Aug. 9, 2014

THOU BELIEVEST THAT THERE IS ONE GOD; THOU DOEST WELL: “THE DEVILS ALSO BELIEVE, AND TREMBLE” James 2:19 (KJV)

My friends, let’s focus on what James is saying to us today. Do We believe in God? that is great!! But what does that prove,  the Devils believe and tremble!! Paul even tells us one day soon “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:10-11 (ESV)

Again what have we proven to God. As I see it, there must be a distinctive difference between Satan and a child of God because we all know the god of this world and his forces will never behold God’s pure and Holy Kingdom again. So what is that distinction since we all believe, and one day we will all acknowledge that Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

Mrs. White tells us, [the forces of evil] “belief does not bring them justification, neither will the belief of those who give a merely intellectual assent to the truths of the Bible bring them the benefits of salvation. This belief fails of reaching the vital point, for the truth does not engage the heart or transform the character…..In Christ, the justified believer beholds his only hope and deliverer. Belief may exist without trust, but confidence born of trust cannot exist without faith.” (Sings of the Times Nov. 3, 1890)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV)

My friends that verse gives us at least one distinction between Satan and ourselves. Satan’s chance for reconciliation has passed, and it passed when he said in [his] heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ Is.14:13-14 (ESV)

But what other distinction are there between Satan and everyone who claims to be a Child of God, what is lying dormant in our heart that takes us away from the same place Satan has been barred for life from, which is God’s pure and holy kingdom.

My friends is it our pride like Satan, or our envy towards others, has our lies destroyed us like it did too the father of lies, has our covertness taken it’s toll, or have we gotten so brazen as to tell ourselves “I will make myself like the Most High.” My friends let’s focus today on, what character traits of Satan could be so attractive to us, that would make us want to lose our Salvation for.

Satan has made this world such a complicated place to live. “While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction [has] come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and [the majority] will not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:3 (NIV) and it is not because they don’t have the desire to escape.

But “the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [But] the gate is narrow and the way is hard [that leads to Life Eternal and Gods Pure and Holy Kingdom,] and those who find it are few.” Matt. 7:13-14 (ESV)

So it is time every child of God makes a personal decision about their future, as we ask ourselves today “How long will [we] waver between two opinions? If the LORD is [our] God, [then we must] follow Him; but if [Satan is our] god, [then] follow him.” 1 kings 18:21 (NHV)

Time as we know it is about to end my friends and God NEEDS WORKERS YESTERDAY which means we are already running behind schedule. Time is fleeting away and the world is “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd…. [for] “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest [that we have the faith and endurance to give it all to the Master and become] laborers into his harvest.”

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

Aug. 8, 2014

MY FRIENDS, “I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY, THAT GOD RESTORES”

“I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY THAT GOD’S RESTORES” for He took a sinner like me and I hope you can say the same about your life that He has RESTORED, REDEEMED AND RELEASED us from the penalty of sin and transformed our life into His image in spite of the wretched sinners we were.

And now I recognize and believed through my faith in the cross and His word that the transforming power on Calvary absolutely and without any doubt in my mind saved us from the penalty of sin and the clutches of the god of this world. That is why I can say with no reservation that “I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY THAT GOD RESTORES”

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 for each of us.

In addition, each who believe they are a child of God, have been given the power of the Spirit For Christ tells us in John 14:15-17 (ESV) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Also Acts 1:8 (NIV) tells us that “we will receive power [from] the Holy Spirit; and [we] will [be able to represent and speak for our Savior] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Yes my friends, as Christians we must tell the world of Christ death, resurrection, and soon return.

And most of all we must be willing to follow Him all the way to the cross. This binding contract between the two parties Jesus Christ and each of His Children is so vital in this great controversy between good and evil. In addition, as God’s chosen we must be a LIVING TESTIMONY WHO THROUGH OUR FAITH AND ENDURANCE CAN TELL THE WORLD THAT GOD RESTORES.

