A SONG IN THE NIGHT

*** PLEASE READ THIS ALOUD**

The LORD will command HIS lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me---                                                     A prayer to the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8). 

All the night the storm roared...

When the morning came...the storm was o'er.

We looked on the beach, we searched the shore...

Then in the distance we heard a man's voice sing...

As we drew closer, we saw him lying on the beach.                                As He was Singing -  He was Clinging to a rock.                                    (He was Singing) "Praise YOU LORD, JESUS MY KING."

As he endured the storm, and the night, he was Clinging to                  to the everlasting/everpresent arms of his Savior. (Deuteronomy 33:27).  {The word for "everlasting", can also be translated as              "everpresent".}

You and I---through every day and every night and every storm-           --WE can cling to HIS everlasting/everpresent arms and HE will         Love us with His 'Everlasting Love'. (Jeremiah 31:3).

Through every day and every night and every storm - HE is our Rock.   "...For they drank of that Spiritual Rock...and that Rock was   CHRIST."   (1 Corinthians 10:4).

"In YOU, O LORD, I put my trust...be my refuge" (to which I may resort continually, a place wherein I can Dwell."). (Psalm 71:1-3).

"I am the LORD, I do not change." (Malachi 3:6).

"JESUS CHRIST is the Same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8). 

[GOD is infinitely Creative, but His Character/His heart toward us never changes.]

"HE remains true (faithful to His Word and to His righteous Character), for HE cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified Bible).

"I am with you Always." (Matthew 28:20).

"Where can I go from YOUR Presence?  If I ascend into heaven, You are there...if I make my bed in sheol, behold, You are there.  If I ride  the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there  Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me.  I could ask the darkness to hide me - and the light around me to become night---but even in darkness I cannot hide from You.  To You the night shines as bright as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You." (Psalm 139:7-12/New Living Translation).

Until JESUS comes back  for you and for me---to take us to Heaven--  we Will have days, nights, and storms...

"All the night the storm roared...                                                              When the morning came, the storm                                                        was o'er...                                                                                                  We looked on the beach, we looked on the shore... then in the distance we heard a man's voice sing...as we drew closer, we saw him lying on the beach.  As He was Singing - he was Clinging to The 

Rock.  He was singing "Praise You, Lord - Jesus My King". 

Until JESUS does come to take us to heaven---                                      Let us SING Praises, Worship, and Thanksgiving to JESUS...

Let us CLING to His Everlasting/everpresent arms, Let us rest in HIM - our refuge wherein we may dwell.  

(Now, please read it again.  Thank you.) 

                                                                                                                

                                                                                 

*** LIGHTNING!!!!!!!!! ****

!!! GET THE PICTURE-----

Late on a Wednesday afternoon, in Cornelia, Ga., I was in the gym...  as I was doing my planned exercises, I could hear that it was raining very hard!!!.  I could hear the rain just "pounding" on the roof!  And  I could hear the thunder!

     After I completed my exercises, I walked to the front of the building, and I could see that it was still raining very hard!!!

I sat on a chair near the door so that I could see when the rain decreased---    planning to walk across the very large parking lot to my truck.

Indeed when the rain decreased.....I opened the door and started walking (because at age 76 I no longer run), so I walked as quickly      as I could.

(This might seem "strange", but I always pray---asking the LORD ("in which specific place I should park?").  As I reached the point where I was about half-way to my truck - - - I saw a very BRIGHT FLASH of  LIGHTNING only a few feet in front me!!!!!                                              I am sure that most everyone has seen lightning before.  The Flash is so quick and brief that it is very difficult to actually measure the duration- - - probably only 1 (one) or 2 seconds.                                          Lightning is both very quick and very powerful!!!  One lightning    strike can break a large tree; or..."knock out" the electricity for a whole town, etc.                                                                                             When that "Thunderbolt" struck in front of me, I paused for a second or two, then walked on to my truck and drove home.                      I KNOW that I did not just imagine that!  Because when I returned  to the gym 2 days later- - -2 employees of the gym told me that they    SAW the lightning!!!                                                                                      By GOD'S GRACE, I am reading through the complete BIBLE      this calendar year.  So I have a reading plan that guides me to which chapters that I am to read each day.  So as I drove home, THE LORD  brought to my remembrance---                                                                (Job 28:23-26)  "GOD understands its way, and HE knows its place.    For HE looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heavens, to establish a weight for the wind, and apportion the waters by measure.  When HE made a law for the rain, And A PATH FOR THE THUNDERBOLT."  (I read that passage only 6 days before!!! the LIGHTNING/THUNDERBOLT!!!).   And also (Psalm 139:16)---"HE WROTE DOWN OUR EVERY DAY BEFORE THE DAY OF OUR BIRTH."                                                                                                         Also as I drove toward home - I remembered that (even though the  Lightning bolt was very near to me) - - - I felt neither heat nor electrical  charge!                                                                                         I can conclude only that:                                                                     1) In TRUTH - HE did "...write down our every day before the day of our birth (Psalm 139:16); so HE knew EXACTLY where I would be at that time.                                                                                      2) HE "made a path for the Lightning bolt/Thunderbolt AROUND me  (Job 28:23-26).                                                                         3)"As for GOD, HIS way is perfect;  The WORD of THE LORD is proven; HE is a shield to all who trust in HIM".  (2 Samuel 22:31).      4) HE still has work for me to do.  "...HE WHO has begun a good work in you will complete it until the Day of JESUS CHRIST...".        (Philippians 1:6).

JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF SAYS in (John 16:13):  "HE (THE HOLY  SPIRIT) will guide you into all truth."

Let us frequently ask (and submit to) the HOLY SPIRIT to "guide me into all TRUTH".               

        

     

CRADLE----- HOLD----- COMFORT----- HAVE MERCY!!!!!

 In recent days, I have been meditating on the term "Cradle".

Of course, as a NOUN, "Cradle" is a small bed in which small babies  can sleep.                                                                                                  But what is really on my mind and in my heart is the VERB "To Cradle".

I was asking GOD to "Cradle" Military men and women who suffer    Severe Struggles with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).            PTSD is caused by experiencing the PAIN, TERROR, and HORROR  of WAR.

Also, I was asking GOD to Cradle/Comfort our Christian Brothers and Sisters who are Persecuted for their faith in JESUS CHRIST.  [Persecution can range from not allowing Christian children to attend school --- to Torture and Murder].

FIRST, I started  my search in the Holy Treasure of GOD'S WORD/    the BIBLE.

I could not find the word "Cradle" in the BIBLE.--- But far better I did find (the Verb) "COMFORT".

"Listen" to GOD'S definition "COMFORT:                                            COMFORT... (Psalm 23:4), nacham, "nah-cham", Strongs # 5162:        to console, extend compassion.  In its sense of comfort, nacham does  NOT describe casual sympathy, but with Deep EMPATHY - identification with, and understanding of another person's feelings.

EVEN BETTER, as I searched the TREASURY of GOD'S WORD---  I discovered ---"HAVE MERCY".                                                            "HAVE MERCY", racham, ("rah-chahm"), Strongs # 7355, to feel,      show compassion, tenderly love.  (*** Racham is the origin of the        Hebrew word for  "WOMB"**!!!

Let's Seal it with GOD'S WORD:                                                            "Behold, I will extend peace to her/him like a river...As one whom his/her Mother comforts,...so I will comfort you...". (Isaiah 66:12-13).

Let's Pray for wounded Warriors and Persecuted Christians...Pray that  GOD our Heavenly Father will hold them with His "Ever-lasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27), Pray that HE will COMFORT them, and HAVE MERCY on them.  (Write your own prayer if you wish!!!).

LET'S REMEMBER!!!  We can plant 1 (one) grain of corn...we can get one corn stalk --- with several "Ears" of corn...each ear of corn will have several Hundreds of grains !!! (Just Picture---"Corn on the    cob". (What we give out...it will come back to us multiplied!!!).

HAVE MERCY!!!!!!!!!

IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST---

"Blessed be the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the     FATHER of MERCIES and GOD of all COMFORT." (2 Corinthians   1:3).

AMEN!!! (Let it BE SO IN and THROUGH our lives!!!!!!!!!). 

  

            

"FRET --- --- --- BEST --- --- --- REST"

[Please Read This slowly. THE LORD is using these TRUTHS to make A  Blessed Change in my life!!! ]

"Do not fret.......it only causes harm". (Psalm 37:8).

In HIS GREATNESS, Our HOLY LORD GOD is continuing to transform me---(As HE promises in Philippians 1:6).

In my fleshly nature, when I misplace my glasses, or misplace my       phone, or when I can't some complete a simple physical task...then I sometimes   become frustrated and angry.....

