Sep. 5, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN, SO WE MUST NOW STAND FIRM, STAY FOCUSED, AND ENDURE!!!

Today we can honestly say the best is yet to come in spite of what we encounter from day to day in this relentless battle Satan and His forces are waging in their vicious and maddening pursuit for each of our souls. And as children of the King we must never settle for anything less than God’s best for our life Because His promise in Matt. 7:9-11 (NIV) states, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! My friends, It’s time we all say I am ready to put off the old man or woman, because we are no longer lost sheep, for we have decided to never stop allowing self to die daily as we realize “the Spirit who lives in you and I is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (NLT)

Today we have been set apart to finish Christ work here on earth for “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” So please my friends pledge with me today that we all will be the man or women God created us to be. Just think how great it is living in the 21st century God’s chosen generation to finish his mandate “for such a time as this.”

In addition, It is now clearer than ever before why Satan is so determine that we fall in some area of our life. and he will never stop or take one prisoner so now as we die daily through God’s word and Spirit, the things of this world that draws our attention away from Christ must become obsolete, as we lay prostrate before God in humility and with no reservations that the good work he started in us He can now “carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Today God’s will must be complete within us as we understand now more then ever before that we are children of the King. So my friends today let’s give it all to the Master. Not tomorrow, but at this very moment let’s put on the whole amour of God and not let Satan intimidate, or discourage us any longer because we are God’s chosen His royal priesthood.

A holy nation, God’s special possession, [who will] declare the praises of him who called you and I out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) Our faith also tells us we were chosen for such “a time as this.” Oh what a honor, so we must now stand firm, stay focused and endure while only using the power of the cross to sustain us until we hear”well done thy good and faithful servant.”

So now my friends, let’s tell the world together, “Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!” Ps. 66:16-20

Aug. 17, 2017

MY FRIENDS, THIS IS WHAT GOD WANTS, ARE WE READY?

When an eagle is born and grows into maturity, by observation they recognize the usefulness of their wings and what separates them from a chicken who only flaps in a never ending and motionless pursuit to fly but never. When the baby first arrives and finds itself in a massive nest, It’s lost, and can’t see over the top. That’s when the mother gives her child stability, a steady routine, constant nourishment, all the things you pour into a child at birth which allows them to grow to adulthood.

The child does not instinctively know how to fly, like all children they must be taught, but mostly they learn by watching other eagles soaring in the sky, as they realize that is my destiny as the mothers amazing tenacity shows her young, this is what I want you to do, this is where I need you to go, these are the heights I need you to achieve.

Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 11:1 (KJV) “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” Because in the end it’s all about Christ and what we must do to accomplish His will, not ours. “Do you not know? Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASV)

As the eagle goes through the various stages from birth to maturity, so the Creator has planed the renewing process of his chosen generation, And as we “wait for the Lord we will gain new strength, and like the eagle there is a process a transformation that only happens through His Spirit. In addition, each of God’s children are different.

Maturity comes at different stages throughout one’s life, but what is important to the child of God who seeks life eternal and to everyone who waits for the Lord, we will all cross into the promise land if we have faith and endure. The disciples had a little over three years to grow into maturity. And during this time Christ gave His disciples stability, a steady routine, and constant nourishment, of His love which allowed them to grow spiritually.

And when Christ time on earth was over He told His disciples, “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” My friends we are also Christ disciples and by now we should have become adults, because He has given us stability, and spiritually this is where He needs us to go, and these are the heights he needs us to achieve.

Which requires each of us to carry our cross as we “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, while running with patience the race that is set before us [by Christ, as we cry out daily not my will but thy will be done.] Heb. 12:1 (NKJV) And one day soon we’ll enter eternity and continue to cry out, “Alleluia! heaven is cheap enough.”

