Nov. 11 2014

MY FRIENDS, “THE GREATEST TRAGEDY IN LIFE IS NOT DEATH, BUT TO LIVE WITH NO PURPOSE”

Purpose; the reason for which something exists or is done.  My friends let’s make it personal today let’s evaluate our reason for existing as we shift our focus to self and self’s purpose, as we take a walk up that hill to Calvary.

In addition, let the grace of God work in us to deny old inclinations and powerful propensities toward new habits that lead us away from Him as we obey the promptings of the spirit and our heart receives more of his power as we begin to elevate our character and strengthen and prepare our mind and body for that final conflict between good and evil as we determine, What Is Our Purpose. 

My friends, is our purpose, too have the best, the largest, the most outstanding. Is our purpose, that our outer appearance are what others look at and decide, we have arrived at the pinnacle of what all should achieve at being?

And then the final question we must ask ourselves is, does our purpose and what we are trying to achieve, have anything to do with Jesus Christ and Him crucified. In addition, when we get on our knees are our prayers centered around the questions, “not my will but thou will be done” or what must I do to be saved.

In addition, what do I lack Lord to accumulate treasures in heaven as I follow you to the cross? “purpose moves people to remake the world” “Purpose creates new social and economic models driven by people and enabled by technology” sounds like you?

Wikipedia  tells us British philosopher “Bertrand Russell was a prominent anti-war activist; he championed anti-imperialism and went to prison for his pacifism during World War I, he campaigned against Adolf Hitler, then criticized Stalinist totalitarianism, attacked the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War, and was an outspoken proponent of nuclear disarmament.

In 1950 Russell was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.” He was also born into a Christian home and taught to believe in God, but he rejected his training and became an outspoken atheist. His daughter, Katherine Tait, said of him, “Somewhere at the bottom of his heart, in the depths of his soul, there was an empty space that once had been filled by God, and he never found anything else to put in His place.”

What a sad ending to someone’s life, in spite of all he did for humanity, but never fulfilling God’s purpose in his life. “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He then went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.

And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him….. “While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:3-6, 47 (ESV)

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.

And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. Matt. 27:3-5 (KJV) Judas a disciple of Christ in the presence of God each day with no purpose.

Two men, at one time or another in their life was acquainted with God but died with no purpose. My friends, once again it has to be personal weather you are a lifelong Christian, or you just found out there is no one like Him. What is your purpose in relationship to the one who gave it all for your Salvation.

Grace is still on our side and once again the political climate tells us, soon God will say it is finished and soon there will be no time or grace left for those who have no purpose and no faith to endure, till the end of their journey too the promise land.

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

MY FRIENDS, “WE CAN TRUST THE MAN WHO DIED FOR US”

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” Psalm 84:11-12

“O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” “A television program preceding the 1988 Winter Olympics featured blind skiers being trained for slalom skiing, impossible as that sounds. Paired with sighted skiers, the blind skiers were taught on the flats how to make right and left turns.

When that was mastered, they were taken to the slalom slope, where their sighted partners skied beside them shouting, “Left!” and “Right!” As they obeyed the commands, they were able to negotiate the course and cross the finish line, depending solely on the sighted skiers’ word. It was either complete trust or catastrophe.”

My friends, Like the blind skiers, we must obey the commands of Christ voice as we negotiate the course on this journey He has placed us on, as we now enter the threshold of the Promise land, as we move towards going across, every step along the way through our faith and endurance we must continue to repeat the words “I can trust the Man who died for me”

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore..” Psalm 125:1-2 (ESV)

That is why we must place our trust only on the solid rock, and foundation of Jesus Christ simply because He does not Change. Soon my friends everyone in this world would have heard the good news of the gospel and all of prophecy would have been fulfilled.

Today as we look at the world we live in “Babylon the great 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.

In addition, 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.” Rev. 18:1-3 (NKJV) My friends we can allow the god of this world to interpret those words to you any way you would like to here them.

