MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE BECOME IMPATIENT WAITING ON CHRIST RETURN?

June 21, 2016

MY FRIENDS, HAVE WE BECOME IMPATIENT WAITING ON CHRIST RETURN?

image5095The “American Oligarchy,” is defined as “a form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or in a dominant class or clique.” This dominant class in today’s society we can say with no reservation bows down to only one god and that is the god of mammon or “material wealth.” “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us. This Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Ex 32:1-5 (NKJV)

During this period of waiting, if the Children of Israel would have begun to prepare their hearts to receive the anointing of God’s Spirit while humbling1044-Jesus_Knock_on_a_21st_Century_Door their hearts before God in prayer and supplication “they would have been shielded from temptation. But they did not do this, “and they soon became careless, inattentive, lawless and impatient while waiting on Moses, so they created there own god “the golden calf,” “Then they said, “This is our god, O Israel, that brought us out of the land of Egypt!”

“But it was always only on condition of obedience that the goodly land was promised them, but they had lost sight of this” while waiting on Moses to return. Some even suggested a return to Egypt, whether then go forward to Canaan and so the masses of the people were determined to wait no longer.” ( E. G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets pp 315)

So they lost focus on what God had done for them in  delivering them from the bondage of Egypt and the Lord guiding them by day in a pillar of a cloud,…..and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light. And how could they forget the parting of the red sea. But because they lost focus on where God had brought them from, and where He was trying to take them, only two were allowed to enter the promise Land.

But what about God’s children in the 21st century. Have we become impatient careless and inattentive in serving God because Christ has delayed His coming to long. So now we bow down to the god of this world. But like the Children of Israel the land flowing with milk and honey is a promise that comes with conditions, conditions of obedience to God’s precepts which says we must “love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength. This is the first commandment.  

imgresAnd the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. and There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 (NKJV) In addition, are we also determined to wait no longer for Christ return because the god of this world has our mind focused on “the golden calf,” of this world and not on things above?” My friends, God is calling His children today to come out of Babylon . Like The words in the marriage vows God is asking us to “forsake all others”

This earth will be destroyed soon as “lawlessness continues to abound, and the love of many continues to grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” So let’s keep our focus on Christ like a compass needle that always points north, we can never lose sight of Him who gave it all for our salvation so that we may live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in His pure and holy kingdom

 

MY FRIENDS, HAPPY BELATED FATHERS DAY

June 20 2016

MY FRIENDS, HAPPY BELATED FATHERS DAY

Hourglass Sand Timer Beach SunriseBelated is defined as late, delayed, or detained or coming after the expected time. So from a human standpoint happy father’s day should have been acknowledge yesterday. And as a child of God, Christ should have returned by now but we feel, He has been detained. But my friends, are we really prepared for Christ soon return. Suppose you knew that when He does come it would be on the third Sunday in June just like Father’s day, only we would not know the year.

Would we be any more prepared then the antediluvian in the days of Noah, as the world continued to eat, and drink, and marry and give into marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” Matt 17:26-27 (NKJV) My friends there is an expected time for Christ to return and take His brothers and sisters heirs to His Fathers kingdom to that “Place Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (NKJV)

And even though we may feel Christ has delayed His expected return, if we truly love the Lord with all of our heart and soul and if we truly love the one who gave it all to atumblr_mlrwjyBzgw1rgtq41o1_500-300x222 dying world even His life and because of what was done for us at Calvary, the cross must be our example as we carry it and tell the world that “no other name under heaven given among men can salvation be found except Jesus Christ.“

And once The signs of the Times, and the End of the Age is complete, and all who remains faithful until Christ returns and receive you and I unto Himself that where He is, one day soon we will be also.” And even though we may feel Christ has delayed His return because it has been over two thousand years and we have witness friend’s, family, and love one’s die in Christ who “desired a better [land,] that is, a heavenly country.”

