Jan. 18, 2017

MY REIENDS, THIS JOURNEY HAS WINDING ROADS BUT THEY WILL BE MADE STRAIGHT!  

We must prepare for what God is about to entrust to His faithful “for such a time as this” as we remove all distraction, along with every “weight, and sin within our hearts which doth so easily beset us” as we make room for the Spirit of God to convict, instruct, restore, guide and empower every aspect of our lives. And with no reservation we can say, our journey has been rough and the mountains steep. But God is greater than any situation of our life.

Remember friends, our journey is one that He has planned to give His children “hope and a future.” Elijah who now sits in the heavenly realm in the kingdom of God appeared to Ahab, the King of Israel and said “I’m a servant of the living Lord, the God of Israel. And I swear in his name that it won’t rain until I say so.” 1 King 17:1 (NKJV)

This is the first we hear form God’s Anointed. But, from that point the “manifestation” of God “for such a time” was revealed. “Elijah said to the widow “thus says the Lord…“the bin of flour will not be used up, nor the jar of oil run dry until the day the Lord sends rain……1 Kings 17:16 (NKJV)

“And he stretched himself out on the [dead] child three times, and cried out to the Lord and the child’s soul came back to him.” 1Kings 17:21-22 (NKJV) And who could forget the miracle on Mount Carmel. “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God…and I am your servant.” And then fire rained down from heaven and consumed the burnt sacrifice……..Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!” 1 Kings 18:38-39 (NKJV)

After three years, Elijah prays to God and the drought ends and the rain returns. Up until this point Elijah’s life was an epic performance of Faith and courage in God’s army against the “spiritual wickedness in high places.” But like Elijah, throughout our life the road on this journey Christ has placed us on will become crooked at times because there will always be the highs, and unfortunately the lows in our life.

This is when we are most vulnerable to Satan’s attacks and we often forget where God has brought us from. Elijah runs from the death threats of Jezebel as he loses focus of where God had been leading Him. He sits under a tree and prays to die. And like Elijah, God’s command to all of His faithful is“go forth and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And through the noise of our life if we are listening, that still small voice of God will tell us to look back to where He has brought us from and return to that passion to serve.

My friends, we must finish our course for “God will fill every valley, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth” Luke 3:5 (NKJV) That my friends, God will do for us because if we woke up this morning the Journey has not ended. God was not finished with Elijah, neither has He finished with us, So the mandate of God remains the same GO!! THE HUNGRY SHEEP LOOK UP, AND ARE NOT FED,  

Jan 17, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HOW HARD ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR CHRIST?

The religion of Christ means more then the forgiveness of sin. It means that sin is taken away, and that the vacuum is filled with the Spirit. It means that the mind is divinely illumined, that the heart is emptied of self, and filled with the presence of Christ.” (E.G. White, Our High Calling p 154) My friends, the religion of Christ and the key to our salvation is, self dying daily as God’s Spirit takes full control.

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left. When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.” Luke 11:24-26 (NIV) But, The religion of Christ means more then the removal of our sins.

Because if God’s Spirit does not fully occupy our life while portraying God’s plan of redemption within us daily in-order to restore us into the image of Christ, as we allow Him to have full access while making the necessary changes that will make us “safe to save” then we have no concept of what “the religion of Christ” is all about or maybe we don’t care as those sins begin to gradually return.

Luke 8:1-2 (KJV) Jesus traveled about proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve disciples were with Him also some women one was named Mary Magdalene from whom seven demons had come out. My friends, Mary understood the “religion of Christ” because of what He had done for her.

At the Cross when Christ disciples had deserted Him. Mary Magdalene was there. John 9:25 (KJV) What a terrible night she must have had after His death thinking that the presence of Christ had been lost forever. Then early Sunday morning, “while it was still dark Mary went to the tomb and saw the stone rolled away.

Running to the disciples she cried out…. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” John 20:1-2 (NIV) the narrative continues in John 20. The disciples rush to the tomb only to also fine it empty. No one realizing “from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.”

