May 19, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE PREPARED TO PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE LAMB?

“I have heard how Christians long ago, were brought before a tyrant’s throne and told that he would spare their lives If they would renounce the name of Christ. But one by one they chose to die, but the Son of God, they would not deny.” And with all their strength and with all their heart, they pledged allegiance to the Lamb (Ray Boltz, I Pledge allegiance to the Lamb)

My friends, with no reservation I’m sure the Christians martyrs could almost hear the angelic voices ring out from above “All the way your Savior leads, He cheers each winding path that you tread” Its personal today, because our winding paths are different and unique for each individuals character. But what’s the same, is the toll our winding paths takes on a child of God.

The sleepless nights, and constant conflicts with self and how we each go about in trying to destroy self, as it becomes an ever ending battle from within against principalities, and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world. And since our goal is God’s kingdom we have to recognize self cannot just be contained it must be, destroyed.

And defeated, and completely eliminated from our Character. I love the fact that our Savior cheers and guides each winding path we tread. In regards to our salvation the word cheer tells us our Savior“ supports and guides us with an unfaltering, commitment towards our salvation.”

But our commitment must also be unfaltering while allowing God’s Spirit to transform our lives so that we also have developed a personal relationship with our personal Savior. And then at that point we will understand with no reservations that we serve an unfaltering God.

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:7-8 (KJV) And that is why we [“pledge allegiance to the Lamb” as we take up our cross and follow Him. Matt 16;24 (NIV)

And friends, our commitment must be accomplished with “unfaltering, courage” in the midst of the confusion and the “breaking news” in the final days of the history of this world we live in. Everyday must be in preparation for the journey ahead for my God says in Matt 24 “many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that endures [“and pledges allegiance to the Lamb” unto the end],..shall be saved.” The end meaning that time in Matt 24 Christ tells us, to “pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

For their shall be great tribulation, such has never been since the beginning of the world to this time, nor ever shall be. And except those days are shortened, no flesh shell be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

Now let’s ask ourselves, why, out of all the days of the week did the Lord mention the Sabbath day in such an important event in prophecy? My friends every day we don’t seek Gods presence in His word, is detrimental to our Salvation if we are not studying diligently while allowing His Spirit to guide us in all truth and understanding during these trying and unpredictable times we live in.

April 5, 2015

MY FRIENDS, WE ARE BANKRUPT BUT IS THERE EVIDENCE?

“America, you have drowned and there is no savior; you have become prey for the soldiers of the caliphate in every part of the Earth; you are bankrupt, and the signs of your demise are evident to every eye,” the spokesman said, according to a translation by Reuters. “There is no more evidence than the fact that you are being run by an idiot who does not know what Syria or Iraq or Islam is.” (New York Times, Internet)

My friends, I need each of us to focus on the words, “you are bankrupt, and the signs of your demise are evident to every eye.” Bankrupt by definition is “a person unable to satisfy any just claims made upon him or her.” And In-regards to our spiritual debt, the law of justice declares: “the wages of sin is death [separation from God]” “However, the law of love grace and mercy states that “the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6:23 (KJV)

The part of that statement ISIS got wrong is, “you are being run by an idiot” because the Idiot in this situation is not Trump, but the one who said in His heart 6,000 years ago “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Is. 14:14 (NIV)

My friends, the demise of America and the world begin 2,000 years ago and I  believe, Satan and all the forces of evil were totally shocked, and amazed when Christ said, “it is finished.” Yes, at the cross was the end of Satan’s reign, because at that point, there was no doubt in Satan’s mind that the picture was complete.

And without any reservation he understood, each Old Testament prophet before Christ were like artist that came along one by one putting their own unique style and stroke on the canvas of this story but none completing the picture until Christ is Crucified, and the final stroke, Christ death, finishes the plan of salvation.

This, is where we get the title for this masterpiece “it is finished.” Up until Christ Death at Calvary Satan felt the picture that was being painted still had him ruler of this world. But now the revelation to mankind “is finished!” And Satan’s fate is sealed.

I can only imagine demons asking Satan, what’s happening as they witness Jesus dying at Calvary. And with no explanation, “Satan’s character is revealed, because up until then Satan had “so hidden himself with duplicity, and deceit that even the holy Angels had not understood the course he took or why.

