July 14, 2016

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE MAKING WISE CHOICES?

God has given you and I, the ability to choose “this day whom we will serve.” But with our choice, comes accountability. That is why Jeremiah tells us in Jer. 10:23-24 (AMP) “……O Lord, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself, It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life]. O Lord, correct me……but with mercy and in just measure Not in Your anger.” My friends, we cannot with our finite mind “properly determine our own steps.”

“For we do not understand our own actions. For we do not do what we want, but we do the very thing we hate…………” Rom 7:15-20 (NKJV) And as a child of God the battle from within rages on because, “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other. “Gal 5:17 (NIV) My friends, if we could only travel without interruption on this Journey. But there are times when we wander in another, or an opposite direction from what God has designated for us, to save us.

And we do this because the world has told us throughout our life we must achieve a certain status and accumulate many possessions, and things and reach the very height that one can aspire to. But my friends, Christ also tells us “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt, 6:19-21 (ESV)

So as free moral agents we have two opposing sides the world and Christ and then we are told we are free to choose. My friends, where I need you to focus today is, on those two opposing sides. On one side you have a created being, created like you and I, who said in His heart “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High” Is. 14:14 (KJV) And if we make the decision to follow after the one who wants to be like the Most High, in reality we are also saying; I or self will do whatever we have to do to achieve all of my HEART’S desire to be like the Most High.

HEART meaning that which is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” Jer. 17:9 (KJV) Or, our choice can be to follow after the one who has given us the choice to choose throughout our life so that we may understand what the consequences of our choices and the pain and misery of following after the one who wanted to be like the Most High God.

And then show us the alternative, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” Rom 5:20 (ESV) And once we realize there is a better journey with a better outcome we are then cleansed from the inside out and transformed into the image of the one who died so that we may live in the same place as the one who lost it all because His desire was to be like the Most High.

My friends God does not forsake us when we make bad choices He tells us in Isaiah 42:16 “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Now that my friends is love!!

July 13, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IS PRAYER NECESSARY IN THE MIDST OF ALL THE CHAOS?

Prayer How sweet the sound to the ears of the one who saved a wretch like you and I. We were all lost, but now we are found; was blind, but now through the grace of God and our prayers we see. My friends, the principalities, the powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world surrounds all with a cloud of discouragement who neglects to seek God “at all times in the Spirit, with prayer and supplication.”

The enemy tells us that being on our knees is not a priority and the blessings that comes along with that personal relationship with God when we are on our knees is not a necessity. Why should the “sons and daughters of God” take the time from their busy schedule to communicate with God. He has already given us everything we need. My friends, if that is your attitude, then focus on the chaos and say with conviction “He is even at the door.”

And then fall on your knees with that same conviction because prayer is the key that unlocks our faith and endurance to all the boundless resources from the one who gave his only Begotten Son and a son who gave it all even His life along with all their omnipotence within our reach through the Holy Spirit. But it all starts with prayer. And if we neglect understanding the importance of prayer we will become complacent and begin to deviate from where God is leading us on this journey He has placed us on.

And as God’s elect, we must also take our prayers to the front lines of the battle field and in the center of the chaos and the “breaking news” of the day and the great controversy between good and evil that has taken our world by storm. But if we neglect our prayer life in the midst of it all, then we become part of that same storm that is leading many to a state of spiritual ruin. So friends, prayer is how we stay focused while at the same time communicating our message in the midst of the chaos and the over saturation of technology.

And the bombardment of five hundred plus cable TV stations to choose from, along with Netflix, Facebook, twitter, Instagram and whatever else Satan has devised to make one’s mind numb to the fact that, when ye shall see all these things spoken of in Matt. 24, know that Christ second coming is near” even at the door.” In addition, from our knees the world must be able to see the light of Christ who directs all to “Come to Him, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and He will give them rest.

Take His yoke upon us and learn from Him, for He is gentle and lowly in heart, and we will find rest for our souls. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light.”Matt. 11:28-30 (NKJV) So my friends, our focus must never waiver. We must communicate Christ in the midst of the chaos of this world and it must be all about Christ and His will for us, as we communicate our passion to serve through our prayers along with God’s word and Spirit.

”But the obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, “Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly;” but faith [and prayer] courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.” (E.G. White Patriarchs and Prophets PP 290)

July 10, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WILL THESE BIRTH PANGS CONTINUE?

