March 24, 2014

“THIS SON OF MINE, HE WAS LOST, BUT NOW HE IS FOUND”

A Shepherd will search for a lamb even in inclement weather that has strayed from the flock. He will search, until He has found him. He will then carry the lamb over his shoulder and carry it to safety. If he was hurt in any way while away from the flock, He will nurture it back to health as He continues to love and protect it from outside evil elements that wants to harm him.

In our own lives, we sometimes go astray. We become fearful to go back home when our lives are a mess. Satan tells us we can’t change directions now, it is too late. But like the Prodigal Son who “When he came to his senses, said, I will go back to my father and say to him:

Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. So he got up and went back home to his father. Luke 15:17-20 (NKJV) The common element we have with sheep is the propensity to get lost and stray away from the path.

The Devil then by circumstances that he created begins to steal away our joy and happiness thus, causing you to lose your balance and focus, which then causes you to wonder aimlessly into self-destruction until Satan has us believing we can’t go back. He tells us, Christ will not accept you, you have gone too far to go back home.

Then your hope fades with each day you stay away. But remember my friends The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deu. 31:8 (NIV) Christ tells us himself “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? Luke 15:4 (NASB)

It will be a difficult journey finding our way back to Christ. But set your mark on the prize which is eternal life in God’s pure and holy kingdom. And then on that day you find our way back, Christ will repeat His words of love to us as He says “We must celebrate…,for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. HE WAS LOST, BUT NOW HE IS FOUND” Luke 15:23 (NLT)

Oh My friends, to be back into the arms of the Master. On Jacob’s return home, one night he had an encounter with God. The Bible says they wrestled all night. in Jacob’s fight with God, It says that God was not able to prevail against Jacob (Genesis 32:25). You mean someone is more powerful then God. Heaven forbid. Than how was it possible?

No it was not possible. But God has his limitation that He set’s. If you are fighting God, he will not overpower you. He will not take away your will or force you to come to Him. This must be your choice, and what is important for your Salvation. Either Life through Christ, or destruction by allowing the things of this world and the forces of evil to control your life.

And at daybreak, God asks Jacob to let him go, and Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me. This was Jacob’s choice asking for salvation, and it must also be ours. But we must, like Jacob have faith, hold on, focus, and endure. God did bless Jacob “….And You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Is. 62:2-3 (ESV)

And Jacob says, “I saw God face to face and my life was spared.” That my friends is the way to struggle with God. Oh what a wonderful God we serve. And God will bless all of his faithful who have lost their way, and seek His presence once again “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt 7:7 (NKJV)

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

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March 23, 2014

“THE SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN YOU, IS GREATER THAN THE SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN THE WORLD”

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” Luke 11:24-26 (ESV)

Luke 11:21-22 (NKJV) Says, even a strong man cannot protect his house if someone stronger comes along. So we must never fool ourselves into thinking we can out think the forces of evil “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Eph. 6:12 (ESV)

God has promised us in 1 john 4:4 (KJV) that………”THE SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN YOU, IS GREATER THAN THE SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN THE WORLD.” In other words the Spirit of God who guides us on this journey that my Savior has placed us on. Is greater than any opposition from the forces of evil that tries to discourage us from finishing our journey to the promise land.

But first, Christ must not be a PART-TIME God. So just to get rid of our sins without allowing Christ to take full control, will only allow Satan to re-enter our lives with those same sins we thought we had gotten rid of, only now, “it is worse than the first”. So friends remember our victory today will not be sufficient for a victory tomorrow, if Christ is not the Master of our mind and body.

So you must replace the sins that you have allowed Christ to eliminate out of your life as you allowed self to die daily with “….things above, not on earthly things. Col. 3:2 (ESV) also “The Word must be hid in your heart, that you might not sin against God.” Ps. 119:10 (ESV) and you also must always “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thess 5:17 (KJV)

And then you must always remember “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31 (ESV) and now “Each one should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV) as you allow your FOCUS to forever be on the grace, and mercy of Christ righteousness to forgive you of all your sins, and to cleanse you of all unrighteousness.

