Dec. 3, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DO WE HAVE ITCHING EARS?

My friends, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. 

In addition, they will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry…. (2 Timothy 4:1-22)

Itching ears. “those who “will not endure sound doctrine,” …..Because of their perverted “lusts” these shallow-minded hearers “itch” for fanciful interpretations of Scripture with which to gratify their curiosity and personal “desires.” They are interested only in those portions of Scripture they can construe as promising them peace and security.

They neglect the stern demands of “sound doctrine,” which cut deep into a man’s soul. They have a superficial desire for religion, but only for so much of it as will not disturb the routine of their perverted lives.”(SDA, Bible Commentary pp348)

As we continue to look at the “breaking news” of the day I would hope we are forever on our knees as we search the scriptures daily while asking the Lord for directions and understanding. In addition, we must remember the  “parable of the fig tree.

When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh” Matt. 24:32 (KJV) His coming is near, and all prophecies about end time events are being fulfilled. But the question we must ask ourselves, are we seeking God’s presence and listening to His voice or do we have “itching ears”?

Are we only “interested in those “portions of Scripture that promise us peace and security,” sermons and ministers who only tell us  “Peace, peace! When there is no peace.” Our Savior has told us what to look for right before His second coming so our focus must be on “Lord what must I do to be saved”?

What is Your will for my life? And what must I do to keep from having “itching ears”? My friends we cannot fool God, He knows the sincerity of our hearts. So today He is asking us to give it all to him, not just a portion of our time, talents and money.

God needs our all, He needs us “to always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill our ministry.” And ask God, what do you desire my ministry to be? Remember, we are all leaders in God’s army.

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” 1 Cor. 12:4:7 (NKJV)

Our Savior needs workers today, the Spirit is not here to entertained us but to guide us in all truth and understanding. Our only purpose is to serve Christ. In addition, as our faith, responsibility and endurance grows. Our reward will not be of this world.

But when we hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord and then.”

“God will wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Matt. 25:21 (KJV) Rev. 21:4 (KJV)

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

Dec 2, 2015

MY FRIENDS, A REGIMENT OF ONE AND THE KING IS ALL WE NEED!!

We are Soldier’s for Christ, a Warrior and a team member. we serve those who seek hope, as we live out our Christian Values. We will always place the mission to spread the good news of the gospel and Christ soon return first and foremost in our life. We will never quit, or accept defeat.

We will never leave a fallen comrade for Satan to destroy. We are disciplined, and mentally tough, we are trained and proficient in our tasks to endure till the end. We will always maintain our arms which is “the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and with our feet, fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition we will take up the shield of faith, with which to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And we will pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…..” Eph. 6:14-18 (KJV) My interpretation of the U.S. Soldiers Creed, along with God’s Armor of protection.

Let’s focus today on David and his elite special forces of men called The three and the thirty in 1 Chron. 10:11-47 and 2 Samuel 23:8-39 (KJV). Oh to be among the elite, we each should aspire for, because they are unique in there skills and endurance. Josheb-basshebeth, killing 800 with a spear.

Shammah stranded in the middle of a field, held his ground while beating back an infantry of advancing Philistines. Eleazar, one of the three of the elite warriors, he was with David when they gathered at Pas Dammim for battle.

Everyone retreated, but the King and Eleazar who stood their ground and struck down the Philistines until Eleazar’s hand grew tired and froze to the sword. And the Lord brought about a great victory that day…. 2 Samuel 23:9-10

Here you have the Kings entire regiment retreating, except one, Eleazar who stands his ground with the king and fights until His Hand froze to the sword. And when the smoke cleared, only two men were standing, The king and Eleazar who was clinging to his sward for dear life.

Paul tells us part of the armor of God is the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. My friends as children of the king we must also cling to our sword as it becomes infused to every fiber of our mind and body.

In addition,  once this happens it’s no battle we cannot win with the King. My friends our world desperately seeks the Hope of a Savior, and most of the time it will only be an army of one, but with the Spirit of God Like Eleazar who would not leave the battle field even though deserted by others could still claim victory, even under insurmountable circumstances.

And because of his faith and endurance “The Lord brought about a great victory.” And He will do the same for us if we remember our allegiance is to the King as we give Him all the praise glory and honor.

As God’s chosen soldiers we must also have a  passion  for what we are fighting for, which is a victory for ourselves and for every soul that Satan has laid a claim to. This is our duty as a servant of the Most High “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matt. 28:19 (NIV)

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

MY FRIENDS, HOW DIFFERENT ARE WE FROM THE ONE WHO SAYS THERE IS NO GOD?

“Let our light so shine before men and women, that they will always see our good works, as we glorify our Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16 (KJV) Or do we blend in with our surroundings like the Chameleon who changes with the environment.

The Color change signals a chameleon’s physiological condition and intentions to other chameleons, the darker colors indicate when they have decided to submit or “give up” in other words the enemy has now convinced us, compromise is a good, why should we be the odd person in the group. We only live once.

At that moment, we allow ourselves to be “tossed to and fro by the waves of doubt, carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness and deceitful schemes” of the enemy Ephesians 4:14 (ESV) and now the world seems more appealing then a relationship with God.

Nothing about our life should tell the world that this is our permanent residence and that we would compromise our Christian values for the things of this earth that will one pass away for what is prepared For God’s faithful in the earth made new.

A place no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man could ever imagined, the home God has prepared for those who love him” and have decided that we will keep all of His commandments, not just the one’s we feel want interfere with our life style.

Today let’s look back over our life and see where God has brought us from in each situation and circumstances and now it’s personal again. Because we can not go any farther until God becomes real to you and I as we continue to ask, who God is, and what He means to our life personally.

Remember we only have but a short period of probation, from birth to death in which to prepare for God’s kingdom. At birth The god of this world immediately begin to shift our brain activity from what Christ wants.

And then he begin to keep our focus on all the things of this world which is “associated with susceptibility, suggestibility and a unfocused state of mind which lacks the motivation of knowing, perceiving,” or remembering the things God deems beneficial for our salvation. So friends how different is that from the one who says there is no God?

It’s personal because our God is a personal God, And we must recognize today “we have all sinned and  falling short of the honor and glory of God” But the good news is, in spite of our failures at times and “all we can see is the struggles Haunted by the ghosts that lived in our past.”

Unlike the Chameleon who changes with the environment who submits or “gives up” We must decide we “will not be bought or sold; we will be ambassadors for God who in our inmost souls we will be  true and honest; who will 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)

My friends focus, and then ask yourself do my friends family love ones, co-workers, neighbor’s, and the world recognize a sharp contrast between one of God’s chosen and the world. And are the fruit of God’s Spirit firmly embedded into my life and is there a vast difference between my life and the one that “says in his heart, there is no god.”

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

Nov. 30, 2015

“LORD, SAVE US, WE PERISH.” MY FRIENDS, NEVER DID A SOUL UTTER THAT CRY UNHEEDED.

My friends, that statement I continue from yesterday’s devotional because it let’s us know the importance of our faith in these last days of “breaking news” where iniquity is abounding at astronomical levels, and the love of many waxes colder and colder as God prepares us for what is taken place in our world.

Today, I can say with no reservation that we are at the beginning of our “birth. Pangs” a time when we shall continue to see “the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet” and John the Revelator.

My friends that statement that Christ is making in Matt. 24 is telling each of His chosen, heirs to the kingdom of God and joint heirs with the one who will make sure as we cry out Lord, save us, we perish, does not go unheeded.

In addition, that cry will continue to be heeded until He enters the clouds above in preparation to “render to each one according to his deeds.” Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good, seek for glory, honor, and immortality.

And to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath.” Romans 2:6-8 (NKJV)  So my friends we will each receive our just reward one day.

Christ has also warned us in Matt. 24 when you see all that is happening in the “breaking news” “Let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.”

That text is telling His children, we need to be downsizing not accumulating more. Our attitude must be if we seek God’s kingdom, it all belongs to God and God doesn’t need a new car if nothing is wrong with the one we have.

And God hasn’t told us to get a bigger house, because the man or woman who does not know God has nothing better to do with their money. God also has not told us to buy more and more clothes just because we have the money to do so.

My friends, Christ has an entire world He needs the good news to reach so believe me He doesn’t have the time to be entertained with us as we watch empire and dancing with the stars in front of our new 72” TV.

God needs our all today, not the “crumbs from the masters table.” This work has to be finished in our life time and he is asking for our time, talents and money to make that happen. “Give to God all that is God’s.”

Today He ask for our all. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one.

To each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey to a far country…… After a long time the lord of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.” “For to everyone who has and values the blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely.

Because we can’t begin to imagine what was prepared for us when the Master went to that far country. Yes my friends, “eye have not seen nor ear has heard what was prepared for His faithful who endured” (Matt. 25:14-30 (NKJV)

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

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU HAVE PERFECT PEACE TODAY?

“Their cry arouses Jesus. As the lightning’s glare reveals Him, they see the peace of heaven in His face; they read in His glance self-forgetful tender love, and, their hearts turning to Him, cry, “Lord, save us: we perish.” Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded.

