Feb. 4, 2016

MY FRIENDS, JESUS DID NOT DIE SO THAT WE COULD DO IT OUR WAY!!

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV) My friends, another promise from Christ tells us “I will go and prepare a place for you.” A promise to His faithful when He left this world the first time.

And He continued by saying “and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3 (NKJV) My friends God’s word “is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” Ps.119:89 (NIV)

“God’s covenant are established more firmly than the earth itself. All the creatures answer the ends of their creation: shall man, who alone is endued with reason, be the only unprofitable burden of the earth?” (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary)

So the question we must ask ourselves is, if God’s word is firm why do we feel we have a better plan for our life than God’s plan for our salvation? For God “knows the plans that He has for us” He has not become so occupied with the worlds “breaking news” of the day that He has put our life on hold until He can get back with us.

So as Heirs to His kingdom we must remember His plan for us ends in victory for “He is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering towards [His chosen], not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

So it becomes our decision to tell God, we have a better way “that seems right unto a man or woman but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)

Remember we did not choose God, but we were chosen and “appointed by God that [we] should go and bear fruit and that our fruit should abide, so that whatever [we] ask the Father in Christ name, He may give it to us.” John 15:16 (KJV)

Us being His faithful, who have endured and are determined to go all the way with Christ because we have tried it our way, but now we understand there is no other way that we can obtained salvation and live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in God’s pure and Holy kingdom except through the blood of Christ.

“Adam and Eve were placed upon probation in the Garden of Eden, and they were tested as to whether they would render obedience to God’s law. They fell from their allegiance through the temptation of the wily foe, and now a great and infinite sacrifice has been made that man may have another trial” (E.G. White Review and Herald 1890 par 3)

And that trial is all played out on this Journey Christ has placed us on. But the path is very narrow and only through our faith and endurance will we be able to finish.

For “the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.” Matt 7:14 (KJV) A few is a small number because even God’s chosen are “stiff-necked people! Our hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.

We are just like our ancestors: [we continue to] resist the Holy Spirit!” Acts 7:51 (NIV) So my friends we must decide to Commit our way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” Ps 37:5 (NKJV) Commit meaning our all we must give to the Master for our only purpose in this world should be do the will of God.

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

Feb 3, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IMMANUEL TO THE RESCUE!!

Sundays title in this weeks Sabbath school lesson, My friends, three words become our hope for we were all “sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.

Then our Farther in heaven heard our despairing cry, and then from a manger sent “Immanuel to the rescue” who lifted up all who believed , now safe am  I.” My friends focus on our world today and compare the abomination of sin towards God that has increased for the last six thousand years to the “domino theory.”

Now let’s place that theory in the context of sin. The theory says that one particular sin will precipitate similar sins in progression one after another and once it starts if we are not allowing the power of God’s Spirit to take full control.

And we are not allowing self to die daily as be begin to live our life through Christ then the sins of our life will increase each day with no check and balance because Satan will take each sin in our life farther and deeper than we could ever imagine.

My friends, the concept becomes very personal because it’s now about our choice to live or die as we look at our own lives and the sin theory and what will eventually precipitate if we have not invited Christ to take full control but have allowed the god of this world to dictate what is acceptable in God’s sight.

Now my friends let’s look deep within and ask ourselves how far are we willing to continue in sin, because one day God will say “it is finished” and sin just like domino’s, can’t go on forever. Remember the plan of Salvation begin when Immanuel came to rescue us from the enemy of God.

And it was all played out on Calvary and one day soon all sin will be eradicated and God will “come quickly: (and) blessed is he that keepeth the sayings in God’s word and one day God will say “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. And, behold, [Immanuel will come to the rescue one last time] and [His] reward [will be] with me, to give every man and woman according as their work shall be…..And blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev 22:7-14 (KJV)

Now let’s ask ourselves, when this controversy ends, will we be on the right or wrong side of prophecy? or do we continue to tell ourselves  we’ve got time, as Satan convinces us his way is the right way.

But God’s word will be final and no one will be standing at the threshold of the promise land, legal pad in hand, giving out grades to enter God’s pure and holy kingdom? With the assurance as long as our grade level is above a C we can enter.

My friends, there will be only one grade to enter God’s kingdom and that grade comes from the blood of Jesus Christ that completely cleanses us of all sin in our life. Remember Grace is still abounding.

And God is still knocking, as our faith is being tested daily with the hope it produces endurance. as we let “that endurance finish its work in us so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:3-4 (NIV)

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

Feb. 2, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE LUKEWARM IN THE EYES OF GOD?

To the church of the Laodiceans write….“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Rev. 3:14-17 (NKJV) My friends, Satan is the one who gives a child of God the feeling of nakedness because we have decided to disobey God’s commandments.

In addition, we are no longer clothed with the countenance of the glory of God’s blessings. But “when we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life.

This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us, He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah (E.G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 310-312).

So as one who makes up the body of Christ, it becomes personal because we must become totally committed to the saving power of Christ within us individually. As wickedness increase and the love of most draws Cold with no hope of survival, as a member Gods Church, we cannot continue to “live according to the flesh [or we] will die.

But if by the Spirit [we] put to death the deeds of the body, [we] will live.” Romans 8:13 (ESV) My friends who we are as individuals, and as one of the body of believers, our life must be all about Jesus Christ and Him Crucified as He speaks directly to you and I because we each have to have that personal relationship with God.

