June 4, 2015.

MY FRIENDS, FOLLOW THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE!!

Forty years earlier, the Israelite’s stood at the threshold of the promise land, only to be denied entrance because the faithless multitude had refused to focus on where God had brought them from. But how does one forget the plagues of Egypt, and the Passover night, how does one forget the parting of the waters at the red sea?

How does one forget the food of angels from heaven for nourishment, and water from a mountain for thirst? What a sad scenario to have seen and heard the mighty power of God, and still be denied entrance to the Promise land. My friends, the power of God has not been hid from us, what a sad scenario to be denied into the promise land because of our unbelief.

Joshua Israel’s new leader, remembered listening to the reports of the twelve spies who said “We went to the land where you sent us. It really is a land flowing with milk and honey, but the people who live there are giants. But only Caleb and Joshua out of the multitude over twenty knew the power of God and what He had done for them in the pass and they also knew, He is the one who had created the giants.

“Let’s go take possession, we should be more than able to conquer it.” Were their words to the congregation, But Satan encouraged doubt from the faithless and now only Caleb and Joshua remained out of the million plus, who were over twenty who died in the wilderness. Yes my friends only two over twenty knew where God had brought them, only two over twenty had been this way before.

They knew from personal experiences what the fear of the unknown would do to someone who would not let the presence of the Lord determine their destiny. So that is why Joshua’s mandate to the multitude was to follow the covenant of the Lord “since you had never been this way before.”

So today as God’s Children, the journey we are now traveling to the promise land stands on the other side of our trials, and tribulations, it is unchartered territory to us, but our Lord and savior Jesus Christ has been this way before. He knows the rough terrain.

He knows the temptations and hardships one 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. John 4:6 (KJV) tells us “Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well….” Yes my friends, even Jesus Christ got tired and weary.

But our Savior never lost focus of His goal, which was Calvary, not Jacobs well, so He continued because His love for us never wavered, He knew our fragile framework because He was our Creator; He remembered that we are made from the dust of the ground and what challenges we will encounter as we carried our cross.

But who else to Guide us along this journey but someone who has been this way before, and finished the course. So remember when you are overwhelmed with the trials of this life, remember our Savior has been this way before, He will guide us every step of the way on our journey to the Promise Land, if we believe and endure.

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.” Psalm 73:23-26 (AMP)

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

June 4, 2015

MY FRIENDS, 21 CENTURIES LATER, NOW IT IS OUR TIME!!

On the day of Pentecost where suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, as it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on the whole assemble.

Acts is a history of the early church and the spread of Christianity among the Gentiles during this time period after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the struggles that the early churches encountered, and just like today, the Harvest was plentiful but the workers were few, as the call went out for his disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.”

And once this happened, The love, grace and mercy of Christ was carried to the remotest parts of the empire and in a few generations Christianity had invaded nearly every level of society. The Apostle Paul, one of the main characters of Acts, we can all say with no reservations, has set the bar for discipleship, carrying your cross and witnessing to a level that very few are willing to go there.

And the reason is, simply, the world and if you are included in the world are just not willing to “Set all of one’s affection on things above, but on things of this earth.[that will eventually fade away]” Col 3:2 (NKJV) But I need you to ask yourself today, do I have this same passion towards discipleship, carrying your cross and witnessing as Paul?

And if the answer is no, then ask yourself in the presence of God why not? Because you know of Christ righteousness, you know of His love, grace and mercy, you know He died on Calvary for each of our sins and the sins of all the world, you know the prophecy of Matt. 24, and that it is being played out each day.

And you also know, that we are moving closer and closer to when God will say to his Son, let’s go get my faithful Children. They that are unjust, let them be unjust still: and they which are filthy, let them be filthy still: and they that are righteous, let them be righteous still: and they that are holy, let them be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man and woman, according as his work shall be. Rev. 22:11-12 (NKJV)

Nothing that has to do with our Salvation or the salvation of others has been hidden from you in God’s word. So where is our Passion for Salvation, and the Salvation of others as we take the good news to a world whose Spiritual compass is pointing toward perdition? Yes this Same Spirit that Luke wrote about in Acts, 21 centuries later, we can receive this same power.

In addition, God has chosen us to finish His work and it can only be done if we have the passion of Christ to do it. “The abruptness with which the book of Acts closes is not accidental; it deliberately suggest that the thrilling narrative is unfinished, and that the acts of God through the spirit are to have their sequel throughout the Christian dispensation each successive generation adding a chapter full of beauty and power to the one who preceded it. (E.G. White, Acts of the Apostles pp v)

So today my friends, ask yourself  how am I, that sit each week on my special pew at church, contributing to the continuation of acts “for such a time as this” in the 21^st century. This same Spirit, this same rushing,  violent tempest blast that set one’s tongue on fire is still available, it still seeks after, and lones for a few good men and woman.

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

June 2, 2015

MY FRIENDS, LISTEN AND LOOK IN THE MIDST OF THE NOISE AS YOU SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD!

My friends “be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:6 (NKJV)  As a Child of God, this Journey He has placed us on probably started years ago, but at times it seems as we move forward two steps in our Christian walk, we retreat five steps backward, which gives the impression in one’s mind that our spiritual growth is always moving in the opposite direction from where we started.

But today I need you to listen and look in the midst of the noise of your daily life and seek the presence of God as you ask yourself do I truly love God and if so do my daily action demonstrate that love? And if your answer is yes then Paul tells us “those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose….” Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV)

“All things work together for good” but only if we “Set our mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Col. 3:2 (NIV) Things above where a family union will take place soon that I hope we are all making plans of attending.

I call it family union simply because a reunion is the process of re-uniting, where as a union is more in the presence because once a bond is created that union forever exist and we are never separated. So by having such a union God cannot be a distance God, or a God that we have to wonder if He is a part of our life regardless of  the times He may conceal our request or the sound of His voice in order to strengthen our faith.

But once that bond is formed, we then have developed a togetherness that will carry us throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. In addition, a bond or union will hold under all circumstances and situations therefore being in God’s presence tells us that the Lord, He is the One who [goes before each of us.] He will be with [us], He will not leave [us] nor forsake [us, so] do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deu. 31:6 (NKJV)

That union holds true also with our love one’s who have fallen asleep in God, because as a Child of God we should not be “ignorant, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest [we] sorrow as others who have no hope.

So a united bond was set while they were with us which allows them to be forever in our presence and with that hope and promise from our Savior what we look for is just a continuation of the union and togetherness that we feel from within for God and family, minis sin and the god of this world that continues to tell God’s chosen that his way is what we seek.

My friends our struggle with sin will never be over until God says “it is finished.” We often speak about sin in the past tense but Behold, [we were] shaped in iniquity; and in sin did our mother’s conceive each of us.” Ps. 51:5 (KJV)

In addition, sin is a part of our DNA, but the good news is, the transforming blood of Christ who died at Calvary, which because of the shedding of His blood, a transfusion will take place along with a continuous flow that will keep us focused on our journey to the promise land, if we will listen and look in the midst of the noise as we seek the presence of God and life eternal!

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

May 31, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IF WE LOVE JESUS DO WE NEED TO CLICK AND SHARE?

Today let’s make it personal and asked ourselves, should our faith and love for the one who gave it all so that we may have a “right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city,” in God’s pure and holy kingdom be reduced to only a click and share?

As a Child of God I believe that Facebook, Twitter or any “Social Media” outlet is not a primary area of my Lord and Masters concern as long as we have the poor, hungry, imprisoned, widowed, orphaned, and an immoral world that has lost sight of the saving grace of His love.

I really do and I believe each of you also love Jesus more than life itself. So we must ask our-self, if we click and share my feelings about my love for Christ, would that really allow a fallen world that desperately needs the transforming power of God’s Spirit, to know Him, or does it just allow me to have a hands off approach to Christ Mandate that tells His children to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.”

“According to the first chapter of Acts, 120 believers met in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. This is a ratio of 1 Christian to approximately every 500,000 to 580,000 people in the empire. From a human standpoint, Jesus’ command to preach the gospel to the world seemed unthinkable.

The Christian church exploded in growth. Tens of thousands were converted. The message of Jesus’ love was carried to the remotest parts of the empire. It reveals that in a few generations Christianity had invaded nearly every level of society even in the remote provinces. “(Mark Finley)

And my friends, this was actually done without any “Social Media,” and millions eventually died so that a world could receive the good news of Christ Salvation. Persecution of the Christians started with the Emperor Nero in the summer AD 64.

At that time Christians were a small underground group among the slaves and poor people, making them the perfect scapegoat when Nero set Rome on fire and blamed it on the Christians which lead to the persecution of millions. Christians were thrown to wild beasts and eaten alive in arenas throughout the empire, others were crucified. But, the more they killed the more the church grew.

