Sep. 8, 2017

MY FRIENDS, GOD SAYS MOVE OUT!!

At times we try to follow Gods hand in determining what direction He’s leading. In our limited capacity to comprehend the things of God we figure we can somehow understand his ways. But, “His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways” Is 55:8 (KJV) So we panic.

Maybe it is the death of a love one, or maybe being terminated from the perfect job, or maybe your child is not the child you had raised as a Christian but now has a mind of their own and that mind has nothing to do with the God you serve. God it’s just not fair.

My friends, we live under the umbrella of uncertainty each day but as a child of God, it is God’s hand and heart that guides us. In addition, I feel at times it is appropriate to fall on our knees and ask God, what’s going on? Do you still care? I also know we will not always get an answer and if we do it may be, “my grace is sufficient.”

There is a song by Babbie Mason that says; ”when you don’t see His plan and when you can’t trace His hand trust his heart” the song goes on to say “like a tapestry he’s weaving you and me to someday be just like him.”

By definition a tapestry is a piece of fabric consisting of material that you bend or twist out of shape, upon which colored threads are woven by hand to produce a design. Those bends and twist are each of the Trials we face each day. But our trials must-not overwhelm us.

Remember Christ is in control through our faith. So it becomes all about God’s word and Spirit shaping us into a design that is pleasing in God’s sight as we die daily while eliminating self from who we are and where God is trying to take us.

And one day with no reservations God will say these are my children and they are “safe to save.” It is not always the perfect life that prepares us for God’s kingdom. On the contrary, it is the constraints and contentions, the mountains and valleys of despair that advance us in our Christian journey.

While at the same time we continue to yield to the will of God by the choices we make through His will, which then keeps our focus towards heaven and not on the things of this world. For the only choice that has any meaning in a child of God’s life is, our choice that we make to serve God on this journey.

A journey in which faith, Grace, love, mercy, humility, endurance and God’s Providence leads us to His kingdom. When God called Abraham, it was a call for a commitment. And it started with Abraham’s faith in God.

“Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) And like Abraham, for you and I, a new life begins with discipleship. But remember, discipleship is about fortitude and the stamina through God’s Spirit to endure till the end.

Hebrews 11:8, (KJV) says, “By faith Abraham, [and you and I “for such a time as this”] when we are called to move out, too a place” we must respond; by moving out through faith, while not always knowing where Christ will lead, but what we do know, final destination, life-eternal.

Sep. 7, 2017

MY FRIENDS, CAN WE TRUST THE ONE WHO DIED FOR US?

“The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” Psalm 84:11-12 And blessed is the one who commits to the one who died for us. “A television program preceding the 1988 Winter Olympics featured blind skiers being trained for slalom skiing, impossible as that sounds.

Paired with sighted skiers, the blind skiers were taught on the flats how to make right and left turns. When that was mastered, they were taken to the slalom slope, where their sighted partners skied beside them shouting, “Left!” and “Right!” As they obeyed the commands, they were able to negotiate the course and cross the finish line, depending solely on the sighted skiers’ word. It was either complete trust or catastrophe.

Like the blind skiers, we must obey the commands of Christ voice as we negotiate the course on our journey to the promise land. It becomes either complete trust or catastrophe. Every step along the way through our faith and endurance must be focused on “the One who died for us.” Because, “those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore..” Psalm 125:1-2 (ESV)

My friends, prophecy is being fulfilled, and soon this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14 (KJV) As we look at the world and the daily “breaking news” “Babylon the great,” not is fallen but has fallen…and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! ” Rev. 18:1-3 (NKJV) And soon catastrophe and then total annihilation for all who remains.

But, God’s children who trust in the One who died for us and endures till the end and keep our focus on the things above and not on the things of this world, life eternal is ours. So today we must “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And…run with perseverance the race marked out for us” Heb. 12:1 (NIV)

My friends, Christ still extends His grace to His Children and when the winds and the rains becomes boisterous, and we begin to sink we must continue to cry out, “Lord, not my will but thy will be done!” “And immediately Jesus will guide us to safety.

Trust and faith my friends, but we must believe that God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, He died.” Trust and faith, identical twins, both demanding total confidence, and mental fortitude in what an unseen being that we as Christians call God, Master, the Good Shepherd, Jehovah, can do and will do for us in all situations and circumstances of our life.