July 10, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WE MUST STAND IN THE HOLLOW OF OUR SAVIORS HAND

And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, insomuch that the boat was filling up. And Christ was below deck asleep and the disciples awoke him, saying Teacher, carest thou not that we perish? And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” Mark 4:37-39

There have been many times Satan whispered, “There is no need to try, For there’s no end of sorrow, there’s no hope by and by” But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I’ll rise, at a place in my life, where the storms have never darken the skies. So untill the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more till the clouds roll forever from the sky Hold me fast, and let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand.” (Gaither Vocal Band, Til The Storm Passes By)

Remember our God is all knowing, all powerful and Omnipresence “Unlike the idols of ancient cultures or the mythical gods of Greek and Roman culture, God is not limited to one altar, one temple or one geographic area. God reveals Himself in His word as being everywhere. God was present as Lord in all creation (Ps 139:7-12), and there is no escaping Him.” (John Funk)

So we must ask ourselves Where can I go from His Spirit? Or where can I flee from His presence? Ps 139:7 (NKJV) So if that is the case why not “stand in the hollow of His hand until the storm passes by. My friends He knows when the storm will pass and he knows how long we will last “No temptation [or storm, regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word. He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” 1 Cor 10:13 (AMP) These are promises in God’s word my friends not some “cunningly devised fables,” or fairy tales conjured up from the mind of mother goose. God must become real to us. His guiding hand that was pierced for our salvation must become real to us. Remember “there is a warfare in which every soul must engage who would have the crown of life. Inch by inch the overcomer must fight the good fight of faith, using the weapons of God’s word [until the storm passes]. We must meet the foe with, “It is written.” [We must also] keep the armory well supplied with, “It is written.” In this way he must meet the advances of the enemy, and educate and train the soul for the still more severe attacks of the foe [as we remain safe in the hands of Christ until the storm passes]. Truth, the word of God, faith and righteousness, and the hope of salvation, must be the armor of the successful warrior, and his eyes must be anointed to be keen and sensitive to detect the devices of the enemy.” [Until we hear Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.] (Ellen G. White, God’s Word Our Assurance)

http://activemindbodyandsoul.org/22146-2/

June 7, 2017

MY FRIENDS, HOW PRECIOUS IS OUR GOD?

“John Newton captain of a slave ship was a rough, dirty sailor with a foul mouth and an appetite for rotten living. He hated life and life hated him.” He sailed back to England in 1748 aboard the merchant ship Greyhound, during this voyage, he experienced a spiritual conversion. The ship encountered a severe storm off the coast of Donegal and almost sank.

“Newton awoke in the middle of the night and finally called out to God as the ship filled with water.” Miraculously, before the ship sunk God saved him.” It was this experience which he attributed to the beginning of his conversion.

He went on to become an evangelical lay minister, and writer who wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace! He also played a significant role to abolish the slave trade, the business he once made his living at. Old and Blind One Sunday, while delivering his message he repeated the sentence: “Jesus Christ is precious.”

His helper whispered to him: “But you have already said that twice.” Newton turned to his helper and said loudly, “Yes, I’ve said it twice, and I’m going to say it (until it is the last breath I will ever say before I die.)

My friends, our passion for Christ must, if nothing else, bring us to the realization that Jesus Christ is precious, meaning something of great value that we are willing to give up everything for, even our life. And It is because our Lord and Savior is precious, why we are consumed by His love, “and His [tender] compassion never fails, they are new every morning.

Great and beyond measure is His faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22-23 (AMP) And because of that precious love our lives will change daily if we believe, and through that belief, self is eliminated in every situation and circumstances as our lives become consumed by God’s love for us and our love for God.

And at that point our only desire becomes that driving passion to spend every moment of out life in the presence of our precious God. Remember  friends, passion for God is that powerful and compelling emotion that only comes from a powerful, passionate and precious God whose word and Spirit must become “alive and active” in our lives. “Sharper than any double-edged sword, it [must] penetrate even to dividing [our]soul and spirit, joints and marrow; [as] it judges the thoughts and attitudes of [our] heart.”

[A heart that seeks daily to live in the presence of a precious and passionate God who loved you and I so much that He gave His only begotten Son and a Son who gave it all up for our salvation so that we may live in 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.] Heb 4:12 (NKJV) 1 Cor 2:9 (KJV)

Today, tomorrow and throughout eternity we must all feel the passion John Newton felt for our precious God when he stated “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. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.  Even When we’ve been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Then when we first begun.

