Archives for March 2015

Mar. 11, 2013

MY FIENDS, BREAKING NEWS, IT IS FINISHED!!!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; [but our Savior came into the world that you and I] may have life, and [may have it more] abundantly. [for our Savior is ] the good shepherd; and the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-12 (NASB)

And because of His sacrifice my friends, one day soon we will receive “the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to [His faithful] on that day and not only to [us], but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:8 (NIV)

In addition, because of what was done for us, Satan’s demise was sealed when Christ said “it is finished!” and I can say with full assurance, nowhere in the history of mankind were three words, more applicable to our salvation.

John tells us “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar He said, ‘it is finished!’ and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.” But my friends, “He lives and because He lives we  can face tomorrow” as we look forward to life throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

And I believe, Satan and all the forces of evil were totally shocked, and amazed! At the events that took place at Calvary. How could this be they ask?

My friends, the answer is a simple one, Satan did not anticipate that the father and Son would demonstrate so passionately their Love for a wretched sinner like you and I.

So today let’s focus on the scene at Calvary, the forces of evil are pacing back and forth asking each other what is happening? They look at their leader and say; didn’t you tell us that you would “ascend above the tops of the clouds.

[And if we gave up all we had in God’s pure and holy kingdom that you would] “make yourself like the Most High.” And we would all rule for eternity.

My friends even imagine the holy angels looking over the parapets of heaven wondering what this all meant? Now keep your eyes on the Jews, Romans and the Greeks all there at Calvary and at “noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.” Mark 15:33 (NIV)

And [when] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit….[the] veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.” Matt. 27:50-51 (NASB)

And now Satan’s character was clearly revealed, he had hidden himself with duplicity and deceit up to this point, not even the holy angels understood the course he took or why.

But the plan of redemption was now complete, the character of God is revealed to all mankind and God’s love and honor is now established throughout the universe and it will continue throughout eternity.

Yes my friends, the destruction of sin and Satan was forever made certain and the redemption and salvation of man was guaranteed through God’s love and grace, but only through our faith and endurance will we ever understand what those words mean for our salvation. 

Up until this point the “old Testament prophet’s were like artist that came along and put their own unique style on the canvas of the story of redemption. One by one, they came.

And then as Christ is crucified, the final stroke is put on the canvas of this picture and now the revelation to mankind is finished! And Satan’s fate is sealed.” But we as Christians still have our responsibility.

Our mandate Comes directly from our Savior who did it all for us and so we must tell the world “it is finished!” and the more we can focus on the character and love of Christ the more we come to realize that we must follow Him all the way to Calvary.

And like Christ, we must also become humble servants to others as we go into all the world and tell everyone because “it is finished!” salvation is now yours if you believe.

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

March 10, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IF HE NEVER DOES ANYTHING ELSE HE’S ALREADY DONE, WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

“We will sing, and celebrate His name, we will glory and delight ourself in Him. Every way He has made, every word He said is true, and if He never does anything else  He’s already done, what He said He would do.”

“For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”(NKJV) So today My friends it’s personal because we are looking back over our life when God was not a factor, when sin abounded on every level and we can still say with full assurance, the sun never ceased to shine in our life and today that same sun or Son that awakens us daily and has brought the light of His glory into our life throughout the years still shines today.

In addition, we can say with full assurance, we “have been young, and now [we are] old; Yet [we] have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.” Ps. 37:25-26 (NIV)

and my friends, we are descendants of the living God “and co-heirs with Christ,” but as His heirs we cannot refuse the sufferings of the cross as disciple of Jesus who is now advocating for each of us while at the same time preparing our new home that no “Eye has seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man [or woman] The things which God [is] prepared for those who love Him.”1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

Wonderful and marvelous are adjectives describing the works of Christ, in fact John tells us, there are so many other things that our Savior did, “which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25 (KJV)

So today, with eyes closed as we contemplate over the life of Christ and all He did while on this earth, there is no greater miracle then when He took a sinner like you and I, and transformed our life from being the wretched sinners we were, to one who recognizes and believes through our faith in the cross and His word that the transforming power on Calvary absolutely and without any doubt in our minds saved us from death and the clutches of sin.

Oh the grace of God! And what Calvary meant for our Salvation and through our faith, we can say Lord, I am going to trust you totally and place all of my confidence, hopes and dreams of eternity exclusively, on Calvary and what Christ did  “While we were still sinners.”