The plan of redemption was completed at Calvary and the character of God was revealed to all mankind, and God’s love and honor is now established. [forever]” (E.G. White) And now God’s children can say with no reservations, Satan, the check you gave mankind came back marked “insufficient funds.”

And it was insufficient because God gave His only begotten Son and a Son who said yes, I will pay the debt  for all who believe. And then at the cross the New Testament prophets started painting on a new canvas with new paint and new and bolder strokes and Christ will also finish this painting titled “a place prepared for the redeemed.” And friends, God’s faithful are in this picture. And no eye has seen, nor ear has heard and no human mind can conceive the last stroke, only those who love God.

March 17, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHO REIGNS SUPREME IN OUR LIFE?

Our narrative begins in 1 Sam. 8, Samuel was an old man so he made his sons “who did not walk in his ways, who turned aside after dishonest gain, and perverted justice, Judges over Israel.” Then the elders of Israel came to Samuel, and said, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

Samuel took it personal as an rejection of him. Bringing the matter before the Lord, God directed Samuel to comply, for it was not Samuel they were rejecting but the “unseen Monarch” who created the heavens and the earth who they no longer wanted to reign over them or go before them and fight their battles against their enemies.

Once again, we desire heaven, with all our heart and soul and yet we “turn away because of the conditions laid down. Think of what it means to say “No” to Christ.” (White) Or to feel the need for someone else to wake us up each day. Or to fight our battles against “the powers of this dark world.”

My friends, it’s very personal today, so God allows Israel as with us the opportunity to “eat of the fruit of [our] own way and be satiated with [our] own devices. “For the waywardness of the naive will kill [us], and the complacency of fools will destroy [us all].” Prov 1:31-32 (NASB)

Friends we have become Israel and like Israel we are allowed to “work out our own salvation with [our own] fear and trembling.” For now it’s Satan “who worketh in us to do his good pleasure and no longer God” Phil. 2:12-14 (KJV) Saul is now anointed as ruler over Israel, “a handsome man; no other in Israel was more handsome.

Also from his shoulders up he was taller than all the men in Israel.” 1 Sam 9:2 (AMP) “The Spirit of the Lord then came upon Saul mightily and he begin to prophesy with [the prophets] and God changed him into another man and he was told to do for himself what the occasion requires, for God is with you.

Then it happened which we all should seek, a changed heart by God. In other words, God gave Saul as he gives us everything we need through His Spirit to serve Him, and In these last days God will give you and I all we need to finish up His mandate here on earth as He pours out “His Spirit on all flesh, and our sons and daughters shall prophesy, and our young men shall see visions, and our old men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:17:18 (ESV)

Now Israel and since its personal you and I go from being a theocracy in which “God is recognized as the supreme ruler” of Israel to Saul becoming or in our case self becomes our supreme ruler. And In a span of two years, Satan made Saul an offer he couldn’t refuse, “all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”

My friends if God woke us up today our choices have not changed, choose today to “enter the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. But, the gate is narrow and the way is [difficult] but it does lead to life-eternal, and those who find it are few.” Matt 7:13-14 (KJV)

Feb. 25, 2017

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU BELIEVE HE WHO IS WITH US IS GREATER?

Our narrative begins in 2 Kings 6:8-23 (NIV) The king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said privately, where he would set up his camp. But God told the man of God, Elisha, where the location of the Aramean army would be. And, each time the Armean’s moved to a different location, Elisha was warned by God and he would relate their location to the King of Israel. This enraged the king of Aram!

So, he summoned his officers and demanded of them. Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” “Go, find him the king ordered,” as he sent all of his forces by night and surrounded the city where Elisha was.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” Elisha answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” My friends, God tells us in 2 Chron. 20:15 (KJV), “not to afraid nor dismayed by reason of [any] great multitude; for the battle is not ours, but God’s.

But my friends, it’s only in God’s word and on our knees and through Gods Spirit where our fear is eradicated. And like Elisha who knew His God and forever prayed seeking the presence of His God, and His will for his life. Like Elisha, at that point on our journey, we know our God and what He will do for and through us.

