*** "REMEMBER" **

 ALL of us like to be remembered.                                                           NO ONE likes to be forgotten.

Let's look in the Old Testament of GOD'S WORD (The BIBLE) at the Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 1:1 - 2:21:                                       

Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, strongly - even desperately - wanted to have a child ----- and she could not.

(1 Samuel 1:7)- So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD...she wept and did not eat.

(1 Samuel 1:11)- "So she (Hannah)...said, 'O LORD of HOSTS, if YOU will...look on me (Your maidservant) and remember me, and not forget me, and give to me a male child, then I will GIVE HIM to the LORD all the days of his life..."

(verse 19) Then they rose early in the morning and Worshiped before the LORD, and returned to their home.  And Elkanah knew Hannah  his wife, and the LORD remembered her.  (v. 20) So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she called his name "Samuel".  (The meaning of the name "Samuel" is "heard by GOD").

In (1 Samuel 1:19) "...and the LORD remembered her..." does Not imply that HE had forgotten her, but rather that HE is now going to bring HIS ANSWER TO HANNAH'S PRAYER and unfold HIS PURPOSES!!!

(1 Samuel 2:18)  "...and Samuel served before the LORD even as a child...".

The similarities between JESUS and the boy Samuel are striking!        Both were children of Promise.  Both were dedicated to GOD before birth.  Both were "bridges" of transition from one stage of the nation's (Israel) to another stage.  Samuel combined the offices of Prophet and Priest;  JESUS CHRIST is Prophet, Priest, Messiah, and King (of Kings!!!)  (Revelation 19:16).

HOLY GOD does Not forget You -He does not forget me:                      "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O GOD.  How great is the sum of them: They are more than the grains of sand." (Psalm 139:17-18).

Most all of us have visited, or seen, a beach...HOW MANY grains of sand were on the beach that you saw?  How many grains on All the beaches in the WORLD???  How many on All the DESERTS of the world?

Our GOD MOST HIGH (Psalm 42:7) does remember us.  HE WILL CONTINUE to REMEMBER us!!!

Here, now, let me add an additional note about Hannah:                       "And the LORD attended to Hannah, so that she conceived and bore a total of Four sons and two daughters,"  (1 Samuel 2:21).

So... YOU and Me---what are we to do?                                                 (As did Hannah) We are to pray-pour out our hearts to GOD, PRAISE HIM, Thank HIM, fast before HIM, Worship HIM!!!  And Trust that HE Will (in HIS Perfect time (Psalm 139:16) bring to us HIS answer to our prayers, AND unfold HIS purposes!!!

HE will remember/answer in accord with HIS character - "...more than we can dream "...or dare ask..." (Ephesians 3:20/Amplified Bible).  REMEMBER, Hannah asked for "...a male child"; GOD gave to her 4 sons and 2 daughters!!! (1 Samuel 2:21).

***  "REMEMBER ** 

****SURELY LOVE AND MERCY...****

 "Because YOU, LORD, are my Shepherd, I will not lack anything that I truly need.  YOU have bedded me down in Lush Meadows, You find for me quiet pools to drink from.   YOU restore my soul...       (True to Your Word---You let me pause and catch my breath).  YOU lead me in paths of righteousness for YOUR NAME'S SAKE.

Yes, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil--- for YOU are With Me.  Your Shepherd's Staff makes me feel secure.

YOU serve me a six-course dinner in front of my enemies; YOU anoint my head with Your oil; my cup runs over with YOUR BLESSINGS!!!

SURELY YOUR LOVE AND MERCY will follow me ALL the days of my life; and I will live WITH YOU in Your house forever"!!!                   (Psalm 23:1-6 New King James Bible/The Message).

++++++++PICTURE THIS in your Mind and Your Heart:

(Acts 9:3-5) "As he (Saul) journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly --- a BRIGHT LIGHT shined around him from Heaven.         Then he fell to the ground...and he heard a voice speaking to him... and he said, 'Who are You, Lord?'  Then the Lord said...I AM JESUS...".

