Nov. 30, 2015

“LORD, SAVE US, WE PERISH.” MY FRIENDS, NEVER DID A SOUL UTTER THAT CRY UNHEEDED.

My friends, that statement I continue from yesterday’s devotional because it let’s us know the importance of our faith in these last days of “breaking news” where iniquity is abounding at astronomical levels, and the love of many waxes colder and colder as God prepares us for what is taken place in our world.

Today, I can say with no reservation that we are at the beginning of our “birth. Pangs” a time when we shall continue to see “the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet” and John the Revelator.

My friends that statement that Christ is making in Matt. 24 is telling each of His chosen, heirs to the kingdom of God and joint heirs with the one who will make sure as we cry out Lord, save us, we perish, does not go unheeded.

In addition, that cry will continue to be heeded until He enters the clouds above in preparation to “render to each one according to his deeds.” Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good, seek for glory, honor, and immortality.

And to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath.” Romans 2:6-8 (NKJV)  So my friends we will each receive our just reward one day.

Christ has also warned us in Matt. 24 when you see all that is happening in the “breaking news” “Let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.”

That text is telling His children, we need to be downsizing not accumulating more. Our attitude must be if we seek God’s kingdom, it all belongs to God and God doesn’t need a new car if nothing is wrong with the one we have.

And God hasn’t told us to get a bigger house, because the man or woman who does not know God has nothing better to do with their money. God also has not told us to buy more and more clothes just because we have the money to do so.

My friends, Christ has an entire world He needs the good news to reach so believe me He doesn’t have the time to be entertained with us as we watch empire and dancing with the stars in front of our new 72” TV.

God needs our all today, not the “crumbs from the masters table.” This work has to be finished in our life time and he is asking for our time, talents and money to make that happen. “Give to God all that is God’s.”

Today He ask for our all. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one.

To each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey to a far country…… After a long time the lord of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.” “For to everyone who has and values the blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely.

Because we can’t begin to imagine what was prepared for us when the Master went to that far country. Yes my friends, “eye have not seen nor ear has heard what was prepared for His faithful who endured” (Matt. 25:14-30 (NKJV)

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

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU HAVE PERFECT PEACE TODAY?

“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 pp 335) Today My friends, close your eyes picture along with me a waterfall cascading down a rocky precipice.

Picture the beauty, in creation, when God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Thus the heavens and the earth, was finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done and blessed that day, and He rested. Oh such blessed peace.

Picture the peace in our Savior’s countenance on Calvary when our Savior knew His work was complete and the blood of Jesus whispers peace from within, peace, perfect peace, to finish His fathers will on earth. “This is Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round! On Jesus’ bosom naught but perfect calm is found.”

That my friends gives us somewhat of a picture of perfect peace. Jesus tells us 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 trials and tribulations in the midst of the “breaking news” of the day, But take heart He tells us.

I have overcome the world. Never forget there was also “Breaking news” in Jerusalem, it read like this in the Jerusalem Tribune “the people cried out today crucify Him, His blood be on us and on our children.

Then Barabbas was released to the rabble; and when  they had scourged the one who claims to be the Son oh God, they delivered Him to be crucified. Then all of heaven had it’s on “breaking news” and it went like this.

You now Know that all things are  now accomplished, that the Scripture are now fulfilled, your Lord and Master’s last words, but only for a moment, were  “I thirst!” My friends, this is the water of life Himself who thirst how is that possible.

“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst, the water I give will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life” John 4:14 (NIV) So why does He thirst” Our Savior became the “breaking news” our example for “such a time as this” so that we may hold on and endure, so that we may receive life eternal in His kingdom.

“Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.And after He received it He said, “It is finished!” bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”John 19-:28-30 (NKJV)

Oh the beauty and peace of the “breaking news” that day as our redeemer obtained perfect peace, Our redeemer  who is the “way, the truth and life.” My friends, perfect peace to a child of God, is doing His will.

Peace is seeking His presence here on earth so that one day we will forever be in His presence in perfect peace, in a place “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, [a place] which 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.

MY FRIENDS, HAPPY THANKSGIVING, GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IS NEW EVERY MORNING!!

What a great thanksgiving, waking up realizing, “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:22-25 (ESV)

Great is God’s faithfulness, which is new every morning. Meaning it is never ending, and it has nothing to do with anyone else in our life, or how much they have done for us. But all our hope, all our grace and mercy, and most important our Salvation, rest on our Savior and His abundant faithfulness toward each of us.