“……..I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me” 2 Tim. 1:11-12 (ESV) Second Timothy was probably written when Paul was in a Roman prison “abandoned by all but a few friends and facing imminent death,” imminent meaning likely to occur at any moment. My friends, what has become imminent in our life in regards to our Salvation. Is it imminent that the boisterous waves of our life take us under to where we no longer hear the cries of those we should be helping.

Paul in His second epistle to Timothy is not thinking of self because He realizes what time he has left must not be spent in an attitude of profound hopelessness and discouragement. And as we look “forward to a home yet to come,” and as we witness the constant bombardment of “breaking news,” false prophets, wars, lawlessness at an all-time high, as the love of mankind grows colder. It is imminent that grievous trouble and severe trials and suffering is only the “beginning of out birth pangs.”

The contractions will begin to move at a rapid pace like no human has ever seen before. More frequent and with far more pain until there will “be great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now.” Matt 24:21 (AMP) And as we approach the final days of this life’s history there will be a sharp contrast from a child of God and those who follow the forces of evil.

My friends, perilous times have just begun, But like Paul we know whom “we have believed” and through our faith and endurance our life at this point must only focus on producing positive result. So we cannot be ashamed of what we do for Christ.” Remember, God has placed us on this Journey. He directs our foot-steps and it is His mandate we are fulfilling as heirs to His kingdom.

So we must maintain our faith, even when we feel the waves are taking us under we must remember “afflictions do and will work very much for the good of our salvation through Christ because His love grace and “mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” So we must pray daily for a commitment of faith, as Paul maintained while under such trying circumstances.

My friends, “Soon the night of trial and suffering would end, and then would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day. “The apostle [as we should be] was looking into the great beyond, not with uncertainty or dread, but with joyous hope and longing expectation. [And as we stand today at this place in time where “others who have no hope.”]

A child of God  must look up through the calm blue heaven of that summer day to the throne of the Eternal” (E. G.White) and realize because of our faith and endurance we have been washed with the blood of Jesus Christ and we are now “safe to save.” My friends, what happen to Paul on the road to Damascus we should all seek.

That light from above, that same voice of Christ telling us, “Arise go into the [community], and you will be told what you must do.” We must all seek. My friends, we cannot be ashamed of the gospel of Christ because, “whoever is ashamed of Christ and His words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and reward us for what we have done in his body, whether good or worthless.” 2 Luke 9:26 (NIV) Cor. 5:10 (ISV)

July 8, 2016

MY FRIENDS, DO WE UNDERSTAND WE ARE PRESUMPTUOUS CHRISTIANS?

As we define the word PRESUMPTUOUS in regards to our spiritual walk with God I think its safe to say it is the conduct of each of us who walks in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, we know right from wrong and that all sin is an abomination to the Lord no matter how small. But because Satan has redirected our focus, we now have a favorable opinion about sin. We have become PRESUMPTUOUS or a willful participant and unrepentant, which tells us we have become careless with God and his word and what our responsibilities are as a child of God.

Numbers 15:30-31 (NKJV) tells us, “but the person who does anything presumptuously……that one brings reproach on the Lord, and he shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the Lord, and have broken His commandments…….” So now its personal because its about you and I who willfully sin and “bring reproach on the one who gave it all for our salvation and It’s you and I who willfully break His commandments.

“There were times of this ignorance [of not knowing], when God winked; but now He commandeth all men every-where to repent:” because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness Acts 17:30-31 (NKJV) So to willfully sin is to ignore the light that shines from God onto our hearts where His Spirit is trying to lead us in “all truth and understanding.“ In addition, that PRESUMPTUOUS sin arises from our carelessness with God and his word and a willful disobedience in the context of the Spirit’s work in the world through Christ and His ministry.

Which then takes us to the abyss or the unpardonable or unforgivable sin which can never be forgiven, “either in this age or in the age to come” Matthew 12:32 (KJV) So now we walk away, but it’s not the Spirit that leaves us, but it’s Satan who has convinced us we have gone to far. But my friends Christ arm still reaches as He pleads “Come unto Me, all who labour [of soul and mind] and are heavy laden [with the burdens of sin], and I will give you rest.

[He is asking us to] Take His yoke and [submit to the discipline and training that will get us through that narrow gate and difficult road where only a few will find. but those few who do, will receive life eternal.”] And learn on Him; for He is meek and [humble] in heart: and we shall find rest unto our souls. For Christ yoke is easy, and His burden is light [for all who truly love the lord and will delight to do His will wherever He may lead]” Matt 11:28-29 (KJV paraphrased)

My friends David ask God in Ps. 19:13 (NKJV) Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins Let them not have dominion [or power]over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgressions.” My friends, Remember we are not dealing with “flesh and blood” but against “the rulers of the darkness of this world” we of ourselves have no power to say no to sin and to “forsake all others.”

