Oct. 6, 2014

MY FRIENDS, “WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS,” IS THERE ANY GREATER LOVE?

“WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS All our sins and grief’s to bear, what a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer Oh, what peace we often forfeit Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.”

A friend for life, oh the privilege of having such a friend, a friendship that maintains a bond of love and companionship throughout one’s life. A bond that has surpassed the test of time. A bond that coexist as one in every situation and circumstances  of our life, whether good or bad.

A friend who has never defected or forsaken us, especially in our most trying times, when the whole world seems to have forsaken us at the very point on this journey when our needs are at their greatest.  A story is told of an individual who was learning to fly, the instructor told him to put the plane into a steep and extended dive.

He was totally unprepared for what was about to happen. After a brief time the engine stalled, and the plane began to plunge out-of-control. It soon became evident that the instructor was not going to help at all. After a few seconds, which seemed like an eternity, the students mind began to function again. He then quickly corrected the situation, and the plane had a smooth landing.

He immediately turned to the instructor and began to vent his frustration. The instructor very calmly said, “There is no position you can get this airplane into that I cannot get you out of, if you want to learn to fly. As a child of God who can with no reservations call our Co-Pilot, Jesus Christ a friend, there is no situation we can get our self into that He cannot get us out of, If we trust and obey.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:17-19 (NKJV) So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

My friends “What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and grief’s to bear, what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer” “there are times in our life When the wheels just seem to turn and uncertainties about our tomorrow seems to grow. One thing we should remember and we should always know, “WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.”

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of the love of the one who will not leave or forsake us in our time of need. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.

When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, so that those under the cover of her wings would live. (Author Unknown) OUR FRIEND, OUR SAVIOR, OUR COMPANION, OUR MEDIATOR, OUR ADVOCATE also remained steadfast on His way to Calvary as he covered mankind under His wings of His grace and love as He gave up His life so that we may live. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (KJV) MY FRIENDS, “WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS” THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE, 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

Oct. 5, 2014

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE READY FOR THE UNCHARTERED TERRITORY CHRIST IS PREPARING HIS CHILDREN FOR?

UNCHARTERED TERRITORY; is defined as a physical or nonphysical region or area not yet mapped, surveyed, or investigated: uncharted waters; the uncharted depths of the mind. My friends, each of us who are looking for Christ soon return, as we come into this final stretch to the finish line, must ask ourselves; are we in “UNCHARTERED TERRITORY?”

Are we moving far beyond all expectations in finishing up Christ work here on earth as we move into “UNCHARTERED TERRITORY” right before Christ soon return?” With the help of the Spirit of God, are we spreading the good news of Christ saving grace to our friends, family, love one’s, co-workers, and a world that has lost sight of the saving grace of our savior, in record pace?

Have we explored every concept and taken it to the depth of our finite minds in how best to finish up the work of Christ that is placed before us by the Spirit of God? My friends it has to be more then go into all the world and preached the gospel for God’s chosen generation “for such a time as this” we must be prepared to make extraordinary things happen for the glory of Christ.

We must constantly be asking the question to ourselves and to the one who did it all for our salvation; what must I do to be saved and enter into Gods pure and holy society as I assist in finishing up your mandate? “UNCHARTERED TERRITORY!” Yes, that must be where we are headed in our final stretch today.

Our desire, our goals, our passion, our focus, our faith, our endurance, our prayers, and the never ending study of God’s word, must never waver as we move beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary, as we keep heaven on our mind.

In addition, to finish this race, it will be very grueling, but we must never forget that our savior also went into UNCHARTERED TERRITORY at the cross but He was victorious as He paved the way for all who seek His kingdom through our faith and endurance.

Hudson Taylor, director of the China Inland Mission, often interviewed candidates for the mission field. On one occasion, he met with a group to determine their motivations for service. “And why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?” he asked one. “I want to go because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” was the reply.

Another said, “I want to go because millions are perishing without Christ.” Others gave different answers. Then Hudson Taylor said, “All of these motives, however good, will fail you in times of testing, trials, tribulations, and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you in trial and testing of your faith.

