May 27, 2014

MY FRIENDS, ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE YOUR ALL TO THE MASTER?

Christ earthly ministry was spent in praying, teaching, helping, healing and interacting daily with men and women from every social, educational, and economic class. So like Christ, a child of God must also HAVE A PASSION TO GIVE OUR ALL for the glory and honor of the one who gave it all for us on Calvary.

A passion that controls our mind, body, and most of all our time and resources, and not our time, talents and resources controlling our passion. Our love for God is absolute when we remain focused and make our life all about Him as we spread the good news of the gospel with a passion that transcends into an urgency for the amount of times we have left on this earth to live.

We must redeem our all for the Master “by being co-workers with God in His great plan of redemption. In him who does this, a transformation of character takes place.” (Ellen G. White Christ’s Object Lessons) and It is only through this transformation, and God’s grace that our lives become centered on the needs of the Master in finishing up His work here on earth.

There is nothing in us, or of ourselves by which we can GIVE OUR ALL TO GOD if we do not realize our helplessness and our need of God’s Holy Spirit to guide us to do so. We should never begin our day without committing OUR ALL WITH A PASSION to God.

Satin is at his best when he can utilize our life for his agenda. First of all we must refuse to waste, squander, or misuse what God has given us to be used for the finishing up of his work here on earth. Any wasted moments or resource is selfishness on our part and a transgression of God’s precepts that says to have no other god’s before him.

Meaning, when we don’t give OUR ALL TO CHRIST we honor the god of this world by given him what is due only to our savior, as we squander what God has given us on things not eternal. My friends we were bought with a high price and our only purpose should be to serve Christ.

Matthew 6:24 (KJV) tells us “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other……” John Maxwell summarized for us this powerful lesson on given it all to God when he writes: “Giving is the highest level of living.”

“Perhaps you have instead heard it said that “to live is to give.” If this is true, and Christ made painfully clear He believes it is, what does it say about the extent to which you or I are really living and using our time? Our mission as Christians is “to love God absolutely and love others sacrificially.” Isn’t that what Christ epitomized upon the cross?”

My friends as a child of God our commitment to God must go beyond our tithe and a yearly donation to the Red Cross, OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD MUST BE OUR ALL, simply put, because he gave His all for our Salvation and the choice to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity with Him one day.

As His chosen generation we must fall on our knees today with heartfelt supplications as we unite with God and His Spirit as we devised a systematic plan in a joint effort together on how we will get from this earth to His kingdom. But before you fall on your knees think about what you are asking and what you are about to give up and the sacrifice you are about to commit to and what our Savior may ask from you.

Remember the rich young ruler before you do anything and Christ words to him “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matt. 19:21 (KJV) Are you Ready for God’s response to your prayer because it will be TO GIVE YOUR ALL TO HIM. So think hard but not long my friend’s on what you are about to ask, time is running out for all of us.

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

May 26, 2014

“THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BUT IT IS NOTHING WE CAN DO”

“And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome, Until they were filled (permeated and saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice. [They were] full of envy and jealousy, murder, strife, deceit and treachery….” Romans 1:28-29 (AMP)

“THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BUT IT IS NOTHING WE CAN DO” the words of a policeman in the investigation of America’s latest mass murderer, someone “which had lost all hope.” Who had the same MO or modus operandi as Satan who said “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Is. 14:14 (NIV)

I can make that statement with some assurance because the words recorded from the manifesto of Americas latest media hero before his so called day of retribution were “I am not part of the human race…..I am Elliot Rodger … Magnificent, glorious, supreme, eminent … Divine! I am the closest thing there is to a living god. ….I will purify the world of everything that is wrong with it. On the Day of Retribution, I will truly be a powerful god, punishing everyone I deem to be impure and depraved.”

My friends I need you to Focus today on the purity of Jesus Christ and where we are today in the realm of Christ second coming and where you as a Child of God fit into the overall scenario that is being played out hourly in front of us each day.

Satan knows HIS HIGH HOPES and AMBITIONS to “ascend to heaven (and) exalt (his) throne above the stars of God; (as he tries to) sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north. (and) ascend above the heights of the clouds; (and) make himself like the Most High” Is. 14:13-14 (AMP) was MADE UNATTAINABLE  at the cross when Christ the Son of God said IT IS FINISHED.

Satan now knows without any reservation that his time is winding down faster then ever before as he goes about as an adversary to those “who have no hope.” “As a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) even a child of God becomes his top prey if we do not allow self to die daily and the transforming power of Christ to take complete control of our life.

So the question we must ask ourselves is when do we become serious about our salvation and WHAT WE MUST DO TO BE SAVED and to lead others to Christ? We can no longer bury our heads into the sand and let the world orbit around us as we sit back and ignore God’s prophecy and the “signs of the times” that we wake up to each day.