Mary, along at the tomb again “stood outside crying “she bent over, look inside,” and there, two angels seated where Jesus body had been. They ask “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away” she explains. She turns around, someone else is there “why are you crying?” He ask?

She repeats her dilemma not knowing she was speaking to a risen Savior. “They have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they have put Him.” She thinks it is the gardener, she cries out again where is He, “if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him.” Then the sound of comfort and hope comes from the Saviors lips with one word, “Mary”

She realizes she is in Christ presence once again, she cries out, “Rabboni” which means Teacher. And then, Christ appoints Mary as the first person to be commissioned to go and tell the good news of a risen Savior. My friends Mary knew the religion of Christ. “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13 (KJV) and then with all her heart she did. My friends, what about you.

Jan. 16, 2016

MY FRIENDS, “THE HUNGRY SHEEP LOOK UP, AND ARE NOT FED”!!!!

“For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts.” (A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God)

My friends, God has commissioned all who seek His kingdom to introduce to the world who God is and that he is greater than any situation in their lives. So our passion for Salvation and God’s kingdom must also become the passion of others as the good news becomes a shared vision to all who have lost their hope and see no solution in sight.

Christ says “feed my sheep.” But first we must eliminate self as the “manifestation” of who Christ is becomes who we are through His Spirit. “Repent,…and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19 (KJV)

My friends, “the times of refreshing,” “The Early Rain,” which is one of God’s promises to His faithful ambassadors who will complete His mandate in our lifetime. But it will only come if we are diligently praying with heartfelt supplication daily as we “forsake all others” and allow the work of God’s Spirit to convict, instruct, restore, guide and empower every aspect of our lives.

And once we have remained “steadfast, unmoveable [while continually] given ourselves fully [and unconditionally] to the work of the Lord,………” 1 Cor. 15:58 (KJV) paraphrased. We can then be assured of “the “Latter Rain,” which is that full anointing of the power of God’s spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man.

But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. And unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. There is to be “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

There must be a constant development of Christian virtue, a constant advancement in Christian experiences. This we should seek with intensity of desire, that we may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Savior.” (E.G. White, The Latter Rain p 184-185)

And as God’s chosen, “He has anointed [you and I] to proclaim [the]good news to the poor and to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” ”as He pours out [His] Spirit on all people” as “our sons and daughters will prophesy, our young men will see visions, our old men will dream dreams.” Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) Acts 2:17 (NIV)

My friends, now I need you to focus on the fact that what God is trying to give us to finish up His work on this earth in our lifetime will one day be withdrawn if our heart stays on the things of this world and not the things above” But we must also understand if we “keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” And, His sheep will still be fed.

Jan, 14, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HAVE THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD MADE GOD IRREVERENT?

“They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.” Ez. 7:19 (JKV) Plutocracy is defined as a government or state in which the wealthy class rules.

“The historian Plutarch warned us long ago of what happens when there is no brake on the power of great wealth to subvert the electorate. “The abuse of buying and selling votes,” he wrote of Rome, “crept in and money began to play an important part in determining elections. Later on, this process of corruption spread in the law courts and to the army, and finally, when even the sword became enslaved by the power of gold, the republic was subjected to the rule of emperors.”

And what you are seeing in the great US of A today is also man being enslaved by the power of gold which subjects our society to the power of man instead of God. And this problem will not be solved, at marches, rallies, or sit-in’s, like in times past.

But only when God say’s “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt 25:21 (KJV) Consistent with this, God is calling each of His children to focus on finishing this journey He has placed us on as we “bear much fruit” for the kingdom of God.

In addition, material possessions, wealth, and the god of this world must become irreverent, we as children of God must never bow down to the Golden Calf as we repeat the words, Oh heavenly wealth, God will never come before thee. Today “many have been corrupted by the spirit and influence of this world.

[Man’s character] are becoming more and more unlike the divine model [Christ]. They are being transformed to become instruments of unrighteousness…. [but] a Christian character untarnished with avarice, possessing quietness, meekness, and humility, is more precious in the sight of God than the most fine gold, even the golden wedge of Ophir…..

