Aug. 28, 2015

“LORD DON’T MOVE THE MOUNTAIN, BUT GIVE ME STRENGTH TO CLIMB IT”

“Lord don’t move the mountain, but give me strength to climb it. Please don’t move that stumbling block, But lead me Lord around it, The way may not be easy, You didn’t say that it would be. For when our tribulations get too light, We tend to stray from Thee.” (Mahalia Jackson)

My friend, it is 2015 and some of God’s children are just where we were ten years ago in our relationship with God and our faith has not increased to the point where we are totally dependent on Him. And if you can look back over your life and say with no reservation I am the same.

Then My friends, In heartfelt prayer and supplication we must stay on our knees and cry out to God “Lord don’t move the mountain, but give me strength to climb it” and I must say with all honesty if you are seeking God’s kingdom and are looking to cross over into the promise land one day soon and there are no mountains in your life, then your cry must be Lord take these iniquities that are keeping me from receiving all that heaven has to offer to prepare my life to be “safe to save.”

In other words, self still controls our life, and we have not “been crucified with Christ because It is still self who lives within us not Christ. And the life that we should be living we are not because of our flesh and a lack of “faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us.” Gal. 3:20 (Paraphrased)

My friends “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” [Baal being the god of this world] 1 Kings 18:21 (NKJV) Satan has allowed the chaos of this world to take our attention off of where we should be on this journey God has placed us on.

We are paralyzed to what is happening and what we need to do be doing to get over that mountain in our life and to pull with us, our friends, family, love one’s, neighbors, co-workers and a world whose spiritual compass continues to point towards this world where grace is gradually being removed only to be replaced with the chaos and confusion that Satan is creating.

So today, if there are mountains in your life, thank God, because those mountains strengthens our faith so that we are “steadfast, unmovable and always abounding” towards the things above and not the things of this world.

In addition the stronger we grow in faith the stronger we become. In addition, the closer we get to the promise land our faith, endurance and the power of God’s word and Spirit will become the driving force that takes us over that final mountain as we enter God’s kingdom and hear our Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.

You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.” Matthew 25:21 (ESV) My friends we are at the end of all prophecy, there is no time for compromise, our soul salvation depends on each of us staying focus.

Today we must move out in faith and give it all to the Master and soon we will enter that place “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

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

MY FRIENDS, “WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.”

“Weeping may endure for a night” but our God will get us through the storm “and then, the Son will rise to take His faithful home to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. That statement gives us a reason to praise God’s name before our joy in the morning even arrives!

For His Promise is “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) David uses the night to show us that our weeping is temporary, the night isn’t going to last.

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” Is. 42:9 (NASB) so the only place for our trust is in the loving arms of our Savior, because everything else is temporary but “God’s words will by no means pass away.”

So it becomes all about our faith in the promises of God “Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” Is. 49:14-16 (NASB)

What  a marvelous promise, our Savior has inscribed us on the palm of His hand which indicates we are His, we belong to Him if we can just endure because at the setting of the sun and darkness surrounds the firmament over the sky if we will keep our eyes focused on God’s only begotten Son and what he went through on the cross for our Salvation joy will come in the morning.

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) tells us “Have I not commanded you? [to] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” weather at night or day, in the storm or in sunshine.

In addition, Christ is preparing us through the storms of this life for our eternal destination a place “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

Remember “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it [until morning.] 1 Cor 10:13 (NKJV)

So if you are willing to hold on to your faith and endure for a night “the Lord our God, He is the One who goes with us. He will not leave us nor forsake us.” Deut. 31:6 (KJV) My friends what depressing times we live in on this earth and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

But for a child of God, our Joy not only will come in the morning but it will also come from serving God and letting the world know of Christ soon return. In addition, our joy also comes from the anticipation of where God will lead His chosen, heirs to His kingdom as we center our life on what God wants and the joy of being lead by the one who gave it all for our Salvation.

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

Aug. 25, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DO WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO GOD?

“Our minds may be drawn out toward Him; we may meditate upon His works, His mercies, His blessings; but this is not, in the fullest sense, communing with Him. In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life.” (E.G. White Steps to Christ, pp 93)

So my friends, what do we talk to our Savior about, concerning our actual life? And what are our request? And do we have the faith to make our prayers all about God’s needs in regards to His mandate to go into all the world and tell others about the good news of His soon return?

Yes what are those special moments when we enter the throne room in the presence of the Master, sitting at His feet and seeking His council all about. But whatever it’s about, it must be personal because God wants our undivided attention if we expect to hear the voice of God in the midst of the storm.

In addition, we must feel the need of prayer, we must also recognize it as our faith reacting to God’s needs, not our needs. So as the terrain becomes unstable and the winds becomes turbulent and our world seems to be headed in the opposite direction from where we thought it should be at this particular time in our life, our prayers still remain on the will of God.

