July 18, 2014

SETTING OUR PRIORITIES WHILE “PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE [SUPREME AND HEAVENLY] PRIZE”

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Mark 1:32-38 (NIV)

God’s word such an inspiration when you are seeking the presence of God My friends today let’s focus on SETTING OUR PRIORITIES WHILE “PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE [SUPREME AND HEAVENLY] PRIZE to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.” Phil 3:14 (AMP)

My friends today I need you to search deep from within as you read the first chapter of Mark verses 32-38 as God’s Word talks of Jesus going to a solitary place to talk to His “Father which art in heaven” the disciples searching frantically looking for their Master who they thought had come to this world to overthrow the Roman empire and set up His kingdom bringing Israel back to its prominence among all nations as it once was.

Being in the presence of God each day they still did not  understand his mission “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:19 (ESV) but when they did find Jesus in prayer and solitude they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” in other words your future subjects are seeking there King, this is the part of this story I need you to really focus on and that is, He totally moved the conversation in another direction all together.

Remember they had interrupted him as he was talking to His Father. I am sure His focus throughout that conversation was on the mission and the path he would have to take to Calvary, so His reply to them was simple “Let us go somewhere else to the nearby villages so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

My friends I LOVE IT, such focus on the mission, He knew the Journey before Him and that was all that mattered. His PRIORITY was on our Salvation and “PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL to make that happen. In addition, that could only be accomplished if He stayed FOCUSED through the Word, prayer endurance and Faith in our father who was willing to give “His only begotten Son so that we may all be saved if we believed.

So now let’s make it personal because if you live on this planet you have to recognize prophecy is unfolding every single day. Christ is now giving us warning after warning telling us to PREPARE! PREPARE! FOCUS! PRAY! ENDURE! STUDY! SEEK GOD”S PRESENCE AND HIS SPIRIT WHILE STRETCHING YOUR FAITH UNTIL HE TELLS YOU PERSONALLY WELL DONE! as we tell the world of  His soon return.

My friends like Christ whose mission would not be compromise by the things that were going on around him we must also SET OUR PRIORITIES WHILE “PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE [SUPREME AND HEAVENLY] PRIZE.

Consistent with this, we also cannot forget that the road on our Journey to get to Gods kingdom has a very “narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are [many and are being led by the god of this world]. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life [eternal], and those who find it are few.[but they are willing to endure to the end] Matt 7:13-13 (ESV) so as His Chosen let’s SET OUR PRIORITIES WHILE “PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE [SUPREME AND HEAVENLY] PRIZE to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward”

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

DAVID THE ORIGINAL PRAISE AND WORSHIP DANCER!!

“…Whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23 (NKJV)

“And David danced before the Lord with all his [passion]…..” 2 Sam 6:14 (ESV)

“I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate on thy statutes. Ps. 119:48 (ASV) my friends’ one man, one journey from shepherd boy as he played hymns of worship and adoration in the royal courts for an insane King. To the royal years  as king himself.

But throughout his life in all situations and circumstances David exemplified the passion of praise and worship for the God He served as he danced before Jehovah a man “whom [God Himself] testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Acts 13:22 (ESV)

Remember that is all God ask of his children “to do His will,” but with passion for it was the passion of Christ that gave His life for our salvation. So let’s praise Him “in our [churches]; and [outside under His] mighty heavens!….[and this will be done all] according to his excellent greatness!

[We must also] Praise him with [the sounds of many instruments like the] trumpets; lutes and harps! [also let’s not forget the] tambourine, strings, pipes and loud cymbals [we will also] dance before the Lord and praise his name [day and might] yes let all of His children] that has breath praise the Lord! Ps 150:1-6 (AMP)

Everyone who has had the privilege of being raised in the church, who has lived at least 2 score years plus 10 and beyond has probably also had the privilege of attending the original evangelism services, revival under the big tent in the middle of summer with temp. reaching in the 100 degrees at night as you could here the saints throughout the neighborhood on one accord singing praises to God.