For “the new man, is now renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” But if you don’t fill your life, with the things that will continue to transform your life completely into the image of God. You then allowed your life to be re-occupied by the evil that you allowed God’s Spirit to drive out at one time.

And now “the last state of that person is worse than the first.” So don’t sweep a house and leave it empty. Don’t think you can just stop sinning, and then heaven is mine for the asking. The key to true repentance, and salvation is to also replace whatever is in this world that is keeping you from the righteousness of Christ, with the anointing power of His love, grace and righteousness.

The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to fill our lives with things from above, as you begin to distinguish God’s voice and His leading in our lives, from the forces of evil. As Christians, and children of God forever seek His PRESENCE with a PASSION. For “the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”Deu.31:8 for “THE SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN YOU, IS GREATER THAN THE SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN THE WORLD”

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

March 22, 2014

WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES YOU LIVE BY, AND CAN THEY BE CHANGED?

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45 (ESV)

As a Child of God, what do you care about the most? Do you know who you are? And what are the principles by which you live by each day? “are you willing to stand up for what’s right though the heavens fall.” Does God set the standard you live by, or does Scandal, Greys Anatomy, and NCIS set it for us?

Christ example to us, while on this earth was that of a Leader, Servant, Physician, Creator of the Universe and King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He was also our Savior. He multitask-ed. But He also had a mission. Today let’s focus on His role as a Servant and a Leader. Somehow if you think about it those two just don’t go together.

“they run counter to common sense. Our everyday images of leadership do not coincide with leaders being servants. Leaders influence and servants follow” so why would Christ play the role of both. Well my friends this is where I need you to focus today. As I started my devotional, I ask you the question DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?

AND WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES, by which you LIVE BY? And what are you willing to do, or not do as a Child of God? You see Christ knew who He was, He knew the principles he stood by, and He also knew He would never waver from those principles, He also knew the mission His Father had sent Him to do, and He would not stop until that mission was complete.

So What is your mission statement or standard that you live by? and is Christ at the center of it? Christ, “In stooping to take upon Himself humanity, Christ revealed a character the opposite of the character of Satan. But He stepped still lower in the path of humiliation.

“Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:8 As the high priest laid aside his gorgeous pontifical robes, and officiated in the white linen dress of the common priest, so Christ took the form of a SERVANT, and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.” Isa. 53:5.” (E.G. White)

Once again my friends what are the Principles of your life that you have set for yourself? And Is your PASSION, and commitment to Christ at the center of those principle? We have friends, and family members who are dying each day whose destiny is set either for Salvation, or for Perdition.

But today each of us who are still under the umbrella of grace and mercy, should be asking ourselves the question, what are the principles we stand by? Christ was a Humble Servant, and a Leader that transformed lives. What are our Standards each day, a wonderful Mother, and father, great employee, superb church member, loyal friend and family member, and a charter member of the YMCA.

But my friends it’s the next standard we have set for ourselves that should mean the most to us because it is the standard and foundation by which the first set of standards rest on, and that is our relationship we have with Christ and what He expects from each of us daily. And my friends being a Servant as Christ was a Servant can never be separated from this Journey God has placed us on. and as a Child of God we are all Leaders. So today lets all set our Standard on the principles that God has set for us and if we do that, with commitment, and passion Eternal Life will be ours .  

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

March 21, 2014

“TO THE ONE WHO IS VICTORIOUS, I WILL GIVE THE RIGHT TO SIT WITH ME ON MY THRONE”

“And to the angel of the church of Laodicea ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked……” Revelation 3:14-21

Now as a child of God in the 21^st century. I am a good church member because I feed the hungry, cloth the homeless, visit the sick and I bring hope to those bound in prison. On top of that, I keep all the precepts of Gods law, and I have memorized the bible from top to bottom: I Do not commit adultery, or murder, or steal.