But I pray “you will trust the Man who died for each of us” and begin to live your life accordingly as you “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And…run with perseverance the race marked out for us” Heb. 12:1 (NIV)

Christ still extends His grace to His Children today. Like Peter who saw the Master walking on water, said “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You, and Christ did. But when Peter 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, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  Trust my friends, there can never be any doubt “trust the Man who died for your sins”

“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8 (ESV)

trust and faith are identical twins, both demanding a attitude of total confidence, and mental fortitude in what an unseen being that we as Christians call God, Master, the Good Shepherd, Jehovah, can do and will do for us in all situations and circumstances of our life.

But if, those two words that was spoken by the three Hebrews who were facing annihilation in a fiery furnace, those two words we must forever keep in our vocabulary. But if,  His voice is silent at times, that is all right also because our faith allows us to totally “trust the Man who died for each of us” on Calvary and if we do, our salvation and life eternal is secured, if we continue to have faith and endure to the end.

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

Nov. 9, 2014

MY FRIENDS, THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH AND STRONGHOLD!!!

“Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.” Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP)

Joy is; “a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: My friends, today I need you to focus on Nehemiah 8 it gives an account of a “solemn religious assembly.”

Some Jews have returned from exile and are back in Jerusalem, they are also in the process of trying to rebuild their lives, along with the walls of Jerusalem which at one time had provided security and a refuge, not realizing their only refuge was in the arms of God, who protects from any and all outside forces.

The people are now assembled Neh. 8:2-3 (ESV) tells us and all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.

So Ezra the priest brought the Law and he read in the presence of the men and the women and all those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Oh the piercing words from God to all who listened.

“They wept to think how they had offended God, and exposed themselves, by their many violations of the law; when some wept all wept, for they all saw themselves guilty before God.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)

But my friends in the midst of their sorrow Ezra tells them not to be depressed or upset “for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold” John also tells us “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 (NKJV)

Oh, the depressing times we live in, the uncertainty of what lies ahead, but for a child of God there is joy in spite of a world that has lost its spiritual compass, and have no, nor do they seek direction, and that Joy comes from serving God.

In addition, it comes from the anticipation of where God will lead, what depths, what heights, how far will our faith be stretched today. “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me,” Ps 31:3 (NIV) as we allow our entire life to be centered on what God wants and the joy of being lead by the one who gave it all for our Salvation.

In God’s word, there are promises of Joy and hope, if we believe for “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” In Ps. 46:1 (NKJV) our God tells us to “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of [the enemy.]”

Consistent with this, “the Lord our God, He is the One who goes with us. He will not leave us nor forsake us.” Deu. 31:6 (KJV) In spite of our heartache and pain Psalm 30:4-5 tells us to “Sing praises to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.” Yes “Weeping may endure for a night.” but He will get us through the storm as we move towards the promise land.

That text gives His Children a reason to shout and praise God’s name, before our joy in the morning even arrives, because God’s promises tells us our weeping will only last through the night. Because at the setting of the Sun, and darkness surrounds the firmament over the sky, Our joy and hope awaits us in the morning.

David uses the night to show us that our weeping is temporary, the night isn’t going to last, so the only place for our trust is in the loving arms of our Savior, because everything else is temporary. But if we have faith and endure His joy will last throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity

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

MY FRIENDS DO WE NEED MORE TIME AND MORE GRACE TO FINISH THIS RACE?

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 (NKJV)

Wikipedia, defines grace as a “theological term present in many religions. It has been defined as the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin.

I love the part that says to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Simply put, grace can be defined as an unearned favor, a gift granted to sinners for their salvation.

God’s justice, mercy and grace can be compared to the pardon that a governor of a state can give to a guilty prisoner who because of their crimes against humanity was sentence to death without a reasonable doubt by a jury of their peers on all counts.

Justice will now be served and death is assured. But because of the Governor’s position, he has the final verdict and he has decided to give the prisoner not only a pardon, but also has expunge, or obliterated forever the record of his or her crimes.

In addition, once he has read the verdict, not guilty, he decides to start there new life off with a huge mansion to live in, and unlimited resources of things he or she could have never imagined they would ever have or be entitled to.

