Archives for October 2016

MY FRIENDS, WHERE DO WE FIND THE PERFECT MIND OF GOD?

MY FRIENDS, WHERE DO WE FIND THE PERFECT MIND OF GOD?

images18“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6 (NKJV) In addition, “as the deer [longs for with breathless and intense eagerness,] for the water brooks, So should our soul long for…..[the presence and mind of] God” Ps. 42:1 (NKJV) Our Savior longed to feel the presence of His father as He hung upon the cross. “About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matt 27:46 (KJV)

My friends, while on the cross the scripture remained a part of who Christ was as He quoted Ps. 22:1 (KJV) My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? These were the psalmist exact words; in (v, 2) David went on to say “Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Just the thought Christ had of losing sight of the mind of who He was and who he had become for you and I.

Humanity for only a moment felt it had lost sight of that “Mind,” that source, His Father, His connection to all He had given up for our salvation. D14B372F96That is why Paul tell us. “let this mind be in you which is in also in Christ Jesus” [who is also God] Phil 2:5 (KJV) My friends, each day as we move closer to Christ second coming, we must seek that Mind, and that Spirit as we allow His presence to penetrate through our very being.

We must thirst with a passion after that perfect “mind” because in that mind is “the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories and prophecies are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.” (source unknown) My friends, That “Mind” is what we must thirst after. And even after we think we have discovered who God is and what His will is for our life, one only finds out we have just touched the surface.

And maybe by chance witnessed a glimpse “of that glorious vista” “that surrounds thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand 16e263ce45673c650f9dbf62b4deb139[of angels that] encircled the throne where that very mind abides as they sing “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:11-12 (NIV)

The human mind can only say, “If all the heavens were a parchment, If all the trees of the forest were pens, If all the waters of the sea were ink, and if every creature was a scribe, they would not suffice To expound the greatness of The Creator, And the reflection of His Majesty in Heaven and on Earth.”

My friends, soon the reward for all who “came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,” [will live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in the presence of that very mind we seek today] Rev. 7:14 (KJV)

 

MY FRIENDS, IS THE TAPESTRY UNRAVELING IN OUR LIFE?

Oct. 29, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IS THE TAPESTRY UNRAVELING IN OUR LIFE?

background on the back of the carpetIn the past, I have defined tapestry as a piece of fabric consisting of material that you bend or twist out of shape, upon which colored threads are woven by hand to produce a design. In regards to our salvation, those bends and twist become what God has to do in order to shape our character into His image. But as we get closer to Christ second coming we must ask ourselves and ask God has the tapestry of our character and our commitment to God’s will in our life started to unravel or separate from what God’s purpose is for our life that prepares us for His kingdom.

Christ says in Matt 5:3 (KJV) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” And to be anything other than “poor in Spirit” is to feel “we are in need of nothing.” Not realizing how far we have separated from the saving power and grace of God. So the need to continue some type of spiritual commitment to Christ is not relevant.

Like “the rich young ruler” who could not picture himself Selling all that he had and distributing it to the poor, for some unseen treasure in a placerh-richyoungruler_dsc_00981 “Eye have not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart” of any man just to become Christ disciples and follow Him. But my friends, “by faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” Heb. 11:24-26 (NIV) Moses had every opportunity to become one of the greatest rulers in the history of man.

but he recognized that God had His own plan for Him so only His faith in God which He was able to formulate in the first twelve years of His life from Godly parents led Him to “refuse the throne of Egypt” and become “poor in Spirit” and now his home is in the holy and royal domain of the kingdom of God. “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 9 (NIV)

images1“There [Christ] was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there before [Peter, James, and John,] Moses and Elijah, [sent from the Father, to comfort] Jesus.” Matt 17:3 (NIV) My friends, that should give us hope to stay the course. And “when our pathway grows dim and begins to unravel and we just don’t see [God].

Remember we are never alone. He sees the master plan and He holds our future in His hand so don’t live as those who have no hope [but] all our hope is found in Him. We see the present clearly, but He sees the first and the last and like a tapestry He’s weaving you and me to someday be just like Him. [So remember] God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand when you don’t see His plan when you can’t trace his hand trust his heart” (Babbie Mason)

MY FRIENDS, IS IT NOT TIME WE WRESTLED WITH GOD ALL NIGHT?