I Do not bear false witness, and I Honor my parents, yes I have kept all these things from my youth until now. I am also a part of the Church choir, finance committee, usher and deaconess board. So I know that I have a mansion waiting in heaven for me with my name already on the front gate. I got it going on my friends!!

But you know the sad part about that statement is, we as Christians don’t recognize The Laodicea church in Rev. 3 we haven’t figured out that God speaks directly to our church today. Christ tells us Himself in Matt 7:21 (NIV) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Our church today has lost its significance and savor, because the god of this world has occupied our minds with the things of this world and so we have lost sight of the saving grace of the Master. As members of God’s church we have become more concern with materialism, consumerism, individualism, and did you see the last episode of Scandal.

This is why we HAVE A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE and faith, Paul tells us “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17 (NKJV) But we have no time to study God’s Word. But friends our God loves us so much, and is so patient. “His grace is sufficient,” “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

So he gives us hope and a goal to seek after, if we believe. His Promise of hope comes at the end of his letter to the Laodicea. It is a triumphant, and victorious note, in verses 19-21 tells us “those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. TO THE ONE WHO IS VICTORIOUS, I WILL GIVE THE RIGHT TO SIT WITH ME ON MY THRONE, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”Colossians 2:6 -8 also tells us

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

So I pray to God that I will continue His ministry to the world, and to everyone I may come in contact with each day. And my daily prayer is Lord, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Ps. 51:10 (NIV) and let everyone I witness to, also be filled with the same fire and passion from God’s Spirit that is within me because I now know “there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons”1 Corinthians12:4-6 (NIV) and I have now allowed Him to work them in me.

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

March 20, 2014

“MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE”

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

Gen 1:1 (NKJV) “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth” “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. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 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 (NKJV) “The creative force that brought about the existence of our world is the Word, And the Word is God. The Word at the beginning of John 1 is linked by this passage to the first words spoken by God in the beginning, when he says “‘Let there be light’ and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 (NKJV)

“Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, and received into the soul, and it also brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms our nature, and re-creates our character into the image of God.” (Ellen G. White.) In the book of Genesis it tells us that the world and the very existence of life was conceived by God in the spirit.

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Gen.  1:2 (NKJV) So as a Child of God what that text tells me, if God can transform darkness into light. He can surly transform my life IF, my desire is to live with him in the earth made new.

IF is the key word because we also must have a desire to want to change. We can’t forget, there is a spiritual warfare going on each day over our minds and body. And the god of this world will do whatever it take to get you to follow him to perdition.

But if we choose salvation, than we will begin to understand through faith in God’s word and His Spirit, that a miracle has truly taken place in our lives and that miracle is called “redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” Paul tells us “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God. who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” 2 Cor 5:17-18 (NKJV)

And once we have completely given it all to the Master we then have given God the permission to equip us with the full armor of His righteousness to protect us against the forces of evil. And our confirmation want be a number given to us, but a character that is in the very image of God. And if we continue to live our life “by faith” and endure till the end than one day soon God will take us home to live with Him throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

So friends please don’t allowed the things of this world to become detrimental to your salvation. Study God’s Word, because it’s what gives us the strength to endure. Hosea 4:6 (NKJV) tells us “MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE” And So my friends remember that Jesus loves us and because of His love.

Ephesians 1:10-14 (NKJV) tells us “to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of his glory. Now that is what I call a HAPPY ENDING.

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

March 19, 2014

“REPENT YE THEREFORE, AND BE CONVERTED”

“REPENT YE THEREFORE, AND BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

Repentance is not just feeling remorseful, or conscience-stricken, but convicted through God’s Spirit to live according to God’s precepts and laws. Feeling sorry without giving it all to the master is not repentance. Repentance is a transformation from the results of sin to living a life that is center around the Character, grace, and love of Jesus Christ who died for the sinner whose “sin doth so easily besets them.”