As the disciples grasp their oars to make a last effort, Jesus rises. He stands in the midst of His disciples, while the tempest rages, the waves break over them, and the lightning illuminates His countenance.

He lifts His hand, so often employed in deeds of mercy, and says to the angry sea, “Peace, be still.” (E.G. White Desire of Ages pp 335) Today My friends, close your eyes picture along with me a waterfall cascading down a rocky precipice.

Picture the beauty, in creation, when God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Thus the heavens and the earth, was finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done and blessed that day, and He rested. Oh such blessed peace.

Picture the peace in our Savior’s countenance on Calvary when our Savior knew His work was complete and the blood of Jesus whispers peace from within, peace, perfect peace, to finish His fathers will on earth. “This is Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round! On Jesus’ bosom naught but perfect calm is found.”

That my friends gives us somewhat of a picture of perfect peace. Jesus tells us in John 16:33 (ESV) I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trials and tribulations in the midst of the “breaking news” of the day, But take heart He tells us.

I have overcome the world. Never forget there was also “Breaking news” in Jerusalem, it read like this in the Jerusalem Tribune “the people cried out today crucify Him, His blood be on us and on our children.

Then Barabbas was released to the rabble; and when  they had scourged the one who claims to be the Son oh God, they delivered Him to be crucified. Then all of heaven had it’s on “breaking news” and it went like this.

You now Know that all things are  now accomplished, that the Scripture are now fulfilled, your Lord and Master’s last words, but only for a moment, were  “I thirst!” My friends, this is the water of life Himself who thirst how is that possible.

“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst, the water I give will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life” John 4:14 (NIV) So why does He thirst” Our Savior became the “breaking news” our example for “such a time as this” so that we may hold on and endure, so that we may receive life eternal in His kingdom.

“Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.And after He received it He said, “It is finished!” bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”John 19-:28-30 (NKJV)

Oh the beauty and peace of the “breaking news” that day as our redeemer obtained perfect peace, Our redeemer  who is the “way, the truth and life.” My friends, perfect peace to a child of God, is doing His will.

Peace is seeking His presence here on earth so that one day we will forever be in His presence in perfect peace, in a place “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, [a place] which God has prepared for those 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.

MY FRIENDS, HAPPY THANKSGIVING, GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IS NEW EVERY MORNING!!

What a great thanksgiving, waking up realizing, “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:22-25 (ESV)

Great is God’s faithfulness, which is new every morning. Meaning it is never ending, and it has nothing to do with anyone else in our life, or how much they have done for us. But all our hope, all our grace and mercy, and most important our Salvation, rest on our Savior and His abundant faithfulness toward each of us.

And if you are a Child of God that makes it very personal and it allows each of us to be “confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in [each of us] will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Phil 1:6 (KJV)

“In April 1988 the evening news reported on a photographer who was a skydiver. He had jumped from a plane along with numerous other skydivers and filmed the group as they fell and opened their parachutes. On the film shown on the telecast, as the final skydiver opened his chute, the picture went berserk.

The announcer reported that the cameraman had fallen to his death, having jumped out of the plane without his parachute. It wasn’t until he reached for the absent ripcord that he realized he was free-falling without a parachute.

Until that point, the jump probably seemed exciting and fun. But tragically, he had acted with thoughtless haste and deadly foolishness. Nothing could save him, for his faith was in a parachute that he had never buckled on.”

Oh great is God’s faithfulness as we look back over our lives so much of it we were just free-falling, living with thoughtless haste and deadly foolishness as we “followed the cosmic powers over the darkness of this world, the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.”

But oh the mercy and grace of a God who in spite of, is always faithful to us, for only the faithfulness of Christ and His “patients toward [us], not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

My friends, that is why we must give our Savior all the praise, glory and honor on this thanksgiving day 2015 and everyday of our life. And for everyone who does not recognize the faithfulness of our Savior and continues to free-fall through life, Christ is Calling.

Christ is asking His Children for a unrestricted dependence on Him as we allow His Spirit to transform us into a candidate for God’s kingdom. Remember it’s personal this is our Salvation and His faithfulness towards you and I as we seek God’s presence on our own accord.

In addition, His faithfulness reaches us no matter where we are or what we are doing for “who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in [his faithfulness and] steadfast love” Micah 7:18 (ESV)

While at the same time His character is cultivated through us daily, an Unimaginable faithfulness towards His Children that will allow us to become truly humble, devoted and God fearing workers in finishing up God’s commission here on earth as we begin to show our full “gratitude and our own faithfulness for what Christ has done for us.

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

Nov. 25, 2015

MY FRIENDS, “GOD IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK!!

