April 22, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM PRINCE’S “ANNA STESIA”?
“Breaking News” The world is mourning the death of someone we call a musical genius, his last concert was a first-ever solo show at Paisley Park, his home compound in suburban Minnesota, it was no simple, straightforward affair. The 57-year-old funk-pop wizard approached the performance as a challenge, an opportunity to prove that he could deliver a full Prince concert, without much of anything we usually expect from one of his shows.

Just, as the show’s official title put it, only his “Piano & a Microphone.” And a lot of Prince. One of his last songs he sung on stage with just his Piano & a Microphone.” And a lot of Prince” was called “Anna Stesia” I went to the Internet in an attempt to find out who was “Anna Stesia” and someone was asking the question “I really don’t get Anna Stesia can someone explain it”?

Well my friends, I would never try to understand a man with a life as complicated as Prince, but what I will give you is my take on His song “Anna Stesia” but not as others who have no hope or say “I really don’t get “Anna Stesia” can someone explain it?” but as a Child of God whose “citizenship is in heaven and eagerly await our Savior’s soon appearing.

My friends, It’s not for me to judge how a man lives his life or how he dies, but the lyrics to Prince’s “Anna Stesia,” I think It gives us just a small portion of what his relationship was with his God. So now it becomes personal, as we decide what the words tells us about our on personal relationship with God; “Maybe, maybe, maybe I could learn to love If I was just closer to something’ Closer to your higher self.

I don’t know Closer to heaven (Maybe) closer to God (closer to God) Save me Jesus, I’ve been a fool How could I forget that you are the rule. You are my God, I am Your child. From now on, for you I shall be wild I shall be quick I shall be strong I’ll tell Your story, no matter how long (no matter how… no matter) We’re just a play in Your master plan Now, my Lord I understand (I understand) Love is God, God is love Girls and boys love God above.”

A headline read “Prince gets personal.” Prince Rogers Nelson, “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, grew up a Seventh-day Adventist and then converted to Jehovah witness. But my friends, the church, God, His word and Spirit, Jesus Christ, life, death, religion, hope, faith, grace, love, mercy, the kingdom of God and life eternal should not be completed subjects.

And it seems that Prince Rogers Nelson may have understood that when he stated “We’re just a play in Your master plan Now, my Lord I understand” But the Part in most of our lives that becomes complicated is when we begin to listen to that other voice that has told himself or anyone else that will listen, “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Is. 14:14 (NIV)

And that is when a name change takes place in our lives to the Prodigal Son or daughter. Prodigal meaning a person who spends, his or her time, talents and  money not within God’s plan but on self and the one “who wants “to be like the most high.” My friends, it’s now very personal, because if you take nothing away from Prince Rogers Nelson’s life, take away the fact that you will never sorrow as those who have no hope.

Or say in your heart “I really don’t get “Anna Stesia,” remember my friends, the name of the song is not the lesson we should learn from the song, but the words that say, “I’ll tell Your story,” “Now, my Lord I understand (I understand) Love is God, God is love Girls and boys love God above”

April 18, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ONE DAY WE WILL SING A NEW SONG EVEN THE ANGELS  CAN’T SING!!!!

As we approach the final days of this life’s history there will be a sharp contrast from a child of God and those who follow the forces of evil who have become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.” 2 Timothy 3:4-5 (NKJV) But as a Child of God in these last days, our testimony comes from John 22:26-40 (KJV)

And as Christ disciples for “such a time as this” We now ask “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Christ responds! My friends, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind……And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself……” So now our friend has spoken to us directly and along the way on this journey He has placed us on, we now have become the “salt of the earth” and the fruits of the Spirit will be our legacy.

One that says that we are kindhearted, loving, joyful, compassionate, and humble. All attributes that we acquired once we decided to take the focus off of self and what we want, and placed it onto Christ and others and now our cross becomes only a joy to bear because that cross represents our love for Christ and our love for all who Christ has died for and once our finite minds have captured that moment and realize that it will never be about us again, we then take God’s message of love to the world.

