Sep3, 2017

MY FRIENDS, IS GOD’S GRACE SUFFICIENT FOR YOU AND I?

Paul tell us, “to keep himself from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given [to him] in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass [him, and], to keep [him] from becoming conceited. Three times he pleaded with the Lord about this [pain], that it should leave. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (ESV) Which tells you and I that Christ unmerited and undeserving favor is sufficient for every situation and circumstances of our life.

For His power is made perfect in all of our weakness. “And It is because of  His grace we must be crucified with Christ daily until it is no longer you or I who live, but Christ who lives in us; and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by Faith in the Son of God, who loved us, and delivered Himself up for our [salvation].” Gal. 2:20 (NKJV)

Yes, His grace is sufficient to carry us through the storms and rough terrains of this life all the way to His pure and holy kingdom which will continue throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Therefore, we must understand as God’s children we are all “shapen in iniquity; and in sin did our mother’s conceive us.” Ps. 51:5 (KJV)

Therefore, we are not placed in time out or given only limited access to His grace because of our sinful nature. But  through the power of God’s grace we must understand, “there is salvation in no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NASB)

Consistent with this, as we look at all God has done for us, we must endure through our “weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities of this life.” And my friends, as you and I look at the plan of Salvation, With no reservation we should all be able to say; do we really believe, Our Father allowed His Son to go through all He did for our salvation, and we personally have no cross to bear?

No, Via Dolorosa the (“Way of Grief”) through our journey here on this earth?  But, the question we must also ask ourselves like the one “who, desires to build a tower, does he [or she] not first sit down and count the cost, whether they have enough to complete it? Luke 14:28 (KJV) So in regards to our salvation, as we count the cost, is God’s grace sufficient enough to complete God’s will for our lives here on this earth?

Or has Christ timing for a commitment caught most of His children at a bad time?  And is it at a bad time, because His standard for our Salvation seems to be out of touch with our plans at this point in our life?  “So now consider what it means to desire heaven, and yet turn away from Christ because of the conditions laid down?” So, we tell ourselves, whatever God’s unmerited and undeserving favor is, it really has to be sufficient for now?

Aug. 27, 2017

MY FRIENDS, THIS IS UNCHARTED TERRITORY?

“God’s tender compassion never fails for they are new every morning.” Therefore, our hope rest on the fact that He will Guide us through every situation and circumstances of our life. My friends, most of us have lived long enough to have seen the world as it is, but not as we would want it to be.

As kid’s we woke up daily to a brand new world where the adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and the Hardy boys would come to life within one’s imagination. Where outdoors was a world of castles and moats, that comprised of an array of trees, dogs, tadpoles lightning bugs, creeks and the woods where every trail, hill and rock would lead to one more great adventure where each step you took would be our safety net for life.

And then somewhere between our fantasy world and a world that is over saturated with television, and social media, life became real, with real issues and real choices that we all make throughout our life. Choices that determines one’s unavoidably consequences in this great controversy between good and evil, life and death.

So today it’s personal as we focus on where God is leading us in this world that at times is “uncharted or unexplored territory.” So as God’s Chosen, the journey we are now traveling to the promise land stands on the other side of our trials that we must encounter as this controversy continues and the terrain we travel becomes unfamiliar.

But our Savior has been this way before. He knew the rough terrain would be real to us as we moved from the safety net of our homes as children to a life of strong winds and boisterous waves. And at times because it is “uncharted” we will become terrified and begin to sink.

And like Peter, cry out “Save me Lord!” “And our cries are headed as, He delivers us from all [our] fears,” Ps. 34:4 (KJV) because He knows no temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you or I that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance.]

But God is faithful [to His word [each morning and] He is compassionate and trustworthy,] and He will not let us [sink or] be tempted beyond our ability [to resist], but along with any temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide a way of escape, so that we’ll be able to endure [without yielding, and we will overcome temptation with joy]. 1 Cor 10:13 (AMP)

My friends, daily we must be prepared to face that place that goes beyond the unknown, deep into an “uncharted territory”on this Journey Christ has us on. But because of the Good Shepherds method of preparation we can say with no reservation, that [with joy] we will exult in our sufferings.

And we will rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, and trouble) produces patient and endurance; and endurance, produces a proven character (which defines our spiritual maturity); and with our proven character, it will produce hope and confident and assurance [of our eternal salvation].

My friends, Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who [will guide us in all truth and understanding as we prepare to leave our temporary home here on earth to our permanent home with many mansions in God’s kingdom]” Rom. 5:3-6 (KJV) Paraphrased

Aug. 23, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE WITHIN REACH?

It was not the dread of death that weighed upon Christ. It was not the pain and ignominy of the cross that caused His inexpressible agony. Christ was the prince of sufferers; but His suffering was from a sense of the malignity of sin, a knowledge that through familiarity with evil, man had become blinded to its enormity.

Christ saw how deep is the hold of sin upon the human heart, how few would be willing to break from its power. He knew that without help from God, humanity must perish, and He saw multitudes perishing within reach of abundant help.”(E. G. White) My friends, it must become personal today because every child of God must accept the fact that we are within reach of abundant help, but we are also within reach of loosing it all.