“According to the power that works in us.” Eph. 3:20 (NKJV) Like clay in the potter’s hand, we must let God’s Spirit begin to shape our Character for the kingdom as we begin to recognize what God is able to do for, and through us.

Chapters 1-5 of Ephesian is a message not only for the church of that day but to everyone in this generation that seeks God’s kingdom. In verse 5 Paul is telling the body of believers, Like I tell you today.

“In no other age has the good news been revealed like it is today by God’s Spirit, for this chosen generation.” In other words the good news we are proclaiming today is unique because it is a message for “such a time as this” a message for the last days of the history of our world.

All generations have receive their proclamation from God but never with the urgency of today. Oh what an honor that God has chosen us to deliver it. Only Calvary far exceeds what God has given man to tell the world today.

There is the plan of Salvation, the foundation of the world, sin enters the world, types and anti-types point to Christ crucifixion and resurrection which secures our Salvation through His love grace and mercy if we believe.

What remains is Christ soon return. “And for this cause” we have been called to proclaim the end day prophecy of Christ soon return and how the “breaking news” of today gives us hope that the promises of God is sure.

Because, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Num. 23:19 (NASB)

This is why His mandate to this chosen generation must be a commitment and a lifestyle change. We must be willing to say all to Jesus I surrender. All my time I surrender. All my talents I surrender, all my money I surrender.

Our faith to give it all to the Master, must be a “continuously sustaining principle” that we live by each day. And when we have allowed this to happen then God will be “able to do exceedingly, abundantly all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

My friends, there is no limit what the Spirit of God is able to do through us if we will only give it all to God and allow self to die, as we begin to live our life through Christ. So please, don’t get weary of the Journey.

This is only the beginning if we believe and endure the “light afflictions” of what Satan places before us to discourage us from continuing. Believe me the forces of evil are no match for the “superabundance, above and beyond fullness and overflowing” love grace and power of God and what he will give us if we just ask.

But with that request also requires a responsibility. Not our will, but the will of God be done. And one day the “Potters wheel” will be put aside, and God will stand up and say let’s go get my children.

“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still….and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still.” So today my friends let’s give it all to the Master while grace still abounds for a short while, and then life eternal. Which will be “exceedingly, abundantly and all that” we could ever imagine.

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

Nov. 23, 2015

MY FRIENDS, OUR CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, WHY HAVE WE MADE HIM OUR FRIEND?

My friends, “Satan is constantly at work, but few have any idea of his activity and subtlety. The people of God must be prepared to withstand the wily foe. It is this resistance that Satan dreads.

He knows better than we do the limit of his power and how easily he can be overcome if we resist and face him. Through divine strength the weakest saint is more than a match for him and all his angels, and if brought to the test he [or she] would be able to prove [their] superior power….

The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against [God’s faithful, and] concealed himself from view…and when he makes another advance move, we will not recognize him as our enemy, that old serpent, but we will consider him a friend” (E.G. White, Testimonies Vol. 5 pp 293-294)

We will consider Him a friend. That my friends, is the scariest part of that quote in that we can be so naive as to the deception of the enemy that we fail to recognize where he is leading us which is too perdition.

The enemy is preparing for his last assault on our lives. “Breaking news” tells us that’s his strategy each day. Satan, knows he has very little time left. But it seems we have lost a large portion of our memory, back, at a time when the enemy had us convinced his way would make us happy.

Back at a time when our entire being, our affections, the life we lived, our intellect and talents were all about self. Back at a time when we did not know God. Back at a time “when we thought we were grown but continued to speak as a child, and live our life like there was no tomorrow as a child.

But now that we have become men, and women we should have put away childish things and given it all to the Master.” 1 Cor. 13-11 (NKJV paraphrased) My friends, as men and woman who have all been born in sin and shaped in iniquity” we each have a propensity to “obey the worst impulses of the heart.”

Consistent with this, we must “pray without ceasing” while recognizing how far we are from surrendering it all to the Master“  and allowing His Spirit total access to our life to do as God leads. My friends, we must not forget, it is only through Christ that Satan becomes ineffective in our life.

Remember, Christ has been where we are only He did not give in to the enemy. In addition, Christ knows the rough terrain. He knows the temptations and hardships we must encounter daily from the forces of evil.

He knows the pain of the road we must travel and the exhaustion of the constant battles from Satan. But He conquered so we could receive victory through Him. That is why He stayed focused and His love for us never wavered.

He knew our fragile framework, He remembered that we are made from the dust of the ground. And what delicate steps we must take to follow Him to Calvary. But who else to Guide us along this journey but someone who has been this way before, and finished the course.

So when temptations seems to be more then we can bear. Remember, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when we are tempted, he will also provide a way of escape through Him” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

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