in her arms as she nurtures Him.

*** Now, picture in your heart/your spirit - - - JESUS being tortured to death on the cross for my sins and your sins!!! (Hebrews 12:2).

(John 1:29)- - - "The next day John saw JESUS coming toward him, and (John) said " The
LAMB OF GOD Who takes away the sins of the world."

***Receive in your heart the Truth- - - JESUS CHRIST - THE LION, AND THE LAMB chooses to live in Your heart, and to live His heart out, through your heart and through my heart!!!

Let us all bow our hearts in worship of JESUS!!!

"Give to the LORD the glory due His Name: Bring an offering.....O worship the LORD in the
beauty of (His) holiness.  Tremble before Him, all the earth."(I Chronicles 16:29-30)   
       

MY SAVIOR!!!!!!!     MY STRENGTH!!!!!!!     MY SONG!!!!!!!    MY VICTORY!!!!!!!!!

"...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).

It happened in January, 1984, in Athens, Georgia.....

When I was much younger, I enjoyed running for exercise.  I was never able to increase my running speed; but (by God's grace) He did enable me to build up my endurance; so that I
was able to run a marathon each year (for several consecutive years). [ A marathon is 26.2 miles]

In order to complete a marathon, I usually started my training and preparation approximately
6 months before the race.

During the fall of 1983 --- Because of very stormy weather on most weekends....I was not able
to complete many long runs.

Also an important part of my pre-race preparation ---was to arrive at the starting line about 1/2
hour early---so that I could rest and "loosen" my muscles after a long drive to the race site.
Of course - Long before race day I realized that my preparation was incomplete because of the
inadequate number and duration of long runs that I had completed.

In addition to that inadequacy...I arrived at the starting line so late that I had NO time to
rest and loosen my muscles ---so I had to run to the starting line and begin running the race!

(Please allow me to add an interjection here)---
Well before race day I had prayerfully decided to fill the race time with praise songs to JESUS CHRIST, and to pray for the other runners, as well as pray for the families who lived along the race route).

As I drew nearer to the finish line-----at about the "mile 23 mark", it became clear the final 3
miles...we would be running DIRECTLY INTO a stiff wind!!!

Of course I was already very tired at that stage --- then my "Savior" appeared.

My good friend/brother in Jesus Christ/running partner Wayne Douglas had found out that I was running the marathon that day--- so when Wayne completed the 5k (3.1 miles)---He went to the finish line for the marathon, started there, and ran the route in reverse...so that he met me at "mile marker 24!!!

AND, Wayne told me "I will run in front of you and break this wind for you; you just "tuck" yourself behind me, and I will take you to the Finish Line."

So!  With JESUS being "my Strength and my Song", and my brother Wayne helping me to the
finish line ---and JESUS being my FINISHER --- my elapsed time for that marathon was my fastest ever (a personal record)!!!

When compared to other runners.....my elapsed time was not fast...but for me it was a personal
record!!!

JESUS-"MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG" (Isaiah 12:2).
JESUS - "AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH" (Hebrews 12:2)

I realized later on that Wayne's sheltering me through the wind...
is like JESUS CHRIST'S protecting us and making  "the way" to our finish line/
HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!  

"He is faithful to His word and to His righteous character...for He cannot deny HIMSELF".
(2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified Bible).

ALL PRAISE TO JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!(Revelation 12:5)

  OUR  CHRISTMAS GIFT  T0  JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!


John 13:25: "Then, ( John), leaning back on Jesus' (chest),.....said unto Him,
Lord, who is it?"

In John 13:16-30, Jesus identifies  His betrayer---(Judas).  In this passage, Jesus and His (early)
disciples are eating a meal together.....In verse 21, JESUS has just washed the feet of His ---
disciples.....When Jesus has said these things, He was troubled in His Spirit, and testified  and
said, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, One of you will betray Me.'

Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke;
Now there was leaning on Jesus' (chest) one of his Disciples (John), whom Jesus loved.  Simon Peter therefore motioned to John to ask who it was of whom He spoke.  Then, leaning back, (John)
on Jesus' (chest), He said to Him, 'Lord, who is it?'

Jesus answered, 'It is he to whom I shall give a piece of  bread when I have dipped it.' And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot....."-----
So, when John asked Jesus that question, Jesus answered Him.

May WE ask a question-----'What ELSE happened when John laid his head on Jesus' chest???

It is my understanding and belief that---while leaning on Jesus' chest, John  heard Jesus'  
Christ's answer ("It is He to whom I will give a piece  of bread when I have dipped it").


But John (also heard) by the Holy Spirit, GOD'S HEART AND PLAN for all mankind!!!
John "heard"---
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST (THE LAST BOOK OF THE BIBLE)!!!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants ---things
which must shortly (quickly or swiftly) take place.  And He sent and signified it by His
angel to His servant John,  who also bore witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony
of Jesus Christ, to all things that He saw.
"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things
 which are written in it. The time is near." (Revelation 1:1-3)

The central theme of the Revelation is that the LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNS!!! (Revelation 19:6), this theme has been validated in history by the Lamb--WHO IS LORD OF
LORDS AND KING OF KINGS!!!

To recap.....John laid his head on Jesus' chest and asked a question of Him-----Jesus answered
John's question.

But also---John heard Jesus' heart, and Spirit, and GOD'S Plan for Man.
Hmmm, did I mention somewhere near the beginning of this Message.....Christmas gifts
(from us) TO JESUS CHRIST???
In Revelation 19:13 Jesus' name is "THE WORD OF GOD".

The Holy Spirit has given me understanding that frequently/regularly I am to lay my head (and heart) on GOD'S WORD,  AND submit to Him, and ask Him to speak his heart into my heart---
that which He wants me to hear and share.  And I will frequently need to ask the Holy Spirit to
guide me into the truth. (John 14:26).

The SCALE of the  DIFFERENCE between John's asking Jesus ("Who is Your betrayer") and the receiving of the Triumph of JESUS and the Revelation of JESUS CHRIST-----is valid for us asking GOD "Lord speak to me about Your plan for me this day, this week, etc., for this occasion.
Listen to  this: "Now to Him Who, by the action of His power that is at work within 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
glory in the church by Jesus Christ to all generations forever, and forever. Amen."
(Amplified Bible/ Ephesians 3:20)
I urge you to join me ---for blessing to you and glory to JESUS CHRIST forever!!!
For according to Jesus' payer in John 17:21-23...God loves us (all) as He loves Jesus!!!

So let us give to Jesus "quiet time" frequently to lay our heart/head upon Him (the Word of God)...
.....that He may speak His heart into our hearts!!! Ever - increasing glory to JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!
HE!!! IS!!! WORTHY!!!!!!!!!!!!