Now ++++ PICTURE THIS:  It COULD BE that The Light of GOD shined down on the Valley of Elah where David fought the giant Goliath.  Goliath was 6 cubits (approximately 9 feet 9 inches) tall --- surely Goliath would have cast a Shadow...and Goliath certainly told  David  that he was going to put him to death (in this Valley).  So (by God's Grace) David prevailed... "and Goliath crashed face-down in the dirt." (! Samuel 17: 32-51/The Message).

***Pardon me - But I MUST interject a Powerful note here:                (a) The HOLY SPIRIT wrote many Psalms through David; this Psalm 23 (at the beginning of this message); and HE also wrote Psalm 22 through David:                                                                                        (b) The Valley where David killed Goliath was in the territory of Judah. (*** The name Judah means "Praise").                                        (c) In Psalm 22:3 GOD'S WORD states GOD"... enthrones HIS PRESENCE in the praises of (His people)..." !!!

(Psalm 46:10) "Be still and know, that I am GOD, I will be exalted      (Praised and worshiped) among the nations".

(Isaiah 41:10) "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I AM your GOD,  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with MY righteous right hand."

May I paraphrase, Please...

++++This next section---Read this aloud to yourself 12 times in the next 15 days.....your days will be Blessed!!!  ["He is Faithful to HIS WORD and to His Righteous Character." (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified 

Be still and know, that GOD is in control.                                                Be still my soul; stand and watch the giants fall.

Rest in the LORD, don't strive; watch your faith and His grace align.  I won't be afraid, YOU are with me, YOU hold me with your righteous right hand.

"Surely Love and Mercy, YOUR Peace and Kindness will follow me, will follow me.

Surely Love and Mercy, YOUR Peace and Kindness will follow me, will follow me.

Surely Love and Mercy, YOUR Peace and Kindness will follow me, will follow me..."

{Even better than reading it aloud to yourself.....                                   HillSong Music has a Wonderful CD titled "There Is More" that includes a song titled "BE STILL".  (And you know that songs are more "touching", and easier to remember.                                                ++++ I urge you.....Give to yourself the Gift of buying that CD and listen to it!!!}

++++ You may have noticed that I sometimes put the plus (+) sign to  draw your attention to a particular part of this (HIS) message...            I put-- 4 -- crosses as a reminder that In Revelation 4:1 HIS WORD says "...a door standing open...and HE is saying..."...Come up here, and I will show you things that must take place..."  

 

**** "SAFE" ****

"IN JESUS it is just as if I had never sinned". (Romans 5:1)

                              "By entering through faith into what GOD has always wanted to do for us - set us right with HIM, make us fit for HIM - we have it all together with GOD because of JESUS; and that's not all:  we throw open our doors to GOD and discover at the same moment that HE has already thrown open HIS doors to us.  We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand - out in the wide open spaces of  GOD'S grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise to HIM"!!! (Romans 5:1/The MESSAGE).

Now "PICTURE" This in your mind and heart:

In the game of baseball, when a batter/baserunner hurries to Touch the base Before the defensive player can receive the ball and touch (the baserunner)---The Umpire/Official watches this action...and if the runner is successful in reaching the base--- the Umpire holds both his  (own) hands out in front of himself---holding his hands flat - --spreading his hands and arms apart in a "sweeping" motion, and He declares the runner  "SAFE".

And as the "baserunner" (me!/us!) Submit to, and rely on GOD our Heavenly Father---we will reach home (Heaven!) "SAFE"!!!

***Please, One more time...Picture this in your mind/heart:                 ### The "sweeping motion" of the umpire's arms represents JESUS CHRIST's arms being spread apart on the cross (and being nailed there), and HIS Blood/GOD's Word Wiping away all our sins!!!!!!!!!  And so that makes us "as if we had NEVER SINNED"!! (Romans 5:1).

GOD is NOT an umpire - to call us "out", or "safe"--------HE IS            our FATHER!!!  By HIS SPIRIT within us HE is "our strength and our song", "always with us", "wisdom" (Isaiah 12:2/Matt. 28:20/Psalm 139/1 Cor. 1:30).  IN HIM we can be SAFE here on the way...in HEAVEN we will be SAFE FOREVER from thieves, sorrow. fear, death, pain, sickness etc.!!!

"The punishment necessary for us to have peace was put upon HIM."  (JESUS)!!! (Isaiah 53:5).

