MY FRIENDS, THE DARKNESS OR THE LIGHT WE MUST CHOOSE THIS DAY!!

“Human eyes take several hours to fully adapt to darkness and reach their optimal sensitivity to low light conditions. The quickest gains in vision sensitivity are made in the first few minutes after exposure to darkness.” This is when God’s voice is still clear and precise and it is during this time, we can hear God’s Spirit saying “ye [meaning you and I] are a [part of a] chosen generation……a peculiar people; that  should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you [and I] out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

And as God’s chosen, once our eye sight have become accustomed to the darkness, our faith and commitment to Christ is weakened and that still small voice is no longer applicable to our life, only the darkness we have accepted as an alternative to what God requires for our Salvation. In other words the light that comes from God’s word is no longer conducive to our lifestyle because we have become accustomed to living in darkness.

But if we would listen to that still small voice the light will begin to clarify and purify our Christian values. So my friends if we are serious about our Salvation and life eternal, then we must become Passionate about the Light of Christ, it must become real as we seek His presence each day as we begin to clean up our bad habits that represent the darkness of this world. We must not forget the process that brings about darkness in our life can only change if self dies, and our life is lived through a personal relationship with God.

For every action of darkness that the god of this world tries to bring into our life there must be an overpowering and opposite reaction from the Spirit of God that keeps our eyes on life eternal and the light of God’s word. Remember, If we keep walking in darkness and ignoring the light, nothing changes. Light denotes the values of Christ and life eternal, darkness denotes our desire for the things of this world and death. John 8:12 (ESV) states, “whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

This is what walking in the light is, and once we begin to walk in the light we begin to produce fruit meaning others will begin to see God’s light through us. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light. And in him is no darkness at all….But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:5-7 (ESV)

Now through Christ we have become “light barriers” we don’t produce the light for only God can do that, but  through us others can see the source of all light, they see hope in “the fullness and admonition of Jesus Christ who saves us from our sins” So now my friends, through Christ we have become the light source to the world. And a city set on a hill for Christ, cannot and should not be hidden.”

Our Savior has given us a mandate and that is to, live in the LIGHT and “let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works [as we] give glory to [Our Father in heaven, as we pray that your name will always be kept holy. And we also pray that your kingdom will come and your light will always shine through us and your will, will always be done here on earth, the same as in heaven.]” Matt. 5:14-16 (KJV)

July 28, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL OUR LAST SEASON IS COMPLETE

Jacob “had power over the Angel, and prevailed.” Hosea 12:4. (KJV) “humiliation, repentance, and self-surrender,” this sinful, erring mortal went face to face with the all-knowing all-powerful omnipresence and prevailed” “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Gen 32:30 (KJV) The wrestling match of the century. God vs. man, the Great I Am against a mere mortal, places this event in the pages of the historical narrative in God’s Word as one of the greatest of all time. A metaphor of our struggles we will encounter right before Christ second coming.

Because each day our problems move up in a designated weight class, and the closer we get to eliminating self completely the main event always gets more and more dramatic, trials more precise, problems, situations, circumstances, the injustice of life, a disobedient child, a drunkard husband, and the list goes on.

So now it’s personal and I have placed each of us in the ring with God as our opponent. So how do we win like Jacob in the middle of our struggles each day? As we read the narrative of Jacob and the many seasons of his life, we must realize as God’s children, we can never settle for “a form of godliness while denying the true power of God.”

Like the uncircumcised Philistine Goliath, who went into the ring with a man after God’s on heart with only a sword, a spear and a javelin, David was prepared to endure through his faith until God gave Him the victory. So we must never focus our attention on the timing only our will to endure. Remember Jacob fought all night. 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) tells us “The Lord……is patient with you [and I], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

“In other words we must forsake all others” and if we will focus on the struggle and where God has brought us from and where He is leading our footsteps, we will also be able to say I have been in the presence of God, “and my life is preserved.” But it is not over until the last season is complete and God says to us personally “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.” Matt. 25:21 (KJV)

My friends, we must always remember God is preparing us for greater fights against the enemy. A fight we are probably unprepared to handle right now. For there will come a time in our life, such has not been since the beginning of the world until this time….” Matt 24:21-22  And “All who desire the blessing of God, as did Jacob must stay focused on victory through Christ.

