Aug. 3, 2015

MY FRIENDS, ARE YOUR EARS ATTUNED TO THE VOICE OF GOD?

Attuned, is to bring into accord, or as one in harmony, to responding to the voice of God. 1 Sam.1:3-13 (NKJV) tells us, “And the word of the Lord was rare in those days;…..But, from his bed Samuel heard a voice calling out to him.

Twice he went to Eli and ask him if he had called, and Eli said no. On the third time the Lord called, “Samuel”! Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; ”Eli then realized that the Lord was calling Samuel.

So Eli told Samuel, if He calls you again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel laid down. God speaks again, and in a vision tells Samuel that he will become the voice through whom he would speak to his people.

Learning to clearly distinguish God’s voice as the prophets of old would probably guarantee most of the world an easy path to Gods pure and holy kingdom. Also, if we could have the wisdom of Gods actual voice to guide and protect us.

Our lives would radically be transformed by reciprocating to the voice of the Master, as He directs us through every situation and circumstances or the very worst that we as Christians may encounter from day to day.

Consistent with this, we would be one word away from the Lord responding to us as we respond to our children Matthew 7:9-11(KJV) tells us “……If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

But first, we must understand what method God is using to train our hearts to respond to His need “for such a time as this” and when I say His needs, I am referring to the needs of the harvest and those who live from day to day with no hope, those whose spiritual compass forever points away from Christ instead of towards Him.

Christ tells us “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” John 10:27 (KJV) Those who hear God’s voice are those who walk in the footsteps of God, and who have been saved by the transforming power of His love and grace through faith.

These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice, who comes when He calls and follow Him wherever He goes because His Children know, the more time we spend intimately in the presence of God and His Word, the easier it is to distinguish His voice and His leading in our lives from the god of this world and the direction to perdition he attempts to lead us.

Employees at an airport are trained to recognize counterfeit ID’s by studying genuine id’s so closely from various States, and Countries, that it will be unimaginable not to recognize a fake one, simply because they have studied diligently the real from the fake.

In addition, we, as heirs to God’s kingdom should be so familiar with God’s Word and voice that when God does speak to us or directs us as we study His word, it will be absolutely clear that it is God’s voice who we here.

And in so doing, it will verify in our minds, any, and all, truth from error as we stand at the threshold of the promise land preparing to enter 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

JULY 30, 2015

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE NOTICED, THE FAUCET NEVER STOPS RUNNING?

“He was there all the time Waiting patiently in line Never again will I search for a fake rainbows end, Now that I’ve found the answer my life is just starting to rhyme Sharing each new day with Him is a breath of fresh life. Oh what I’ve missed He’s been waiting right here all the time.”

My friends, have you looked in your pantry at times and said to yourself, there is no water in the house? You then, get into your car, head to the store to purchase some. Yesterday I discovered no water in the house before I rode my bike.

But still, I started out riding, then after a distance, it dawned on me, there was an abundant supply of water at the house, if I would have only turned on the faucet. It was there all the time just waiting to be turned on.

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 (ESV) The world sometimes has us forgetting where our true source of life really comes from.

Throughout our life we have searched for answers too so many of our problems. only to find out, Christ our problem solver, is there all the time. For “He is the way, the truth and the life No one comes to the Father except through Him.”

Luke 15:8-9 (NKJV) tells us.“What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!”

My friends, if we remain focused on that coin today, it was always there, but the woman managed to lose it because of her carelessness. This is the same way we lose sight of the Master. The world has us so consumed with the cares and affairs of this world that we loose sight of the presence of our Savior, who is always there.

In addition, He “Stands at the door [of our heart], knocking, [pleading] if any man [or woman] hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3:20 (KJV)

But it is unlikely we will ever hear God’s voice, if His chosen does not, “humble ourselves, and pray, and seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways” 2 Chron. 7:14 (KJV)  So we must remember our Savior is always there.

Waiting patiently in line, behind all what the god of this world has told  us is more important than our Salvation. But, love, grace and mercy has him still waiting, in spite of our focus on the things of this earth.

But once we have allowed self to die, and our life becomes all about Jesus Christ and His will for us. He begins to prepare our hearts for 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)

Then, like the woman who had lost the coin, went and called her friends and neighbors, to let them know she had found her coin. We are to also let the world know this precious gift called eternal life that we have found as we tell them, the good news of the gospel and how they may also obtain it.

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

July 29, 2015

MY FRIENDS, HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE ANT LATELY?

My friends at what level is our faith, and trust on the promises in God’s word? And has your heartfelt Prayer and supplication only reached plateau level, where there is little to no change in your life’s situations and circumstances, so you retreat, and pull back?

In proverbs 6:6 (NKJV) it tells us to “go to the ant…consider her ways and be wise.” The problems we face each day, from a human standpoint becomes overwhelming, and unsolvable at times.

But also like the ant who stays focused, we must also stay focused on our example, “the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…..” Heb. 12:2 (NKJV)  Life, Death, Home, Family, Employment!

All trials that are associated with the storms of our life on this journey Christ has placed us on. In addition, trials tribulation, all become infinite when we think of one’s problems within the interaction of our day to day life and how we as Christians relate or handle each situation or circumstances that arises.

But as Christians who seek a new home we must be able to stretch our Faith to the limit as we become so focused on our goal which is God’s kingdom that defeat is never an option, only victory through faith and endurance in God’s word and Spirit.

Remember the God we serve is. “unlimited, unmeasurable, and infinitely, in extent of space, duration of time in regards to what He is capable of doing for each of us.” He is a infinite God “who will never leave or forsake us.”

For “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”? Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV)

”The great Oriental conqueror Tamerlane told his friends, “I once was forced to take shelter from my enemies in a dilapidated building, where I sat alone for many hours. Wishing to divert my mind from my hopeless situation, I fixed my eyes on an ant carrying a kernel of corn larger than itself up a high wall.

I counted its attempts to accomplish this feat. The corn fell sixty-nine times to the ground, but the insect persevered. The seventieth time it reached the top. The ant’s accomplishment gave me courage for the moment, and I never forgot the lesson.” (Streams in the Desert)

Today my friends at what level is your faith, and trust on the promises in God’s word. Luke 3:5 (KJV) tells us Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.”

The ant never gives up, he may fall at times as his burdens gets heavy but he never stops, always pursuing his goal which is at the top of the mountain. But to a child of God that hill continues until we have reached the promise land, eternal life and The reward of the redeemed.

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

July 28, 2015

MY FRIENDS, OUR GREATEST WANT TODAY SHOULD BE THE OUTPOURING OF GOD’S SPIRIT!

“The times of refreshing” is what we as God’s chosen generation must have a passion that burns from within, as we seek the outpouring of God’s spirit daily. But what are you afraid of?  There certainly can be no deviation in regards to what is required in order for us to receive salvation?

Or our mission for the Master, if his mandate is to be completed in our lifetime? So my friends,  if we understand that, the outpouring of God’s spirit should be going on in our lives right now. And once we are transformed by His power, the Spirit then “convicts, instructs, guides and empowers each believer.”

And then starts our mission by preparing a world for our Savior’s second coming. We are at the threshold of the promise land and this generation has been chosen to finish His work here on earth.

But the question we all must ask ourselves is, will I personally be a leading vessel for Christ during this time, a vessel that overflows with the outpouring of God’s Spirit or does the god of this world dictate our destination by leading us to believe “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

In addition, “there must be a constant development of Christian virtue, a constant advancement in Christian experience. This we should seek with intensity of desire, that we may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Savior.” (E.G.White)

My friends, we have to make a decision today for tomorrow is not promised to us and that decision must be, do I allow the transforming “power of God’s Spirit to come upon us as we become passionate about spreading the good news about Christ soon return, and how His presence has made a difference in our life, to a world that has lost it’s “spiritual compass.”?

Or are there other pressing issues in our life? Their should be no fear as a soldier in God’s army, and what is required of us as his children while becoming  “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the lord, knowing that in the lord our labor is not in vain.” 1Cor. 15:58 (KJV)

So today my friends, our focus must remain to seek the Spirit of God, because it is only through His power can we endure to the finish line. We each must have our own Mount of Olives experience where our faith will be tested before we can accept our own Cross as we allow “ He who has begun a good work in [us too] complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” Phil. 1:6 (NKJV)

And only being filled with the power of the Spirit will we be able to carry a cross and witness and endure until we receive “our palms of victory” Remember my friends, the rich young ruler kept all of God’s commandments, but when Jesus ask Him to give it all to the Master “he was saddened, and he went away grieving,”

Remember “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Therefore the demand of our time, money and talents will be great, but it is all about trust and belief, that the Spirit of God is leading 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

July 27, 2015

MY FRIENDS, THIS IS THE AIR WE BREATHE, HIS HOLY PRESENCE LIVING IN US!!

My friends, there can be no closer relationship then God being the very air we breathe, God’s holy presence living in us, along with being our daily bread. His every word spoken within us. At times throughout our life, situations and circumstances dictated that we were desperate, lost and out of sync.

But then we look back over our lives and realize every mountain and valley, ever terrain and rough spot in our lives was only a brief or sudden interruption, but only in our finite minds, for we now realize with no reservation, if we are “your heirs, and joint-heirs with Christ, that you never left us or forsaked us or never will.

In addition, as far as we drifted away, your arm would reach just that far to rescue and guide our footsteps along the way. And that is why our love for you cannot be explained until we walk on that sea of glass among “a great multitude which no man or woman can number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues.