And if you are a Child of God that makes it very personal and it allows each of us to be “confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in [each of us] will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Phil 1:6 (KJV)

“In April 1988 the evening news reported on a photographer who was a skydiver. He had jumped from a plane along with numerous other skydivers and filmed the group as they fell and opened their parachutes. On the film shown on the telecast, as the final skydiver opened his chute, the picture went berserk.

The announcer reported that the cameraman had fallen to his death, having jumped out of the plane without his parachute. It wasn’t until he reached for the absent ripcord that he realized he was free-falling without a parachute.

Until that point, the jump probably seemed exciting and fun. But tragically, he had acted with thoughtless haste and deadly foolishness. Nothing could save him, for his faith was in a parachute that he had never buckled on.”

Oh great is God’s faithfulness as we look back over our lives so much of it we were just free-falling, living with thoughtless haste and deadly foolishness as we “followed the cosmic powers over the darkness of this world, the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.”

But oh the mercy and grace of a God who in spite of, is always faithful to us, for only the faithfulness of Christ and His “patients toward [us], not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

My friends, that is why we must give our Savior all the praise, glory and honor on this thanksgiving day 2015 and everyday of our life. And for everyone who does not recognize the faithfulness of our Savior and continues to free-fall through life, Christ is Calling.

Christ is asking His Children for a unrestricted dependence on Him as we allow His Spirit to transform us into a candidate for God’s kingdom. Remember it’s personal this is our Salvation and His faithfulness towards you and I as we seek God’s presence on our own accord.

In addition, His faithfulness reaches us no matter where we are or what we are doing for “who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in [his faithfulness and] steadfast love” Micah 7:18 (ESV)

While at the same time His character is cultivated through us daily, an Unimaginable faithfulness towards His Children that will allow us to become truly humble, devoted and God fearing workers in finishing up God’s commission here on earth as we begin to show our full “gratitude and our own faithfulness for what Christ has done for us.

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

Nov. 25, 2015

MY FRIENDS, “GOD IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK!!

“According to the power that works in us.” Eph. 3:20 (NKJV) Like clay in the potter’s hand, we must let God’s Spirit begin to shape our Character for the kingdom as we begin to recognize what God is able to do for, and through us.

Chapters 1-5 of Ephesian is a message not only for the church of that day but to everyone in this generation that seeks God’s kingdom. In verse 5 Paul is telling the body of believers, Like I tell you today.

“In no other age has the good news been revealed like it is today by God’s Spirit, for this chosen generation.” In other words the good news we are proclaiming today is unique because it is a message for “such a time as this” a message for the last days of the history of our world.

All generations have receive their proclamation from God but never with the urgency of today. Oh what an honor that God has chosen us to deliver it. Only Calvary far exceeds what God has given man to tell the world today.

There is the plan of Salvation, the foundation of the world, sin enters the world, types and anti-types point to Christ crucifixion and resurrection which secures our Salvation through His love grace and mercy if we believe.

What remains is Christ soon return. “And for this cause” we have been called to proclaim the end day prophecy of Christ soon return and how the “breaking news” of today gives us hope that the promises of God is sure.

Because, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Num. 23:19 (NASB)

This is why His mandate to this chosen generation must be a commitment and a lifestyle change. We must be willing to say all to Jesus I surrender. All my time I surrender. All my talents I surrender, all my money I surrender.

Our faith to give it all to the Master, must be a “continuously sustaining principle” that we live by each day. And when we have allowed this to happen then God will be “able to do exceedingly, abundantly all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

My friends, there is no limit what the Spirit of God is able to do through us if we will only give it all to God and allow self to die, as we begin to live our life through Christ. So please, don’t get weary of the Journey.

This is only the beginning if we believe and endure the “light afflictions” of what Satan places before us to discourage us from continuing. Believe me the forces of evil are no match for the “superabundance, above and beyond fullness and overflowing” love grace and power of God and what he will give us if we just ask.

But with that request also requires a responsibility. Not our will, but the will of God be done. And one day the “Potters wheel” will be put aside, and God will stand up and say let’s go get my children.

“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still….and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still.” So today my friends let’s give it all to the Master while grace still abounds for a short while, and then life eternal. Which will be “exceedingly, abundantly and all that” we could ever imagine.

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

Nov. 23, 2015

MY FRIENDS, OUR CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, WHY HAVE WE MADE HIM OUR FRIEND?

My friends, “Satan is constantly at work, but few have any idea of his activity and subtlety. The people of God must be prepared to withstand the wily foe. It is this resistance that Satan dreads.

He knows better than we do the limit of his power and how easily he can be overcome if we resist and face him. Through divine strength the weakest saint is more than a match for him and all his angels, and if brought to the test he [or she] would be able to prove [their] superior power….