Oct. 28, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IS IT NOT TIME WE WRESTLED WITH GOD ALL NIGHT?

imgresThe narrative begins in Gen. 32 Jacob prays, “oh God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your people, and I will make you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and compassion and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant. With only my staff [long ago] I crossed over this Jordan, and now I have become [blessed and increased…….] Then Jacob says, Save me please, from what lies ahead which in this case was His brother Esau.

Then Jacob sends his family ahead of Him. And that night Jacob alone and frightened had an encounter with God. The bible says “Jacob wrestled with him until daybreak.” And then God said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” And Jacob’s response was “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” My friends if you are a child of God look around you, most of us have been blessed tremendously and we started out “with only our staff.”

But now we must begin to cry out; save us, Lord, because we have become so complacent in regards to our salvation. In addition, You have blessed us so much, we have refuseimages10d to see the end of this Journey and what Satan and his forces of evil are preparing for the Children of God. So, my friends, today is not the time “to praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

But it’s time that our days and nights are spent wrestling with God as we seek with a passion the answers to, Lord, how far is self from dying completely from within? And “is our calling and election sure” or is it not so sure? And Lord, do we “continue to sin and fall short of Your glory”? And has our life become so infatuated with the things of this earth, we no longer seek Your kingdom with a passion?

My friends, these are questions we must place before God and we cannot let go of His saving grace and power because it is almost Daybreak or almost time when God will say it is finished, as he tells His Son to go get His Children. “Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His experience testifies to the power of importunate prayer. It is now that we are to learn this lesson of prevailing prayer, of unyielding faith.

images7The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favor of men. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power. Those who are unwilling to forsake every sin and to seek earnestly for God’s blessing, will not obtain it.

But all who will lay hold of God’s promises as did Jacob, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded.” (E.G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets p 203) And my friends, victory is ours when Christ tells us 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.” Matt 25:21 (KJV)

MY FRIENDS, THERE IS FAITH AND THERE IS GENUINE FAITH!!

MY FRIENDS, THERE IS FAITH AND THERE IS GENUINE FAITH!!

lazarusNow a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, brother of Mary and Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair……The sisters sent word… “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:1-4 (NKJV) And so Christ delayed His departure and remained where He was for two more days. He then tells His disciples in (v, 11) “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

My friends, Jesus presence was not necessary for Him to heal someone. Remember the Centurion’s Servant in Luke 7 and Matt 8 As Jesus was on His way to heal the Centurion’s Servant, the Centurion sent word to Him “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.

But say the word, and my servant will be healed. Jesus commented that He had not in allgods_son_centurion of Israel found such faith and at that moment The Centurion’s Servant was heal. Luke 7:6-11 (NKJV) My friends, sometimes we who feel we know God the most, who needs our faith strengthen the most in these last days of the history of this world.

Outside of Christ disciples, Mary, Martha and Lazarus were considered His dearest friends. So why, like the Centurion did they not ask, Lord “say the word, and” our brother “will be healed.” They knew what power their Dear Friend had within Him from above. But Martha still says to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

Jesus says “Your brother will rise again.” Now, the same Martha who had just told Jesus “I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You,” responds, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  (v, 25-26) Jesus responds, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

Do you believe this?” Martha says Yes Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” But her faith still did not tell her Christ had the power over life and death. My friends, How much faith do we need to understand Jesus will be here soon and if self has not completely died.

images4And if our life have not become totally consumed and saturated into the very presence, image and character of Christ we will not be among the redeemed who “have come out of the great tribulation; [and] have washed our robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Rev 7:14 (NIV) And then live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in God’s pure and holy kingdom.

My friend, where is your faith, do you need to witness the power of God in some miraculous way like Mary and Martha or do you believe the promises in God’s word like the Centurion. The promises that say’s “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 (NKJV) And of course our main faith statement, “he who endures to the end, shall be saved.” Matt, 24:13 (NKJV)

MY FRIENDS, THROUGH CHRIST WE HAVE THE POWER TO TRAMPLE ON SERPENTS!!