So our prayers are that others will see as we see and will understand and know the power of the one “who is in us, is greater [and more powerful] than the one who is in the world” 1 John 4:4 (NIV) But, we must also understand “at times we may be hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed, Cor. 4:8-9 (NIV)

But we must never “be afraid,” because “the one who is in His faithful in any and all situations and circumstances of our life is greater than all principalities and all rulers of the darkness of this world and all spiritual wickedness in high places! And the one who is in you and I will never leave nor forsake us even if He has to surround us on every Hill and mountain with “horses and chariots of fire.”

My friends, as God’s elect, He’s preparing us for something we may not quite be able to handle today. But soon, because prophecy is ending rapidly, through or faith, His promise is “whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for us [in accordance with God’s will].” Mark 11:23 (AMP)

Feb. 24, 2017

MY FRIENDS, CHOOSE TODAY WHY HESITATE?

Today we must understand, “the world will not be converted by the gift of tongues, or by the working of miracles, but [only] by preaching Christ crucified. [So] the Holy Spirit must be allowed to work. God has placed instrumentalities in our hands, and we must use every one of them to do His will. (E.G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers p 424) consistent with this, it must become personal as we allow God’s Spirit to restore God’s will into our character on this journey as we seek His presence daily.

“Because by beholding [His presence daily,] we become changed!” But, if we allow our minds to adapt to the things of this world and not those Christian attributes presented through God’s Word and Spirit our focus will become blurred, our character will deteriorate and the difference between right and wrong will never be challenged.

Remember, being only a good person is not a prerequisite for God’s kingdom, but to carry our cross as His disciple and love as He loved is. Oh what grace that will take us from this sinful world to that place “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for all that love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (KJV)

And, that place is where God’s faithful will live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. My friends, it is time we quite giving Satan a pathway to our destiny, he is a defeated foe who knows, even He will one day bow down and acknowledges with His own tongue the greatness of “our Lord and Savior”

Yes, even the leader of this dark world and the evil forces in the heavenly realms who was the first to decide there was something better something greater “whose heart was lifted up because of [his] beauty, [who] corrupted [his] wisdom by reason of his brightness” who “said in his heart I will exalt my throne above the stars of God I will be like the Most High.” Ez. 28:17 (KJV), Is 14:13-14 (KJV)

Yes even he, who broke the perfect harmony of Heaven and earth, yes even he will acknowledge the greatness of God. Oh what love grace and mercy who knew the only way to vindicate who He was and that His law of love was only about love, who gave His only Begotten Son. And Oh, no greater love then that of a Son who was willing to vindicate His Father on Calvary and give all who believe the opportunity to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

My friends, at this moment in History, the world is choosing sides. Remember “Sin will not rise a second time” once God says it is finished and His faithful righteous have been sealed by the blood of the Lamb. So choose “this day whom you will serve.”

“Choose this day” if that “wide gate, that easy path that leads to destruction and death that many will enter is more appealing than that narrow gate, even though the path through it is hard, and the terrain rough, through Christ, His grace makes it easily obtainable and in the end it will lead to life-eternal. But what’s sad, very few will choose that path. But if only, you or I chose that path, Christ would have still died so that we would obtain life and obtain it more abundantly in His pure and holy kingdom.

March 19, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHAT IS SALVATTION WORTH?

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so with an alabaster jar of perfume she entered the home as she stood at Jesus feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears as she wiped them with her hair, as she kissed His feet, she begin to pour expensive perfume from an alabaster jar on them.

When Simon saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know this woman touching him “is a sinner.” In-spite of Simon the Leper prejudice accusation, Jesus said to her “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” John tells us this woman was Mary of Bethany the sister of Martha and brother Lazarus who Jesus had raised from the dead.

Even His disciples considered it a foolish act, “Why this waste they asked?” But the kindness of Mary was all about Christ journey to Calvary and because of her pure and repentant heart she was chosen by the Holy Spirit who prompted Mary to carry out this unselfish act. And she obeyed, as others looked on with haughty disdain.

