Archives for March 2017

MY FRIENDS, HAS HE SAID AND WILL HE NOT DO?

March 31, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HAS HE SAID AND WILL HE NOT DO?

1b3ca52f3e1aa5e79fd6e639e97b8337“God is not a man, that He should lie……Has He said, and will He not do? Has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Num. 23:19 (NKJV) In addition, Not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matt 5:18 (NIV) Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and go to the other side…..Than, He went up into a mountain to pray.

The evening came…..the ship was in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” Matt 14:22-24 (NKJV)) My friends, the disciples tried in vain to get to the other side.  Mark 6:48 (NKJV) says “Christ saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.”

My friends, how often is the wind against us and we “tug at the oars, as though our own strength and wisdom were sufficient, until we find our efforts useless. Then, with trembling hands and failing strength, we give up the work to Jesus and confess we are unable to perform it…..

And when, in answer to the cry of faith, He takes up the work we ask Him to do, how easily He thaccomplishes that which seemed to us so difficult” (E.G. White Testimonies for the church, vol. 4, p 530) My friends, we need to recognize that our strength is insufficient to finish the course because “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and the rulers of the darkness of this world.”

And only through God’s word and Spirit will we remain focused until Christ says “well done thy good and faithful servant.” And this should give us hope when life is at its darkest, the anchor will hold to the end. Because if God said it, “He will make it good.” In Matt. 24 (KJV), Christ disciples asked What God’s children all-ready know today.

“What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” My friends the daily “breaking news” tells us prophecy is being fulfilled daily. But these are only the beginning of “birth pangs” as we adapt to any and all situations in the final days of the history of this world. But are we mentally prepared for a time of great tribulation, such has not occurred since the beginning of this world until now, nor ever shall be.”

“Training day” has started and the grueling routine should have begun with you and I dying daily while carrying our Cross. And except those days are shortened, no flesh will be saved, but for the elect’s sake, God will bring it to an end……But this generation will not pass away until the good news is revealed to all and then the end will come.”

blessed-hope-jesus-return-4_n1-300x198Friends, the wind is contrary, and has taken its toll, but we must never loose sight of His soon appearing and Christ final promise of “Him descending from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.

And the dead in Christ rising first: Then we which are alive and remain [who came out of the great tribulation and washed our robes making them white in the blood of the Lamb will] be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and all the redeemed will forever be with the Lord.” [If we believe] 1 Thess. 4:16-18 (KJV), Rev 7:14 (ESV)

 

 

MY FRIENDS, WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PERSUADE US TO LOVE CHRIST AND OTHERS?

March 30, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PERSUADE US TO LOVE CHRIST AND OTHERS?

thThe chilling words of Agrippa, after he listened to God’s chosen vessel Paul speak about the saving grace of Christ. “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Acts 26:28 (KJV) What a sad scenario for Agrippa and many Christians who say Lord, Lord with no conviction. My friends we sit in our various churches each week, the appeal is given for a show of hands, or a move to the alter down front if one is partially convicted, to give it all to the Master.

We often respond in one way or the other motivated usually by the surroundings we find ourselves in when the Spirit is appealing to everyone for a decision. To most this is an adequate response. You figure, I am a faithful trustee, deacon, or deaconess. I am liberal in my given, I’m perfectly satisfied with the direction I am headed in life, for “I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing.”

I understand what is required of God. My position, or status in the community and church should satisfy any real genuine need for any type of relationship with Christ. But friends, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 4:12 (KJV)

If we go to the parable of the wheat and tares in Matt 13:24-30 (KJV). Both look the same the difference is, wheatth is a marketable crop, tares are just weeds with no redeeming value. So, how far must grace abound before we are persuaded to give it all to Christ? Paul’s response to Agrippa was, “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day.” Acts 26:29 (KJV)

That is the position we must take as we witness for Christ in the final days of this life’s history. A message of conviction that guides one to surrender their lives to Christ. But, first we must be convicted ourselves through the persuasion of the Spirit of God who tells us, your ears shall hear a [whisper] behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” Is. 30:21 (NKJV)

which tells us whatever situation or circumstances we find ourselves in there is a voice that continually tries to persuade you and I to walk in the right direction because the direction of that whisper if we can distinguish the difference in God’s Spirit over the forces of evil is the direction that leads to life eternal, “so walk in it” as we go forward with cross in hand and a faithful s061disciple of Christ.

One day Agrippa’s only response to the One who died so that He may be persuaded to give His all to the Master will be; Christ, the conditions I felt were unattainable, those conditions to “love You with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind. [Which you did say,] that was the first and greatest commandment.