And because of that we will run the race as we fight the good fight while standing on our faith. My friends “we don’t have to look across the ages, His voice is speaking in [our] hearts today His word is like a flame consuming all [our] shame His life a shining star to show [each of us] the way.

In addition, [we must] behold His life and see the man [or woman He wants us] to become living like someone who belongs to the kingdom that was sealed on Calvary [so today we must give Him our all as we] show the world what [we] believe”(Richard Smallwood)

Yes my friends! If you believe in the power and the name Jesus Christ and all that His name symbolizes, and what His death on the cross meant to your salvation, and victory over sin and Satan.

And today if you are willing to focus through his word and Spirit and endure till the end, then the name of Jesus Christ will carry all of the power, and distinction needed to get us to the promise land as we sing, and celebrate His name, because every word He promised, once we cross over, that He said He would do, would have then come true.

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

Mar.9,2015

MY FRIENDS, DO WE ERADICATE SIN OR ARE THE FINAL CONDITION WORSE THAN THE FIRST?

“It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit, and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:21-22 (NKJV) because Christ was not the foundation and focal point of their lives.

Luke 11:24-26 (KJV) tells us When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through dry places seeking rest and finding none. Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came. When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.

Then it goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there. And the final condition of that man [or woman] is worse than the first.”

So my friends we must never fool ourselves into thinking we can out think Satan and eliminate sin from our life without replacing it daily with the presence of God and His word, otherwise you find yourself completely vulnerable to be attacked “and the final condition is worse than the first”

A great illustration is of the apple. Perhaps you think the worm starts from the outside and eats it’s way through the apple, but scientists have discovered that the worm comes from the inside.

“During the summer, small fruit flies can be found buzzing around apple orchards. These are called apple maggot flies. Each female finds herself an apple that is ripening and lands on it. Using a small, sharp, hollow tube on the underside of her body, the fly stabs a small hole in the fruit.

Then she releases her eggs, which slide down that hollow tube into the apple. Soon afterwards, the eggs hatch into tiny white worms which then feeds off of the apple.” My friends, sin is the same way, Satan places from within, starting at the heart, feeding off what we watch on TV and the internet.

In addition, what we listen too, or the words that comes out of our mouth, or the unhealthy things we put into our mouth, or the places we allow our feet to take us. Remember my friends, we were “brought forth in iniquity, and in sin [our] mother’s conceived [us.]” Psalm 51:5 (KJV)

Also “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) So our Savior must always occupy our mind and body “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,,,,,,Eph. 6:12 (KJV)

In addition, as you study God’s Word while seeking His Spirit to help you recognize, reject, and replace each sin that the forces of evil have brought into your life, you will begin to gain the victory over each of them one by one as self begins to die and Christ begins to take full control.

My friends, there can be no time out on what precious time we have left in finishing God’s commission until Christ says; this controversy is over. “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Rev. 22:11-12 (NKJV) So today we must “set our mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth, grace is gradually being removed because the sin of mankind has abounded to astronomical levels.

So the light from God’s presence that is within us, must shine through us to a world that has lost it’s spiritual compass, as we, God’s chosen proclaim the good news of the gospel to the world that Jesus saves and He will be here soon.

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

Mar. 8, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU AND THE WORLD HAVE THE SAME IDEA OF WHO CHRIST IS?

“And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “who do people say I am…..?” Mark 8:27-30 (NKJV) Today my friends let’s make it personal as we go into the villages of Caesarea Philippi, and make yourselves part of the conversation with Christ as he ask each of us who are traveling to the promise land “who do people say I am?”

Well we would probably answer Him first by saying. The Hindus acknowledge multitudes of gods and goddesses, but they never mention a son who is the Savior of the world. The Buddhists say there is no deity so that excludes Christ all together.

The New Age followers believe they are God so you are irrelevant in there world. And the Muslims believe in Muhammad, who would probably be there Savior. The rich believe in their wealth.

And the Hip hop generation would probably say Kanye West who mocks our Savior by wearing a crown of thorns on his head for his 2013 CD cover, Yeezus, which is a combination of Yeezy, his nickname, and Jesus, the Lord.

So now it’s personal, we are asked individually to reply?  But first let’s focus on where Christ found us, and where he has brought us too on this Journey. Such a simple question when we were speaking about other religious believers, but now “who do we say Christ is?”

And as we look at the question, it can only be answered if He is a personal Savior to us and we have  touched the scares on his hand and placed our hands across His brow and felt the pain He went through for our Salvation.