And because He RESTORES, there is no need to “live as those who have no hope: but if we “are [His] children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, [but also as His Children we must share] in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Rom. 8:17 (NIV)

Because if it is our ambition to [represent] Christ [and receive life eternal we must also] have a passion in [our] heart [that we have] never known before that [will] make [us] love [God even] more. [We must also be willing to] lay [aside] everything that [we seek] on this earth,] all [of our hopes dreams] and ambitions, For what [God] wants [from us as we] take up [our] cross and follow [Him] wherever He may lead.

[and as Omniscient, an all-knowing] God He knows [we] seldom measure up to what [His plans are for us but we must also recognize His love mercy grace] and how far His arms will reach to rescue [each of us from perdition and where the god of this world is trying to take us.

So our heartfelt] prayer [must be to live each day in such a way That in all we do we would bring [our God all the] praise, [glory and honor that He deserves] (Newsong, For the glory of Christ) My friends the power is ours if we are willing to give it all to the Master not just 99.9%.

Consistent with this, through, His grace, love and the power of the cross today as His Children we can Say these words with complete confidence  “I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY, THAT GOD RESTORES”, because we ”once was lost, but now we are found, Was blind, but now, we can see.”

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

Aug. 6, 2014

MY FRIENDS, THE TALE OF TWO, TIME ZONES!!!

TIME ZONE too a Child of God; as we talk to God we really can “hear the sound of the rushing wind”, as we realize, “His appearing is closer than ever as we begin to hear the trumpet of Gabriel, and hear the Father as He says Son go get My Children”, and the more we pray we can see our Savior standing on a cloud, with tens of thousands of angels as we witness for ourselves on his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Yes my friends, there is a passion, deep from within and our faith tells us that it will all happen “in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.” There is another TIME ZONE for those “who have no hope.” in “a world of many fools [that say] in their heart, There is no God.” “Time is two edged. It forces [the fool] nearer to [perdition], [because they cannot] save [themselves.]

But even more horrendous, it habituates [them] to existing conditions which, by familiarity, seem less and less threatening. [And] Once [their] minds have been conditioned to that sort of thinking the keen edge of danger is blunted, and [they] are no longer able to see the dark chasm on the brink of which [they] stand” (Bernard Baruch)

The god of this world keeps those in his TIME ZONE thinking that the world owes them, so they have to acquire many things, and because their anchor is not firmly rooted in the solid rock of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, their Perception of evil begins to transform their Reality, instead of God doing the transforming.

David tells us “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked who seems to have the least share of the troubles of this life; but have the greatest share of this worlds wealth and comforts. They have no fear of [God] and yet they prosper, in a world that My God created.” Ps 73:3-5

High into the mountains, as you look down the smaller the world below you get’s. So it is with a child of God, the Higher up or closer we get to Christ the smaller the world gets until it’s no longer relevant, only the presence of God, as we continue to get closer and closer to Him through His Spirit.

Today, I tell a story I’ve used before on how easy it is too loose our focus, right here at the threshold of the promise land. The story is about the Golf legend Arnold Palmer: “It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, he had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. “I felt I was in pretty good shape.”

As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, “Congratulations.” I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus. On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trap, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters.”

My friends, what is distracting you from focusing on life eternal and what our God has prepared for His Children who keeps His Commandments. What keeps you from setting “your mind and keeping [it] set on what is above, [and] not on the things that are of this world.” Col. 3:2 (AMP)

Satan failed in every way possible to distract our Saviors attention away from Victory at Calvary. But today my friends it is not about Christ, He has accomplished what he was sent here to Do. The spotlight is on you, what will you as a Child of God do to remain focused and complete the plan that was implemented for your salvation?

Remember friends, our journey will end one day soon and “He who began a good work in [each of] us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:6 (ESV) BUT ONLY IF WE BELIEVE. AND THEN THIS TIME ZONE in this world Ends and a NEW ONE BEGINS IN THE EARTH MADE NEW.  BUT ONLY IF WE BELIEVE!!