Those who gave there life for the Master came to be known as “martyrs,” which means “witnesses.” And this my friends is how they showed their love for Jesus Christ as they allowed their focal point to be centered on his saving grace. So today let’s focus on how can we obtain this same passion that will let the world know we are “witnesses” for Christ.

Well, in God’s word, Jesus answers that question Himself, when He says “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matt 16:24 (NIV) That is what it will take and that can only happen when self-dies and Jesus Christ lives through us.

My friends, the final Chapter of this great Controversy between good and evil Is being written Right now, the climax will be when Christ comes to take His faithful Children, who have endured to our new Home and life eternal. So if you love Jesus by all means click and share, but most of all, seek first His kingdom and Spirit with a passion and then all power will come upon us as we become witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1;8 (NKJV)

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

May 29, 2015

MY FRIENDS, THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE SHOULD BE, “AND WHILE HE LINGERED”

When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand and his family.

“Oh the mercies of God who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth,” brought them outside the city and said “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape…lest you be destroyed.”

“Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, out of the heavens……..”  But his wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” Gen 16:23-26 (NKJV Paraphrased) My friends have you noticed when you read this tragic story, the part, that should be the motivating factor as to why we must start, not tomorrow, but today, becoming, unattached to the things of this world that we know the god of this world controls.

And that is, Not just the fact that Lot’s wife did not focus on where God was taking her and  disobeyed His command and allowed her heart to return to this sinful and despicable place where sin had abounded to such an extent that God had to destroy it.

But, those four words, which to me tells the whole story, “and while he lingered,” meaning Lot, who had to be literally carried out, before he would leave from the clutches and influence of the forces of evil. Once again, the love grace and mercy, of our Savior and what He will do to save us.

This was the patriarch of the family, the provider, who was not able to come to terms with the fact that he had already lingered in sin to long and it was time he gave it all to the Master.  And as we focus today, on those four words “And while he lingered,” they only solidify where we should be on our journey, and that is, if Lot would have had a stronger and more focused relationship with the Master, His wife probably would not have remained focused on to the things of this world that cause her to lose her life.

My friends, God has placed each of His chosen, in situations and circumstances where our influence is being duplicated to others as far as what we watch, and what we listen to, and where we go, and what we put into our bodies, that is detrimental to our health, and as God’s chosen generation, He has commissioned each of us to follow His lead, as we lead others to Christ.

In addition, as designated leaders for the “unity of Christ,” we must transcend beyond tomorrow, as we present a vision to others that takes them to places they never thought possible through Christ who is “the way, the truth, and the life” As you allow them to in-vision walking through those streets of gold with you, in God’s Kingdom.

In others words, make Salvation a “Unity of Purpose” as we inspire and motivate others through the way we live our lives. We must also each become pioneers for Christ, as we pave the way to the promise land in the final days of this life’s history.

And as the world sees us they will only see “Men, and women who will not be bought or sold; men and women who in their inmost souls are true and honest; who do 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)

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

May 28, 2015

MY FRIENDS, AT CHRIST WEAKEST MOMENT, ON THE CROSS, SATAN STILL COULD NOT DEFEAT HIM!!

“He [or she] who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. ”Revelation 3:21 (KJV) My friends we are assured of victory in this spiritual war between good and evil. “Christ did not yield up His life untill He had accomplished the work which He came to do.

In addition, with His parting breath and at His weakest moment, Christ defeated this fallen foe who had claimed “in [his] heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:13-14 (NASB)

And with His parting breath, Christ cried out “It is finished.” Because He knew the battle had been won. “His right hand and His holy arm had gotten Him the victory. As a Conqueror He planted His banner on the eternal heights…..Satan was defeated, and knew that his kingdom was lost.” (E.G. White It Is Finished)

My friends, now we must defeat Satan in all areas of our life as we allow God’s Spirit to give us the power over Satan’s stronghold over us, which begins when we give him permission to enter our lives when there is a total disregard of Gods laws of love. Remember, as the “god of this world” where we abide as aliens in a foreign country, he has the legitimate right to influence and harass us.

This world is his kingdom, until God say’s to His Son, let’s go get my faithful Children who have endured. In addition, John 1:12 (KJV) tells us “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God.” Also, we need to know our rights and privileges, as a Child of God.

Psalm 8:4-6 (KJV) says “What is man [and woman] that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made [them] a little lower than the angels, And you have crowned [them] with glory and honor. You have made [them] to have dominion over the works of Your hands; you have put all things under [their] feet.”

In addition, we need to know what power and authority we have as Gods children against Satan. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (KJV) what that power is “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” My friends, as “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ” it is important to pray without ceasing so we may stay focused as we take the good news to all who are blinded by the stronghold of Satan as they live with no hope or the power to be set free.

As Christians and believers in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, we have the power through the cross where Satan was defeated to take authority over the enemy, as we call out His name as Peter “when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him,. Matt 14:30-31 (NKJV)

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

MY FRIENDS, “ALL WE NEED TO CLIMB THAT MOUNTAIN IS JUST ENOUGH FAITH TO TRY”!!

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matt. 17:20 (NIV)

But it all begins with a movement or stepping out in faith. “But Sometimes we delay our own decisions and actions because of fear and vulnerability. most often we are still hung up on the past, overwhelmed by circumstance of the present, or battling between deception and truth about our situation of the future.

And then, Confusion settles when we look at ourselves and around us to attain the faith and wisdom we need to take our next step, But instead of giving it all to Christ, our solution is, we do nothing and give up. Remember my friends “it is not enough to believe about Christ [and what He can do for us]; we must believe in him.

Because the only faith that will benefit us is that [faith] which embraces him as a personal savior; which appropriates his merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion, but saving faith is atransaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves in a covenant relationship with God.

Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, and a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.” (E.G. White Desire of Ages pp 347) My friends, Abraham’s faith did not start with him obeying God, and taking His only son, to be used as a living sacrifice.

And David’s faith did not start with him killing Goliath, neither did Elijah’s faith start with him defeating the 400 Prophets of Baal, on Mount Carmel, or the three Hebrew boys deciding to go into a fiery furnace rather then bow down to a false god and most of all, our faith must tell us, Jesus Christ our Savior, His Faith did not begin on Calvary.

So if we allow God’s Spirit to guide us as we study the word of God and believe that “the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. Ps 33:4 (KJV) then we must also believe that “all we need to climb that mountain is just enough faith to try”!!

But the first step is to give it all to the Master as we allow Him to guide our footsteps on this Journey He has placed us on. Remember our God “begun this good work in [you and I and He] will complete it on the day of Jesus Christ” Phil 1:6 (NKJV) if we are determined to step out on faith, as we ask “Lord not my will but thy will be done.”

And as we begin to serve Christ each day, the Passion of Christ becomes the passion of our faith, which keeps us inspired and motivated to continue climbing that mountain until we have reached the promise land. In addition, the God we serve is unlimited, unmeasurable, and infinitely ably to do all that we ask for His faithful if we believe. Remember, We were all created in the image of God so we all have the opportunity to be men and woman after God’s own heart if we will only “move out in Faith just enough to climb that mountain!!”

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

MY FRIENDS “THANK GOD FOR THE THORN IN OUR FLESH, SO THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY DWELL IN US”

“And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me,

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10(NASB)

Paul most likely was a proud man, with a little bit of arrogance, so it is with most of God’s children, sometimes God allows us to suffer that we may develop humility. “A thorn in our flesh,” and it may not always be health issues, but the constant storms in our life are thorns in our flesh, because they are a “messenger of Satan to buffet God’s faithful to keep us from exalting ourselves to where God is trying to take us, so that we may exalt Christ in all we do.

In addition, we must keep our eyes focus on our Savior and the straight path He has laid out for us Because we are His Children and He loves us so much, that He gave His life for our Salvation. “Who [are we], that the Lord of all the earth Would care to know [our] name, Would care to feel [our] hurt?

Who [are we], that the Bright and Morning Star Would choose to light the way For [our] ever wandering heart? [We are] a flower quickly fading, Here today and gone tomorrow. A wave tossed in the ocean. A vapor in the wind. Who [are we], that the eyes that see my sin Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?

Who [are we], that the voice that calmed the sea, Would call out through the rain And calm the storm [for you, and for] me? Still You hear [us when we call]. Lord, You catch [us] when we are falling. And You have told [your chosen who we are, we are yours.] (Casting Crowns, Who Am I) And that my friends, is why we must endure, because we are His.

Consistent with this, Christ is seeking those who 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) Paul is not saying, only when the sun is shining or when we can see the rainbow after the storm, but “always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

Remember my friends “Our God “gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31 (NKJV)

My friends, Christ is calling as He looks for the faithful and the strong who can take a punch and still stand firm for what is right “though the heavens may fall and the earth may pass away,” we must persevere, Remembering at times we may not always recognize the night from the day, but we must keep our eyes upon that distant shore, the promise land, as we “keep our soul anchored in the Lord.”

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