Touch His side now, and picture the spear penetrating as the blood and water “flows from a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;” and as He hangs on that cross, look into His eyes as He tells you and I who have spent time with Him each day; look at what I did so that you may have life eternal.

In addition, if you “want to be my disciple” [you] must deny yourselves and take up [your own] cross and follow me.” Matt 16:24 (NIV) Now let’s invite Him to our most sacred place, show Him where you lay prostrate each day, and with heartfelt lamentation, cry out “Lord not my will, but thy will be done”

And now just sit beside the Good Shepherd, and recognize His presence, and talk to him as a friend, and your Savior as you tell him, I am a wretched sinner, and in spite of all you do for me, I have become so busy with the cares of this world, I really don’t know how to answer that question.

But today my friends lay in his bosom, and feel the warmth of his touch, listen to every heartbeat that pumps for your salvation, as we make this experience real, and once you do, you will know in your heart, the Master will never have to ask you again “who do you say I am?”

Because you now have been in the presence of Christ, and when that happens a transfusion, that leads to a transformation takes place as our Precious Saviors blood now flows through our veins, and we can now tell the world “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me….Gal 2:20 (NKJV)

And since we will never let Him leave our presence again, our mouth and what we say and put in it is now sealed with the blood of Jesus, our eyes and what we see, our ears and what we hear are now sealed with the blood of Jesus, our feet and where we go are now sealed with His blood, yes my friends every fiber of our being now flows with the blood of our Savior, because we know who He truly is today.

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

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Mar 7, 2015

MY FRIENDS, LET’S REST IN THE LORD, “FOR HIS YOKE IS EASY AND HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT”

And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-29 (NKJV)

That my friends demonstrates a journey from the beginning of our walk with Christ until we are at a point in our relationship with Him where we can rest fully, knowing whatever situation or circumstances arises in our life God is still in control

“A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might.

So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love this is the subject for the soul’s contemplation.

It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness. Jesus says, “Abide in Me.” These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence.”(E.G. White Steps To Christ pp 70-71)

Webster tells us rest; is a “relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs us” So Christ is telling us to “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30 (NKJV) in  Lev 26:13 (NASB) it tells us ” I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.”

My friends, in this text yoke is associated with slave or “an agency of oppression,” as when we allow the god of this world to set our agendas and we become his slave under the bondage or yoke of his submission.

But because of God’s love and grace, He has allowed that submission to be our choice. So today let’s all focus on a complete rest in the Lord let Him have full control of our lives, because a yoke with Christ is “joining together a pair” for “whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” 1 Cor. 6:17 (NIV)

In addition, we must remember this battle we try and fight each day is not our Battle. Christ fought it 2,000 years ago and won on Calvary, but we can never realize this if self still reigns supreme from within and the yoke of oppression and sin is still around our necks.

So we must “Let our eyes look straight ahead; fix our gaze directly before [us]. Give careful thought to the paths for our feet and be steadfast in all our ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep our foot from evil.”

As we continue to allow the Master “who began a good work in [us to] carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Prov. 4:25-27 (NIV) Philippians 1:6 (NIV) and then at the end of this journey we will find eternal rest throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

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

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March 6, 2015

MY FRIENDS, WHO KNOWS WHETHER YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?

Today we go to the book of Esther and see the love, grace and protection for God’s chosen as we witness in His word  the awesome workings and power of God to put into place what is needed to save His chosen in all generation including our own.

The story begins when the king of Persia and Media, Ahasuerus has a banquet in his honor. He then sends for Vashti, his queen to join him, Well she was having her own feast for the ladies of the Royal palace, so she ignores his request.

The king is not pleased with her response so he dethrones Queen Vashti and a decree is sent out in search of a new queen and Esther a Jewish virgin is chosen to replace her. So now you have one of God’s chosen inside the Royal court.

My friends, God always watches over his chosen for “our steps have been ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in [our] way.” Ps.37:23 (KJV) in all situations and circumstances of our life, but my friends it must be all about Him as we give Him all the praise and honor in all we do.

The King later promotes someone named Haman as prime minister. He becomes upset when everyone gives him homage as he walks throughout the gates of the palace except Esther’s uncle Mordecai but my friends Mordecai knows there is only one we give homage too and that is God.

