Jan. 3, 2015

MY FRIENDS, SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE A MOUNTAIN ARE WE PREPARED?

Forgive me, Jesus I thought I could control Whatever life would throw my way But this I will admit Has brought me to my knees I need you Lord and I’m not ashamed to say Sometimes it takes a mountain Sometimes a troubled sea Sometimes it takes a desert To get a hold of me.

Your Love is so much stronger Then whatever troubles me Sometimes it takes a mountain To trust you and believe.” (Gaither Vocal Band – Sometimes It Takes A Mountain) My friends sometimes it takes a mountain to even show one of God’s elect, one of God’s Children, one of God’s chosen, how much we need our Savior.

That is why we must admit some situations brings us to our knees more than others and those troubled waters may not always be money problems or family issues sometimes it might just be to others insignificant, but a mountain in our life, one that God has created just for our Character.

Because my friends at times we lose our focus or take it off kilter just a fraction. Oh but our God is the one who while on Calvary knew what it would take to get a hold of us, so He said in 2016 I’m going to have to take them to another level.

but before that happens, it’s going to take a mountain or a troubled sea or maybe just a desert To get a hold of my child and tell them “I know the thoughts that I think toward you [my child],…thoughts of peace, and not of evil, [because He wants to give to each of us] an expected end.”

A end 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.” Jer.29:11 (KJV) 1Cor 2:9 (KJV) Arnold Palmer tells a story that I have told before but is appropriate as we begin our new year.

“It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and he had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. He felt he was in pretty good shape. As he approached the ball, he saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery.

He motioned him over, stuck out his hand and said, “Congratulations.” he took his hand and shook it, but as soon as he did, he knew he had lost his focus. And so, he went on to lose the Masters.”

My friends God is telling us today, I need to get a hold of you I need you to stay focused and find out my will for you and understand these mountains and troubled seas are just my way of telling you My grace and love is sufficient if you will give Me your all.

But, Christ must become our focal point until He “descends from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rises first: Then we which are alive and remain.

[Those who stayed focused to the end through our faith and endurance] shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16-17 (KJV)

So friends, our mountains, troubled seas and deserts are all about what it is going to take to make sure, we as God’s chosen listens to that still small voice that will guide us every step of the way on our journey to the promise land.

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

Jan. 1, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IT’S A NEW YEAR NOW WHAT?

My friends, Success in 2016 will only come from finishing the course Christ sets before us. We cannot loose the desire to move ahead by forever escalating Christ in our life. He must always be the focal point of our existence.

In addition, we must forever “look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

Our lives are like an artist canvas and each stroke of the brush takes us to another level on our journey to the Promise land with our Savior shaping us into the character of his abiding love, while using a mixture of His blood, along with His love, grace and mercy as the medium.

“In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson) So the question we must ask ourselves, How far in 2016 will we allow our heart to move where Christ has been trying to take us? Remember 2017 or even tomorrow is not promised to anyone?

And what is our vision in regards to our Salvation and finishing up Christ mandate? Remember Satan is a strategists, he knows every area of our life we are weak in and he knows the areas that will cause us to lose our vision and our desire for God’s kingdom.

In addition, 2016 must be the year every area of our life is “crucified with Christ; [as we allow self to die completely, while understanding once self dies then] it is no longer [you or] I who lives, but Christ living in us; and the life which [we] now live in the flesh [we] live by faith in the Son of God, who loved each of us and gave Himself up for [our Salvation.]” Gal 2:20 (KJV)

In 2016 we must also seek the presence of God with our finite minds and recognize Him as our Creator, the all-knowing, all-powerful, “unlimited in nature and ability to be everywhere at all times.”

And once we recognize that, we then begin to understand, there is no limit to what our God can do as we lay it all at the feet of Christ and say not my will but thy will be done. Health issues, not my will but thy will be done.

Family issues or a child whose life is completely contrary to the Christian up-bringing they received at home, not my will but thy will be done. Gossip, lying, adultery, fornication, homosexuality the list is infinite and the many resources God gives us to overcome and conquer, is also infinite.

But we must lay it at the feet of Christ, grab hold of our faith and cry out with heartfelt sincerity and repentance, not my will but thy will be done. As His Chosen, we must maintain a willingness to subject our small and insignificant Minds and desires to the greater goal of carrying our cross for Christ  as we approach the end of this controversy between good and evil.

In addition, once we understand it is not about us. God’s will takes over. Paul tells us in Rom 6:11-14 (NKJV) “In the same way, look upon yourselves as dead to the appeal and power of sin but alive to God through Christ Jesus our Lord.

