March 19, 2015

MY FRIENDS, TIME TELLS A STORY BUT DO WE HAVE THE INABILITY OR UNWILLINGNESS TO BELIEVE?

“A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution.” The most popular quote from the novel states;

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,”

“worst of times, age of foolishness, epoch of incredulity, season of Darkness,” all attributes of life in the 21^st century, depicted in a supposedly fictitious novel over 150 years ago. And what is so incredible, when Dickens tells us, it was the epoch of incredulity, similar to the times we live in today.

In addition, it is a very distinctive time, but like 1859 we also have allowed the god of this world to place within us the inability or unwillingness to believe what is being played out before our eyes each day.

But my friends the final season the coldest of them all is about too end, for the darkness is continuous at this point. But because of the love, grace and mercy of God for His children there is still a glimmer of light that still flickers and that my friends is the light that must shine within us as we carry out God’s mandate throughout the world.

Oh the passion and the prayers that must never cease as we “repent therefore and become converted, that our sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to [us] before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-20 (NKJV)

Oh the daily searching of the scriptures it is going to take to gain the faith and endurance to continue on this Journey to the promise land, but “All who come to Christ for a clearer knowledge of the truth will receive it.

He will unfold to them the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and these mysteries will be understood by the heart that longs to know the truth. A heavenly light will shine into the soul temple, and will be revealed to others as the bright shining of a lamp on a dark path.” (E. G. White Christ Object Lessons pp 36)

My friends if we allow that bright shinning of a lamp to go out within us we will be like one of the five foolish virgins while the bridegroom was delayed, slumbered and slept.

But when the “midnight cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’[for they were unprepared to meet Him.]

But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” Matt. 25:1-10 (NKJV)

My friends grace still allows that door to be open for His Chosen, But we must stay focused for that door is gradually closing “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matt. 24:37-39 (NASV) So please my friends, let’s all stay focused.

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

MY FRIENDS, “THE EFFECTIVE, FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN OR WOMAN AVAILS MUCH”

“….You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman avails much.”James 4:2-3 (NKJV) James 5:16 (NKJV)

My friends, from the mighty mountains of New York, [Praise His name] from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. [Praise His name.]From Lookout Mountain of Tennessee, [Praise His name.]

From every hill and mole hill of Mississippi, [Praise His name]!” because we now know with no reservation”[That the prayers of the righteous availeth much if we believe.]” (Martin Luther King I have a Dream Speech)

Those words tell His chosen that we must have a passion about what we are petitioning God for. There must be a passion of hope that a family member or friend will be healed when you lay prostrate before the great physician and say Lord not my will but thou will be done.

A passion of faith that our son or daughter will find the Lord one day as the tears runs down your cheeks and we cry out, oh the Great I Am, it was your promises that told me “train up a child in the way of the Lord and He will not depart.”

A passion of understanding as you study the word of God from Genesis to Revelation, as you cry out, all Scripture is breathed out by you God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (KJV)

A deep and heartfelt passion for a successful marriage as you plead for direction, as you cry out, my God too you only can I turn to, for I know “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every [situation and] circumstance. ” Cor. 13:7 (KJV)  

A passion, today, in the 21st century, as we cry out, oh Lord, the true light of the world “the increase of wickedness, and the love of the world grows cold, please give me direction as a vessel “for such a time as this,” and the will, and desire, to spread the good news of the gospel to all the world as we look above with tears in our eyes and say “Lord Jesus, come quickly, please come soon.”

But most of all my friends, a passion that whatever our petition is, it will bring glory and honor to our Saviors name because we were “bought with a price, so every day of our life we will glorify God in our body, and in our spirit, which are God’s.”  1 Cor. 6:20 (KJV)

And as we lift Him up 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 it is to carry everything to God in prayer!”

My friends, as we talk to God we really can “here the sound of the rushing wind, and the more we talk to Him we begin to realize, His appearing is closer then ever as we begin to here the trumpet of Gabriel, and hear the Father as He says son go get my children,

And in the twinkling of an eye, as the trumpet is blown, our friends, family, and love one’s that were laid to sleep suddenly become alive, with new bodies that will never, never die; and then we who are still alive shall suddenly have new bodies also.”

As the final season of this world is about to end and the books of God’s judgment will soon be closed. Our prayers must be passionate and focused, as we pray for a double portion of God’s Spirit to rain down upon us while enduring until the day of Christ soon appearing and we will all, who are faithful, go to our new home and life eternal.