Therefore today we must all stand at the foot of the cross all on different journeys but all within reach and see the Son of God with outstretched hands  and behold Him. Behold the one who gave it all for our Salvation. And today, at this moment we become part of the crowd, all witnesses, all within reach, all with choices to make.

And all with the same opportunity to allow the “word that was made flesh to penetrate our heart as far as the division of the soul both joints and marrow to the deepest parts of our nature while exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of each of our hearts,” as we look up and like the centurion, and they that were with him………who cried out, truly this is the Son of God. Heb. 4:12 (KJV), Matt. 27:54 (KJV), Paraphrase

Yes my friends, it’s personal because we now realize we are within reach which tells us we are also “Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal. 3:29 (NIV) But also there’s Judas, he was within reach for over three years and today we must ask, which one of us represent him who betrayed the Son of man with a kiss.

He had become blinded by the enormity of greed up to this point, “but with a kiss” “Infinite righteousness and infinite wisdom had resolved to leave him alone.” Such a small gesture to seal one’s fate and place Him in the monstrous category with the likes of Caiaphas, “it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” And Pilate, “Whom should I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

And the Rabble who cried “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” Who was a murderer and a thief. And “Herod and his soldiers who ridiculed and mocked Christ. Dressing him in an elegant robe, as if some freak at a side-show circus. All within reach all with the same opportunity for salvation. But as the Spirit searched to probe their evil heart and show the love and grace of the one they were about to crucify, they walk away all sealing their destiny.

My friends, where do we stand at the crossroads? We are within reach. Christ sees how deep is the hold of sin upon our heart. But, are we willing to break from it’s power by allowing the Spirit of God to transform our Character into the likeness and image of Christ who died for our sins. Or have we become blinded by the enormity of sin and decided the commitment is to great.

Aug. 22, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY, COULD WE HAVE STOPPED IT?

“It’s not fake news; it’s good news. It’s a story that could eclipse all other stories. No way you can stop today’s total solar eclipse from happening. It’s celestial, and we have no control over it. The only way to stop it would be to extinguish the sun or knock the moon or Earth out of orbit. According to NASA, this is a “celestial coincidence,” as the sun is about 400 times wider than the moon and about 400 times farther away.

From certain vantage points on Earth, the moon will completely block the sun. This is called totality. When the Earth, moon and sun line up just right, the moon blocks the sun’s entire surface, creating the total eclipse.” (By Judson Jones, CNN)” My friends, focus on those words but let’s re-word the statement in regards to our salvation. “It’s not fake news; it’s the good news of the gospel.

And It’s a story that will eclipse all other stories. And there’s no way we can stop Christ from coming. The only way to stop Him would be to extinguish the sun or knock the moon or Earth out of orbit and that will never happen because Christ is the One who created the heavens and the earth along with the sun and moon so nothing can stop Him.

Mrs. White tells us in the “The Great Controversy, p 640,” Soon there will appear in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man’s hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man.

In solemn silence they gaze upon it as it draws nearer the earth, becoming lighter and more glorious, until it is a great white cloud, its base a glory like consuming fire, and above it the rainbow of the covenant. Jesus rides forth as a mighty conqueror. Not now a “Man of Sorrows,” to drink the bitter cup of shame and woe, He comes, victor in heaven and earth, to judge the living and the dead.

“Faithful and True,” “in righteousness He doth judge and make war.” And “the armies which were in heaven” Revelation 19:11, 14 follow Him. With anthems of celestial melody the holy angels, a vast, unnumbered throng, attend Him on His way.” Now we must ask my friends, will we be ready when Christ comes a second time. Remember there is no way any one can stop Him.

John tells us in Rev. 22:12-14 (KJV) “And, behold, [He] comes quickly [He meaning Christ;] and His reward is with Him, to give every man [and woman] according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

My friends as heirs and joint heirs with God’s only Begotten Son, our faith in the promises of God in His word tells us that we have a right to eternal life and a right to live in his pure and holy kingdom right along with His Son. Oh what an honor for a wretched sinner like you and I if we believe to have the same privileges as His Son. Praise God from whom all blessings flow”

Aug. 20, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE CHOSEN THE GOOD PART?

Christ entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus feet and heard His word. But Martha was [very busy and] distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.”

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, [which is to her advantage] which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-22 (NKJV) My friends, there are two classes of people I need you to focus on. The one that “is [very busy and] distracted” and the other which “have chosen the good part at the feet of Jesus.”

The world today is divided into these two categories, and no matter how much we may think we are one of God’s children, or how much we attend church or visit the sick, or feed the hungry, if we have not chosen the good part at the feet of Christ, we are spiritually distracted and have developed a high estimation of our own righteousness and feel we are not defected in any area of our life, therefore the law is sufficient for our salvation.

“Most Christians today have the attitude that they can make their own decisions and bad choices and God is still obligated” to say one day, “Well done, 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. 25:23 (KJV) Remember, “everyone that says Lord, Lord will not enter the kingdom of God.” My friends, we can no longer act as children who lack the knowledge and maturity to know God’s will for their life. Daily Satan is placing barriers between us, and “choosing that good part” which can only be found at the feet of Jesus. Barriers that keeps us from making a commitment to Christ.

