Archives for September 2016

MY FRIENDS, DO WE HAVE THE PASSION TO CONTINUE?

Sep. 30, 2016

MY FRIENDS, DO WE HAVE THE PASSION TO CONTINUE?

cropped-laying-aside-every-weight-and-sinChrist tells us In Luke 21:34-36 (NKJV) “take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” But before we can stand before God, there must be a passion from within that allows “The Spirit of the Lord to come upon us.

And this can only be accomplished if we seek Him daily through prayer and Gods word. But we must also understand, the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, [and] a broken and a contrite heart. [This, our] God, will not despise.” as He “Creates in us a clean heart, [while] renewing a steadfast spirit within us.” Ps. 51:16-17 (NKJV) Ps. 51:10 (NKJV) 

And then God will anoint [you and I] To preach good tidings to the poor;…… [and] to heal the brokenhearted, [as we] proclaim liberty to the captives, D14B372F96And the opening of the prison to those who are bound [while] proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn…..Is 61:1-2 (NKJV)

My friends, God has placed each of us on separate journeys but all moving in the same direction, the promise land. But we must also understand our salvation is not dependent on our work and whether we preach to the poor or heal the brokenhearted or proclaim liberty to the captives who are bound by the god of this world or visit those in prison while proclaiming the good news. My friends, none of these sacrifices matter because Salvation is a free gift.

But, salvation is dependent on our faith and our passion for the journey as we allow God’s Spirit to transform our Character into the Character of Christ. And Christ character is somewhat explained in Luke 9:4 (KJV) when He says, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day [which was His “brief time on this earth,”] the night is coming when no one can work, [or when He would depart and return to His Father.]”

So As we follow Christ with a passion “ We must work while it is Day” or before his second coming and my friends there is an urgency about our mission because soon at “the midnight cry” Christ will come and His reward is with Him, to give [to] every man [and woman] according [to the] work [we have done.] Rev. 22:12 (KJV)

My friends, our passion must be refocused from anything on this earth that will take our attention Form where God is leading us. God’s Spirit must become our GPS to guide us in all truth and understanding as we continue to seek Him or we will lose our way. Remember we “are maxresdefaultGod’s chosen people, created in His image and that image and His character is the only thing that will enter His kingdom.

And if we have lost our focus on the things of this world we must fall on our knees and cry out, Lord take this “broken spirit and contrite heart,” I have looked and there is nothing that compares to You. My friends the road to Salvation has gotten narrower with very few still traveling it. But, Christ still knocks, but it’s personal, Because is is only our choice that decides if we have the passion to remain “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain” 1 Cor. 15:58 (NKJV)

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE BEEN IN THIS CONDITION TO LONG?

Sep. 28, 2016

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE BEEN IN THIS CONDITION TO LONG?

252c24011f81991667dfa3845a611d52Satan could not comprehend the mystery of this great sacrifice for the benefit of fallen man. He knew that the value of heaven far exceeded the anticipation and appreciation of fallen man. The most costly treasures of the world, he knew, would not compare with its worth. As he had lost through his rebellion all the riches and pure glories of heaven, he was determined to be revenged by causing as many as he could to undervalue heaven and to place their affections upon earthly treasures. (E. G. White. Confrontation p 29)

But, my friends It is impossible for us to ever comprehend the temptation that was brought before the Son of God by Satan to Get Him to fall. “We in the audience only get a sneak preview” of all that Christ encountered to save mankind. So that we could receive life eternal and have it more abundantly and enjoy all the “riches and pure glories of heaven.“

Remember Satan had claimed this world as His kingdom after man’s fall. In addition, he had corrupted man to the point where God had “regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” Gen 6:6-7 (ESV)

So it was inconceivable to the pride and selfishness of Satan that God would ever intervene on our behalf. In other words Satan could not conceive theimages3 mystery of such love that the Son of God would lay down His life for you and I and a Father who would allow it to happen. My friends there is no greater love. But on the contrary, Satan lived in the very presence of God and His kingdom.

And “every precious stone was [his] covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of [his] tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” Ez. 28:13 (NKJV) And he still could not comprehend that selfless, sacrificial and unconditional love of God that surrounded him daily.

