Feb. 1, 2014

“IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU WILL SEE THE GLORY OF GOD”

John 11:37-40 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU WILL SEE THE GLORY OF GOD?”

My friends the scene is at the house of Christ friends Mary and Martha whose brother during Christ delay in getting to their house had died and now four days had passed since his death. “When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. BUT I KNOW THAT EVEN NOW GOD WILL GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK” then Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL LIVE, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

My friends where I need you to focus on today is the enormous power that we have which is in the source of all power which is in Jesus Christ our advocate who has designated His POINT MAN the Holy spirit to take lead for his Fathers children here on earth.

I Looked up the meaning of  POINT MAN. Webster tells us, it is a soldier who walks at the front of an infantry patrol in combat. My friends we are in combat, and the battle continues to rage on each day, and what is at stake is our Soul Salvation.

But my friends Christ tells each of us like he told Mary, and Martha “IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU WILL SEE THE GLORY OF GOD” but like the unbelieving mourners, Satan is telling you, yes Christ was able to rescue others from my grasp, but you have been Spiritually dead way to long for Him to help you. It just an’t happening.

But my friends Christ tells us to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 “for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

But only “IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU WILL SEE THE GLORY OF GOD.” But first you must give it all to the Master. Everything must be on the table, nothing can be held back, not our Heart, Body, time, money, or talents, and if you give it all to Christ, then He will decide how it is to be used for His Glory and Honor.

Remember my friends God’s Word is like a mirror to our lives. but we must realize as we look into that mirror today, how far short we have fallen from the glory and purity of God and of the high standard set for us, which is the cross.

The believer who longs for a personal revival clings to what can be personally painful and difficult in the cross of Christ. Carrying a cross “confronts ungodly attitudes, carnal living, and selfish motives.” because It keeps us in line with what Jesus want’s to do in our lives.

The secret of true obedience is having a close and personal relationship with God. Any other attempts to do otherwise will only amount to failure. We must have total access to the abiding fellowship and love of Jesus Christ, and that only comes through continuously Studying His Word while allowing God’s Spirit to completely transform our Character into the Character of Christ. But my friends it can only happen “IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU WILL SEE THE GLORY OF GOD”

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

Jan. 31, 2013

AN INFLUENCE OF CHANGE, A VISION OF HOPE

My friends as God’s Chosen we have our “MARCHING ORDERS”  “ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

And as God’s chosen it is our responsibility to INFLUENCE all who will believe, towards a common goal. And that COMMON GOAL is to HELP FINISH God’s agenda here on earth. But first we must present a VISION OF HOPE through God’s WORD

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of PEACE, and not of evil, to give you HOPE in your latter end.” Jer. 29:11

for “Those who accept the teachings of God’s WORD will not be wholly ignorant concerning the heavenly abode. And yet, “eye has 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 Corinthians 2:9. Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be known only to those who behold it.

No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God. In the BIBLE the inheritance of the saved is called “a country.” Hebrews 11:14-16. There the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home. “My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”(E.G. White)

As Christians we are called to be part of God’s Rescue Squad, and as those who we are trying to INFLUENCE see Christ in us we will “all with one accord” move to carry out God’s Commission to go into all the world and preach of a New home not of this earth.

We all have been strangers in a city, or community at some point in your life. After a while we become comfortable. We adjust, as we begin to adopt to the customs of our new surroundings. In time, we no longer feel like strangers. But scripture warns us not to become comfortable here on earth.

For Jesus Christ is our only true source of comfort and security. God gives His Children physical, mental, and most of all spiritual strength through our FAITH and ENDURANCE to meet the challenges that confront us each day.

But as strangers here on earth we must continue to INFLUENCE others to seek Christ first, as we together make Christ our focal point on our JOURNEY to God’s kingdom. My friends The Spirit of God is gradually giving man “over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.” Ps. 81:12

But you must ask yourself today am I willing to give it all to the Master and if your decision is NOT MY WILL BUT THINE then “We must work the works of him that (sent each of us), while it is day: for the night cometh, when no man can work. John 9:4

Friends God’s grace is still extended to all who believe But “if God spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example unto those that should live ungodly;..…..the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment; 2 Peter 2:4-4

But as our INFLUENCE and TERRITORY increases and our VISION becomes more real the closer we get to Christ second coming. SALVATION and ETERNAL LIFE will become a PASSION that we all will seek as we become witnesses of lives being changed through God’s Spirit.

So my friends remember “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In myFather’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4

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

Jan 30, 2014

“FOR I HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD, BUT I CANNOT CARRY IT OUT”

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. Luke 4:1-2

My friends when we have made the decision to allow God’s Sprit total access into our mind and body, we then begin to realize what faith it takes to maintain a steady hold onto the saving grace, power, and love of Christ, and as we maintain our FAITH, Christ reciprocates, while keeping His children safe in his arms and out of the grasp of Satan and the forces of evil.