Barriers that keeps us from denying ourselves through faith, and “taking up our cross, and following Christ wherever He may lead” as we develop that passionate and personal relationship with Christ through His word while allowing His Spirit to transform our lives daily into His image. My friends, we can no longer become “distracted,“ in regards to God’s will for our life because God will no longer blink at our in-maturity simply because we feel His timing for a commitment has caught us at a bad time.

We want eternal life, but to give our lives totally to Christ is UN-realistic at this particular time so we “become distracted, complacent and UN-attentive” to the voice of God saying, “come out of Babylon.” God loves us so much, that is why He still stands at the door of our heart and knocks. He still seeks a commitment no matter how far we have drifted. But we must choose the Good part and once we have made that commitment “it will never be taken away.”

But will remain with us throughout eternity. Remember, without change there can be no commitment. “If any man [or woman] be in Christ, they are a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” [“because we have chosen the good part”]” 2 Cor 5:17 (KJV)

Aug 18, 2017

MY FRIENDS, CAN WE READ THE FINE PRINT?

By definition “read the fine print” tells us “to make ourselves aware of the specific terms, conditions, restrictions, limitations, etc., of an agreement, that are often easy to miss. Today let’s call God’s word the “Fine Print” of our life, because it is who God is and it is the part of our life which deals with the specific terms, conditions, restrictions, limitations, from God that leads us to His kingdom that we often ignore. Most people never take the time to study God’s word or the “Fine Print” that gives us a road map to life-eternal.

And, that knowing and understanding and agreeing to its content will lead us to Calvary and to the One who gave it all up so that we would understand the [“Fine Print”] and that we would understand that the [“Fine Print”] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (KJV)

In addition, we must also understand, That “the [“Fine Print”] of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12 (NKJV) In John 13:20-28 (NKJV) it tells us “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”

Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke of……….. And Jesus answered, “It’s he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot…. Than, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” he then went out immediately into the night.

My friends daily the “Fine Print” surrounds us “the number of Bibles sold yearly in the US alone is estimated at 25 million copies.” But like Judas what sits before us daily is not important. And what is so sad, what we watch on our TV’s has become far more important, which then eliminates any meaningful relationship with God. Like Judas, we then betray God by allowing Satan to keep our focus only on the things of this world and not on heavenly things that will last throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

And the chilling message to you and I is, “What you do, do quickly.” And it is only chilling because we are so UN-familiar with what is in God’s word and like Judas, we betray Christ by allowing our choices to be about self. My friends let’s look within ourselves, what choices are we making daily to take us away from the “Fine print” in other words “How long will we falter between two opinions?

If the Lord is God, [and we have decided to give Him our all then we must than] follow Him; but if the principalities, and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this age, are allowed to control us then God allows us to choose so we follow them.” So as we walk the final stage of this journey, with cross in hand we must ask ourselves, “if the angels pull back the curtain” and we could see how close we were to Christ second coming, like Judas when confronted to change and commit to Christ. Would we turn our backs on the “Fine Print” and walk away into darkness.

Aug. 14, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHAT IS GRACE?

Grace, can be compared to the pardon a governor gives to a guilty prisoner, who because of his crimes against humanity was sentence to death without a reasonable doubt by a jury of his peers. Death is assured, but the governor intervenes with mercy, and pardons the prisoner. And because the Governor is the final Judge, He pardons the prisoner and also rewards him with a mansion in, a place eye have not seen nor ear have herd, nor have entered into the heart of any man.”

Now you can say the Governor has given the guilty prisoner both mercy & grace. If he had received his just reward, the sentence would have been carried out and he dies for his crime. Abraham Lincoln said in 1863, “We have been the receipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prospertiy; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation….

But we have forgotten God and His gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, and too proud to pray to the God that made us.”

My friends, the world today also has become “Intoxicated with unbroken success, and to self-sufficient to feel the presence of God and His preserving grace, and too proud to pray, because we imagine, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.” 2,000 years ago Christ died at Calvary the “rulers mocked Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”

The soldiers also mocked Him…. saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!………” Two criminals hung next to Christ. One kept hurling abuses at Him, saying, ” If You are Christ, Save Yourself and us [from death]!” But amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretched sinner who felt the presence of God’s Spirit as he rebuked him and said, ” Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

We are suffering justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” He then with a contrite and forgiven heart said, “Jesus, [please] remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” Jesus answered, “I assure, and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:32-43 (AMP)

Oh “the unearned, unmerited and undeserved favor of God towards a wretched sinner like you and I if we only believe the price for our sins was paid at the cross. One thief understood he did not deserve salvation, But he believed God’s promise of life eternal in His kingdom one day because He witnessed the price being paid by the blood of the Lamb. The other thief, his circumstances showed how he had lived. His refusal to recognize God’s grace and mercy shows how his life will end. What about you and I? The circumstances of our life also shows how we have live up to this point. Turning our back on God’s grace will also show how we will die.