And like the three Hebrew boys who were facing annihilation in a fiery furnace, we may not always hear God’s voice, “but if” not, we must continue through God’s word and Spirit to trust in the one who died for us while never allowing the god of this world to take our focus off of the one who has secured our mansion above where His faithful will live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

Sep. 6, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHAT GREY AREA IS WITHIN US?

Charles M. Blow, (In Defense of the Truth,) a New York Times article that speaks of our Presidents states; to some his “lying may seem small, just another defect among many, but to me it is so much more. Honesty is the foundation of character. The truth is the common base from which all else is built. And yet, this man feels completely unbound by it. He has no respect or reverence for it.

For him, honesty is an option, one that he feels no compunction to choose. Before Trump’s bigotry, race-baiting, misogyny, corruption, bullying and vindictiveness, there is the lying. One could even argue that the lying is a core component of all the rest.”  friends let’s focus on the words “a core component of all the rest” as we go to God’s word in John 8:41-44 (KJV) Christ speaks to those Jews who claim God as their Father.

“For such a time as this,” Christ also speaks to you and I when He stated, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but He sent me. Why don’t you understand what I say? It’s because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.

He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” My friends, “as a liar, Satan was expelled from heaven and will never be allowed to regain residence there again.”

And if we allow Satan to continue to take us down that same path he traveled we have also decided, not God to expel ourselves from that place even our imagination is not capable of defining because no “eye has seen, nor ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NIV)

My friends, Calvary and the plan of salvation must be a-part of every breath we take. It’s crucial we understand God’s abiding love and grace that continually seeks a commitment from us that cries out daily, not my will but thy will be done. But lying is like a cancer that destroys all the good and honest traits within us.

That is why if our President has any good or outstanding traits, they are all destroyed by what comes out of his mouth 75% of the time. So we must understand, it’s the father of dishonesty that keeps “us sinking deep in sin.” But it is also the abiding grace and love of God that went to Calvary and died for us “while we were still sinners.”

My friends, there’s no grey areas in regards to the truth, only black and white. Therefore we must “Enter the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it [because they fail to realize that honesty is the foundation of their character.] In addition, narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which will lead to complete honesty through Christ because very few understand, “thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” “is a core component of all the” commandments.] Matt 7:13-14 (NKJV) (paraphrased)

Aug 29, 2017

MY FRIENDS, THE TEST OF A TRUE SOLDIER IS?

In Judges 7:1-20 (NKJV) the narrative begins with, “the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, His mandate was to go to war with the Midianites. Gideon then blew his trumpet, summoning the men of Israel to arms, 32,000 headed the call. But God told Gideon it was to many, they would only claim victory for themselves instead of recognizing that it was all God.

So then, Gideon ask if anyone “trembles with fear” or were concern about home and family can leave. 22,000 returned Home leaving only 10,000. God told Gideon, “there was still too many. His mandate was now, take them down to the water, and the final test for discipleship the Lord told Gideon, “everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself.

Likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.” And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people who got down on their knees to drink water were sent home. My friends, like the Rich young ruler only one thing he lacked which tells a child of God there is no grey areas with God, His Son was sent to demonstrate a pure character fit for eternity.

Then the Lord told Gideon, I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand with this faithful few. So out of 32,000 fighting soldiers only 300 had the character that exemplified what God was looking for in a dedicated soldier. Only three hundred came battle ready. “For the Lord, knows our true Character “He examines each of us…He knows our thoughts before we think them” Ps 139:1-2 (KJV)

Also, if anyone come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever [is not battle ready] and doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. My friends, we do not determine the test that qualifies us for discipleship only God. Luke 14:26-27 (KJV)

In addition, the prince of darkness goal is not to sift the chaff for they already belong to him, because he knows there foundation is not centered on the word of God and His Spirit. But His goal is to sift the wheat who is God’s true followers, His elect, the chosen three-hundred. The one’s who searches there soul, while dying to self-daily.

Therefore Satan will use whatever means necessary to try and destroy their Character. But God’s faithful knows they “can do all things through Christ, [because he gives each of us strength.” To defeat the enemy] Phil. 4:13. So God’s faithful endures as they continue to stay focused, and hold onto the promises of God, as there faith and passion to serve, prepares them for the kingdom.

“Therefore we must take the shield of faith with which we will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” The narrative ends with Gideon, and his three hundred faithful never having to fight the battle, only holding their torches in their left hands, with trumpets in their right, while blowing, as they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and Gideon. For the battle was God’s from the beginning to win.

Aug. 26, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHAT IS DISTRACTING US?

Matt. 25, Jesus likens “the kingdom of heaven too ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish [complacent, and careless because they became distracted right before the Bridegroom was to arrive], and five were wise [attentive, practical, and sensible because they were prepared for His coming]…….. “Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.

At midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The Bridegroom [cometh]! Let’s go to meet him.” My friends throughout the years we have all fallen asleep throughout our Christian journey here on earth. “At times of ignorance God winked at our foolishness and complacency towards our responsibility at finishing His mandate here on earth and being ready when He comes.

Now that we have had an opportunity to have that personal relationship with Christ, how will we explain our distraction and lack of interest in eternal things after all He’s done for our salvation. In Matt 24 and 25 His message to all His disciples is, Things will happen right before His second coming so He warns us not to be distracted, for you do not know which day our Lord will come.

And you can be assured of this one thing, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the look-out and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.  For this reason, we must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when we do not think He will.” Matt 24:42-44 (NASB)

My friends, it’s easy to lose focus but beware, when we are least expectant “the bridegroom will come, and the door will be shut. But, those who are ready will go in with him to the wedding feast, a feast that will continue throughout eternity. I’m sure we all have noticed, the higher up we go, as we look down the smaller the world below gets.

So, it is with a child of God, the Higher up or closer we get to Christ and His abiding love and grace the smaller the world gets until it’s no longer relevant, only His presence, as we continue to get closer and closer to Him through His word and Spirit. The story is told by the Golf legend Arnold Palmer. “It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament.

He had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. “I felt I was in pretty good shape.” As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, “Congratulations.” I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew that one distraction, took my focus off of winning.

The next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trap, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters.” My friends, Are we spiritually where Christ wants us to be on this journey? And if not, why not? And what on this earth could possible cause us to lose our focus and our salvation this close to Christ second coming? Christ told the rich young Ruler, only one thing you lack. My friends, are we willing to loose it all  because there is one thing we lack?

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU HAVE AN UNDIVIDED HEART?

“In the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army, who could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war who helped David with an undivided heart.” 1 Chronicles 12:33 (NASB) My friends 50,000 committed soldiers from the tribe of Zebulun, one of the twelve tribes of Israel who served in David’s army, all, with undivided hearts. This is what we must all seek who are soldiers in the army of the Lord, “for such a time as this.”

A time Christ speaks of in Matt. 24 which we can all say with no reservation has started, and it is only “the beginning of sorrows and great tribulation, like we have never seen before since the beginning of the world, nor ever will.” But it must become personal, as we ask ourselves am I, a committed soldier with an “undivided heart.” Remember, “the strongest temptation is no excuse for sin.

However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel any one to sin. The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over righteousness. (E.G. White, Signs of the times) So there must be a commitment from within as we die daily while departing from all abominations against the one that gave it all for our salvation.

Therefore, individuals that seek with a passion to be a-part of that great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, [whose goal is to stand one day soon] before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing our white robes and  holding palm branches in our hands,” [must have a singleness of purpose, not wavering on the standards of God’s precepts, also not allowing any other gods to come before our Lord and Savior.] Rev. 7:9 (NIV)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:1-2 (KJV) As God’s Children, oh what power God has promise each of us with undivided hearts, who are on one accord, as we finish the course God has set before us.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 (KJV) My friends, once we have allowed God’s Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ it then takes us to another level in our Christian experience, beginning with an undivided heart a heart that God has a passion to transform which then gives us a passion to want to be transformed as our daily commitment then becomes “not my will but thy will be done.”

“More about Jesus let me learn, more of His love and grace will I discern; Spirit of God, my teacher be, Showing the things of Christ to me.” Yes, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward, [because] It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” [with an undivided heart] Colossians 3:23-25 (KJV)

July 28, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE ALLOWING GOD TO CULTIVATE US FOR HIS KINGDOM?