“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit” My friends If Satan’s is able to temp Christ when he is filled with the Holy Spirit. How much more vulnerable is His children who are “Born in sin, and shaped in iniquity.” But because we have an advocate, and a FRIEND IN JESUS.

And because “he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Heb. 2:18 Paul tells us “FOR I HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD BUT I CANNOT CARRY IT OUT…….Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:18-20

My friends once we understand the extent Satan will go through to drive a wedge between the Good Shepherd and his care over His Children, then we will realize we can never go without being fully equipped with the armor of God.

“So stand firm, with the belt of  TRUTH buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the GOSPEL of PEACE. In addition to all this, take up the shield of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Take the helmet of SALVATION and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of God.” Eph. 6:14-17 For without God’s armor “WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD BUT CANNOT CARRY IT OUT. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12

So friends stay FOCUSED “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”  John tells us, “You are of God’s, little Children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)

MY friends our heartfelt prayers and supplication each day must be “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20)

But there can be no spiritual success if you have not allowed Gods Spirit to make a complete transformation of your life into the image of God, otherwise you will find yourself completely vulnerable to Satan’s attack over and over again.

Or, to use Jesus analogy from Luke 11, you will clean house and lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares, and you will begin to run the race that is set before you. BUT YOU DID NOT FILL IT BACK UP WITH CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LOVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE, AND YOUR RUN BECAME SLUGGISH.

So you allowed your house to be re-occupied by the evil that you had once drove out. And because you allowed this to happen YOU STILL HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD BUT CANNOT CARRY IT OUT. So friends study God’s Word, seek His Spirit, as you begin to replace each sin that the forces of evil have brought into your life with only Christ centered alternatives.

And as you remain FOCUSED and ENDURE. Remember The road to the Kingdom is a narrow road that few will succeed in traveling it. But Christ has made it possible for everyone with the desire for Salvation to finish the course. And once you enter God’s kingdom THE DESIRE TO SIN WILL BE ELIMINATED throughout the ceaseless ages of ETERNITY

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

Jan. 29, 2014

“HE IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK”

“Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

“HE IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK”  Like clay in the potter’s hand let’s let God’s Spirit begin to shape our Character for the kingdom as we begin to recognize what God is ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK.

And Friends He is willing to do this in every situation, and circumstances in our life . But now this is when our FAITH and God’s Word take over and become the focal point of our life. Because “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1

So our Faith must rest on God, and our belief in His word that says “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 When the Israelite’s left Egypt  Exodus 19:4 tells us He said to them ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

But then God asks them to do something breathtaking and awe-inspiring, God asked them for a COMMITMENT. He asks them to stand up and pledge their loyalty to Him, as He tells them in “Exodus 19:5-6 now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

So my friends today God is asking us to do something breathtaking and awe-inspiring, He is asking each of us for a COMMITMENT also. He is asking us to stand up and pledge our loyalty to Him For we “are his Children, He has plans for us, we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light 1 Peter 2:9

This is why His mandate to us Brings about a COMMITMENT and a LIFESTYLE CHANGE. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? So what this verse is telling us is nothing in this world is worth losing your soul over. Mark 8:36-37

Paul also says in Phil. 3:7-8 but whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ.”

My friends what Paul is telling each of us who seek God’s kingdom is, we must consider all things of this world garbage if it does not FOCUS our attention on Christ and Him crucified and His will for us. As we approach the final days of this life’s history there will be a sharp contrast from a child of God and those who follow the forces of evil.

Satan will begin to weaken the SPIRITUAL IMMUNE SYSTEM more and more with the things of this world. And everyone who does not have a firm foundation on Jesus Christ as you allow self to die daily will not have the Faith or ENDURANCE to make it to the finish line.

My friends God begun a good work in each of us 2,000 years ago, the transformation process started on Calvary. The POTTER continues to shape us daily but we continue to allow those “SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE SINS” keep God’s Spirit from finishing His plan for us.

But my friends one day the POTTERS wheel will be put aside, and God will stand up and say “IT IS FINISHED” “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Rev 22:11 so today my friends let’s give it all to the Master while HE IS STILL “ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK”

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

Jan. 28, 2014

“ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US”

Understanding and knowing God and His word is the process by which God’s character is cultivated in us. But it must be a daily process, and in so doing, we become aware of our own “existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings and most of all our need of a  SAVIOR through Jesus Christ.”

And as a result, each day we begin to walk into Gods divine wisdom, a wisdom that allows us to focus and walk along the same path that Christ did when He was on this earth. A path of a humble and loving servant to all.

So my friends please today let’s stretched our faith to the very limit it will go, because there will be a testimony of praise in the end as you let God work his will in you. “Submit yourselves……Come near to God and he will come near to you.” For with Christ Faith knows no barriers.