Now you can say the Governor has given the guilty prisoner both mercy & grace along with an unlimited amount of gifts, but if he, or she had received the justice that they deserved than justice would have meant, the sentence be carried out and they die for their crime.

The same with God’s grace, justice for our sins means death because that is what we deserve because we are guilty of our sins. Paul says in Romans 3:23 (NKJV) for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Sentence to death by “Satan the accuser of the brethren.”

So the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. So now that tells me we have been given a stay of execution and Right now God offers us a pardon. He has that right He is our creator and our creator, Jesus Christ, came from His beautiful home in heaven to this wicked universe and died on a cruel cross so that we would not have to die.

But His death can only be our salvation if we accept it. The choice is up to us. The prisoner above could also have decided not to take the offer the judge gave him and made the choice to be executed, and die, instead of life.

To us that would seem like a stupid decision for him to make, especially since the Governor is willing to give him not only his life but treasures beyond anything he has ever imagined. But my friends think about all the time, and grace, God has given you to get it right.

Also, focus on all of God’s time you spend in front of the TV or gossiping or those “socially acceptable sins” that seems so hard to get rid of. My friends God’s grace and mercy is still extended to all who accepts for

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Once again my friends, grace is still on our side but the political climate tells us, soon God will say it is finished. With no time or grace left for those who had no faith to endure, till the end of the race.

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

MY FRIENDS, OUR GOD IS THE SAME TODAY, YESTERDAY AND WILL BE THROUGHOUT ETERNITY!!

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV) God’s character is changeless. So why are our day’s influenced and controlled by others. One day we are endowed with success, and happiness, and another darkened with trials and failures, or why did I even get out of bed mentality.

Why such a propensity towards a changing attitude if our purpose is to be like a changeless God. Numbers 23:19 (NKJV) says 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?”

My friends if we seek God’s kingdom, we must recognize that if our days are spent in the presence of the good Shepherd, our passion to take on the Character of Christ must be an attitude. Passion is defined as any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling.

In addition, God’s power can only come from a passionate God whose word ” is alive and active in our lives” and that same power allows a Christian to say I am unchangeable regardless of the circumstances or situation in my life simply because I serve God no matter what this world deems as changeable, for my focus is only on a life through Christ.

Consistent with this, God Has given us a commission, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)

His mandate has not changed, he has not told us to go and seek fame and fortune, this is only propaganda put out by the god of this world. But he has told us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Which tells me fame and fortune is possible if we give our all to a changeless God.

In addition as Christians we must never forget Calvary and an unchanging God who put it all on the line to send his unchanging Begotten son, In the midst of affliction, and a world marred by sin and the forces of evil so that we may focus on His changeless Character for our Salvation.

Men have always tried to destroy God’s character. The French infidel Voltaire said of Jesus, “Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world.” He also boasted, “In twenty years Christianity will be no more.

My single hand shall destroy the edifice it took twelve apostles to rear. He’s dead but Christ lives on.”  Thomas Paine wrote “The Age of Reason” in which he scoffed against Christ and the Word of God, but he died a drunkard’s death and my Lord and Savior lives on.

Every attempt to destroy Christ character has failed. His critics die each day as they await their judgment before an unchanging God “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10 (NKJV)

Mark 13:26-27 tells us And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

But many who claim to be followers of Christ are refusing to be unchangeable in their attitude of prosperity through Christ, His word, and the faith and endurance to make it happen as we carry our cross as He did.

But “Where is your faith?” Our Lord said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” The first step towards an unchangeable character like Christ is a passion to make it happen through Christ and Him crucified. My friends, grace is still on our side but the political climate tells us, soon God will say it is finished.

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

Nov. 6, 2014

MY FRIENDS, “IS THE GROUND STABLE BENEATH YOUR FEET”

President Obama, ask the country “is the ground stable beneath your feet” Let’s focus today on Numbers 16 “Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah,…….

Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up also!” My friends let’s focus on Numbers 16. You have what we call these days an attempted coup, they had a real problem with the leadership which was Moses and Aron.

consistent with this, they were willing to change the leadership “by whatever means necessary” so the leaders of this coup are Korah, Dathan, Abiram “together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the assembly, men of renown.”