Rahab said to the two Israeli spies, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.

When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Joshua 2:8-11 (NIV) This Gentile, for all of her failings, looked at what God had done, and like all who happens to see God clearly, “she responded.”

My friends, Rahab was a Prostitute in a heathen land and only she and her family were saved when the Israelite’s invaded Jericho before they entered the promise land. But we must remember it is not the perfect life that prepares us for the kingdom of God. On the contrary, “it is the constraints and contentions,” the mountains and valleys of despair that advance us in our Christian journey while we continue to yield to the will of God. A God who “will never leave nor forsake us.”

By definition, Cultivation prepares the ground for harvest a ground that we continually depend on for growth. So we must “Be strong and courageous. We cannot  be afraid; we cannot be discouraged, for the Lord our God will be with us during this stage.” whether at night or day, in the storm or in sunshine,” we must take our focus off of self and the things of this world an forever keep it on the things above which are eternal. As this process starts, the seed of God’s grace is planted from within at birth as we continually through faith respond to the cultivating process of God’s Spirit.

A process along with the assurance of [things] hoped for, and a conviction of things not seen,” Heb. 11:1 (ASV) and through our faith the soil produces fruit. And then as heirs to God’s kingdom and joint heirs to the Son of God, when the final trump sounds and He appears, what was cultivated and produced in us becomes like him, for we shall see Him as he is.” 1 John 3:2 (NIV)

Even while asleep, “it’s God which worketh in us the will to do his good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13 (KJV) which tells us there are stages and seasons of our life where Christ continually develops and plants in us through His Spirit, a passion and a desire to carry our cross and do God’s will, which prepares us for eternity if we conform to God’s Spirit.

Rahab continued to grow while allowing God to cultivate her which allowed her to become part of the ancestry of Christ of this world and also of the world to come, when Christ finally says “well done.” Remember “He sees the master plan while holding our future in His hand,” a future that He cultivates daily for His kingdom. And with passion, and a shared vision, we than tell the world of the good news of Christ return. And one day, we exchange our cross for a crown as we prepare to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in Gods kingdom.

July 26, 2017

MY FRIENDS, THE STORM IS COMING HOW STRONG IS OUR FAITH?

Jesus was sleeping on a ship, as a storm arose, the disciple awakened him, as they cried out, “Master, carest thou not that we perish? Christ stood up, rebuked the [storm], and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are you fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” Mark 4:37-40 (KJV)

Let’s fast forward to the end of Christ ministry. On the Mount of Olivet, our Savior’s humanity recognized the difficulty of the storm ahead and what He and His disciples were about to encounter. But He stayed focused and prayed more earnestly, “until his sweat, was like drops of blood, falling to the ground,” as He prayed to His Father, “if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not my will, but thy will be done.”

When he arose from prayer and went back to His disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow He asked. “Why are you sleeping?” “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation!” My friends, He knew the extent of the storm ahead. But remember this is the same Jesus that faced the raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, totally composed, and undisturbed, who said to His disciples, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Matt 8:26 (NIV)

But here in the Garden, Humanity took its toil at just the thought of not being able to rebuked the winds and say to the storm “peace, be still” as the weight of the entire world was about to rest up on His shoulders. But His Faith, and Prayer’s kept Him focused, which is the sane reason we all can say with conviction, “No [storm regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you or I that is not common to human experience [nor is any storm unusual or beyond human resistance.]

But God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let [us go through any storm] beyond our ability [to resist], but along with the [storm] He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that we will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome [all situation and circumstances with joy].” 1 Cor 10:13 (AMP)

While defining A storm, as a “violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and rain. Let’s look at the eagle as the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. And like the eagle when the storms of our life comes to us, we too can rise above it, by setting our faith and mind towards Calvary.

And, it is at that point, our faith and trust in God, enables us to ride out the storms of life in a world where Satan’s only goal is to take us to a place where we no longer hear God saying “peace be still.” My friends one day there will be great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, but only those who endure [the storm] and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved [so how strong is our faith]” Matt 24:21 (AMP)

July 11, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HOW LONG WILL WE HESITATE BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS?

