Dec. 11, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DO WE NEED A MOUNT CARMEL EXPERIENCE WHERE VICTORIES ARE WON?

Ahab is now king of Israel. “He marries Jezebel, the daughter of a heathen king while turning completely from the true God as he begins worshiping the false god Baal, even setting up altars in a temple built for this false god.

And then enters Elijah the Tishbite, God’s prophet for just such a time, sent to defend the worship of Yahweh over the false god Baal. And the climax will occur on Mount Carmel, a place where victories are won.

In 1 Kings 17:1 (KJV) Elijah warns Ahab “there will be years of catastrophic drought where dew will not even fall “except at his word,” which his word is a mandate from the creator of the universe because Ahab and his queen stand front and center of all the kings of Israel who are said to have “done evil in the sight of the Lord.”

And then the Lord tells Elijah to disappear until further notice. For three years Elijah stays away while God gives Israel time to realize, “He alone is God! And there are no other gods; no one is like Him.” Is. 46:9 (CEV)

So now God gives Israel a chance for victory through His Spirit on Mount Carmel after three years. Oh the love, grace and mercy of our God not hoping that “any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

But, had the Spiritual character of Israel changed after three years? My friends, what about you and I, there is a Spiritual drought in the land, and in our homes today. Iniquity continues to abound, the love of many waxes colder and colder as “breaking news consumes our headlines.

So if we seek God’s kingdom we need a Mount Carmel experience and victory where we must decide like Israel when asked “How long will we falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, we must follow Him; but if it is the god of this world, then we should follow him.”

God has given us that choice, so if our desire is Salvation through God’s word and Spirit this is where we must gain the victory over everything that is an abomination to God, all of our Baal’s must be laid aside.

In addition, if we decide to keep them let’s just cry out to our Baal’s to wake us up each morning. Let’s cry out to our high definition TV’s for food, shelter, clothing, finances and good health.

And like Elijah as He mocked the false prophets of His day on the mount, the message is the same. Let’s “cry aloud, to our TV, our money, our clothes and anything else we may worship as our god; and if they don’t answer, then we must ask.

Are they meditating? Or maybe they are busy? Or maybe they are on a journey? Or perhaps they are sleeping and must not be awakened?” My friends, no other gods woke us up this morning but God.

No other god but God had a begotten Son to die for our sins. And no other god but Christ said I will go and die so that all who believe and endure may receive life eternal in a place “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which the only true God has prepared for those who love Him”1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

My friends, Only a mount Carmel victory will allow us to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, so that we may finish this race with endurance that the true God has set before us.

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

Dec. 10, 2015

MY FRIENDS, CAN A CHILD OF GOD BE RADICALIZED?

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” Phil. 2:5-10 (NKJV) “

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” As God’s chosen, would that statement be the beginning steps of radicalization into His army? Radicalization by definition is the “process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals and aspirations.

They also (1) reject or undermine the status quo or (2) reject and/or undermine contemporary ideas and expressions of freedom of choice.” My friends I need you to focus on the second part of that definition that states “reject and/or undermine contemporary ideas and expressions of freedom of choice.”

That tells us, if a Child of God becomes radicalized he or she must also reject the idea of freedom of choice, which is that one aspect of our journey that would eliminate us from understanding a God who would give the world His only begotten Son.

And a Son who was willing to die so that “the heart of His faithful could plan our own way, as the light of His Spirit guides our steps into all “truth and understanding.” In the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army.

In addition, they could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war and helped David with undivided hearts.1 Chronicles 12:33 (KJV) 50,000 soldiers with undivided hearts.

My friends let’s focus first on what is means to have an undivided heart? Does it mean they were radicalized into thinking David’s way, a man after God’s on heart was the only solution to victory or does it mean they were Singleness of purpose?

In addition, not wavering on the standards of God’s precepts? Not allowing any other gods to come before their Lord and Savior? “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:1-2 (KJV) As God’s Children, oh what power God has promised His chosen who have undivided hearts.

Enduring, never wavering on the standards of God’s precepts, not allowing any other gods to come before us, remaining focused as we finish the course God has set as we prepare to enter the promise land.

My friends we must understand radicalization removes that choice which then places all of our actions into the hands of the god of this world whose only goal is to keep us from the loving arms of Christ.

Which then allows the forces of evil to destroy us from within thus causing us to lose our just reward and the blessed hope of that place Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things our loving Savior 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.

MY FRIENDS, WILL DONALD TRUMP KEEP US SAFE?

“Breaking News” GOP Voters Trust Donald Trump to Keep Our Country Safe.” And that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon. Of course this is the rhetoric of all of the presidential candidates, each attempting to tell us as president, they have the solution for peace.

America will finally be a safe country to live in once again, we will all be able to move about with no fear of retribution from outside forces. But my friends if we believe God’s word it tells us “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His.”

So my friends, God is in charge as the plan for mankind plays out within “the breaking news” of the day. And to those who do not know that God is in control including some of our “Spiritual Shepherds” God gives a different scenario for our interpretation of peace.

