April 11, 2016

MY FRIENDS, MANY ARE SINKING DEEP IN SIN, HOW WILL WE RESPOND?

A story is told to a Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, in September 1985, “about a celebration at a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at the New Orleans city pool. In honor of the occasion, 200 people gathered, including 100 certified lifeguards.

As the party was breaking up and the four lifeguards on duty began to clear the pool, they found a fully dressed body in the deep end. They tried to revive Jerome Moody, 31, but it was too late. He had drowned surrounded by lifeguards celebrating their successful season.” My friends the world is surrounded by Lifeguards, or Christians who have the message of the good news of the gospel. So why are people still drowning?

My friends, why are the masses dying with no hope when we have the message of Christ soon return? Christ has told us in Rev. 22:12 (NIV) “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. My friends, the words, “to each person, according to what they have done” makes it very personal.

If the mission statement of those one hundred lifeguards had been not on my watch. Jerome Moody, would probably still be alive today. So let’s ask ourselves, what are we doing for Christ on our watch because to many are “sinking deep in sin far from the peaceful shore as we look on. In addition, how much does your family friends, neighbors, and co-workers know of the transforming power that you have experienced?

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the [21^st century]; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:  When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Ezekiel 3:17-18 (NKJV)

Our mission statement must be, not on my watch as we all become focused on a world whose spiritual compass points towards perdition. As we prepare for Christ second coming, the spreading of the good news to a sinful and immoral world must continue as we prepare to cross over into the “promise Land.” As God’s anointed vessels, “for such a time a this,” the world must be convinced that there is a living God who gave His one and only Son ro save all who believed and endured.

My friends, There is a Church on every corner full of lifeguards. The question must then be asked are the lifeguard’s drowning themselves by allowing the god of this world to keep their minds focused “on the things that are on this earth.” and “not on things above”? The promises are there in God’s word, but we must have a passion to seek God’s Spirit as we cry out daily “not my will but thy will be done,” as we follow Christ whenever, and wherever He leads.

“The shepherd’s life is one full of peril. If he is a trustworthy shepherd, he will not be careless and study his own ease, but he will search for the straying sheep amid storms and tempest……This is the way the true Shepherd treats the lost sinner. He goes after him; he does not hesitate at peril, self-denial, and self-sacrifice.” (E. G. White) My friends the world is drowning today, what will we do to rescue them.

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

April 10, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WE SHOULD BE OVERWHELMED HE CALLS US FRIEND!!!

Could an awesome God find common ground within someone like you and I? My friends, I am overwhelmed at the thought that the ruler of the universe, the great I Am, would “Call Me Friend” and take my debt that I would never be able to pay back, and with “compassion, subdued my iniquities, as He cast [my] sins into the depths of the sea! Micah 7:19 (NKJV).

Oh what a price paid for each of us who at times we seemed no better than the Roman soldier that pounded that stake into His hands and feet. And if that wasn’t enough, we then grab a spear and “pierced His side” as we stood around laughing and mocking among the rabble as blood and water flowed from His side. But today, my friends, its personal as I, like the Centurion soldier am in awe of all I Have done to Christ.

And as I picture that innocent face, I say, “Surely this man is the Son of God!” A true friend who has laid down His life for you and I. And at times, all we can do is cry out and say “Forgive me Jesus, I thought I could control whatever life would throw my way. [But this last encounter with Satan] I will admit Has brought me to my knees. So I need you Lord and I’m not ashamed to say. Sometimes it takes a mountain. Sometimes a troubled sea.

Sometimes it takes a desert, to get a hold of me. Your Love is so much stronger then whatever troubles me Sometimes it takes a mountain, To trust you and believe.” (Gaither Vocal Band, Sometimes It Takes A Mountain) As a child I remember making those long trips from Texas to California in the car to visit my grandparents, but the long trips were always worth it, going to the country where there was only my Grandparents home and another home next door with a kid, same age as I.

Where the color of someone’s skin didn’t factor into a relationship only the enjoyment of each other’s company. And then one summer, the many hours traveling, are we there yet, are we there. The sound of anticipation of two friends playing all day, finally arriving as we carried out the formal salutation with my Grandparents. Now it’s time to go see my friend, the reason I really made that long trip, only to find out my friend had moved away.

Oh the hurt and loneliness I felt for the next two weeks. But my friends, I know and I hope we can all say with no reservation, “Oh what a friend we have in Jesus, because no matter how many miles in this life we have traveled, He is always there waiting with outstretched arms, especially those times when we thought we could control “whatever life would throw our way.” When the need of God didn’t seem so important.

“But sometimes it takes a mountain, sometimes a troubled sea,” to realize, oh what a friend we have in Jesus who can control whatever situation and circumstances life throws our way because He finds common ground in all we do because he has traveled this same road and conquered ever mountain along the way while defeating Satan.

And now He is a conquer, who sits at the right hand of the father interceding for our transgressions so that one day through our faith and endurance we my live with our Friend Jesus, in a place “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which [God] has prepared for [all His friends] who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

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

April, 5, 2016

MY FRIENDS WHEN WILL NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE BEGIN AND END?

What we as a church, a nation, and a world have to look forward to before Christ second coming, we can only speculate? But the question we must ask ourselves with minds of limited capacity to think but so deep, how does an all-knowing, all-powerful, Omnipresence God define “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be and unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened?” Matt. 24:21-22 (NKJV)

Tribulation is defined as “grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.” But my friends where I need you to focus today is on the words, “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” We have some idea about the beginning of the world, about six thousand years ago. But where does, until this time, no, nor ever shall be start and end?

There was the Holocaust, 17 million dead, or maybe the European Colonization of the Americas, Up to 100 million dead. I could probably continue for days and still never name all the atrocities of man against man. But maybe, no, nor ever shall be was the worst famine in the land, which was the Chinese Famine of 1962, 43 million dead or maybe, no, nor ever shall be was the worst pestilence, the bubonic plague from 1347 to 1352, killing 25 million.

Or maybe no, nor ever shall be was the worst earthquake in 1976, in Tangshan, Hebei, killing 255,000. My friends, are these only the beginning of our sorrows Christ talks about in Matt. 24, or did it start when Satan said in his heart: I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.” Is. 14:13-14 (NKJV) We can probably say with no reservation that is when it started but when will it end.

As we get closer to Christ second coming we must “Be sober, and vigilant, because our Salvation must become personal as we realize that there is nothing in this world we have to look forward to no matter how educated we become, how much material possessions we obtain or how much money we have acquired, it is only our personal relationship with God that makes us an elect who will have the faith to endure until the end.

And remember, nothing we will ever have to encounter on this earth to get to God’s kingdom will compare with that place, prepared for those who loved God with all their heart and soul, who stayed faithful to the end. That place “Eye have not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man…….” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)  This is why each day we must ask God “not my will but thy will be done as we continually allow His Spirit to transform our lives into the image of the one who gave it all for our salvation.

And gave it all so that we may enter the gates of that city called heaven with all of our loved ones who died in Christ and together we will walk down those streets of gold. And as we look around in awe at where our new home will be throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, I can only imagine we all crying out “Holy, Holy, Holy.” To the One who made it all possible.” and as we look into His face we bow on our knees and cry, once again “Holy, Holy, Holy.” “Heaven is cheap enough.”

April 4, 2016

MY FRIENDS, LET’S SIT FOR A MOMENT AND ALLOW CHRIST TO COMFORT US!

“The more you trust your Redeemer, the more you will love Him. He is your Friend in life or death. He is the Crown of your rejoicing. He is worthy of your fullest faith. All the sorrows and afflictions that we suffer here only constitute our discipline for the higher life. God designs that thus we shall be fitted for heaven. Wait upon God. Lean upon Him in entire dependence; for His everlasting arms will sustain you.” (E.G. White, Trusting Christ)

My friends a picture is worth a thousand words. Christ comforting someone on their journey through life. The picture is a story within itself. Each of us have to personally look at the picture and place ourselves on that bench talking to Christ. When I see myself, I am telling Christ, I am tired, but I also realize you have established my steps and you are the One who goes before me. You are always with me, “never leaving nor forsaking me.”

Even when I stumbled and fell along the way you have always been there to pick me up. You have showed me how important the journey is and not just for me but all I may come in contact with along the way. And after every mountain and rough terrain, I find that there are still storms and valleys. So I know I can only sit and rest for a moment and thank you for all you have done for me throughout my life, Always reaching no matter how far I got off course.

And most of all, I would like to think you for Calvary because I do recognize without Calvary this journey would not even be possible. But now I must move on. Talking to you has given me that endurance needed to continue. From here maybe I will go to “Jerusalem, or maybe Judea then Samaria, even to the end of the earth,” because I know the workers are few, but your flock still needs to be feed. So I will go where you lead.

My friends we have a responsibility a mandate set before us by God on this journey we are on and as a child of God we must realize the journey is not over until we can hear Christ Himself say “Well done, good and faithful servant! Soon my friends the “midnight cry [will be heard]: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ “The ten virgins arose and trimmed their lamps…..but only five were prepared to meet the bridegroom.

Only five, even though rested for a moment, were still anointed with the power of God’s Spirit. And when the bridegroom came, were able to go in with all the redeemed who endured and stayed focused on their journey as they awaited the arrival of the groom; And the door was shut…and afterward the other five virgins came, saying, “Lord, Lord, open the door!”

My friends, the saddest words that will ever be repeated, will be the words Christ will say to those who never allowed the transforming power of His Spirit to change their lives. “I do not know you.” My friends on your journey remember, “no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man. 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,” [until you have finished your journey and crossed over into the promise land.] 1 Cor. 10:13 (KJV)

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

MY FRIENDS, THE MASTER HAS DELAYED HIS COMING NOW WHAT?

“Blessed is that servant whom his Master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,…..the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites..” Matt 24:45-51 (NKJV)

My friends if you listen to our modern day prophets, prophet meaning the Shepherd’s chosen to speak for God and to guide His flock in all truth and understanding as the Spirit Guides them through His word, you would think God’s word was obsolete and void of any real consequences if the precepts were not adhered to. In many instances our all-knowing, all-powerful, Omnipresence God has been reduced to a trivial being.

If you just live within the grey areas of life you will be all right, being good is the new, being perfect. But Christ tells us in Matt 5:48 (KJV) “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” My friends we are all servants of God with a ministry and a message that we must begin to reveal to the world. We cannot become complacent because the Master has delayed His coming.

For soon, “the Master will come on a day when we His servants are not looking for Him, and at an hour that we are not aware of,” and each who have not taken His coming seriously will receive their just reward or their “portion with the hypocrites.” But “blessed is that servant whom his Master, when he comes, will find so doing,” and working and feeding His flock.”

Remember at one time “God overlooked and disregarded the former ages of ignorance; but now He commands all people everywhere to repent [that is, to change their old way of thinking, to regret their past sins, and to seek God’s purpose for their lives], Acts 17:30 (AMP) And that is especially true for God’s servants, for the more we know “the greater our responsibility.” But my friends, non are without excuse.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:20-21 (NKJV)

The world is closer than ever before in witnessing the return of Christ second coming. There has never been a time as now where getting the good news to a dying world is more urgent. God’s prophecy says “Babylon is fallen,” its forces of evil are falling, our powerful political and judicial system is falling, the powerful economic system that has degraded the poor is now falling.

The strongly entrenched and popular religions who did not follow God’s precepts in His word but stole from their flock in the name of God is falling. In addition, the extremists who have influenced the masses against our Creator and said there is no God and no consequences for evil will fall the hardest. My friends, “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life” But, it is only difficult if we have refused to allow God’s Spirit to transform our Character into the image of Christ.

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

April 1, 2016

MY FRIENDS, CAN WE BE STILL AND HEAR GODS VOICE AMONG THE CHAOS?
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling…..Be still, and know that I am God” Ps 46:1-10 (NKJV) My friends, we may ask in the midst of all of the noise and chaos of this world, how can we get familiar with the voice of God.

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV) tells us. For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,” My friends it’s now personal because now it becomes all about self and his or her unwillingness in the midst of the storm, or any other time to even listen to the voice of God because if we listen most of the time we will understand that God is still trying to “thoroughly purge away our dross, and take away all [of] our alloy.” Isaiah 1:25 NKJV)

Remember my friends, it must be all about God and His will, as He prepares us to finish His work here on earth.” In addition, dross is a waste product useful for nothing, which is usually that part of our life that is focused on the things of this earth not on things above. And if we allow the dross or self to remain within us we will be destroyed along with the god of this world when God finally says, “He [or she] who is unjust, let them be unjust still.

And he [or she] who is filthy, let them be filthy still; and he [or she] who is righteous, let them be righteous still; and he [or she] who is holy, let them be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Rev. 22:11-12 (NKJV) So my friends remember we must first be still and understand who God is and His will for our life.

And each day in the stillness of it all we must be willing to say “Lord, You know what each day will bring, For You designed my destiny. Each test and trial comes tailor made for [you and I]….And [today] I lay prostrate In the midst of it all as I cry out Your name, because you are my only hope.” (Maurette Brown Clark, lean on you) My friends, these heavy burdens each day, a new trial, a different heartache and pain in the midst of the storms of this life, there must be stillness.

Remember, God’s voice will never try to compete with the distractions that takes our focus away from him to the things of this world. So we must focus on one, and tune out the other. In other words to explain it scientifically we say, “the auditory cortex, which processes sounds, favors the voice that it needs or wants to hear.”

In others words self selectively chooses the desired voice. But if self has “been crucified with Christ; it [will] no longer [be you or] I who live but Christ living in [us];” Gal 3:20 (NKJV) and that still small voice that we now choose to hear will only be the voice of God saying, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” so “come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

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