And that is a TERRITORY that very few seek throughout their lives and that is a passion to take the love of Christ to heights and depths never before seen in your lifetime. you must tell yourself THIS IS UNCHARTERED TERRITORY this is the place God has always been trying to take me too, through His love, but now by God’s grace we have arrive.

My friends we must go to places of UNCHARTERED TERRITORY within our minds and body’s we never thought we were capable of going, but because of the Good Shepherds method of preparation all we can say once we get there is, I’ve been here before, when my child decided the values he or she had been taught all of their life was not what they seeked  anymore, as they went out into the world, but now my child teaches bible study on Wednesday night.

Or when my wife or husband laid on their death bed and the doctors had given up hope, but today ten years later they are alive and well. I can go on and on, but the scenarios are the same Jesus saves physically mentally and spiritually and through our faith and endurance, He is preparing us now to go through the UNKNOWN and “UNCHARTERED TERRITORY’S” But remember my friends, our God “will never leave you nor forsake you.” as you move into this “UNCHARTERED TERRITORY” on your way to Promise land.

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

Oct. 2, 2014

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE ALLOWING THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD, TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR SALVATION?

40 years, the Israelites roamed the wilderness, with no specific destination in sight. An entire generation was sentenced to an inactive and slothful wandering in the wilderness. It has been estimated that an average of almost 90 people a day died during those years. Then only Joshua and Caleb remained to represent the generation that left Egypt.

Many of us experience this same dilemma, wandering in the wilderness of this world as the years flies by. As Christians our stay on this earth is only for a little while. Time is precious, and how we spend and use it for God’s glory and honor, is of vital importance to our spending eternity with Christ.

God in the wise foresight and anticipation teaches us how we should be discerning and perceptive about how we continue this journey He has placed his chosen generation on. TV, Facebook, twitter and the internet just to name a few, are obstacles that can be credited to this fast pace got to have it now society, where self-reigns supreme over any and everything even God.

We as a nation have become zombies, who are easily manipulated by government and corporate advertisers. Nothing will stop me tomorrow from being in line with the rest of the world to purchase my new IPhone, got to have it! Got to have it ! got to have it!. If we could only get that excited about spreading the good news of Christ soon return.

Sin and Satan’s desire that we all lose sight of Christ saving grace, while forgetting that life is too short to squander away on what self wants is VERY DETRIMENTAL TO OUR SALVATION. Acts 20:35 (ESV) tells us “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.” Those 8 words eliminates self from our life.

My friends we are now on Probation which is “the testing or trial of a person’s conduct, character, qualifications, or the like.” For God’s Kingdom. It is now time we stop and focus on the image of our Savior as He takes a lump of clay shaping forming it and at times having to reform and restore this image He has in His mind of what this clay should look like.

In addition, as the potter forms our Character the clay must be “totally, unconditionally passive in the hands of the potter.” We should give no resistance to what God wants out of our life” “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Is 64:8 (ESV)

That should be our attitude when we have a passion to give God our all, as we become clay in the Potter’s hand, “making no resistance” as we say “LORD NOT MY WILL BUT THOU WILL BE DONE.” To live our life in any other way except in the hands of God, shifts our “brain activity from what God wants to a state of susceptibility, suggestibility and an unfocused state of mind which then becomes controlled by the god of this world.

Which then lacks the act of knowing, perceiving, or remembering the things God deems beneficial, and THUS ALL WE DO ONLY BECOMES DETRIMENTAL TO OUR SALVATION because it is not done for the one who gave it all for our Salvation. One day soon Christ will enter the clouds above us and his reward will be with Him.

“And [He] will give to each person according to what they have done. And once each have received our proper reward our Savior will say either “Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you’ve been trustworthy with a small amount I gave you on this earth I’ll put you in charge of a large amount in my Kingdom, Come and share your master’s joy!”

OR, He will ask you, one final question, why when I was trying to shape you into my image you preferred the image of this world? And the saddest words we will ever here repeated, He will say, YOUR UNFORGIVEN SINS HAVE BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR SALVATION “I know you not.”

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

Sep. 30, 2014

MY FRIENDS, HOW MANY TIMES HAS CHRIST FORGIVEN YOU?

“FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. Before this point in time the world was not justified for Salvation, But at the cross, Satan was defeated, and even the centurions who were part of his crucifixion were included in the saving grace and power of Jesus Christ.

