Jan 13, 2016

MY FRIENDS, GODS REACH HAS NO LIMITS!!

Sinner, how far has been our decent at times into total destruction? But what is so amazing, no matter how far we have strayed, there are no limits to where our God will go to rescue us. “From the mighty mountains of New York.

From the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. From the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. From the curvaceous slopes of California. From Stone Mountain of Georgia. From Lookout Mountain of Tennessee and from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.” (M. L. King Jr.)

He reaches, Just to let his children know that His “grace is sufficient for His strength is made perfect [in each of our] weaknesses.” 2 Cor. 12:9 (NKJV) Consistent with this, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do?

Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish. Matt. 18:12-14 (NKJV)

My friends one of the definitions of lost is “Insensible to, or lost to all sense of duty” In other words if we define lost around one’s spirituality, we are not just lost in regards to trying to find our way back home, but we also become lost in regards to our responsibility and opportunity towards where Christ is trying to lead, as we become numb to the fact that we are even lost.

Therefore we cease in trying to find our way back. We become comfortable in our environment that the god of this world has made for us. His invitation is “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” Matt. 4:9 (NIV) We then accept.

My friends, Christ was made this same offer from Satan. So He knows how to defeat the enemy and He has also “made a way of escape” for his children. That is why we must not forget His reach is limitless alone with His love and grace which are also limitless.

So He brings our attention to a song we may have sung as a child in Sabbath or Sunday school. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so. Or it could have been a song we sung as a congregational hymn in church which says;

“There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold; But one was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold. Away on the mountains wild and bare; Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.

“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for Thee?” But the Shepherd made answer: “This of Mine Has wandered [far, far] away from Me. And although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep.

”But none of the ransomed ever knew How deep were the waters crossed; Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through Ere He found His sheep that was lost. Out in the desert He heard its cry; ’Twas sick and helpless and ready to die.

And all through the mountains, thundering, And up from the rocky steep, There arose a glad cry to the gate of heaven, “Rejoice! I have found My sheep!” And the angels echoed around the throne, “Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!” Because Gods reach has no limits.

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

Jan. 12, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WE MUST FIXED OUR MIND ON ANOTHER TIME!!

“I have fixed my mind on another time, and here I mean to stand until God gives me more light, and that is today, today, and today, until He comes, and I see him for whom my soul yearns.” (William Miller)

“For whom my soul yearns.” How sweet the sound “I have fixed my mind on another time.” If we as Gods chosen like Jeremiah take those words, eat them with a passion, and once we allow that to happen they will become the joy and rejoicing of our heart.”

And then through our faith we can completely leave the cares of this world into the hands of our Savior who has taken on that responsibility. The psalmist tells us in Psalm 55:22 (KJV) “Cast our cares on the Lord and he will sustain us; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Now my friends focus on the words He will never let the righteous be shaken. And as a child of God “The righteous are His faithful who “live by faith.” And of course “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (KJV)

Righteousness, faith, and knowing God’s Word, each essential to the life expectancy of the other. So if we take one of those elements out it would be a real catastrophe. Because then “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” Mark 4:19 (KJV)

In addition, this lets us know before “I can fix my mind on another time” we must dissociate ourselves from the things of this world that do not center our attention on Jesus Christ and Him crucified, starting with what we watch on TV, the internet, what we read, and how we spend, and what we spend the resources that God gives us on.

If we are serious about our Salvation there must be a deep passion to study Gods word which then leads to a personal relationship with God through our faith. In addition, alone with our faith, is our service to God.

“If someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him [or her]? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:14-26 (ESV)

So as Christians our faith and works guide us on this journey to a place God has prepared for His children, a promise that comes from Christ on words, “Let not your heart be troubled; if you believe [or if you have faith in God], believe also in me [the Son because], in my Fathers house are many mansions.

[and my friends mansions prepared just for the redeemed to live in]; and if it were not so, I would have told you. I now go to prepare a place for you……that where I am, [all of Gods Children] may be also…..” John 14:1-4 (KJV )

“There you may be also.” What an awesome promise this is why “we must fix our mind on another time” Because God’s promises assures us if we have faith then we must believe this world is not our home, we are just passing through.