His warning is, “sudden destruction will come upon this world as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and all [who have not allowed their lives through God’s Spirit and word to be transformed into the image of Christ will] not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:3 (ESV)

So friends, it is only in God’s word where we can find answers and hope if we will only believe. That is why we have to know what we believe, and why we believe, and what are the benefits in having this knowledge.

In addition, “He who called the fisherman of Galilee is still calling men [and women] to His service. And He is just as willing to manifest His power through us as through the first disciples. However imperfect and sinful we may be, the Lord holds out to us the offer of partnership with Himself, of apprenticeship to Christ.

He invites us to come under the divine instruction, that, uniting with Christ, we may work the works of God.” (E.G. White, Desire of Ages, pp 297) So as partners with Christ He also challenges us to tell the world “nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

But “many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt. 24:11-13 (NKJV)

And one day soon our Savior will come to take His faithful who have endured, to our new home. Up until this point we can say we have been in a marathon but it has now become a sprint, History is moving rapidly So God tells His chosen.

“Son of man, prophesy against the [false prophets and those who tells us there will be peace]. Prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Woe (judgment is coming) to even His spiritual shepherds who have been feeding themselves!

Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat [the choicest of meat], and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the best of the livestock, but you do not feed the flock. You have not strengthened those who are weak.

In addition, you have not healed the sick, you have not bandaged the crippled, you have not brought back those gone astray, you have not looked for the lost;…” (Ezekiel 34:2-4 AMP) My friends  if you are a Child of God You are also a Shepard of God and he is asking us to love as He loves and feed His flock and our reward He brings with Him to give according to our deeds.

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

Nov. 6, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION

“The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV) In addition, no matter how far Satan has taken us. God waits.

“Not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) And “when he came to himself, he said, I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.…….And he arose and came to his father.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:17-20 (NKJV) My friends, “but while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion.

Faith and our reconciliation to God, a God who’s love has no limits in-spite of how far we have drifted away. But “only in Christ can a sinner find acceptance with God (Phil 3:9 KJV) a safe and familiar place in the arms of Christ who tells us to “Abide in me, and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4 (ESV) My friends, let’s ask ourselves what lays dormant in our heart that will take us away from the same place Satan has been barred for life from?

Remember Satan’s message remains the same I will be “like the Most High” With that message he was able to convince a third of the angels in heaven that he had a better way, no law of love would they ever have to keep, he would be there new god.

My friends, sounds familiar. But God says “Thou shalt have no other gods before me…..thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God,” Ex. 20:3-5 (NKJV) meaning God, and God along is who we give all of our time talents and money to.

Satan has made this world a complicated place to live where it seems there is no way of escape, only a continuation into the abyss where even the desire to escape become blurred. All these things [of the world] will he give us, if we will only fall down and worship him.

And Christ message to Satan must be ours “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Matt. 4:10 (ESV) But my friends if we live by those words then the gate to the kingdom will be narrow and the way is hard that leads to Life Eternal and Gods Kingdom, and those who find it are few.”

But the reward my friends, life eternal in a place no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor has entered into the heart all that has been prepared for God’s faithful who will endure to the end. So our focus must be on Calvary and all that our Savior has done for us.

Time as we know it is about to end and God needs workers today who are willing to make a complete transformation of body and mind through His Spirit and word. But if we have other plans and we seek other gods, then the road that will be traveled, the gate will be wide and the way will be easy because it leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many.” Matt. 7:13-14 (ESV)

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

Dec. 3, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DO WE HAVE ITCHING EARS?

My friends, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. 

In addition, they will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry…. (2 Timothy 4:1-22)

Itching ears. “those who “will not endure sound doctrine,” …..Because of their perverted “lusts” these shallow-minded hearers “itch” for fanciful interpretations of Scripture with which to gratify their curiosity and personal “desires.” They are interested only in those portions of Scripture they can construe as promising them peace and security.

They neglect the stern demands of “sound doctrine,” which cut deep into a man’s soul. They have a superficial desire for religion, but only for so much of it as will not disturb the routine of their perverted lives.”(SDA, Bible Commentary pp348)

As we continue to look at the “breaking news” of the day I would hope we are forever on our knees as we search the scriptures daily while asking the Lord for directions and understanding. In addition, we must remember the  “parable of the fig tree.

When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh” Matt. 24:32 (KJV) His coming is near, and all prophecies about end time events are being fulfilled. But the question we must ask ourselves, are we seeking God’s presence and listening to His voice or do we have “itching ears”?

Are we only “interested in those “portions of Scripture that promise us peace and security,” sermons and ministers who only tell us  “Peace, peace! When there is no peace.” Our Savior has told us what to look for right before His second coming so our focus must be on “Lord what must I do to be saved”?

What is Your will for my life? And what must I do to keep from having “itching ears”? My friends we cannot fool God, He knows the sincerity of our hearts. So today He is asking us to give it all to him, not just a portion of our time, talents and money.

God needs our all, He needs us “to always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill our ministry.” And ask God, what do you desire my ministry to be? Remember, we are all leaders in God’s army.

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” 1 Cor. 12:4:7 (NKJV)

Our Savior needs workers today, the Spirit is not here to entertained us but to guide us in all truth and understanding. Our only purpose is to serve Christ. In addition, as our faith, responsibility and endurance grows. Our reward will not be of this world.

But when we hear “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 and then.”

“God will wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Matt. 25:21 (KJV) Rev. 21:4 (KJV)

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

Dec 2, 2015

MY FRIENDS, A REGIMENT OF ONE AND THE KING IS ALL WE NEED!!

We are Soldier’s for Christ, a Warrior and a team member. we serve those who seek hope, as we live out our Christian Values. We will always place the mission to spread the good news of the gospel and Christ soon return first and foremost in our life. We will never quit, or accept defeat.

We will never leave a fallen comrade for Satan to destroy. We are disciplined, and mentally tough, we are trained and proficient in our tasks to endure till the end. We will always maintain our arms which is “the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and with our feet, fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition we will take up the shield of faith, with which to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And we will pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…..” Eph. 6:14-18 (KJV) My interpretation of the U.S. Soldiers Creed, along with God’s Armor of protection.

Let’s focus today on David and his elite special forces of men called The three and the thirty in 1 Chron. 10:11-47 and 2 Samuel 23:8-39 (KJV). Oh to be among the elite, we each should aspire for, because they are unique in there skills and endurance. Josheb-basshebeth, killing 800 with a spear.

Shammah stranded in the middle of a field, held his ground while beating back an infantry of advancing Philistines. Eleazar, one of the three of the elite warriors, he was with David when they gathered at Pas Dammim for battle.

Everyone retreated, but the King and Eleazar who stood their ground and struck down the Philistines until Eleazar’s hand grew tired and froze to the sword. And the Lord brought about a great victory that day…. 2 Samuel 23:9-10

Here you have the Kings entire regiment retreating, except one, Eleazar who stands his ground with the king and fights until His Hand froze to the sword. And when the smoke cleared, only two men were standing, The king and Eleazar who was clinging to his sward for dear life.

Paul tells us part of the armor of God is the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. My friends as children of the king we must also cling to our sword as it becomes infused to every fiber of our mind and body.

In addition,  once this happens it’s no battle we cannot win with the King. My friends our world desperately seeks the Hope of a Savior, and most of the time it will only be an army of one, but with the Spirit of God Like Eleazar who would not leave the battle field even though deserted by others could still claim victory, even under insurmountable circumstances.

And because of his faith and endurance “The Lord brought about a great victory.” And He will do the same for us if we remember our allegiance is to the King as we give Him all the praise glory and honor.

As God’s chosen soldiers we must also have a  passion  for what we are fighting for, which is a victory for ourselves and for every soul that Satan has laid a claim to. This is our duty as a servant of the Most High “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matt. 28:19 (NIV)

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

MY FRIENDS, HOW DIFFERENT ARE WE FROM THE ONE WHO SAYS THERE IS NO GOD?

“Let our light so shine before men and women, that they will always see our good works, as we glorify our Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16 (KJV) Or do we blend in with our surroundings like the Chameleon who changes with the environment.

The Color change signals a chameleon’s physiological condition and intentions to other chameleons, the darker colors indicate when they have decided to submit or “give up” in other words the enemy has now convinced us, compromise is a good, why should we be the odd person in the group. We only live once.

At that moment, we allow ourselves to be “tossed to and fro by the waves of doubt, carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness and deceitful schemes” of the enemy Ephesians 4:14 (ESV) and now the world seems more appealing then a relationship with God.

Nothing about our life should tell the world that this is our permanent residence and that we would compromise our Christian values for the things of this earth that will one pass away for what is prepared For God’s faithful in the earth made new.

A place no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man could ever imagined, the home God has prepared for those who love him” and have decided that we will keep all of His commandments, not just the one’s we feel want interfere with our life style.

Today let’s look back over our life and see where God has brought us from in each situation and circumstances and now it’s personal again. Because we can not go any farther until God becomes real to you and I as we continue to ask, who God is, and what He means to our life personally.

Remember we only have but a short period of probation, from birth to death in which to prepare for God’s kingdom. At birth The god of this world immediately begin to shift our brain activity from what Christ wants.

And then he begin to keep our focus on all the things of this world which is “associated with susceptibility, suggestibility and a unfocused state of mind which lacks the motivation of knowing, perceiving,” or remembering the things God deems beneficial for our salvation. So friends how different is that from the one who says there is no God?

It’s personal because our God is a personal God, And we must recognize today “we have all sinned and  falling short of the honor and glory of God” But the good news is, in spite of our failures at times and “all we can see is the struggles Haunted by the ghosts that lived in our past.”

Unlike the Chameleon who changes with the environment who submits or “gives up” We must decide we “will not be bought or sold; we will be ambassadors for God who in our inmost souls we will be  true and honest; who will not fear to call sin by its right name; whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole; who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”(E.G. White)

My friends focus, and then ask yourself do my friends family love ones, co-workers, neighbor’s, and the world recognize a sharp contrast between one of God’s chosen and the world. And are the fruit of God’s Spirit firmly embedded into my life and is there a vast difference between my life and the one that “says in his heart, there is no god.”

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