As a Child of God in today’s society, achieving total commitment and Victory through Christ sometimes seems impossible. There are so many distractions that draw our attention away from what is vital to our Salvation. Even watching the News, becomes so mind boggling, that we transfix our attention on the events of the day and lose all concentration on our goal, life eternal. So let’s make it personal and focus on where God’s Spirit is leading and understand, “in all our ways [we must acknowledge who God is], and He shall direct our paths” Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

In all our ways we must also acknowledge what God’s love means to us and how do we respond to a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. As prophecy unfolds, we must understand we have no time to “hesitate between two opinions?” If the Lord is our God, [we must give Him our all as we take up our cross and follow wherever Christ may lead. But if we chose to follow Satan and the rulers of the darkness of this world, to be our god then that is also our choice] ” 1 Kings 18:21 (KJV)

When the billionaire Howard Hughes died, his company’s public relations director asked the casinos in Las Vegas, where Hughes owned multiple casinos, to show him respect by giving him a minute of silence. For an uncomfortable sixty seconds, the casinos fell eerily silent. Then a pit boss looked at his watch, leaned forward, and whispered, “Okay, roll the dice. He’s had his minute.”  (Howard Hughes: The Hidden Years)

My friends, what about you and I, is a minute all we have for Christ. Maybe we rush into church, honor the congregation with our presence, wave our hands back and forth as the praise team sings, give a few a-mans as the pastor speaks. As the Spirit begins to move all around us we are moved, so we walk down the aisle for the altar call as the pastor prays. We leave, slap a few hands, and acknowledge we done had church today.

Is that all we have to give God each week. Or is every waken moment of our life dedicated to God as we humble ourselves with a sense of our own weakness, as we give Christ the honor and glory for the awesome privileges that He has given us to live our life through Him and for Him. My friends, our lives must be all about God’s will for us.

“Myself, my feelings, my knowledge, my ways.” can no longer exist if we have a passion to hear Christ say ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! Remember, our Savior died for our all, and for six thousand years there has been a military struggle over our all. And, like the rich young ruler Christ is asking us for a commitment “of discipleship,” if our desire is to be conquerors through Christ and one day soon receive our just reward life eternal.

If that is our desire His request is only “Follow Me,” because He “will never leave nor forsake you.” But Christ timing for a commitment to “follow Him” has caught most of God’s children at a bad time. “His standard of character for His kingdom is out of touch with what many of His children’s plans are.” So we hesitate between two opinions. But Soon God will say it is finished and our minute will be up.

July 9, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WE ARE WITHIN REACH, NOW WHAT?

We are “within reach” my friends. And soon we will be more than conquerors through him who loved us. [And being heirs to God’s kingdom we are now] persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

My friends, Satan never realized what lengths Christ would go through to demonstrate so passionately his burning belief in his own ability and love for us. And now, if we love as Christ loved who demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, denied His royalty and died for us. Therefore we being “within reach” of where Christ is leading us must also deny ourselves and take up [our cross and follow Christ. wherever He may lead] Mark 8:34 (NIV)

Everything in God’s word explains to God’s children that we are “within reach,” so all we have to do is take hold to the hand of God and never let go. The problem with most of us, we “let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. [Therefore, we must] Press our petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them……

Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the Lord, and at last the cloud was seen……” therefore we must “take the shield of faith; for that will guard the heart, the very life, from the fiery darts of the wicked.” (E.G. White, Early Writings, p 73) We must daily with a shared vision and passion hear the trumpet of God.

[And with a shared vision we must witness our family, friends and love one’s who have died in Christ rise. And with passion we must visualize each of God’s faithful who are] alive being caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore we must comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4:16-18 (NKJV)

By definition, within reach tells us, we have not gone beyond our expected goal but we are close. Close mentally, close physically, and most of all, close spiritually which tells us we are still in the process of eliminating self from our life and living totally in the shadow of the cross as we make Christ our number one priority in our life.

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart [as you finish this journey I have placed you on.] And I will be found by you, saith the Lord:” Jer. 29:13 (KJV)

Remember we will never “find Salvation in any other name” except Jesus Christ, He is the only one we must seek as His Spirit guides us to the promise land. Today we “are within reach” but we must ask ourselves are we willing to reach our goal and “be more than conquerors through him who loved us and gave it all for our salvation.