But what about you and I, can we comprehend the plan of Salvation and the ultimate price that was paid, or are we like the man at the Pool of Bethesda. God sees us just lying here in the comfort of our homes waiting for some catastrophic event to take place before we get up and serve Him. But God sees our heart He knows already we have been in that condition of complacency and procrastination about His coming with no desire to change, to long.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd it is because we “have not set our mind and kept it focused on the things above, the heavenly things that are eternal, but instead on the things that are on the earth which have only temporal value that will soon be destroyed.” Col 3:2 (KJV paraphrased) So today He continues to knock and He continues to plead “Do you want to be made well and receive life eternal? John 5:5-6 (NKJV Paraphrased)

We have a choice to make about our salvation. And maybe this world is all we want. But that is also our choice. But God will soon say it is finished, prophecy will end and all the redeemed will have the seal of “God in our forehead.” And it want be an ark this time we will enter, but a new heaven and a new earth. And “Sin will not rise a second time.”

MY FRIENDS, IF IT WAS JUST YOU, IF IT WAS JUST I, NOTHING CHANGES!!

SEP. 27, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IF IT WAS JUST YOU, IF IT WAS JUST I, NOTHING CHANGES!!

bjThe passion of Christ what does that mean to us personally. And if that passion did not exist where would we be? My friends, that is not a hard question to answer, “sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.” But, “on the contrary,” “our Savior demonstrated his own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” While we were still sinking into the abyss He died for us and if it was only you or if it was only I nothing would have changed.

Because, He would have still left His holy kingdom to be humiliated, abused, slapped and spit upon. And He would have allowed the same Roman guards to scourge, drag and torture Him throughout the streets of Jerusalem while carrying a cross. And at Calvary He would have allowed the same spear to pierce him the same crown of thorns placed on His head, and the same nails to penetrate His outstretched feet and hands on that cruel cross. And yes, He would have done it all, just for you and I.

“If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh images4that which is gone astray?” Matt. 18:12 (KJV) Now that it’s personal, this is the one time we can allow self to take control of our heart as we realize the plan of salvation was about you and I.

John 3:16 (KJV) says it best, “for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” So the plan of Salvation did not have a starting or a cut off point for souls. The plan say’s whoever believes? And Matt. 24:13 (KJV) continues to make it personal when Christ tells us personally, “he [or she] who endures to the end shall be saved.

Which also lets us know, even though Christ paid the price which makes it a free gift to us and even though “He went into the mountains, to seek only you and I that had gone astray” It is still our faith and it is still our endurance which tells us it is still our cross we must bear to obtain life eternal. 14203292_1202840516441095_4622558984248175328_nAnd the more it becomes personal the more we can focus on the character of Christ.

And the more we can focus on the selfless, sacrificial and unconditional love which was demonstrated by not giving up, but staying focused and going all the way until He rose from the grave and Now sits before “our Father advocating on our behalf for the same you and I who have let Him down time and time again, tells us the more we should fall on our knees with a contrite heart while crying out, Lord “not my will but thy will be done.”

And with cross in hand, follow Him all the way to Calvary by being a humble servant to others. And one day soon a “great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, (will stand) before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Rev. 7:9 (KJV)

“And on one accord, throughout the heavenly courts, giving God all the praise, glory and honor, for we will forever recognize, without Satan telling us otherwise, the Love grace and mercy employed in the salvation of mankind on this earth that were ready to parish, until God sent His only Begotten Son, to die for you, and to die for I.

MY FRIENDS. DOES OUR REDEEMER LIVE?

Sep. 25, 2016

MY FRIENDS. DOES OUR REDEEMER LIVE?

190-slide1-600-300x225Before the death of Christ, in the Jewish sanctuary there was the holy and the most holy compartments which represented the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence. A veil separated the two which signified Christ the only way to the Father. Upon the death of Christ at Calvary when His Fathers face was hidden from him because of the enormity of our sins that rested on His Son’s shoulders, Christ cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

My friends the veil became flesh and blood and lived among us, John 14:6 (KJV) Christ tells us, “no one comes to the Father except through me.” And it is God’s grace and our faith which assures us that our iniquities have not “separated us from God, to the point He has hidden his face so that he does not hear our pleas for help. If there ever was a time for soul searching and a contrite heart, it is now because beyond that veil which Christ represented tells us our redeemer lives.

