June 12, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHAT CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD’S LOVE?

“I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8: 38-39 (NASB)

My friends, It’s personal because I is defined as, “the nominative singular pronoun, used by a speaker in referring to himself or herself.” And In the context of this text it must become you and I who are convinced, persuaded or have in some way proven as fact through our faith that no principalities, or powers, or any ruler of the darkness of this world has the power to separate us “from the love of God.”

In addition, as heirs and joint heirs with God’s Son to His kingdom, If we believe we are heirs. We must also believe we have the power to “overcome, because greater is He that is in you [and I], than he that is in the world.” Which, if we are not allowing God’s Spirit to transform us daily into the image of Christ then what we are being transformed into is the image of this world.

What’s so amazing about this text, it begins by saying neither life nor death will separate us from God and with that belief we also believe if we die in Christ we will also rise to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity with Christ in His pure and holy kingdom.

During Christ ministry while proclaiming the gospel here on earth many traveled with Him including His twelve disciples and many “women who had been healed [by Christ] of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,” Luke 8:2 (NASB) was one of these woman.

She also “witnessed most of the events surrounding Christ crucifixion. She was also present at the mock trial of Jesus; she heard Pontius Pilate pronounce the death sentence; and she saw Jesus beaten and humiliated by the crowd.” (Got Questions?org) She was also one of the women who stood near Jesus during the crucifixion to try to comfort Him.

She was also the first at Jesus tomb to witness His resurrection, she was then sent by Jesus to tell His disciples that He lives. In addition, some biblical historians place her in the upper room with the brethren who Christ instructed in Acts 1:1-15 (KJV) to wait on the promise of the Holy Spirit before Pentecost.

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me…….. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers…….altogether the number of names were, one-hundred and twenty.

My friends, what passion and love for the Savior Mary had, and because Mary was convinced through her faith and personal relationship with the Master nothing would ever separate her from Him, one day soon, when “the Lord Himself descends from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.”

She along with all who were steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” can finally say for the last time with conviction nothing separated us from God’s love and His conviction to save us.

June 10, 2017

MY FRIENDS, A LOVE LETTER FROM GOD!!

A love letter from God to His friends we can only imagine starts something like this; How deep is darkness, and now my friends, imagine that darkness without form and void. And within that darkness try and understand, my love for you goes beyond that. Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent what is that to Me, my Son exchanged it all and a Home no human eye has ever seen nor ear has heard or mind has ever envisioned, along with the constant praise of ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of angels.

But, because the abomination of man could not reside in such pure and holy surroundings, my Son left it all in exchange for a crown of thorns and a tomb. But He rose from that tomb, so that where He is today, there you may be also very soon. So where can I, the great I Am flee from man’s presence? If I settle on the far side of what I call the unknown even there [my thoughts of you remain]…..“Surely the darkness will hide what I feel, and maybe not.

So then in My world the light becomes night around me,” and in my loneliness the night shines like the day and still no replacement for your presence. My love “tracks your sorrows and collects your tears in a bottle” that I allow to penetrate my heart so when you hurt I feel what you feel. My love is authentic and very personal.

My relationship is “distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth but you to share my love with.” Oh my precious children, how much grace will it take for you to feel the invariable nature of what I feel. And then its signed in the blood of His Son, Your Creator. My friends, how do we define such love and the plan of redemption planned out in detail before there was any one to redeem.

In architecture, a schematic diagram shows all significant components, and parts of what a building look’s like upon completion. And from the beginning through Abraham we were given a glimpse of all significant components and parts of God’s sacrificial love played out before Calvary. And God told Abraham “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go…and offer him..as a burnt offering……..” Gen 22:2 (ESV)

And then came Calvary, For “scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8 (KJV) Today with no reservation, I can say “we are God’s friends and Henceforth we are no longer servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but we His friends; have been revealed everything that Christ have heard from His Father.

In addition, we did not seek after God, but we were chosen from the foundation of the world, that we would understand selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love. And through that understanding go and bring forth fruit, and that fruit will be stars in our crown and a reminder of our love for God and His love for us throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, and in the meantime as His friends, whatsoever we ask of the Father in Christ name, He will give to us, if it’s all about God’s glory and honor,” not ours. John 15:13-16 (Paraphrased)

June 2, 2017,

MY FRIENDS, HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A THIEF?

“When God sends to men warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven, He requires every person endowed with reasoning powers to heed the message. The fearful judgments denounced against the worship of the beast and his image (Revelation 14:9-11), should lead all to a diligent study of the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is, and how they are to avoid receiving it.” (E.G. White. Great Controversy, p 594)

My friends, we are living in the last days of the history of this world. A time Paul speaks of in 2 Tim 4:1-4 (KJV) that says there “will come [a time] when they, they meaning many that we witness to will “not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

Peter also tells us in 2 Peter 3:3-4 (KJV), “there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” My friends, look all around you, nothing in this world should be of any value to a child of God except all “who are sinking deep in sin.”

All meaning friends, family, love one’s, neighbors and co-workers who are sinking. All meaning “as the Holy Spirit comes on you [and I]; [we will then become Christ “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV) But friends, as heirs to God’s kingdom and co-heirs with His Son, we must first understand the worth of what God has prepared for His faithful children.