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.” Along with another familiar praise and worship song, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found. ‘Twas blind, but now I see.” accompanied by an organ which sounds penetrated “as of a rushing mighty wind as it filled the whole [tent]”.

A time when every man on the pulpit wore a black suit white shirt and a black or white tie. Moving ahead 50 years to “such a tine as this” I don’t have to give you a visual of the drastic changes that has occurred in our churches because we live it daily, but God’s word also tells us “He changeth the times and the seasons:….. he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: Daniel 2:21 (KJV)

So as a child of God, when God does change times and seasons our challenge must become personal as we focus on the salvation of others which should have nothing to do with the fact that we live in a multicultural society whose taste and style varies from HYMNS, to RAP from the HARP to GUITAR from the QUARTET to the PRAISE TEAM and all the musical genres in between.

As we move closer to Christ return it must be all about witnessing. Focus my friends, the standard and message of the saving power of Jesus Christ will never and has never changed but the technique, the way we go about communicating the message has changed which presents a challenge to our Leaders and followers but through prayer, supplication, faith and endurance God’s church will continue to move forward until the day of His appearing.

So churches let’s shift our focus back to “thus says the Lord” and His commission to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matt. 28:19 (KJV) The god of this world waits on God’s church to fail by default over issues that has nothing to do with our salvation. So as Christ ambassadors, we must continue building a community of believers where Christ abides as we prepare all who believe for life eternal.

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

“WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.”

Yes my friends “WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT” but He will get us THROUGH. That statement gives me a reason to praise God’s name, before my JOY IN THE MORNING even arrives! The simple fact that WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT is a good reason to shout because that tell’s me at the setting of the Sun or SON and darkness surrounds the firmament over the sky If  we will keep our eyes focused on God’s only begotten SON and what He went THROUGH ON THE CROSS JOY WILL COME IN THE MORNING.

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) tells us “Have I not commanded you? [to] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” weather at night or day, in the storm or in sunshine.

Just to know our God’s promises are sure allows us to begin to rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3:5 (ESV)

David uses the night to show us that our weeping is temporary, the night is not going to last. God is teaching us the only place for our trust is in His loving care and protection. 1 John 2:17 (NKJV) tells us “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

So today my friends focus, and ENDURE, the journey is worth it, Earth is that place of eternal preparation, but you must get THROUGH the storm and be able to say. For no temptation (no storm or trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear].

But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 1 Cor 10:13 (AMP)

My friends as a child of God “[at times we see the storm that] lays before [us], Lord, [we cry out], what will [we] do? [as we focus on the loving arms of Jesus we] think [I know like all the other times, He is just going to remove [the storm]. But, [not this time instead] He gently [just] leads [us] THROUGH.

[so today be assured my friends] [without the] fire, there is no refining, without [the]pain, [there is] no release, without [the] flood, there’s [is]no rescue, [and] without testing, [there can be no] belief. [so] THROUGH the fire, THROUGH the flood, THROUGH the water, [and] through the blood, THROUGH the dry and barren places, THROUGH life’s dense and maddening mazes, THROUGH the pain, and THROUGH the glory, THROUGH [it all] we will always [THROUGH God’s love, grace and mercy be able to] tell the story, of [a] God who will [never] fail [us].” (Gaither Vocal Band)

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” if you are willing to have faith and believe and ENDURE FOR A NIGHT because there will be JOY IN THE MORNING.

For our example is Christ Who is ……. the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) and one day soon my friends at the setting of the sun or SON throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity we will also be able to sit down with our God

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

July 14, 2014

“EASY EDDIE” AND HIS JOURNEY FOR REDEMPTION!!

Al Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed “Easy Eddie”. Eddie’s skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. He and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion that filled an entire Chicago City block with all of the conveniences of the day. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie however had a son that he loved dearly and “Easy Eddie” saw to it that his son had everything money could buy for price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie tried to teach his son right from wrong because he wanted him to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth he couldn’t pass on a good name or example to his son. One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done, so he went to the authorities to reveal the truth with documents about Capone’s syndicate operation and clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity.

