Jan. 15. 2015

My FRIENDS, “WE CAN’T FORGET THE WAY LIFE USED TO BE” WHEN WE LIVED, “AS OTHERS WHO HAVE NO HOPE”

The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair…..”John 12:3-7

Then Luke 7:39-43 (KJV) tells us “Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”………“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debt of both.

Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he canceled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

As Mary’s tears of love flowed down her cheeks mixing with the fragrance of Love and gratitude of our Savior, she stoops to wipe the feet of the master, Her thoughts were only “I can’t forget the way life used to be while I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound…., Until the day when Jesus came to me And healed my soul With the wonder of His touch.

So now I’m giving back to Him All the praise He’s worthy of, because I’ve been forgiven. And that is why I love Him so much and pour out My praise on Him Like soil from my alabaster box.” (Alabaster Box CeCe Winans)

My friends, let’s make it personal today and go as deep into our heart as we can go and tell ourselves, “I can’t forget the way life used to be” when we lived “as others who have no hope” when sin abounded in our lives day after day.

In addition, I can say, and I hope you can say also with no reservation “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom [I am] the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

My friend, Nothing is to costly for the good Shepard for what He has done for us as He guides us on our Journey to Calvary and then to His Kingdom. But very few truly comprehend all that Christ is to them and what He can do if we would just have faith and stay focused on the transforming power of the Saviors touch.

Oh the gratitude of Mary, should be our same passion as the Spirit touches our heart as we make it personal and say “God demonstrates His own love toward [me], in that while [I was] still [a] sinner, Christ died for [me]. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, [I] shall be saved from wrath through Him.

For when [I was a enemy, I was] reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, [I] shall be saved by His life.” Rom. 5:8-10 (NKJV)

For Mary, “seven demons had come out,” I can only imagine how many for me, what about you my friends, How many demons has Christ removed from your life throughout the years and as you look back, then look at the price for that to happen “as you fall on your knees and “gird yourself with sackcloth and ashes and with bitter mourning” Cry out, “not my will but thou will be done.”

“The plan of redemption has invested humanity with great possibilities, and in Mary these possibilities were to be realized. Through His grace she became a partaker of the divine nature. The one who had fallen, and whose mind had been a habitation of demons, was brought very near to the Savior in fellowship and ministry.” (E.G.White Desire of Ages)

My Friends “we can’t forget the way life used to be” when we lived “as others who have no hope” so ask yourself, how will I serve the Master today and whatever way that is, make sure you never cease until you can see His face throughout the ceaseless ages on eternity. 

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

Jan. 14, 2015

MY FRIENDS, “COME” DON”T FEAR “TAKE COURAGE! IT IS CHRIST, DON’T BE AFRAID

I remember at a young age, having nightmares about a backroom in our church kids use to tell folk tales about. I remember it was always a little old lady chasing me through the catacombs of the basement, only to wake up to the sound and love of a mothers voice that always assured me when I heard that voice, it was only a dream.

Nothing will ever happen to me, my parents will always be there. When life was so simple, when all it took was a mothers voice to assure you “Don’t be afraid or terrified because of them, for [your mother and father] goes with you; [we] will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Then one day, life begin to take on a nightmare of its own that you never seemed to wake up from until you heard God’s voice saying “come.” Matt.14:22-36 (NKJV) tells us after Christ had feed the 5,000. “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead…….

He dismissed the crowd then He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him….they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “take courage! it is I.

Don’t be afraid” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus.” Oh what Faith, in the middle of the storm and the raging waters too heed Christ call and “Come”

But what about you and I In the midst of our storms, how easy is it too heed Christ call and “Come” but what are our fears today? What is keeping us from having that heartfelt passionate and intimate relationship with Christ and “come”?

Where is our faith when Christ has already told us “Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you [so come]” Deut. 31:6 (KJV) My friends where are your fears, do they reside deep in the catacombs of your mind, as you also hear the voice of the enemy saying don’t go.

Remember “God is our refuge.”  But there must be a passion, or a thirst for what our God is willing to give us through His word and our faith and endurance. Psalm 42:1-2 (NLT) says: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” I thirst for God the living God.”

We need to recognize our need to be filled by Christ and Not by the “things of this world that one day will pass away.” Peter did get out of the boat, and he did walk on water towards Christ when He said “come” and that must be our initial step of faith to get out of the boat, and come to Him.