And the second was like it; To love my neighbor as I [should have] loved you. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matt 22:37-40 (NKJV) My friends I can’t answer for Agrippa, but what about You and I, will we also tell Christ the conditions were unattainable. If so we must also be able to explain why.

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE PITCHED OUR TENT TOWARDS SODOM?

March 29, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE PITCHED OUR TENT TOWARDS SODOM?

th”The Lord [whispered to] Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee”……. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan.……. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle……..

Abram told Lot: Is not the whole land before thee?….If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere,….even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan….

And, they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” Gen. 12:1-5 (KJV), Gen. 13:1-12 (KJV) My friends, as a Child of God are we capable of recognizing that our tent faces Sodom? And our salvation and entry into God’s kingdom is in a state of “clear and present danger.”

When morning dawned The angel Cried to Lot “Get up! Take your wife, two daughters and go, or you will be thswept away in the punishment of the city.” But Lot hesitated and lingered. So the Angels took hold of his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, because the Lord was merciful to him [for Abraham’s sake]; and they brought him out,” Gen. 19:15-16 (AMP)

Oh the mercies of God who still hears the prayers of our parents and those who are praying for us not to linger but too “Escape for our life! And not to look back at Sodom,” But follow Christ lead and move forward, for by beholding, we become changed. My friends, The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise [to save all who have a passion to be saved]….But, is patient, not wanting anyone to perish [in Sodom]….2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

God told Abraham to leave His country, and the influence of family and community. Lot followed, But Lot could not leave those hereditary tendencies behind, so he pitched his tent toward Sodom. Therefore, the wickedness of Sodom defined his life and destination.

My friends, if God woke us up today, no matter where we live, our tent faces Sodom. Whether in the “prodigious thhilltops of New Hampshire. Or [towards] the mighty mountains of New York.” Or towards The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Or towards The Great Pyramids of Giza.

“Or [toward] the curvaceous slopes of California,” Sodom defines who we are, in-less we have allowed self to die and our life is totally committed to following Christ, His word and Spirit where-ever He may lead as we cry out Lord, not my will, but thy will be done. So today we must choose, whom we will serve?

Either those hereditary tendencies we have accumulated throughout our life inside Sodom that Satan controls? Or from the one who died for our sins so that we may live our life one day soon without sin or Satan, and live it more abundantly throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity?

MY FRIENDS, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THAT NARROW GATE?

March 28, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THAT NARROW GATE?

thTY4O6F82“Enter by the narrow gate; for 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 there are few who find it.” Matt. 7:13-14 (NKJV) My friends, we cannot negotiate with Christ about our salvation, because “God is not human, that He should lie, [and He is] not a human being, that He should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act?  Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 (NIV)

No and No! Therefore, we cannot be afraid to “call sin by it’s right name,” which is any and all abominations against God. The problem is, man along with the help of the principalities, and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, determines what constitutes as an abomination to God.

So with Satan’s help we then begin to call evil good, and good evil; [as his strategic plans for our destruction shows us how to] substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;….. Is. 5:20 (AMP) My friends there is no grey areas that determines our entrance into the kingdom of God, only a total commitment and God’s love grace and mercy.

Today, we must accept the principles of God as the only road on this journey that takes us to life eternal. And to deviate thfrom that, only takes us through that wide gate that leads to destruction. So if we have a passion to serve and give it all to Christ, “the place to begin” is through that door. And Christ tells us in John 10:9-10 (NKJV) I am the door.

If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” For the thief [which represents Satan, only comes] to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. [But Jesus Christ our redeemer] comes that [you and I] may have life, and that [we] may have it more abundantly.”

But, we must understand the dimensions of that door is strait, and narrow, and the road is narrow because “through it may pass only that which is essential to the journey along the way. (SDA Bible Commentary) Essential meaning only our character which has died “in Christ, [and now we are] a new creature; the old things [in our life have] passed away; [and] behold, all things have become new” 2 cor. 5:17 (KJV)

And few find it because very few are willing to seek that narrow path with a passion, because we “desire heaven, and yet we turn away because of the conditions laid down” and the passion it takes to continue, which is to die daily and live our life through Christ. So in cross-to-salvation-300x200spite of all that God has done and is willing to continue to do for us, many are just not willing to make a full commitment and give Him our all.