Inspiration my friends “stoops to give no reason. An unseen presence [like the wind,] it speaks to mind and soul, and moves the heart to action. It is its own justification. Christ told Mary the meaning of her act, and in this He gave her more than He had received.” (E.G. White, Desire of Ages p 560)

My friends, let’s look forward to where God is trying to take us and then look back at where he has brought us from and then pause. Was Calvary to great of a price to pay for our “steadfast unmovable always abounding” towards evil character. Mary knew her life before Christ came into it and “each of us know our transgressions, our sins are always before us. And against God our creator, only have we sinned and done what is evil in His sight.” Ps 51:3-4 (NIV)

Now, it must become personal we must become Mary of Bethany because I don’t know about you but I can’t forget “the way life used to be at a time when I was a prisoner to the sins that had me bound,” a slave under the domination of an evil force that placed within me those hereditary tendencies that went back six thousand years.

So an alabaster jar of perfume three hundred dollars by today’s standards, compared to what was done for us at Calvary. My friends, no gift could compare or even come close. So a character formed into the likeness of Christ is the only thing that will enter God’s kingdom. A character that gave it all up to come to this world not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt. 20:28 (NIV)

That is why Christ Spirit cries out to us daily, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” my friends, we are the laborers, and such love and gratitude, and a passion to serve among the harvest must become our Character, if not remember Christ warning, “not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he or she who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” Matt 7:21 (NASB)

March. 18, 2017

MY FRIENDS, CAN WE LOOK WITHIN OURSELVES AND SEE THE CONFLICT?

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” Rom. 7:18-20 (NASB) So, my friends, we must recognize we are not capable of winning the daily prolong struggles we encounter with the “spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places”

Remember, the very thing we do not want, we are no longer the one doing it, “but sin which dwells in us.” So “Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies.” In addition, we must “criticize ourselves closely, and not allow one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected. Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character.

If [we] come to this decision, [we] will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in [our] own will. If you [and I] will not, then [we] cannot overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God.” (E.G. White, Christ Object Lessons p 331)

My friends, God’s Spirit continually seeks a conviction from you and I. The disciples were not just introduced to the Holy Spirit when they became disciples. But, throughout their lives “Conflict after conflict was waged against hereditary tendencies.” And then they were introduced to Christ and their lives were change and when the day of Pentecost was fully come, “they were all on one accord in one place.”

Which tells us through God’s Spirit they “criticize themselves closely and did “not allow one unfavorable trait [of sin] to remain uncorrected” as they remedied their defects of character” by “forsaken all others” and allowing God’s Spirit to finally convict, instruct, restore, guide and empower every aspect of their lives.

But one disciple, Judas, allowed those hereditary tendencies to remain within Him and then Satan encouraged him to take His own life which then took Him outside the boundaries of what occurred at Calvary. My friends, we must remember we are all “shapen in iniquity; and in sin did our mothers conceive [us]. Ps. 51:5 (KJV)

But we must also remember from birth “God will put His Spirit within us and remove [our] heart of stone from our flesh and give [each of us] a heart of flesh, that we may walk in His statutes and keep His rules and obey them. And [we] shall be His people” Ez. 11:19-20 (KJV) But first we must respond as we repent and submit complete control of our life over to God and His Spirit.

Friends, “the curtain has been pulled back by God’s holy angels” and we see that lawlessness continues to abound. And nation continue to rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and famines and pestilences, and earthquakes continue in various places. We are witnessing prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes, as time moves faster than ever before.

“It’s as if we’re watching the blur of a speeding train pass,” moving towards Christ second coming and as we see the conflict within us rage on, are we willing to give it all to the Master in exchange for life eternal.

June 12, 2016

MY FRIENDS, DOES GOD REALLY UNDERSTAND WHY WE CANT?

As we move closer to Christ second coming. We continue to cling to those sins that “so easily besets us.” as we continue to tell ourselves, God understands, he knows my heart. Yes my friends God knows our heart and He knows “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” Jer. 17:9 (KJV) So what we should be saying is Satan has the greater power over God. And God’s promises that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”1 John 4:4 (NKJV)

And “for everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith.” 1 John 5:4 (KJV) has no effect on us because Satan is greater and we have no faith to overcome him. My friends it’s personal because it is OUR FAITH, OUR JOURNEY AND OUR SALVATION. And Satan only has power over us if we give him that power. “For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast….”

Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “this is the finger of God” This narrative begins with Aaron casting “down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. And Pharaoh now calls his wise men, sorcerers and the magicians of Egypt, and they all threw down their rods, “and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” Ex 7:10-12 (KJV)

My friends, God first needed to let Pharaoh know who he was dealing with and once he recognized that, he should have understood, there is only one God and He is the creator of the universe. “But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them.” Ex. 8:18-19 (KJV) But Pharaoh’s magicians recognized the finger and presence of God. So my friends, as you look back over your journey and see where God has brought you from to where you are today, do you understand it was always the presence of God that got us through the storms of our life.

And, it is the presence of God that wakes us up each morning. But God also “maketh his sun to rise on the evil (Pharaoh) and on the good (Moses), and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt. 5:45 (NKJV) But God wants to do something breath-taking and awe-inspiring through His Children as He did with Moses so the world will know that there is only one God and one Savior. But first through our faith we must give it all to the Master.

And if we are going to allow God to use us for His glory and honor we must make a choice to overcome the world and the things in the world. And this my friends is what God understands, because God did not give the world His only Begotten Son for us to continue to use Satan as a crutch or a substitute for Jesus Christ and that is what we are doing when we say God understands.

But what He does understand is “no one can serve two masters; for either he [or she] will hate the one and love the other, or else they will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” Matt. 6:24 (KJV) And He also understand that His love is what Calvary was all about; selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. And if we understand this, then we must also understand self must die daily as we live our life through Christ.

June 11, 2016

MY FRIENDS, STAY FOCUSED GOD IS IN CONTROL!!

Job’s trials begin in Job 1:12 (KJV) with God giving Satan the go-ahead; “all that Job hath, is in thy power.” all, meaning every situations and circumstances that involves one’s life, Satan now has power over, “but don’t touch His body.” God tells Satan. Now all of this is going on behind the scenes without job’s knowledge. My friends, it’s personal so let’s exchange our life with Job. Our entire world is about to take a turn for the worst.

All that we hold so dear, will now disappear, and we “do not know what tomorrow will bring….For [we] are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James 4:14 (ESV) Satan can’t believe Job’s faith even after he has lost everything. So now he ask God for permission to touch his body and God grants it. “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.” Job 2:6 (NKJV) What this narrative of Job tells us; nothing is done against us without God’s knowledge or permission.

But as God’s children. He knows the point at which we get to where Satan becomes the victor. So He will not allow that to happen or allow us “to be tempted beyond what [we] are able, but with the temptation [He] will also make the way of escape, that [we] may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13 (NKJV) My friends, Job lost everything even His children. And now in (v,7) Satan strikes him “with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” Then his wife makes a suggestion in (v, 9) “Do you still hold fast to your integrity?

Which means, she knows job’s pure and moral character and His faithfulness to God, but she does not understand God will never “leave, nor forsake his faithful children.” My friends there will be those that question our integrity also and like job’s wife wonder why are we still faithful to a God that has deserted us because there is a easier way for “wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” and like Job our response must be “…….Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?”

So now Job cries out to God as he asked for help, But the Lord does not answer and sometimes we will not here His voice either, but we must remember God still guides our foot-steps and when God does answer job His words were,“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?“ Where were you when I laid the foundation of the world………Job 38:2-5 (NKJV) My friends we must understand God knows “the plans [He] have for [us]……plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you [and I] a future and a hope.” Jer. 29:11 (ESV)

So we must stay focused and like Job in the end “the Lord blessed his latter days more than his beginning.” Remember we are closer then we have ever been before, so God is preparing us for that time of “great tribulation, [like nothing that has] occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.” Matt 24:21 (NASB)

So today He prepares His elect for such a time so when it does occur we will remain  “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain….” [as we move out on-to the front lines of the battle field seeking souls for God’s kingdom] 1 Cor. 15:58 (NKJV) and one day if we are faithful and endure until the end we will be saved “and our latter days will be more than our beginning” in God’s pure and holy kingdom.