We have no time to focus on the words; “delayed, detained or He is coming after the expected time” because “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [And we must never forget that] The Lord is not slack concerning His promise [to return], as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NKJV)

do-you-hold-the-right-hand-of-jesus-300x198But, if we are carrying out God’s mandate with a passion and keeping His commandments while serving others on the front lines of the battle field, we cannot allow Satan to place our focus on the things of this world as the “scoffers [that] will come in the last days, walking according to 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 creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)

But our focus must remain on the fact that we all know what Christ expected time is. And that date will come even, if we have fallen asleep in Christ or are working diligently till He arrives. And to the redeemed, He will not come “as a thief in the night,” but this great event will happen when Christ can say personally to His faithful who endured to the end, “Well done, thou 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)

YOUR DAILY CLIMB (DEVOTIONAL) JUNE 17, 2016

June 17, 2016

MY FRIENDS, “WE MUST BE THE MEDIUM BETWEEN THE MIND OF GOD AND THE HEART OF MEN”

fantasy_beach_wallpapers_2-300x212My friends, God is asking a lot of His elect. He is asking us to know Him in such a way that we may convey what we know to a world “lost in sin and sinking in the turbulence of this world, far from the peaceful shore. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE. Is. 9:6 (NIV) Yes my friends far from the “PRINCE OF PEACE.” Far from the one who gave it all for our Salvation.

Sen. Christopher Murphy ended his filibuster early Thursday by recalling an emotional story of a “six-year-year-old Dylan Hockley, who was killed in the December 2012 massacre of kids and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Murphy’s home state of Connecticut. Hockley had a close relationship with his special-education teacher, Anne Marie Murphy. Murphy said that when the gunman, Adam Lanza, entered the school she probably had a chance to run or hide, the senator said.

“Instead, Anne Marie Murphy made the most courageous decision that anyone could imagine,” the freshman Democrat said. “Anne Marie Murphy imagesfound Dylan Hockley and embraced him.” Murphy said they know that’s what she did because “when the police entered the classroom, that’s how they found Dylan Hockley. Dead. Wrapped in the embrace of Anne Marie Murphy.” Christ could have played it safe and stayed in the royal domain of His heavenly home.

But “He made the most courageous decision that anyone could imagine, He came and found you and I sinking deep in sin, out of the reach of Salvation. But He came and wrapped all who believes in His saving embrace on Calvary. Anne Marie Murphy was not able to save Dylan Hockley. But “there is no other name under heaven given among men [and women] by which we must be saved.” And that name is Jesus Christ [THE PRINCE OF PEACE] Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

My friends we are heirs to Gods kingdom so we must be the medium or light that shines onto the heart of man or those who “have no hope” because Satan has blocked the radiance from the sun or Son of God to them. Yes, God has given His faithful this awesome responsibility. But we must have a passion to serve as we seek The Spirit of God with an urgency as we move closer to Christ soon return. And my friends, we cannot stop until we are overflowing and the whole world recognizes that the presence of God overflows in you and I.

Man on topThe world through us must understand the Mind of God. A God that would Give His only begotten Son to die for us, and a Son who would make the sacrifice in our stead as He continues to wrapped His arms around us until we are on the peaceful shores of His kingdom. And my friends this is the “good news” we must tell the world as we seek the presence of God with a faith an endurance “that surpasses all human understanding.”

There are so many wonderful promises from our loving God in His word, but what we must seek today is more of what our God has already given us and that is more of Him, more of His grace and more of His love as we go beyond what seems humanly impossible which is the medium between the “mind of God and the hearts of men” and from there to a place “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor 2:9 (NKJV)

 

YOUR DAILY CLIMB (DEVOTIONAL) JUNE 16, 2016

June 16, 2016

MY FRIENDS, HOW MANY MORE TEARS AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS?

D14B372F96Its personal my friends because if you are a child of God we all yearn or have a passion that starts with our tears and sleepless nights and ends with that personal relationship with God that says our journey to the promise land is worth every trial and tribulation of our life. And our healing comes from those same tears and sleepless nights, and the fact in knowing God loves us and “He will never leave nor forsake us.”

In addition, along with the many tears we shed and the thousands of sleepless nights we go through in our life, looking back we can say they have always been God’s grace and mercies in disguise, because the trials of this life and the tears we shed tell us there will be a better day if through our faith we can endure until God says “it is finished.”

