Archives for July 2017

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU HAVE AN UNDIVIDED HEART?

“In the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army, who could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war who helped David with an undivided heart.” 1 Chronicles 12:33 (NASB) My friends 50,000 committed soldiers from the tribe of Zebulun, one of the twelve tribes of Israel who served in David’s army, all, with undivided hearts. This is what we must all seek who are soldiers in the army of the Lord, “for such a time as this.”

A time Christ speaks of in Matt. 24 which we can all say with no reservation has started, and it is only “the beginning of sorrows and great tribulation, like we have never seen before since the beginning of the world, nor ever will.” But it must become personal, as we ask ourselves am I, a committed soldier with an “undivided heart.” Remember, “the strongest temptation is no excuse for sin.

However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel any one to sin. The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over righteousness. (E.G. White, Signs of the times) So there must be a commitment from within as we die daily while departing from all abominations against the one that gave it all for our salvation.

Therefore, individuals that seek with a passion to be a-part of that great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, [whose goal is to stand one day soon] before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing our white robes and  holding palm branches in our hands,” [must have a singleness of purpose, not wavering on the standards of God’s precepts, also not allowing any other gods to come before our Lord and Savior.] Rev. 7:9 (NIV)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:1-2 (KJV) As God’s Children, oh what power God has promise each of us with undivided hearts, who are on one accord, as we finish the course God has set before us.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 (KJV) My friends, once we have allowed God’s Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ it then takes us to another level in our Christian experience, beginning with an undivided heart a heart that God has a passion to transform which then gives us a passion to want to be transformed as our daily commitment then becomes “not my will but thy will be done.”

“More about Jesus let me learn, more of His love and grace will I discern; Spirit of God, my teacher be, Showing the things of Christ to me.” Yes, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward, [because] It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” [with an undivided heart] Colossians 3:23-25 (KJV)

July 28, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE ALLOWING GOD TO CULTIVATE US FOR HIS KINGDOM?

Rahab said to the two Israeli spies, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.

When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Joshua 2:8-11 (NIV) This Gentile, for all of her failings, looked at what God had done, and like all who happens to see God clearly, “she responded.”

My friends, Rahab was a Prostitute in a heathen land and only she and her family were saved when the Israelite’s invaded Jericho before they entered the promise land. But we must remember it is not the perfect life that prepares us for the kingdom of God. On the contrary, “it is the constraints and contentions,” the mountains and valleys of despair that advance us in our Christian journey while we continue to yield to the will of God. A God who “will never leave nor forsake us.”

By definition, Cultivation prepares the ground for harvest a ground that we continually depend on for growth. So we must “Be strong and courageous. We cannot  be afraid; we cannot be discouraged, for the Lord our God will be with us during this stage.” whether at night or day, in the storm or in sunshine,” we must take our focus off of self and the things of this world an forever keep it on the things above which are eternal. As this process starts, the seed of God’s grace is planted from within at birth as we continually through faith respond to the cultivating process of God’s Spirit.

A process along with the assurance of [things] hoped for, and a conviction of things not seen,” Heb. 11:1 (ASV) and through our faith the soil produces fruit. And then as heirs to God’s kingdom and joint heirs to the Son of God, when the final trump sounds and He appears, what was cultivated and produced in us becomes like him, for we shall see Him as he is.” 1 John 3:2 (NIV)

Even while asleep, “it’s God which worketh in us the will to do his good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13 (KJV) which tells us there are stages and seasons of our life where Christ continually develops and plants in us through His Spirit, a passion and a desire to carry our cross and do God’s will, which prepares us for eternity if we conform to God’s Spirit.

Rahab continued to grow while allowing God to cultivate her which allowed her to become part of the ancestry of Christ of this world and also of the world to come, when Christ finally says “well done.” Remember “He sees the master plan while holding our future in His hand,” a future that He cultivates daily for His kingdom. And with passion, and a shared vision, we than tell the world of the good news of Christ return. And one day, we exchange our cross for a crown as we prepare to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in Gods kingdom.

July 26, 2017

MY FRIENDS, THE STORM IS COMING HOW STRONG IS OUR FAITH?

Jesus was sleeping on a ship, as a storm arose, the disciple awakened him, as they cried out, “Master, carest thou not that we perish? Christ stood up, rebuked the [storm], and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are you fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” Mark 4:37-40 (KJV)

Let’s fast forward to the end of Christ ministry. On the Mount of Olivet, our Savior’s humanity recognized the difficulty of the storm ahead and what He and His disciples were about to encounter. But He stayed focused and prayed more earnestly, “until his sweat, was like drops of blood, falling to the ground,” as He prayed to His Father, “if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not my will, but thy will be done.”