March 20, 2017

MY FRIENDS, “WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH”

How slender the force seemed that was to scatter the world’s darkness, roll back its wickedness, and take away its guilt! How striking the lesson for us not to be afraid though the apparent force of truth and goodness in the world be infinitesimally small. The (William Garden Blaikie, The Expositor’s Bible) My friends, like before the flood when “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

But one maintained a vision for God and eight were saved. 4,000 years later, many are being offended and repelled [by their association with Christ] and will fallen away [from the One whom they should be trusting]….. “and where there is no vision the people parish” Prov. 29:18 (KJV)

My friends God’s vision for “such a time as this,” is the  good news of the the gospel og God’s kingdom. And once this shared vision is preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, then the end of the age will come.”

So my friends, the call of God to respond to His will and to make rational decisions based on thus says the Lord can only be headed when we cry out on our knees for the gift of discernment while recognizing Gods vision for us that is stated through His word and explained to us through God’s Spirit.

“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel a third time. Again, he went to Eli the priest and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. Eli discerned it was the voice of God. So he told Samuel to lie back down and next He calls say, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.”

My friends, we must understand at this point God had stop talking to Eli because he had already been warned that God was about to judge his house forever for the sinful behavior which he knew [was happening], because his sons were bringing a curse on themselves [dishonoring and blaspheming God] and he did not rebuke them.” 1 Samuel 3:12-13 (AMP)

Samuel 3:1 (KJV) tells us during this time “the word of the Lord was rare…….and there was no open vision.” Visions my friends are God’s way of “clarifying” His purpose for our lives as we relay a shared vision to each one who God places on this journey with us. And without those “visions we all parish.” So, if God is alien to us because of a lack of study and prayer how do we define God’s vision to others who have lost hope and are perishing within Babylon. Remember, God’s cry is to come out of “Babylon because she will fall, [because it] has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Rev. 18:2 (KJV) But if we have no vision because the things in Babylon is more pleasing, how do others know God’s vision for their lives and respond to His message through us. God had ceased speaking to Eli and relayed His vision through Samuel. My friends, we wanted heaven, but still “said no to God,” because of His conditions. But don’t worry, “the stones will cry out” God’s vision, and “then the end will come.”

http://activemindbodyandsoul.org/21651-2/

Feb 26, 2017

MY FRIENDS, MANY ARE ASKING WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED, HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“When there is no special effort made to resist [Satan’s] power, when indifference prevails in the church and the world, Satan is not concerned; for he is in no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his will. But when the attention is called to eternal things, and souls are inquiring, “What must I do to be saved?” he is on the ground, seeking to match his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the influence of the Holy Spirit.” (E.G. Whit, The Great Controversy)

My friends, today it’s personal, John 9:4-5 (AMP) tells us that “we must work the works of Him, Jesus Christ who [has commissioned His children to go into all the world and present the good news of the gospel so all who have lost hope but are still asking “what must I do to be saved.” WHILE IT IS DAY; [because as we look at prophecy and our world today, there should be no doubt that] night is coming [soon] when no one can work.

[But, as long as God has given us the ability to work, we must become Christ Light to the world [which gives guidance through His word along with the power of God’s Holy Spirit]” Our narrative begins when Christ and His disciples passed by and saw a man blind from his birth.

His disciples asked, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? And like Christ disciples we must look at our communities and world as someone who has been blind since birth, six-thousand years ago when Satan said to Eve, “you will not die……..

For God knows that when you eat from it, [referring to the tree of knowledge of good and evil] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” And at that point when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s warning and ate from that tree, and sin entered this world.

And now this same Satan, the evil one “who said in his heart; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” “has been on the ground, seeking to match his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the influence of the Holy Spirit” In each of our lives.

And like the man who was given his sight back by Christ. The light that shines from God’s Spirit must shine through us into the world and once all who seek and understand the love, grace and mercy of the one who gave it all for their salvation at Calvary they will be able to say also like the blind man “one thing [we] know, that, once [we were] blind, but [now we] see.”

My friends, we must understand, “Christ came into this world so that the blind may see his grace through you and I and through the light from through us to them may have life and have it more abundantly in this world and one day soon that place Eye hath not seen.

Nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  So let’s all fall on our knees daily and cry out to the Lord until we know we have forsaken all others Because before us is “life or death, blessings or curses. Now choose life, so that [all who seek God’s presence along with our children and friends and family may live

http://activemindbodyandsoul.org/21500-2/

Jan 28, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WILL THE STORMS KEEP US OUT OF THE PROMISE LAND?

Jesus entered the boat and his disciples followed. Suddenly a furious storm arose on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matt 8:23-27 (NIV)

My friends, followers of Christ, understand, Satan the great strategist of warfare creates the storms in our life. But Christ allows Satan to intimidate us with His antics while He prepares us for His kingdom. And as we cry out “Lord save us we’re going to drown” Our Savior rebukes the forces of evil and the storm becomes calm.

Maybe the storm is a health issue or a child on drugs or an abusive spouse or money problems or maybe we just can’t find our keys. The size of the storms does not matter to Christ. “Oh we of little faith, why do we fear!!!” “God says He will never leave us or forsake us” what part of that promise are we uncomfortable with in believing.

Each day, when the storms of life rages on, when the days seem dark and lonely, and the “future perplexing,” and it seems there is no hope in sight and the world consumes our lives and our time at unparalleled proportions. Christ then becomes secondary or nonexistence in not only the “lost sheep” who we should be taking the good news too.

But many who sit in the pews of our churches each week looking for Christ to come as we sing; all to Jesus I surrender while putting forth no genuine effort into transforming our lives through Gods word and Spirit into the image of Christ. My friends, Christ is about to come and He’s looking for commitments to serve Him in these last days of life’s history where prophecy is being fulfilled daily.

But, I tell you, if we keep quiet, “the stones will cry out” “to the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matt 24:14 (NIV) And we all know perfectly well, when that day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night the world will be saying Peace and safety but it is counterfeit because sudden destruction will come upon the world “as pain upon a woman with child” and no one will escape whose hope and faith, is not anchored in the Lord and His word.

So friends ,“give diligence to make your calling and election sure” But if our choice is to ignore signs and prophecy in God’s word and say along with other scoffers who “follow their own evil desires saying “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

But, they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.” 2 Peter 3:3-6 (NIV) And so will all scoffers, today who find no time to believe.

July 27, 2017

MY FRIENDS, THE LORD IS WITH US EVEN UNTO THE END!!

“Go ye therefore, teaching all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt. 28:19-20 (KJV) Christ the Creator of all mankind, informing His disciples “for such a time as this” that we “will receive anointing power as the Spirit of the Lord comes upon us.

[As we] “preach the gospel to the poor; and heal the brokenhearted while proclaiming liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind and setting at liberty those who are oppressed while proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV) Which can only happen if we deny self “and take up [our] cross and follow Christ [wherever He may lead.”] Matt. 16:24 (NIV)

My friends, this is God’s journey laid out for each of His faithful who are willing to go all the way with Him. But there must be a commitment to remain in the presence of God as we seek His Spirit daily through His word. “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.” John 13:27:30 (NIV)

My friends, at that point when Judas decided to go into the darkness and walk away from the presence of God is when even the “crumbs from the Masters table” was not sufficient enough to save Him. Today if in some way, I have miscalculated the events that are happening daily in our world and my Savior does not come in our life time.

We must still forever count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord: for whom [we must] suffer the loss of all things, and count them but dung that we win Christ.” Phil 3:8 (KJV) My friends we don’t have time to ponder over the regrets of this life and the things we did not accomplish or gain.

All that should matter today is taking up our cross and forever staying in the presence of the one who took up His cross for us. And if this is our commitment, then our Savior has made a commitment to us that He will be “with you [and I] always, even unto the end of the world and then He will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. 

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore [we must] encourage one another with these words.” [Along with a shared vision] of our new home, “no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him.”1 Thess. 4:16-18 (NIV) 1 Cor. 2:9 (NIV)

Jan. 24, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ACCORDING TO OUR FAITH OUR EYES WILL BE OPEN!