William Miller who is credited with beginning the mid-nineteenth century religious movement that was known as the Millerites, makes a statement that says, “I have fixed my mind on another time, and here I mean to stand until God gives me more light, and that is today, today, and today, until He comes, and I see him for whom my soul yearns. “For whom my soul yearns” through the many tears and sleepless nights our soul seeks His presence. “Our soul yearns,” for the mind, character, and Spirit of God.

“Our soul yearns” to have the humility of a child who still needs comfort in knowing that “God keeps a count of our tossing’s [throughout the night asimages7 he puts our] tears in His bottle, [while] recording them in His book” Ps 56:8 (KJV paraphrased) But my friends, above and beyond everything else our soul must yearn for the moment when Christ 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.” Rev. 21:4 (ESV)

And that is why we must “fix our mind” on Christ second coming as we completely eliminate self and Set “our heart on the things above, [and] not on the things on this earth.” And if we have decided to serve God and make a total commitment to Him, through our tears and sleepless nights we must tell ourselves we are no longer lost sheep, but we are vessels of God, set apart as disciples with our on cross to bear for the one who gave it all for our salvation.

heaven2We are also a-part of “A FEW” who will finish up the work of God for “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers ARE FEW.” Luke 10:2 (NIV) And we are a-part of  an elect group ”who will travel that narrow and difficult path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and [we are a-part of only] “A FEW” who will find it.” Matt. 7:13-14 (NKJV) And we are a-part of  a few that will “go through great tribulation, and wash our robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Rev. 7:14 (NKJV)

But through it all, what gives us the most comfort is knowing that our tears and the thousand of sleepless nights and all of the trials and tribulations of this world, that we have fulfilled God’s mandate and preached the gospel into all the world and that we are not only a-part of “A FEW” but, a great multitude which no one could number.

[And part of that number were souls we brought to Christ] of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, as we all stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in [our] hands, and [still crying my friends, and] with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev. 7:9-10 (NKJV)

 

 

 

YOUR DAILY CLIMB (DEVOTIONAL) JUNE 15, 2016

June 15, 2016

MY FRIENDS, SALVATION MUST BECOME A SHARED VISION!!

UntitledAs designated leaders for the “unity of Christ,” “for such a time as this” we must transcend beyond today and tomorrow a vision to others that takes them to places they never thought possible through Christ who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” But first Christ must become alive within you and I as we allow the transforming power of His Spirit to take full control. We must also be clear, and decisive about where we are going on this journey and how we are going to get there, and what are the benefits once we have arrived.

Gods Promises must become real, our passion must transcend with a shared vision to the world, as we stand in awe gazing on the clouds above as it draws nearer and becomes lighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it is a great white cloud. Then, the bottom of the cloud appears like fire; a rainbow is also over the cloud, while around it are ten thousand angels, singing a most lovely song; and upon it sits the Son of man.

His hair white, and curly and lays on His shoulders; and upon His head are many crowns. His feet has the appearance of fire; in His right hand is a blessed-hope-jesus-return-4_n1-300x198sharp sickle; in His left, a silver trumpet….Jesus speaks: “Those who have clean hands and pure hearts shall be able to stand because; “My grace is sufficient for you.” At this our faces light up, and joy fills our hearts as the angels strike a note higher and sing again, while the clouds draw  nearer to the earth.

Then Jesus silver trumpet sounds, He then descends on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazes on the graves of the sleeping saints, raises His eyes and hands to heaven, and cries, “awake! awake! awake! ye that sleep in the dust, arise.” Then there is a mighty earthquake. The graves are open, and the dead come up clothed with immortality. The Redeemed shout, “Alleluia!” as we recognized our friends who had been torn from us by death.

In addition, at that moment we are changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.”  My friends, PASSION is the key along with a shared vision of Jesus raising “His mighty, glorious arm, as He lays hold of the pearly gate of our new home and swings it back on its glittering hinges and says to the redeemed, ” “you have come out of great tribulations you have also washed your robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb and stood stiffly for My truth, and kept my commandments.

5a5739be8cb391fa5a9a7ded479de312You now have the right to the tree of life, now enter in through the gates into the city.” We then touched our glorious harps and make heaven’s arches ring…. Then we see most glorious the mansions, most glorious to behold….” We then cry out “heaven is cheap enough” Rev. 7:14 (NKJV) Rev. 22:14 (NKJV) (Excerpts from the writings of E.G. White) My friends, it’s personal, because if you live on this planet you have to recognize prophecy is unfolding every single day.