And we will all be standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in our hands,” Rev. 7:9 (NKJV) for we all endured, stayed firm, and forever abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor was not in vain, as we “brought into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

And “now we know we have a perfect right in the city” and we will continue to know it throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. My friends, A Hymn of Faith in Habakkuk 3:17-18 states “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

What a disastrous situation being described by Habakkuk but like Habakkuk sometimes God appears to be silent amid all the trials tribulations and heartaches that goes on in our life from day to day and year to year.

But like Habakkuk, we must also wait in faith and trust in an unseen God until the time when the world will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of our Lord, and His presence will forever shine throughout eternity in His pure and holy kingdom.

But before that time comes while we are In the midst of all the turmoil evil, and injustice in the world we live in, we must complete our faith with a knowledge of our dependence In God and His word.

For we “Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture…..For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Ps. 100:3-5 (NKJV)

So now how do we repay the one who did it all for us, while the one who lives by faith is not saved by his works, his works show that he lives by faith. His faith is revealed in his works, “and, behold, He will come quickly; and His reward is with Him, to give every man or woman according as his work shall be.” So please let’s keep our eyes focused on the things above and what we must do to be save.

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

July 26, 2015

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE ALLOWED THE DARKNESS TO DISSIPATE THE LIGHT?

Dissipate; to scatter in various directions, disperse or dispel. That is Webster definition of dissipate, so our focus today is, on not allowing the god of this world to scatter or disperse the light of Christ love and saving grace out of our lives towards perdition.

So our goal must be to allow Christ Spirit to take full control, while not allowing our lives to be overcome with what the forces of evil tells us is acceptable, especially those grey areas or “socially acceptable sins.”

So our passion must be to only focus on the light, by allowing God’s spirit to transform our life into the image of Christ and once we have allowed that to happen we then become Christ light bearers to the world.

Light bearers, that shines before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:14-16 (NKJV) Now with God’s children becoming the light, Christ then is our example in all areas of your life.

For the “Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon [His faithful]; because Jehovah hath anointed [each of us] to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent [his chosen] to bind up the broken-hearted.

In addition, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; Isaiah 61:1-2 (NKJV)

And As God’s chosen our first responsibility is to follow Christ as we begin to trace the steps of Christ in His Word and take on His Character, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, forgiven, purity and holiness, compassion, endurance, and “humility, and obedient to the point of death even the death of the cross” Phil 2:8 (NKJV)

So my friends if our focus stays on the light of Christ as we allow self to die while becoming one in Christ, as we allow our faith to lead us to Calvary, then Gal 2:19-20 (KJV) tells us we are now “crucified with Christ…..who now lives in us; and our life is now lived through our faith in Jesus Christ, who loves us and died for us.”

And then we only live to Evangelize and witnesses [for Christ] “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NKJV) My friends, the curtain is pulled back and we are now at the threshold of the promise land where prophecy is being fulfilled daily.

In addition, during this time in History, it will not be easy to lay aside “every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” Because if Satan, always the strategist, can keep us focus on the things of this world, then lost souls will no longer be our concern.

But Christ tells us to “Enter by the narrow gate; because that narrow gate is where the light will continuously light our path until “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord.”

Along with thousands, times ten thousands and thousands of angels singing Holy, Holy, Holy as we travel to that place “Eye have 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

July 24, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IS YOUR MIND FOCUSED BEYOND THIS WORLD?

For whom our soul yearns, How sweet the sound for we have “Set our mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 (KJV) My friends, that text tells us that our focus is completely centered on allowing a transformation to take place in our lives that transcends from this world to the world to come.

In addition, as we allow God’s Spirit to transform us, He will also “guide [us] into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13 (NKJV)

And “those things to come” are the promises in God’s word to all who believe and are “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord” 1 Cor.15:58 (NKJV)

Faith, endurance, studying God’s Word, praying without ceasing, and serving Christ with a passion, each essential to the life expectancy of the other, which are the foundation of “Setting our mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

So if we seek God’s kingdom, we must dissociate ourselves from the things of this world that do not center our attention on Jesus Christ and Him crucified, starting with what our eyes see, what we hear, how we spend our time and what we spend the resources that God gives us on.

If we are serious about our Salvation, there must be a deep passion from within, a passion “for things above and not of this earth”  and this passion can only come from a transformation from what this world deems as acceptable, too what God says is acceptable that will lead to life eternal in His pure and holy kingdom.

Remember my friends, “our citizenship is in heaven” this world is not our  home, we are just passing through. So as Christians our minds must stay on things not of this world, as our passion stays on what our God has prepared for us above. John 14:1-4 (KJV) tells us  “Let not your heart be troubled; if you believe in God, believe also in me.

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I now go to prepare a place for you……and I will come again, that where I am, there you may be also…..” Oh what an awesome promise.

And as children of the king, heirs to His throne, we should always feel like aliens, or strangers in a foreign country. The Psalmist tells us in Ps. 119:19 (KJV) “I am a stranger on earth” But as strangers, we still have a mandate from God, as long as we are in this foreign country we must spread the good news of the gospel to all who will listen and believe.

For “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 I continuously use that text because we need to have that vision imprinted within our heart that transcends out to a world that has lost hope.

A vision that has not been created by man or the god of this world, only our Redeemer “the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

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

July 23, 2015

MY FRIENDS, ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS, WHERE THE GOOD WAY IS, AND WALK IN IT!!

My friends, God’s word and law never changes, Christ tells us “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:18 (KJV)

As a child of God who serves God and seeks His presence daily, no matter what situation or circumstances arises in our life there is no negotiating for change. Christ tells us, “Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls…” Jer. 6:16 (KJV)

Understanding and following the council of that text, let’s us know, our faith only becomes stronger knowing we only have one option and that is what God has set before us and with full assurance we then begin to realize that if we are strong and endure through our faith and be of good courage.

We have nothing to fear nor be afraid of “for the Lord our God, He is the One who goes with [us and]. He will not leave [His faithful] nor forsake us.” Deut. 31:6 (NKJV) But we must surrender it all to the Master as we allow Him to become “the center of our life and when we’ve lost our direction, He becomes the compass for our way.”

There are so many paths that the god of this world places before us that “seemeth right unto a man, [or woman] but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14:12 (KJV) But our God has only one path and that is the one that was laid out for us from the foundation of the world.

“He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” Eph. 1”4-7 (NKJV) What a promise my friends, what more can we ask for as God’s chosen and all He asked of us is that we ”ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it;”

“Oh, let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been made for us! Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy that Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost, and bring them back to the Father’s house.

Motives stronger, and agencies more powerful, could never be brought into operation; the exceeding rewards for right-doing, the enjoyment of heaven, the society of the angels, the communion and love of God and His Son, the elevation and extension of all our powers throughout eternal ages–are these not mighty incentives and encouragements to urge us to give the heart’s loving service to our Creator and Redeemer? (E. G. White Steps To Christ pp 21)

My friends, let’s stay focus today, and decide with no reservation to make heaven our home. Satan knows his time has just about run it’s course so his goal is to find a way to get each of us to stay focus on the things of this world  until we no longer recognize the love, grace and mercy of our God but only “evil as good, and good as evil.”

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

July 22, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IS THERE A POINT WHERE WE ARE FILLED AND NEED NO MORE?

“Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4: 13-14 (NKJV)

My friends, what a great promise if you are a child of God and believe in all of God’s promises. In addition,we must understand that is what we must long for day in and day out, “that fountain of water that springs into eternal life.”

“There are [also] millions in this world who are craving The pleasures earthly things afford; But none can match the wondrous treasure That we find in Jesus Christ our Lord. Fill our cup Lord,”

But, there is a process by which we all must go through to obtain that water where we will never thrust and once we have obtain it we must share the source of this rich blessing that leads to life eternal.

The woman at the well in John 4, after talking to Jesus knew she was in the presence of the Messiah because she longed for what she knew was missing in her life. Verse 15 tells us “The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

But the question we must ask is why the Jewish elect didn’t recognize Christ from all He did, while among them. Healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, all the sermons of love, peace, grace and mercy He preached.

Being in the very presence of the Master but never allowing God’s Spirit to open their eyes or hearts to the source of all life, what a sad scenario. My friends the word of God was written so that we would forever recognize that God is among us.

But we must allow His Spirit to open our eyes and hearts to the fact that His presence is what we must seek if our desire is life eternal. My friend’s, life is a mystery at times that just can’t be explained as Christ fills us until we want more and more and our faith being stretched to the limit, we cherish the challenge.

Simply because, God’s grace is sufficient for [us], for [our] power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore we will boast all the more gladly of [our] weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon us. For the sake of Christ, then, [we are] content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when [we are] weak, then [we are] strong. 2 Cor. 12:9-10 (NKJV)

So as our Faith Grows and the more we are filled with God’s Spirit the more our responsibility and endurance grows as we serve Christ daily while still seeking more, even when we see His face and here those words “Well done, good and faithful servant.

And I can only imagine we continue being filled because, all through the ceaseless ages of eternity, His faithful heirs to the kingdom, even though the controversy is over, as we continue to see the scars of Calvary on our Savior, we will always be reminded of the sacrifice that was made that gave us the endurance to continue through every mountain, valley and terrain that we had to get over that gave us a perfect right to forever eat from the tree of life.

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