We have no power to divorce our self from the penalty of sin unless we recognize that it is as a cancer that will spread and cause death. Cancer develops when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Once a person reaches maturity, cells in most parts of the body divide only to replace worn out or dying cells and to repair injuries.

Because cancer cells continue to grow and divide, they are different from normal cells; instead of dying, they outlive normal cells and continue to form new abnormal cells. Cancer cells develop because of damage to DNA. In cancer cells, the damaged DNA is not repaired. Often, cancer cells travel to other parts of the body where they begin to grow and replace normal tissue.

These cancer cells, if they are not entirely eradicated, will continue to multiply and will eventually kill the patient. Cancer and sin are much alike we must completely eradicate sin. If we wish to live abundant lives, Galatians 2:20 tells us “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Paul says in Romans 6:23,

My friends “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” “But when the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God, the conscience will be quickened, and the sinner will discern something of the depth and sacredness of God’s holy law.” John 1:9 states the “Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, illumines the secret chambers of the soul, and the hidden things of darkness are made manifest.”

“Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart. The sinner has a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and feels the terror of appearing, in his own guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. He sees the love of God, the beauty of holiness, the joy of purity; he longs to be cleansed and to be restored to communion with Heaven.”(E. G. White Steps to Christ, p. 24.)

Matthew 3:1-3 says “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” One of the greatest gifts God has given man among many is the ability to repent and be saved. Without this capability we would be unable to enter God’s Kingdom and receive life eternal. Repentance and Restoration of our lives leads to the sinner entering into the Presence of Jesus Christ.

Remenber my friends 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” When we humbly present our life to our heavenly Father and partition him through heartfelt prayer, as we say.

“Our, Father, which art in heaven. You alone are God. And I am your child. please, guide me through each situation and circumstances of my life as I become a witness of your grace, and please allow me to glorify Your holy name, because you are God and God along. But most of all please cleanse, and forgive this wretched sinner from my unrighteousness.

And when I have done your will in my life and praised your name, then through your mercy, if you see fit, please give this sinner more grace. So that I may serve you all the days of my life that I have left on this earth.

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

March 18, 2014

MY FRIENDS “COME OUT OF BABYLON”

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”  2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)

A spiritual war is being fought right now over the minds and bodies of all mankind. As God’s Children, we wait for this “Great Controversy” between good and evil to end. But we must still prepare to give an account to Christ of how we utilized our time and resources while here on earth.”? How do we answer the Creator of the universe.

What do you say to God. It is a simple question, but direct. And how do you account for how you lived your life from day to day. As we study God’s Word and seek His SPIRIT, we will come to the realization that in spite of the love, and grace of God, we are still liable, responsible, and answerable for our actions, and time we spend here on earth.

Remember our time belongs to God. Every moment belongs to Him, and “we are under the most solemn obligation to spend our time seeking God’s Presence.” Grace, probation and the time in which to prepare for life eternal will end soon. So my friends we have no TIME to devote to our own selfish pleasure, no TIME for “Socially Acceptable Sins”

It is now that we are to form our characters for the future, to enter into Gods Kingdom. So we must begin engaging ourselves and one another to grow in Christ by the daily renewal of our MIND and BODY through the study of God’s word and the seeking of His Spirit as we “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Heb. 12:1 (NIV)

And let’s not forget also our Savior needs leaders in finishing up His work  “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” God’s  prophecy tells us that Babylon will fall  its  forces of evil will fall, the powerful economic systems that have degraded the poor will fall, the strongly entrenched and popular religions, who did not follow God’s precepts in His word will fall.

The extremists who have influenced the masses against their Creator and His people will fall.” But his righteous children will stand forever. Paul says In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4(NIV)  “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

The battle to resist  is fought daily in our hearts and minds, but in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) it says “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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.”