My friends, heaven is our destination and as the stroke of the blood of Christ continues to finish our life’s picture, sin can never be our master, as we are forever being renewed through Christ, even throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

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

Dec. 30, 2015

MY FRIENDS, 2016 APPROACHES CAN WE SAY WE ARE NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL?

2015 ends tomorrow, the ball drops, shots will be heard, along with fireworks and then a new year begins. But, as God’s chosen how do we react to a world surrounded by “breaking news”?

A world where the principalities, and powers, and rulers of darkness and the spiritual wickedness in high places seem to be in complete control? A world where wars and rumors of wars are who we have become as a nation and a world?

A world where famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places, are only the beginning of birth pangs? And friends, what part will we play in finishing Christ commission, here, at the threshold of the promise land?

And are we proclaiming the good news of Christ second coming as we watch the great controversy between good and evil being played out on the world stage? Let’s not forget this controversy begin over six thousand years ago when Satan said “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High” Is. 14:14 (NKJV)

And then all accusation against Christ were put to rest when Christ allowed Himself to be crucified. Crucifixion being “indisputably one of the cruelest and most barbaric forms of punishment in the ancient world.”

John 19:23 (NASB) tells us Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier” Which probably only left for clothing, if any at all a loincloth which the Roman soldiers would have had no such qualms to leave Him this way. Remember they are heathens, with no concept of who God is.

“From the time of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden, public nakedness has been a biblical symbol of shame Genesis 3:7-11(KJV)” So “Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, endured the cross, and disregarded the shame,[for our salvation]” Heb. 12:2 (KJV)

But then scripture also brings our responsibility into this controversy when it says “whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed” Romans 10:11 (KJV) meaning we can also disregard this shame and the “suffering of this present time [because they] are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [at His appearing]” Rom 8:18 (NKJV)

So now it’s personal, so let’s go deep within and search our heart. And if we are children of God, then let’s ask ourselves, am I a-shame of the Gospel of Christ and what He did for me on Calvary?

And do our friends, family, love one’s, co-workers and neighbors know that this world is not our home?  And when is the last time we spoke to someone about the saving grace of Jesus Christ or passed out a tract proclaiming the name of Christ?

My friends, as God’s chosen, we are recipients of the good news of Jesus soon return, but the Gospel is not for the Saved, within our churches but for the unsaved outside in our communities.

Millions of God’s Chosen since Abel were not a-shame to proclaim the gospel of Christ and therefore lost their lives for the same message given to us that Jesus saves all who are sinking deep in sin.

A message proclaiming there is power in the blood and the word! And friends, for a little while, but only a little while grace still abounds. So as God’s chosen we cannot be a-shame of the good news, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes in that “one name given among men and woman by which we must be saved.”

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

Dec. 28, 2015

MY FRIENDS, “MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.”

Matt. 22 begins with Jesus explaining the proper attire to be worn to enter His Father’s kingdom. He tells a parable about a certain King who arranges a marriage for His Son. Servants are sent out to invite everyone to the wedding.

But none were willing to come. So he sends other servants, tell them “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding” But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.

And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. So he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers and told His servants those who were invited were not worthy, so go to the highways and gather together all whom you find, both bad and good.

And the wedding hall was filled with guests. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw one without a wedding garment. ‘Friend, He says how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’

The person was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness. Why, what he was wearing so important? My friends, the garment was part of the Kings provision for eternal life along with the cross that must become a part of us.

So if we are asked, why are we not wearing the right garment here at the threshold of the promise land, would we also have no explanation? “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Rev 7:14 (KJV)

And “if you desire to be my disciple you must deny yourself and take up your cross Matt. 16:24 (KJV) My friends just because you attend church every Saturday or Sunday does not give you the proper attire to enter what has been prepared for the redeemed, for “many are called, but few are chosen..” Matt. 22:14 (NKJV)

Christ tells us in Matt. 13:30 (KJV) let both wheat and tares “grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

We are all chosen vessels of God to serve “nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Tim. 2:19 (NKJV)

In other words is your garment pure because you have departed from everything that is an abomination to God? Remember the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for a fine pearl.

When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matt. 13:45-46 (NKJV) My friends we are at the threshold of the promise land and we understand the parable of the pearl, but are we willing to give our all as we allow self to die in Christ daily so we may claim our new found treasure.

John tells us in Revelation 21:7 (KJV)“The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and they will be my sons and daughters. So when we realize the value of what we have, we must tell everyone, I have found a treasure and it is priceless, no value can be placed on it. It is Called Salvation and life eternal.