God is now given us a choice in this controversy and that choice is to “fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness as you put away the gods of this world and serve the Lord. But if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of this world who will lead you to perdition, or the Creator of the universe who”

“so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV) Remember my friends many will be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold but “THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT IT IS NOTHING WE CAN DO” but God gives His “chosen generation” a mandate to witness to the world and to those “who have lost hope.” among the carnage and turmoil of our world and tell them “God saves” and one day “God will come quickly; and his reward is with (Him), to give every man and woman  according as his work shall be.” Rev 22:12 (KJV)

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

May 24, 2014

“LET US THEN WITH CONFIDENCE DRAW NEAR TO THE THRONE OF GRACE”

“He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.” Heb. 5:2 (NKJV)

My friends I have lived long enough to have seen the world as it is, but not like I would want it to be. As a kid you wake up each day to a brand new world where the adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and the Hardy boys would come to life within one’s imagination.

Where outdoors was a world of castles and moats, that comprised of an array of trees, dogs, tadpoles lightning bugs, creeks and the woods where every trail, hill and rock you figured would be your safety net for life and then somewhere in between your fantasy world and today May 24, 2014  life became real, with real choices we all make over life and death, good and evil.

Real choices that determines one’s Salvation and destiny in this great controversy between good and evil. So today let’s close our eyes and focus on a God who like us somewhere between a day (which to God is) like a thousand years” and His observance of the “darkness (that) was over the face of the deep and the creation of light, sin became real and a plan was immediately established on our behalf for our salvation.

And that plan meant Him leaving His safety net in the heavenly courts to a world that He had created, where Satan had claimed as His own. That is why our God can say “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:18 (NIV)

My friends we are His Children because this controversy was very real to Christ and He knew it would be very real to us as we moved from the safety net of our homes as a child to dear God, if one day I lose my hope and purpose, please allow your Spirit to once again give me the confidence, faith, and endurance to realize that your plan for me is better than everything I could want or could ever imagine because we know “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matt. 7:14 (NIV)

But Dear God you made it across that narrow path and you paved the way for everyone who would keep their eyes focused on you and follow you to Calvary to make it across also “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. LET US THEN WITH CONFIDENCE DRAW NEAR TO THE THRONE OF GRACE, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:15-16 (ESV)

My God that is where I fall short each day. Those words in that text that gives your Children the faith to continue and the assurance if we would just “WITH CONFIDENCE DRAW NEAR TO THE THRONE OF GRACE” we would find LOVE, COMFORT, PEACE, JOY, HAPPINESS, FAITH, ENDURANCE, HUMILITY, all the attributes to make it across that narrow path and finish this journey you have placed each of us on.

My friends it is time we begin to realize “When (we were a) child, (we) talked like a child, (we) thought like a child, (we) reasoned like a child. (But) When (we) became a man (or woman), (we had to) put the ways of (our) childhood behind (us). 1 Cor. 13:11 (NIV)

The fantasy of our youth is behind us, Christ will be here very soon because this world can not last that much longer for we are living in the time that Christ told us “many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Matt. 24 (NIV)

But His promise to His Children is, if you can only STAND FIRM TILL THE END and “WITH CONFIDENCE DRAW NEAR TO THE THRONE OF GRACE” MY FRIENDS YOU WILL BE SAVED AND LIVE THROUGHOUT THE CEASELESS AGES OF ETERNITY IN GOD’S KINGDOM AND THE EARTH MADE NEW.

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

May 22, 2014

FROM THE PRODIGAL TO THE MASTERS TABLE!!!

“…….Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. BUT WHEN HE CAME TO HIMSELF…….” Luke 15: 11-32 (NKJV)

Today our devotion will focus on “The Parable of the Lost Son or Daughter” who has allowed the god of this world to fix their sight on the things of this world and not the saving power of Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. Six words in that verse is where I need you to focus “BUT WHEN HE CAME TO HIMSELF”

Webster defines Prodigal as an adjective or someone who is wasteful reckless and extravagant. So as a child of God does the word PRODIGAL define a part of your character that is not in the image of our Savior Jesus Christ while at the same time you have refused to allow God’s transformation process to take effect and to cleanse you from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

Friends time is of the essence we must begin to seek God’s presence with all the faith and passion that is within us. Our Savior stands at the door of our heart at this vary moment and knocks, He stands and waits, Salvation is in his name but we must have faith and ask but you “do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:2-3 (NIV)

Christ knows we are allowing the god of this world to control us, He knows we are not focusing on the example our Savior has laid out for us, although creator of the universe and the king of kings our Savior was a humble servant. So as a child of God who seeks the Character of Christ and life eternal, does your lifestyle reflect the humble lifestyle of Christ.

Paul paints a picture for us to see the example that our Savior has laid out for us “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross….”Phil 2:5-11 (ESV) That my friends is where we must be at on our journey Christ has placed us on. So today let’s make it personal let’s make it all about you and I

WE MUST NOW COME TO OUR-SELF we must arise and go to (our) father with heartfelt prayer and supplication and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and am no longer worthy to be called your son, or daughter because I have turned my back on the precepts in your word and have placed “other gods before me.”

“Because my heart Sometimes can wander And my faith at times can stray But I know That when I fix my eyes on You That I will always remain Safe in the shadows of Your Grace, grace God’s grace Grace that will pardon And cleanse within Grace, grace God’s grace Grace that is greater Than all my sin.”