And this is what they told Moses “You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”

My friends if you go back to Numbers 13-14 these are the same “men of renown”, who did not speak up for the lord when 12 spies except Caleb and Joshua whose faith was based on what they had seen from God each day of their life.

They knew the Power of God because they had spent time with God and friends that is the key to our faith spending time with God and knowing who God is and what He will do for us in each situation of our life.

Christ tells us in Matt 17:20 (NKJV) if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” So you have ten spies, with no idea who parted the the red sea, they also spend no time with God.

“We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”….and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature….we were like grasshoppers….” “So all the congregation [even Korah, Dathan, Abiram and 250 leaders and men of renown.] lifted up their voices and cried……. against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them,…..”if only we had died in this wilderness!

Well my friends God gave them what they ask for, Because they were not rejecting Moses they were rejecting God “all these men [and women] who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.”

My friends we choose to reject God, in spite of all God has done for us. This journey to the “Promise Land” is not going to be easy Christ even tells us Himself in Matt. 16:24 (NKJV) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

But first “is the ground stable beneath your feet” is you faith built on a firm foundation in God’s Word and Spirit? Are you allowing self to die daily as the Spirit transforms your character into the image of God?

These are questions you must ask yourself daily and if you fall short in some areas, then with a passion you must seek God’s presence as you ask “what must I do to be saved,” and become fully covered in the blood of Christ.

Remember my friends if you have the Faith of a mustard seed “nothing will be impossible to you.” And most importantly Salvation and life eternal will not be impossible if you have faith.

In addition, once “the ground is stable beneath our feet” then we must do whatever it takes, to finish the work of God that He has set before us as we take the good news of his return to a world that has lost its spiritual compass, as the ground falls beneath their feet.

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

MY FRIENDS, IT HAS “NEVER ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR US!!!”

God’s pure and holy kingdom. The faith, focus, love, humility, and endurance, each of us must develop within our character to make it to the end of this journey and be able to say I made it, the journey was rough but I endured.

When “Jesus will raise His mighty, glorious arm, [and] lay hold of the pearly gate, [as He] swings it back on its glittering hinges and says to us, “you have washed your robes in my blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in.”

“Then as we march in [we know] that we have a perfect right in the city…….We try to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounds us that we cannot speak them out, and we all cry out, “Alleluia, heaven is cheap enough!”

we then touched our glorious harps and make heaven’s arches ring…. Then we see the most glorious [mansions], most glorious to behold….”we see A field full of all kinds of flowers, and as we pluck them, we cried out, “They will never fade.”

Next we see a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus.

Soon we heard Christ lovely voice, saying, “Come, my people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.” We shout, “Alleluia! glory!” (From the writings of E.G. White)

My friends, No matter how that heavenly realm Christ has told us He has gone to prepare for his faithful Children, is defined. That place “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor 2:9 (NKJV)  it will “never enter into the heart of man”

And what makes this so great, He will not send for us, our personal God is going to personally come and escort us to our new home “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3 (MKJV)

Mr friends I like the part that says what we will be experiencing and seeing has never “entered into the heart of man” or ever will until we see it for our self throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

We will never have to experience again the pain and suffering, trials and tribulation, death and destruction, sickness and disease, along with all of the things on this earth that the god of this world has put us through for the last 6000 years.

But once again, where is your faith Christ tells us in Matt. 17:20 (HKJV) for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

And how hard are you willing to work to live in a place that has never “entered into the heart of man” A vision can never do justice to the reality of what God Has prepared for his faithful children who will endure till the end.

This pass Sunday I was at a funeral of one of the much loved and respected Patriarchs of our church, such A beautiful and wonderful life he lived always serving God, always asking God not my will but thou will be done.

Oh what a great feeling the family must have felt, hearing the words of love, as each individual who spoke recognized he was always working and looking for Christ soon return. My friends he will be one of the first to see Christ when He returns.