In addition, It is our faith that keep us in communion with God, asking Him to guide our footsteps and to keep our focus on His needs. My friends how much more “Breaking News” must we hear before we realize we are getting to the end of prophecy and only our prayers centered around Christ can prepare us for a world without grace?

But today grace abounds, the communication between earth and heaven are open if we believe. Everyone who feels no need to communicate with God, Satan will control because it is only the armor of God that gives a child of God the power to “stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore [we must] take up the whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Eph. 6:10-13 (NKJV) As we lift God up in prayer and magnify His name we are petitioning our best friend, not just some acquaintance.

Oh “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief’s to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” As we talk to God we really can begin to hear the sound of the rushing wind, and the more we talk to Him we realize, His appearing is closer than ever before as we begin to hear the trumpet of Gabriel.

consistent with this, we begin to hear the Father saying, Son go get my children. And the more we pray, the clearer that vision becomes of our Savior standing on a cloud, with tens of thousands of angels as we witness for ourselves, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords entering the clouds above to take His faithful children home.

Yes my friends, only our passion through prayer do we know that soon, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, it will all happen, and then, eternal happiness as we go to that place “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

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

Aug. 24, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IT IS ALL ABOUT ENDURANCE!!!

It will be stormy today, for the sky looks threatening the clouds have begun to darken. My friends, “you know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” Luke 12:56 (ESV)

The daily barrage of “breaking news” along with our pain sufferings, trials and  tribulations should be all the signs we need today as prophecy unfolds from in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Gen. 1:1 (KJV)

To Matt. 24:4-14 (NKJV) “many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places.

All these are the beginning of sorrows…..And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold….” My friends Satan knows his time is running out so He has made the road very wide and accessible to God’s children.

But my friends the road to Salvation will be tough, narrow and few will make it across into the “promise land” because they have given up, the terrain is rough, and victory seem unattainable.

Besides the name of Jesus Christ, endurance becomes central to the foundation of our character for eternity more than anything else, because our trials, becomes a avenue into how Satan will keep our minds focus away from any triumphs we may achieve through Jesus Christ.

”But true obedience my friends must have a passion from within, the same  that our Savior exhibited while He lived among us. “Faith can be maintained only by bringing the Christian religion to the test of practice, thus demonstrating its transforming power and the faithfulness of its promises.” (E. G. White Manuscript 42, 1901)

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:1-4 (KJV)

Paul also states: “but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5:3-6 (NIV) my friends, let’s focus today, on the words, “when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”

At times we do seem powerless, that is when our faith is stretched to the limit and we feel like given up, but we must look to the triumph of the cross and what was done for us at Calvary just so we would continue this journey in spite of the temptation from the god of this world.

Look around you today, does the god of this world present us with any hope. As the father of deception and lies, he speaks what is natural to him. So what he is really saying to us is, follow me, for I am the way to death and perdition.

So as we fall and stumble along the way of this rough and turbulent road on this journey Christ has set before us, continue to hold on to your faith and endure as you focus on that vision in 1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV) “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Aug. 21, 2015

MY FRIENDS, HAVE YOU RECOGNIZE THE EXTENT OF GOD’S MARVELOUS GRACE?

“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness.

The government of God is not, as Satan would make it appear, founded upon a blind submission, an unreasoning control. It appeals to the intellect and the conscience. “Come now, and let us reason together” is the Creator’s invitation to the beings He has made. Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)……..

He invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

In giving ourselves to God, we must necessarily give up all that would separate us from Him. Hence the Saviour says, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33 (E.G. White, Steps To Christ pp43)

How amazing is that, to be called by Christ to be His disciple “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. [and] They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” Matt. 4:19-20 (NKJV) My friends where I need you to focus today is in the words and “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”

Did you notice they did not ask, who is this stranger that expects us too give up everything and drop all we are doing and follow Him. But my friends, if we seek Christ daily, when His choice falls upon us whom He wants for His service the call is irresistible we must respond.

In addition, to stand in the presence of God and say I have more pressing issues, oh what a lost opportunity. “The warfare against self is the greatest battle will ever be fought” from within. So to give it all to the Master with no reservations should be all that matters, if salvation and life eternal is our destiny.

“O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places.” Ps. 43:3 (NASB) My friends the light has been sent out and it is God’s Spirit, daily or Savior seeks us to let self die and give it all to the Master.

“How long will [we] falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21 (NKJV) Baal being a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” Rev. 18:2 (NKJV)

My friends, grace oh marvelous grace that still allows us to make choices after 6000 years of man doing it his way. Oh marvelous grace that still is willing to say “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30 (NKJV) Oh marvelous grace whose hand has reach as far as we have gone away from the presence of the one who gave it all for our salvation.