And soon, Christ will tell us personally, well done my good and faithful friend. And I can only imagine we then begin to sing a song we have never sung before, but one that has always been a-part of our life. One that the angels are not even allowed to sing, only those that “were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold……. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19 (KJV)

And we can sing it because we are the Elect Christ spoke of in Matt. 24, those who have “come out of great tribulation, and have washed [our] robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Rev. 7:17 (KJV) And then we begin to sing that “new song, in front of the One that was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9-10 (KJV)

But “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” Psalm 137:4 (KJV) The steadfast love of the Lord [will] never cease; and [new songs will] never come to an end; they are new every morning; [throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.] great is the faithfulness of the one who made it all possible.” So my friends Darkness will fall [until that day], “And tears will come. But in God’s word is promised to us, tears are for cleansing.

For our tears are only stress and relief created by God just to give us release. So don’t be afraid to cry. He see’s our tears. He hears our prayers. And on that day He enters those clouds, our mourning, He’ll turn to dancing.” (R. Smallwood) Remember, The pain of this world, this to will pass, and our day will coming” and one day our Savior will wipe away all of our tears as we sing our new song. Hallelujah my friends, Hallelujah!!!!

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

April 17, 2016

MY FRIENDS “THUS FAR THE LORD HAS HELPED US.” NOW WHAT?

My friends, our God has promised to work and act on behalf of His children who believe and endure, if we will only remove the foreign gods from among us and direct our hearts to the Lord and serve Him, and Him only. A narrative is told in Samuel 7, before Israel had a king, when God was there only ruler and judges were appointed by God to speak on His behalf.

Samuel was God’s appointed judge during this time, but the people had turned their backs on God and decided to do their own thing. Sounds like His children in the 21st century where Satan has us thinking we really don’t need God anymore because we have everything we have ever needed or wanted out of life. The Bible paints the Philistines as Israel’s main enemy during this time.

They were always in a state of perpetual war with Israel. But today, let’s take our focus back, three hundred years earlier when Israel first entered the “promise land” and God’s commissioned to Joshua was, “Be strong and courageous, for you will take the Israelite’s to the land I have promised them, and I will be with you.” Deut. 31:23 (NET) So if that is God’s promise, why does Israel have an enemy that is always in a state of perpetual war with them.

My friends, God knows His Children and He also knows us in Deut. 31:16-17 (NET) when Moses is about to die, God tells Moses “these people will begin to prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land into which they are going. They will reject me and break my covenant that I have made with them…….and I will abandon them and hide my face from them.” So let’s make it personal today and ask, have we prostituted ourselves to the foreign gods of this land?

But God is a good God “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you return to the Lord with all your heart, and remove the foreign gods…….and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him only; He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.” And so Israel obeyed, and directed their hearts to the Lord.

Then Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. and the Philistines were defeated that day. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” My friends “Thus far the Lord has helped us” also but have we remove the foreign gods from among us and directed our hearts to the Lord and served Him” and Him only.

Today God is knocking at the doors of our heart, but we can only hear His voice and know His will for our life if we are “devoted to the glory of God and the advancement of his kingdom.” Remember, we cannot serve two masters “either we will hate the one and love the other, or else we will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” Like 16:13 (NKJV)

My friends, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” So are we willing to remove our foreign gods and give God our all, meaning our time, talents, and money? And are we willing to be His disciple and take up our cross and follow him wherever He may lead? And are we willing to die to self and live our life totally in Christ? “In this world we have no continuing city, but we [should only seek the one to come, as we give God all the praise glory and honor that He deserves]….Heb. 13:14-15 (NKJV)”

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

April 16, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE CHILDREN OF GOD AND OUTLIER’S?

Outlier, by definition is something or someone that lies outside the main body or group that it is a part of, as a cow far from the rest of the herd, or a distant island belonging to a cluster of islands. Or a child of God that is in the world but not part of the world. Everyone is going to the club tonight, I’m sure it will be all right, I want be drinking like the rest of my friends I’ll will be with. Of course I will have to order a sprite or a coke, so I want feel so out of place.