Christ is now giving you and I warning after warning as He knocks daily at our heart, telling us to Prepare! Prepare! Focus! Pray without ceasing! Endure! Study! Seek God’s presence along with a double portion of My Spirit while stretching your faith until I tell you personally, “Well done, thou 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. 5:21 (KJV)

 

YOUR DAILY CLIMB (DEVOTIONAL) JUNE 14, 2016

June 14, 2016

MY FRIENDS, HIS LOVE IS SO MUCH STRONGER THEN WHATEVER TROUBLES US!!

valley-small-300x197Mountains, Storms, Rough terrains, deep valleys, all adjectives that define difficult times in our life, whether death of a love one or a sickness that the doctors have told us was incurable. A son our daughter that have taken another direction in their life other than the Christian values they were taught while growing up, financial and work related problems. My friends, where does the list end. And since it is our personal season and our personal journey we ask why?

And once we ask ourselves that question we must look to God for answers. And His reply will sound something like this; “faith that does not transform you, will do you little good” because without it we  “sorrow as others which have no hope.” But through your faith “It doesn’t matter what you face, My love will conquer every situation and circumstances of your life. Yes my friends, God’s love tells us to “be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

But, that promise as with all of God’s promises are conditional, which says there are terms and those terms are based on the time frame He has given imgresus during this short probationary period we have from birth to death to allow the Spirit of God to transform our lives so that when we see Him face to face it will be as one looking in the mirror and His glory will be our glory and His scars will be our scares because we “came out of great tribulation [and have many scars to present before Christ that we received from carrying our cross.

In addition, many stars will be in our crowns that says I served a risen savior while on earth and have many souls to present to the Master.” So whatever our storm may be, if we love God as He loves us and keep His commandments then we can say with no reservation that we are being refined in the flames of this worlds afflictions but, it’s all right because His love is stronger than our “light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” 2 Cor 4:17 (NKJV)

carrying-the-cross-300x200Consistent with this, because of that love “nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of Christ.” So we cannot become complacent at the power of Satan to keep our minds focused away from the love of God. So we must dissociate ourselves from the things of this world that do not center our attention on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Friends, if we are serious about our Salvation there must be a deep passion from within, a passion through God’s word and Spirit that penetrates from within and then out onto the front lines of the battle field.

And as ambassadors to God’s kingdom, our passion and God’s light from above must transcend to a dying world as we walk through those streets of gold in God’s Kingdom and pave the way to the promise land with a shared vision to others in the final days of this life’s history. Yes our God has entrusted us with His message of love that begins with the fact that He “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that who so ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)  And a Son, that while we were yet sinners, died for us.

YOUR DAILY CLIMB (DEVOTIONAL) JUNE 10, 2016

MY FRIENDS, WE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BECAUSE “MULTITUDES ARE PERISHING WITHIN REACH OF ABUNDANT HELP”

ali_3208256cOctober 30, 1974, one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing took place in Kinshasa Zaire, “The Rumble in the Jungle.” It pitted a 28 year old Foreman who seemed an overwhelming favorite against the 32-year old Muhammad Ali. After being stripped of his license and title in 1967, once again was given a chance to fight for the world championship. Ali had told everyone that he had a secret plan for Foreman. A plan strategy Ali later dubbed the rope-a-dope.

As a result, Foreman spent his energy throughout the fight throwing punches that either did not hit Ali or were deflected in a way that made it difficult for Foreman to hit Ali at all. As the fight drew into the eighth round, Foreman’s punching and defense became ineffective as the strain of throwing so many wild shots took its toll. The fight showed that Ali was capable of taking a punch and highlighted his tactical genius, as Foreman struck Ali with hundreds of thunderous blows, to no effect.

No one, least of all Foreman, anticipated that Ali would do what he did, which was to demonstrate so passionately his burning belief in his own abilityALI FOREMAN to meet and master any other man on any terms. My friends, Six thousand years ago Satan thought he had stripped Christ of all rights to call this world His domain saying in his heart ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High. Isa. 14:13,14 (KJV) But God told us all, He had a plan for man’s salvation, and the victory would be won, not in Kinshasa Zaire, but on a site called Calvary.