When he arose from prayer and went back to His disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow He asked. “Why are you sleeping?” “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation!” My friends, He knew the extent of the storm ahead. But remember this is the same Jesus that faced the raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, totally composed, and undisturbed, who said to His disciples, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Matt 8:26 (NIV)

But here in the Garden, Humanity took its toil at just the thought of not being able to rebuked the winds and say to the storm “peace, be still” as the weight of the entire world was about to rest up on His shoulders. But His Faith, and Prayer’s kept Him focused, which is the sane reason we all can say with conviction, “No [storm regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you or I that is not common to human experience [nor is any storm unusual or beyond human resistance.]

But God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let [us go through any storm] beyond our ability [to resist], but along with the [storm] 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 [all situation and circumstances with joy].” 1 Cor 10:13 (AMP)

While defining A storm, as a “violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and rain. Let’s look at the eagle as the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. And like the eagle when the storms of our life comes to us, we too can rise above it, by setting our faith and mind towards Calvary.

And, it is at that point, our faith and trust in God, enables us to ride out the storms of life in a world where Satan’s only goal is to take us to a place where we no longer hear God saying “peace be still.” My friends one day there will be great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, but only those who endure [the storm] and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved [so how strong is our faith]” Matt 24:21 (AMP)

July 11, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HOW LONG WILL WE HESITATE BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS?

As a Child of God in today’s society, achieving total commitment and Victory through Christ sometimes seems impossible. There are so many distractions that draw our attention away from what is vital to our Salvation. Even watching the News, becomes so mind boggling, that we transfix our attention on the events of the day and lose all concentration on our goal, life eternal. So let’s make it personal and focus on where God’s Spirit is leading and understand, “in all our ways [we must acknowledge who God is], and He shall direct our paths” Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

In all our ways we must also acknowledge what God’s love means to us and how do we respond to a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. As prophecy unfolds, we must understand we have no time to “hesitate between two opinions?” If the Lord is our God, [we must give Him our all as we take up our cross and follow wherever Christ may lead. But if we chose to follow Satan and the rulers of the darkness of this world, to be our god then that is also our choice] ” 1 Kings 18:21 (KJV)

When the billionaire Howard Hughes died, his company’s public relations director asked the casinos in Las Vegas, where Hughes owned multiple casinos, to show him respect by giving him a minute of silence. For an uncomfortable sixty seconds, the casinos fell eerily silent. Then a pit boss looked at his watch, leaned forward, and whispered, “Okay, roll the dice. He’s had his minute.”  (Howard Hughes: The Hidden Years)

My friends, what about you and I, is a minute all we have for Christ. Maybe we rush into church, honor the congregation with our presence, wave our hands back and forth as the praise team sings, give a few a-mans as the pastor speaks. As the Spirit begins to move all around us we are moved, so we walk down the aisle for the altar call as the pastor prays. We leave, slap a few hands, and acknowledge we done had church today.

Is that all we have to give God each week. Or is every waken moment of our life dedicated to God as we humble ourselves with a sense of our own weakness, as we give Christ the honor and glory for the awesome privileges that He has given us to live our life through Him and for Him. My friends, our lives must be all about God’s will for us.

“Myself, my feelings, my knowledge, my ways.” can no longer exist if we have a passion to hear Christ say ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! Remember, our Savior died for our all, and for six thousand years there has been a military struggle over our all. And, like the rich young ruler Christ is asking us for a commitment “of discipleship,” if our desire is to be conquerors through Christ and one day soon receive our just reward life eternal.

If that is our desire His request is only “Follow Me,” because He “will never leave nor forsake you.” But Christ timing for a commitment to “follow Him” has caught most of God’s children at a bad time. “His standard of character for His kingdom is out of touch with what many of His children’s plans are.” So we hesitate between two opinions. But Soon God will say it is finished and our minute will be up.

July 9, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WE ARE WITHIN REACH, NOW WHAT?

We are “within reach” my friends. And soon we will be more than conquerors through him who loved us. [And being heirs to God’s kingdom we are now] persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

My friends, Satan never realized what lengths Christ would go through to demonstrate so passionately his burning belief in his own ability and love for us. And now, if we love as Christ loved who demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, denied His royalty and died for us. Therefore we being “within reach” of where Christ is leading us must also deny ourselves and take up [our cross and follow Christ. wherever He may lead] Mark 8:34 (NIV)

Everything in God’s word explains to God’s children that we are “within reach,” so all we have to do is take hold to the hand of God and never let go. The problem with most of us, we “let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. [Therefore, we must] Press our petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them……

Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the Lord, and at last the cloud was seen……” therefore we must “take the shield of faith; for that will guard the heart, the very life, from the fiery darts of the wicked.” (E.G. White, Early Writings, p 73) We must daily with a shared vision and passion hear the trumpet of God.