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

March 17, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DO OUR NEIGHBORS KNOW WE ARE SIMPLY A REFLECTION OF GOD’S LIGHT THAT SHINES?

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ’This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ’There is no other commandment greater than these.”(NKJV)

My friends as a child do you remember sometimes at night looking up at the vast array of infinite beauty that God has created, imagining if you were only a star, everyone would see you.

Larnell Harris has a song that says. “Have you ever walked outside into the stillness in the night and looked deep into the heavens and view the brilliance of the light and wished upon that moment that you could shine that way and then called out to the father so that He could hear you say.

I wanna be a star up somewhere in the silent sky like the one over Bethlehem that brought the humble and the wise [I] want the world to know Your love, and the hope that’s found in you I’ll shine anywhere you ask me to.

[I will have] no glory of my own for it will [just]be for anyone to see it’s simply a reflection of your light shining in me” (Larnell Harris, I want to Be a Star) My friend, God’s commission to us is that we shine anywhere He ask us too.

In addition, we must remember that when Christ tells us to “love our neighbor as our self, it “does not mean merely one of the church or faith to which we belong. It has no reference to race, color, or class distinction.

Our neighbor is every person who needs our help. Our neighbor is every soul who is wounded and bruised by the adversary. Our neighbor is every one who is the property of God. (E. G. White Christ Object Lessons pp376)

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.’ Gentlemen, obey your marching orders.”

So the secret my friend “to every Christian’s success as to his or her mandate from God 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 success.”

Remember success as a Christian for Christ is not Him asking us to devote ourselves to His cause: but for us to yield ourselves to His will. “Every excuse in word and action, with every element of fear and faithlessness to continue witnessing for Him was challenged and answered on the cross when He said” “it is finished.”

While much of the fruit of our labor will not be apparent in this life, but if your desire is to give it all to the Master, then when the element above opens up with thousands upon thousands upon ten thousand of angels at our Saviors side singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy and we look into the face of our Savior and realize we had seen that face many times before “in the least of them.”

At that moment my friends we will know our reward is with Him, “to give every man and woman according to his work while we were hear on this earth. Oh what a day I hope we are all  longing for.

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

March 16, 2015

MY FRIENDS, HOW MANY GODS DO WE HAVE IN OUR LIVES?

Today, let’s determine how we as Christians look at God and His law in the 21^st century. Webster’s take on Christianity and other monotheistic religions simply means the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the Supreme Being.

So today we will focus on God’s first two commandments and whether what was recorded over 3000 years ago is still relevant to us today which tells us to have no other Gods before us, in other words, to renounce anything that hinders a true worship of God.

My friends, in our fast pace got to have it now society how is that possible? At the time God is giving His commandments, Moses is on top of a mountain and the Bible says, then God spoke these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

It is amazing that the 10 Commandments don’t start with a command, but a statement.” I am the Lord your God who brought you out of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before Me.

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.

For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Ex. 20:3-6 (NKJV)

My friends, He has made His precepts personal to each of us. You and I, He tells us, must make a decision about serving Him. You shall have no other God’s before me. And why is that so important for us today? “The core of the New Age theology tells us: you and I are gods.

Each of us has access to a supraconscious, creative, integrative, self-organizing, intuitive mind whose capabilities are apparently unlimited,”

The question we must ask ourselves today is; have we allowed the god of this world too take our attention and relationship off of the true God who made the heavens and the earth and our responsibility to serve Him and place it on Satan and the things of this world.

When we are laborers together with God, we cannot set our affections upon things below; for where our affections are, our thoughts will be; and where our thoughts are, there will be our treasure. When we dwell upon things seen and temporal, we fail to obtain divine knowledge (White)

I often find myself these days having to sacrifice something I love to do, for the sake of what is more important at that particular time. Well God wants us to know in giving us this commandments that He wants nothing before Him “for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,”

In other words, every decision you make in life should first be centered and focused on our love, honor, respect, wisdom, knowledge and relationship with God. God started his precepts off by reminding us that we were slaves. But my friends we have been bought with a price.

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:7-8 (NKJV)

The words of one’s marriage vows say “forsaking all others” and that must be our vows to our Savior, we must forsake everything else in this world for our God. So take the scales of your life today and place Christ on one side and the desires of your heart that are centered around this world on the other side and now ask yourself which one out weights the other.

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

March 13, 2015

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE BECOME INCAPACITATED SPIRITUALLY?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God….and In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:1-5 (KJV)

My friends only in the Word of God 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 the study of God’s word.

In addition, it is His word that keeps our heart focused beyond this world to life eternal in God’s pure and holy kingdom. “By the word of God we are to overcome every temptation of the enemy.

