March 23, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IT’S ALL ABOUT FAITH AND ENDURANCE!!

My friends, many souls, even among the body of believers are in a state of slumber which is defined as being in a state of inactivity or negligence, But “it is high time to awake out of sleep;….the night is far spent, the day is at hand.” My friends, we have wasted far too much time given Satan credit as to why we remain in a state of inactivity? And why we are unable to eliminate the darkness out of our life instead of focusing on our deliverer Jesus Christ?

Remember, “there hath no temptation taken hold or why sin is so prevalent but such as is common to man. But God is faithful; He will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that which ye are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make a way to escape….” 1 Cor. 10:13 (KJV) And that way of escape is called endurance. “For the race is not given to the swift nor the mighty, but to him who endures till the end.”

So now it becomes personal because each day we are personally driven to that point where there seems no escape route in site. As a Child, I can remember a reoccurring nightmare of being chased into a room by this creepy old lady, only to be awaken by the sound of my mother’s voice saying it’s time to get up. My friends, The nightmares are gone only to be replaced by the rough terrain and the torrential storms of life.

But the voice of comfort is still there, which is the Spirit of God who gives a child of God power to endure the nightmares of this world and to continue on our journey to the promise land. Remember “Christ was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;…..” so that we may awake from our state of slumber knowing, “that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom 13:11-12 (NKJV) Remember Satan’s only purpose as “the god of this world is to blind the minds of Gods elect as he brings about the storm clouds that continue to hover above us which causes our life to feel as though it is “without form, and void;” as the darkness of this world surrounds us.

But Christ “will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16 (KJV) But it is our faith and endurance that keeps us focus as the Spirit of God continues to bring the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, into our life.

And it is at that point we look back at the many blessing that has brought us thus far through our faith and endurance, as we realize our God has never left or forsaken us, it has always been the enticement of this world that has caused us to turn our backs on Him. So my friends let’s continue to hold on through our faith as we continue to endure until we can hear Christ say to us personally “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful and endured…… now enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matt 25:21 (KJV)

Every excuse we may give as the reason we cannot serve Christ, was challenged and answered at Calvary.

March 31, 2016

MY FRIENDS, SOMETIMES HEAVEN IS JUST NOT ENOUGH

“In and out of situations, that tug-a-war at me, all day long I struggle For answers that I need. Then I come into His presence, all my questions become clear and for a sacred moment, No doubt can interfere.” (Vicki Yohe In the Presence of Jehovah) My friends, “in His presence for a sacred moment all of our questions become clear.” But then at the end of that sacred moment, how do we remain focused on this journey Christ has placed us on.

Remember God is patient with His Children, not wanting anyone to perish. But sometimes He puts us to sleep before we have fulfilled His plan. I have witnessed many funerals of friends and love one’s in the past few years and most died in the Lord and at that moment they crossed that finish line, praise the Lord. So now it’s personal, because we must ask ourselves, entering the kingdom of God one day, is that all we should be seeking.

God knows the plans and thoughts that [He] has for [His elect],…plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster [but] to give [each of us] a future. Samson allowed Satan to continue to keep his focus on the desires of the flesh and the things of this world. And I can say with no reservations, that no matter what Samson did for the Lord throughout his life it was just not enough because he did not live to His life’s full potential that God had planned for Him.

And it was not enough because those few sacred moment He spent with God, was never about completely destroying self, while allowing God’s Spirit to take full control and transform him into the image of Christ. But friends he is still among the hall of fame elect of the Bible’s patriarchs and prophets in Heb.11:30-40 (NKJV) who “through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

And also quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword and out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens….were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.” My friends, God has a plan for our life and it can’t be just about getting to Heaven. In the midst of the noise of this world God is telling us He is the vine; [and we] are the branches.

Whoever abides in [Christ] and Christ in them,….must bear much fruit, for apart from [Christ] we can do nothing. ”John 15:15 (ESV) So our life must be all about doing the will of God while bearing much fruit. And during this short probationary period between life and death that is granted to His children must be lived in understanding God’s plan for our life that is laid out in His word as we allow God’s Spirit to guide us in all truth and understanding.

Samson last words before he died were “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this one time, So Samson in spite of how he lived His life, in the end, gave it all to the Master. “And the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.” Judges 16:30 (NKJV)

My friends, what would we be saying about Samson today if he had lived his life completely as God had planned. And what about the thief on the cross and what about you and I. God has a plan for us, we just have to listen for his voice and follow it. And each day as we serve God, say to ourselves, I want to fulfilled God’s plan for my life then my reward will be heaven.

Every excuse we may give as the reason we cannot serve Christ, was challenged and answered at Calvary.

March 20, 2016

MY FRIENDS WHY DO YOU CRY, JUST GO FORWARD!!

And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward………So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” Ex. 14:15-22 (NKJV) The scenario I just presented is what Christ meant when he tells us in Matt. 13:31-32 (NKJV) The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree….”

My friends, So “Why do you cry to God? When it comes to our faith, God will test us in the small areas of our life and if we believe, it then grows like the smallest of seeds “to where nothing is impossible for us to accomplished.” because nothing is impossible for God and what He is willing to do for His children.

And what God is trying to tell His Children who seek His kingdom “just go forward” because “if you don’t go forward it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Heb. 1:6 (NKJV) In Gen. 12:1 (NKJV)  “Lord ask Abram to “go forward” “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.”

So Abraham Set’s out on a journey not knowing where He was going, only having the faith of a mustard seed, so he went. Now it becomes personal because now it becomes all about our relationship with God. This narrative tells us Abraham had spent time with God and was willing through His faith to give it all to the Master. Inconvenience. Trials and tribulation are secondary to what God may ask us. So we must be prepared to “go forward”.

My friends God sees the bigger picture, which is Him telling us “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) And Now that faith that had begun with us paying a faithful tithe or not lying to the IRS on our income tax will grow along with our endurance to a “new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth will passed away…..

[and our new home becomes] the holy city…and God will forever dwell with the faithful, and we shall be His people and God Himself will be with us and be our God….And God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying or pain, for the former things will pass away.” Rev. 21:1-4 (NKJV)

My friends “Why do you cry to God just go forward,” because when we “don’t see His plan When [we] can’t trace His hand [we just have to] Trust His Heart because He sees the master plan and He holds our future in His hand, So don’t live as those who have no hope.” because All our hope is found in Him” Just believe “if we have the faith as a mustard seed, we [can say to any] mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for us. Matt. 17:20 (NKJV)

Every excuse we may give as the reason we cannot serve Christ, was challenged and answered at Calvary.

March 17, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE ON ONE ACCORD AND IF NOT WHY NOT?

Twelve disciples, Christ best friends, all with totally different characters but all taught by the same Master. Christ final words “Let not your heart be troubled,” was telling them; [you now know my Father, “which art in heaven.” Now move out and seek first the kingdom above, where I am going to prepare for you. And teach others, by your words, to do the same.] John 14:1-3 (KJV paraphrased)

So they all had separate journeys, separate ministries, but the same goal, to finish the course without Christ being among them. So they had to seek His presence each day as they redefined that personal relationship they once had with Him. And as they “looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who said.

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11 (NKJV) From there, they went up into the upper room where they were staying and continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, seeking the “Helper Christ spoke of, that the father would send to abide with them forever.”

My friends, Christ took twelve close friends. Each having twelve separate characters and He sent them on twelve separate journeys and all on one accord, now that is amazing!! Friends that makes it personal because that tells each of us, we have separate journeys but if you have spent time with the Master and have develop a personal relationship with God and love Him with all your heart and soul.

And if I have spent time with the Master and have developed a personal relationship with God and love Him with all my heart and soul. And if the man or woman in China or Africa or Cuba or India or Iran or anywhere else have spent time with the Master and have developed a personal relationship with God and they love Him with all their heart and soul, then who am I to try and define any one else relationship with God.

My friends, we are all seeking to be on one accord with one Spirit who is leading each of us in all truth and understanding in one direction. But what about the Judas of the world, Christ betrayer, who killed himself in the end. Well that only shows us the goodness and love of God in allowing every man and woman the opportunity to make their own choices.

Store owners who accept counterfeit money, they themselves must bear the burden of the loss. In other words my friends “He was wounded for [all of our] transgressions, [even Judas] He was bruised for our iniquities; [even Judas] The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, [even Judas] And by His stripes we are [all] healed.” Is. 53:5 (NKJV) But, it is our Choice not God’s, therefore Judas chose life over death.

My friends, the world changes daily, but if you are a Christian there is only one word, one Father, one Son and one Spirit and our journeys will all end in the upper room together. “For we all belong to the Good Shepard and sometimes we end up in different folds.

But one day He will bring us all together on one accord, as we learn to distinguished only His voice from the noise of this world, and then there shall be only one fold, and one shepherd, in God’s pure and holy kingdom” John 10:16 (KJV paraphrased)

Every excuse we may give as the reason we cannot serve Christ, was challenged and answered at Calvary.