"The ETERNAL GOD is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting ARMS..." (Deuteronomy 33:27).

                        ****SAFE****

 

****"NURTURE LIFE!!!"****

Recently, I had a dream.....In the dream I was among a large group of people in an outside area, it was night.   Every person in the group was carrying a candle, and each person had already lit their candle.

The crowd started a game---the object of the game was to see which person could blow out/extinguish the most candles (candles which others were holding).

During the game...I blew out/extinguished the most candles.

In the days following the dream...HOLY GOD our FATHER put together the happenings of the dream with with some events from earlier times in my life:

1) On a hot summer afternoon, I was taking a walk along a paved road near our home.  As I arrived at the top of a hill, I saw a butterfly on the pavement - it was injured, it could not fly.  Very carefully, I picked up the butterfly, and carried it across the road.  I gently placed it in the grass (well away from the road), and in a place where the sun was shining brightly on that grass.

2) On yet another sunny summer afternoon, I stepped out of our garage-onto the gravel in front of our garage... Although there was ONLY  gravel there (no flowers nearby), still, there was a beautiful butterfly perched on the gravel.  It, also, was unable to fly.  So I gently picked it up and carried it over to the edge of the woods where there  

were some flowers growing in the warm sunshine.  I placed the butterfly near the flowers in the warm sunshine.

 HOLY GOD OUR FATHER began to give me the understanding that I am to be one who NURTURES LIFE.

Many of you already know that butterflies are considered to be a symbol of LIFE.

I Thessalonians 2:7 - "But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children." 

The Greek word (thalpo) (Strongs # 2282) used here in the New  Testament---means: to cherish, to warm, to tenderly care. The word means literally "keep warm".  Also, the Greek word (pneuma) is used for "spirit", "air", and "wind". (Strongs # 4151),

(John 6:63) (JESUS speaking) - "It is the Spirit Who gives life...The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

So, what are you (and I) to do???

We are NOT to blow out/extinguish the candle in others.

We are to frequently ASK, and ALLOW, the Holy Spirit to speak JESUS' words through our thoughts, our words, our prayers, and our actions --- to nurture...nourish...tenderly care for ...keep warm---His life in others.

JESUS says "I AM the light." (John 8:12).

(JESUS speaking) "It is the Spirit WHO gives life...the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63).

NOT SUMMIT, BUT FAR BETTER --- THROUGH!!!!!!!!!

In my life I have read books and seen movies about climbing Mount Everest -- the highest mountain on earth!

All of those who climb/"summit" Mount Everest must spend YEARS   preparing physically and mentally for the effort.  When the time comes that they arrive at the base camp --- THEN the struggle begins!!!

One of the difficulties of the climb is the TRAFFIC! ( traffic?!!?) YES, the climbing season is very brief due to the weather conditions---that include powerful winds (some winds reach "hurricane strength"!!!); plus there is MUCH ice and snow...and the air is so "thin" that you must carry your own Oxygen in bottles as you climb    toward the summit --- and that is in the "best" climbing season!

"TRAFFIC???"  YES! If someone who is ahead of you in the struggle...if they get to a place/condition to where they cannot continue---then you must WAIT (sometimes you might have to wait    for HOURS).  And many people get part or the way up, and then have to go back down---after having spent that much training, effort...without achieving the goal of "summiting" - (and some people die on the way up!) 

For those who do make it to the summit---the most difficult part is still AHEAD of them!  They have spent all their drive and desire in     

Reaching the summit --- then they have little energy left to struggle through the most DANGEROUS part --- the descent.

Those who SURVIVE the descent ---they have to come back down to the world and struggle through the difficulties of life in this world -      (like sickness, cancer, broken families, etc.).

Even the experienced guides who lead others up and down the mountain...THEY also must come back and experience the struggles of life here on earth..(and ALL of them WILL die at some time).  Even though they have climbed to the highest place on earth --- they are no CLOSER to heaven than is a little child who can hardly walk.

*** BUT!!!** We who have accepted JESUS CHRIST as our LORD and SAVIOR ---HE leads/guides/enables us T-H-R-O-U-G-H our lives!!!  