In addition, the church that has become lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, the church that God will vomit out of its mouth cannot save us when we stand before God in the judgement. Each individual that is a-part of the body of believers must carry His on torch across the finish line into the promise land.

The purpose of the letter to Laodicea, is so that you and I as part of this church, may overcome, the influence of the world in the 21st century. Remember my friends the letter to the Laodicea church finished on a victorious note to all of God’s faithful who endues to the end.

It says, I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed;…. ” to him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev. 3:18-21 (NKJV)

So our prayer today must be Lord, we the members of the 21st century Laodicean church pray that we will not become lukewarm, but we will have a burning passion to live our life in accordance to All Scripture because as heirs to God’s kingdom and joint heirs with His Son Jesus Christ, we must realize God’s word is an object lesson of Gods character.

In addition, it becomes “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (NKJV)

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

Jan. 31, 2016

MY FRIENDS, OH THE ALLUREMENT OF THE SIRENS WILL WE SURVIVE?

Most of our decision throughout life are usually trivial and are not life or death decisions. Do I wear a white shirt or blue shirt with my grey tie? But some are life-changing and the most critical one’s in this short period of probation, from birth to death is who do we owe our allegiance too.

Remember “everything that generates enduring values which makes us “safe to save” for the kingdom of God requires faith, endurance, focus, commitment along with a passion to allow God’s Spirit to take full control as we stay focused on the word of God.

And let’s not forget about that cross we must carry. Our minds are wired to avoid pain and anything about carrying a cross seems painful, we have all seen the pictures of Christ carrying a cross and what awaited Him at Calvary.

But Christ does make it clear “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matt. 16:24 (NIV) “Homer the Greek author wrote a book called Odyssey.

“In This Greek epic there are sirens that plays beautiful songs which have lured countless sailors to shipwrecks on the rocky island of Anthemoessal. Odysseus knew that he must pass the Sirens before he would be reunited with his home land.

So he takes action to protect the lives of his sailors and himself. Odysseus plugged all of his sailors’ ears with beeswax and ordered them to tie him to the mast. The Sirens would make order and beg the sailors to let him go, but he gave strict orders: No matter what he said, the sailors, under no circumstances, could untie his binds.

Odysseus understood that his personality would change when he was subjected to temptation. That his willpower would wane. That, without some sort of preventative device, he would lose all control and give in to temptation.”

My friends, Satan has put the world at our fingertips, he has his own sirens of allurement that will cause God’s children to have our own personal shipwreck. Satan’s siren goes something like this.

“All [of] these things will I give thee, if [we will only] fall down and worship him.” Matt 4:9 (KJV) and in every situation and circumstances of our life that song is playing, and like Odysseus we must also understand that our personalities, because of the fact we are all “shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive [us].” Ps. 51:5 (KJV)

We will never stay focused on our home which is a place “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for [His chosen] that love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (KJV) when subjected to temptations if Christ does not have total control.

My friends, we are living in the last days of the history of this world, and if we don’t understand that we are not fighting against flesh and blood but creatures of the underworld whose only intent is to kill us while under the influence of their sirens of allurement, we will never have any chance of salvation.

So today my friends, we must decide to “enter by the narrow gate; because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)

But we must also have that personal relationship with God that allows our character to be like his. And that my friend is the only way we can ignore the sirens of Satan and stay focus on life eternal.

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

MY FRIENDS, PEACE PERFECT PEACE IS IT STILL AVAILABLE IN THE 21 CENTURY?

My friends the world parishes, as they seek peace. And they will continue to parish, “for when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:3 (NKJV)

In addition, “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” Is. 48:22 (ESV) But what about your children? My friends, let’s make it personal, let’s make it about you and I as we cry out each day Lord, save me, for I perish as the tempest rages, But I don’t see you.

And as He lifts His hand, and says to the angry seas of our life, “Peace, be still.” My friends peace, that is what we seek each day. For peace is not just in the absence of danger, or the trials and tribulation of our life being eliminated.

Peace is a waterfall cascading down a rocky precipice, or a mirror-smooth lake reflecting lacy green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky, or a  grassy shore, where a flock of sheep are grazing undisturbed.

Now imagine a bird that has built a nest in the elbow of a branch, content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, as she rest on her eggs with eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, as she perceives the silence that transcends all earthly turmoil.

Oh the beauty, in the creation of God. But my friends no peace can we describe with our finite minds, or transcend all of earthly turmoil like being in the presence of God. “Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed? To do the will of Jesus, this is rest. Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round? On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. Peace, perfect peace, ’mid suffering’s sharpest throes? The sympathy of Jesus breathes repose. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne. Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours? Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers. It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease, And Jesus calls us to Heaven’s perfect peace.” (Edward H. Bickersteth,)

“Their cry arouses Jesus. As the lightning’s glare reveals Him, they see the peace of heaven in His face; they read in His glance self-forgetful, tender love, and, their hearts turning to Him, cry, “Lord, save us: we perish.” Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded.

As the disciples grasp their oars to make a last effort, Jesus rises. He stands in the midst of His disciples, while the tempest rages, the waves break over them, and the lightning illuminates His countenance. He lifts His hand, so often employed in deeds of mercy, and says to the angry sea, “Peace, be still.” (E.G. White Desire of Ages “Peace Be Still” pp 355)

That my friends gives us somewhat of a picture of perfect peace. Jesus tells us himself in John 16:33 (ESV) I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

My friends, Perfect peace to a child of God will be standing in the very presence of God, in a place “Eye have not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

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