Sep.1, 2015

MY FRIENDS, WE ARE AT THE THRESHOLD OF THE PROMISE LAND, WILL WE CROSS OVER?

God gives us a warning “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” But Studying God’s word and seeking His presence cannot compete with the entertainment and excitement Satan provides on our TV’s, Video games, internet and at our theaters.

Changing a culture in the 21st century keeps one on their knees for answers. But my friends, we must remember, 40 years, the Israelite’s roamed the wilderness, with no specific destination in sight simply because they never felt a real passion to understand the God who parted the red sea so they could cross over without ever having to look back at where they had come from.

But 400 years in Egypt, the vision of the promise land was not handed down from generation to generation and because of a lack of knowledge they became content being slaves, therefore the promise land was not a priority.

My friends have we become content at being a slave to the god of this world and the entertainment he provides to God’s children who have lost their focus on things above? As wickedness increases and the love of most draws cold, as members of God’s body of believers, have we allowed our focus to be on materialism, consumerism, and I’ve got to have the latest simply because it is the latest, instead of our focus being on Jesus Christ and His word?

Has our passion to cross over into the promise land and live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in the presence of God cease being a priority in our lives? And have we become content at being slaves for Satan and all he has to offer on the road to perdition?

My friends, we must realize as Christians our stay on this earth is temporary. Time is precious and how we spend and use it for God’s glory and honor is of vital importance to our spending eternity with Christ.

God in His wise foresight teaches us how we should be discerning and perceptive about the proper use of our time. Paul tells us in 2 Tim 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

So my friends, our focus must be on spending each precious moment we have left on this earth searching the scriptures to capture the mind and character of Christ that is in His word as we allow His Spirit total access to our life in order to change our Character into the likeness of our Savior.

In addition, if we don’t allow that to happen, Satan will always find ways to draw our attention to the things of this world that are detrimental to our salvation, therefore self will never completely die so that Christ can take full control and we never fully conquer ungodly ambitions and our love for what the world has to offer.

Consistent with this, we are never willing to carry our cross and serve Christ and become one of His disciple. Therefore we are only willing to get to the threshold of the promise land, but never willing to do what it takes to cross over.

As Heirs to Gods kingdom a passion must burn from within for our salvation. And when we realize the price that was paid for it, as heirs to the kingdom of God, we must never keep it hidden but spread the good news and tell everyone of the soon coming of Christ and what is prepared for all who believe and endure.

My Friends, where there is no vision, the people perish…..Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

Aug. 31, 2015

MY FRIENDS, JESUS LOVE’S US BECAUSE HIS WORD SAYS HE DOES!!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Gen. 1:1 (KJV) The world was created by God’s spoken word. In addition, the very existence of life was conceived by God in the spirit.

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Gen 1:2 (KJV) So God’s Word brings about real transformation since God is the word.

But that transformation can only come about when we allow God’s Spirit to take full control and to recreate our mind and body into Christ image. In addition, as He created “the earth [that] was without form, and void; [a earth where there was only] darkness upon the face of the deep.

And [as] the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. [Our God begin creation with only the words] Let there be light: and there was light. And now our prayer’s too “our Father which art in heaven” should be to recreate from the darkness within us.

And the places where sin abides in the very crevasse of our soul, the light from His only begotten Son who died in our stead on Calvary. Oh what love, but it did not end with His death on the cross. But, He rose again, and that tells His Children that the word still lives!

Yes He lives. And we serve that same risen Savior, because He is in our life if we believe and we see His hand of mercy grace and love as we begin to truly hear, and feel God and His Word, while allowing our faith to grow in His grace.

And once our lives are transformed then we will begin to understand through faith in His word that a miracle has truly taken place in our lives. Paul says in 2 Cor. 5:17-18 (NKJV) “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

All this is from God. who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” And once we have completely allowed the light of  God’s Spirit to recreate us, then how could we not “know that Jesus Christ loves us, and this we know for the bible tells us so.

And because of His love for us, we reciprocate this love by spreading the good news of our Saviors soon return, while continuing to allow our character to be rooted and grounded in the Word of God.