Haman inquires about this man who does not bow to him. Upon finding out he is a Jew, he then devises a plot to get the king to sign a decree to have all the Jews annihilated on a certain day, not realizing there is a God who made the heavens and the earth who is called Jehovah and these are His chosen he wants to destroy.

Mordecai sends a message to Esther. Go before the King and intercede on her people’s behalf. Esther sends back word to her uncle; if the King does not call for her and she goes before him unannounced he could have her killed.

Mordecai sends back a powerful message to Esther “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14 (NKJV)

My friends, if you are God’s chosen; don’t think because you are a good Elder, or deacon, or deaconess in your church and pay your tithe each week, if you remain silent during these last days, you will escape the justice of God for not spreading the good news, that He saves and He will return soon.

God’s word will get to his people so “if [we His chosen] become silent, the stones will cry out!” But God is asking us to heed His call, “who knows my friends, whether we have come into this world for such a time as this? and like Esther we must understand the source and power that lead Mordecai  “would not leave or forsake His faithful” if we believe.

Fast and pray for what she knew had to be done was Esther’s request. “I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” My friends I have taken you up to Esther  4.

Please continue to read this beautiful story which far exceeds anything you could ever watch on TV. But like the story of our lives there can and will be a happy ending, but we must first endure while self is completely eliminated on our journey to the promise land as we step out on faith like Esther and give it all to the Master.

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

Mar. 5, 2015

MY FRIENDS, WHAT IS YOUR PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP, DO WE MEET THE CRITERIA?

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”Prob. 4:18 (NASB)

My friends there is a path to citizenship and each day that we allow self to die just a little more, the light of the glory of God will guide us until the direction and requirements to that path becomes clear and one day the Master will say to all who have endured “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

My friends let’s look at the Prodigal son today and see the path that he took and the mistakes that were made in his life. The parable starts in Luke 15:11 where the son is not satisfied with being under the father’s roof, he feels there is a better path to happiness, not realizing “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Prob 14:12 (NKJV)

In addition. our limited finite minds sometimes feel we have all the answers “because although [we knew God], [we do] not glorify Him as God, nor [are we] thankful, but [we have] became futile in [our] thoughts, and [our] foolish hearts [are] darkened. Professing to be wise, [but] becoming fools,,” Romans 1:21-22 (NKJV)

So my friends like the Prodigal son, we follow down a path that Satan lays out for us and “The precious years of life, the strength of intellect, the bright visions of youth, the spiritual aspirations all are consumed in the fires of lust.” (White, Christ object lesson pp 200)

Have we taken such a path throughout our life “Although surrounded with the blessings of His love, there is nothing that the sinner, bent on self-indulgence and sinful pleasure, desires so much as separation from God. “Like the ungrateful son, [we] claims the good things of God as his by right. [We] take them as a matter of course, and makes no return of gratitude, and renders no service of love. (White, Christ object lesson pp 200)

But my friends it is never too late to return home and receive the rightful pathway to citizenship towards God’s pure and holy kingdom, because There is no distance from the graces of God that we have traveled that the loving arms of God will not reach.

So in spite of the retched sinners that we all have become, there is hope in what the Father did in allowing His Son to Die for our sins at Calvary and the Son who took it upon himself to make that sacrifice. focus my friends and remember the “Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is long-suffering towards us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (ASV)

And now the journey we thought we started  years ago before the desires of the heart lead us away from God  we can now truly begin the process of restoring a broken relationship with our Father which art in heaven.

Grace, is still with us my friends “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21 (KJV)

consistent with this, “If the angels could pull back the curtain” and you could see how close the god of this world and all who follow him are in reaching their cup of indignation, we would all tremble and weep before God, knowing His Spirit is gradually being removed from our world, and as His Spirit goes so does His grace.

So while we still have time to get on the right path to citizenship it all comes down to our passion to give it all to the Master, not my will but thy will be done”.

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

March 4, 2015

MY FRIENDS, “HIS PRAISE SHOULD CONTINUALLY BE IN OUR MOUTH”

My friends “[if yor God has chosen you and your passion is to serve we must] bless the Lord at all times; His praise [should] continually be in [our] mouth. [and our] soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice. [My friends] O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. ”Ps. 34:1-3 (NASB)

My friends let’s focus today on the words “His praise should continually be in our mouth” the text never mentioned anything about missing a day or even a second of our life, but continually. Webster tells us; continually is “without cessation or intermission; unceasingly; and always.”

