Archives for February 2015

Feb 8, 2015

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE WANDERING AIMLESSLY WITH NO DESTINATION IN SIGHT?

“The greatest gift God can bestow upon man is the gift of eternal life. The greatest attainment that we can reach is to preserve our identity to an eternal duration in the midst of the heavenly hosts. We have the words of eternal life given to us through the Gospel, which, if we obey, will secure unto us that precious gift” (DBY 96, John A. Widtsoe,)

But my friends, as we enter the threshold of the promise land, many will not be allowed to cross over because of our over saturation of television which has turned even God’s children into puppets who have become easily manipulated by what we see and here on TV.

We only have but a short period of probation, from birth to death in which to prepare for God’s pure and holy kingdom, but we have allowed our over indulgence of TV to shift our “brain activity from beta waves, associated with logical thought and analytical processes.

To alpha waves, commonly associated with susceptibility, suggestibility and an unfocused state of mind” which lacks the tools of knowing, perceiving, or remembering the things God deems beneficial, and precious for our salvation.

Satan has guided us into spending an astronomical amount of God’s time in front of our televisions, time that could be spent doing physical activity that is required to maintain a healthy mind and body. But most important it takes away the time that should be spent studying the word of God and doing His will.

One day God will say to his faithful who have endured “Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you’ve been trustworthy with a small amount, of time I will put you in charge of a large amount (Eternal life).

Or He will say to everyone who squandered His time here on earth, why was, house wives of Atlanta, Scandal, DWTS, The Voice, and Grays Anatomy more important than a relationship with your Savior? And the saddest words we will ever here repeated, will be, “I know you not.”

In Ephesians 5:15-17(KJV) Paul states “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Moses had seen an entire generation wander aimlessly in the desert.

And my friends, they choose not to enter the promise land because they did not  focus on God and where He had brought them from and where He was trying to lead them.

So 40 years, the Israelites roamed in the wilderness, with no specific destination in sight, sentenced to an aimless inactive and slothful wandering. Then only Moses, Joshua and Caleb remained to represent the generation that left Egypt.

Many of us experience this same dilemma, wandering in the wilderness of TV! TV! And More TV as the years flies by. My friends, time is precious, and how we spend and use it for God’s glory and honor is of vital importance to our spending eternity with Christ. But like the Israelites God has given us a choice.

In addition, if our choice is spent on self and the unproductive use of our time, it then becomes the contributing factor which influences our lives and not God’s word and His relationships with us, which then causes us to lose sight of this journey Christ has placed us on.

So friends, today, decide to turn off that TV and spend each precious moment you have left on this earth searching to capture the mind and character of Christ because soon “the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:2-3 (ESV)

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

Feb. 7, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IN ALL THINGS, DO TO THE GLORY AND HONOR OF GOD!!

My Friends, We are often made sick by the overindulgence of our appetites. We usually eat what suits our taste, not what’s good for us. Thus we weaken the digestive organs, and injure the power of the digestive system to assimilate the food that is fundamental in sustaining a healthy mind and body.

Thus our delicate bodies become deteriorated by improper eating habits. But let’s never fool ourselves. Sin and Satan’s desire that we all lose sight of Christ saving grace, lies at the door. In addition, we allow that door to become our mouth and what we consume in it each and every day.

My friends, if we allow appetite to Rule our mind and body then the final result will be the disintegration of the spiritual part of what God intended for us from the beginning. One of the strongest temptations that we will ever have to face is probably upon the point of appetite.

Remember, our first parents lost Eden by the gratification and indulgence of appetite and now our only hope of regaining what was lost as we stand at the threshold of the promise land is through the firm denial of one’s inappropriate eating habits.

In addition, if only we as Christians could conquer on this point, then we would have the moral power through Christ to gain the victory over every other temptation that Satan tries to attack us on. But those who remain slaves to appetite will forever fail, in perfecting Christian character.

My friends, as we near the close of this life’s history, Satan’s temptation of the flesh, and the passion of improper eating habits, will be more powerful and more difficult to overcome.

But Satan can only attack us when we allow the affairs of this world to outweigh our relationship with God and the amount of time we spend each day in studying His word and doing His will.