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

Dec. 26, 2015

MY FRIENDS, WHAT CONSTITUTES A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO A CHRISTIAN?

“Behold, we were shaped in iniquity; and in sin did our mother conceive us.” Ps51:5 (KJV) But in spite of, our Savior “brought us out of the miry clay, He set our feet on the Rock to stay.” But only if we have faith and endure to the end.”

My friends, the worlds interpretation of how to live there life and the contrast in the way a child of God lives there’s is becoming very blurred. At this moment we are in a clear and present danger.

Which is a doctrine adopted by the “Supreme Court of the United States to determine under what circumstances limits can be placed on First Amendment freedoms of speech, in other words we cannot cry fire in a theater when there is no fire because such action would pose a “clear and present danger” to public safety.”

But have we as Christians compromised our spiritual standards to the point that what is an abomination to God in today’s society is considered as no threat to our Salvation. My friends there is a spiritual war being waged on what is acceptable in the sight of God.

So it must become personal as we ask, how far have we moved away from the purity of God? And how far, we have moved away from that narrow road that only a few are willing to travel and only a few are willing to struggle daily to stay on.

A road that will allow us to say very soon “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:7-8 (ESV)

My friends, we cannot scream  fire in a room when there is no fire because that presents a clear and present danger to those around us. But we must tell the world that it is clear to God that we are presently in spiritual danger that will only get worst.

“And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at Him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself,” but my friends they did not understand it was not himself he had come to save but it was others.

It was those who crucified and scoffed at Him, and it was also you and I. And “one of the criminals who were hanged [beside Jesus] railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? Luke 23:39-40 (ESV)

My friends don’t you see we “are all under the same sentence of condemnation” but love and grace abounded, but we cannot continue to live “as if there is no God” and no retribution on what we have allowed Satan to tell us is acceptable.

Because Satan knows even if we scream, Jesus will be here soon so “let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7:1 (KJV) No one listens, because no one recognizes that Satan himself is the clear and present danger, so life is business as usual.

But God’s commission remains until He says “it is finished” so the world must be told of the good news So let’s pray they will listen until we all personally witness his appearing and say Behold, this is our God; We have waited for……and we will be glad and rejoice ” Is 25:9 (NKJV) .

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

Dec. 25, 2015

MY FRIENDS, WAS IT A JEDI WARRIOR THAT SAVED US FROM OUR SINS?

“There’s good and evil in this universe, and it’s defined by something beyond ourselves.” But Satan has made “beyond ourselves” and the plan of Salvation into a form of entertainment. The word, “canon,” means “standard” or “rule.”

It is the list of authoritative and inspired Scriptures. But “as depicted in the canon, the Jedi study, serve and utilize a mystical power called the Force, in order to help and protect those in need.

The Jedi members, known as Jedi Knights, respect all life by defending and protecting those who cannot do it for themselves, striving for peaceful and non-combative solutions to any altercations they encounter and fighting only in self-defense and for the defense of those they protect.

Like their counterparts, the Sith, their main weapon is the lightsaber [not the word of God]. By training the mind and the body the Jedi seek to improve themselves by gaining unfettered access to the Force [not the Holy Spirit] while also seeking to improve those individuals and groups they come in contact with. [not a world lost in sin]”

And so the plot continues as millions who would much rather believe in Luke Skywalker as their Savior then the one who truly gave it all for our Salvation. “And with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2:10-12 (ESV)

And once again cooperate America and Satan have taken our mind as far as possible away from the birth of our Savior and into the abyss. But Hollywood will bring in millions during the holidays.

And  this is during a time when our minds should be focused on the Birth of Christ, the road to the kingdom and the saving grace of our Savior, it is now reduced to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” and the Jedi knights

My friends, If you are a child of God, where is the outrage, that man has reduced a Balm in Gilead that heals our sin sick soul, the Creator of the Universe, to a Jedi warrior who has been placed on the auction block of our theaters for commercial gain.

As God’s chosen it is our responsibility to tell the world, Jesus Christ will return soon to take his faithful away from a world that has allowed their spiritual compass that should be pointing them to Calvary and life eternal, into the opposite direction that only leads to death and perdition.

In addition, we must never forget “It is Satan’s work to talk of that which concerns himself, and he is delighted to have human beings talk of his power, and of his workings through the children of men…..But let us decide that this shall not be. If we look constantly to Jesus and become daily learners of him, we shall become like him in character, (E. G. White RH May 7, 1908)

“My friends The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you and I, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

And so today Grace still abounds as God seeks His children to tell the world daily that “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (KJV) and that name is not Luke Skywalker but Jesus Christ.

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