But he would have to testify against The Mob, the cost would be deadly “but no greater love” then to give one’s life for another. Within the year Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on the streets of Chicago. But, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, his life. Police removed from his pockets a religious medallion and a poem that read:

THE CLOCK OF LIFE IS WOUND BUT ONCE AND NO MAN, [ONLY GOD] HAS THE POWER TO TELL JUST WHEN THE HANDS WILL STOP. [So] at this moment is the only time you own. For the clock may soon be still. Consistent with this, World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare.

He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. Wikipedia tells of the early life of Edward O’Hare. Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29.

His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, Butch’s memorial displays his statue and his Medal of Honor which is located between Terminals 1 and 2. My friends BUTCH O’HARE WAS EASY EDDIE’S SON.

So now Let’s FOCUS today my friends on each of our legacies that we are leaving our friends, families, love one’s neighbors, co-workers and a world whose spiritual compass is forever pointing in the wrong direction. “Easy Eddie” in spite of his misplaced values throughout his life understood right from wrong and wanted something better for his son so he made a choice that eventually cost him his life.

in addition, He could have groomed his son for the life he was accustomed to or for a man with integrity, and respect that cared and would give his life for others in which he did. Friends Christ expects a personal commitment from us today, so that by your faith “my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8 (NKJV)

we must never forget that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, [and it is our responsibility to carry out Christ mandate throughout the world as we] proclaim the excellencies of him who called [each of us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

My friends, life is short, let’s make the best of what time we have left as we move closer to Christ return for “THE CLOCK OF LIFE IS WOUND BUT ONCE AND NO MAN, [ONLY GOD] HAS THE POWER TO TELL JUST WHEN THE HANDS WILL STOP.”

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

July 13, 2014

MY FRIENDS, “BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED”!!!

Have you ever heard the saying “BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED”? Well let’s make it personal today for our Journey God has placed us on, especially when our attitude in most instances takes on the character, this is not where I really wanted to be at this stage of my life.

MY VISION and PLANS go far beyond where I am at this moment, even when staying within the perimeter of this journey Christ has placed me on, success is just not moving fast enough. But the four words that should seem contradictory to a child of God should be MY VISION, MY PLANS and NOT GOD’S PLANS.

The story is told of Colonel Davenport, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. One day in 1789, the sky of Hartford darkened ominously, and some of the representatives, glancing out the windows, feared the end was at hand.

Quelling a clamor for immediate adjournment, Davenport rose and said, “The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I CHOOSE TO BE FOUND DOING MY DUTY. Therefore, I WISH THAT CANDLES BE BROUGHT.” That my friends places whatever season we are in and whatever we are doing solely in the hands of our Savior AND OUR DUTY IN FINISHING UP HIS WORK.

Yes those same hands that were nailed to the cross for our salvation, in other words it is no longer about us but we  must CHOOSE TO BE FOUND DOING GOD’S DUTY and at all times “our light must shine before others that they may see [our] good deeds [as we] glorify our father “which art in] heaven.” Matt. 5:16 (NIV)

And instead of fearing the dark, God will be our light as we watch, wait, and work and this can and will only happen if we “have been crucified with Christ…..and it is no longer we who live, but Christ (the Messiah who) lives in [us]; and the life [we] now live in the body [we now] live by faith in the Son of God, Who loves [each of us] and gave Himself up for [our Salvation].”Gal 2:120 (AMP)

In addition, wherever we are in life it should have nothing to do with us, but all about God, He must be in full control and if we allow that to happen as God’s chosen we will be following a mandate that has been instilled within us by the presence of God and as we look at the cross, we should be in awe of the fact that in spite of the wretched sinner we are, our God is perfectly willing to take a chance on us as we allow Him to use us in spreading the good news of His soon return.

So today my friends through Christ we should take advantage of the opportunities that is placed before us at this moment through Christ, for tomorrow will take care of itself if our eyes are own the Master because Christ “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV)

And sometimes that can only happen through others seeing Christ in us. Remember Satan is still as powerful and strong as ever. But if Christ, abides in us He has no power and we whose heart is fixed to serve God will BLOOM WHERE WE ARE PLANTED as we witness for Him, and 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 to go into all the world and tell everyone of His love, grace, and mercy.