And no matter how many thunderous blows Satan would throw, they would be of no effect. How this was done, God’s word gives a step by step account of the tactical genius of our all knowing, all powerful, omnipresence God, along with the challenges we face from the same foe, which is Satan? The plan was to give the world His only begotten Son, so that “who so ever would believe in Him would not parish but have life everlasting” John 3:16 (KJV)

images3“As Christ was dying on the cross He “saw how deep is the hold of sin upon the human heart,[and] how few would be willing to break from its power. He knew that without help from God, humanity must perish, and He saw multitudes perishing within reach of abundant help.”(E.G, White) My friends, the challenge to us today is, do we have the passion to serve? as “multitudes perish within reach of our help”

In addition, somewhere deep down inside of us, does God’s spirit continued to let us know our responsibility? And once we know our responsibility do we fall on our knees in humility and a contrite heart as we ask for forgiveness for all of Gods precious time we have wasted as we cry out, Dear God, “not my will but, thy will be done”? My friends, it must become personal as we realize the sacrifices made for our salvation.

In addition, We must never forget that Christ the victor, now reigns in the heavenly courts, advocating on our behalf and it is up to us, heirs to His kingdom and joint heirs with His Son to understand God’s plan for our life because we have been given an awesome responsibility. And friends, that responsibility is, go with a burning passion into all the world and become witnesses because, “multitudes are perishing within reach of abundant help.”

YOUR DAILY CLIMB (DEVOTIONAL) JUNE 8, 2016

June 8, 2016

MY FRIENDS, IF VICTORY IS OUR PASSION WE MUST FINISH STRONG!

images2A passion to “FINISH STRONG and not grow weary or fainthearted”  must become God’s elect, mission statement, in our final stretch to the promise land today. Our desire, our goals, our passion, our focus, our faith, our endurance, our prayers, and the never ending study of God’s word, must never waiver. To finish strong will be very grueling, but we must  never forget that this race was won on Calvary. We just have to believe and trust God that He is in control of our destiny if we will only give it all to Him as we allow self  to die daily.

It can never be about us, we must pull the field around behind us, by first keeping everyone encouraged and focused by, Modeling the way and Inspiring a shared vision with passion as we remind the rest of the field, that once we cross that finish line with torch in hand, no matter what place you come in at, if you have faith, and believe, and stay focused, and study the course which is the word of God, we will all receive the ultimate prize life eternal.

For we must never forget Phil. 3:14 (KJV) “Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” So today as we stand at the 052408_piaa_aab1600-200x300crossroad between life and death, one pointing to our Savior Jesus Christ and eternal life and the other pointing towards a path bound for perdition. Grace still abounds, as Christ seeks with a passion our time and a personal relationship with Him.

My friends the reality is, Christ left the first time telling us “I will go and prepare a place for you and I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3 (KJV) But only if you believe and finish strong. Endurance, is defined as the ability or strength to continue or last especially “despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions.”

And those other adverse conditions are the day in, and day out barrage of assaults from the “principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world.” My friends the final season is upon us when God will say, “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Rev. 22:11-12 (NKJV)

And then in (v,14-15) Christ tells us what those rewards are “Blessed are those who do His commandments, [and not nine out of ten but all of His carrying-the-cross-300x200commandments, will] have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates and into the city. But, [“all who entered that wide gate and traveled that wide road that lead to destruction, and there are many who decided to travel that road instead of the narrow road that lead to life eternal.

There reward is outside the gates of God’s kingdom] “with the dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” FINISH STRONG” my friends, Christ needs faithful workers today who will endure to the end, and as we put those two powerful words “FINISH STRONG” in the context of our journey and our salvation, soon we will cry out as Christ enters the clouds above “Worthy is the lamb” that asked us to bear our cross and follow Him.

Why Are “Christian” Women Watching ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’? By Shane Idleman

There is such a buzz going around the country regarding the movie Fifty Shades of Grey an [immoral film by even the liberilsm of sensibilities] and many have read the book. I was going to do a Truth Serum feature on “Why Are “Christian” Women Watching ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’?” The Joker in me was like “Hey if they were CHRISTIAN they wouldn’t be WATCHING this filth to begin with!