[And with a shared vision we must witness our family, friends and love one’s who have died in Christ rise. And with passion we must visualize each of God’s faithful who are] alive being caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore we must comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4:16-18 (NKJV)

By definition, within reach tells us, we have not gone beyond our expected goal but we are close. Close mentally, close physically, and most of all, close spiritually which tells us we are still in the process of eliminating self from our life and living totally in the shadow of the cross as we make Christ our number one priority in our life.

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart [as you finish this journey I have placed you on.] And I will be found by you, saith the Lord:” Jer. 29:13 (KJV)

Remember we will never “find Salvation in any other name” except Jesus Christ, He is the only one we must seek as His Spirit guides us to the promise land. Today we “are within reach” but we must ask ourselves are we willing to reach our goal and “be more than conquerors through him who loved us and gave it all for our salvation.

July 8, 2017

MY FRIENDS, IS THIS REALLY OUR SEASON?

looking over our life, most of us have no physical signs that we’ve been in combat for so many years with the enemy. So many lives lost of those we loved or been acquainted with, and with no reservation we know our lives are not some “cunningly devised fables,” but real situations and circumstances that God has allowed us to come through on this journey He has placed us on as we enter this season of our life.

As I write with the help and guidance of an unseen hand and you are able to read and feel and respond by that same presence, more than any other time in our life we must understand we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an a holy nation, a peculiar people; that have been called to show forth the praises of him who hath called you [and I] out of darkness into his marvellous light:” [“for such a time as this] 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

And with great anticipation we must focus on the words “there is a time and season for everything,” and “Like a grapevine branch, we are not always producing fruit in our life. That would be unnatural. For a significant portion of a grapevine’s life is nothing but a dry, twisted stick, fruitless with no benefit to anyone. It is even useless for shade, worthless as timber, to all appearances it is only fit to be ripped from the ground, thrown in a heap and burned.

Yet those barren times are as vital in the life of the vine, as the season itself. If spring could tip-toe passed nature without stirring it from its winter slumber; if the sun could slip through the sky without dispelling the night; if rain could fall to the ground without bringing life to the desert, only then should you fear dry times, dark times, lean times. Though [at times we] feel as useless as a fur coat in a heat-wave, the time will come when your warmth is treasured. For everything there is a season.”(Grantley Morris)

My friends, as God’s chosen, today is our season. But first, we must allow God’s Spirit total access, there can be no area of our life that we are not willing to say “Lord not my will but thy will be done. And once we have given it all to the Master while allowing self to die daily, we then begin to realize what faith it will take to understand that prophecy did start with “in the beginning” Gen. 1:1 (NIV)

And prophecy will end soon as many live only to make “America great again” not to live for that unique and personal relationship with a Great God.” And it will end with, “It is finished” and “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Rev. 22:20-21 My friends, oh, what faith it will take to maintain a steady hold onto the saving grace, power, and love of Christ.

But, we must also understand the extent at this point in prophecy Satan is going through to drive a wedge between the Good Shepherd and His faithful Children that will cause our total destruction. That is why we must focus daily on Calvary as Christ disciples while exemplifying that same love towards God and others that “God demonstrated toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died” to save us.

July 7, 2017

MY FRIENDS, DO WE HUNGER AND THRIST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS”

Two blind men were sitting on the side of the road longing for Christ, the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” To appear. As Jesus passed, they cried out Lord, Lord, have mercy on us, and at that point the crowd cried out hush! But to no avail. I can only imagine their attitude was, Christ has no time for the blind. But remember my friends; man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So Christ hears the cry of a longing heart for righteousness and immediately stops, and says, “what do you want Me to do for you?”

Their response was, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” Matt 20:29-34 (NASB) Immediately they were healed. And immediately they followed Christ, because, “blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matt 5:6 (KJV) And discipleship is a testimony to being filled.

One woman said, “if I may but touch His garment, I shall be [filled, and she was]” Matt 9:21 (KJV) As the deer pants for streams of water, so [our] soul must pant for the righteousness of God.” Ps. 42:1 (NIV) My friends, our relationship and passion for Christ must become real! Our desire to eliminate self and take on the character of Christ who was scourge and beaten by the Roman soldiers as the rabble cried out “crucify Him, crucify Him, His blood be on us and on our children,” must become real.

Let’s look within our heart and ask do we hunger and thirst after righteousness? Christ tells us “whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 (KJV) So to thirst after righteousness, “the heart that has once tasted the love of Christ, [and] cries out continually for a deeper draft, and as you impart you will receive in richer and more abundant measure.