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

Aug. 4, 2014

DEFINE GOD; GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON TO DIE FOR OUR SINS

GOD; “IN CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS, GOD SIMPLY MEANS THE CREATOR AND RULER OF THE UNIVERSE AND SOURCE OF ALL MORAL AUTHORITY; THE SUPREME BEING” WHO IS OMNISCIENCE, OMNIPOTENCE AND OMNIPRESENCE.

gods; “ONE OF SEVERAL DEITY’S, PRESIDING OVER SOME PORTION OF WORLDLY AFFAIRS,,” OR ANYTHING THAT TAKES OUR LOVE AND AFFECTION AWAY FROM OUR CREATOR WHO IS THE TRUE GOD.

Looking at the two definitions, of God and god and the choices that need to be made in regards to our Salvation tells us if “we are laborers together with God, we cannot set our affections upon [the gods of this world];

“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 (E. G.White)

So to have no other gods before Jehovah Which is the first commandment  in God’s Word, would mean to Renounce  anything that hinders true loyalty to God. In addition the “commandments to Israel established an exclusive relationship between the nation of Israel and its God, Yahweh, which was a covenant initiated by Yahweh after delivering the Israelite’s from apartheid and Egyptian bondage.

At this time God is giving His 10 Decalogue’s to Israel 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.” So as we try an analyze why God gave His precepts to Israel? We also have to recognize that His precepts don’t begin with a threat or a command, but a statement of acknowledging who He is

“I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD” and then He speaks of what He has done “BROUGHT YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE.” So as His chosen, this statement only confirms that relationship of love to a people who He had a special relationship with and not the surrounding nations who had decided that their man made god’s were more important than Jehovah the creator of the universe.

But His love still extended to all nations “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.” Matt. 5:45 (ASV) Consistent with this, God’s mandate to Israel’s was to extend the good news of who God was and what he will do for those who “love Him and keep His commandments.”

But instead of Israel influencing other nations, who worshiped other gods. The ungodly nations influenced Israel with their many deity’s, which resulted in Israel’s eventual downfall. So as God’s chosen “for such a time as this” we also have a mandate from God too influence through His Spirit to “all nations kindred’s and tongues.” the need for Salvation.

Or has the gods of this world determine our relationship with God and our responsibility to tell other’s about Him as he did Israel? My friends a commitment to serve only God can only happen when you give it all to the Master and follow him to Calvary.

Unlike Israel His chosen of  Abraham’s seed. His 21st century Chosen generation must not allow other gods to hinder our relationship with God, and take us also into captivity and then to perdition.

In this busy complex world we live in, a Child of God must begin to sacrifice the things we love to do, for the sake of what is most important to the God we serve. God know’s in giving us the first commandment, that He wants nothing before Him that will distract us away from His love, grace, mercy and His Children doing His will.

“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 WE HAVE WITH GOD.

In addition, God started His precepts off by saying “I am the Lord your God” who has purchased the rights for your Salvation. Oh what love “THAT WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH IN HIS SON MAY RECEIVE LIFE ETERNAL.”

So my friends will you make God first and foremost today as His Spirit prepares you for eternity in “the earth made new.” Or have you made other plans?

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

Aug 2, 2014

MY FRIENDS, WILL YOU FINISH THIS RACE, THE END IS IN SIGHT?

Webster defines a race “as a contest of speed” but if you are a Child of God and your desire is life eternal then speed or physical strength is not a factor, only the preparation and being able to endure to the end with the torch of faith still in hand.

In addition this race resembles more of a journey because of the length of time it will take to finish. At the beginning, along with the torch of faith a belt of truth is placed around our waist which our sponsor has given us with the word GRACE engraved into the special leather.

A breastplate of “integrity and rectitude” covers the upper part of our body to break our fall at various times along the way, because at any given moment along the route the road changes from a smooth surface, to a hilly and rocky road. Our sponsor also provides us with a special foot wear made from the moral fortitude and stability that will never tear or wear out during such a long encounter, with the words the good news of the gospel across both shoes in visible sight for all to see.

My friends the ultimate prize will be given to many for John tells us “and, lo, a great multitude, [who had finished the course] which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred’s, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Rev. 7:9 (KJV)

On the mount of Olivet it was our savior’s humanity that recognized the difficulty of his Journey he would have to finish, it was his humanity that knew the height and treacherous road he was about to take, and He knew their would be times on our Journey when it would seem impossible for us to finish, so our Salvation rested on our Savior So He stayed focused and prayed more earnestly than ever before, until his sweat, was like drops of blood, falling to the ground.