Our power can only come through our faith and endurance which can only come from our prayers and supplication as we study God’s word and seek His Spirit daily. But if we are PRESUMPTUOUS and allow Satan to keep our focus on the things of this world then we must understand “God’s Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days are numbered and one day soon the Son of Man is coming at an hour that we do not expect.” My friends will we be ready?

July 7, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WHAT IS IT THAT WE JUST CAN’T LET GO OF?

As I watched the fourth of July come and go, I realize how much we are consumed with occurrences and special events in our life that have nothing to do with this journey God has placed us on. If we go to Matt. 19:28-29 (NKJV) which are the last two verses of that chapter. In (v,28) Christ tells His disciples; when the Son of man sits on the throne of His Glory if you have followed me you will also be seated there with me on twelve thrones.

And then in (v, 29) Christ speaks directly to you and I. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” So my friends, “for His namesake” we must “Forsake all others. And the message remains the same two thousand years later. Deny self, let go and take up our cross and follow [Christ wherever He leads].” Matt. 16:24 (NIV)

In today’s society “to forsake all others and follow Christ seems unimaginable because we just can’t let go. If we go through the entire Chapter of Matt 19 Christ starts by talking about marriage and divorce then He teaches on celibacy, then He blesses the little Children, then He counsels the Rich Young Ruler, who keeps all the commandments, but then Christ ask Him in (v,21,22) “to go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

In verses 23-26 the narrative continues when Christ says to His disciples “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” Who then my friends? And what must we let go of? And is it possible in the 21st century? Jesus answer is plain and simple “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

In other words, Deny self and “forsake all others,” carry your cross and follow me can only be accomplished through Christ. Because if Christ is not who we wake up and go to be with each day “our adversary the devil, [who goes about] as a roaring lion,…[will] devour” [everyone who claims to be a child of God] 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) We must understand Satan desires is to compete with Christ for our undivided attention as he attempts to monopolize our heart away from where Christ is leading and how far Christ hand is willing to reach to save us.

So now since its personal we must ask ourselves, what side of this great controversy between good and evil are we on. Because “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. We cannot serve God and [Satan].” Luke 16:13 (NKJV)

So if what Satan has to offer us in this world we can’t let go of, then the “gate is broad and there are many who will be on that same road which leads to destruction. But if our desire is to let go and “forsake all others” and carry our cross and be a disciple for Christ than, “narrow is the gate and difficult is this road and there are few who will find it. but those few who do, will receive life eternal.”

July 4, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT GOD WOULD SEND ANGELS TO WARN US?

“When God sends to men warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven, He requires every person endowed with reasoning powers to heed the message. The fearful judgments denounced against the worship of the beast and his image (Revelation 14:9-11), should lead all to a diligent study of the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is, and how they are to avoid receiving it. But the masses of the people turn away their ears from hearing the truth and are turned unto fables.” (E. G. White The Great Controversy pp 594)

Fables are defined as “a story not founded on fact” My friends we cannot pick and choose what prophecy we will accept as fact and which one’s we will not. That is why we cannot pick and choose which commandment is appropriate for us to live by and which ones are not. “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” Matt. 5:18 (NIV)

So we tell ourselves; It’s wrong to steal and commit adultery, but every now and then we must bear false witness or lie, that is an acceptable sin to God. And that seventh day Sabbath surely that law was done away with at the cross, so it shouldn’t even be in the hand written commandments of God. “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Tim. 4:3 (NIV)

My friends, when it is all said and done, it’s not God that made a few mistakes in His word, but “our limited knowledge and wisdom of what’s in God’s word. And Instead of praying and asking God for “all truth and understanding,” we merely want to skim over what seems to make sense to us, and everything else we allow others to define the difference between fact and fiction for us. So my friends “we have no [knowledge, because we ask [for no knowledge from God.]”

So as children of God and heirs to His kingdom and joint heirs with His Son Jesus Christ we must “Search the scriptures; for in them we think we have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39 (KJV) So once again if “God sends to men [and women] warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven.” This is what we must be seeking daily, and that is a true knowledge of God’s word and not what Lucious, Cookie, Jamal, and Hakeem are doing on Empire from week to week.

My friends, we must “be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God……….” 2 Peter 3:1-5 (KJV)

But were it not for grace, where would we all be? Probably “wandering down some pointless road to nowhere” trying to figure out our own Salvation. But our God is “long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” [as we study to show ourselves approved unto God”] 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)