HE (JESUS!!!) climbed the mountain that was MOST difficult to climb --- One that ONLY HE could climb ---MOUNT CALVARY- to    reach HIS CROSS---and HIS death on the cross---to SAVE US from our sins!!! ****

T-H-R-O-U-G-H

JESUS is the T-ruth---

H-e is our SAVIOR. HE is here with us.

R - His righteousness gets us into heaven!!!

O - HE (GOD!!!) is O-mnipotent (all powerful),  O-mniscient (all knowing), AND O-mnipresent ("with us always"/Matthew 28:20/Psalm 139).

U - nderstanding -  (JESUS "became for us wisdom from GOD...." (1 Corinthians 1:30);  [ Wisdom speaks: "I AM Understanding"/Proverbs 8:14].  JESUS understands us with HIS HEART--- HE suffered rejection  (even from His own family!);  HE suffered pain, and sorrow, and ALL things that we experience.                                                                        "JESUS Wept" with sympathy (John 11:32-35);                                      "JESUS Wept with sadness and frustation (Luke 19:41-44); also ***Please read (Isaiah 53:3-5).

G- HIS G-oodness is more than powerful enough so that HE defeated all the evil of all people of all time!!!

Earlier in this message I mentioned the "efforts" of those climbing Mount Everest.....As We are carried THROUGH the mountains/difficulties by JESUS --- OUR efforts are: to SUBMIT to HIM, OBEY HIM, THANK HIM, PRAISE HIM, and WORSHIP HIM!!!

H- Heaven - ENDLESS "time" in the PRESENCE of GOD --- praising, thanking, and worshiping HIM!!!!!!!!!

Oh, earlier in this message I mentioned a mountain named "Mount Everest" --- that is "mis-named" --- only in HEAVEN can we EVER REST and Rejoice in HIS PRESENCE!!!!!!!!!

JESUS declares in John 14:6 ---"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

Daily, let us Praise HIM and Thank HIM that in His Love HE paid the highest possible price for us (each and all of us!!!) and HE will lead, guide, and enable us through ALL things to HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!

Thank YOU LORD!!!!!!!!!

   

    

HOPE!!!!!!!!!

In today's world, with Covid, increasing crime, possible war, etc.---    We need HOPE!!!!!!!!!

HOPE is a VITAL NEED for ALL of us!!!

WITHOUT   hope...we will fall into despair, depression and other        destructive difficulties.

In this world, when we have difficult times (like sickness, injuries, etc.), we have hope for  "when this is over".                                            In Hell there will NEVER be hope of it ending!!! 

WITH hope we can live lives of peace, and have victories, and joy!!!

When I was a young man...I often would put my hope on my expec-    tations...then when my expectations did not happen.....that led to        frustration, anger, and bitterness!  And that caused very negative effects to the people close to me!!

The DEFINITION of HOPE in the NEW TESTAMENT of the BIBLE is:                                                                                                              "hope, el pis ("el peece"), Strongs # 1680.                                              "Hope, NOT in the sense of an optimistic outlook or wishful thinking  without any foundation, but in the sense of Confident expectation based on SOLID CERTAINTY.  Hope rests on GOD'S Promises, particularly those pertaining to JESUS CHRIST'S RETURN!!! So      CERTAIN is the future of the REDEEMED that the New Testament sometimes speaks of future events in the past sense---as if they were already accomplished!!!

"For when GOD made a promise to Abraham, because HE could swear by none greater, HE swore by HIMSELF, saying, 'Surely Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you!!!            And so, after he (Abraham) had patiently endured, he obtained the      promise.  Thus GOD, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of Promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, confirmed it by an oath, that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for GOD to lie, we have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

This HOPE we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the PRESENCE  beyond the veil, where the Forerunner has entered for us, even JESUS, having become HIGH PRIEST Forever..." (Hebrews 6:13-20).  (From BIBLE study notes:     "An Anchor is only as secure as that to which it is attached."

So, we must put our Hope in GOD-WHO is Almighty, Unchanging, and HE loves us with His perfect love, and on His SON JESUS.

"For all the promises of GOD in HIM (JESUS) are Yes, and in HIM AMEN." (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Let it be SO in our hearts and our lives!!!

"...By the commandment of GOD OUR SAVIOR and the LORD JESUS CHRIST, our Hope." (1 Timothy 1:1)   

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.)