But we must make God’s passion to save us, our Passion to be saved and tell others also about the saving grace of our God. What A risky step! But by Faith it is possible but it must be all about Faith and God’s saving grace.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Heb.11:1 (KJV) So friends tell God today “God, I’m going to listen, obey and trust in spite of being satisfied and content with staying in the boat where the cares of this world surrounds me.

Remember, Satan’s control over us is with fear, but in 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) it tells us: “Be self-controlled and alert.” key word alert, Webster explains the word alert as an attitude of vigilance, readiness, or caution, as before an expected attack.

Yes, we will sink at times like Peter because of life’s situation and circumstances. But Christ will always reach out His hand  and catch us no matter how close to the bottom we have sunk. So don’t fear “take courage! it is Christ who says “come”

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

Jan. 13, 2015

MY FRIENDS, IT’S ALL ABOUT FAITH, FAITH AND MORE FAITH!!!

Christ Is calling His chosen to the point of unrestricted dependence on Him as He continually allows what seems, or is humanly impossible to become totally possible through Him. Faith truly is “the substance of things hoped for, [and] the evidence of things not seen.”

“But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb. 11:1 (NKJV), Heb. 11:6 (NKJV) So the promise is there, we just have to claim it.

In addition, our only focus must be on the love, grace and mercy of God and what he is willing to do for His Children, for ” If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matt. 7:11 (KJV)

God’s promises are always a promise to permanently accept and welcome you into his presence if you have Faith and believe. “Faith doesn’t necessarily know where it’s going, but it does know Who’s leading. “(Kent Crockett) And it is always God.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight:” However faith in itself is not blind; because it is based on God’s promises in the Scriptures and our personal experiences in walking with God every day. But what becomes sightless is the limitless ways that our God has to provide for His Children, and what way He will use at any particular time in our lives.

Each step in the life of  His chosen generation has been “ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Oh what an honor to know our God is delighted to lead and guide sinners like us, but how He will do it, is where we become sightless and that is where our assurance in His promises takes control as we Grow in Faith daily like any child.

But as a child, we will never develop into full maturity until Christ one day looks into our Character, and sees we have stayed focus by faith, and endured to the end and then, He will tell us Himself. “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

My friends we can never forget that Jesus, is “the author and finisher of our faith.” Which tells us He has predictability throughout His word and my life. But it all revolves around our faith as we claim His promises even if it means stretching our faith to the limit, even when we do not know exactly where the Master is trying to take us.

In God’s word it tells us about true faith warriors whose faith was stretched to the limit, but they stayed focused on the source of their faith, God. Consistent with this, they also looked back at where God had brought them remembering His promise “Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut. 31:6 (NIV) David facing Goliath, Daniel in the lion’s den, and the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace, just to name a few.

And once I take what is in God’s word, with what God does for me each day as he guides me in all, situations, circumstances, concerns, trials, fears, hope, and joys. Then I can also make it personal and claim his promises.

For our faith must not be “merely some firmly held persuasion, but an unwavering confidence in what God’s word specifically states, whether promise or warning, a blessing for this life, or for the life to come in Gods pure and holy kingdom”. (Ben J. Elston)

My friends faith to me and I hope also to you. is surrendering it all to the Master and not from what we can see but what we believe, for “God is not man, that He should lie, or a Son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19 (ESV)

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

Jan 9, 2015

MY FRIENDS, ONLY IN HIS NAME SAKE CAN WE CLAIM VICTORY!!

My friends in the wake of all that is going on in our world today what are you doing at this moment, how are you responding spiritually as God calls you to come out of Babylon and what are you doing for His Name sake, If God’s mission is to be completed in our lifetime.

The power of transformation should be going on in our lives right now as we Allow the work of “God’s Holy Spirit each day to convict, instruct, guide and empower each believer…just before the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.” (M. Finley)

The question we all must ask ourselves, what is more important than our salvation. In spite of God’s grace gradually being removed from this earth, there is still an abundance of greater grace for everyone, personally, who seeks it, but most are taking a foolish path.

“When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, most intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity.

The heart must be emptied of every defilement, and cleansed for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit …” ”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)

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light to shine in our hearts. John tells us in 1 John 1:5 (NIV) This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

So that text tell us, if that light that leads to our salvation comes from our Savior, then our hearts must never cease to stay focused on where it is coming from and what we must do to obtain it. The challenge for most of us is in allowing self to die and turning our life over to the unknown or maybe we are just terrified where Christ may lead.