“It will be a tragedy to get to that day we have waited for” all our life, and realize all we have accumulated and accomplished along with Satan’s “promises of  “all this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” Matt. 4:9 (NIV) “could not compare to life eternal and that place “eye have not seen nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NASB)

 

 

MY FRIENDS, IS OPPORTUNITY PASSING US BY?

March 27, 2017

MY FRIENDS, IS OPPORTUNITY PASSING US BY?

num4Ten spies, spread among all the Israelite’s a bad report about the promise land. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size….we seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them……That night all the community raised their voices and wept aloud…..If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?

Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. It would be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” My friends, the majority ruled. Remember this is a theocracy where God was there ruler. God brought them out of Egypt where they were in bondage for 400 years.

God parted the red sea as He lead them to the promise land. But they allowed their opportunity to pass for them to enter the promise land. The majority ruled and only two spies out of the twelve knew the power of God and recognize all He had done for them said: “The land we explored is exceedingly good.

If the Lord is pleased with us, he will allow us to conquer this land that flows with milk and honey, He will give it toEKIDS1G47+3 us. Only don’t rebel against the Lord or be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them…..Num. 14:32-33, Num. 14:1-9 (NIV)

So now everyone from 20 years up except Caleb and Joshua entered the promise land forty years later. Opportunity passed everyone else because they did not recognize the power of God and what He was willing to do for His children. My friends, today let’s count our many blessings and miracles God has performed in our life from this short probationary period from birth to today.

But, we still allow Satan to choose our destination and where we will spend eternity. As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. He heard the crowd going by, he asked what’s happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. ”He cryed out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” [My friends this is an example of someone who did not allow the majority to rule or the opportunity of knowing Jesus, and the opportunity to be healed physically and spiritually pass him by.]

thJesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Luke 18:35-40 (NIV) My friends, are we allowing the opportunity of salvation and life eternal pass us by because the majority rules and the things of this world seem more appealing than a relationship with Christ and life eternal.

The road to the kingdom is a narrow road, but Christ paved the way on Calvary for us to finish the course. If that is our desire, we first have to be disciples of Christ as we carry our cross, we also have to make disciples for Christ as we serve and take the good news throughout the world and then the end will come.

MY FRIENDS, WHERE IS YOUR DESTINATION?

March 26, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHERE IS YOUR DESTINATION?

“God’s Spirit will be poured out on all of God’s Children and His sons and daughters will prophesy, the old will thdream dreams, and the young will see visions.” And we will hear The Spirit whisper urgent! Urgent! what you are going to do, to finish God’s work “you must do quickly [without delay].” My friends, we have a probationary period from birth to death, so during that time period again I must say “Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies.

In addition, we must criticize ourselves closely, [while] not allowing one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected [in our lives.]” (E. G. White) And like Judas, if there is a delay as we tell ourselves we have time, the outcome and our destination will be like Judas. “After [he had taken] the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly [without delay].” John 13:27 (AMP) And His destination was, “a state of final spiritual ruin,” (Perdition).

My friends, it’s our choice, too allow God’s Spirit to enter our life and take full control or allow the principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world” to take control. But whatever our decision, “we must do quickly and [without delay.]” With eleven, the three-and-a-half-year trial period was a success, with Judas it failed.

Remember our Father did not give his only begotten Son, to die at Calvary for us to be like some images12experimental rat that eventually gets exterminated. But the plan of salvation was designed for us “to prosper and not to harm [us.] But to give us hope and a future, [throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity] Jer. 29:11 (KJV)

I can remember trying to get from New York City to upstate New York to pick up a car in the shop that had broken down on my wife a week or two earlier. I started out early one morning to my destination. First the city bus, then the train that took me to the end of the line. Then I took another bus that took me so far, then I thumbed and walked and thumbed until I saw a cab that took me to my location, oh the joy of the arrival!!

What a journey from one destination to the next. But I survived the journey, I did not stop until I had reached my goal. Friends, what is your destination and how far are you planning to go. If you feel comfortable where you are spiritually then you need to re-examine what you really have a passion for, the things of this world or eternal life.

thWhen Judas, became a disciple his destination was centered on being a part of a movement that would overtake the Roman government and bring Him fame and fortune and a high position in the new government. “But then “after the devil had already prompted Judas, to betray Jesus…..the disciples had eaten Then Christ begin to pour water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him………

”Truly I tell you, [Christ says] no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:16 (KJV) My friends, to serve others was not Judas destination, what about you and I where is our destination.

MY FRIENDS, THE INTIMACY AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP OF A WHISPER!

March 22, 2017

MY FRIENDS, THE INTIMACY AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP OF A WHISPER!

Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My is-3021people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me. ”So when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.” 1 Sam. 9:15-17 (NKJV)

In a private setting, God whispering in one’s ear, telling His friend “in a free, familiar and friendly way,” as a secret from our best friend, that only we have been told. This is the “Spirit of God communicating His divine will to the one He has created in His image.

The Eternal, “forming man of the dust of the ground, breathing into our nostrils the breath of life; and [then whispering in our ear, [“This is the way walk in it”] Gen 2:7 (KJV) My friends, the more time we spend intimately with God and His Word and Spirit, the easier it is to distinguish His whisper from what “appears to be right, but in the end only leads to death.” Prov. 14:12 (NIV)

Employees, at airports are trained to recognize counterfeit ID’s by studying genuine ID’s so closely from various thstates, and countries, that it will be unimaginable not to recognized a fake one, simply because they have studied diligently the real from the fake.

And we should also as Christians, and children of God be so familiar with God’s Word, and His whispers that each time God speaks to us as He guides us on this journey He has placed us on, we will be absolutely clear that it is God’s whisper we hear and not the enemy.

And in so doing, it will verify in our mind any and all, truth from error. And like Samuel we will know with full assurance who we are responding to as we say “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” And to have developed such a personal relationship with God tells us we have spent time with Christ in our war room.

That state of mind, that special place where strategy and policy is developed and implemented against the enemy and where “our cry has come to God” personally. One of Christ war rooms was out in the open air at, mount of olives, while “kneeling down and praying.

Jesus-Christ-Praying-Wallpapers-16-300x225“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44 (NIV)

My friends, it is God’s Spirit that Strengthens us in our battle with the forces of evil as He whispers, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of [the enemy]; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deut. 31:6 (NKJV) In addition, today we must hold on to that promise while serving Christ on the front lines of the battle field, as we go out “making disciples of all nations in all the world as a testimony, and then the end will come.

March 20, 2017

MY FRIENDS, “WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH”

How slender the force seemed that was to scatter the world’s darkness, roll back its wickedness, and take away its guilt! How striking the lesson for us not to be afraid though the apparent force of truth and goodness in the world be infinitesimally small. The (William Garden Blaikie, The Expositor’s Bible) My friends, like before the flood when “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

But one maintained a vision for God and eight were saved. 4,000 years later, many are being offended and repelled [by their association with Christ] and will fallen away [from the One whom they should be trusting]….. “and where there is no vision the people parish” Prov. 29:18 (KJV)

My friends God’s vision for “such a time as this,” is the  good news of the the gospel og God’s kingdom. And once this shared vision is preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, then the end of the age will come.”

So my friends, the call of God to respond to His will and to make rational decisions based on thus says the Lord can only be headed when we cry out on our knees for the gift of discernment while recognizing Gods vision for us that is stated through His word and explained to us through God’s Spirit.

“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel a third time. Again, he went to Eli the priest and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. Eli discerned it was the voice of God. So he told Samuel to lie back down and next He calls say, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.”

My friends, we must understand at this point God had stop talking to Eli because he had already been warned that God was about to judge his house forever for the sinful behavior which he knew [was happening], because his sons were bringing a curse on themselves [dishonoring and blaspheming God] and he did not rebuke them.” 1 Samuel 3:12-13 (AMP)

Samuel 3:1 (KJV) tells us during this time “the word of the Lord was rare…….and there was no open vision.” Visions my friends are God’s way of “clarifying” His purpose for our lives as we relay a shared vision to each one who God places on this journey with us. And without those “visions we all parish.” So, if God is alien to us because of a lack of study and prayer how do we define God’s vision to others who have lost hope and are perishing within Babylon. Remember, God’s cry is to come out of “Babylon because she will fall, [because it] has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Rev. 18:2 (KJV) But if we have no vision because the things in Babylon is more pleasing, how do others know God’s vision for their lives and respond to His message through us. God had ceased speaking to Eli and relayed His vision through Samuel. My friends, we wanted heaven, but still “said no to God,” because of His conditions. But don’t worry, “the stones will cry out” God’s vision, and “then the end will come.”

http://activemindbodyandsoul.org/21651-2/

MARCH 17, YOUR DAILY CLIMB (DEVOTIONAL)

March 17, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHO REIGNS SUPREME IN OUR LIFE?

thOur narrative begins in 1 Sam. 8, Samuel was an old man so he made his sons “who did not walk in his ways, who turned aside after dishonest gain, and perverted justice, Judges over Israel.” Then the elders of Israel came to Samuel, and said, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

Samuel took it personal as an rejection of him. Bringing the matter before the Lord, God directed Samuel to comply, for it was not Samuel they were rejecting but the “unseen Monarch” who created the heavens and the earth who they no longer wanted to reign over them or go before them and fight their battles against their enemies.