In Luke 23:47 (NKJV) it says So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” The unimaginable power of forgiveness that day on Calvary. Those ten words spoken by our Master, the hope of violence is overcome by peace, hatred is conquered by love of the Master’s grace.

Even under the greatest pressure while enduring the most gruesome and humiliating pain, Our Savior responded to Hatred with love, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO” Matthew 5:44 says ” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” forgiveness is a choice of a child of God that we make through a decision of our own will, motivated only by being obedient to God and his commission to forgive as He forgives.

Colossians 3:13 (KJV) tells us to “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” By possessing the attitude of forgiveness, you will also embrace the characteristic of love, peace, joy, hope, and gratitude. My friends, forgiveness is The greatest gift each of us who seek the kingdom of God can give.

“It’s the gift that keeps on giving.” In addition, forgiveness doesn’t minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life in the loving arms of our Savior and Him crucified who took it upon Himself to set an exemple for us to follow throughout our life.

Matthew 6:14-15. (NKJV) tells us “if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. “In a dream, Martin Luther found himself being attacked by Satan. The devil unrolled a long scroll containing a list of Luther’s sins, and held it before him.

On reaching the end of the scroll Luther asked the devil, “Is that all?” “No,” came the reply, and a second scroll was thrust in front of him. Then, after a second came a third. But now the devil had no more. “You’ve forgotten something,” Luther exclaimed triumphantly. “Quickly write on each of those scrolls, through ‘the blood of Jesus Christ God’s son, I have been forgiven and now I am cleansed of all sins.”

As we look over our life think on all the abominations we have brought before our Savior Jesus Christ, and now think of all the times He has told us too “go, and sin no more,” only for us to repeat the process of sin over and over again. So today, we are to forgive as Christ has forgiven us. Peter come to Christ with the question.

“How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” Christ taught that we are never to become weary of forgiving so He tells Peter “until seventy times seven.” “Man was under the condemnation of the broken law.

He could not save himself, and for this reason Christ came to this world, clothed His divinity with humanity, and gave His life, the just for the unjust, He  gave Himself for our sins, and to every soul He freely offers the blood-bought pardon.” (E.G. White)

In Matt. 10:8 (KJV) Christ tells us “freely you have received; freely give.” We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. At the very heart of Christ ministry was a simple concept and that is to love one another as we love one’s self.

So How are we to love others, as we love ourselves? well first we start with a compassionate and contrite heart as we focus on the words of our Savior as he was Dying on that cruel cross “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO.”

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

Sep. 29, 2014

MY FRIENDS, ENDURE AND REACH OUT WITH THE TOUCH OF FAITH!!

And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” my friends oh to have such faith, to lay prostrate before our Savior in heartfelt prayer as we lay out our petitions for his grace, mercy, forgiveness and restoration before Him and at that moment, He feels a surge of power from within leave His countenance, as we are made whole.

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I SHALL BE WHOLE. “Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

Jesus, immediately knew that power had gone out of Him, “Who touched My clothes?” He asked. But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, “Who touched Me?” But, He knew.

So He looks around, and their trembling before the Master, knowing what miracle had just happened to her, fell down before Him in total awe and admonition at what had just occurred in her life. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.

Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:29-34 (NKJV) Whenever we speak of this Bible Story, we usually deal with the healing aspect of the story instead of the power of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified to save the sinner sinking deep in sin.

His ability to perform miracles is secondary to our Salvation. Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

My friends let’s not miss the message of Christ Actions by focusing only on the miracle of His healing power, and not on His Saving Grace and all He is willing and able to do for us. Often when Jesus healed in the gospels, He told the person that was healed not to tell anyone.

It was not because He was trying to hide the power of His miracles. But He knew the need of everyone’s focus to be on the saving power of His name. “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

Twelve years of constant blood flow. What physical strength the woman with the issue of blood must have endured to get to the Master. Exhausted and smothered by the crowd, oh so desperate just to get to the Savior. Finally falling prostrate to her knees as she told herself, “If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole”

Reaching, crawling, oh what PASSION as she reached out her hand and touched His garment as He passed her. My friends that was all it took. “Lord, you have examined me and know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. Lord, even before I say a word, Ps. 139 1:4.