Oct. 26, 2016

MY FRIENDS, THROUGH CHRIST WE HAVE THE POWER TO TRAMPLE ON SERPENTS!!

252c24011f81991667dfa3845a611d52Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 (NKJV)

Christ saw Satan a military enemy as a fallen foe first as “lightning then suddenly extinguished” and in a few days His mission would be complete, Satan would be defeated as Christ would take His final journey down the Via Delorosa to Calvary. My friends through the Spirit of God the power has been given to us also “to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt us.

But first Christ is looking for faithful warriors who understands when Christ saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven and He said it is imgresfinished and in three days, early Sunday morning rose from the grave, Satan’s reign as god of this world in the eyes of Christ would just be for a moment, long enough for Him to prepare a place for the redeemed.

A place “Eye have not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV) My friends, I have no proof that Such a place has been completed but If God can create the heavens and the earth in six days surely he can complete a place Eye have not seen, nor ear heard in two thousand years or seven hundred and thirty thousand days.

My friends, soon sin and sinners will no longer exist and if we would like to join forces with our Savior and trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy He is looking for faithful warriors, and as we move out on the front lines of the battlefield, we can’t give up. And like Christ we must cry out “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 (NIV)

Jesus and me the second coming of Jesus and the Judgement day raptureAnd friends as God’s children “this Cup” which are those rough terrains and those valleys of our life that are common to human experiences. We have the power to go through it all but we must believe that through Christ there is [no temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let [us] be tempted beyond our ability [to resist].

but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that we will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” 1 Cor. 10:13 (AMP) And what makes Christ promise so wonderful is those words in Luke 10:20 (NKJV) when He says, “do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to [us], but rather rejoice because our names are written in heaven.”

And my friends those names are of all who “have come out of the great tribulation; [and] have washed [our] robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Rev 7:14 (NIV)

 

MY FRIENDS, IS IT FICTION IN OUR SIGHT?

Oct. 25, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IS IT FICTION IN OUR SIGHT?

image5095“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 (NIV) A prominent preacher once asked a famous English actor to explain how it is he appears before crowd’s night after night with fiction, and the crowds follow him wherever he goes.

But I preach the essential and unchangeable truth of salvation and life eternal, and I am not getting any crowds at all. The Actor responded: “This is quite simple, the difference is, I present my fiction to thousands and it seems as though it were truth, you present your truth and it seems as though it were fiction. As Gods Children we seem at times to look at Christ second coming as fiction.

We have become the scoffers Peter speaks of who continue to walk according to our own lusts while saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For1044-Jesus_Knock_on_a_21st_Century_Door since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:4 (NKJV) My friends, we have to begin to look at God’s word as “living and powerful…..and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of [God] to whom we must give account Heb. 4:12-13 (NKJV) If our desire is to live one day eternally in a “new heaven and a new earth” we must “be always on the watch, and pray that we may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that we may be able to stand before God one day and “give an account.”

Fiction is defined as “something invented, or imagined; a made-up story,” but, Christ second coming must become real, we must believe at any moment 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 cloud.”1 Thess. 4:16-17 (NKJV)

But first His death and resurrection must become relevant to our life and salvation and relevant to how we define not my will but thy will be done. My s061friends, we have to look at the confusion and the daily barrage of “breaking news” and ask ourselves are we prepared to stand before “the Son of Man and give an account of the life we lived during this probationary period that has been given to us right in the midst of nations rising against nations, and kingdom against kingdom.

And famines and pestilences, and earthquakes in various places and the lawlessness that continues to abound, as the love of many grows colder and colder. My friends, soon we will all be held accountable for that personal relationship we had or did not have with Christ. And were we apart of spreading the good news of the gospel “into all the world as a witness to all the nations,” and at that point, the end has come and will we still say: it was all just fiction.

MY FRIENDS, AS LEADERS, DO WE OR CAN WE SHARE A VISION?