While much of the fruit of our labor will not be apparent in this life, God’s workers have His sure promise of ultimate success. As our example, the world’s redeemer was constantly confronted with obstacles each day. He seemed to do little of the work which He longed to do in uplifting, and saving souls, because the forces of Satan were constantly working to obstruct His every move. But He would not be discouraged. And our attitude should also be where God leads I will follow and BLOOM WHERE WE ARE PLANTED!!!

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

July 12, 2014

OH THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD AND SPIRIT IN OUR HANDS!!!

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. AND TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,…” Eph. 6:14-18 (NKJV)

My friends I need you to read today 2 Samuel 23, in that chapter we discover some of the extraordinary acts of achievements, by David’s mighty men of war who were known as the three and thirty, who were the special forces in David’s army.

By today’s standards they would be equivalent to the Navy Seals, or the Green Berets with the only difference being all of there power came from the mighty power of God’s Spirit. With three of the 33 even more unique and outstanding then the rest.

One of the three the bible talks about is in 2 Samuel 23:9-10 (NKJV) this unique soldier “was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated.

He arose and attacked the Philistines UNTIL HIS HAND WAS WEARY, AND HIS HAND STUCK TO THE SWORD. THE LORD BROUGHT ABOUT A GREAT VICTORY THAT DAY;” Today my friends I need you to change places with ELEAZAR today you become the mighty warrior, we will also replace the enemy PHILISTINES with SATAN AND THE FORCES OF EVIL. Our weapon will be the power of the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.

Friends as God’s chosen we must become a member of His special forces team. In addition to this we must also recognize that we are in a battle everyday of our life against the god of this world with the streets being the war zone for “lawlessness abounds, 24/7 and the love of many [continues to] grow colder and colder”

My friend our only defense is the Word of God and His Spirit but they must be a part of us, inseparable to the point that we become bonded as one and along with our Faith and endurance, this becomes our main source of protection from the enemy and with this power God has given us all the “authority [we need] to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt [a Child of God]. Luke 10:19 (ASV)

Consistent with this, we must also remember God’s “Spirit shall not always strive with mankind, for “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3:13 (NKJV) and one day God will say “He who is unrighteous (unjust, wicked), let him be unrighteous still;

and he who is filthy (vile, impure), let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous (just, upright, in right standing with God), let him do right still; and he who is holy, let him be holy still. Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit.” Rev. 22:11 (AMP)

So today we must know without any reservation that our “redeemer lives” and He is advocating  right now before “Our Father which art in heaven” but we do not have to worry about our Salvation if our MIND AND BODY are STUCK TO THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD. and one day soon THE LORD WILL BRING ABOUT A GREAT VICTORY TO EACH OF HIS CHOSEN.

In addition, Incredible things begin to happen when the passion of God dominates our imagination and through God’s power that can only come about through GOD’S WORD AND SPIRIT, and once this happens we as ordinary people can make extraordinary things happen and as God’s divine passion dominates our being we as God’s chosen “will receive power [as] the Holy Spirit comes on [us]; and [we] will be [Christ] witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)

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

July 11, 2014

HE LOOKED BEYOND OUR FAULTS AND SAW WHAT WE COULD BE THROUGH HIM!!!

“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

Amazing Grace’ shall always be my song of praise for it was grace that bought my liberty I do not know just why he came to love me so. I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary to view the cross where Jesus died for me How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul” for HE LOOKED BEYOND OUR FAULTS AND SAW WHAT I COULD BE THROUGH HIM.

Looking at the Characteristics of 7 of the 12 Disciples that Christ Personally choose are as follow; SIMON PETER, Impulsive foot in the mouth disease a brawler, JOHN; Ambitious, Judgmental, JAMES; Ambitious, short-tempered, judgmental, MATTHEW; Despised outcast because of his dishonest career, PHILIP; Questioning attitude, THOMAS; a doubter, JUDAS; Treacherous and Greedy Betrayer of Christ.