But my friends remember “The Lord is our shepherd; we shall not want.” And He also leadeth each of His children who have accepted Him as the Good Shepherd “in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

And it is “for his name sake” that we must consecrate our life today. Yes My friends we must die daily and live our life through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins, and is now our mediator and advocate.

In addition, God’s credibility to the universe is based on His living up to “His name’s sake” as the one and only God, who’s precepts are holy and based on, love, truthfulness, grace, mercy and through His Son Jesus Christ is our only path to salvation.

1 John 2:12 (KJV) tells us, I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for “His name’s sake”.  1 Samuel 12:22 (KJV) also tells us “For the Lord will not forsake his people for His great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you” a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,” 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

And my friends, What is so amazing, our proud Father can say with no reservations “Have you” considered my Sons and daughters, “that there is none like them on the earth”, a blameless and upright generation, A generation “who fears God and shuns evil?”

Oh what an honor to have God speak of His faithful as “His name’s sake”. But my friends, this only happens when we have allowed God to transform us mentally and spiritually into His Image through the blood of His Son.

Consistent with this, once our Character is like His and we have been identified as his sons and daughters because of our faith and endurance, we then demonstrate our love for what was done for us at Calvary as we spread the good news of the gospel throughout the world in “His name’s sake”,

And one day soon, we will forever claim victory throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, “for His name’s sake”  

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

Jan. 8 2015

MY FRIENDS, “OUR GOAL, NOT ONLY TO GET THE COMMUNITY INTO THE CHURCH, BUT TO GET THE CHURCH INTO THE COMMUNITY”

And friends, sometimes, that is one member at a time. When someone ask me what is the address of your church, on paper it reads 800 Youngs Lane, Nashville Tn. 37207 but in the eyes of God it should read, “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

That text tells me the churches address is at the work place, at home, in my neighborhood, at school, at the restaurant, at the mall, at the theater, at the super bowl party, wherever we go, and whatever we do, our God must be at the forefront.

In addition, He has asked His Heirs and co heirs with His Son Jesus Christ too “sound the battle cry, as we See the foe is nigh; Raising our standard high for the Lord; then we must, Gird our armor on, standing firm every one; Resting our cause upon His holy Word.

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner, Ready, steady, pass the word along; Onward, forward, shout aloud, “Hosanna!” Christ is Captain of the mighty throng. And then When the battle’s done, and the vict’ry’s won, May we wear the crown before Thy face.”

Every activity of our life must be about the mission of telling the world the good news of our Savior’s soon return and what everyone must do, to be saved . “Where the kingdom of God meets the kingdom of the world. [That my friends] is where the real battle is taking place.

Mislocating the battle has led the church to a major tactical error. If the battle is inside the church, than the front line duty can be assigned only to a few highly trained specialists” (Peel, Larimore, going public with your faith pp 40) As members, we can always sit in the pews and complain about what the church is not doing.

But if we are a member of the body of believers, then God is calling you to make a difference, He is calling you to represent Him to the world in whatever capacity His Spirit has impressed upon you, He is calling you to move forward and serve.

So the secret to every Christian’s success as to his or her mandate from God will be found in the harmonious and daily workings of every situation and circumstances of our life, in conjunction with “His will be done.”

Remember success as a Christian is not Him asking us to devote ourselves to His cause, but for our commitment to be, not our will but his will be done. Every excuse in word, deed and action, with every element of fear and faithlessness not to continue witnessing for Christ was challenged and answered at Calvary.

“The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer.

No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.” (E.G. White, Help om Daily Living pp 470)

And as Christians, we all need to come to terms with the actuality that Satan still exists and he is as strong as ever. But my friends the story does not and cannot end there. But through Christ, he whose heart is fixed to serve God must always find the opportunity “by whatever means is necessary” through the Spirit of God to be a soldier and a witness for Him.

Consistent with this, the more we can focus on the character and love of Christ the more we come to realize that we must follow Him all the way to Calvary by being a humble servant to others as we carry out Christ mandate and get the church into the community as we tell the world of His love, grace, and mercy and soon return.

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

Jan 7, 2015

MY FRIENDS, DON’T BECOME COMPLACENT, HARAN IS NOT OUR DESTINATION!!