Oct. 21, 2016

MY FRIENDS, AS LEADERS, DO WE OR CAN WE SHARE A VISION?

imgres4God calls humble leaders, leaders willing to respond in spite of our situation or what we are doing when He calls. And no one who has been saved by the blood of the Lamb has not been called, many are just not responding to carry out His will on the front lines of the battle-field where the real war is being fought and lives are being lost. Friends, we can never claim victory inside of our churches and on our couches at home. Our message must be a shared vision, one that enables a change to take effect that will transform lives in our communities for “such a time as this.”

And as leaders for the “unity of Christ,” we must transcend beyond tomorrow a vision to others that takes them to places they never thought possible through Christ who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Gods Promises must become real, our passion as leaders must transcend a vision that walks with those we lead into one of “the twelve gates with twelve pearls, and each gate made of a single pearl.

And then down the great street of the city of gold, [and] as pure as transparent glass. And on each side of the river stands the tree of life, bearing 7_heaven-300x225twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.” Rev 21:21 (NIV) Rev. 22:2 (NIV) My friends, we must become ambassadors for Christ as we pave the way for others, through Christ, in vision inside the promise land in the final days of this life’s history.

And then the good news of the “gospel of the kingdom of God will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to every nation, [kindred and tongue] and then the end will come.”Matt. 24:14 (ESV) But first we must transcend God’s shared vision beyond tomorrow to where God is trying to take all who believe. And Even though we may walk through the darkest valley of our communities we must “fear no evil, for God is with us” and “will never forsake us”

But, we must be willing to serve with a passion of love as Christ loved; selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. Remember it is not about us anymore, self must die as we inspire others to give their all for the family of Christ so that “no one is left behind” and “everyone who believes in the vision may receive life eternal and receive it more abundantly from the time they give it all to Christ.

cross-to-salvation-300x200The Passion of Christ must be the key that drives us to tell the world that Jesus saves. And as we seek His Presence daily, while inspiring others to share in the vision, we must first have our feet solidly on solid ground in order to move ahead with Christ, if not we will fall and take others with us. There are always times when we will need to crawl, slow down, take breaks, but what is most-essential in serving Christ is to stay focused.

And to keep moving knowing God is with us for He “will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Is. 42:16 (NIV) Remember we all determine who are as leaders by how we allow God to lead us.

 

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE WANDERING AIMLESSLY?

Oct. 20, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE WANDERING AIMLESSLY?

Yesterday when I made the statement; an entire generation of the children Israel wandered aimlessly in the wilderness for forty years and still not permitted to gathering-manna-tissot_1289855_tmbenter the promise land. The rest of that narrative is, they wandered with no specific destination in sight, sentenced to an inactive and slothful movement with only the thought of, when will I die? Only, Joshua and Caleb the last men standing represented the generation over twenty years of age who left Egypt, headed to the promise land.

Many of us experience this same dilemma daily, wandering in the wilderness of life as the years fly by. But if you think about it, many of God’s children the “plans God has for us, plans to prosper and not to harm us, and plans to give each of us hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11(NKJV) has just about run its course. And if God is not the center of our life it is not God, but we have sentenced ourselves to perdition.

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. Remember God has the wise foresight in teaching us how we should be discerning and perceptive about the proper use of our time. and if we continued to squander it away on what self-feels is appropriate over God’s plans for us, there will be no invitation to the banquet table for the redeemed in the earth made new.

What we need to understand, If our strategy is to wait until we have accumulated all the things on this earth pleasing in our sight, it will never happen.5a5739be8cb391fa5a9a7ded479de312 Satan a master strategist, has also formulated a plan for us and he has gotten all of the “principalities, and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this age” to help him make it happen. And their plan, keep us wanting for more until our chance for salvation is lost.

The time never should come in a Christian’s life here on earth when asked; when was the greatest time in our life when our love for Christ meant the most to us? And our response without Hesitation is; “at this present moment,” because God’s will and His glory and honor is all we should live for. And it will continue until Christ says personally, “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.” Matt. 25:21 (NKJV)

My friends, eternity and time is that gift that will never end. Now focus on those three words, “will never end.” So how are we preparing for such a imgres1drastic change in our life in regards to our time if we can’t handle “the days of our years [God has given us here on earth which is] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they are fourscore…. ” Ps. 90:10 (KJV)

So, today decide to spend each precious moment you have left on this earth searching to capture the mind and character of Christ and His will for our lives. And remember friends, as children of God, “it is not yet clear what we will be [after His coming but,] we [do] know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory].”1 John 3:2 (AMP)

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE STUCK IN NEUTRAL?