But my friends Consistent with this, there is also a warning, if we lack knowing the knowledge in God’s word, due to the fact that we allowed the things of this world to become detrimental to our salvation, because they were more important than studying the Word of God and doing His will.

Then in Hosea 4:6 (AMP) God gives us a warning “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” “But those who trust in the Lord [through His word and Spirit] will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.” Is. 40:31 (KJV)

And one day soon, all of God’s children who have remained faithful through God’s word and endured, God will take us to 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)

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

Aug. 29, 2015

MY FRIENDS, WE ARE LIGHT BEARERS ON THE WAY TO HEAVEN!!!

“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 (ESV) My friends, let’s focus first on “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness”

And then Paul tells us in Eph. 3:19-20 (NKJV) “To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

As a Child of God, we are “set as light bearers on the way to heaven. [And we] are to reflect to the world the light shining upon [us] from Christ. [Our] life and character should be such that through [us] others will get a right conception of Christ and of His service. (E.G. White Steps To Christ pp 115)

In addition, we must reflect the love of God in all we do and say. In Luke 10:1-3 (ESV) he tells us that the Lord appointed seventy-two disciples two by two, to go before him to be witnesses into every town and place where He himself was about to go.

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”

And when they returned, Luke 10:17-24 (ESV) tells us, His disciples reported to Him, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” What an honor my friends, what an honor, to be one of God’s chosen, heirs to His kingdom and light bearers to the world “for such a time as this.”

It is a very exciting time we live in today, because we have been chosen by Christ to bear His name throughout the world “and then the end will come” So my Savior says, do not rejoice in the fact that His Spiritual armor allows you to stand against the wiles of the devil…..

And against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” “But rejoice that our names are written in heaven,” if we have faith and endure.

Oh the promises of God, a God that gave His only begotten Son to die in our Stead and a Son who was willing to make it happen and to each of His children, who are willing to allow God’s Spirit and His word to take full control, while also allowing self to die as we live our life through Christ as we take up our cross and become light bearers throughout the world.

And my friends, the greatest promise of all is, “when God wipes 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 [would have] passed away” Rev. 21:4 (KJV)

and when ten thousand years have passed in a place where time is infinite. We will still be able to say the journey was worth all we had to endure to make it into the promise land. I can’t wait, what about you?

My Friends, where there is no vision, the people perish…..Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

Aug. 28, 2015

“LORD DON’T MOVE THE MOUNTAIN, BUT GIVE ME STRENGTH TO CLIMB IT”

“Lord don’t move the mountain, but give me strength to climb it. Please don’t move that stumbling block, But lead me Lord around it, The way may not be easy, You didn’t say that it would be. For when our tribulations get too light, We tend to stray from Thee.” (Mahalia Jackson)

My friend, it is 2015 and some of God’s children are just where we were ten years ago in our relationship with God and our faith has not increased to the point where we are totally dependent on Him. And if you can look back over your life and say with no reservation I am the same.

Then My friends, In heartfelt prayer and supplication we must stay on our knees and cry out to God “Lord don’t move the mountain, but give me strength to climb it” and I must say with all honesty if you are seeking God’s kingdom and are looking to cross over into the promise land one day soon and there are no mountains in your life, then your cry must be Lord take these iniquities that are keeping me from receiving all that heaven has to offer to prepare my life to be “safe to save.”

In other words, self still controls our life, and we have not “been crucified with Christ because It is still self who lives within us not Christ. And the life that we should be living we are not because of our flesh and a lack of “faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us.” Gal. 3:20 (Paraphrased)

My friends “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” [Baal being the god of this world] 1 Kings 18:21 (NKJV) Satan has allowed the chaos of this world to take our attention off of where we should be on this journey God has placed us on.

We are paralyzed to what is happening and what we need to do be doing to get over that mountain in our life and to pull with us, our friends, family, love one’s, neighbors, co-workers and a world whose spiritual compass continues to point towards this world where grace is gradually being removed only to be replaced with the chaos and confusion that Satan is creating.

So today, if there are mountains in your life, thank God, because those mountains strengthens our faith so that we are “steadfast, unmovable and always abounding” towards the things above and not the things of this world.

In addition the stronger we grow in faith the stronger we become. In addition, the closer we get to the promise land our faith, endurance and the power of God’s word and Spirit will become the driving force that takes us over that final mountain as we enter God’s kingdom and hear our Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.

You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.” Matthew 25:21 (ESV) My friends we are at the end of all prophecy, there is no time for compromise, our soul salvation depends on each of us staying focus.

Today we must move out in faith and give it all to the Master and soon we will enter that 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)

My Friends, where there is no vision, the people perish…..Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

MY FRIENDS, “WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.”

“Weeping may endure for a night” but our God will get us through the storm “and then, the Son will rise to take His faithful home to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. That statement gives us a reason to praise God’s name before our joy in the morning even arrives!

For His Promise is “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3 (NKJV) David uses the night to show us that our weeping is temporary, the night isn’t going to last.

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” Is. 42:9 (NASB) so the only place for our trust is in the loving arms of our Savior, because everything else is temporary but “God’s words will by no means pass away.”

So it becomes all about our faith in the promises of God “Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” Is. 49:14-16 (NASB)

What  a marvelous promise, our Savior has inscribed us on the palm of His hand which indicates we are His, we belong to Him if we can just endure because at the setting of the sun and darkness surrounds the firmament over the sky if we will keep our eyes focused on God’s only begotten Son and what he went through on the cross for our Salvation joy will come in the morning.

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) tells us “Have I not commanded you? [to] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” weather at night or day, in the storm or in sunshine.

In addition, Christ is preparing us through the storms of this life for our eternal destination 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)

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 morning.] 1 Cor 10:13 (NKJV)

So if you are willing to hold on to your faith and endure for a night “the Lord our God, He is the One who goes with us. He will not leave us nor forsake us.” Deut. 31:6 (KJV) My friends what depressing times we live in on this earth and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

But for a child of God, our Joy not only will come in the morning but it will also come from serving God and letting the world know of Christ soon return. In addition, our joy also comes from the anticipation of where God will lead His chosen, heirs to His kingdom as we center our life on what God wants and the joy of being lead by the one who gave it all for our Salvation.

My Friends, where there is no vision, the people perish…..Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

Aug. 25, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DO WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO GOD?

“Our minds may be drawn out toward Him; we may meditate upon His works, His mercies, His blessings; but this is not, in the fullest sense, communing with Him. In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life.” (E.G. White Steps to Christ, pp 93)

So my friends, what do we talk to our Savior about, concerning our actual life? And what are our request? And do we have the faith to make our prayers all about God’s needs in regards to His mandate to go into all the world and tell others about the good news of His soon return?

Yes what are those special moments when we enter the throne room in the presence of the Master, sitting at His feet and seeking His council all about. But whatever it’s about, it must be personal because God wants our undivided attention if we expect to hear the voice of God in the midst of the storm.

In addition, we must feel the need of prayer, we must also recognize it as our faith reacting to God’s needs, not our needs. So as the terrain becomes unstable and the winds becomes turbulent and our world seems to be headed in the opposite direction from where we thought it should be at this particular time in our life, our prayers still remain on the will of God.

In addition, It is our faith that keep us in communion with God, asking Him to guide our footsteps and to keep our focus on His needs. My friends how much more “Breaking News” must we hear before we realize we are getting to the end of prophecy and only our prayers centered around Christ can prepare us for a world without grace?

But today grace abounds, the communication between earth and heaven are open if we believe. Everyone who feels no need to communicate with God, Satan will control because it is only the armor of God that gives a child of God the power to “stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore [we must] take up the whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Eph. 6:10-13 (NKJV) As we lift God up in prayer and magnify His name we are petitioning our best friend, not just some acquaintance.

Oh “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief’s to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” As we talk to God we really can begin to hear the sound of the rushing wind, and the more we talk to Him we realize, His appearing is closer than ever before as we begin to hear the trumpet of Gabriel.

consistent with this, we begin to hear the Father saying, Son go get my children. And the more we pray, the clearer that vision becomes of our Savior standing on a cloud, with tens of thousands of angels as we witness for ourselves, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords entering the clouds above to take His faithful children home.