While I was reading HIS WORD...In HIS wonderful, gracious, intimate love...Our ABBA FATHER pointed out to me a word that is  used 3 times in 1 (one) chapter of Psalms!!!  (Chapter 37):              

a) verse 1 --- "Do not fret"...;  (b) verse 7---"Do not fret...; (c) verse 8---"Do not fret...

Definition: "Fret" - "charah" - (Strongs # 2734) - to burn with anger.

Psalm 37:7 "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for HIM ...".

So, it is SO MUCH BETTER - rather than to fret ---"REST IN THE LORD".

If you are similar to me - I have to ask THE LORD to ENABLE me    to "Rest in HIM".  In HIS gentle, patient love --- HE will do that.

IN TRUTH - It is not only Better to rest --- It is BEST!!!

(Psalm 46:10)---"Be still and know (**perceive, acknowledge***)      that I AM GOD.

*** Please bear with me---   Take the word "be"; then add the first (2)   letters of "Still"=== ***BEST**!!!

As we CONTINUE to "BE STILL and KNOW that HE IS GOD ---      HE will gradually move our "Knowing that HE is GOD..." to a New    Testament meaning of "know"---The Recognition of truth by PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

TO Summarize:

"Do not fret...it only causes harm." (Psalm 37:8).                                    "Be still and KNOW that I AM GOD."(Psalm 46:10)

As we trust HIM, PRAISE HIM, and THANK HIM--- HE will              transform us so that HE will move us from (only) acknowledging        that HE is GOD ---to EXPERIENCING that HE IS GOD!!!

"Trust in the LORD, and do good;                                                            Dwell in the land, and FEED on HIS faithfulness...(Psalm 37:3),          ["HE is faithful to His Word and to HIS Righteous Character...              (2 Timothy 2:13/The Amplified Bible)].                                                  "Rest in THE LORD, and wait patiently for HIM." (Psalm 37:7).

Bowing Before HIM, Thanking HIM, and Acknowledging that HE      will enable us to experience  HE IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

HE is Eager to DO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!        

 

CHOSEN, ADOPTED, and ACCEPTED!!!!!!!

 "CHOSEN, ADOPTED, and ADOPTED" are not only words to learn about.....these are VITAL---VERY IMPORTANT NEEDS for EACH and EVERY ONE of us!!!

First, let's look at "CHOSEN" - the very opposite of "CHOSEN" is "REJECTED".

DEFINITION:  CHOSEN- the word designates ONE picked out...for special services or privileges.  It describes JESUS CHRIST as the chosen MESSIAH of GOD (Luke 23:35); angels as messengers of heaven; and believers (in JESUS CHRIST) as recipients of GOD'S favor (Matthew 24:22, Romans 8:33, Colossians 3:12).

In today's world, children (and adults) that are different, or difficult, they are often REJECTED.  Rejected by fathers, mothers, teachers, and others---and that makes them (us) vulnerable to seeking acceptance elsewhere...even acceptance from CRIMINALS. (more on that later).

DEFINITION> ADOPTION: The process by which one brings another person into his family, giving him/her the status and privileges of a biological son or daughter.

DEFINITION> ACCEPTANCE: To receive or treat with favor. In the Bible, a person is accepted by the grace, mercy or covenant love of GOD through faith and repentance.  [GOD has fully accepted believers through the mercies of JESUS CHRIST].

Earlier (above) I mentioned "seeking acceptance...even from criminals---In large cities there are criminal gangs who prEy on children, youth, adults who are vulnerable/desperately needy of being chosen, adopted, and accepted.  The way that the gang members do this is to make it clear that a person CANNOT be chosen/adopted/accepted (as a member unless they MURDER a person! 

OH!!! How NEEDY **WE*** ARE!!!!  In (John 14:6) JESUS CHRIST declares  "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.  No one comes to the FATHER except through ME."

So WHEN we accept JESUS as our SAVIOR and LORD>>>HE makes us Chosen, Adopted, and Accepted as belonging to GOD our Holy Father as "HIS IN JESUS"!!!