Consistent with this, Christ was also tempted in appetite, But His words to Satan are one’s we as Christians should all use as Christ prepares our character for His pure and holy kingdom “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (and not just the words we deem appropriate for our lifestyle) but every word of God”

And my friends as we focus on God’s word, we then allow the power of God’s Spirit to dictate our appetite. So let’s learn for ourselves what we should eat, and what kinds of food best nourish the entire mind and body, and then follow the dictates of reason and conscience through the renewal of Gods Spirit each and every day.

Remember “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against, the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand…Above all, taking the shield of faith…

And  the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… Eph. 6:12-18 (KJV) So My friends Remember “those who will not eat and drink from principle, will never regulate there mind and body by principle, in other areas of their lives.” (E. G. White Health Reform Principles)

Our eating habits should always and forever, be regulated from a moral and religious stand point, that is based on Christ example. So my friends, we are to be temperate in all things, because an incorruptible crown, and eternal life, is before us.

Paul states in 1 Cor. 10:31 (KJV) “Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” John also states in 1 John 3:2 (KJV) “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

Feb. 6, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU NOT KNOW? HAVE YOU NOT HEARD?

When an eagle is born and get’s to a certain size, or maturity, by observation they recognize the usefulness of their wings and what separates them from a chicken who only flaps in a never ending and motionless pursuit to fly but never.

When the baby first arrives and finds itself in a massive nest, It is lost, it can’t see over the top. That’s when the mother gives her child stability, a steady routine, constant nourishment, all the things you pour into a child at birth which allows them to grow to adulthood.

The child does not instinctively know how to fly, like all children they have to be taught, but mostly they learn by watching other eagles soaring in the sky, as they realize that is my destiny as the mothers amazing tenacity shows her young, this is what I want you to do, this is where I need you to go, these are the heights I need you to achieve.

Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 11:1 (KJV) “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Because in the end it is all about Christ and what we must do to accomplish His will, not ours. “Do you not know? Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASV)

My friends, “In an eagles five year development to adulthood, they go through one of the most varied plumage changes of any North American bird. During its first four weeks of life, an eaglet’s fluffy white down changes to a gray wooly down.

At about five weeks, brown and black feathers begin to grow. It becomes fully feathered at 10 weeks of age. In its first year, the mostly dark-colored juvenile can often be mistaken as a golden eagle. However, the bald eagle progressively changes until it reaches adult plumage at five years.” (Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee)

As the eagle goes through the various stages from birth to maturity, so the  Creator has planed the renewing process of his chosen generation “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.” Isaiah 46:10-11 (NKJV)

My friends God tells us those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength, like the eagle there is a process a transformation that can only happen through His Spirit. In addition, each of God’s children are different.

Maturity comes at different stages throughout one’s life, but what is important to the child of God who seeks life eternal and to everyone who waits for the Lord, we will all cross into the promise land if we have faith and endure, together.

And as we enter those pearly gates and walk by the “river of life, we will notice it is clear as crystal and it proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb. And as we walk in the middle of those golden streets, with the tree of life on both sides, we will all cry out, “Alleluia! heaven is cheap enough.”

My friends have you not known, have you not heard, Our Savior is “coming quickly! And blessed is the man and woman who says in his heart “not my will but thy will be done” and carries their cross daily, for when He gets here His reward will be with Him, to give to each person according to what they have done.” Rev. 22:12 (NIV)

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

Feb. 5, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IS GOD’S GRACE SUFFICIENT, EVEN IN THE 21^ST CENTURY?

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9 (ESV) My friends, Sufficient grace is grace that is enough, but not super abundant, fantastic, huge, or incredible.

Sufficient tells us that His grace is “adequate for the purpose;” If we have faith, in the promises in His word. In fact, we are reminded in Ephesians chapter 2 that we were once dead in our sins, allowing the god of this world to control the desires of our mind and body “and were by nature children of wrath.

But God, being rich in mercy and love made us alive with Christ and by His grace if we believe, we became Heirs of God and joint heirs with His Son Jesus For by grace we have been saved through faith and it is not because of anything that we have done but it is a free gift of God.

In addition, God’s word must be our guide as we allow His Spirit to guide us in “all truth and understanding.” Let’s now focus on a few of the best of the best in God’s word, starting with Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, whose bloodline takes us to Jesus Christ the Savior of mankind.

Paul also tells us, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 (NIV) But my friends, Abraham was a liar who looked out for number one, self, even when it evolved someone taken his wife for themselves.