Yes my friends, only our passion through prayer do we know that soon, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, it will all happen, and then, eternal happiness as we go to that 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)

My Friends, where there is no vision, the people perish…..Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

Aug. 24, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IT IS ALL ABOUT ENDURANCE!!!

It will be stormy today, for the sky looks threatening the clouds have begun to darken. My friends, “you know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” Luke 12:56 (ESV)

The daily barrage of “breaking news” along with our pain sufferings, trials and  tribulations should be all the signs we need today as prophecy unfolds from in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Gen. 1:1 (KJV)

To Matt. 24:4-14 (NKJV) “many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places.

All these are the beginning of sorrows…..And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold….” My friends Satan knows his time is running out so He has made the road very wide and accessible to God’s children.

But my friends the road to Salvation will be tough, narrow and few will make it across into the “promise land” because they have given up, the terrain is rough, and victory seem unattainable.

Besides the name of Jesus Christ, endurance becomes central to the foundation of our character for eternity more than anything else, because our trials, becomes a avenue into how Satan will keep our minds focus away from any triumphs we may achieve through Jesus Christ.

”But true obedience my friends must have a passion from within, the same  that our Savior exhibited while He lived among us. “Faith can be maintained only by bringing the Christian religion to the test of practice, thus demonstrating its transforming power and the faithfulness of its promises.” (E. G. White Manuscript 42, 1901)

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:1-4 (KJV)

Paul also states: “but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5:3-6 (NIV) my friends, let’s focus today, on the words, “when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”

At times we do seem powerless, that is when our faith is stretched to the limit and we feel like given up, but we must look to the triumph of the cross and what was done for us at Calvary just so we would continue this journey in spite of the temptation from the god of this world.

Look around you today, does the god of this world present us with any hope. As the father of deception and lies, he speaks what is natural to him. So what he is really saying to us is, follow me, for I am the way to death and perdition.

So as we fall and stumble along the way of this rough and turbulent road on this journey Christ has set before us, continue to hold on to your faith and endure as you focus on that vision in 1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV) “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.”

Aug. 21, 2015

MY FRIENDS, HAVE YOU RECOGNIZE THE EXTENT OF GOD’S MARVELOUS GRACE?

“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness.

The government of God is not, as Satan would make it appear, founded upon a blind submission, an unreasoning control. It appeals to the intellect and the conscience. “Come now, and let us reason together” is the Creator’s invitation to the beings He has made. Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)……..

He invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

In giving ourselves to God, we must necessarily give up all that would separate us from Him. Hence the Saviour says, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33 (E.G. White, Steps To Christ pp43)

How amazing is that, to be called by Christ to be His disciple “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. [and] They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” Matt. 4:19-20 (NKJV) My friends where I need you to focus today is in the words and “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”

Did you notice they did not ask, who is this stranger that expects us too give up everything and drop all we are doing and follow Him. But my friends, if we seek Christ daily, when His choice falls upon us whom He wants for His service the call is irresistible we must respond.

In addition, to stand in the presence of God and say I have more pressing issues, oh what a lost opportunity. “The warfare against self is the greatest battle will ever be fought” from within. So to give it all to the Master with no reservations should be all that matters, if salvation and life eternal is our destiny.

“O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places.” Ps. 43:3 (NASB) My friends the light has been sent out and it is God’s Spirit, daily or Savior seeks us to let self die and give it all to the Master.

“How long will [we] falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21 (NKJV) Baal being a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” Rev. 18:2 (NKJV)

My friends, grace oh marvelous grace that still allows us to make choices after 6000 years of man doing it his way. Oh marvelous grace that still is willing to say “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30 (NKJV) Oh marvelous grace whose hand has reach as far as we have gone away from the presence of the one who gave it all for our salvation.

Grace oh marvelous grace, If it wasn’t for His grace where would we really be, what would our life really be like. But the goodness of God still allows “His sun [or Son to continue to] rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt. 5:45 (NKJV) Grace oh marvelous grace.

My Friends, where there is no vision, the people perish…..Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)