But to believe our redeemer lives takes us to another level in our relationship with God because as we look at the world we live in, millions believe, and redeemerlivesjust as many don’t, and just as many live as though there was no hope and the tares live among the wheat and the false prophets live among us all but “God makes His sun to rise on the evil, and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt.  5:45 (NKJV)

So even if we did believe, “Good! Even the demons believe…..” James 2:19 (NKJV) So how close are we to our Redeemer to know He lives? Because only when we carry our own Cross and walk down the Via Dolorosa and realize it was all about you and I, and at times we may feel the need to cry out “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani because we don’t feel God’s presence. But, if we have forsaken all others and given our all to Christ then we must believe our redeemer lives within our heart.

Which also tells us, He will never leave nor forsake us. But Satan places doubt in our heart. Remember doubt cost Adam and Eve their home in Eden. And one third of the Angles gave up their home in heaven because of doubt. My friends, doubt in regards to our salvation questions the legitimacy of God and the death and ressurection of His Son.

Second-Coming-of-Jesus_iconNow its personal, because we must decide if the things of this world are worth more then life eternal? in addition,  are we willing to give it all up because the god of this world has caused us to question the legitimacy of the price that was paid for our salvation.  Our redeemer will come soon and the separation ends because we shall see Him as He is and our Character will be just as pure as the one who enters those clouds.

But all who doubt or could never answer or felt it was not important enough to answer if their redeemer lives. He will come from heaven soon like a thief in the midnight hour “with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God,” [to get the redeemed] 1 Thess. 4:15-17 (NIV) And for ever-one else who did not “forsake this world for the glory of God, at that moment they will call to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who they see seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb [because to the lost, no He isn’t their Redeemer]”Rev 6:16 (ESV)

 

 

MY FRIENDS, OUR FINAL SEASON IN LIFE’S HISTORY IS IT BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING?

Sep 24, 2016

MY FRIENDS, OUR FINAL SEASON IN LIFE’S HISTORY IS IT BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING?

changing-seasonsFor everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Ecc. 3:1 (ESV) My friends what about the seasons of our life today? Jer.8:7 (KJV) tells us “the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but [you and I] know not the judgment of the Lord.” So now it becomes personal and even though God is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Today my friends, we need our season to go beyond our understanding, but we must understand it as we allow the tapestry of God’s Spirit to be woven in and out of our heart and with God’s own hand produce a character, that He is proud of, one that Christ can say with no reservation to Our Father as He intercedes on our behalf. Father My servants who have taken up their cross daily, there is none like them on all the earth, for they are blameless and upright who fear us Father.

And that fear is not from the thought of being lost eternally one day, but out of that selfless, sacrificial and unconditional love for You and I because You gave Your only begotten bjSon to die for their sins and I accepted and went to Calvary and was wounded and bruised for their transgressions and iniquities and my chastisement would make them at peace with You Father.

And with My scourging they are now healed, and now they may live here in our presence throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. And this is possible because they have forsaken all others and they shun everything that is an abomination to the purity of the royal Trinity and now I can say with no reservation “they are safe to save.”

So friends, that must be a shared vision, but not beyond our understanding as we go into all the world serving Christ where He leads and then the end will come when God will say to His Son, It is finished, He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. [now go quickly; and take my reward with You, to give to every man and woman according to their sincere and contrite heart I heard crying daily to Me, “Lord not my will, but thy will be done.” Rev. 22:11-12 (KJV paraphrased)

5a5739be8cb391fa5a9a7ded479de312That season also may seem beyond our understanding but that is the foundation of our faith and endurance that gives us a reason to wake up each day as we see the sun or Son rise within our heart as He shows us someone we can help along the way who have lost hope in what God can do for them. But time is of the essence, we must not forget, we are only “fresh and blood” and we are only promised “threescore years and ten.

And if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is [our] strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Ps. 90:10 (KJV) So when we have come to the final season of our life, we must understand our character has to be “safe to save” before Christ can say to us, well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt. 25:23 (NKJV)

MY FRIENDS, GOD IS UNLEASHING HIS POWER NOW WHAT?

Sep. 23, 2016

MY FRIENDS, GOD IS UNLEASHING HIS POWER NOW WHAT?

article-0-16aa0215000005dc-764_634x418“High atop the Andes Mountains, the rays of the sun strike ice, and a single drop of water forms. It begins to trace a hesitant course downward, gradually joining with other drops of water to become a steady stream. The stream gains speed and strength. Thousands of feet below and hundreds of miles later, what were once single drops have converged to become the mightiest river on earth: the Amazon. Flowing into the Atlantic Ocean at a rate of more than seven million cubic feet per second; the Amazon is more powerful than the next ten largest rivers in the world combined.” (David Platt, Radical Together)

My friends, let’s make it personal today. I need you to focus on the narrative as we allow ourselves to become transformed into that single drop of water, with the rays of the Son of God unleashing the power of His Holy Spirit upon us; as we become witnesses for God throughout our churches and throughout our communities, and our place of employment and “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (KJV)

What is so awesome about the scenario is, you and I, are gradually joining with other drops of water to become a steady stream. And that is when it becomes a movement. My friends, God is unleashing His Spirit to all who are willing to take up our cross and become one of His disciples. And it is happening while we are sitting in front of our TV’s telling all who will listen, how much we are looking forward to Christ second coming.

When He will take us away from this crazy world. “But, on the contrary.” “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of amazon-riverheaven, but he [or she] who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matt 7:21 (NASB) Now let’s look deep down inside of our heart and ask, are we doing the will of “our Father which art in heaven”?

Isn’t it ironic, three months from now as we begin to look over our life during the past quarter it suddenly will dawn on us that the god of this world has allow us to become so occupied with the things of this world that we no longer have any type of prayer life. And we no longer spend any more quality time in the presence of God just allowing Him to speak to us as a friend one on one.

blessed-hope-jesus-return-4_n1-300x198My friends, what direction are we headed? We say we want life eternal in God’s kingdom but are we willing to give God our all to make it happen. It is not a complicated process. All that is required, each day we wake up, the first thing we do with passion Is cry out, “Lord not my will but thy will be done.” And please Create within me the desire to be that “single drop of water that begins to trace a hesitant course downward gradually joining with other drops of water to become a steady stream.”

Whose only desire is to do your will. Once again my friends, with such a desire comes with it great responsibilities for the Master as He leads us on this Journey. But one day soon the “Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” 1 Thess. 4:16-17 (NKJV)

MY FRIENDS, BUT ON THE CONTRARY!!

Sep. 22, 2016

MY FRIENDS, BUT ON THE CONTRARY!!

D14B372F96“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. BUT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.” 2 Peter 3:8-10 (NKJV) My friends, but on the contrary.

The word “But” is not a very pleasant or kind word in the context of 2 Peter 3:10 (NKJV) if we are not seeking Christ each day and dieing to self and living our life through Christ. But on the contrary “blessed is he [or she] that watcheth,[for the thief] and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Rev. 16:15 (KJV) If we are God’s children and “there is a mission,” or a ministry that we must carry out daily for the finishing up of God’s work. Remember all ten Virgins fell asleep.

But only five were prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom and only five had allowed the Spirit of God to prepare them for “such a time as this” My friends, we are to make disciples of “every nation, tribe, people and language,” as we present a shared vision of the cross that we carry, and then with passion, those we minister to will be excited about carrying their own cross as we enter those pearly gates and hand our cross to Christ and hear him say personally “well done, thou good and faithful servant.

Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” “Therefore, beloved, looking prayercross03sforward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” 2 Peter 3:14 (NKJV)

My friends without spot and blameless means we have “came out of great tribulation, and have washed [our] robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Rev 7:14 (NKJV) Today our eyes are to be forever “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…. (Hebrews 12:2)

Acts 20:24 states “But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” This is where I need you to focus at today my friends because it has now become personal. And with no reservation we must “count our life of no value to our-self, so that we may finish our ministry and the course set before us by Christ.”

5a5739be8cb391fa5a9a7ded479de312We must also allow our faith and endurance to be stretched to the limit, as our focus revolves only around the timing of this journey God has each of us own as we accept God’s plan for us as we rest in his presence while allowing our character to be shaped for Eternity, because once self is dead Christ can say without any reservations:

My children, enter into my kingdom that has been prepared for you. a place no “eye have seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into your heart the things you are about to see, prepared only for the redeemed because they loved Me enough to give it all to be saved and endure to the end. But on the contrary my friends, if we have not given it all to the Master, our destination will be “a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt 13:42 (NIV)

 

 

MY FRIENDS, WHAT IF YOU HAD A DAMASCUS ROAD EXPERIENCE?

Sep 21, 2013

MY FRIENDS, WHAT IF YOU HAD A DAMASCUS ROAD EXPERIENCE?

the-conversion-of-st-paulA public phenomenon, a light from heaven and the actual voice of God. Is that what is needed for us to make a complete change in our life. Like Paul on the Damascus road once God came into his life, his words were “Lord, what do You want me to do?” “And from that point forward, he never went back, to the way it used to be Before God’s presence came and changed” His life which was headed towards perdition. But through his faith and endurance he took up his cross and lived the rest of his life through Christ.

I would imagine, somewhere in the deep confines of his subconscious the Spirit of God had penetrated through a barrier that most of us never know exist until a life changing experience happens. When Suddenly, like Paul a light appears and then “The wind blows…… You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.” But if you are a child of God who seeks His presence daily this is the experience of “everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (NIV)

And we should all be able to say “I wasn’t there, when the earth was created, so I have no proof that He hung every star, but I know what my life wasmaxresdefault without Him and the joy that was mine when He rescued my heart No wonder they call Him Savior,
Jesus, the Lamb of God.” (Larnelle Harris) My friends, that Damascus road experience we must seek and be willing to accept the responsibilities that comes along with it because it is a process.

One where we will encounter daily struggles of trials and tribulation because the principalities, and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world have made other plans for our life. And no matter how hard we try to change, Satan‘s plans for us is to reroute our intentions, and our desires and our passion to give it all to the Master, as he leads us to perdition.

My friends, if the light of God’s presence is shining on us today through His word and Spirit and that still small voice is saying, my chosen vessel, and heir and joint-heirs with My Son, “why do you persecute me” daily by not allowing my Spirit to transform you into the image of my Son who gave it all so that you may receive life eternal, “and have it more abundantly.” It is at that point our journey continues.

carrying-the-cross-300x200I say continue because we started this journey years ago, but we lost focus on our ending destination when we will here, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23 (KJV) But in-order to finish the course we must not give up but endure, and like Paul, The Lord said to Ananias, “Go!

This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to all. We must also be Christ chosen instrument. And as we read Paul’s letters, we also realize God knew, that Paul could be all things to all people. My friends what about you and I will we take up our cross and be all things to all people and be able to say like Paul “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” Phil. 3:7-8 (KJV)

 

MY FRIENDS, WILL YOU GIVE IT ALL TO GOD TODAY?

Sep. 20, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WILL YOU GIVE IT ALL TO GOD TODAY?

ae3fb18b94efe89ebd597e95ff2aa5f4“I give myself away Lord so you can use me. Here I am here I stand Lord, my life is in your hands. Lord, I’m longing to see Your desires revealed in me Lord, So Take my heart Take my life as a living sacrifice all my dreams all my plans Lord I place them in your hands. My life is not my own, to you I belong “ (William Mcdowell, Give Myself Away) My heart, my dreams, my plans, my life. My friends, it all must be given to God today “In Judges 16 we know the narrative of Samson’s downfall.

Delilah convinces Samson to give her the secret of His strength. “No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me,…and I shall become like any other man.” She then lulled him to sleep and had someone to shave off the seven locks of his hair and when he awoke “he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.”

The narrative continues, Samson is captured, put in jail and his eyes put out. What a sad scenario to the strongest man who has ever lived. Now it urlbecomes personal because many times in our life we are lulled to sleep by the things of this world which then causes us not to recognize the voice of God Calling us back to him. Many times before, Samson had violated his vows as a Nazirite, but why now has God’s departed from Samson?

My friends, God is all knowing, and if He knows how much we can bear, He also knows when we have crossed that line. It never was about the hair but about God’s blessings and grace. But God did not allow the story to end there because Samson was “brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” and our God’s promises says, when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

e5828867c0fb1edb1c14804554f2a1e0and sometimes we fall and we don’t know how to get up until we are in the “valley of the shadow of death” and that is when we cry out “Lord Here I am, my life is in your hands.” My friends, I can only imagine at some point while Samson was in prison He found God again. And that is where it becomes personal again, because it is our life that the god of this world consumes our undivided attention that should be spent praising and serving God.

And maybe God will have to bring us to our knees before we realize we were raised in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord” and he has always been our “rock and [our] fortress and [our] deliverer,” in every situation and circumstances of our life. My friends God did not leave Samson. He just removed His protection and blessings. Remember Job, just don’t kill him. Now we must ask, at this point in our life have we crossed that line?

Have we completely ignored God’s pleas to return to Him? Samson while in prison was given the opportunity to focus on all of his lost blessings throughout his life. But his final act was the sacrifice of his life to God as he killed more Philistines than he had killed in his entire life.” My friends God calls us today. If our desire is to follow Him we must take up our cross. But with that Cross comes responsibilities, but it also brings life eternal. Samson is in the Faith, hall of fame in Heb. 11:32 (KJV) and if we give God our all we will see him one day in the earth made new.

MY FRIENDS, CAN WE RECOGNIZE GODS VOICE WHEN HE CALLS?

MY FRIENDS, CAN WE RECOGNIZE GODS VOICE WHEN HE CALLS?

421517_391773197506640_100000218896468_1811150_489442730_nAs God’s children we must be willing to keep listening in the midst of the noise for Christ gentle whisper, please “follow me.” My friends, many like the rich young ruler that ask Christ, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Christ then tells him to keep all the commandments. His response was “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Mark 10:17-21 (ESV) It seems the noise of his surroundings did not allow Him to focus on the one thing he lacked in his life to acquire eternal life because it was not conducive to what his own plans were. Christ saw something special in this young man. He saw a great asset to His ministry and the people he would touch through the light of His Spirit.

This young man was in the very presence of God and could not here his voice or respond to it because of the noise of his surroundings. Christ alsorh-richyoungruler_dsc_00981 knew His salvation would only come from following Him, where he would constantly here the Shepherds voice and recognize it at all times. Not all who came to Christ did He extend an invitation to personally follow Him.

The man who had been possessed with demons that Jesus cast out begged [Jesus] that he might be with him. And he did not permit him, but said, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you,” Mark 5:17-19 (ESV) Like the Rich young ruler Christ sees something special in all who will respond to His voice in these final days of earth’s history. That is why his voice in the midst of the noise of our daily life is pleading with us to respond and follow Him.

Samuel from his bed, heard the voice of God call out to him “Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” 1 Sam. 3:10 (NKJV) The Lord spoke to Moses as one speaks to a friend, from the midst of the burning bush, God said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Ex. 3:4 (NKJV) Paul heard a voice on the Damascus Road call out, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”……..And Saul said “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Acts 9:3-6 (NKJV)

what-is-the-holy-spirit2-740x405My friends, are we just not listening because God’s voice interferes with our plans right now. But God says in Jer. 29:11 (KJV) “I know the plans I have for you,……to give you a future and a hope,” But learning to clearly distinguish God’s voice as the prophets of old is not possible only because we have decided with that voice comes responsibilities we are just not willing to respond to right now.

But friends, only God’s children who walk in the footsteps of God, and die to self-daily and not when it is only convenient in our time, and now we live our life only through the voice of Christ as we cry out daily “not my will but thy will be done, will enter God’s kingdom.” But while God speaks to us as He chooses, His primarily source of communication is through His Word, and Spirit, and if we have a sincere, and a  heartfelt prayer life, while applying through our faith and endurance what we read daily in God’s word, we will never get it wrong when we here the good Shepard say follow me, because we will respond.