In our limited human way of thinking, the first thing we usually ask before we focus on the grace, mercy and “longsuffering of God towards us, who is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” is WHY DID THE CREATOR OF OUR UNIVERSE TAKE A CHANCE WITH SUCH A WRETCHED SINNER LIKE JUDAS THE ONE WHO BETRAYED HIM?

My friends this is where I need you to focus today because if we think hard about the question, we will realize that we betray our Savior each time we allow the god of this world to move our attention away from the love and grace of Christ to the things of this world.

As I look back at my Faults and abominations against my Savior throughout my life, I thank God each day that He is not through with me yet and He Who began a good work in [each of us] will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in each of us.” Phil 1:6 (AMP)

Oh the miracle our God has performed in our lives as He LOOKED BEYOND OUR FAULTS AND SAW WHAT WE COULD BE THROUGH HIM for “the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;” but He has a plan for each of our lives and He has set us on a course that will lead to our Salvation.

Yes He takes wretched sinners like you and I and transforms our life from being WHAT WE ARE, to the one who recognizes and believes through the faith of God and His word what Calvary meant for our SALVATION and through this faith we can say without a doubt that Lord, I am going to trust you totally and place all of my confidence, hopes and dreams of eternity exclusively, on Calvary and what Christ did for me.

Consistent with this, I will not trust in anyone else but You simply because YOU LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULTS AND SAW WHAT I COULD BE THROUGH YOU “G.C. Morgan wrote concerning the special three: “There can be no doubt that these men, Peter, James, and John, were the most remarkable in the apostolate.

Peter loved Him; John He loved; James was the first to seal his testimony with his blood. Even their blunders proved their strength. They were the men of enterprise; men who wanted thrones and places of power…Mistaken ideas, all of them.”

But you would think being with the Master for 3-1/2 years they would be completely transformed, but that did not occur until “the day of Pentecost when all the disciples were ASSEMBLED TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE [AND ON ONE ACCORD] and suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.

And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them and they were all filled with power [which awaits us also if we believe] from the Holy Spirit Acts 2:2-4 (AMP) and this would never have happen if CHRIST HAD NOT LOOKED BEYOND THEIR FAULTS AND SAW WHAT THEY WOULD BE THROUGH HIM.

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

July 10, 2014

MY FRIENDS, “GREAT AND ABUNDANT IS GOD’S FAITHFULNESS” TOWARDS US!!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:22-25 (ESV)

My friends, what an awe inspiring statement; GREAT IS GOD”S FAITHFULNESS, which is new every morning, meaning it is never ending, and it has nothing to do with the FAITHFULNESS of our mother or father or the preacher or the teacher, but all our hope rest on our Savior and His ABUNDANT FAITHFULNESS toward each of us and if you are a Child of God that makes it very personal and it allows each of us to be “confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in [each of us] will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Phil 1:6 (KJV)

“In April 1988 the evening news reported on a photographer who was a skydiver. He had jumped from a plane along with numerous other skydivers and filmed the group as they fell and opened their parachutes. On the film shown on the telecast, as the final skydiver opened his chute, the picture went berserk.

The announcer reported that the cameraman had fallen to his death, having jumped out of the plane without his parachute. It wasn’t until he reached for the absent ripcord that he realized he was freefalling without a parachute. Until that point, the jump probably seemed exciting and fun.

But tragically, he had acted with thoughtless haste and deadly foolishness. Nothing could save him, for his faith was in a parachute that he had never buckled on.” Oh GREAT IS GOD’S FAITHFULNESS as we look back over our lives so much of it we were just  freefalling, living with thoughtless haste and deadly foolishness as we followed the god of this world to perdition.

But oh the mercy and grace of a God who in spite of, was always FAITHFUL to us, for only the FAITHFULNESS of Christ and His “patients toward [us], not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” are we able to praise His name today and for everyone who does not recognize the FAITHFULNESS of our Savior and continues to freefall through life, Christ Is calling you at this moment for a unrestricted dependence on Him as you allow His Spirit to transform you into a candidate for God’s kingdom.