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

Jan 11, 2016

MY FRIENDS, BUCKLE UP, EYES ON THE ROAD, AND WATCH YOUR SPEED!!!

Let’s begin our journey by first, “buckling up” as we Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth or [personal integrity and moral courage,] and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Ephesians 6:14 (ESV)

“Eyes on the road” “Let our eyes look straight ahead, And our eyelids look right before us. Ponder the path of our feet, and let all our ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove our foot from evil.” Prov. 4:25-27 (NKJV)

“Watch your speed” The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength, they are eighty years, yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away … so teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

In addition we “do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is our life? For [we] are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead [we] ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” Ps. 90:10-11 (ESV) James 4:13-15 (ESV)

“If the Lord wills” that must be our aim, motto and pledge for whatever time God has given us here on this earth. But first there must be some clarity, of our purpose and why we exist? And what steps it will take to finish this journey?

Remember my friends, it’s a process that can only be found in our searching the scriptures daily. Like a buried treasure it is there, but it will take some effort which requires a passion from within on our part and a desire to understand the teachings of God as we allow God’s Spirit to guide us in all truth and understanding of His precious treasure.

That is why we must buckle up, as we keep our eyes on the road, allowing every “trial in our life to become a triumph and every battle to become a victory” through Jesus Christ, forever watching how far we have come and what distance we have left in eliminating self.

In addition, we do not want to “deviate or wander aimlessly away from what God’s purpose is for our life, we must always remember the plans He has for our lives, “plans for our welfare and not for evil, [to give to His faithful who are willing to endure too the end,] a future and a hope.

And that future is ”in 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) Love Him meaning with all our heart and soul.

C. S. Lewis tells us, through His word, God defines all our heart and soul by saying “Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want you!!! All of you!!

I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man or woman, but to kill it! No half measures will do. I don’t want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams.

Turn them ALL over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of you a new self—in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart.”

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

Jan. 5, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IF WE FAIL IN OUR TEST AND TRIAL WE ARE DISOBEDIENT TO THE VOICE OF GOD!

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Is. 53:5 (NKJV) My friends, What the first Adam failed to do was accomplished at Calvary.

“For a period of time Christ was on probation. He took humanity on Himself, to stand the test and trial which the first Adam failed to endure. Had He failed in His test and trial, He would have been disobedient to the voice of God, and the world would have been lost (E.G. White Signs of the Times, 5/10/1899).

The fate of the world was being decided and I can only imagine demons were asking Satan what’s happening will you still be the god of this world as they witness Christ dying. Not understanding because Christ endured the cross that the highest position Satan would now hold would be prince of a lost world.

A world where he had no power except what the second Adam gives him. Christ dies, angels are searching the parapets of heaven for answers. The Jewish elect and the Roman officials who condemned Christ to die have disobeyed God’s voice, never realizing even they had a chance for salvation because of the second Adams endurance and victory at the cross.

Satan’s character is revealed. Up until Christ death he had hidden what his true intent was, even the holy angels had not understood the course he took or why. But now the plan of redemption was complete the character of God was revealed to all mankind and love and honor is established and will be from that point on throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

So now my friends, as disciples and children of God, are we focused on our goal, life eternal? And  is the word of God our road map to how we live our life? And are we praying without ceasing and allowing self to die in Christ each day  as we allow His Spirit to transform us into Christ image?

We must ask ourselves these questions because if we fail in our test and trial on this Journey Christ has placed us on, only tells God we have not used Christ as our example thus ignoring His voice and where He is trying to lead. So our choice then becomes that “wide gate with the broad road that leads to destruction that many will enter through.”

But we are guaranteed and protected from the penalty of sin, if and only if, we are willing to give it all to Master and endure until the end like Christ. But we must also understand that this earth is not our home and that we are only aliens.

Aliens who are “desiring a better country, that is, a heavenly one, where God is not ashamed to be called our God, in a place He has prepared for the redeemed a [“place Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man”] Heb. 11:16 (NKJV)

So please, let’s continue to listen for God’s voice as we spread the good news through out the world, never giving up, enduring through it all until the race is over and Christ can say “well done good and faithful servant” as we cross that finish line.