However, I know that we are all human and one sin is no better than another. That being said lo and behold I came across this article talking about the same thing and I am a firm believer in not “reinventing” the wheel.  Folks we have to stay prayed up and increase our reading of God’s holy word so that we aren’t led astray by the deceptions of the devil.  I’m sharing this article from Shane Idleman. I hope it will be a blessing and an eye-opener to you. (Richard S. Norman, Jr)

Why Are “Christian” Women Watching ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’? By Shane Idleman

“The unavoidable truth is that many are becoming desensitized. When the Holy Spirit no longer fills hearts and minds with a passion for purity and holiness, there is a general lack of conviction. Compromise in this area can be well illustrated through a story that I heard years ago. Eskimos in the barren North often kill wolves by taking a razor sharp knife and dipping it in blood. They allow the blood to freeze to the blade. Then they bury the handle of the knife in the snow with the blade exposed. As the wolf begins to lick the blade, his tongue becomes numb and desensitized due to the cold. As he continues, his tongue begins to bleed, and he licks even faster—unaware that he is consuming his own blood and slowly killing himself.

Within time, the Eskimos return and bring the dead animal home. In the same way, the enemy numbs us through compromise. Within time, we, like the wolves, don’t realize that we are dying—dying spiritually. The enemy desensitizes us until we are numb to the things of God. A famous quote resounds with clarity for us today: “All the water in the world, no matter how hard it tries, can never sink a ship unless it gets inside. All the evil influence of the world, no matter how hard it tries, can never sink a Christian’s soul unless it gets inside.”

The greatest battle we will ever fight is within. Our mind is where the battle is either won or lost: “As a man thinks in his heart so is he” (Prov. 23:27). Galatians 5:17 says that the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what our sinful nature desires, and that these two forces are constantly fighting against each other. As a result, our choices are rarely free from this conflict. Don’t be alarmed. The fact that there is a fight confirms the value of our commitment to Christ and His standard of holiness.

There is a very troubling trend toward moral compromise in the evangelical church. I’ve witnessed soft porn images on Christian websites, questionable movie clips during PowerPoint sermons, and youth pastors talk about their favorite sexually charged TV show or movie with the youth, all under the guise of “relating” to the culture. Most walk away from Christ not because He fails them, or because the Word of God proves to be untrue, but because of the love of this world (gratifying the flesh). We cannot overlook the seriousness of this issue. Jesus said that the

worries and desires of this world, along with the deceitfulness of wealth, come in and choke the Word of God, making it unfruitful (cf. Mark 4:19). The passion we once had for the purity of God’s Word can easily be exchanged for the pollutants of the world. For this reason, I take every opportunity to write about making wise entertainment choices. What we put into our mind affects our relationship with God at a very deep level. 1 John 2:15-17 says, “Love not the world [the worlds mindset], neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

What we watch and listen to affects the heart—it’s impossible to separate the two. If we would make it our goal to know Christ more personally, we would preach Christ more powerfully. For example, if a pastor (or Christian leader) fills his mind with the world all week and expects the Spirit of God to speak boldly through him from the pulpit, he will be gravely mistaken. E.M. Bounds said, “The sermon cannot rise in its life-giving forces above the man. Dead men give out dead sermons, and dead sermons kill. Everything depends on the spiritual character of the preacher.”

Carnal Christians give God “His due” (a few hours on Saturday or Sunday), but they forget His call to “come out from among them (the world) and be separate.” Every day of the week is the world influencing you? What does your mental media diet consist of? Who do you hang out with? What, and whom, do you listen to? Is your heart set toward the things of God or the world’s influence? A quick peruse of your “likes” and posts on Facebook reveals what we truly value.

Compromise also deceives. James 1:22 reminds us that if we listen to God’s Word without doing it that we are fooling ourselves … we are deceived. The power of God’s Word lies in the application. In addition to non-Christians, it is Christians who are moving sexually explicit and violent movies to the Top 10 by not applying purity to their lives. It is Christians who are addicted to porn and supplying the revenue to fuel the industry.