Then you have Elijah who God used to stop the rain for 3-1/2 years who brought fire down from heaven and killed 400 prophets of Baal in a demonstration of God’s power and his faith on mount Carmel.

But when King Ahab tells His wife Jezebel what Elijah had done and Jezebel threatened his life, at that point, he loses all faith for “Hell hath no fury like a woman,” who is mad at a prophet of God, so he runs like a scared Rabbit, But through God’s grace Elijah now abides in Gods kingdom.

You also have Moses who God chose to lead Israel to the promise land, who had no problem killing someone and covering up the murder. My friends, He never entered the promise land here on earth but because of God’s Grace he also abides now in God’s Kingdom.

David “a man after God’s own heart” was a adulterer and a murderer of an innocent man whose wife He had committed the adultery with. My friends, no one is perfect in God’s word except Christ “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 (NKJV)

God’s word also shows me sin is not put into categories, with liars and  thieves on one end of the spectrum and murderers and adulterers on the other. But God’s grace is sufficient for all, even His Chosen Generation in the 21^st century got to have it now society.

In addition, God tells us “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:11-13 (NKJV) Because my Grace is sufficient.

So today my friends let’s shift our focus from self, and take a walk up that hill to Calvary as the power of God’s Spirit works in us to deny old inclinations, and powerful propensities toward new habits that lead us away from God.

But through our faith and endurance we must continue to prepare our heart to received God’s grace more abundantly while spreading the good news of Gods Gospel in preparation to enter God’s kingdom a “place no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Cor. 2:9 (ESV)

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

Feb. 3, 2015

MY FRIENDS, ARE YOU A MAN OR WOMAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART, OR AN ELECT?

“David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” 2 Samuel 12:13-15 (KJV)

My friends, This scenario starts in 2 Samuel 11:1 (NKJV) “It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon.”

So the king had some idle time when He should have been serving God in some capacity, but the idleness, allowed Satan a foothold into David’s mind which lead to lust, from lust to adultery, and then murder. My friend’s, do you see the progression of an idle mind when we allow Satan to enter.

In other words, once the forces of evil draws us into their world, sin then abounds to astronomical levels. You would think “a man after God’s on heart” would have protected Himself better with God’s armor.

He knew, he did not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age….” Eph. 6:12-13 (NKJV) why was He not better prepared, doesn’t he tell us himself in Ps. 119:11 (KJV) “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Where was his word during this time? My friends, this is why Christ himself tells us in Matt 24:21-22 (NKJV) “there will be great tribulation…and not since the beginning of the world, or even today, or will you ever see the things that will happen.

And unless those days were shortened, no flesh will be left alive; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” My friends wasn’t David and elect, and a “man after God’s own heart” Samuel tells king Saul “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, 1 Samuel 13:14 (NIV)

Webster defines elect as one who is chosen by God, especially for Salvation or eternal life. Now, we must ask ourselves, are we men and woman after God’s own heart?” And if we can say yes to that question, we now know the journey must continue until we have become an elect, One who is “safe to save” in God’s pure and holy kingdom.

Bathsheba had David’s Child “and it became ill. “David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. But, God had made His decision, finally David asked His Servants “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.”

So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.” 2 Samuel 12:15-20 (NKJV) My friends that is what made David “a man after God’s own heart” and a elect who died at seventy in the loving arms of our Savior, while never ceasing to give God all the praise glory and honor He deserved, in spite of his sin and retribution by God.

And one day soon “with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, [David and all who] died in Christ will rise first.” 1 Thess. 4:16 (NIV) My friends we are at the threshold of our Journey and if we can truly say we are men and women after God’s own heart as we allow self to die each day in Christ, then you are doing great.

But we haven’t crossed over yet, Satan still has an agenda not to let that happen. so we must continue to pray without ceasing as we study God’s word and seek His Spirit until it overflows within us, and then with our faith and endurance, we will become an elect, chosen by God, for life eternal in His kingdom.

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

Feb. 2, 2015

MY FRIENDS, WHO AM I THAT THE LORD OF ALL THE EARTH WOULD CARE TO KNOW MY NAME?

“Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth Would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt. Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star Would choose to light the way For my ever wandering heart.

I am a flower quickly fading Here today and gone tomorrow a wave tossed in the ocean Vapor in the wind, Still You hear me when I’m calling Lord, You catch me when I’m falling.