And then, on one accord, in adoration, throughout the heavenly courts, we will all give God the praise, glory and honor, forever realizing, without Satan telling us otherwise, the Love grace and mercy that was employed for our salvation.

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

Jan. 4, 2016

MY FRIENDS, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE ONE DAY OUR CROSS WILL BE REPLACED WITH WINGS

My friends the Mercy and grace of God has laid out a direction for our lives, a Road map that leads to Calvary which places before us the heavy load and responsibility of our own cross that we must carry, here at the threshold of the promise land.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matt. 16:24 (NIV) So many situations, and circumstances each day try and keep us from conquering the rough side of the Mountain and troubled seas especially while trying to carry a cross at the same time we climb.

But our God’s promises tells us “to be strong and of good courage, and not too fear or be afraid; for the Lord our God, He is the One who goes with us. He will not leave  nor forsake [His Chosen.]” on our journey to the promise land.” Deut. 31:6 (KJV)

And as we enter those pearly gates I can only imagine Christ with outstretched hands telling us I will take that now as he replaces our cross with the wings of angels, and a “white robe which is a symbol of purity which our Character is now.

And as pure as the one who Gave it all for our Salvation because 1 John 3:2 (NKJV) tells us “it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that Jesus’ when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

And a palm branch is then placed in our hands “which in Israel was a symbol of national liberation and blessing, and attended the First Coming of the King to Jerusalem” Jesus Christ. John 12:13 (NIV)

And I can only imagine in the case of the redeemed, it represents our liberation from the god of this world, a liberation for all eternity, and at Christ second coming He then places a Crown on our head that represents the suffering of times past.

As we remember the promises of His word while on earth that states. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:10-12 (NKJV) And now we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For (we were persuaded while on this earth) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, (nor anything that was ever created was) able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38 (NKJV)

That my friends is why we must have a vision that gives each of us something to work towards but it must become a passion. A passion to give up everything that is not in accordance with God’s will, and His precepts.

Friends, now is the time to turn our life completely over to God’s Spirit as we seek His presence, while He transforms our Character in the very likeness of our Savior while preparing us for our new home.

remember friends, “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear [our]sins, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Heb. 9:28 (NIV) who believed and endured.

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

Jan. 2, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IS THE POWER OF SATAN RELEVANT IN THE  21^ST CENTURY?

Then that voice, richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, is heard, saying: “Your conflict is ended.” “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Now is fulfilled the Saviour’s prayer for His disciples: “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” “Faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” Jude 24 (KJV)

“Faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” My friends with that promise why do we ever talk of the power of Satan? To a child of God, Satan and the forces of evil must be only relevant in the past tense because if we serve a risen Savor then “it is no longer [you or] I who lives.

[in other words Satan is no longer a factor in our lives, but only Christ who now lives in us]; and the life which [we used to live when the god of this world abounded supreme] in our flesh [we] live by faith in the Son of God, who loved each of us and gave Himself up for [our Salvation.]” Gal 2:20 (KJV paraphrased)

And then my friends, when it is all over “the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire this is the second death, the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:13-14 (KJV)

My friends, Satan sentence can’t be overturned. It was final when Christ said “it is finished” on Calvary, which also meant that our sentence of death was overturned if we believe and endure. So we cannot allow the god of this world to blind our minds to what the plan of Salvation was all about which was Satan and the fairness of God’s law, and Satan lost His case with no appeal given.

That is why we must study and pray daily as we seek the “Spirit who will guide us into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 13:6 (NIV)

That is the power we must speak and focus on because that power gives us the power that far exceeds any created being who for some reason thought he could “ascend above the heights of the clouds; and be like the most High.”

And if we allow one created being, Satan, to reign supreme in our lives who are also created beings, then we also begin to feel like we can “ascend above the heights of the clouds; and be like the most High.

Yes my friends, Satan has us thinking what we see with our eyes, hear with our ears and the places we go that are an abomination to God that we place above God and His law are right and just, “But they only lead to death.”

And that is the limitations of Satan’s power which in the end will cause so many who gives him so much credit for his power to became his slave and enter that wide gate that has such a broad path.

That is also such an easy path to travel that leads only to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who will enter through it. Because they refused to believe in the power of The Son of God whose power gives us Salvation and life eternal.

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