My friends what can we learn from the life and travels of Abraham: Gen.11:3, 12:1-4 (NIV) tells us “Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan.

But when they came to Haran, they settled there…..” My friends on our journey to the promise land, Haran can never be an option, eternal life can only come from finishing our journey to the promise land.

The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you…. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you….So Abram went, as the Lord had told him;” My friends,sometimes our salvation depends on leaving everything and everyone.

Acts 7:2,4 tells us “The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.” So that text tells us, God had set the sights of the entire family on a destination to the promise land before they reached Haran. “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matt. 22:14 (KJV)

So they lost their focus and became complacent and comfortable with their surroundings, But it was only Abraham who was willing to continue the journey God had placed him on, it was only Abraham who was willing to come out of Haran and follow God’s lead.

In addition, it was only “the faith of Abraham, who obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” Heb. 11:8 (NIV)

As a child of God, we have been given the responsibility to let the light shine of His love, grace and mercy through us to our friends, family, love-ones and the world so that they may know Christ as we.

Through the power of God’s Spirit we must let them know Haran or “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!

For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins.” Rev. 18:2-4 (KJV)

If we seek God’s kingdom the world will never have an influence over God’s chosen. At one time in history, Most Christians consented to lower their standards and stay in Haran, and a union was then formed between Christianity and paganism.

But thank God many Christians chose to die before they would deny their Lord. So the millions who did so came to be called martyrs, which means “witnesses.” and millions did die because of their commitment to God.

So we must Keep watch and stay focused. Each faithful follower of Christ is born with a pure connection to God, as we move around in this sinful world, we become more attached to the pleasures of Haran and our connection to Christ weakens.

That is why our focus must be forever on Christ, a crucified and risen Savior who will return one day to take his children away from this sinful world to the promise land which is His pure and holy kingdom and life eternal.

Remember all the avenues of time, history and prophecy converge at Calvary and Christ second coming. Satan is a clever strategist who knows if He can just keep our heart in Haran, then our attitude about end-time events will be secondary to Salvation.

So walk away today from Haran and set your sights on a destination that “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man”

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

Jan. 6, 2015

MY FRIENDS, THE MOST DANGEROUS WORD IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IS TOMORROW!!!

Webster defines the most dangerous word in the English language, tomorrow: as the day following today now let’s go to the second most dangerous word in English language which is procrastination. Webster defines that word as one who defers taken action; or maybe just delays it.

Well what about God, when we ask and what we ask for is not immediately granted or He waits till tomorrow. Well we cannot “forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NKJV)

So my friends, what that text tells me is, that tomorrow and procrastination are words defined only for created beings with finite minds and limited understanding of the universe, beings who have a vision but are unable to carry it out due to a lack of motivation from within, and that my friends defines the majority not the minority.

But as a Child of God we must never cease to place, God at the forefront and never put off tomorrow or procrastinate about what we must do for Christ today. Our vision to serve God must never cease.

In addition, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV)

Could have been, Writers of many books, Students striving for excellence, Athletes, Artist, Architects, politicians, Lawyers, Doctors, Minsters of God, Bible workers and the list goes on of men and women who continued to say tomorrow, but let’s not leave out the most important of all the character traits of, I could have, should have been.

And that is the opportunity today, to repent and forgive and allow self to die today as we become  “crucified with Christ as we no longer live, but Christ lives in us, and the life we now live in the body, we now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved each of us and gave himself for us.” Gal 2:20 (NIV Paraphrased)

But you tell yourself tomorrow, God can wait he has waited for 20 or 30 or 40 or 50 or 60 or 70 or 80 or 90 or maybe even a hundred years, He can continued to wait he’s God. But my friends today must be the new tomorrow and it must be all about God’s will not our lack of will because we are spending God’s precious time on self.

In addition, our time must be spent in God’s word, along with taken God’s vision for His children too whatever heights and levels that may be, whether reading, writing or arithmetic, your vision, God’s goals.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 1 Cor 10:31-33

My friends, at the end of the day it must be “all to the glory of God” that “many may be saved” because we are “not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,…” Rom. 1:16-17

So today God tells His chosen who are now his anchors in the 21^st century  “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and [vision] and follow me.” Matt. 16:24 (NIV) Not tomorrow or when you think the time is right, but today. Pablo Picasso says it best when he tells us too “only put off tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.”

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