But Paul  tells us in Rom 12:1-2 (AMP) Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind.

[While only focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” My friends now we have to make it personal because it is your personal decision to be set apart, and to be unique in character.

But, it is also our decision to be influenced by the god of this world and allow his “superficial values and customs to influence us as we become “tossed back and forth by the waves [of this world], and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful [and] scheming [ways].” Eph. 4:14 (NIV)

My friends, as a child of God, we must daily allow our Character to be “transformed and progressively changed as we mature spiritually.” And when we decide to give it all to Christ and become His disciple and take up our cross and follow Him wherever He leads, is the day we become an “Outlier” and decide that we just don’t need “things,” that this world feels we need or should have in order to conform.

Remember we are a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) because we “lie outside the main body or group” and we no longer conform to this world, or the things in it. “On that day [at Christ soon appearing] many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Matt 7:22-23 (ESV) How is that possible? We did everything that we thought was required to enter the kingdom of God. My friends, Sometimes it is not just about serving, but developing that personal relationship with God as we allow His Spirit to transform our character and “guide us in all truth and understanding.”

And then the world will only see “Men, and women who will not be bought or sold; men and women who in their inmost souls are true and honest; who do not fear to call sin by its right name; whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole; who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” (E.G. White quote)

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

April 15, 2016

MY FRIENDS, A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP!!

“And it all begins beneath one’s feet.” So now it becomes personal, because it is all about change in one’s life as we look forward, focusing only on where God has brought you from to where He is leading us. We are excited with anticipation, we feel the passion of knowing, no matter what, through our faith and endurance God will never leave nor forsake us. And we also understand why self and the forces of evil has hindered God’s overall plan.

But with each step my friends, through the love and grace of God we have developed patience, determination and perseverance in the face of unsurmountable odds when our goals seemed so far away. But we are now aware of the journey and each step that God has ordered throughout our life. But, the most important aspect of this journey is we are “co-workers” with God.

“Co-workers,” not in equality, but in our participating with God, and His fulfilling His plan for our lives as we continue to move further away from doubt and uncertainty and closer to victory as we focus on our final destination, God’s pure and holy kingdom. So my friends, God has individualized our journey for our unique character, but our salvation is not dependent on when we started but our passion for the journey and the end result.

God has chosen each of us for a purpose, we “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) In addition, another component of our journey, John tells us in john 15:16 (NIV) “you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit, fruit that will last and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

So my friends, the Journey cannot be about our will but “God’s will be done” as we give God all of the praise, glory and honor that He deserves. Remember, we can never forget, God the Father gave His only begotten Son and a Son who gave it all for our salvation on Calvary. The words go and bear fruit, begins with our love for God, and our love for others and what we are willing to do to serve both.

“Teacher the disciples asked “what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” and Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)

Remember, in John 15:16 (NIV) there is also a promise “whatever your desires are” as you travel those thousand miles, as long as it is all about God and His will “whatever you ask in God’s name will be given to you. “Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother.

But we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others. What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christ is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within–when the sunshine of heaven fill the heart and is revealed in the countenance.” (E. G. White COL pp 384)

April 13, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WHAT’S APPROPRIATE FOR THE ONE WHO GAVE IT ALL FOR US?

“And….I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree” Rev 7:1 (KJV) Amazing grace my friends, how sweet the sound because in spite of all of the “breaking news,” in spite of the iniquity of mankind that continues “to abound, as the love of [many] grows colder and colder.”

In spite of, what John is telling us in Rev 7:1 (KJV) in conjunction with what Christ is telling us in regards to prophecy in Matt 24:12-13 (NKJV) God’s angels are holding back a total devastation of mankind because God’s grace still abounds. In other words, unlike the Antediluvian who “the Lord regretted that He had created, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart” until “His wrath had been poured out without mixture until the cup of his indignation” had overflowed.