Neither does God’s love and his williness to give to His Children. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US.” Eph.3:20

but “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS.” Matt 16:24-27

My friends Christ has made it very plain in Matt.16, IF YOUR DESIRE IS COME AFTER ME, then you must DENY SELF, TAKE UP MY CROSS, and FOLLOW, NO MATTER WHERE THE SPIRIT MAY ASK YOU TO GO, OR WHAT HE MAY ASK YOU TO DO, even to DIE FOR CHRIST SAKE.

And finally IT IS FOOLISH TO SEEK WHAT THIS WORLD HAS TO OFFER, but SEEK FIRST GOD”S KINGDOM and one day YOU WILL BE REWARDED, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US. My friends “When we as God’s chosen learn how to die, we will learn how to live.”, and this can only be done through the WORKING of God’s Spirit in us.

” Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor 5:17 SO my friends what have you done for Christ today are you building upon the faith that is needed in your life to get you through this Journey Christ has placed His faithful own ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US.

Remember my friends “It is not enough to believe about Christ; we must believe in Him. The only FAITH that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Savior; which appropriates His merits to ourselves.

Many hold FAITH as an opinion, but Saving faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves in a COVENANT RELATIONSHIP with God. Genuine FAITH is life. A living FAITH means AN INCREASE OF VIGOR, and a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.” (E.G. White Desire of Ages pp 347)

My friends AN INCREASE OF VIGOR OR PASSION of our FAITH is the key by which we cross over into the PROMISE LAND one day. Our FOCUS cannot waver we cannot become COMPLACENT, while waiting on a Sign, or some Hollywood type CATASTROPHE. Prophecy is being fulfilled so WATCH and PRAY ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN YOU.

“Stand FIRM in your FAITH, be BRAVE, be STRONG. Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Cor. 16:13-14 for “That day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his WORK, and commanded the doorkeeper to WATCH. WATCH therefore, for you do not know when the MASTER of the house is coming, in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning lest, coming suddenly, he find you SLEEPING. And what I say to you, I say to all: WATCH!” Mark 13:32-27 ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US ALL.

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

Jan. 27, 2014

“I OFFER UP MY SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO YOU LORD”

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his PRAISE shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, MAGNIFY the Lord with me, and let us EXALT his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” Ps. 34:1-22

My friends “There’s a place in heaven prepared for me When the TOILS OF THIS LIFE IS OVER Where the saints are clothed in white Before the throne SINGING PRAISES forever, forever more” It all sounds good my friends but we have to realize the TOILS OF THIS LIFE is not over.

For we still have work to do while there is still daylight and God’s presence is still manifested in a world where the light of His Spirit grows dimmer each day as we move closer to his second coming. As God’s chosen we must become ambassadors of God’s Word, as we carry out Christ Commission to go and tell those with no hope of Gods promises in Isaiah 25:8-9 which states

“God will swallow up death one day in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.  And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation in a place that

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor. 2:9 My friends let us continually OFFER UP OUR SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD by proclaiming the grace, and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So as we continue our journey to the promise land. Let’s all do as the demoniac who became a living testimony for Christ, as those around him witnessed the transformation from the touch of the Master’s hand.

Mark 5:19-20 tells us The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.”

My friends “Whoever OFFERS PRAISES GLORIFIES ME; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” Ps 50:23 As you look over your life, what does God really mean to you? And where has he brought you from?

And as you contemplate your answers remind yourself of the high cost that was paid for your Salvation, and the only thing that God ask in return is a sincere and contrite heart that has been transformed into his Character. So now “let us offer up A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD continually” and “make confession to his name.” as we spread the good news of Christ soon return.

But we must also remember that A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD is not just something we have become accustomed to when we go to Church and stand up, waving our hands back and forth. But A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD is what we are in Christ as a Child of the King.

For “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” Gal 2:20 So today my Friends our SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD is our TIME, TALENTS, MONEY, and most of all our MIND, and BODIES as we move closer and closer to Christ soon return.

Remember my friends Our Savior is “the light of the world. Whoever follows Christ will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” And as we take on the Character and image of Christ we become LIGHT BEARERS for Him as we OFFER UP A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD, TODAY TOMORROW and throughout ETERNITY

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

August 19, 2013

GOD PLEASE “TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS”

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Friends! we often complain about never enough time, we tell ourselves if there were only more hours in the day! But our problem is not that we don’t have enough time. Rather, our problem is we have not been convicted or transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Because once God’s Spirit has transformed our Character into the image of God our MISSION STATEMENT then becomes NOT MY WILL BUT THIN BE DONE. Then once we are CONVICTED to serve a “risen Savior,” then we begin to value our time only in relationship to Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, as we become PASSIONATE about spreading the good news of the gospel to all.