But, all the riches that the wealthiest ever possessed will not be of sufficient value to cover the smallest sin before God. Repentance, true humility, a broken heart and a contrite spirit, alone will be accepted of him.” (E.G. White Deceitfulness of Riches, Review and Herald March 4, 1880)

My friends we must stay focus on the things above while remembering, to “seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added…” Matt. 6:33 (KJV) In addition, we must never get discouraged about what we don’t have as long as we have God’s assurance that His Son suffered and died for everyone so that through His love grace and mercy we may have life and have it more abundantly.

Rev. 22:12 (NIV) tells us “I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” My friends, what have we done for Christ today? And have we set our mind on the things of this world instead of things above? And, have we made Christ, His word, and the presence of His Spirit irreverent instead of the god of this world?

JAN. 13, 2017

MY FRIENDS, UNDERSTANDING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

The presence of God is where God’s Spirit abides, that same Spirit also transforms our lives according to God’s holy purpose as He separates the “light from the darkness.” because we are His “chosen race, [His] royal priesthood, [His] holy nation, [His] people [who will praise His name day and night, [because He has transformed our lives] out of darkness into [His] marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

And that my friends 0nly happens when we are in the very presence of God according to His holy purpose and according to His will. “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7 (KJV) In addition, being in the presence of God, also requires great responsibility on our part.

Christ says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing…..”John 15:5-6 (KJV) So as God’s Holy nation, our responsibility is to “bear much fruit” that is God’s will and it only becomes relevant in our lives if we are forever in the presence of God and living our lives according to His will as we allow God’s Spirit to separate “the light from the darkness.”

And as we allow Him to remove every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, [being in His presence also allows us to] ….run with patience the race that [our Lord and Savior has] set before us” Heb. 12:1 (KJV) My friends, Christ will soon return to claim His redeemed, so our life must be forever centered around His presence.

And in His presence we exemplify that faith which says to any “mountain, move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for [God’s faithful].” Matt. 17:20 (NIV) and in-spite of “our circumstance” When we are in the presence of God He listens and responds. But my friends, how does God hear and how does He respond over the noise of our life.

And how can He forefeel our needs if our mind is not forever consumed with “Search me Lord, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there are any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  as we live in the shelter of the Most High [because that is where we] will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty [because] You alone are [our] refuge, [and] place of safety.

You [are our] God, and [we will forever] trust You……[because we know You] will cover [us] with Your feathers and shelter [us] with Your wings. Your faithful promises are [Your] armor and protection. [So we will not] be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.” Ps. 139:23 (KJV), Ps 91:1-7 (NIV)

And one day soon my friends, Earth and Heaven will pass away and it want be a dream, because God will make all things new that day. Gone will be the curse from which we stumbled and fell, No more [darkness], no more pain No more tears, never crying again [only] praises to the great, “I AM”

And all around, the nations will bow down to sing, praises to Christ, our King [and just imagine [in His presence is] where we will live with our] Savior throughout the ceaseless ages eternaty (David Phelps, No More Nights).

Jan 12, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HAVING AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD!!!

The Thrilla in Manila is consistently ranked as one of the best encounter of two warriors in sport’s history. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. But, why would the Great I AM the King of the universe, get in the ring with anybody to prove there “is none like unto Him, [even] His name is great in might [and power]” Jer. 10:6 (KJV) My friends it’s called love. Selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love. Remember His encounter at Calvary for us.

The rough terrains, the seemingly unbearable situations, the injustice of life, a disobedient child, an abusive husband, death of a love one, the list goes on and God’s grace and love is there to show us, this to will pass, every step of the way through Him. But, like Jacob, how can we “see God face to face, and [we become conquerors and our] life is preserved.” Gen 3:20 (KJV)

My friends, Jacob was prepared, remember he is going up against the great I Am, there had to be, daily preparation for his encounter because he understood, he could not be lacking in faith or “having a form of godliness but denying its power” like Goliath who went into the ring with the Lord’s Anointed with only a sword, a spear and a javelin.