Every revelation of God to the soul increases the capacity to know and to love. The continual cry of the heart is, “More of Thee,” and ever the Spirit’s answer is, “Much more.” Romans 5:9,10. For our God delights to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20. To Jesus, who emptied Himself for the salvation of lost humanity, the Holy Spirit was given without measure.

So it will be given to every follower of Christ when the whole heart is surrendered” [to the righteousness of Christ] (E.G. White, Thoughts From The Mount of Blessing, p 20-21) If we thirst after righteousness the whole heart will surrender to the prompting of Gods Spirit. In addition, our heart must not become unstable and occupied with the things of this world which shifts our focus away from the Bread of Life Jesus Christ.

Remember “Sin will not arise a second time,” therefore if our plans are to be heirs to God’s kingdom, we must be “safe to save” when God says it is finished, Son go get my children. And remember there will be no substitute for the “pure in heart.” So if we are God’s children, it has not yet appeared what we will be. [But what we do] know that when He appears, the [“pure in heart”] will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2 (NASB)

July 5, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE LISTENING IN THE MIDST OF THE NOISE AND STORM?

It’s personal today my friends. So, with a sincere and contrite heart let’s have a conversation with God, as we tell Him how badly we need Him to just get us through the day, because we are breaking under the weight of it all and we are afraid we might fall and become unable to get up. So we feel empty but still willing to keep listening for that still small voice, looking for Him in the midst of the noise and storm of our life to hear if He is telling us to go or stay, or maybe our God is telling us to hold on to Him for just one more day? (Mandisa, Where You Begin)

My friends, this journey Christ has us on and the weight of it all takes its toll at times. And at times we can say with no reservation that we have been in a war zone surrounded by the enemy where it seems there is no way of escape. But like “Moses who was at Horeb, the mountain of God tending His Father-in-laws sheep when a Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire….

And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses!” Ex. 3:1-4 (NKJV) What a journey, from a child of parents held in bondage by the Egyptians, to being raised in the royal courts by Pharaoh’s daughter, to a fugitive on the run for murder and now Moses is eighty years old and have been in exile for forty years.

I can only imagine Moses is having a conversation with God but unlike you and I we must listen for God’s voice in the midst of the noise and “breaking news” of this world which at times makes us feel we are breaking under it all. But friends, we must still be willing to keep listening until we hear that still small voice of  God’s Spirit saying here are my plans for you. “Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you.”

And at that point we realize God’s plans for our life were created from the foundation of this world. Even before God said “let there be light” and His desire for our life was sealed with the blood of Christ at Calvary and on the third day He rose, which gives us hope and a future in “that place eye have not seen nor ear heard, nor have ever entered into any man’s heart [all that God has prepared for all who love Him [with a passion] and are willing to give it all to Him, even our life]” 1 Cor 2:9 (NASB)

My friends, if it’s personal, we also understand if we desire salvation we must also follow Christ wherever He may lead. And like Moses, we must deny self and everything this world has to offer “and take up our cross and follow Christ.” [wherever He may lead] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matt. 16:24-26 (KJV) and once we have made that choice we will be one of the redeemed who one day soon will come through great tribulations, with washed robes that have been made white in the blood of the Lamb” Rev. 7:14 (KJV)

July 4, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE PREPARED THROUGH OUR FAITH TO FINISH THE COURSE?

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…….And then the author of Hebrews begins to speak of many “who through their faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated, of whom the world was not worthy wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” And then chapter twelve continues by saying “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.

In addition, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 11,12 (ESV) My friends, our Father which art in heaven has placed before us His word. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us….” John 1:14 (KJV)

And the Word who was made flesh tells us Himself “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you [and I] when others will revile [His faithful] and persecute [His faithful] and utter all kinds of evil against [His faithful] falsely on His account.” So [with passion today] we must rejoice and be glad, for our reward [will be] great in heaven [if we are faithful for we must remember] they also persecuted the prophets who were before [us].” Matt. 5:10-12 (ESV)

My friends, where is our faith today? And are we preparing for eternity or just our limited stay here on earth from birth to death. Remember Satan’s objected is to shift our focused from the things above, to what self must obtain on this earth and not what God’s will for our life is. Satan is a strategist in the art of war even though He knows the war ended at Calvary when Christ said “it is finished.”

Satan continues to fight assuring all who will listen, it’s not finished you will be great again if you seek first the things of this world, for your reward. My friends, soon God will say it is finished one more time and at that point the controversy will end with Him saying “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to [my faithful] according to [their] works.” Rev. 22:11:12 (KJV)