So through Faith and endurance it can happen. Therefore, He commands us to come out of Babylon “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” come out of Babylon and “He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun” Ps. 37:6 (NIV)

Come out of Babylon for I have gone “to prepare a place for you, and I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3 (NIV) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 24:7 (NIV)

Everything I have been taught all of my life about what will happen right before the coming of the Lord is happening now. Christ warned us throughout His Word. Prophecy is now being fulfilled. So my friends let your prayers each day be. Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today, we ask for your forgiveness, and pray that once again our focus will be placed on our Lord and Savior and His will for us. And through your WORD AND SPIRIT Our eyes will forever remain on Thee as we ENDURE THIS RACE to the FINISH LINE AMEN.

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

March 17, 2014

FORGIVE OTHERS, AS CHRIST FOR FORGIVES YOU!!

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

My friends by possessing the attitude of forgiveness, you will also embrace the characteristic of love, peace, joy, hope, and gratitude. Forgiveness is the greatest gift to give. You can receive it, or you can give it. It doesn’t mean that you deny the other person’s responsibility, and it doesn’t minimize or justify the wrong.

Forgiveness brings about a peace of mind that allows you to go on with life, in the loving arms of God. Christ tells us in Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV) “For 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.

Stop and consider your salvation, are you willing to give up Eternal Life because you are unwilling to forgive. When we accept Jesus and His forgiveness towards us. We also must forgive others. Peter had came to Christ with the question, “How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” Matt. 18:22 (NIV)

That statement lets me know that we are never to become tired of forgiving. As Christ hung on that cruel cross nothing that day was about Him. It was all about our Salvation, and the saving of Humanity from the clutches of Satan and the forces of evil. Luke 23:34 (KJV) says it best when Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

Even the centurions who were part of his crucifixion were included in the saving  power of Christ grace, love and mercy. Even as he was about to give up his life, His only thoughts were the plan of salvation, and man’s redemption. In Luke 23:47 (KJV) it tells us 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. “The hope of violence is overcome by peace, hatred is conquered by the love of the Master. Even under the greatest pressure while enduring the most gruesome and humiliating pain. Our Savior responded to Hatred with love, mercy and forgiveness.”

My friends Christ tells us to “Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” forgiveness is a choice that we make through a decision of our own will, motivated only by being obedient to God and his commission to follow Him even to the cross “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matt. 16:24 (NIV)

Friends you cannot bear your cross if you have unforgivness in your heart towards another. Paul tells us: “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Phil. 2:1-5 (NKJV)

“He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

At the very heart of Christ ministry was a simple concept and that is to love one another as we love one’s self. My friends As children of God. Time and again, the Bible reinforces the simple words of Christ Himself “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44 (KJV)

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

March 16, 2014

“I CAN ONLY IMAGINE”

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and DANCE..”  Ps. 150:1-6 (ESV)

“I CAN ONLY IMAGINE Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel, will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe, will I just be still?  Will I stand in your PRESENCE, or to my knees will I fall, will I sing hallelujah, or will I be able to speak at all? I CAN ONLY IMAGINE”

My friends what would you do in the very PRESENCE of the one who gave it all for your Salvation. would you “DANCE, or in awe of his PRESENCE  just be still?”  What about the type of dance you will do? Would it be a dance like David did in 2 Samuel 6:14 (KJV) where it says “And David danced before the Lord WITH ALL HIS MIGHT…”

I have no doubt at that moment David just IMAGINED being in the very PRESENCE of God and gave it all he had. My friends that is where I want you to take your FOCUS today as you IMAGINE yourself in the very PRESENCE of God maybe in the throne room, or maybe you are “in the middle of the great street of the city, near the river, where the tree of life stands……” Rev.22:2 (NIV) now just IMAGINE.