As our example, our Savior’s schedule was never so hectic that He lost FOCUS of His goal, there was never time lost in idleness in front of the TV, or gossiping to his disciples about the seven devils he cast out of Mary.

My friends Christ was always serving the needs of others, His agenda was always based on His mission and at the same time He was never so driven that He forgot about the passion of love, and How He treated everyone, even as Calvary approached.

My friends In Christ 33 years on this earth as He carried out His earthly ministry, “Jesus spent time praying, teaching, helping, healing and interacting daily with men and women from every social, educational, and economic class.”

So like Christ Their must be a PASSION for the use of our time and how we share the love of Christ, that impacts a world lost in sin. “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”John 13:15

My friends our time must not be centered on self. Our PASSION to serve must transcend into an urgency as we look at the closeness of Christ soon return. There is nothing in us, or of ourselves by which we can influence others for good, or use our time wisely because we are all shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive us Ps. 51:5

So once we do realize our helplessness and our need of God’s holy Spirit to guide us in how we spend our time. This is when we become the chosen vessel, and STEWARD’S OF GOD’S TIME that He intended for us to be.

“Life is too solemn to be absorbed in temporal and earthly matters, in a treadmill of care and anxiety for the things that are but an atom in comparison with the things of eternal interest. Yet God has called us to serve Him in the temporal affairs of life. Diligence in this work is as much a part of true religion as is devotion.

The Bible gives no endorsement to idleness. It is the greatest curse that afflicts our world. Time squandered can never be recovered. We cannot call back even one moment. The only way in which we can redeem our time is by making the most of that which remains, by being co-workers with God in His great plan of redemption.

In him who does this, a transformation of character takes place. He becomes a son of God, a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King. He is fitted to be the companion of the angels.” (Ellen G. White Christ’s Object Lessons)

My friends, One day God will question us about our time and say to each and everyone, EITHER “Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you’ve been trustworthy with a small amount, of time I’ll put you in charge of a large amount (Eternal life). Come and share your Master’s joy!”

OR, He will ask you, one final question, why was, the things of this world more important then studying my word and doing my will? And the saddest words we will ever here repeated, He will say, I KNOW YOU NOT In Ephesians 5:15-17 Paul states “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is”

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

Jan. 24, 2014

ON A JOURNEY, BOUND IN THE SPIRIT TO THE PROMISE LAND

And see, now I go BOUND IN THE SPIRIT to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:22-24

My friends let’s FOCUS today on YOUR JOURNEY, AND WHERE THE SPIRIT IS LEADING YOU, or have the things of this world not allowed a complete transformation. Are you telling yourself I’m just not ready to go there yet.

For the Past nine days I have talked about the power of the Holy Spirit and His role in our Salvation on this JOURNEY Christ places each of his Children on whose destination is the kingdom of God. As Paul was traveling to Jerusalem on His third missionary journey, his FOCUS was on the  JOURNEY in front of him, BOUND by his allegiance to bear the cross of Christ.

And like each of us who claim to be a child of God, we  must also begin to FOCUS on our JOURNEY and what God’s Spirit may ask us to do for the Master as He prepares our Character for THE PROMISE LAND. “for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it OUR AIM TO PLEASE HIM.” 2 Cor. 5:7-9

Paul knew what awaited Him but at this point in his life His goal was to finish the race and with faith, travel a similar path that Christ had traveled as Paul carried His cross with only one AIM and that was TO PLEASE THE MASTER. My friends are you preparing for such a JOURNEY “BOUND IN THE SPIRIT,” while seeking God’s kingdom.

Galatians 2:20  tells us I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

My friends Through your faith and Gods WORD and Spirit, God is preparing us for the unknown. But  in order for that to happen God’s Spirit  must have full control of our MIND and BODY. FAITH is a PROCESS, a DAILY walk with God “For faith does not make things easy, it only makes things possible.”

We also must allow the Spirit to  dismantle those ”SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE SINS” as we search the scriptures and pray diligently for more grace and more of God’s Spirit. My friends we know how this controversy started and we know how it will end.

And some where on this JOURNEY we will play a VITAL PART in this conflict, But today God is trying to prepare us to be able to CARRY HIS CROSS and DRINK FROM HIS CUP. BOOT camp will soon be over, and our PASSION to Endure must be placed only on God’s promises in His WORD, and His Spirit.

My friends “The more we discipline our minds to dwell upon the character of CHRIST AND THE NEARER WE APPROACH TO His divine image, the more clearly we will discern Christ spotless perfection, and the more deeply we will feel our own defects” (E.G,. White The Sanctified life)

And that is why it is a PROCESS a movement that will take us to the threshold of eternity which Prophecy tells us is very soon “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matt. 25:10-13

So Focus my friends it’s all about the JOURNEY and our ENDURANCE to last, as we behold Him every step of the way, and become changed Into His likeness, for “we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2

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