She just needed the endurance to not give up, and to reach in faith, a faith we must all have as we tell the Goof Shepherd, I need you, please don’t pass me by, I don’t mean to waste your time, but I have A passion deep down inside just to touch you.

Every Situations and circumstances in my life tells me I have no hope, but I here in your touch There is hope for the hopeless, Rest for the weary, Love for the broken hearted, while at the same time your grace, mercy, and forgiveness is sufficient, as you meet me at whatever place in my life I am.

And through the storms, He tells us to “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD” “for I will never leave you, or forsake you, for my mercy and grace knows no bounds, and all we have to do is ENDURE AND REACH OUT WITH THE TOUCH OF FAITH

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

Sep. 28, 2014

MY FRIENDS, IS FINISHING THIS JOURNEY, AN UNATTAINABLE GOAL?

As Children of the King, we are told that God’s sole desire is that we have a happy life, as we seek His kingdom and life eternal. But, every command that Jesus gives us to get through this life to the next is not a easy, attainable path.

Love our enemies, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” Matthew 5:44(NKJV)

Turn the other cheek. “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Matthew 5:39 (NKJV) to receive life eternal in God’s Kingdom those commands are doable, then this Journey gets a little tougher.

In addition, I have to start making choices between my family and God. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” Matt. 19:29 (NKJV)

And Then the toughest command of them all “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:23-24

My friends in this rat race, every man or woman takes care of themselves world we live in today, the narrow road to the kingdom really seem like unattainable mandate’s from God. But my friends it’s all about the journey and believing in all the promises in God’s Word.

In addition, believing in the plan, for our Salvation, which was implemented from the foundation of the world that makes life eternal for all, possible if we believe God gave His “ONLY BEGOTTEN SON” TO SHOW US, THIS JOURNEY IS POSSIBLE IF WE BELIEVE AND ENDURE TO THE END.“

And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Cor.10:13 (NIV) And that way is Christ Jesus “The only name by which we can be saved.”

Isaiah 48:17 (NKJV) also tells us “This is what the Lord says your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” also in Matthew 19:26 “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Christ recognized the difficult road before him. He stayed focus on Calvary, it never came down to either, or, His sacrifice, was an example for all mankind as we travel this journey to the promise land as we continue to tell ourselves, there is no greater love. Consistent with this, if we believe and if we have a passion to know God we should know the only security we all have is in the loving arms of our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave it all for us TO OBTAIN THIS GOAL.

Psalm. 46:1(NKJV) says God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. So today as we move closer to Christ return through our faith and God’s power through His Spirit we must extend to the world our knowledge for “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon [you];

Because the Lord hath anointed [His chosen generation] to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent [us] to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV)

Every excuse in word and action, with every element of fear and faithlessness not to live our life totally centered on our Savior was challenged and answered on the cross.

Like Christ who forever stayed focused on His goal, places each individual who has decided to endure till the end, in various situations, and circumstances, in order to instill upon Them, duties that will be peculiar to the times in which they live, and the various conditions under which we as Christians are placed in order to tell everyone about the good news that THIS JOURNEY IS ATTAINABLE TO ALL WHO BELIEVE.

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

Sep. 27, 2014

MY FRIENDS, WE ARE IN A MARATHON THAT HAS TO BE RUN LIKE A SPRINT

Jeremiah 12:5 (KJV) tells us The Lord Answers Jeremiah “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan”?

In other words, my friends, if you’re worn out in A 5k footrace with the forces of evil, as you go through the trials of this life each day, what makes you think you can handle a full MARATHON as we begin to enter into the last days of this life’s history.?

It’s time we begin to move at rapid speed  as we prepare ourselves and take the good news of the gospel to others. like Jeremiah, God’s chosen generation “for such a time as this,” has allowed life to wear us down as we become absorbed in self-pity, and doubt in trying to endure to the end.

Jeremiah was ready to abandon it all, and then a word from the Lord tells him, If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? Life is difficult, Jeremiah, are you going to quit at the first wave of trials and opposition?