He will be one of the first to see that heavenly abode when Christ will “raise His mighty, glorious arm, [and] lay hold of the pearly gate, [as He] swings it back on its glittering hinges and says, “you have washed your robes in my blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in.”, But what if Christ comes right this minute, my friends can you say you will experience the same.

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

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU KNOW WHOM YOU HAVE BELIEVED?

“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Tim. 1:12 (NKJV)

Isn’t it something about Paul’s writing when we read it, it just takes us to another level on this journey Christ has placed us on Paul is pretty sure his day’s on this earth are numbered, Nero was so possessed by the god of this world he probably had the guillotine right out side the window of his jail cell if he had a window.

Nero’s words probably went something like this, Just the thought of him knowing he will die, but not knowing when he will die will either drive him mad or it will inspire him to recant this notion of a son of God who walked among us.

My friends, I need you to focus today on what Paul is saying while he is in jail with Satan trying to get him to waver. “for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day”

I pray daily for such a commitment of faith, what can man do to the body Ms.White tells us “Soon the night of trial and suffering would end, and then would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day.

The apostle was looking into the great beyond, not with uncertainty or dread, but with joyous hope and longing expectation. As he stands at the place of martyrdom he sees not the sword of the executioner or the earth so soon to receive his blood; he looks up through the calm blue heaven of that summer day to the throne of the Eternal.” (Acts of the Apostles pp 511-512)

Paul also tells us in 2 Cor 11:16-33 (NKJV) “…….I have worked hard, been in prison frequently, been flogged severely, exposed to death. Five times I received forty lashes minus one. Three times beaten with rods, once pelted with stones.

Shipwrecked three times……. I know hunger and thirst, I have been cold and naked…“ After going through all of that  he is still able to tell Timothy “I know whom I have believed” He has no doubt he no longer looks in the mirror and sees himself, but he looks and he sees the “one whom [he] have believed”

In addition, nothing can make him waver oh the “passion of Christ” and oh the passion of one who Christ created in His image like you and I “But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”

Christ has given him a mandate and all he wants to do is finish it, consistent with this, this same mandate that Paul has received from God is the very same mandate that God has given to us “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:” Matt 28:19 (ASV)

My friends Paul’s whole life since he left that Damascus road was to stay focused on the mission and God”s will for him and through his faith he endured. That is how he was able to say “I know whom I have believed” what happen on that road to Damascus we should all find out.

Well what ever it was God has also a plan for His faithful Children starting with in the beginning. His plan for our life should always give us a reason to praise His name. The great controversy between good and evil is now going on for our Salvation or destruction.

But if our desire is Salvation, there will be times the high walls of our life will seem impossible to get over to get to the other side. But in the midst of our trials we should say “praise God from whom all blessings flow” For our life has already been planed.

And He “will keep our going out and our coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Ps. 121:8 (NKJV) but like Paul we have to stay focused and endure as we tell our self  we “know whom we have believed”

Nov. 3, 2014

MY FRIENDS, WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE BY THE MASTERS TOUCH?

Sometimes we delay our decisions to give it all to the Master because of fear and vulnerability, we are still hung up on the past, overwhelmed by situations and circumstance of our present battles with the god of this world, battles we continue to lose, which in return gives us no hope about our situation for the future.

In addition, confusion settles in, we look at ourselves and around us to attain some glimmer of hope that’s needed to go beyond these doubts we are having. So instead of giving it all to Christ. Our solution is we sit on our mat by the pool of Bethesda for a long, long time.

Let’s go to John 5:5-7 (NKJV) “Now a certain man was there (Talking about the Pool of Bethesda) who had an infirmity thirty- eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, He knew his condition and how long he had been there.

In addition, God needed him to exemplify his faith, as with us, into believing what He is capable of doing because He is God and He is willing to give us what we ask in His name, if we believe. So He ask. “do you want to be made whole?”

The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus actually ask this question of someone who has had an infirmity for 38 years “do you want to be made whole.”

Why does Jesus ask? I would say, Jesus asked this question because he knew this man had wasted 38 years of his life waiting on the movement of water, in a pool, that had no supernatural power to heal.