And then He said, “I will destroy (annihilate) mankind whom I have created from the surface of the earth, not only man, but the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air, because it [deeply] grieves Me [to see mankind’s sin] and I regret that I have made them.” Gen. 6:6 (AMP), Rev. 14:10 (AMP) Gen. 6:7 (AMP) But “God’s steadfast love grace and mercies have not come to an end for us; they are [still] new every morning; great is [His] faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22-23 (ESV)

So, if we will continue to seek God’s presence in His word through His Spirit as we tell the world that Jesus saves. And if we praise God and give Him all the honor and glory and through our faith, endure unto the end, we shall be rewarded with immortality. And God will take these corruptible [bodies] and give us ones without corruption,…..as Death [becomes] swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:53-55 (KJV)

And my friends, we can say that with no reservations only if we “are a child of God, heirs to His throne and joint heirs with His Son Jesus Christ. And if we believe, than our relationship with God must become personal and daily we must ask ourselves, since Jesus Christ died for my sins, what am I to give in return?

There is no price that could be paid for what Christ did at Calvary. But, Jesus said “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me,” Matt 16:24 (KJV) which tells us, because of what Christ has done for you and I on Calvary, we should show our gratitude, and give Him our all, which means following in His footsteps, as we travel the same road He traveled.

So if that is our desire, the Father is seeking those who diligently hearken to His Word. He’s looking for those that will hear and repeat what they’ve heard. He’s looking for those who’ll forsake all and follow after Him. He’s looking for those who’ll walk by faith and empowerment. He’s searching for those who will hunger after righteousness. God’s seeking for those who will lift Him high and subject themselves to weakness….are we one, are we one of the worshipers. (Alvin Slaughter, Worshippers)

My friends, key words, are we one of the faithful worshipers who will praise  Christ daily and show our gratitude by giving everything we’ve got, diligently hearken to His Word, hear and repeat what we’ve heard, forsake all and follow after Him, walk by faith and empowerment, hunger after righteousness, lift Him high and subject ourselves to weakness as we give God all the praise, glory and honor He deserves.

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

April 12, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IS HE ONLY “THIS MAN” TO US?

He “bore our sins…… and [my friends] His stripes we were healed.” 1 Peter 2:21-24 (NKJV) In John 19, the narrative begins. Pilate says to the Jews “I find no guilt in Him [no crime, no cause for an accusation]. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover.  So shall I release for you the King of the Jews?” Then the rabble shouted back again, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

The heathen Pilate, mockingly called Him a King, But those who lived in His very presence who He “dwelt among daily, who had seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” He was referred to only as “this Man.” My friends how do you live in the very presence of the Son of God and all you can see is “this Man.” ”So then Pilate took “this Man” and scourged Him.

And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on [this Man’s] head, and [then on “this Man” they placed on] Him a purple robe. And then the rabble mocked [“this Man” as the heathen Pilate had done saying “Hail, King of the Jews [Good health! Peace! Long life to you, King of the Jews]!” And they slapped Him in the face. Then Pilate came out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing “this Man” out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him [no crime, no cause for an accusation].”

So “this Man” came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, and Pilate said to them, “Look! This Man!” When the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify [Him]! Crucify [Him]!” My friends, are we like the rabble, Christ dwells among us through His Spirit and every day all we can see is “this Man” because the god of this world knows if he can get us to only see “this Man” and not the Son of God, “full of grace and truth,” then Calvary would have no real meaning, only a fable or a “story not founded on fact.”

But, it is only when we see Christ in His full glory, and look at the seriousness of where we are in history and prophecy and then surrender it all, is when He is no longer just “this man.” And it is at that point it becomes personal as we cry out, “All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken; Take me, Jesus, take me now.”

My friends, surrender all, we then see Christ and not just “this Man.” Surrender all like James and John when “Christ called them, on their job “they immediately left it all, the boat, their father, and followed Him.” Matt 4:21-22 (NKJV) Surrender all means we lay it all at the feet of Christ our time talents and money.

Surrender all means nothing of this world not job, education, friends, family and love one’s, is more important than our relationship with Christ. Surrender all, the words of Christ “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves [now] and take up their cross daily and follow me,” [now means just that, we will deny self and the things of this world now “and take up our cross daily and follow Chris] Luke 9:23 (NIV)

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