And as Jacob, we will lay hold onto God’s promises while allowing God’s Spirit to guide us in all truth and understanding in God’s word until our season is complete. “There is so little exercise of true faith and so little of the weight of truth resting upon many professed believers because they are sluggish in spiritual things.

They are unwilling to make exertions, to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for the blessing, and therefore they do not obtain it. That faith which will live through the time of trouble must be daily in exercise now. Those who do not make strong efforts now to exercise persevering faith, will be wholly unprepared to exercise that faith which will enable them to stand in the day of trouble.” (E.G. White Story of redemption)

July 27, 2016

MY FRIENDS, CAN WE GIVE GOD A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE CONTINUALLY?

Why would praising be a sacrifice? When in the context of praising an all knowing, all powerful, omnipresence God we are only expressing our approval and admiration with Joy and celebration for all God has done for us. “The word “sacrifice” comes from a Greek verb meaning “to kill or slaughter for a purpose.” So a sincere praise, with a contrite heart requires that we kill self completely along with anything else that threatens to diminish or interfere with our worship or our personal relationship with God.

because my friends It is “by Him, in Him, with Him, to Him, and for Him that we offer our sacrifice of praise to God.” (Jack Hayford Ministries) In addition, as we begin to “forsake all others” and take up our cross and follow Christ “the author and finisher of our faith” we still have work to do while there is still daylight and God’s presence and grace is still manifested in a world where the light of His Spirit grows dimmer each day.

As God’s chosen, we are ambassadors of His word. And as ambassadors, its personal because it is you and I that must continually offer up our “sacrifice of praise” to God daily by proclaiming the grace, and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So as we continue our journey to the promise land, let us all do as the demoniac who became a living testimony for Christ, as those around him witnessed the transformation from the touch of the Master’s hand.

Mark 5:19-20 (KJV) tells us The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.” As we look over our life, what does God really mean to us? And where has he brought us from?

And as we contemplate our answers let us remind ourself of the high cost that was paid for our Salvation, and the only thing that God ask in return is a sincere and contrite heart that has been transformed into His Character and recognizes His voice as we respond by offering “a sacrifice of praise” to Him as we “forsake all others” and “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that [His] house may be filled.” Luke 14:23 (KJV)

So now “let us “through Him, at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of [our] lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name” Heb 13:15 (AMP) as we spread the good news of Christ soon return, while always remembering that a “sacrifice of praise” to God is not just something we have become accustomed to when we go to Church and stand up, waving our hands back and forth as the Spirit entertains us.

But a “sacrifice of praise” to God is what we are and what we have become from a complete transformation in Christ. Remember my friends Our Savior is “the light of the world. Whoever follows Christ will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” And as we take on the Character and image of Christ we become light bearers for him as we offer up “a sacrifice of praise” to God today, tomorrow and as we become a part of that “great multitude John saw that no one could count,” throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

July 24, 2016

MY FRIENDS, RESTORATION STARTS NOW!!

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”1 John 3:2 (ESV) Restoration, of mankind and a new creation beyond our finite imagination. All restored for the redeemed. Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:13 (KJV) “We are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness” and love. Paul also says, “For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, or a contradictory character.]

But then my friends, [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.”1 Cor. 13:12-13 (AMP)

When God created this world and man in six days, “He saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” and “morally excellent.” That was Gods originally plan and that is what we will be restored back to. John tells us God himself “will wipe away every tear from our eyes,” and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away,” and it  “shall not rise up the second time.” Rev. 21:4 (ESV) Nahum 1:9 (KJV)

My friends it is now personal because. “God so love the world” that He wanted you and I personally to understand perfection in its unadulterated form and how it was from the beginning when “God smiled, And the light broke, And the darkness rolled up on one side, And the light stood shining on the other, And God said: That’s good!” (James Weldon Johnson, The Creation)

And that is what Calvary was All about Happiness, joy, and perfect love restored. Restoration of the new earth is soon to come, but the restoration of our hearts is taking place within us right now if we are allowing self to die daily through the power of God’s Spirit But it also must take place and be completed before we can enjoy the fruits of  “a new heaven and a new earth.”