Two years ago I ran a half marathon here in Nashville. Two miles into the race both of my Achilles became inflamed, in fact, they felt as though they were on fire, but I had eleven miles to go, the simplest thing would have been to stop, it was a drenching storm that never stopped and the distance back was a whole lot shorter then what was in front of me.

But my friends I never entertained the notion too stop, or go back, the goal was the finish line so I endured through the pain and the storm, at a much slower pace but I continue and upon crossing I received the prize, which was victory. Not first place but my goal, to finish.

My friends we must look ahead at where we are trying to go. If the finish line is not important then we can sit down and spend a few hours in front of our televisions each evening, or however you waste God’s precious time, But if your eyes are focus on the promise land then “God’s praise should continually be in [our mouth]”

And with passion His children must let the world know that “we’ve been changed and we have waited for this moment to come for such a long time and we won’t let it pass us by and we won’t go back, can’t go back, to the way it used to be Before God’s presence came and changed us” (William Mcdowell I Won’t Go Back)

That my friends is why we must continually praise God’s name because of what He did on Calvary and what He continues to do in our life each day. In addition He has ask each of us to become His disciples and carry our cross and become “fisherman of men and women”

“The Lord God has given [His faithful] the tongue of discipleship, that we may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens [His chosen] morning by morning, He awakens [our] ear to listen as a disciple.

The Lord God has opened [our] ear; and [we must] not [be] disobedient Nor [must we ever] turn back” Is. 50:54-5 (NASB) for “His praise must be continually in [our mouth]” and one day soon “when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.

All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. The righteous then will ask, ‘Lord, when did we [do these things]

The King answers ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”

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

March 3, 2015

MY FRIENDS, “MULTITUDES ARE PERISHING WITHIN REACH OF ABUNDANT HELP”

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8 (KJV)

My friends what is our responsibility as God’s chosen? October 30 1974, one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing took place in Kinshasa Zaire, “The Rumble in the Jungle.” It pitted a 28 year old Foreman who seemed an overwhelming favorite against the 32-year old Ali.

After being stripped of his license and title in 1967 Ali once again was given a chance to fight for the world championship. Ali had told everyone that he had a secret plan for Foreman. A plan strategy Ali later dubbed the rope-a-dope.

As a result, Foreman spent his energy throughout the fight throwing punches that either did not hit Ali or were deflected in a way that made it difficult for Foreman to hit Ali at all. As the fight drew into the eighth round, Foreman’s punching and defense became ineffective as the strain of throwing so many wild shots took its toll.

The fight showed that Ali was capable of taking a punch and highlighted his tactical genius, as Foreman struck Ali with hundreds of thunderous blows, to no effect. No one, least of all Foreman, anticipated that Ali would do what he did, which was to demonstrate so passionately his burning belief in his own ability to meet and master any other man on any terms.

Six thousand years ago Satan thought he had stripped Christ of all rights to call this world His domain saying in his heart ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High. Isa. 14:13,14 (KJV)

But God told us all, He had a plan for man’s salvation, and the victory would be won, not in Kinshasa Zaire, but on a site called Calvary. And no matter how many thunderous blows Satan would throw, they would be of no effect.

My friends we all know God’s tactical plan that His only begotten Son would die on our behalf  and “who so ever would believe in Him would not parish but have life everlasting” John 3:16 (KJV)

In addition, God’s word gives us a step by step account on how it was fought and won and now, what is our responsibility? As Christ was dying on the cross He “saw how deep is the hold of sin upon the human heart,[and] how few would be willing to break from its power.

He knew that without help from God, humanity must perish, and He saw multitudes perishing within reach of abundant help.“(E.G, White) My friends let’s focus today on, “He saw multitudes perishing within reach of abundant help”

Once again I ask the question to all who feel they are a part of God’s chosen, do you have the passion to serve? Somewhere deep down inside, does God’s spirit continued to let you know that “multitudes are perishing within reach of abundant help” as we fall on our knees in heartfelt prayer and ask for forgiveness for all of Gods precious time we have wasted as we cry out in repentance, Dear God “not my will but, thy will be done”?

My friends, it must become personal, you must have a passion to serve, knowing what sacrifice was made for you, We must never forget that Christ is the victor and He now reigns in the heavenly courts above, advocating on our behalf.

In addition, there are still “multitudes that are perishing within reach of abundant help” and it is up to us as a body of believers who know’s God’s plan and  who have been given the awesome responsibility through God’s power to go and be “witnesses, as we tell the multitudes “in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” That Jesus saves.

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