Here in the garden, humanity took its toil as the whole weight of the world rested on his shoulders. but his faith, endurance, and prayer’s while staying focused as he conquered each obstacle along the way from the betrayal of Judas to the court of the high priest as He is spat upon and beat.

Then before Pilate, Herod, then back to Pilate where He was scourged, beat, stripped of His dignity and a crown of thorns placed on His head and a cross on His back as He is then lead to Calvary to die for each of us who He knew would have our own crosses to bear one day on our Journey to the promise land.

My friends this is why we must finish this race. Paul says in Phil. 3:7-8 (NKJV) But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things [on this journey].

[But]I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” Nothing else in this race matters, for Christ our pace setter stands at the finish line with nail scared hands held out to embrace each runner as we cross and He says, My father awaits along with your friends and love one’s at the  banquet table that has been prepared for all who crossed over.

In addition, many you have read about in my Word are there, to name a few; Moses and David who were both murderers but they finish the race, Peter who denied Christ He also finished, Abraham and Jacob were big time liar’s, but they finished, Judah was a Whoremonger, John was self-righteous, Mark was a scary cat, and was rejected by Paul who also was a murderer.

But all finished the race and will be there my friends along with many others who stayed focused and“laid aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [them while on this earth], and [ran] with patience [and endurance] the race that [was] set before [them never given up] Heb 12:1 (KJV) SO NOW MY FRIENDS WILL YOU FINISH THIS RACE, THE END IS IN SIGHT.

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

MY FRIENDS, WILL ANYTHING ELSE BUT THE BLOOD CLEANSE?

“Have mercy on me, O God,…Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1-2 (KJV)

Blood: is the fluid that circulates in the hearts, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a sinner and through Gods Spirit will carry the nourishment and oxygen of the love grace and mercy of our Savior who has shed His own blood for those who believe so that all parts of the mind and body may be cleansed from the penalty of sin.

Heb. 9:22 (ESV) tells us “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” In addition, Hebrews 9:12-14 (ESV) also says “….For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

Rev. 12:11(AMP)  is the last reference in the Bible to the shed blood of  Christ; “And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].

My friends let’s focus today on who John is telling us is standing there with Christ, all  “who endured even to death” also they “have strip off and thrown aside every encumbrance (and unnecessary weight) which were all sins (even the “socially acceptable sin”) which (the god of this world and his forces of evil had) so readily (deftly and cleverly tried to cling and entangle each of the redeemed with, while here on earth.

But because of the shedding blood of our Savior the redeemed were able to), run steady with patient, endurance and with active persistence the appointed course of the race that our Lord and Savior set before us and now we are CONQUERORS who overcame through our Saviors blood.” Heb. 12:1 (AMP)

There are at least 43 references to the blood of Christ in the New Testament, all testifying to its great importance in the salvation and daily life of a Child of God. “Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow;” How does the blood and death of our Savior make the Dirt and mire of a sinner’s character a candidates for God’s pure and Holy Kingdom.

Well His death at Calvary summarizes Christ infinite love for everyone and once we as His Children have been washed in His blood, we are transformed into the Character of  our Savior through His blood. Rev. 22:14 (ESV) tells us Blessed are those who wash their robes [in the blood of Christ], King James version tells us “Blessed are they that do his commandments” so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.”

Bible scholars have interpreted “Blessed are they that do his commandments” and “Blessed are those who wash their robes,” as one in the same with only the abiding love of the sacrificial Lamb who shed His blood on the cross for all brings the two statements together.

My friends we as candidates for God’s Kingdom must look into our mirror and then look at the Character of Christ, and ask ourselves have I allowed my life to be purified by the One Who Died for my sins. My friends The believer who longs to have his robe washed in the blood of Christ  must ask before it is to late, “what must I do to be like Christ”

As a sinner myself the only answer I can give is too first have a close and personal relationship with Him. It seems strange that red blood can make our lives pure and white but God tells us in His Word “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as [white] wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the [Promise] land….Isaiah 1:18-19 (KJV)

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