And once again when you and I see the Son of man coming through those clouds with “thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand angles,” there will be no “blurred reflection” of what we think we will be in Character. For restoration will be complete and we will be exactly like the One we see in all of His glory. My friends the invitations has gone out. But are we standing still and recognizing the voice of God as he knocks at our heart.

“Such stillness will not be just a pause, in which a thousand thoughts and desires assault us, but a time of recollection, giving us an inward peace, allowing us to draw breath and rediscover the one thing necessary, which we have either forgotten. Or something we have never experienced, and that is being in the presence of a God who can restore us into His image. (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger | Excerpts from The Spirit of the Liturgy p 209) My friends that is when it becomes a personal relationship with God and that is what we must seek daily until God Himself says “well done”

July 22, 2016

MY FRIENDS, CAN ANYONE MAKE ANYTHING GREAT AGAIN EXCEPT GOD?

“And all the world wondered after” Donald Trump. “And they worshiped Him thinking He would give them great power saying, who is like unto” Trump? “who is able to make war with him?” My friends, how do you make allegiance with one of the rulers of the darkness of this world simply  because he is asking you to believe he will make America “great again.” “All this I will give you,” he says, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Matt. 4:9 (NIV)

But my friends, the greatest want of the world should not to be “great again.” But the greatest want should be that every man woman boy and girl has a personal relationship with God, someone “who will not be bought or sold, men [and women] who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men [and women]  who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men [and women]  whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men [and women] who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” (E.G. White, Education pp 57)

If these are Trumps characteristic then please listen to His message. But if [he] speaks not according to the word [of God], it is because there is no light in Him.” Is. 8:20 (KJV) “The Emperor’s New Clothes” “is a short tale by Hans Christian Andersen about two weavers who promise an emperor a new suit of clothes that is invisible to those who are unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent.

When the Emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes, no one dares to say that they don’t see any suit of clothes until a child cries out, “But he isn’t wearing anything at all!” (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Trump on the outside spiritually “is not wearing anything.” And only if you seek Gods presence daily through prayer and His word while asking His Spirit to lead and guide you in all truth and understanding will you understand this.

Christ tells us Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch….. Remember my friends, those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” Matt. 15:13-18 (NKJV) So my friends those who are following Trump must ask themselves; what is coming out of his mouth that would make me want to follow him as a leader.

Now it’s personal because if you are a child of God to hear the words “Make America Great Again.” “Again,” which in the context of what Trump is saying, refers to a greater time, and a greater place in our history. But my bible says, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” Heb. 13:14 (ESV) So nothing behind or in front of us in regards to this world we should seek except the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

My friends, our mission statement, mission meaning “an important goal or purpose that is accompanied by our strong conviction” must be “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” Phil 3:8 (KJV) All things meaning “all to Jesus I surrender.” All of my time, talents and money and most of all, all of our heart. A heart, that dies to self-daily and lives a life through Christ, Jesus the one who gave it all for our salvation.

July 21, 2016

MY FRIENDS, THE DNA FOR VICTORY IS WITHIN EACH OF US IF WE BELIEVE!

It was at Gethsemane that our Savior’s humanity recognized the difficulty of His journey that He was on. And it was His humanity that faced the possibility of His father’s presence no longer being with Him as He became “greatly distressed and troubled, He then said to [His disciples], “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” Mark 14:33 (ESV) And my friends, it was at this point the finish line seemed like an impossible feat.