In addition, it must become personal this is your Salvation and His FAITHFULNESS towards you as you seek God’s presence on your own accord as his arm reaches us no matter where we are or what we are doing for “who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in [His FAITHFULNESS and] steadfast love” Micah 7:18 (ESV)

for “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is FAITHFUL, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Cor. 10:13 (ESV)

Understanding and knowing God’s FAITHFULNESS is the process by which God’s character is cultivated in us. But it must be a daily process, and in so doing, we become aware of our own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings, through Christ and His PATIENT and LONG SUFFERING, and as a result, each day we begin to walk into Gods divine wisdom, a wisdom that allows us to focus on the FAITHFULNESS of Christ and the Journey He has placed us on to the promise land.

Consistent with this, God’s readily perceived and Unimaginable FAITHFULNESS toward His Children, will allow us to become truly humble, devoted and God fearing workers in finishing up God’s commission here on earth as we begin to show our full “gratitude and thanksgiving” for what Christ has done for us and at the same time we will also “share in [Christ] sufferings [as we carry our cross] in order that we may also share in his glory [one day soon]” Romans 8:17 (ESV)

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

July 9, 2014

MY FRIENDS I HAVE A TESTIMONY, SO MY SOUL CRIES OUT IN PRAISE TODAY, JUST BECAUSE!!!

And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might and honor, and glory, and blessing.! Rev. 5:11-12 (ASV)

“The heavenly host Gathers around the throne “WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN they sing” but It was no angel that was crucified they honor and It was not for their sins that our Savior gave up all the glory in the heavenly realm to reincarnate Himself as man and die a cruel death at Calvary, and yet they live to praise their Lord!

So my friends this is where I need you to focus today as you make this personal and ask yourself. If the SINLESS angelic host can praise the lamb that was slain for the sins of MANKIND JUST BECAUSE of the love and admonition of who they serve, then what is our song we sing each day and who do we praise, or have our schedules become so full with the things of this world that we have eliminated such performances from our daily agenda except when we claim to be filled by the Spirit at our churches once or twice a week.

As God’s chosen we should ask our-self  is it possible for a wretched sinner like you and I to fully  “appreciate,’ that is, to love and delight in praise to the worthiest of all in heaven and on earth, and simultaneously at every moment delight in a perfect expression of love, [as our soul experiences] supreme blessedness,” Would we do it and if so why haven’t we?

And  if we could  “praise God fully as our joy and happiness flows out from us incessantly again and again in an effortless and perfect expression. [and then once this occurs] our joy [will be] “no more separable from the praise in which it liberates and utters itself than the brightness a mirror receives is separable from the brightness it sheds.” (C.S. Lewis.)  Would we do it and if so why haven’t we?

My friends without God in our life where would we be for “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Consistent with this, they are also corrupt, they do abominable deeds…” and “every imagination [and] thoughts of [their] heart is only evil continually.” “But as for a Child of God we should have the passion to know God and feel God in our presence Daily, like the sinless angels JUST BECAUSE.

In addition, I feel our JUST BECAUSE has to have so much more meaning JUST BECAUSE “the wages of sin is death,”for all who were “brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did [our] mother conceive [us].” Ps. 51:5 (ESV) but because of love God’s Promise is “the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus”

Also our Lord must mean more to us then someone we run to when we need a rapid response in an emergency. But He must become our friend and companion JUST BECAUSE and once this becomes a passion within us, we then have the right to say in total praise my God is JEHOVAH – RAPHA: “the Lord who heals us of all of our infirmities,”

or JEHOVAH-SHALOM “Our perfect peace in the time of my many troubles” or JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH “The One Who is with us everywhere for He is Omnipresent” or JEHOVAH-RAAH “Our Shepherd Who tenderly leads us, loves us and will keep us safe.”

So yes MY FRIENDS LET”S MAKE IT PERSONAL AND GIVE OUR TESTIMONY AS WE CRY OUT IN PRAISE TODAY, JUST BECAUSE!!! And then one day soon the question will be asked “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And the question will be answered. “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. Rev. 7:13:15 (NKJV)

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