Satan may present every attraction, 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)

Gods Word, the only Begotten Son of God died in our place on Calvary so we could live with Him one day soon, oh what love But it did not end with His death on the cross because He rose and the word still lives!

And we must serve that same risen Savior and allow Him to live in us through His word because if we lack understanding and the knowledge we receive in God’s word, due to the fact that we have allowed the things of this world to become detrimental to our salvation.

Then like all of God’s promises that are in His word for His faithful, there are also promises for the non-faithful and one on them comes to us from the book of Hosea which states “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 (KJV)

In addition, once God’s word is replaced with our remote controls and other life threatening things of this world, we then become incapacitated and we no longer have the passion or the desire to maintain the endurance that keeps us focused on the things above.

“Eskimos in Alaska, often kill wolves by taking razor sharp knives and dipping it in blood. They allow the blood to freeze to the blade. Then they bury the handle of the knife in the snow with the blade exposed. As the wolf begins to lick the blade, his tongue becomes numb and desensitized due to the cold.

As he continues, his tongue begins to bleed, and he licks even faster unaware that he is consuming his own blood and slowly killing himself. And that my friends is exactly what is happening to God’s children who have allowed the things of this world to be more important than God’s word.

Consistent with this, sooner then we may think, like the wolves, we become blinded and desensitized by what we are consuming in this world that steals God’s precious time and we then become numb to the things of God and we eventually die spiritually.

My friends  God’s Word brings about real transformation since God is the Word. But that transformation can only come about when we give it all to the Master and then ask God our Creator to recreate our mind and body in His image.

But we also must have faith and believe as we allow our focus to be centered on the transforming power we receive in the Word of God, and once we have allowed that to happen soon we will be entering a land no eye has ever seen or imagined, that has been prepared for the redeemed.

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

March 12, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DO NOT BE CONCERNED IN THE COMING DROUGHT, BUT CONTINUE TO YIELD FRUIT!!

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jer. 17:7-8 (NKJV)

My friends, what an awesome and inspiring text, especially the part that states “and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

Which tells each of His Chosen, that whoever is placed by God into a position to serve should not be concerned about the storms or the drought that may be occurring in our lives each day.

But we must continue to yield the fruits of the Spirit under all situations and circumstances as we spread  love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness, while maintaining self-control in all we do as we “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires while living a life through Christ and forever walking in the His Spirit” Gal. 5:22-25 (NKJV)

and with these attributes we then begin to understand and know God and His desire for our life and the process by which God’s character is cultivated in us. But it must be a daily process as we become aware of our own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings.

And through Christ, as a result each day we begin to walk and talk and speak into Gods divine wisdom, a wisdom that allows us to focus as we walk along the same path of Christ, a path of being a humble and loving servant to all.

In addition my friends, of all the wonderful attributes of our Lord, as we try and understand the things He wants us to know about Him, the most outstanding was his humbleness.

Paul states in Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV) “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” My friends, as we walk daily in the path and righteousness of our Lord and Savior, God chose us, the wretched sinner that we are to become like His Son and carry a cross.

For “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God [and] to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew [because He is Omniscient] He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many [brothers and sisters]” Romans 8:29 (KJV)

My friends, what a wonderful promise, an a honor for all of Christ Brothers and Sisters and one day soon all of God’s children who are faithful and have endured ,He will come to take us away to live in His pure and holy kingdom.

Consistent with this, each day until then may all we come in contact with, as we carry out the Masters mandate recognize the light that shines through us from Christ.

“Therefore we must be “like-minded, having the same love, being on one accord [and] of one mind, letting nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind [and] let each esteem others better than himself [and] Let each of [His children] look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others, [as we] Let this mind be in [us] which was also in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:1-5 (NKJV)

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

Mar. 11, 2013

MY FIENDS, BREAKING NEWS, IT IS FINISHED!!!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; [but our Savior came into the world that you and I] may have life, and [may have it more] abundantly. [for our Savior is ] the good shepherd; and the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-12 (NASB)

And because of His sacrifice my friends, one day soon we will receive “the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to [His faithful] on that day and not only to [us], but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:8 (NIV)

In addition, because of what was done for us, Satan’s demise was sealed when Christ said “it is finished!” and I can say with full assurance, nowhere in the history of mankind were three words, more applicable to our salvation.

John tells us “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar He said, ‘it is finished!’ and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.” But my friends, “He lives and because He lives we  can face tomorrow” as we look forward to life throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

And I believe, Satan and all the forces of evil were totally shocked, and amazed! At the events that took place at Calvary. How could this be they ask?