Once again, let me share with you a Personal Experience:  On the route that I drive from my home (in Cleveland, Ga.) to Gainesville Ga.....there is a sign that reads "Whispering Angels Youth Ranch".  For many years I have driven by that place and our LORD has inspired me to pray over that place.                                                              Recently, I heard/read (the director of the youth ranch) speak of the plan that they follow with the children/youth who come to stay at the ranch:   Soon after the children arrive, they each are taken to the stables to "meet" the horses. [The horses are HIGHLY TRAINED to play their roles].  The children do NOT choose the horse they want...Instead, the children stand and wait...and the Horses CHOOSE the CHILD, walks over to the child, lowers his head before the child (in a submissive posture).  For as long as the child is there...they have the same horse.    (They feed, care for and ride (Their) horse as long as they are there.                                                                                            JESUS bowed HIS HEART in submission to FATHER GOD'S will  that HE must die to save us from our sins ('...not my will, but Yours be done' (Luke 22:42)...To save US...His rejected, damaged children.  

In worship of JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!  HE is the "Life-Giving Spirit"    (1 Corinthians 15:45).  HE is the 'Yes' and 'Amen to every promise of GOD (2 Cor. 1:20).  HE is "the Same yesterday, today, and forever."    (Hebrews 13:8).

And YOU can choose to be HIS!!!

 

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND..."!!!

 That phrase ("I don't understand") is something that I have said to our HOLY GOD and FATHER a number of times in my life...                     

And now (By GOD'S GRACE!!!) I am beginning to understand what   GOD is trying to teach me---

To save time, I will list only 1 (one) personal experience that will         illustrate what HE is teaching me:

February 8 2020 I was driving from our church (in Clermont, GA.),      to our home (in Cleveland, Ga.).  It was snowing heavily---so I was      driving VERY SLOWLY and CAREFULLY: (keeping my speed at      30 - 35 miles per hour.  

When I neared Cleveland, I drove over the top of a hill---IMMEDIATELY I saw that a car was STOPPED in my lane, with NO  BRAKE LIGHTS, NOR EMERGENCY FLASHERS showing.  Because I was driving SLOWLY...I decided to try to drive AROUND the  vehicle--- but the SNOW on the highway caused my truck to collide into the rear of the other vehicle. THANK YOU LORD!!! Neither I,  nor the people in the other vehicle, were injured!!!

{Let me now list some "numbers" here to clarify this (True!!!) story}.   The small pick up truck that I was driving...we paid only $6,000 for    it.

OK, here it comes:  I said "LORD, I don't understand - I was driving  very SLOWLY and CAREFULLY, and I was praying that I would get  home safely---"I DON'T understand WHY YOU let this happen!".

     But HOLY GOD OUR FATHER first  answered the NEED:  the         Sheriff's officer who investigated the accident---He asked me to sit     in His car...and He gave me a ride (on this snowy day!) to my mail-     box at my home driveway...I ARRIVED ---TOTALLY SAFE!!!

     Over the next 5 months, my wife and I Prayed---Shopping for our      next vehicle for me to drive.  Because I did not know WHETHER my truck

could be repaired, or was it a Total Loss...We just gave the whole sit-  uation over to our LORD GOD, and we continued praying and shopping.

     A few weeks after the accident, our insurance agent called and told me to come to her office to pick up my insurance check...the total amount of the check was a little more than $11,000!!!  (Now remember---we had paid $6,000 for the truck!!!

     My wife and I continued praying and shopping for 5 months...until

we found the truck that GOD had planned for us.  Guess what the price was for GOD'S chosen truck for us.....It was $5,000!!!

     So remember, the old (wrecked) truck we paid $6,000 for it!   The

insurance paid to us $11,000+.....$11,000 Minus $6,000...Equals $5,000 (The cost of our "Replacement Truck".

     Please read with me the BIBLE verses that GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER is using to teach me in this:  (A).  "Be anxious

about nothing...by Prayer and THANKSGIVING let your requests be

known to GOD...(Philippians 4:6).  (B) "I KNOW the plans I HAVE for you...Plans for good..." (Jeremiah 29:11).  (C) I AM ABLE to do    things for you BEYOND what you could dream..." (Ephesians 3:20).

(D) "...cast your cares upon HIM, for HE cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7).

(E) "...the PEACE of GOD...SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING"!!!      (Philippians 4:7). 

     So now I say: "LORD, I do NOT NEED to understand, I am just going to trust YOU...". 

     HE IS FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD AND TO HIS RIGHTEOUS

CHARACTER...For HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF." (2 Timothy

2:13/Amplified Bible).

     PRAY MUCH!!!  READ HIS WORD!!!  PRAISE, THANK, and

WORSHIP GOD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS!!!!!!!

     S D G     Sole Deo Gloria     GLORY TO GOD ALONE!!! 