My friends, we must be prepared to endure through the days and nights on our knees until God’s Spirit gives us the victory, while never focusing our attention on the timing of why we haven’t succeeded because a lack of patience is only a lack of faith. Remember Jacob fought all night until He saw the face of God and heard His voice.

Jacob knew God was not slow in keeping his promises, but only patient…”not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (JKV) My friends, we must always remember God is preparing us for greater encounters against the enemy, encounters we are unprepared to handle right now.

And the closer we get to Christ second coming, the encounters will become more intense because we are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities, and the darkness of this world,” Eph.6:12 (KJV) and those battles are daily. In addition, our encounters and problems move up daily in a designated weight class.

And as we get older the main event always gets more and more dramatic, and at times the presence of God may be veiled from our face, and it will only be our faith,  prayer and the promises of God that we have constantly studied in His word along with God’s Spirit that will give us the strength to continue.

Remember, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and his angels, but they did not prevail, “nor was a place found for them in heaven. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent..called the Devil and Satan , who deceives the whole world; he and his angels were cast to earth.” Rev 12:7-9 (NKJV) Which tells us there can be no place found for Satan in our lives, all abominations against God must be eliminated.

And through Christ we then become “more than conquerors……[But first] you and I must be  persuaded through our faith,] that death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God” [and what God will do for us If we believe] Rom. 8:37-39 NKJV)

Jan 10, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WITH EACH WRONG ACT THE OLD SELFISH NATURE IS GAINING STRENGTH!!

Many claim to be a child of God but are just not willing to “lay aside every weight, and sin which so easily ensnares [them]” Heb 12:1 (NKJV) because, their desire to do God’s “will is based upon their own inclination, not upon the deep conviction of the Holy Spirit……Many feel a sense of estrangement from God, a realization of their bondage to self and sin; they make efforts for reform; but they do not crucify self.

They do not give themselves entirely into the hands of Christ, seeking for divine power to do His will. They are not willing to be molded after the divine similitude. In a general way they acknowledge their imperfections, but they do not give up their particular sins. With each wrong act the old selfish nature is gaining strength. (E.G. White, Christ Object Lessons p48)

That my friends, is why we must die daily. Self must not remain the ruling force in our life because with each wrong act, self becomes more and more prevalent. And as self begins to gain strength, it is at that point, Empire, and the Have and Have not’s become only a form of entertainment instead of an abomination to God.

As we move closer to Christ second coming the more we must seek God’s Spirit as we cry out daily, “Lord have your way!” “If it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matt 26:39 (NIV) To seek that cup with a passion, is to accept the challenges Christ sets before us as we surrender our all.

What a testimony to our family, friends, love one’s, co-workers and neighbors, a testimony that says through it all, my all still remains in the hands of my Lord and Savior. Spiritually whatever level we may feel we are at, we must ask God to take us to that place very few are willing to go. That place where “the gate is very narrow and difficult is the journey that leads to life eternal.”

In the spring at Niagara Falls, there is large blocks of ice flowing toward the falls. Embedded in the ice you can see carcasses of dead fish. Gulls by the score will ride down the river feeding on the fish. As they come to the brink of the falls, their wings go out, and they escape annihilation at the powerful falls.

But every once in a while a gull will delay, seemingly engrossed in the dead carcasses of all the fish, and when it finally comes to the brink of the falls, and it extends its powerful wings, the bird will flap but to no avail. Even by chance it does lift the ice out of the water, it has delayed too long and its claws are now frozen into the ice and the weight becomes too great, causing the gull to plunge into the abyss.

Oh, the danger of delay! I’m sure those who linger have seen others fall into the abyss, but, somehow they figured, they can succeed where others have failed. With each wrong act we also feel we can succeed where others have failed. But, the more we linger the more the old selfish nature gains strength. And only through God’s word and Spirit as self dies and we live our life through Christ, can we gain the strength needed to take us from this earth to eternity. 