March 15,2016

MY FRIENDS, ALL THE NATIONS ARE WEAKENED ARE YOU?

Is it us against them, the rich against the poor, the blacks against the whites, or the upper against the lower and middle class? My friends, I can say with no reservation the controversy within our world today is being played out only between good and evil, which started from the foundation of the world with “Lucifer, son of the morning!….. [The one] who weakened the nations! And said in his heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;……I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Isaiah 14:12-14 (NKJV)

Let’s focus on the words “You who weakened the nations” and gave us the Donald Trump’s of the 21^st century. As prophecy plays out in the “breaking news”of the day and the “abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, and John the apostle in Revelation. And now we move to Matt. 24 where it speaks of “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

And unless those days were shortened, no flesh [will] be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” And now, we must ask our-self am I one of God’s elect. Because soon God will say “It is finished” and Christ will come and His reward will be with Him, to give to His elect, or those who choose this world and the desires of their flesh over life eternal.

“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.”

My friends, that synopsis of our society today cannot be solved at marches, rallies, or sit-in’s, like in the sixties. Because God’s grace is gradually being removed from this world we live in and now It’s very personal because it can only be solved within the heart of you and I and those God has chosen us to tell, “there is only one name giving among this world that can save them and that is His Son Jesus Christ.”

God is calling each of His children to focus on finishing our personal journey He has placed us on, as we make the god of this world irreverent. In addition, we can never stop seeking a passion for the presence of God until “He descends from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and we witness the dead in Christ ascending first into the clouds and then we His faithful who are alive will join them”

My friends, today, the world bows down to the Golden Calf, and the god of this world, but the only true God is calling us out of Babylon and asking us to “forsake all others” because you can only serve one Master and He is found at the end of “the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because [where Christ waits for us] narrow is that gate and difficult is the way which leads to life [eternal], and there are few who [will] find it. Matt 7:13-14 (NKJV)

Every excuse we may give as the reason we cannot serve Christ, was challenged and answered at Calvary.

March 14, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE RESPONDING, HERE AM I SEND ME?

“The captain of a ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message” “Alter your course 10 degrees south.” Promptly a return message was received: “Alter your course 10 degrees north.” Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: “Alter your course 10 degrees south, I am a battleship.” Then the reply came “Alter your course 10 degrees north, I am a lighthouse.” (Paul Aiello, Jr)

In the midst of darkness and confusion, several voices we will hear some from family, some from friends, some from outside sources, and of course the accuser of the brethren himself, Satan, telling us what to do and how to adjust our lives, one way or another. But if we seek God’s presence daily in prayer, and study His word while allowing His Spirit to guide us in all understanding.

Out of darkness, one voice will signal something quite different from everyone else. But we must be willing to be still and know, the sound of that voice that has always guided us through the fire, and the flood, through the water, and through the blood,” that was shed for our salvation. And because we are His Children and we serve arisen Savior we can always hear, “whom shall I send?

And who will go?” The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. And because Jesus loves us and gave it all for our salvation, and because of our love for Him, our response with no reservation should be, “Here am I! Send me.” My friends, the direction God sends us in our life is infinite when we think of “not my will but thy will be done.” But the question we must ask ourselves, have the things of this world hindered us from responding?

Remember, the God we serve is unlimited, and unmeasurable, in extent of space, and the duration of time in regards to what He is capable of accomplishing through us each day if we are willing to say with passion “Here am I! Send me.” To a child of God “Here am I! Send me.” means, we will pursue righteousness at all cost and we will endure the path of the cross at all cost.

God is calling his children today to have a life of purpose, and that purpose must go far beyond what we think as humans we are capable of achieving as we Submit totally to the will of God. As our example, Jesus, knew what He had been called to do by His father for humanity. From a human standpoint his mission was unattainable.

But as our example He knew Calvary was the only way that could strengthen each of us through difficult times. In addition, as our example it becomes all about totally Submitting our will to Christ, “Here am I! Send me.” Remember my friends this is humanity that recognizes the difficulty of His journey in Gethsemane and Submitted. This is humanity that knew the path would seem impossible but Submitted.

And because of the power of the word and the power of His prayers and the power of His faith, He, stayed focused submitting His will to the will of His Father as He cried out, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, “not as I will, but as you will” and His Father gave him the strength to Submit, endure and finish the course that was set before him, knowing one day we, His faithful must carry our on cross and one day exchange that cross for a crown and life eternal.

Every excuse we may give as the reason we cannot serve Christ, was challenged and answered at Calvary.