In addition, what are we willing to do to obtain such a place before we can present this shared vision to anyone else. Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV) tells us, “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Which tells us nothing can be of more value than acquiring the blessings God has prepared for all who have allowed their character to be transformed into the character of Christ.

That place prepared In His “Father’s house that have many mansions waiting for the redeemed……” Christ also tells us in John 14:1-3 (KJV) if I go and prepare [such] a place for you, I will come [back, and receive all of the redeemed] unto myself; that where I am, there we can be also [if we believe.]”

But if we are not studying and allowing God’s Spirit to guide us in all truth and understanding, as we witness prophecy unfold before our eyes the Lord “will come like a thief in the night while people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But [my friends, we] are not in darkness, for [if we are watching and praying and studying, Gods Spirit] will be poured out on all [His] people. [And our] sons and daughters will prophesy, [and] our young men will see visions, and our old men will dream dreams.” [and] that day [will not] surprise us like a thief.” 1 Thes. 5:2-4 (ESV), Acts 2:17 (NIV)

June 1, 2017

MY FRIENDS. WILL OUR CHARACTER BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE GOD?

Learning to distinguish God’s voice and follow His Spirit guarantees us an easy path to Gods kingdom. The key word is learning which requires the daily study of God’s word as we allow His Spirit to guide us in all truth an understanding which then allows us to discern the presence of God which would than radically transform our character into Christ Character and soon, when “we see His face, His name will be on [our] foreheads” Rev. 22:4 (KJV)

In addition, through our faith, we must also understand “what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2 (KJV) But all who never took the time to distinguished the voice and character of God from the character of “principalities, and powers of the rulers of the darkness of this world.”

And all who have not allowed their character to be transformed during this probationary period between birth and death into the image of Christ. Their final destination is right next to “the kings of this earth, and the great men, and rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man.

[Along with all who have taken on the character of this world, will at that point] hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; [as they cry] to the mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is [here]; and [we are not] able to stand? Rev. 6:15-17 (KJV)

My friends, Elijah through his faith and God’s direction stopped the rain from falling and after three years, spoke and the rain returned. But, in a moment of weakness and discouragement, forgot to seek God’s presence and ran away from his responsibilities. But no matter how far we go, God knows His own.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his…..” 2 Tim 2:19 (KJV) Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” So Elijah listened and continued to seek God’s presence daily and soon after that, “suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” 2 King 2:11 (NIV)

My friends, that same voice is calling His children daily. “What are you doing here?” The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;” Matt 9:37 (KJV) therefor as God’s Children we must “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming [our] time, because the days are evil. [and if our passion is to prepare our character to stand before Christ we must not “be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:15-17 (NKJV)

So, don’t allow Christ voice and timing for a commitment catch us at a time when the confusion and things of this world has us occupied to a point we are unable to recognize the voice of Christ saying “‘Come out of Babylon, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins.” So my friends, who will be able to stand before His Glory“ Rev 18:4 (NIV) Because soon, Christ will “come quickly; and [His] reward is with [Him], to give every man [and woman] according as their work. Rev. 22:11-12 (KJV)

May 22, 2017

MY FRIENDS, IN GOD’S WORD IS IT ONE THING WE LACK?

Only in God’s word can we find that hope and “peace which surpasses all understanding,” There can never be a time when we feel so consumed in the presence of God that we feel we can neglect prayer and the study of God’s word. In addition, it’s His word that keeps our heart focused beyond this world, to that place God has prepared for us.

Consistent with this, “By the word of God we are to overcome every temptation of the enemy. Satan may present every attraction, and bring to our notice every deceiving, alluring bribe, in seeking to eclipse the brightness of Jesus from our view, and to obliterate from our minds his plainest requirements, but we are to meet his deceptions with the word of God.” (E. G. White, God’s word of Assurance)

Because once we allow that light to diminish Satan then takes control and sin becomes our master and “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” Matt. 6:24 (NASB) So, we must be totally committed and focused on what God’s plans are for our life that is placed before us in His word.

And in His word those plans are to follow in the foot-steps of Christ. And to this my friends “we were called, because Christ suffered for you and I, leaving an example, that we should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) And that example becomes “a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path.” Ps. 119:105 (KJV)

Now consider what it means to study God’s word as we allow His spirit to guide us and direct us in all truth and understanding, and yet we still allow self to control us because the conditions laid down in God’s word are just not favorable to what self desires. Remember, the rich young ruler thought he had followed all of God’s precepts in His word.

But Christ tells Him in Mark 10:21 (KJV) “One thing you lack.” So, my friends Have we forgot we are “God’s children and have the power to overcome [that one thing we lack], because the one who is in [you and I] is greater than the one who is in the world?”1 John 4:4 (NIV) And is that one condition in God’s word, that one thing “we lack” or have a desire to hold on to, that makes that narrow road that very few will find that leads to God’s kingdom, worth saying no to God for?

Remember Christ gave it all up so that we could give up, even that “one thing we lack” so that we can live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in that place “no eye have seen nor ear have heard what God has prepare for all who” [may even cherish only “one thing” of this world, but are willing to give it up for the glory of God.] My friends, total commitment is found only in God’s word, along with His promise.

“No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience or beyond human resistance] but God is faithful, He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way of escape so that you and I will be able to endure all temptation without yielding, and we will overcome with joy.” 1 Cor 10:13 (AMP)