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love and watch me rise again. Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea Would call out through the rain And calm the storm in me. Not because of who I am, But because of what You’ve done, Not because of what I’ve done, But because of who You are. (Casting Crowns “Who Am I”)

My friends let the words of that song sink into your heart and let’s make it personal, all about you and I and about our relationship with God individually as we ask ourselves, “Who Am I?” That the all-knowing, all-powerful, Omnipresence being would care to know my name and be concerned about my salvation.

“Who Am I?” who like the dusk in the wind, I am Here today and gone tomorrow, but I am still, fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Ps. 139:14 (NIV) The Psalmist also tells us “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Ps. 90:10 (KJV)

“Who Am I?”  that no matter what I have done or how far I have fallen into sin, His arm is still long enough to reach me as he whispers those calming words into my ear “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid for the Lord thy God…will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deut. 31:6 (KJV)

“Who Am I?” if I will” Humble myself in the sight of the Lord, He will lift me up.” To be a part of “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, [who] may proclaim the praises of Him who called [me] out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

Oh the Power of our Creator and just like “the winds and the waves obey him”! “Who Am I?” that with this same power, calls out through the rain and calm the storms in my life, if I will just call out, “save me Lord,” please don’t let me drown.” 

“Who Am I?” that all He does for me, is not because I am anybody special, or because I have done anything outstanding, it is simply because of the love, grace and mercy of the one who gave His only begotten Son and a Son who gave His life for me on Calvary”

My friends, “Who Am I?” that in spite of my sins, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (KJV) He still loves me and allows the sun to shine over me each day and will do whatever it takes, so that one day I may have life eternal and have it more abundantly in His kingdom.

So my friends, right now Let’s just take the time to express the love God has shown for us, and with passion from the bottom of our heart, give God all the honor praise and glory that only He deserves.

So “Glory to God Now to Him who is able to keep you [and I] from stumbling, And to present us faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever.” My Friends, Who Am I? I Am A Child of The King!

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

Feb 1, 2015

MY FRIENDS HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE RELEVANCE OF GOD’S WORD IN YOUR LIFE?

“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.” John 14:5-6 (NKJV)

My friends lets focus on those three words today, Way, Truth and Life. Webster defines the way as a direction or vicinity. Truth is something verified or an indisputable fact, proposition, or principle, and life is the general or universal condition of our human existence.

So combining the three words we have; The direction to a verified and indisputable knowledge of one’s existence and what, our Savior, our friend, the true love of our life is telling each of us today; the only way to find out in this short probationary period why we are here and what our purpose and goals in life is, through Him, who gave it all for our Salvation on Calvary.

In addition, once we have allowed God’s Spirit to give us that understanding and if our mind [stays focused] on things above, and not on earthly things.” Col. 3:2 (NIV) then we will also realize Salvation, can only be obtained through the way the truth and the life, our Savior and our friend, Jesus Christ.

My friends where is your passion today “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NIV) so does that make the word relevant in our lives.

In addition, “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matt 13:45-46 (NKJV)

“We are to give ourselves to Christ, to live a life of willing obedience to all His requirements. All that we are, all the talents and capabilities we possess, are the Lord’s, to be consecrated to His service.

When we thus give ourselves wholly to Him, Christ, with all the treasures of heaven, gives Himself to us. We obtain the pearl of great price……There are some who seem to be always seeking for the heavenly pearl.

But they do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not die to self that Christ may live in them. Therefore they do not find the precious pearl. They have not overcome unholy ambition and their love for worldly attractions.

They do not take up the cross and follow Christ in the path of self-denial and sacrifice. Almost Christians, yet not fully Christians, they seem near the kingdom of heaven, but they cannot enter there. Almost but not wholly saved, means to be not almost but wholly lost.” (E.G. White Christ Object Lessons pp 116 and 118)

Our attitude should be as that of the merchantman willing to give all we own for our salvation. But, somehow the god of this world will always find ways for us to stay faithful to the things of this world while never allowing self to completely die, so that Christ can take full control through His Spirit and Word.

Therefore we never find out the true value of salvation, and eternal life, therefore we will never fully conquer ungodly ambition and our love for what the world has to offer. Only willing to get to the threshold of the promise land, but not willing to do what it takes to cross over.

So once again I ask what is the relevance of God’s word to you today and if with a passion you tell yourself it is more precious then anything this world has to offer then it is now time to tell our Creator with that same passion “not my will but thy will be done.”

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY