March 27, 2015

MY FRIENDS, ONLY THE MASTERS APPROVAL MATTERS!!!

A story is told of a young boy giving his first violin recital. He had studied hard for years under the guidance of one of the greatest masters in all of Europe. The boy had outstanding talents a feat very few his age accomplishes.

As he stood on the stage before an audience of hundreds of music lovers, he performed with great proficiency after each selection, as the crowd cheered him on. He was the finest young performer they had ever had the pleasure of hearing. And yet the boy seemed not to notice. In fact, some later commented that he almost seemed annoyed by the applause.

At the conclusion of the recital, the entire audience rose and gave the young performer a standing ovation as they shouted “Bravo, Bravo, Encore, Encore” and other words of praise and appreciation, throughout the theater. However, the young musician was motionless as if not to hear his surroundings.

Instead, he stood looking up into the balcony where an old, withered man sat, looking back down at him. Finally after some consideration, the old gentleman smiled and nodded his head in approval. Only then did the boy seem relieved as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, as his young face beamed with joy and delight.

You see, the cheers of the crowd meant nothing, the praise was meaningless unless he had the approval of the Master! And like the young violinist, we are also in a performance and each day we stand on the world stage but it is all meaningless if we don’t have God’s approval, as we stand in His presence each day and say “Lord not my will but thy will be done”.

Remember Satan realizes the sand of the hour glass has just about run its course, the history books will close soon and everyone according to his works would have either been sealed by the blood of Christ or decided that this world and perdition is sufficient for their eternal happiness.
But when it is all over they will cry out ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then [Christ] will declare to them, ‘I never knew you…” Matt. 7:22-23 (ESV) That text tell us how easy it will be to be blinded by Satan into thinking, our works are sufficient for God’s approval for our Salvation.

My friends, God’s approval is all about staying in the presence of God as we allow self to die each day. One day Empire, Scandal and dancing with the stars would have run it’s course and everyone will be debating about the finally for months. But then Satan will create another must watch TV show that occupies God’s precious time for another ten seasons and the cycle continues.

We must never forger, in God’s precepts where He tells us; I am “a jealous God.” meaning, He wants “no other god’s before Him” or anything that will keep our minds “on things on this earth and not on our eternal destination. For it is “He that gives us the vision of Hope and the Passion to be like Him.”

Remember my friends we are God’s prodigy, He has “formed us from the dust of the ground, and created us in the likeness of His image” and one day we must all face our righteous Judge, who will  judged us on our faith as a student, and our performance and the choices each of us has made throughout our life.

Ecc. 1:14 (NIV) tells us “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” So for each of us who have decided to finish this race we must remember, “we are running to obtain that prize” from the Masters which is eternal life.

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

March 25, 2015

MY FRIENDS, HAS SATAN BLINDED US FROM ACCEPTING THE PROMISES OF GOD?

“The Lord will always deliver us from all evil and will bring each of us into his heavenly Kingdom. To God be the glory” My friends “Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks.

Therefore he invents every possible device to engross the mind. But neither wicked men nor devils can hinder the work of God, or shut out His presence from His people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and put away their sins, and in faith claim His promises.”(E.G. White The Great Controversy)

My friends, that seems like such an easy solution to salvation and that is to claim by, or as by virtue of, our rights which are God’s promises.

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable [us] to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV)

“Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God we shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.” My friends God has made His promises available through His word if we will believe.

In addition, God’s promises are a declaration that something will be done Because He says it. Remember, God is “not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. [He does not] speak and then not act? [He Does not] promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 (NIV)

But my friends we have to know what is in God’s word and how each promise relates personally to each of our situations. “Train up a child in the Lord, and when they are old, will not depart from your teachings,” relates basically too someone with children.

And then there are promises for all, no matter what the situation, “….for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deu. 31:6 (NIV) Another promise for His faithful says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11 (NIV)

“Standing on God’s promises, we now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God.” Oh the precious blood of Jesus christ and the promises of it’s cleansing power.

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7-9 (ESV)

In addition, as we follow the word of God we should understand that Satan’s motives are only to keep us blinded with what this world which is bound for perdition deems is right and acceptable.

2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Well today we have a choice to be blinded by Satan and the things of this world or we can focus all of our attention on things above and God’s word and finish our course and continue to hold on to our faith as we endure and await our crown of righteousness, “which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give each of us at that day and not to us only, but unto [everyone] that love his appearing.” 2 Tim 4:7-8 (KJV)

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

March 23, 2015

MY FRIENDS, THE KNOCKING CONTINUES, ARE WE IGNORING IT?

But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1-2 NKJV)

It was almost 1:00 in the morning when the phone rang. Dr. Leo Winters, the highly acclaimed Chicago surgeon, was abruptly awakened. There had been an accident and his skill hands were needed for immediate surgery.

The quickest route happened to be through a rather tough area, but with time being a critical factor, it was worth the risk. At one of the stoplights his door was yanked open by a man with a gray hat and a dirty flannel shirt.

“I got to have your car!” the man screamed, pulling him from his seat. Winters tried to explain the gravity of the situation but the man would not listen. When the doctor was finally able to get a taxi to the hospital over an hour had elapsed and it was to late as the patient had passed away 30 minutes earlier.

The nurse told him that the father of the victim had gone to the chapel wondering why the doctor never came. Dr. Winters walked hurriedly to get to the chapel and when he entered he saw the father wearing a gray hat and dirty flannel shirt. (J. Utley)

Tragically the man in the gray hat, and dirty flannel shirt, had terminated the one chance he had in saving his son’s life. My friends How, many times, in our life do we terminate or eliminate the saving grace of our Savior from our lives.

He knocks daily, “Here I am! Please respond, for I Am the only way, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which you can be saved” Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

My friends, If you hear God’s voice please open the door to your heart and allow His Spirit to come in and make a complete transformation, for God’s love, grace and  mercy is still sufficient to sustain us until we cross over into the promise land.

Please don’t terminate your relationship with Christ because your schedules, and time does not fit within Christ spiritual agenda. “The steps of a good man [and woman] are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand. Ps 37:23-24 (NKJV) So that text tells me, Christ has ordered our steps and has set an agenda that will get us to the promise land if we will only respond to His knocking.

Jer. 29:11 (NIV) tells us For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Remember This is the great I Am who created the heavens and earth in 7 Days.

In addition, He “created man and woman in His own image;” That is why we should “Trust in the Lord with [a passion of hope], and lean not on our own understanding” but give it all to the Master as we acknowledge the presence of God in our lives, by letting our faith and endurance dictate our journey.

So my friends, today with heartfelt prayer and supplications let’s make it all about our redeemer and as we take up our cross, with passion cry out “All to Jesus I surrender; Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken; take me, Jesus, take me now” as you create in me a clean and pure heart, one that will shield us against all “principalities, and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world” and prepares me to cross over into the promise land and life eternal.

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

March 21,2015

MY FRIENDS, JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY IF WE BELIEVE!

When I think about the closeness of the hour and Christ soon return and all God  has done for me then I realize, I must “open up my heart to everyone I see and say Jesus Christ is the only way if you believe.

Soon, time will be no more and we will see His face as He “descends from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and we will then hear the sound of Gabriel’s trumpet blow.

And at that moment we will look around and see the dead in Christ and all of our friends, family and love one’s rise, along with all of His faithful who are alive and endured to the final stage of this journey being caught up together.

In addition, we will then meet the thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand of angels and our Lord and Savior in the air too begin the last stage of our journey to the promise land, our new home where we will always be with the Lord throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

But what is so different about this last stage of our journey compared to the first? There is no one to tell us you can’t make it, the journey is too hard, the road is too narrow, your time is too demanding, if you follow me you will only have to worry about self.

Consistent with this, the road you are trying too take, only a few are taking, but I have an easier way, one that does not require you to carry a cross or continually pray and study, your time is all yours, you will never be required to help someone along the way.

And spreading the good news is not important on the road I put you on. It is a much wider road easier to travel that many have chosen. Also on this road the world is yours if you will just follow me.

Then in flight we will look around to everyone we see and say Jesus Christ and the road we took was truly the only way. My friends, just think how great it is living in the 21st century and being a part of God’s chosen generation, commissioned by the all-powerful, all-knowing Omnipresent God to finish up His work right before He comes.

It is now clearer than ever before why Satan is so determine that we fall in some area of our life, weather it is appetite, marriage, wasted time, gossip, dishonesty, adultery, covertness, and most of all our “socially acceptable sins,” the list goes on.

But if you are a Child of God who seeks His presence each day, we must understand with no reservation that Satan will never take one prisoner. So we must lay prostrate before our God daily as we humble ourselves before Him and pray like never before, as we make it personal.

Lord I now know you are the only way and the “good work you have started in me you can now “carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” So please allow the power of your Spirit to fall on me until it is overflowing, not only on my head but every part of me.

“Let my life send forth a glow, Let the oil around me flow, so please anoint me Lord this day I pray, For I now realize that broken hearts and lives Can be mended anew Just with one touch Dear Lord from you. So please let it overflow.” (Vicki Yohe)

And as His anointing oil flows within us, we will be a witness for our Savior “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” So my friends let’s praise His name in great exaltation today, as we put on the entire armor of God and go to battle in this great controversy as we finish up the work of God because He is the only way.

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

March. 20, 2015

MY FRIENDS, THE ACCUSER OF THE BRETHERN TELLS IT LIKE IT IS!!!

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. Zechariah 3:1(NKJV)

At this time in the history of Israel, Joshua is interceding before God, for His chosen. Satan is also bringing accusations against them based on their sinfulness.

A familiar trait of Satan that will not end until “Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:1-3 (KJV)

So my friends your adversary the accuser of the brethern continues His fierce attacks against God’s chosen today because he knows his cup of indignation has overflowed to its limit “So be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

“Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the [accuser of the brethren] in all situations and circumstances] Ephesians 6:10-11 (KJV) Then “The Angel of the Lord stands against Satan on Joshua’s behalf, and Satan stands at his right hand to oppose him.

And the Lord said to Satan, “the lord rebuke’s you, Satan! The lord who has chosen [my faithful] rebuke’s you! Zec 1:2 (KJV) Now Joshua was clothed in filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

Joshua isn’t in God’s presence just as an observer, but as an ambassador to the office of the priest for Israel. As I see it this is not a position Satan ever wants to be in for this defeats his demonic purpose, because once we are in the presence of God “[He will] make known to [His faithful] the path of life.

[yes my friends] in [His] presence there is fullness of joy; at [His] right hand are pleasures forevermore. Ps. 16:11(ESV) But Like the Children of Israel Satan portrays each of God’s faithful as undeserving of His love, grace, and mercy.

We are now on trial before the universe like Joshua and Israel of old, as we stand before the pure countenance of our Lord and Savior we stand under condemnation, clothed in filthy garments as the accuser of the brethern presents His case  before the Lord of our evil doings and character defects.

He shows our faults and failures, He shows each instance in our life where God’s precepts were of no effect. My friends I need you to see what is happening here, the accuser of the brethern has put each of us on trial before Christ, with accusations of breaking the same precepts that he encourage us to violate.

“Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Cor. 4:3-4 (KJV)

But for His faithful disciples, each of us who have taken up our cross and endured as we followed our Savior all the way to Calvary, Christ tells Satan; even though their garments were as filthy rags at one time.

I have given them a pure white robe they will now wear throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity for they are “a brand plucked from the fire?” Zec. 1:2 (KJV)

My friends, it will be a sad scenario for everyone that will came so close to God’s kingdom, but choose to follow the accuser of the brethern to perdition. And then the greatest tragedy will be, those who chose this world, now realize that all you owned and accomplished on this earth cannot compare to eternal life.

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

March 19, 2015

MY FRIENDS, TIME TELLS A STORY BUT DO WE HAVE THE INABILITY OR UNWILLINGNESS TO BELIEVE?

“A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution.” The most popular quote from the novel states;

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,”

“worst of times, age of foolishness, epoch of incredulity, season of Darkness,” all attributes of life in the 21^st century, depicted in a supposedly fictitious novel over 150 years ago. And what is so incredible, when Dickens tells us, it was the epoch of incredulity, similar to the times we live in today.

In addition, it is a very distinctive time, but like 1859 we also have allowed the god of this world to place within us the inability or unwillingness to believe what is being played out before our eyes each day.

But my friends the final season the coldest of them all is about too end, for the darkness is continuous at this point. But because of the love, grace and mercy of God for His children there is still a glimmer of light that still flickers and that my friends is the light that must shine within us as we carry out God’s mandate throughout the world.

Oh the passion and the prayers that must never cease as we “repent therefore and become converted, that our sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to [us] before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-20 (NKJV)

Oh the daily searching of the scriptures it is going to take to gain the faith and endurance to continue on this Journey to the promise land, but “All who come to Christ for a clearer knowledge of the truth will receive it.

He will unfold to them the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and these mysteries will be understood by the heart that longs to know the truth. A heavenly light will shine into the soul temple, and will be revealed to others as the bright shining of a lamp on a dark path.” (E. G. White Christ Object Lessons pp 36)

My friends if we allow that bright shinning of a lamp to go out within us we will be like one of the five foolish virgins while the bridegroom was delayed, slumbered and slept.

But when the “midnight cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’[for they were unprepared to meet Him.]

But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” Matt. 25:1-10 (NKJV)

My friends grace still allows that door to be open for His Chosen, But we must stay focused for that door is gradually closing “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matt. 24:37-39 (NASV) So please my friends, let’s all stay focused.

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