I can say this with full assurance, because The very source of life stood in front of him because “we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”1 John 5:20 (ESV)

How does Christ come in one’s presence and you not recognize Him. Once again why did Jesus ask wilt thou be made whole? Is it also possible to be paralyzed for 38 years and not want to be made whole by the Master’s touch.

Maybe the man had just gotten used to his way of life. The poolside was a familiar, and safe environment. What about us as Christians have we gotten so familiar with our environment, that we don’t recognize Christ or His presence among us.

Are we spiritually sick, while at the same time, living such a comfortable and easy life that we don’t want to change or be made whole. Have we become so complacent, lackadaisical, and self-indulgent, that we have forgotten how to respond to Jesus presence as he knocks at the door of our hearts?

Why, when Christ ask the man wilt thou be made whole he did not cry out “Yes! Yes! Yes! My God Yes! I would give anything to be healed, by the touch of the Master” But His heart did not thrill with anticipation of being healed. Instead, he told Jesus his down and out hard luck story.

For 38 years he was looking for something that He could have had weather he was sick or not, life eternal. My Friends, I’m here to tell you today we can all rise above any and all situations and circumstances through Jesus Christ and be made whole.

As we think of our own lives, we search for answers, and solutions to our problems, problems Christ solved over 2,000 years ago at Calvary. Friends, our Savior did it all for us so that we can received eternal life, now what will we do for Him.

“He was delivered over to death for our sins and then was raised to life “that [we] may have life, and have it more abundantly,” John 10:10 (NASB) and through our faith and Christ we will obtain peace, and hope, as we gain access into His grace and mercy. So today Christ is asking us to respond “wilt thou be made whole.”

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

Nov. 2, 2014

MY FRIENDS, SALVATION, HOW HARD CAN IT BE, AND IS IT WORTH IT?

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46:

My friends, the kingdom of God must become real to everyone who seeks God’s Salvation more then anything the god of this world and the forces of evil has to offer. His kingdom is priceless, and it far exceeds anything we could ever imagine.

A place our God has prepared for the faithful who will endure till the end, and “who’s robes have been washed with the blood of Jesus Christ.” Paul tells us “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”1 Cor.2:9 (NKJV)

For those who love Him, are His faithful elect, who love like the one who gave His only Begotten Son, and a Son who died for all, that selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love. That is why Christ tells us “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matt 16:26 (ESV)

Oh what love to give it all for the Master but remember Christ is our example who we must all aspire to be like, for there is no greater love “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8 (NKJV) So what is your Salvation worth to you what do you seek on this earth that compares to “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard”

But our attitude must be as that of the merchantman, willing to give all he owned for what seems priceless. To Him a pearl, to us our Salvation. Remember he sold everything, because He knew that the treasure he had found, far exceeded the value of anything he ever had, or will ever have, even His family.

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matt 10:37 (NIV)

“We are to give ourselves to Christ, to live a life of willing obedience to all His requirements. Abandon the idea that temporal or spiritual advantages will win for you salvation. God calls for your willing obedience. He asks you to give up your sins. “To him that over cometh,” Christ declares, “will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Rev. 3:21(KJV) ( E, G, White Christ Object Lessons)

In the end There will be many who are forever seeking that precious pearl, but they will never entirely surrender it all to the Master. Somehow they will always find ways to stay faithful to the things of this world. They will never allow self to completely die, so that Christ can take full control.

Therefore they never find out the true value of life eternal. They will never fully conquer ungodly ambition and their love for what the world has offers. never willing to take up their cross and follow Christ to Calvary.

The threshold of the promise land is as far as they want to go because to cross over will take faith, sacrifice, and endurance. But if we seek to be Heirs to Gods kingdom we must maintain a passion to claim our new found treasure.

John tells us in Revelation 21:7 (NKJV) “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son [and daughter] And when we fully understand the value of what we have as heirs to the kingdom of God, We must never keep it hidden “but let it shine”!!

As we spread the good news and tell everyone I have found a treasure that no man can place a value on and his name is Jesus Christ For “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NIV)

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