   

         

     

                             

I HAD A DREAM...

I HAD A DREAM...WHO AM I?   WHOSE AM I?

Recently, Just before I awoke,I had a dream.  At first it was an unpleasant dream...(So, I thought "that dream is not from the LORD").

Let me recount for you the dream...                                                        (In the dream) I had been sent to the hospital to undergo some medical tests.  I found myself wandering around the hospital - in and out of rooms, walking through the halls; I even walked into the main office of the hospital---I was seeking ANSWERS to my QUESTIONS:

(A) "Where (geographically) is this hospital?"                                        (B) "What were the results of the medical tests?"                                  (C) "What would be next in my life---more tests?, surgery?, death?"

As I wandered through the hospital.....NO ONE would answer my questions...In Truth, NO ONE would even ACKNOWLEDGE my presence!!!  So when I awoke, NONE of my Questions had been answered.

As listed in the sub-title (above)---My first question was 'where am I?'

In current times (2021), we have "GPS" in our phones, our vehicles, etc.

In "Historical times"...(Before GPS), the primary point of information (for BOTH LOCATION and NAVIGATION) was the NORTH STAR.  Once a person could locate the North Star --- they could determine the direction of their travel.

Even in today's world, (for those of us on land); at about 12:00 noon -  if you face toward the sun -  you are looking toward the South.  Then to your right is West, to your left is East, and behind you is North.

When I arise in the morning, one of my first activities is to read/study the BIBLE.  As the FIRST part of my reading/studying GOD'S WORD, I declare to myself (speaking aloud) a **list* of GOD'S PROMISES for us whom have accepted JESUS CHRIST as our SAVIOR and LORD.

The Most Important of my questions is "WHO am I?  "WHOSE am I?"

(By GOD'S GRACE!!!)  I have accepted JESUS CHRIST as my SAVIOR and LORD ---Thus "THE LORD THE MOST HIGH GOD    is my FATHER!!!" (Genesis 14:22/Romans 8:15).

The "list" (mentioned above) is titled "I AM FATHER GOD'S happy/Blessed thought".  On this list, there are 9 Major answers to  ("Who am I? Whose am I?" Each one has several verses (and their location in the BIBLE):

1) "I am loved by my FATHER..."FATHER loves me with HIS everlasting Love" (Jer. 31:3/ Eph. 1:1-6).                                               2) I am pleasing in FATHER'S Eye...  "FATHER'S thoughts toward me are always good and filled with hope for me." (Jer. 29:11).             3) "I am ACCEPTED by my FATHER..."I have been adopted by FATHER GOD." (Eph. 1:5)./"I am called JESUS CHRIST'S friend."  (John 15:15).                                                                                             4)" I have Purpose in my FATHER".  I am a witness of GOD to the world," (Acts 1:8).                                                                                    5) "I am  Secure  IN my FATHER," "I am hidden with CHRIST IN       THE FATHER." (Col.3:3).                                                                       6) GOD is NOT ashamed of me". (Hebrews 11:16/Heb. 2:11).               7) "GOD has FORGIVEN me. (1 John 1:9).                                           8)"FATHER does NOT judge me". (John 5:22/John 3:16-18).               9)"I am a new creation in JESUS CHRIST." (2 Cor. 5:17).

So, we CANNOT rely on the North Star to know "WHO we are",           "WHERE we are", "WHAT is next", "WHERE  we are going...

WE CAN-WE WILL!!!!! rely on GOD MOST HIGH (Psalm 47:2)       WHO CREATED us, paid the HIGHEST POSSIBLE PRICE for           us  (John 3:16); and HE created ALL the stars...and put them in           their place. (Genesis 1:14-27).

"HE upholds, maintains, guides, and propels the UNIVERSE by           HIS Mighty Word of POWER." (Heb. 1:3/Amplified Bible).                 ***Y0U can get the ENTIRE list at Shilohplace.org/855-744-5641.

3 More Very Important TRUTHS:                                                            A) "All the promises of GOD--- in JESUS are "YES" and "AMEN",     to the Glory of GOD through us." (2 Cor. 1:20).                                     B) "HE (the HOLY SPIRIT) will guide you into all TRUTH".                (John 16:13)                                                                                           C) HOLY GOD says in (Jeremiah 29:11):       

" *****  I KNOW *** the plans that I have for YOU.....Plans               for GOOD...to give you a future and a hope".                                        

LET'S GO !!!!!!!!!