Like clay in the potter’s hand God’s Spirit will begin to shape our Character for God’s kingdom as we begin to recognize what “God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think.” And Friends, He is willing to do this in every situation, and circumstances of our life. And then, our faith and God’s word takes over and become the focal point of our life as we take up the “shield of faith, [so that we will] be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Eph. 6:16 (KJV)

That shield of faith also reminds us, nothing “is too hard for God?” Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV) Remember my friends when the Israelite’s left Egypt, Exodus 19:4 (KJV) tells us God said to His children “You yourselves have seen what I did in Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. “

In addition, He asks them to do something breathtaking and awe-inspiring. He ask for a commitment as they pledged their loyalty to Him. In Exodus 19:5-6 (KJV) God tells Israel, “now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Today God is asking us to stand up and pledge our loyalty to Him also because we are also his Children, and at times it will be the evidence of things not seen, only our faith that will takes us from Egypt to the promise land or this Earth to Gods kingdom but, He who begun a good work in each of us “will carry it on to completion until the day of [His soon return.]” Phil 1:6 (NIV)

2,000 years ago, the transformation process started on Calvary. As the Potter, Christ continues to shape us daily. But in most cases we refused to allow Him to finish the process. But let’s focus on the fact that without any reservations it was always the touch of the Masters hand at each intersection of our life that got us through the storm.

And in-spite of Satan redirecting our footsteps which from all indications at that point we had become useless, and unworkable. This is where the clay becomes spoiled and unusable. As a teenager I remember taking pottery in art class and if the clay become unworkable, I would just discard, and start over.

Oh! But in the potter’s hands, we never become unusable because of God’s selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love and His “willingness to move heaven and earth,” and “principalities, and the rulers of the darkness of this earth” to save you and I from the penalty of sin which is death so He never gives us.

So love shapes and reshapes our character as the Spirit of God convicts, instructs, restores, guides and empowers every area of our life until we become the image He is seeking. “Then He touched their eyes, saying, “according to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened.” Matt 9:29-30 (NKJV)

My friends, according to our Faith our eyes will be open and on our way to the promise land if we “say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and [we have no] doubt in our heart, but believe that what He says will come to pass, it will be done.” Mark 11:23 (ESV)

Jan. 23, 2017

MY FRIENDS, OUR CREATOR WANTS TO TAKE US HOME, ARE WE READY?

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Ps. 119:130 (KJV) “If we do not consult the Guidebook at every step, inquiring, Is this the way of the Lord? our words and acts will be tainted by selfishness. We shall forget God, and walk in paths that He has not chosen for us.” (E.G. White, My Light) Inviting Satan into our life at any level only causes us to plunge deeper and deeper into a place we eventually become comfortable with.

And if our sins are “not entirely eradicated,” they will continue to multiply and grow until death occurs. Remember when we give Satan permission to enter our life, he has the legitimate right to influence and harass us until we cave in and give him total access. My friends, God will not force us to Choose Him over Satan or overrule a person’s free will if we feel it is not necessary to be protected with the armor of the righteousness of Christ.

Being unprotected only gives Satan a legal claim to our mind and body because by our choice we have allowed Satan to be our master, and not God.  That is why it is important to know who we are in Christ. John 1:12 (KJV) says “but to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” who “has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness.

And has [also] transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty]. He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.” Col. 1:13-15 (AMP)

My friends, that is why such a price was paid for you and I at Calvary by “the originator of all creation,” Jesus Christ. And the plan of redemption tells us He will reach as far into the abyss to rescue us from the forces of evil. But, to be rescued my friends, we are saying we surrender our all to the one who gave it all for our Salvation.

“Now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2 (KJV) The question we must now ask ourselves, how far are we from being like Christ?

Remember, love, humility, and purity, can only behold love humility and purity so that when someone sees the light of Christ shinning through us they will “marvel and take knowledge, “that we have been with Christ” the “originator of all creation.”

This is possible, “Because [we have] put off our old self, which belongs to our former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and [now we have been] renewed in the spirit of our minds, and [have] put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Eph. 4:22-24 (ESV) My friends, if we are not willing to give Christ our all today, the saddest words we will soon hear from the Originator of all Creation will be “I DO NOT KNOW YOU.”