My friends, Are you going to retreat when you find that there is more to life than having plenty of food each day and a comfortable bed at night to sleep in? God calls all of his Children to pursue righteousness, to sustain a drive toward excellence.

God calls us to have a life of purpose far beyond what you think yourself capable of living, Because He will sustain and provide us with the adequate amount of endurance to fulfill His will in our life. but to  make this MARATHON INTO A SPRINT, it must become all about our faith and our wiliness to serve, as we allow self to die daily.

If thou art not able to encounter lesser dangers, how wilt thou be able to overcome greater one’s in the time of trouble. As a child of God mentally we must be equipped for what lies ahead, Christ tells us himself in Matt. 24 How dreadful those days will be.

In addition, “great distress, unequal to any we have seen from the beginning of the world until now and never to be equaled again.” Those words can’t possibly be from a reliable source? Can we truly say everything in the bible is authentic or “God-breathed”?

My friends we only ask our self these questions when the god of this world places before us his interpretation of God’s word so that our minds will stay focus on the “cares of this life, and that day [will] come upon [us and we will be] unaware. Of what is happening” Luke 21:34 (PSV)

but “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!……..” Pa. 119:1-176 (ESV)

My friends God’s Word is where we begin to exemplify our faith as we look at the world we live in and come to the conclusion, this MARATHON HAS NOW TURNED INTO A SPRINT. Consistent with this, we must now understand, with no doubt, that our “faith is being tested in order to produce endurance so that our endurance will have its perfect result, so that God’s faithful may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (PSV)

Christ on the Mount of Olives as He was praying, he recognized the difficult road before him. This is the humanity of Jesus, he knows that our Father, has called him to do the unattainable from a human standpoint. So Remember this is humanity that recognizes the difficulty of this journey.

This is humanity that dreads the suffering that He will in counter, humanity knew the path would seem impossible, but it was also humanity and the Son of God who died on the cross so that we can finish this Journey Christ has placed us on to the promise land. So friends today, let’s POSTURE OURSELVES FOR A SPRINT, Christ will be here soon.

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

Sep. 26, 2014

“THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT OR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG, BUT TO THE ONE WHO ENDURES TO THE END”

SO HOLD ON JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER!!! Friends what does it mean to endure to the end. James tells us “Blessed is the man [or woman] who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life” James 1:12 (ESV)

Paul also tells us in Romans 5:3-4 (ESV) “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” a quote from Nelson Mandela also tells us

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”

Christ Himself tells us in Matt. 24:12-13 (KJV)  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he [or she] that endures to the end, the same shall be saved.” Webster gives a more precise definition when he says endure is “too support adverse force or influence of any kind; suffer without yielding; suffer patiently:”

My friends the three words I need you to focus on today is SUFFER WITHOUT YIELDING or without giving up, that is the hard part of a Christians quest to go the distance, because no one likes to suffer. Nelson Mandela tells us he did stop to rest, my friends rest is good, it replenishes our motivation to keep moving, to stay focused and to hold on to our faith.

But then President Mandela tells us as he looked all around, oh the beauty of the surroundings, he probably even layed down in the beautiful “green pastures” as he gazed upon the crystal clear “still waters.” But, that is the word we all should learn to use when our circumstances stretches our faith to the limit and all we have to hold on to if we are God’s children is our faith in a God who will never leave or forsake us.”

Like the the three Hebrew boys who told the king right before he was to throw them into the furnace of fire “our God. they tell the king, whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand.

BUT IF not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” There faith allows us to focus on Paul’s quote again, which states“WE REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERINGS, KNOWING THAT SUFFERING PRODUCES ENDURANCE”

Now going back to President Mandela, his rest and comfort begins to become his motivation instead of his endurance, so now he realizes his responsibility to himself, others, and most of all God and it is at that point he looks back on the distance he has come, and then he says.

I can only rest for a moment, for I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.” But like our savior endurance can be ours through THE CROSS we carry. Like Christ who agonized and prayed for strength to finish the course that was  planned for our redemption, we are to do the same.

In addition, as time moves towards Christ soon return and the trials of this world seem unbearable, as we ask ourselves, where is God. It is at that moment, we must look back on His promises. when He tells us “The LORD himself goes before you” ……So Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

“But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) and then my friends “the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

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