Feb. 4, 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb 3, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IMMANUEL TO THE RESCUE!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

And it was all played out on Calvary and one day soon all sin will be eradicated and God will “come quickly: (and) blessed is he that keepeth the sayings in God’s word and one day God will say “he that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still.

And he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, [Immanuel will come to the rescue one last time] and [His] reward [will be] with me, to give every man and woman according as their work shall be…..And blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev 22:7-14 (KJV)

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

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

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

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

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

Feb. 2, 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan. 31, 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan. 29, 2016

MY FRIENDS, BEYOND THE POOL THERE IS GREATER GRACE!!

The narrative begins in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate, a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water….John 5:1-3 (NKJV)

“Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty- eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, He knew his condition and how long he had been there. He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” John 5:5-7 (NKJV)

My friends, focus today on the words “He knew.” As a verb the word knew tells us He perceive or understood as fact or truth; and apprehended clearly and with certainty the man’s conditions and how long He had been there.

This is at a time when divinity is at the forefront of humanity and Christ has firsthand  knowledge of a “certain man” and his condition. Now today let’s make it personal and make ourselves “a certain man or woman” and like “this certain man” Christ knows how long we have been at the pool of  Bethesda in the Hebrew language Bethesda means house of mercy or house of grace.

So why does Jesus ask? “Do you want to be made well?” We can only imagine, Jesus asked this question because he knew this man had wasted many years of his life waiting on the movement of water, in a pool, that had no supernatural power to heal.

In addition, God needed him to exemplify his faith, as with us, into believing what He is capable of doing because He is God and He is willing to give us what we ask in His name, if we believe.

So Christ ask, “do you want to be made whole?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

And that is when confusion settles in, and like “a certain man” we look to others to attain some glimmer of hope when our hope, Jesus Christ is waiting patiently right in front of us. But our attention is averted so we lose our focus and just sit on our mat by the pool of grace and mercy.

“Not realizing grace is free, but Salvation can only be obtained through the blood of Christ so to say, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will not give us entrance into the kingdom of heaven, but only he or she who does the will of “our Father who is in heaven” will enter.” Matt. 7:21 (NASB)

So friends, does the poolside become a familiar and safe environment where we become used to inactivity while also failing to recognize Christ presence and what He is willing to give us? And are we spiritually sick, enjoying what the god of this world has to offer, so we really don’t want change or to be made whole?

Have we become complacent, lackadaisical, and self-indulgent, forgetting even how to respond to Jesus presence as He knocks at the door of our hearts? Remember my friends this is personal even though a “great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, are waiting for the moving of the water”

He seeks out us, and ask, do we want to be made well in the midst of our “Sin and despair, because Christ knows like the sea waves cold, it threatens the soul with infinite loss; but grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross.” and that my friends is where we will receive grace more abundantly.

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

Jan. 27, 2016

MY FRIENDS, FOCUS, AND THEN ASK YOURSELF WHERE ARE MY TREASURES?

“Their land is also full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is also full of horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made…….

For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up. And it shall be brought low……..Also, in that day a man will cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, Which they made, each for himself to worship…..” Isaiah 2:7-20 (NKJV)

My friends, today it’s personal because we all have accumulated our idols of things, and money and made them our gods. In addition, Ezekiel tells us in Ez. 7:19 (NKJV) “They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord.

In addition, they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.” If I am reading this right, Isaiah and Ezekiel each gives us a synopsis on our material possessions that we have made out of gods, god’s which are totally worthless towards our Salvation.

The finances and things that we hold so dear to our heart will not get us into God’s kingdom. But then Christ put’s everything into perspective when He tells us to “seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

In our 21st century got to have it now society, everyone is focused on self and the mentality of greed and the newest cutting edge technology and innovations that the god of this world has set our sights on.

Sights which takes our focus off of our salvation, as the things above become irrelevant. But today to give it all to the Master should be our only goal as we begin to move across the threshold with our hearts set on the promise land.

“For our salvation is nearer than when we first believed”. But what I need you to really focus on today are the words. “They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord”

My friends, we cannot pick and choose what we want to believe in God’s word, that passage tells us one day it will all be useless as we cast it into the streets. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be” Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

Today we must reevaluate what is important to us, because “now it is high time to awake out of our sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11 (NKJV) As we study God’s word diligently each day, while at the same time we are seeking God’s Spirit, we must begin to lay up our treasures in God’s kingdom.

This my friends allows Christ and what His needs are to be the foundation in which we base our character on which allows God to say they are my children and they are “safe to save.” Because soon our “Riches [will] provide no security in the day of wrath and judgment, but righteousness and those treasures we have laid up in God’s kingdom will) deliver [us] from death and destruction. Prov:11:4 (PAV)

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

Jan. 26, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IS GOD’S PLAN FOOLISHNESS TO US?

“However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew.

In addition, “unconverted men do not seek in understanding the wisdom and foresight of God. But yet, God has made a wonderful revelation of His wisdom to those who love Him. But this same revelation tells us that the riches of God’s grace are not discerned by “those whose affection are on the things of this earth, and not on the things above”

But the Christian sees the beautiful things of this world as an expression of God’s love to man” (SDA Bible Commentary) But also, through our faith, we go beyond this world to a “place eye have not seen nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man [or woman] The things God has prepared for those who love Him” 1 Cor. 2:6-9 (NKJV)

My friends it’s personal, because it’s our individual decisions that we make that allows each of us to surrender our mind and body totally to God’s Spirit. This surrender then allows us to fully understand the gospel of Christ and what that means in our life as we grow daily in knowledge and understanding of all truth.

Truth that will adapt to every phase of our growth in Christ. For the scriptures tell us “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13 (NKJV)

In 1 Cor. 2:7-8 (NKJV) Paul speaks of the mystery of God and the mystery of the plan of Salvation that was formulated before creation which is contrary to man’s finite mind in understanding who God is and the depth of the trinity’s plan to save us.

So the Messiah was rejected by the Jewish nation as a whole because they were looking for an earthly ruler to deliver them from the Roman occupation, not One who would deliver them from their sins.

Also like the unconverted in the 21st century they were depended on the elect to dictate what the scriptures and the coming Messiah meant in regards to their Salvation. But, Before Christ came the first time, many prophets had predicted Christ coming and what it all meant.

What about you and I and our understanding of the Second Coming of Christ hopefully in our lifetime. Are we searching the scriptures and seeking understanding through God’s Spirit, or are we complacent, and satisfied with what others say? For, “the natural man, [one who is not spiritual minded] does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.” 1 Cor. 2:14-16 (NKJV)

But for all who seeks God’s kingdom through our faith in God’s word, understand that Christ left the first time to go and “prepare a place for us…And He will come again [for the redeemed]….John 14:2-3 (NKJV)

As He “descends from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, then the dead in Christ shall rise first. [And all His Faithful who have endured] which are alive and remain 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)

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