We cannot love both Christ and this world. Carnality destroys our relationship with Christ and genuine fellowship with other believers. It destroys our prayer life as well. A carnal Christian does not pray, really pray and seek the heart of God. A deep prayer life exposes facades and crushes hypocrisy. Carnality also destroys spiritual power and hinders the infilling of the Spirit. It also affects our home life. In short, everything that God calls us to be is compromised. Being selective with what we watch and listen to has nothing to do with legalism; it has everything to do with wisdom. We are to recognize what glorifies Christ and what clearly does not then choose accordingly. Grace does not relieve us of responsibility.

We actually live under a higher standard when grace guides our decisions, not rules. It’s not about following rules. Let your freedom in Christ, and a relationship with Him, guide you. We’ve all watched questionable material and have made wrong choices; don’t live with ongoing regret. But don’t justify wrong behavior by thinking that God doesn’t care about what you watch or listen to, He does. We serve and love God with our mind. (See Romans 7:25.)” My brothers and sisters we are living in the End Times Matthew 24 is being fullfilled right before our eyes. Remember by beholding we become changed and if we are beholding evil there will be no place for us in God’s heavenly kingdom.  Love is love for God is love, read His word peace unto you. Yours in Christ JD

 

MY FRIENDS, WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PERSUADE YOU TO GIVE IT ALL TO THE MASTER?

Oct. 14, 2014

MY FRIENDS, WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PERSUADE YOU TO GIVE IT ALL TO THE MASTER?

How many really are affected by the Spirits presence in your life each day, as you recognize what Sacrifice it will take to give it all to the Master in Changing one’s Character to be like Christ?

imagesAs we think upon what it will take to serve Christ, How many will turn their back on the Spirits bidding and walk away like the rich young ruler as you mummer the words of king Agrippa when He said to Paul “YOU ALMOST PERSUADE ME TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN.”?

In addition, do the love of this world keep you repeating those words to God’s Spirit? From A human standpoint Mary appeared hopelessly lost in sin. John 8:2-11(KJV) tells us…….“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Again Christ stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away……. until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,”

Luke 8:1-2 (JKV) tells us. “Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the imageskingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out.”

“But Christ saw in Mary capabilities for good. He saw the better traits of her character. The plan of redemption has invested humanity with great possibilities, and in Mary these possibilities were to be realized. Through His grace she became a partaker of the divine nature.

The one who had fallen, and whose mind had been a habitation of demons, was brought very near to the Savior in fellowship and ministry. It was Mary who sat at His feet and learned of Him. It was Mary who poured upon His head the precious anointing oil, and bathed His feet with her tears.” (E.G. White Desire of Ages)

As Mary’s tears of love flowed down her cheeks mixing with the fragrance of Love and gratitude of our Savior, she stoops to wipe the feet of the master, Her thoughts were only “I can’t forget the way life used to be while I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound….,

images7And then, Jesus came to me And healed my soul With the wonder of His touch. So now I’m giving back to Him All the praise He’s worthy of, because I’ve been forgiven. And that is why I love Him so much and pour out my praise on Him from my alabaster box.”

My friends Nothing is to costly for the good Shepard, as He guides us on our Journey to Calvary and then to His Kingdom. But very few truly comprehend all that Christ is to them and what He can do, if they would just have faith and stay focused on the transforming power of the Saviors touch.

Christ waits, His grace and mercy is sufficient if we will choose Him today. Remember Christ Died on the Cross for our sins. Our Gift to Him must be our Mind and Body, and in return His Gift to us will be Eternal life.

Once again “IF THE ANGELS COULD PULL BACK THE CURTAIN” and you would see how close the god of this world and all imgres8who follow Him are to reaching their cup of indignation, and GOD STANDING UP AND SAYING IT IS FINISHED.

I continue to elaborate on that statement, as God allows the curtain to be partially open and we see that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers,” and many Christians alike, who have become complacent ABOUT THE SERIOUSNESS OF WHERE WE ARE IN PROPHECY.

So today my friends please let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Heb. 12:1 (KJV) as we allow God’s Spirit to PERSUADE US TO GIVE IT ALL TO THE MASTER, AND BE SAVED.

 

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

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