MY FRIENDS, AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST!!

MARCH 16, 2017

MY FRIENDS, AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST!!

Disqualified is defined as “deprive of qualification or to be rendered unfit. My friends in the context of our salvation we may be eliminated, or unfit to finish the course do to the lack of preparation needed to finish. Today it’s personal, because you and I must “Run in such a way that we may win. [because] Everyone who competes in the race, exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Therefore we run in such a way, as not without aim [for victory]……..but we discipline our body [to keep self under control], so that, after we have preached to others, we ourselves will not be disqualified..” 1 Cor. 9:24-27 (NASB) Our narrative begins in Ex. 7:8-16 (NASB) Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim.

Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men and go out, and fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in hand.” Joshua went and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And when Moses held his hand up, Israel prevailed, and when he let it down, Amalek prevailed.

When Moses’ hands became heavy they placed a stone under him to sit on; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus, his hands were steady until the sun set. So, Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

My friends, oh the power of the outstretched hands this was the same outstretched hand, a symbol to Israel as they witnessed the plagues fall on Egypt. Those outstretched hands parted the red sea, they delivered water and food to the famished Israelite’s. Victory after victory, outstretched hands were a symbol of an unseen God.

Oh the power of the outstretched hands that calls on God for deliverance daily. My friends, I see today another pair of outstretched hands as I cry out, “Lord I start the day and the war begins endlessly reminding me of my sins and time and time again your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in Today.

I feel like I’m just one mistake away From You leaving me this way, and I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been, come rising up in me again. In the arms of Your mercy I find rest, cause You know just how far the East is from the West, from one scarred hand to the other” (Casting Crowns East to West)

My friends, one scarred hand to the other, was stretched on the cross at Calvary, what else does He need to do to prove there’s no greater love. Remember If we “ask we will receive; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:10 (NIV)

Once again, we desire heaven, with all our heart and soul and yet we “turn away because of the conditions laid down. Think of what it means to say “No” to Christ.” (E.G. White, Desire-of-Ages p 523) And think what it means to say to Christ, I am to busy to allow you into my heart today, maybe later? I first must see if Satan has a more acceptable alternative then  outstretch hands from east to west.