Oct 19, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE STUCK IN NEUTRAL?

shift-in-neutralNeutral is defined as not taking part of, or giving assistance in a dispute or war between others, along with not aligning with or supporting any side or position in a controversy. So my friends, in regards to our salvation there can be no neutral position between good and evil. When Paul tells us to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” He is telling us to seek a total understanding of who Christ is throughout His word and then by “whatever means necessary,”allow His Spirit, to transform our Character into the character of God.

Elijah pleads, “how long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21 (NKJV) Joshua tells us “if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

My friends, it must become personal, Christ understands that His children are not wrestling “against flesh and blood, but against principalities, againstimgres31 powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. 6:12 (NKJV) So today, Christ is personally telling us as He told Judas after Satan took control of him, “What you do, do quickly.”

My friend, it is of the essence that we do not linger because it is our unalienable connection through the blood of Christ telling us, our salvation cannot be taken away or denied by outside forces. God in His love grace and mercy have given us the free moral choice to make our own decisions “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” Deu. 30:19 (KJV)

And there is no neutral ground, only one path on this journey we are on and that is total submission to the will of God. “And See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

imagesWe have come to share in Christ if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Heb. 3:12-15 (NIV) So the Author and finisher of our faith tell’s us not to be fooled by Satan and his tactics, as we continued to believe and spread a shared vision of the good news of the gospel to all who have lost their hope.

And as we maintain a steadfast unmovable always abounding relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we must also remember my friends, an entire generation wandered aimlessly in the wilderness for forty years and still not permitted to enter the promise land. If we are still stuck in neutral then we are also wondering aimlessly in the wilderness of this world  and  in lest we surrender our all to Christ we will also never see the promise land either.

MY FRIENDS, UNWORTHY, UNWORTHY SO UNWORTHY!!

Oct 18, 2016

MY FRIENDS, UNWORTHY, UNWORTHY SO UNWORTHY!!

rom-12-2-transformedmind“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:5-8 (NKJV) My friends, the mind is that part of our anatomy that God has given us to process our reasoning.

It also controls our attitude, our motives, our actions, our thoughts and our character. All attributes that must be transformed into the image of Christ who left the royal courts of heaven and took on the most humble form of humanity and performed the most lowly of offices so that you and I may receive life eternal and may receive it more abundantly.

And along with our transformation comes a commitment, a commitment that comes from Christ Himself. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even their own life, such a person cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26 (NIV) My friends, Christ is not teaching us to hate but, what He is asking for is a relationship and a commitment to His will that is equal to no other.

Peter “was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the samefir053 form and manner as the Lord was” (John Fox, Fox Book of Martyrs, p. 4) I can understand Peter’s unworthiness and desire not to die in the same Manner as the one who gave it all for his salvation.

“Jesus said to [Peter], “Assuredly, I say to you this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.” “Those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.” Matt. 26:34-35, 73-74 (NKJV)

That is why He felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ. My friends, I look at my life today and the life my Savior has allowed me to live for so many years in-spite of me and I can say with no reservation, Christ has placed a hedge around me each day of my life the same hedge Satan accused God of putting around Job. I can say this because I live today, and I know Christ lives in me. Yes, I am also unworthy.

so-unworthy-but-you-still-love-meMy friends, I speak with humility today and pray as you look at your life and then look at the life of Christ and all He gave up so that we may have life and have it more abundantly you feel as I do. Even my humility I feel is unworthy and as we look at Calvary we must realize “somehow [Christ] thought we were worth saving so, [He] came and changed our life…..and cleaned us up inside.”

And all we should be able to say today is, “wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and [I pray that I am one of the unworthy] few who find it.” Matt 7:13-14 (NKJV)