Jan 8. 2017

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE HOUR HAS ALREADY COME?

The complacent attitude, not only from “the one who says their is no God” but those who consider themselves good outstanding members in our churches are telling themselves “where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4 (KJV) But this is one’s excuse to keep their eyes focused on the “things of this world and not on things above.”

Christ Himself tells us in Matt. 6:21 (KJV) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” so where are the desires of your heart my friends, have you decided that seeking Gods kingdom and the wide gate that leads to destruction is more suitable to your life style then the narrow way, that leadeth unto [life eternal], that few will find. Matt 7:13-14 (KJV) paraphrased.

But my friends, Salvation should be all we seek as we look at all that is happening at “the present time [in our world, because it should tell all who seek God’s kingdom that] the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13:11-12 (NIV)

We may try and convince ourselves that history continues, we live and we die, “scoffers seem” to be the only ones that make since in our present time. But, as our hope of a second coming is delayed so is our interest in what God is offering us. But my friends “from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come… And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever, Amen. Behold he is coming with clouds, and every eye shall see him…” Rev 1:4-7 (KJV) But, if you are able to remain faithful to the fact our Savior was born in a manger? and our Savior died on a cross, and rose agon on the third day?

You must also believe He will also come again and every eye will see Him. So my friends we must live our life today according to our faith that we have allowed God’s word and Spirit to instilled within us as we study daily. Remember, “the hour has already come for us to wake up from our slumber, because our salvation is near”

Our Lord and Savior will come soon, but we must also believe that He “is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you [and I], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” 2 Peter 3:9-10 (NIV)

So we must be prepared for His soon return. And as we are doing God’s will and serving Him daily, our only concern should be in preparing others for Christ second coming and that place “no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him! Cor. 2:9 (NIV)

Jan. 7, 2017

MY FRIENDS, BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS….

For they shell be filled. Matt. 5:6 (KJV) “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, [others] say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Ps 42:1-4 (NKJV) My friends, have we searched with a passion? And If someone ask “where is your God”? Will we know?

A narrative begins in Judges 7:1-8 (KJV) “And the Lord said to Gideon, “You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink.” Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men” Judges 7:5 (NASB)

The call had gone out for warriors to fight in the army of God. 32,000 responded, expecting to fight an enemy of 135,000. God told Gideon to proclaim to all whosoever is fearful and afraid let Him depart. 22,000 responded and went home leaving only 10,000. My friends, “God, who knows the heart.”

He also knows all of His children, like the deer, pants for Him while allowing “only their tears to become their food day and night,” So our all-knowing God, knew there were still 9,300 who proclaimed to be warriors in the army of God but still did not seek victory for God with the passion a deer panteth for water.

Only three hundred met this criteria and with those three hundred with a passion to serve God, were used to bring about a great victory that day. And my friends only when we seek God’s presence with that same passion and that same “hunger and thirst of the soul who long for righteousness with an eager anxiety of a man or [woman] starving for lack of food or famishing for want of water” (SDA commentary p 326) will God be able to use effectively.

“No earthly source can satisfy the hunger of one’s soul,” but we must first recognize that what fills the hunger can only be found in Christ as we study His word while allowing His Spirit to take full control of our lives.” “Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” John 6:35 (NASB)

My friends, with this longing we know one day God will bring about a great victory for Him, through us, as we take up our cross and go out onto the front lines of the battle field and serve God. Remember Christ tells us “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” Matt. 9:37 (NIV)

Few meaning, very few of His children have “an intense desire” to seek Christ “as the deer pants for streams of water,” with “a restless craving” that says our God will sustain us in every situation and circumstances and one day soon “from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, [All who crave His presence shall come to worship before the one who gave it all for our salvation.]” Is. 66:23 (NKJV)

My friends, if our desire is to live from one New Moon to another in Christ pure and holy kingdom we must take our eyes off the things of this world and “behold Christ face in righteousness; and be satisfied only to know one day [we will be] in His likeness” Ps. 17:15 (KJV)