May 8, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE CAPABLE OF RUNNING THIS RACE UNTIL WE SEE HIS FACE?

Alvin Slaughter sings a song “I will run to you.” He goes on to tell of the challenges of making that happen. Starting with the hang man’s noose that was around his throat. And friends, because we are all born in sin, “and shaped in a gross injustice of wickedness” that same noose was placed around our throat as “death traps tried to keep every exit” to our salvation in strategic locations throughout our life.

So now in this hostile world, there seems to be no signs of escape as we fall daily, prey to the things of this world. But we must understand, we will flat-line with no way of survival, if we fail to believe and send out distress signals, SMS, save my soul. And from the throne Room Christ will hear our cry for help and bring us into His presence. But my friends are we committed to seek His presence?

To “become a private audience of one as God begins to put the pieces of our life back together” with a new beginning? Remember friends, He is God and because He is God only He has that power. Now look around, prophecy is closing so “we must be alert to Gods ways” and where He is trying to lead us.

Which means daily we “review His ways,” and seek His face and understand how He operates and what He expects of us, because the plan for our life is now set. God’s grace has re-wrote our destination which goes back to His original plan that “gives us hope and a future.” If we believe.

Remember, the road to God’s kingdom is narrow, and straight, but every direction and every turn we make to the right or left has been “road tested” by the one who gave it all for our salvation and now we must run towards our Savior and never look back as we prepare each day to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in the presence of our Savior.

My friends, heaven “is cheap enough.” So, no matter what we encounter in this world, the trials, tribulation and pain, it’s worth it, because “no eye have seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered man’s heart what God has prepared for those” who are willing to run this race and stay on course in anticipation of seeing the face of our Savior.

But it must become a shared vision that God’s chosen takes to the world. And as we run towards Christ in anticipation of entering the promise land, we must “make disciples of all nations,………Matt. 28:19 (NIV) But that is an impossible task if we are not Christ disciples ourselves.

And making disciples means to evangelize and to evangelize means to “preach the gospel” and the gospel I speak of is the “good news” and the good news is what Paul explains in 1 Cor. 15 (ASV) which is the message of Christ death and resurrection then one day “cometh the end, when He shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.

For He must reign, till He hath put all his enemies under His feet. And the last enemy that shall be abolished is death.” 1 Cor 15: 24 (ASV) So, until we see His face we must be “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” 1 Cor. 15:58 (ASV)

April 2, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHO ARE WE GOING TO BELIEVE?

Like a thief, Christ will come and we know not the hour.” Also, “Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lust, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV) “He delayeth His coming” is how Satan plants the seed within us, because he knows His time will run out soon, he just seeks us to join forces with him.

“He does not say that Christ will not come. He does not scoff at the idea of His second coming, But in his heart and by his actions and words he declares that the Lord’s coming is delayed. He banishes from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly. His influence leads men to presumptuous, careless delay.

They are confirmed in their worldliness and stupor……. He mingles with the world. Like grows with like in transgression. It is a fearful assimilation. With the world he is taken in the snare. “The lord of that servant shall come . . . in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites.” (E.G. White, Desire of Ages p 635)

Because, it’s those hypocrites who deny God by saying, “Peace and safety!” [But the promise in God’s word tells us] destruction will come….suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and [the scoffers] will not escape.” 1 Thess. 3:5 (NASB)

My friends, God has not left His children in darkness, simple because prophecy after prophecy in His word points to His Son’s second coming. And if we diligently pray and study and allow God’s Spirit to transform us into Christ image daily, we will not be overtaken “like a thief in the night.”

Yes, It’s been two thousand years since Christ said “I will go and prepare a place for you. And if I go……I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

And one of His disciples who doubted, asked. “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus reply to Thomas and also to you and I was, “I am the way, the truth, and the life……” John 14:3-4 (NKJV)

My friends, what that text tell us is; we can only enter 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.” [through Christ, because] “there is salvation….in no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 1 Cor 2:9 (NKJV) Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

In addition, because of God’s love towards His children, His grace and mercy continues to abound. But, we must understand “the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NKJV)

But, one day soon, Christ shall appear and “He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matt. 25:32 (NIV) [and the sheep shall] be like him; for they shall see him as he is.“ 1 John 3:2 (NKJV) Today my friends, the only question we must ask is, what side will we be on?

March 31, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HAS HE SAID AND WILL HE NOT DO?

“God is not a man, that He should lie……Has He said, and will He not do? Has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Num. 23:19 (NKJV) In addition, Not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matt 5:18 (NIV) Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and go to the other side…..Than, He went up into a mountain to pray.

The evening came…..the ship was in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” Matt 14:22-24 (NKJV)) My friends, the disciples tried in vain to get to the other side.  Mark 6:48 (NKJV) says “Christ saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.”

My friends, how often is the wind against us and we “tug at the oars, as though our own strength and wisdom were sufficient, until we find our efforts useless. Then, with trembling hands and failing strength, we give up the work to Jesus and confess we are unable to perform it…..

And when, in answer to the cry of faith, He takes up the work we ask Him to do, how easily He accomplishes that which seemed to us so difficult” (E.G. White Testimonies for the church, vol. 4, p 530) My friends, we need to recognize that our strength is insufficient to finish the course because “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and the rulers of the darkness of this world.”

And only through God’s word and Spirit will we remain focused until Christ says “well done thy good and faithful servant.” And this should give us hope when life is at its darkest, the anchor will hold to the end. Because if God said it, “He will make it good.” In Matt. 24 (KJV), Christ disciples asked What God’s children all-ready know today.

“What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” My friends the daily “breaking news” tells us prophecy is being fulfilled daily. But these are only the beginning of “birth pangs” as we adapt to any and all situations in the final days of the history of this world. But are we mentally prepared for a time of great tribulation, such has not occurred since the beginning of this world until now, nor ever shall be.”

“Training day” has started and the grueling routine should have begun with you and I dying daily while carrying our Cross. And except those days are shortened, no flesh will be saved, but for the elect’s sake, God will bring it to an end……But this generation will not pass away until the good news is revealed to all and then the end will come.”

Friends, the wind is contrary, and has taken its toll, but we must never loose sight of His soon appearing and Christ final promise of “Him descending from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.

And the dead in Christ rising first: Then we which are alive and remain [who came out of the great tribulation and washed our robes making them white in the blood of the Lamb will] be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and all the redeemed will forever be with the Lord.” [If we believe] 1 Thess. 4:16-18 (KJV), Rev 7:14 (ESV)

March 30, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PERSUADE US TO LOVE CHRIST AND OTHERS?

The chilling words of Agrippa, after he listened to God’s chosen vessel Paul speak about the saving grace of Christ. “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Acts 26:28 (KJV) What a sad scenario for Agrippa and many Christians who say Lord, Lord with no conviction. My friends we sit in our various churches each week, the appeal is given for a show of hands, or a move to the alter down front if one is partially convicted, to give it all to the Master.

We often respond in one way or the other motivated usually by the surroundings we find ourselves in when the Spirit is appealing to everyone for a decision. To most this is an adequate response. You figure, I am a faithful trustee, deacon, or deaconess. I am liberal in my given, I’m perfectly satisfied with the direction I am headed in life, for “I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing.”

I understand what is required of God. My position, or status in the community and church should satisfy any real genuine need for any type of relationship with Christ. But friends, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 4:12 (KJV)

If we go to the parable of the wheat and tares in Matt 13:24-30 (KJV). Both look the same the difference is, wheat is a marketable crop, tares are just weeds with no redeeming value. So, how far must grace abound before we are persuaded to give it all to Christ? Paul’s response to Agrippa was, “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day.” Acts 26:29 (KJV)

That is the position we must take as we witness for Christ in the final days of this life’s history. A message of conviction that guides one to surrender their lives to Christ. But, first we must be convicted ourselves through the persuasion of the Spirit of God who tells us, your ears shall hear a [whisper] behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” Is. 30:21 (NKJV)

which tells us whatever situation or circumstances we find ourselves in there is a voice that continually tries to persuade you and I to walk in the right direction because the direction of that whisper if we can distinguish the difference in God’s Spirit over the forces of evil is the direction that leads to life eternal, “so walk in it” as we go forward with cross in hand and a faithful disciple of Christ.

One day Agrippa’s only response to the One who died so that He may be persuaded to give His all to the Master will be; Christ, the conditions I felt were unattainable, those conditions to “love You with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind. [Which you did say,] that was the first and greatest commandment.

And the second was like it; To love my neighbor as I [should have] loved you. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matt 22:37-40 (NKJV) My friends I can’t answer for Agrippa, but what about You and I, will we also tell Christ the conditions were unattainable. If so we must also be able to explain why.

March 29, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE PITCHED OUR TENT TOWARDS SODOM?

”The Lord [whispered to] Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee”……. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan.……. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle……..

Abram told Lot: Is not the whole land before thee?….If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere,….even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan….

And, they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” Gen. 12:1-5 (KJV), Gen. 13:1-12 (KJV) My friends, as a Child of God are we capable of recognizing that our tent faces Sodom? And our salvation and entry into God’s kingdom is in a state of “clear and present danger.”