I can see why God said David was a “Man after His own Heart,” because he was constantly imagining being in the very PRESENCE of God, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night….” Ps. 1:1-2 (KJV)

My friends that verse says it all. “But his delight is In the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT. That means, CONTINUOUS, UNINTERRUPTED MEDITATION of your time, in His Word, as you seek God’s PRESENCE wherever he may be abiding in the heavenly realms, as you go before Him and say in sincere, and heartfelt supplication. LET YOUR WILL BE DONE IN MY LIFE TODAY, SO THAT WHEN THIS JOURNEY IS OVER, I CAN DANCE WITH ALL MY MIGHT IN YOUR VERY PRESENCE.

My friends I hope I have painted some kind of picture that will give you the PASSION to want to DANCE before our Savior with all your might, or maybe you will just want to STAND STILL IN AWE of being in His presence. But whatever you decide what I need you to understand is, you will have ETERNITY to do it.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (ESV)  My friends I think I want to DANCE with my crown on my head, what about you. But you now have to ask yourself, at what level is my faith to make that happen.

Because if you have not figured out how to LIVE, and DANCE in the Presence of God while on this earth, how will you be able to do it in His kingdom. Or if you are not willing to bear his cross on this earth how can you bear a crown in his kingdom. “NO CROSS NO CROWN?” 

“One cannot be strong in the Lord and never experience trials. To have STRENGTH, we must have EXERCISE. To have STRONG FAITH we must be placed in circumstances where our FAITH will be called forth. Just before his MARTYRDOM, the apostle Paul said to Timothy: “Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God.” It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of heaven. Our Saviour was tried in every possible way, and yet he triumphed continually in God. It is our privilege under all circumstances to be strong in the strength of God and to glory in the cross of Christ.”(E.G.WHITE)

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

March 15, 2014

“OH THE WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL WORDS OF THE LORD”

And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. The mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 2 Thess. 2:6-8 (ESV)

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar He said, ‘IT IS FINISHED!’ and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.” We are now in the final chapter of this “Great controversy” between good and evil. Paul tells us “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:2-3 (NIV) “The curtain is pulled back.” And we see the terror Satan felt when Christ said “IT IS FINISHED.” Demons are now asking Satan what’s happening.

This is not what you promised us as they see Jesus dying on the cross, and they realize their destiny is sealed forever in the blood of Christ. Holy angels are watching as the prince of peace, their loving Master hangs on that cruel cross. Jews from throughout the world are in Jerusalem for the Passover, with curiosity, asking, what is this all about?

Who is this man who calls Himself the Son of God? Why is He being crucified? Satan’s character is now revealed. Holy angels had not understood the course that Satan took, or why, until they heard the words “IT IS FINISHED.” The plan of redemption is now completed, the character of God is now revealed to all mankind, and God’s law of love is now established forever.

The destruction of sin and the character of Satan will forever be made certain to all, redemption can now run its course, and our salvation forever guaranteed if we are willing to give it all to Master. What His sacrifice on Calvary meant to each of us who believed. We will never fully comprehend, until God Himself “wipes every tear from our eyes.”

And with a still small voice say with all the compassion and love that gave us the strength here on this earth to endure the journey He had placed us on “IT TRULY IS FINISHED.” “Come now and share your Master’s happiness!” John says it best in John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Those words should get us out of bed each morning with a renewed PASSION to tell the world “IT IS FINISHED!” Christ will soon return for his faithful children. And the more we sustain that PASSION within us. And the more we focus on the character and love of Christ. The more we come to realize that we must continue to follow Christ all the way as we take up our cross and become a humble servant to others.

Our mission now is  to go into all the world and tell everyone of His love, grace, and mercy. A message for “such a time as this” Especially as we enter into the final days of this life’s history, as we constantly study the word of God and seek His Spirit daily while gaining strength needed to continue this journey.

So my friends don’t get discourage, for Christ is our example, continue to endure until the “Battle is over” for there are souls that still need to know that God’s word and Spirit has power. Oh the gratitude of souls that will meet us in the heavenly courts, to thank us for our efforts in presenting the gospel of Christ to them, and letting them know that Satan was defeated, and there salvation was assured at the cross when Christ said “IT IS FINISHED”

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