Once again, we desire heaven, with all our heart and soul and yet we “turn away because of the conditions laid down. Think of what it means to say “No” to Christ.” (White) Or to feel the need for someone else to wake us up each day. Or to fight our battles against “the powers of this dark world.”

My friends, it’s very personal today, so God allows Israel as with us the opportunity to “eat of the fruit of [our] ownTemptation_of_Christ way and be satiated with [our] own devices. “For the waywardness of the naive will kill [us], and the complacency of fools will destroy [us all].” Prov 1:31-32 (NASB)

Friends we have become Israel and like Israel we are allowed to “work out our own salvation with [our own] fear and trembling.” For now it’s Satan “who worketh in us to do his good pleasure and no longer God” Phil. 2:12-14 (KJV) Saul is now anointed as ruler over Israel, “a handsome man; no other in Israel was more handsome.

Also from his shoulders up he was taller than all the men in Israel.” 1 Sam 9:2 (AMP) “The Spirit of the Lord then came upon Saul mightily and he begin to prophesy with [the prophets] and God changed him into another man and he was told to do for himself what the occasion requires, for God is with you.

Then it happened which we all should seek, a changed heart by God. In other words, God gave Saul as he gives us everything we need through His Spirit to serve Him, and In these last days God will give you and I all we need to thTY4O6F82finish up His mandate here on earth as He pours out “His Spirit on all flesh, and our sons and daughters shall prophesy, and our young men shall see visions, and our old men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:17:18 (ESV)

Now Israel and since its personal you and I go from being a theocracy in which “God is recognized as the supreme ruler” of Israel to Saul becoming or in our case self becomes our supreme ruler. And In a span of two years, Satan made Saul an offer he couldn’t refuse, “all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”

My friends if God woke us up today our choices have not changed, choose today to “enter the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. But, the gate is narrow and the way is [difficult] but it does lead to life-eternal, and those who find it are few.” Matt 7:13-14 (KJV)

MY FRIENDS, AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST!!

MARCH 16, 2017

MY FRIENDS, AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST!!

920x920Disqualified is defined as “deprive of qualification or to be rendered unfit. My friends in the context of our salvation we may be eliminated, or unfit to finish the course do to the lack of preparation needed to finish. Today it’s personal, because you and I must “Run in such a way that we may win. [because] Everyone who competes in the race, exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Therefore we run in such a way, as not without aim [for victory]……..but we discipline our body [to keep self under control], so that, after we have preached to others, we ourselves will not be disqualified..” 1 Cor. 9:24-27 (NASB) Our narrative begins in Ex. 7:8-16 (NASB) Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim.

Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men and go out, and fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in hand.” Joshua went and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And when Moses held his hand up, Israel prevailed, and when he let it down, Amalek prevailed.

When Moses’ hands became heavy they placed a stone under him to sit on; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands,tumblr_lf6btymqnG1qfg3voo1_400-219x300 one on one side and one on the other. Thus, his hands were steady until the sun set. So, Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

My friends, oh the power of the outstretched hands this was the same outstretched hand, a symbol to Israel as they witnessed the plagues fall on Egypt. Those outstretched hands parted the red sea, they delivered water and food to the famished Israelite’s. Victory after victory, outstretched hands were a symbol of an unseen God.

Oh the power of the outstretched hands that calls on God for deliverance daily. My friends, I see today another pair of outstretched hands as I cry out, “Lord I start the day and the war begins endlessly reminding me of my sins and time and time again your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in Today.

I feel like I’m just one mistake away From You leaving me this way, and I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been, come rising up in me again. In the arms of Your mercy I find rest, cause You know just how far the East is from the West, from one scarred hand to the other” (Casting Crowns East to West)

brothers_in_christMy friends, one scarred hand to the other, was stretched on the cross at Calvary, what else does He need to do to prove there’s no greater love. Remember If we “ask we will receive; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:10 (NIV)

Once again, we desire heaven, with all our heart and soul and yet we “turn away because of the conditions laid down. Think of what it means to say “No” to Christ.” (E.G. White, Desire-of-Ages p 523) And think what it means to say to Christ, I am to busy to allow you into my heart today, maybe later? I first must see if Satan has a more acceptable alternative then  outstretch hands from east to west.