Impossible, because when in conflict with men who were inspired by the very spirit of Satan, He would say with no reservation, “He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29. (JKV) But now, “He seemed to be shut out from the light of God’s sustaining presence. Now He was numbered with the transgressors. The guilt of fallen humanity He must bear. Upon Him who knew no sin must be laid the iniquity of us all.” (E.G. White, Desire Of Ages p 685)

But He stayed focused on His journey until in such “agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:44 (KJV) When He rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow He asked. “Why are you sleeping?” “Get up!!! Get up!!! “and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

My friends, He realized His disciples did not understand they were not “wrestling against flesh and blood, but against the prince of darkness himself and there only hope to overcome was prayer. But remember, this is the same Jesus that faced a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee and while the disciples panicked He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”Mark 4:39 (KJV)   

This same Jesus had faced demons before with total composure and even when Satan drove the agenda of the religious Elect to oppose him throughout His ministry He remained calm. But here in the Garden, Humanity was stretched to the limit and the weight of the entire world was on His shoulders. My friends, now we must make this very personal as we all focus on the reality, if Christ had lost this battle this world would be Satan’s kingdom, and his desire to be “like the most High” he would have claimed. Which would have been a scenario for our destruction.

So much at stake in those few hours at Gethsemane because this was humanity like you and I that understood only through one’s faith “of things not seen” and perseverance and the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a constant prayer life, would He obtained victory over the forces of evil and there leader Satan. Which tells us we have access to this same power because we “are more then conqueror’s through Christ.” That is why the DNA for victory lies within each of us.

Remember my friends, we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him [which requires we carry our cross and together we will be glorified with Him]” Romans 8:17 (ESV) And soon we will be among that “great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in [our] hands. and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev. 7:9 (KJV)

July 20, 2016

MY FRIENDS, NINETY-THREE PERCENT OF THE SPEECH SHE DIDN’T PLAGIARIZE IS THAT OK?

“In The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer penned the words, “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate” (1959:47). “Cheap grace means living as though God ignores or condones our sins. But forgiveness means that sin is real, and must be dealt with. We cannot ignore it, because God does not ignore it. The denial of sin is not grace: it is a lie. Cheap grace means living without the demand of obedience upon us.” (Obedience to God’s Commands, Bible Gateway Commentary)

Christ says if you “love me keep my commandments.” Asked on the “Today” show if this was plagiarism, Melania Trumps speech. Christie brushed it off: “Not when 93 percent of the speech is completely different than Michelle Obama’s speech.” My friends, does that mean the seven percent we did not give to the Master will be the only part that will burn in perdition’s fire. The other ninety-three percent of our mind body and soul will live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in Gods pure and holy kingdom.

If Governor Christie is correct, we can worship a false god seven percent of the time or give God only ninety-three percent of our time and talents, and seven percent of our money. How about we keep only ninety-three percent of the Sabbath day, that is probably a better percentage then most Christians do anyway. But God says; remember or don’t forget one-hundred percent of His Sabbath day that He blessed and hallowed.

And The last six commandments, Honoring our mother and father, murder or being angry with someone, adultery, stealing, lying and coveting, we only have to keep ninety-three percent of each one. If Governor Christie made any sense, “till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:18 (KJV) is not relevant in today’s society. And if He made any sense, we would only have to carry ninety-three percent of our cross to be a disciple for Christ.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory………. All the nations will be gathered before Him, He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, all who kept one-hundred percent of all His commandments…..Then the King will say ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

And He will say to those on the left hand, the ninety three per-centers, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matt 25:31-46 (NKJV) As a child of God we are too close, “He is even at the door” for us to be putting percentages on Gods laws. Christ himself tells us in Matt 5:19 (NKJV)

Whoever, breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” James 2:10 (NIV), also states “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

My friends, “Stumbles at just one point” is that seven percent of God’s commandments we don’t mind breaking or those “socially acceptable sins.” As God’s children, “what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see him as He is.” [The One who died for our salvation and who showed us it is possible to keep one hundred percent of all ten of His commandments] 1 John 3:2 (ESV)