My friends, the answer is a simple one, Satan did not anticipate that the father and Son would demonstrate so passionately their Love for a wretched sinner like you and I.

So today let’s focus on the scene at Calvary, the forces of evil are pacing back and forth asking each other what is happening? They look at their leader and say; didn’t you tell us that you would “ascend above the tops of the clouds.

[And if we gave up all we had in God’s pure and holy kingdom that you would] “make yourself like the Most High.” And we would all rule for eternity.

My friends even imagine the holy angels looking over the parapets of heaven wondering what this all meant? Now keep your eyes on the Jews, Romans and the Greeks all there at Calvary and at “noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.” Mark 15:33 (NIV)

And [when] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit….[the] veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.” Matt. 27:50-51 (NASB)

And now Satan’s character was clearly revealed, he had hidden himself with duplicity and deceit up to this point, not even the holy angels understood the course he took or why.

But the plan of redemption was now complete, the character of God is revealed to all mankind and God’s love and honor is now established throughout the universe and it will continue throughout eternity.

Yes my friends, the destruction of sin and Satan was forever made certain and the redemption and salvation of man was guaranteed through God’s love and grace, but only through our faith and endurance will we ever understand what those words mean for our salvation. 

Up until this point the “old Testament prophet’s were like artist that came along and put their own unique style on the canvas of the story of redemption. One by one, they came.

And then as Christ is crucified, the final stroke is put on the canvas of this picture and now the revelation to mankind is finished! And Satan’s fate is sealed.” But we as Christians still have our responsibility.

Our mandate Comes directly from our Savior who did it all for us and so we must tell the world “it is finished!” and the more we can focus on the character and love of Christ the more we come to realize that we must follow Him all the way to Calvary.

And like Christ, we must also become humble servants to others as we go into all the world and tell everyone because “it is finished!” salvation is now yours if you believe.

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

March 10, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IF HE NEVER DOES ANYTHING ELSE HE’S ALREADY DONE, WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

“We will sing, and celebrate His name, we will glory and delight ourself in Him. Every way He has made, every word He said is true, and if He never does anything else  He’s already done, what He said He would do.”

“For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”(NKJV) So today My friends it’s personal because we are looking back over our life when God was not a factor, when sin abounded on every level and we can still say with full assurance, the sun never ceased to shine in our life and today that same sun or Son that awakens us daily and has brought the light of His glory into our life throughout the years still shines today.

In addition, we can say with full assurance, we “have been young, and now [we are] old; Yet [we] have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.” Ps. 37:25-26 (NIV)

and my friends, we are descendants of the living God “and co-heirs with Christ,” but as His heirs we cannot refuse the sufferings of the cross as disciple of Jesus who is now advocating for each of us while at the same time preparing our new home that no “Eye has seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man [or woman] The things which God [is] prepared for those who love Him.”1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

Wonderful and marvelous are adjectives describing the works of Christ, in fact John tells us, there are so many other things that our Savior did, “which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25 (KJV)

So today, with eyes closed as we contemplate over the life of Christ and all He did while on this earth, there is no greater miracle then when He took a sinner like you and I, and transformed our life from being the wretched sinners we were, to one who recognizes and believes through our faith in the cross and His word that the transforming power on Calvary absolutely and without any doubt in our minds saved us from death and the clutches of sin.

Oh the grace of God! And what Calvary meant for our Salvation and through our faith, we can say Lord, I am going to trust you totally and place all of my confidence, hopes and dreams of eternity exclusively, on Calvary and what Christ did  “While we were still sinners.”

And because of that we will run the race as we fight the good fight while standing on our faith. My friends “we don’t have to look across the ages, His voice is speaking in [our] hearts today His word is like a flame consuming all [our] shame His life a shining star to show [each of us] the way.

In addition, [we must] behold His life and see the man [or woman He wants us] to become living like someone who belongs to the kingdom that was sealed on Calvary [so today we must give Him our all as we] show the world what [we] believe”(Richard Smallwood)

Yes my friends! If you believe in the power and the name Jesus Christ and all that His name symbolizes, and what His death on the cross meant to your salvation, and victory over sin and Satan.

And today if you are willing to focus through his word and Spirit and endure till the end, then the name of Jesus Christ will carry all of the power, and distinction needed to get us to the promise land as we sing, and celebrate His name, because every word He promised, once we cross over, that He said He would do, would have then come true.

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY