March 6, 2016

MY FRIENDS, “IF ONLY WE TOUCH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT, WILL WE BE MADE WHOLE.”

“If only I may touch the hem of his garment I shall be made whole”  [of placing other gods before the true God, of making gods out of things, of taking the lords name in vain, of not keeping the Sabbath day holy, of not honoring our mothers and fathers, of killing, of committing adultery, of stealing, of lying, of covertness.] Matt. 9:21 (NKJV) Our record wiped clean with only a touch of His garment, or will it be.

1 John 3:19-20 (AMP) tells us “By this we will know [without any doubt] that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart and quiet our conscience before Him whenever our heart convicts us [in guilt]; for God is greater than our heart and He knows all things [nothing is hidden from Him because we are in His hands].”

My friends that text tells us God sees the deep abyss of our heart for “nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Heb. 4:13 (NIV) “Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: “There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor.

The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him.

And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!

And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! 2 Sam. 12:1-7 (NKJV) Covertness, lying, stealing another man’s wife, killing the husband in an attempt to cover up his adultery with the mans wife and her pregnancy. My friends all of this intrigue and suspense from “a man after Gods on heart”

Do you think it would have made a difference If  David had only touched the hem of Christ garment, then he would have been made whole and his sins eradicated. My friends, our accountability to God must go beyond a touch of Christ garment. It’s personal and as a child of God and heirs to His kingdom and joint heirs with His Son we must look beyond a simple touch.

We must focus on our Saviors soon return and our accountability as to why, or why we did not allow God’s Spirit to make a complete transformation of our character while we lived on this earth. Paul tells us “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. [Even the woman with the issue of blood that touched the hem of Christ garment and was healed must] receive what is due her for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV)

My friends grace still abounds as we stand on the mountain-top and look over into the promise land. We must now ask ourselves through our faith and endurance, will we be able to say one day, our robes have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.

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

March 5, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE PREPARED TO PRESS TOWARDS THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE?

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Phil 3:14-15 (NKJV) My friends, we must realize our Journey is a personal experience. Paul states, “I, press toward the goal.”

And nothing of this world must hinder that driving force or passion from within as we keep our eyes fixed on the prize and if we have matured as a Christian we must not get weary we must understand the steadfast love [and grace] of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; [our victories through our faith and endurance] are new every morning; Lam 3:22-23 (ESV)

So we must continually advance forward with our eyes on the prize. In 2 Kings 18,19 Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, was twenty-five years old when he became king. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord as he “pressed toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God,” he begin to removed all the foreign gods that were set up throughout Judah.

So Hezekiah “held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments,” But as Children of God we must remember as we press toward our prize, Satan looks at God’s faithful as a prize also which he marks for perdition. So he attempts to separate us from the love and grace of God and at times we become weak and forget “our power is made perfect in weakness.”

So God at times must bring our attention back to who God is and where He is leading. The Assyrian army begins to conquer Judah’s territory, Hezekiah feels he can stop their advancements with money and material things. But friends, Satan goal is our total destruction, and the deeper in sin we get the more of God’s character is removed until we are completely destroyed. The Assyrian representatives then speak directly to the people.

“Hear the word of the great king, of Assyria!……‘Do not listen to Hezekiah or allow him to deceive you, by saying, “The Lord will deliver us.” Has any of the gods of the nations at all delivered its land from the hand of the king of Assyria? “Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, He understood like we should, that Satan’s battles against God’s children are battles against God Himself.

“O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, “ Hezekiah then reveals his petition to God, his request becomes all about bringing glory and honor to God’s name, “O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.”

And then “on a certain night the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand;” My friends, not our battles but God’s and “when we press onward in this Christian race” God will reveal to us His will if we will only endure and have faith for God’s Spirit will guide us into all truth;….and He will tell [God’s faithful] things to come.” John 16:13 (NKJV) As we understand, we can never look back at past failures, but continue to move forward as we “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus as He prepares us for life eternal.

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

Feb. 29, 2016

MY FRIENDS, DO WE KNOW OR HAVE WE EXPERIENCED THE PASSION OF CHRIST?

Passion, is defined as a powerful or compelling emotion or feeling whether it is derived from love or hate, which if nothing else explains the great controversy between good and evil.

A Demonstration of the passion of love can be found in  Romans 5:7-8 (NKJV) “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

And of course the opposite of love is hate. And Christ gives an example in John 3:20 (KJV), when He tells us “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

Christ also tells us “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NKJV) So today my friends I would like to focus on the “passion of Christ.”

That passion which we should all seek and not what the god of this world defines as Passion. But that passion of Christ, which stayed focus on the cross and His “love toward us, in that while we were still sinners He died for us.”

Yes my friends, while we still placed other gods before our Lord and Savior, while we still worshiped idols of this world instead of the true God, while we still used the Lords name in vain, while we still broke the Sabbath his blessed and sanctified day.

In addition, while we still dishonored our mothers and fathers, and while we still murdered our brother and sister with hate, or committed adultery sometimes with only our lust, and when we stole and lied and coveted our neighbors belongings.

Yes my friends before we had broken any of Gods precepts he died for us. The abominations of a lifetime that occurs in our life against our Savior, He was willing to die for, so that we may live.

That is the passion we must seek through His Spirit daily. Each of us have probably had a Damascus road experience Like Paul where we had a passion for the opposing side.

But by the grace of God that all changed because our God saw something that allowed each of us a chance to experience real passion. Paul tells us “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8 (KJV)

That text presents a path which starts with our willingness to deprive ourselves of all earthly gain for the “passion of Christ.” and a wiliness to give Him our time, talents and money for His will not ours.

So do we start by standing on a street corner screaming, give your life to Christ or die? Or do we set ourselves on fire all in the name of the Master. Throughout history people have done everything imaginable for a cause, and placed Christ name in front of it.

But the true passion of Christ, that feeling and attitude, of faith and endurance which, leads to a conviction and conversion through Gods word and Spirit is God’s process that leads to our salvation that begin from the foundation of the world, then Calvary, and it will continue throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

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

FEB. 28, 2019

MY FRIENDS, DOES GOD INTERFERE WITH OUR PERSONAL INCLINATIONS?

“He who deliberately stifles his convictions of duty because it interferes with his inclinations will finally lose the power to distinguish between truth and error.

The understanding becomes darkened, the conscience callous, the heart hardened, and the soul is separated from God.” (E. G. White, The Great Controversy, pp 378-379)

My friends does God “interfere with our inclinations”? Or does He interfere with our personal preferences of how we live our life? Or how we should live our life?

Jeremiah 29:11(NKJV) tells us, “for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” But, There is a [inclination] that seems right to one of [God’s chosen,] but its end is the way of death.” Prov. 14:12 (NKJV) which Satan with delight, encourages us to take.

My friends, Let’s focus today on the “rich young ruler.” With no hesitation, his response after Christ reveals to him, “if you seek eternal life, keep all the commandments.”

He then tells Christ “All these things I have kept from my youth. So what do I still lack?” This is when Christ “interferes with his inclination” or His personal desires and says to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matt. 19:16-22 (NKJV) My friends, how many more souls would be able to enter God’s kingdom with their robes not completely washed in the blood of Christ.

But entered those gates by only eliminating ninety nine, point, nine, nine, nine percent, while still hanging on to a small fraction of self. But, Christ tells us. “On that day many will begin to make a case for all of the good works they have done, by saying, Lord, Lord, did we not do this, and do that in your name?

And then He will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me” Matt. 7:21-23 (NKJV) My friends, we must remember salvation is personal, ninety nine, point, nine, nine, nine percent means nothing if Christ does not combine the process of transformation by making us one in Him.

Remember the rich young Ruler was not only ask to sell all He had but Christ tells us “If any man [or woman]will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matt. 16:24 (KJV)

In other words Mr. Rich Young Ruler “here [on this earth] we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” Heb. 13:14 (NKJV) So those possessions you hold dear to you, one day “the moths and rust will destroy, and thieves [may] break in and steal,” Matt. 6:19 (NKJV) but there is a place that is being prepared for you.

A place Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him,” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV) if you will only believe.

In addition, give it all to the Master and become one of “His peculiar people” who have decided even though “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life eternal.

We have decided to be one of the few who have found that gate” because of that personal relationship we have with Christ and “we are no longer strangers and aliens, but [we] are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Eph. 2:19 (ESV)

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

Feb. 27, 2016

MY FRIENDS, HE IS RIGHT IN HIS VERDICT AND JUSTIFIED WHEN HE JUDGES BUT HE WILL FORGIVE

Today let’s look over our life and ask how is it that no matter what we do, God is willing to say I love you and through our faith and endurance God’s gifts to us is; we are His chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and His peculiar people….” 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

But, God still allows His Chosen generation to determine their salvation. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” Matt 26:14-16 (NKJV)….

The narrative then moves into the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas tells Christ betrayers “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him…” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.” Matt 26:47-48 (NKJV)

And then a sad ending for the one who had been in the very presence of Christ for three years. “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”

And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. Matt 27:3-5 (NKJV)

My friends, if only Judas was truly remorseful and instead of departing the temple, going out and hanging himself,” had gone to Christ and cried out. “Against you [Lord].

You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. [But please forgive me] Ps. 51:4 (NIV)

And then he could have went down, “Via Dolorosa (“Way of Grief”) the same road where Jesus carried the crucifixion cross and cried out for all to here.

“My past has been erased With just one touch from Jesus, My clouds, my rain, my pain has changed His blood has made me new, Oh Lamb, so true I surrender to You My life I give My love I give, My all [I give to the one who gave it all for me] (Kirk Franklin)

My friends, salvation is individualized which makes it personal so look deep inside, let’s look back over our lives and look at the abominations against the one who gave His only begotten Son and a Son who was willing to die on a cruel cross for our Salvation.

Friends, for this morning’s risings, new mercies [have been given to us], and we must thank Him For every miracle manifested, great or small [that have been performed in our lives] we must praise Him.

But, there is one thing our heart must [have a passion for, and that is,] to worship the One who gave it all for us. And each day we must seek God’s presence beyond the veil,” [in sincerity and admonition.] (Daryl Coley)

We must then cry out. “Against you [Lord], you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. So you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.’[But please forgive me] for what I have done. My friends, God’s grace still abounds, and God still reaches no matter how far we have gone.

And our God still stands at the door and knocks, and if any man or woman hears His voice, and opens the door, He will come in to him So that we may have life and have it more abundantly throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

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

Feb. 26, 2016

MY FRIENDS, GOD KNOWS OUR STORY, SO OUR WORSHIP MUST BE FOR REAL!!!

Today my friends let’s make it personal as we allow God’s Spirit to direct our thought’s as we focus on our life and where we have come from because each of us are at different places on this journey God has placed us on, and we are all at different seasons of our life.

But by the grace of God as we begin to close out this final chapter of life’s history and as children of God, heirs to His kingdom and joint heirs with His Son who gave His life so that “we may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14 (NKJV)

We now stand at the threshold of God’s promise land. And today we must recognize the distance we have come but we must also recognize the journey is not over “so we dare not rest even for a moment,” as we continue to encourage ourselves in the Lord because His “love endures forever.

And his faithfulness continues through all generations.” So we must cry out daily God knows my story, so my worship, is for real!!! My praise is genuine, for we know how far God’s hands has reached to pull us from Satan’s influence.

Yes my friends, our tears are real, our pain and hurt is real, our many scares that are still healing are real, so that tells a child of God, our worship must also be for real, and praising God is what we do best, because He has never left or forsaken us.

He has done what seemed like the impossible, and performed miracles, and cast out demons, and fought our battles, and healed our broken heart, and cured our diseases and carried us through situations and circumstances and places where death looked us right in the face.

But God took it personal and in spite of, said to death, this is my child, “in whom I am well pleased.” And that my friends is why we are alive today. Our health and strength is not what it used to be, but soon, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.

The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall [all] be changed.” 1 Cor. 15:52 (KJV) “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.

So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” And the Egyptians pursued them…..

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians. Ex. 14:13-30 (KJV) My friends, oh what a miracle!! But only two over the age of twenty were allowed to enter the promise land.

My friends, our entire life has been a steady parting of the red sea miracle, but sometimes like the Israelites we forget where God has brought us from, and where He plans on taking us, but as we look back and wonder how we got over, we must never forget that our steps are ordered by God.

“For the Master of the sea, heard our despairing cry, and we must continue to sing unto Jehovah, for he hath triumphed gloriously in our lives and we must continue to praise him; because He knows our story, and that is why our worship, must be for real!!!