When morning dawned The angel Cried to Lot “Get up! Take your wife, two daughters and go, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But Lot hesitated and lingered. So the Angels took hold of his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, because the Lord was merciful to him [for Abraham’s sake]; and they brought him out,” Gen. 19:15-16 (AMP)

Oh the mercies of God who still hears the prayers of our parents and those who are praying for us not to linger but too “Escape for our life! And not to look back at Sodom,” But follow Christ lead and move forward, for by beholding, we become changed. My friends, The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise [to save all who have a passion to be saved]….But, is patient, not wanting anyone to perish [in Sodom]….2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

God told Abraham to leave His country, and the influence of family and community. Lot followed, But Lot could not leave those hereditary tendencies behind, so he pitched his tent toward Sodom. Therefore, the wickedness of Sodom defined his life and destination.

My friends, if God woke us up today, no matter where we live, our tent faces Sodom. Whether in the “prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Or [towards] the mighty mountains of New York.” Or towards The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Or towards The Great Pyramids of Giza.

“Or [toward] the curvaceous slopes of California,” Sodom defines who we are, in-less we have allowed self to die and our life is totally committed to following Christ, His word and Spirit where-ever He may lead as we cry out Lord, not my will, but thy will be done. So today we must choose, whom we will serve?

Either those hereditary tendencies we have accumulated throughout our life inside Sodom that Satan controls? Or from the one who died for our sins so that we may live our life one day soon without sin or Satan, and live it more abundantly throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity?

March 28, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THAT NARROW GATE?

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matt. 7:13-14 (NKJV) My friends, we cannot negotiate with Christ about our salvation, because “God is not human, that He should lie, [and He is] not a human being, that He should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act?  Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 (NIV)

No and No! Therefore, we cannot be afraid to “call sin by it’s right name,” which is any and all abominations against God. The problem is, man along with the help of the principalities, and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, determines what constitutes as an abomination to God.

So with Satan’s help we then begin to call evil good, and good evil; [as his strategic plans for our destruction shows us how to] substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;….. Is. 5:20 (AMP) My friends there is no grey areas that determines our entrance into the kingdom of God, only a total commitment and God’s love grace and mercy.

Today, we must accept the principles of God as the only road on this journey that takes us to life eternal. And to deviate from that, only takes us through that wide gate that leads to destruction. So if we have a passion to serve and give it all to Christ, “the place to begin” is through that door. And Christ tells us in John 10:9-10 (NKJV) I am the door.

If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” For the thief [which represents Satan, only comes] to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. [But Jesus Christ our redeemer] comes that [you and I] may have life, and that [we] may have it more abundantly.”

But, we must understand the dimensions of that door is strait, and narrow, and the road is narrow because “through it may pass only that which is essential to the journey along the way. (SDA Bible Commentary) Essential meaning only our character which has died “in Christ, [and now we are] a new creature; the old things [in our life have] passed away; [and] behold, all things have become new” 2 cor. 5:17 (KJV)

And few find it because very few are willing to seek that narrow path with a passion, because we “desire heaven, and yet we turn away because of the conditions laid down” and the passion it takes to continue, which is to die daily and live our life through Christ. So in spite of all that God has done and is willing to continue to do for us, many are just not willing to make a full commitment and give Him our all.

“It will be a tragedy to get to that day we have waited for” all our life, and realize all we have accumulated and accomplished along with Satan’s “promises of  “all this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” Matt. 4:9 (NIV) “could not compare to life eternal and that place “eye have not seen nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NASB)

March 27, 2017

MY FRIENDS, IS OPPORTUNITY PASSING US BY?

Ten spies, spread among all the Israelite’s a bad report about the promise land. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size….we seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them……That night all the community raised their voices and wept aloud…..If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?

Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. It would be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” My friends, the majority ruled. Remember this is a theocracy where God was there ruler. God brought them out of Egypt where they were in bondage for 400 years.

God parted the red sea as He lead them to the promise land. But they allowed their opportunity to pass for them to enter the promise land. The majority ruled and only two spies out of the twelve knew the power of God and recognize all He had done for them said: “The land we explored is exceedingly good.

If the Lord is pleased with us, he will allow us to conquer this land that flows with milk and honey, He will give it to us. Only don’t rebel against the Lord or be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them…..Num. 14:32-33, Num. 14:1-9 (NIV)

So now everyone from 20 years up except Caleb and Joshua entered the promise land forty years later. Opportunity passed everyone else because they did not recognize the power of God and what He was willing to do for His children. My friends, today let’s count our many blessings and miracles God has performed in our life from this short probationary period from birth to today.

But, we still allow Satan to choose our destination and where we will spend eternity. As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. He heard the crowd going by, he asked what’s happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. ”He cryed out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” [My friends this is an example of someone who did not allow the majority to rule or the opportunity of knowing Jesus, and the opportunity to be healed physically and spiritually pass him by.]

Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Luke 18:35-40 (NIV) My friends, are we allowing the opportunity of salvation and life eternal pass us by because the majority rules and the things of this world seem more appealing than a relationship with Christ and life eternal.

The road to the kingdom is a narrow road, but Christ paved the way on Calvary for us to finish the course. If that is our desire, we first have to be disciples of Christ as we carry our cross, we also have to make disciples for Christ as we serve and take the good news throughout the world and then the end will come.

March 26, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHERE IS YOUR DESTINATION?

“God’s Spirit will be poured out on all of God’s Children and His sons and daughters will prophesy, the old will dream dreams, and the young will see visions.” And we will hear The Spirit whisper urgent! Urgent! what you are going to do, to finish God’s work “you must do quickly [without delay].” My friends, we have a probationary period from birth to death, so during that time period again I must say “Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies.

In addition, we must criticize ourselves closely, [while] not allowing one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected [in our lives.]” (E. G. White) And like Judas, if there is a delay as we tell ourselves we have time, the outcome and our destination will be like Judas. “After [he had taken] the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly [without delay].” John 13:27 (AMP) And His destination was, “a state of final spiritual ruin,” (Perdition).

My friends, it’s our choice, too allow God’s Spirit to enter our life and take full control or allow the principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world” to take control. But whatever our decision, “we must do quickly and [without delay.]” With eleven, the three-and-a-half-year trial period was a success, with Judas it failed.

Remember our Father did not give his only begotten Son, to die at Calvary for us to be like some experimental rat that eventually gets exterminated. But the plan of salvation was designed for us “to prosper and not to harm [us.] But to give us hope and a future, [throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity] Jer. 29:11 (KJV)

I can remember trying to get from New York City to upstate New York to pick up a car in the shop that had broken down on my wife a week or two earlier. I started out early one morning to my destination. First the city bus, then the train that took me to the end of the line. Then I took another bus that took me so far, then I thumbed and walked and thumbed until I saw a cab that took me to my location, oh the joy of the arrival!!

What a journey from one destination to the next. But I survived the journey, I did not stop until I had reached my goal. Friends, what is your destination and how far are you planning to go. If you feel comfortable where you are spiritually then you need to re-examine what you really have a passion for, the things of this world or eternal life.

When Judas, became a disciple his destination was centered on being a part of a movement that would overtake the Roman government and bring Him fame and fortune and a high position in the new government. “But then “after the devil had already prompted Judas, to betray Jesus…..the disciples had eaten Then Christ begin to pour water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him………

”Truly I tell you, [Christ says] no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:16 (KJV) My friends, to serve others was not Judas destination, what about you and I where is our destination.

March 22, 2017

MY FRIENDS, THE INTIMACY AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP OF A WHISPER!

Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me. ”So when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.” 1 Sam. 9:15-17 (NKJV)

In a private setting, God whispering in one’s ear, telling His friend “in a free, familiar and friendly way,” as a secret from our best friend, that only we have been told. This is the “Spirit of God communicating His divine will to the one He has created in His image.

The Eternal, “forming man of the dust of the ground, breathing into our nostrils the breath of life; and [then whispering in our ear, [“This is the way walk in it”] Gen 2:7 (KJV) My friends, the more time we spend intimately with God and His Word and Spirit, the easier it is to distinguish His whisper from what “appears to be right, but in the end only leads to death.” Prov. 14:12 (NIV)

Employees, at airports 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 recognized a fake one, simply because they have studied diligently the real from the fake.

And we should also as Christians, and children of God be so familiar with God’s Word, and His whispers that each time God speaks to us as He guides us on this journey He has placed us on, we will be absolutely clear that it is God’s whisper we hear and not the enemy.

And in so doing, it will verify in our mind any and all, truth from error. And like Samuel we will know with full assurance who we are responding to as we say “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” And to have developed such a personal relationship with God tells us we have spent time with Christ in our war room.

That state of mind, that special place where strategy and policy is developed and implemented against the enemy and where “our cry has come to God” personally. One of Christ war rooms was out in the open air at, mount of olives, while “kneeling down and praying.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44 (NIV)

My friends, it is God’s Spirit that Strengthens us in our battle with the forces of evil as He whispers, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of [the enemy]; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deut. 31:6 (NKJV) In addition, today we must hold on to that promise while serving Christ on the front lines of the battle field, as we go out “making disciples of all nations in all the world as a testimony, and then the end will come.