The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against [God’s faithful, and] concealed himself from view…and when he makes another advance move, we will not recognize him as our enemy, that old serpent, but we will consider him a friend” (E.G. White, Testimonies Vol. 5 pp 293-294)

We will consider Him a friend. That my friends, is the scariest part of that quote in that we can be so naive as to the deception of the enemy that we fail to recognize where he is leading us which is too perdition.

The enemy is preparing for his last assault on our lives. “Breaking news” tells us that’s his strategy each day. Satan, knows he has very little time left. But it seems we have lost a large portion of our memory, back, at a time when the enemy had us convinced his way would make us happy.

Back at a time when our entire being, our affections, the life we lived, our intellect and talents were all about self. Back at a time when we did not know God. Back at a time “when we thought we were grown but continued to speak as a child, and live our life like there was no tomorrow as a child.

But now that we have become men, and women we should have put away childish things and given it all to the Master.” 1 Cor. 13-11 (NKJV paraphrased) My friends, as men and woman who have all been born in sin and shaped in iniquity” we each have a propensity to “obey the worst impulses of the heart.”

Consistent with this, we must “pray without ceasing” while recognizing how far we are from surrendering it all to the Master“  and allowing His Spirit total access to our life to do as God leads. My friends, we must not forget, it is only through Christ that Satan becomes ineffective in our life.

Remember, Christ has been where we are only He did not give in to the enemy. In addition, Christ knows the rough terrain. He knows the temptations and hardships we must encounter daily from the forces of evil.

He knows the pain of the road we must travel and the exhaustion of the constant battles from Satan. But He conquered so we could receive victory through Him. That is why He stayed focused and His love for us never wavered.

He knew our fragile framework, He remembered that we are made from the dust of the ground. And what delicate steps we must take to follow Him to Calvary. But who else to Guide us along this journey but someone who has been this way before, and finished the course.

So when temptations seems to be more then we can bear. Remember, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when we are tempted, he will also provide a way of escape through Him” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

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

Nov. 22, 2015

MY FRIENDS ALL WE WILL REMEMBER IS CALVARY!!

God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” And with God’s DNA comes the power of the cross through God’s Spirit. So now we realize more than ever, the significance of the text.

“For God so loved the world,” yes my friends, we are the world and all of his promises goes to all who believe, “that He gave His only Begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)

That makes us heirs and a part of this “dynasty that will forever reign,” Today my friends, I need you to focus beyond the “breaking news” of the day, and feel the same passion, and excitement that keeps me focused on life eternal.

That keeps me thinking of  “that long white robe that I will put on soon,” as I tell the story of how I got over.” And every day it gets that much closer to reality, and God’s children, seeing the clouds open up, as Christ comes to get His faithful who have endured, “to always be with the Lord.”

“Always to be with the Lord” meaning infinite, forever, with no ending. And then the redeemed, will sit at the banquet table with the redeemer, as we “lift our hands in total admiration.” We then proclaim our personal journey of how we made it over.

But the story will not be a sad one with the daily “breaking news” and the tribulations of this world. But the Story of how we got over will start at Calvary, and it will end at Calvary. Because My friends, nothing else will matter when it is all over.

We will try and remember beyond Calvary, we will try and remember Satan telling us “all these things I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” We will try and remember the pain and misery of what those words meant.

We will try and remember, the darkness before the dawn, but now the light of the Son is all that matters. He has “wiped every tear away” and now the Son who went to Calvary so we can be there, is our guide.

And maybe that is why Calvary only comes to mind and the price that was paid so we could walk on the “sea of glass” and cry Holy, Holy, Holy. And now our home is a place no eye had ever seen before, nor ear had ever heard, or had ever entered into the heart of any man the things which is now home.

Prepared only for those who loved Him enough to allow Calvary too be our only hope. My friends, “no greater love then our God. His promises keeps reminding us Before we knew our name He knew our every breath.

Before we found our way. He knew our every step. Before we knew everything that we needed to make it over, He gave it all to us. No greater love than this that He should lay down His life for a wretched sinner like us.

And now we will spend a lifetime in the beauty of Heaven. Always knowing there is no greater love than this. We never understood how merciful love could be, until we felt His flame Light on every part of you and me.” (No Greater Love, by Eaton, Chris/becker, Margaret.)

And it is at that point when we gave everything to the one who gave everything to us. And now we are saved, yes, we are saved and that is why all we will ever remember from this earth will be Calvary.

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

Nov. 21, 2015

MY FRIENDS, HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED GOING BEYOND THE VEIL?

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters [beyond] the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever…” Heb. 6:19-20 (NASB)

My friends, beyond the ordinary beyond the “breaking news” of the day, beyond the rough terrain, and the storms of our life, beyond the adversity, and reproach of our enemies, beyond our pride, beyond our selfish desires.

Beyond the passions of the flesh and the love of  worldly pleasure that we find so appealing in this world. Today we keep moving until we get to “the veil” then stop. Because now we “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, as we prepare to run with patience the race that God set’s before us.”

In addition, we allow the grace of Christ full control. It’s personal today my friends, today it must become an experience with Christ and His Spirit that takes us on a Journey that leads to a total commitment and what Christ wants to accomplished through a tarnished but in the Good Shepherd’s eyes chosen vessel.

This is where we will stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless His child. And once we decide to go “beyond the veil”  “new mercies will be given, as we thank Him for every miracle manifested, great or small as we praise Him For every door now opened, every pathway cleared.

We thank Him for every one of our needs that He has already supplied, as we praise Him. Yet there is one thing our soul longs for and that is to worship Him face to face, this is our earnest prayer, this is our earnest plea.

Bid us now to come yes “beyond the veil”  because “beyond the veil”  is where we witness all of Your glory Seated on your throne in majesty and power as we lay prostrate before You Oh King.

In this place of sweet communion we have entered Your gates with thanksgiving we’ve entered Your courts with praise Yet we hear You say, Come closer Step into this Holy place And because the blood of Christ for each of His children, It continues to prevail. Now we are standing in His presence, face to face “beyond the veil”  (Daryl Coley Beyond The Veil)

My friends I hope today we all seek such an experience because the “Lord, has searched each of us and  He knows each of us personally! “He knows when we sit down and when we rise up; He discerns our thoughts from afar… He searches out our path He is acquainted with all of our ways.” Ps. 139:2-3 (KJV)

As God’s chosen vessel let’s also search out our Saviors path, and get acquainted with all of His ways “beyond the veil”  for He is more than our Savior, He is also our friend. For knowing Christ personally “beyond the veil”  is what transforms our life in preparation for His kingdom.

And this experience is never about location, but about the experience one receives just being in the presence of Christ. It could be in the hiding places on a mountainside, or in our car on our way to work or it could be in the solitude of a room at Home.

But once we make that decision to go “beyond the veil” it’s never our will anymore, but God’s will being accomplished through our life. Until that veil turns into clouds above and we are saying “lo this is our God who we have waited for”

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

Nov 19, 2015

MY FRIENDS, CHRIST LEADS, SO WHAT ARE YOUR MARCHING ORDERS?

“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today.

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb; He’s all that my hungering spirit needs; I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead” Yes my friends, because our Savior has set the pace, for His children to follow.

We then become the anchor leg of which becomes the fastest or most experienced on Christ team. It is our responsibility to make up ground on this race if those before us falls behind. God has ask us to preserve the lead that was secured by His Son on Calvary.

We have an awesome responsible that Christ has placed upon His chosen. My friends this becomes unchartered territory but we must not delay any longer because many are “like lost sheep without a shepherd and they wander aimlessly with a feeling of no hope.

And as Christ disciples, He is calling us to the challenge for “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Matt. 9:36-37 (NKJV) And as one of the few, we must step out in Faith, knowing Christ “will never leave nor forsake us.”

“Day by day, through faith in God, his hope and courage may be renewed. “The just shall live by his faith.” In the service of God there need be no despondency, no wavering, no fear. The Lord will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him.

He will give them the wisdom their varied necessities demand.” (E.G. White, Prophets and Kings, p 387) So we need only to step out in Faith and continue to endure until we can say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”2 Tim. 4:7-8 (NKJV)

A story is told about the duke of Wellington who was once present where a party of Christian men were discussing the possibility of success in a missionary effort among the heathen. They appealed to the duke to say whether in his judgment such efforts were likely to prove successful, proportionate to the cost.

The old soldier replied: “Gentlemen, what are your marching orders, Success he said, is not the question for you to discuss. If I read your orders, they run thus, “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

My friends, we have to obey our marching orders, because the secret to every Christian’s success as to God’s commission for his or her life, will be found in the harmonious and daily workings of all Christians, along with the Holy Spirit in the finishing up of Gods work regardless of what this world deems as a success story.

Remember, success as a Christian for Christ is our willingness to carry our cross across the finish line as we yield ourselves to the cause of God on the front lines of the battle field because every excuse we my come up with for the reason we cannot do God’s will and serve, was challenged and answered at Calvary.

My Friends, where there is no vision, the people perish…..Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)