Grace oh marvelous grace, If it wasn’t for His grace where would we really be, what would our life really be like. But the goodness of God still allows “His sun [or Son to continue to] rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt. 5:45 (NKJV) Grace oh marvelous grace.

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

Aug. 20, 2015

MY FRIENDS, CAN YOU FIND YOUR WAY BACK HOME?

The common element we have with sheep is the propensity to get lost and stray away from the path once we leave home. Satan then by circumstances that he created begins to steal away our joy and happiness thus, causing us to lose our focus, which then causes a child of God to wonder aimlessly into self-destruction until Satan has us believing we can’t go back.

He tells us, Christ will not accept you, you have gone too far, my world is now your only home. Then our hope fades with each day we stay away. In Jacob’s fight with God, It says that God was not able to prevail against Jacob Genesis 32:25 (KJV) But God has his limitation that He sets.

If you are fighting God, he will not overpower you. He will not take away our will or force us to come home to Him. This must be our choice, this is our Salvation at stake. Either Life through Christ, or destruction, as we allow the God of this world to control our destiny.

And at daybreak, God asks Jacob to let him go, and Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me. This was Jacob’s choice, asking for salvation, and it must also be ours. But we must, like Jacob, hold on, and through our faith stay focused, and endure.

And God did bless Jacob “And God told Jacob You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. And Jacob says, “I saw God face to face and my life was spared.”

That my friends is the way to struggle with God. Oh what a wonderful God we serve. Only after Jacob wrestles with God is he ready to return home and face the consequences of his sin that he had run away from years earlier. And when he reunited with his brother, he was reunited with God.

Now he is ready to complete his journey home as he heads back to Bethel, the place where he first encountered God while running from the sin that he had created from his own self interest and not God’s. So my friends today, Wake up and say with Jacob: “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it…

How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:16,17 (KJV)  This is home my friends, “For there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7 (NASB)

That text tell us that God’s love is never ending as our lives become transformed and God calls us back home to His love, guidance and protection. To most of us home is a wonderful place. Home was a place where we felt accepted and loved.

But now if we have left, it is only a distance memory when the Lord was our Shepherd and we never wanted, because God always lead us in the path of righteousness, for His name sake. But the good news is, when we cannot find our way back home, God will find a way to lead us back to him.

Oh what a God we serve “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I” Isaiah 65:1 (KJV)

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

Aug. 18, 2015

MY FRIENDS THE COURSE WILL BE GRUELING, SO WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?

“Worthy is the lamb that has ask us to bear our cross and follow Him as we “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the [grueling] race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” Heb. 12:1 (KJV)

Consider him who endured such pain, ridicule and hostility, who died for our sins just so that we will not grow weary or fainthearted, but will endure the grueling course that is before us till the end as we out distance the god of this world “along with a great multitude which no one could count.”

Representing “every nation tribes and peoples and tongues,” and my friends I now need you to make it personal as you see your self standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches” Rev. 7:9 (NASB) singing Worthy is the Lamb who was slain Holy, Holy is He.

Each of us who are heirs to the kingdom of God who are looking for Christ soon return, we are now headed into that final stretch to the finish line, and we must ask ourselves, are we moving as strong  in finishing up Christ work here on earth as we did when we first started this race?

With the help of the Spirit of God, are we spreading the good news of Christ saving grace to our friends, family, love one’s, co-workers, neighbors and a world that has lost sight of the saving grace of our savior? And are we constantly asking the question; what must I do to be saved.?

Consistent with this, our desire, our goals, our passion, our focus, our faith, our endurance, our prayers, and the never ending study of God’s word, must never become secondary, even though to finish strong, will be very grueling.

But we just have to believe and trust God that he is in control of our destiny if we will only give it all to Him as we allow self  to die daily and not when it is convenient or fits into our busy schedule or between our favorite TV programs. We must also pull the field around behind us, by first keeping everyone encouraged.

As leaders, we must Model the way as we Inspire a shared vision which is crossing over into the promise land and always reminding the rest of the field, that once we cross that finish line with torch in hand, no matter what place we come in, if we have faith, and believe, and stay focused, and study the course which is the word of God, we will all receive the ultimate prize life eternal.

For we must continue to “Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” So today as you stand at the crossroads of life It will be a painful time in a Christian’s life who through their faith is determine to give it all to the Master. but the reward my friend.

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, what God hath prepared for all that love him.” But only if we believe, never surrendering to the enemy, but giving our all to the Master.

“For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who [will] go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and [grueling] is the way which leads to life, and there [will be very] few who [will] find it.” Matt. 7:13-14 (NKJV)

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