Then (“our Father which are in heaven”) said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him or (her) and put a ring on his (or her)  hand and sandals on his (or her) feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son (or daughter) was dead and is alive again; he (or she) was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

My friends please today not tomorrow because tomorrow is not promised to us. Allow God’s Spirit that has “began a good work in you, (PLEASE ALLOW HIM TO) carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” along with all the redeemed “WHO ARE INVITED TO THE WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB!” Rev. 19:9 (NIV)

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

May 21, 2014

“O LORD PREPARE ME TO BE A LIVING SANCTUARY”

“LORD PREPARE ME TO BE A SANCTUARY; pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.”

“That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:16-19 (ESV)

Our prayer today my friends must be “O LORD PREPARE ME TO BE A LIVING SANCTUARY pure and holy, tried and true” and because of the Presence of God in my SANCTUARY I will forever bring our Savior all the praise, glory and honor no matter what the situation or circumstances that my life my encounter each day.

In Addition the ministry of a risen Savior will always be carried out through a heartfelt prayer life and a commitment to tell the world of His grace , love and mercy ” Therefore…in view of God’s mercy, (our commitment must be to) offer (our) bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is (our) spiritual act of worship.

(SO our focus will not) conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but (will) be transformed by renewing of (our) mind. Then (we) will be able to test and approve what God’s will is His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

So today my friends OFFER YOURSELF TO CHRIST AS “A LIVING SANCTUARY” tried and true to the precepts of God’s Word. As the command was communicated to Moses while in the mount with God, “Let them make Me a SANCTUARY; that I may dwell among them; the abiding place of the King of kings and Lord of Lord’s” today My friends pledge yourself to God that He may DWELL AMONG YOU.

But this can only happen if our SANCTUARY “IS PURE IN HEART” uninterrupted by the cares and “SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE SINS” of this world. It must become “the privilege of every soul to be a living channel through which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, and the unsearchable riches of Christ.

There is nothing that Christ desires so much as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and character. There is nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation through humanity of the Savior’s love. All heaven is waiting for channels through which can be poured the holy oil to be a joy and blessing to human hearts.” (E. G. White Christ Object Lessons PP 419)

As we ask God to cleanse us while we  lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, Heb 12:1 (KJV) as we allow Christ to enter our life as we totally yield our will, our attitude, our hearts, our time, our money, our talents to only one Master without restriction.

For we cannot stipulate to God’s Spirit how he is to transform our lives, we must accept Him with cheerfulness in whatever direction he takes us on this journey as we seek with Passion His presence while letting nothing discouraged us as we carry out His will in spreading the good news of what Christ has done and continues to do in our life to others.

Consistent with this those we witness to who accepts Christ as their risen Savior also becomes a Sanctuary for our Savior to abide as the cycle continues to take place from vessel to vessel as candidates continue the process that we started in anticipation of  “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)

so today the choice is yours a “skeptical world, with its pleasures and ambitions and its prodigal promise that leads to perdition, or the meek, majestic, and winning figure of Christ of Nazareth and life eternal in the earth made new? Your Choice my friends Your choice.

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

May 20, 2014

HAVE YOU HEARD THE BATTLE IS OVER, BUT THE WAR RAGES ON?

Calvary, my friends just keep repeating that one word, Calvary and then memorized the text, John 19:30 (KJV) that says. “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. ”

Theologians tell a story: Imagine a city under siege. The enemy that surrounds the city will not let anyone or anything leave. Supplies are running low and the citizens are fearful. But in the dark of the night, a spy sneaks through the enemy lines.

He rushes to the city to tell the people, in another place the enemy forces has been defeated; the leaders have surrendered. The people do not need to be afraid anymore. It is only a matter of time until the besieging troops receive the news and lay down their weapons.

Similarly, as a Child of God daily we are surrounded by the god of this world and the forces of evil, wars and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, in divers places, false prophets, iniquity abounds and the love of many waxes cold.

In spite of what is happening in our world today and in addition with our personal trials and tribulations, things are not as it appears. As a child of God there is no need for you to be afraid, it must become clear to each of us that the main enemy who is Satan was defeated on Calvary 2000 years ago.

So THE BATTLE IS OVER, BUT THE WAR RAGES ON within God’s children so now it becomes a personal war simply because a 100% transformation has not taken place within us. There are things of this world that intrigues us to the extent that we have become “Spiritual paraplegic” unable to move and with no desire to be made whole by the transforming power of Jesus Christ and him crucified.

My friends the elimination of sin and Satan was forever made certain to all on Calvary with the redemption and
salvation of man guaranteed and God’s Children was forever protected if only we believe and are willing to give it all to Master.

My friends we are about to move into the final round of a marathon it has been and will continue to be a grueling endeavor that will continue to stretch our faith to the limit. As God’s chosen generation we have certainly entered into unchartered territory but it is not unchartered territory to our Savior.

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:15-16 (NIV) and to endure until the end where God’s kingdom will be ours For each of us who Have given it all to the Master.

So as we come into that final stretch to the finish line, we must ask ourselves; are we a “Spiritual paraplegic” or are we moving just as strong  in finishing up Christ work here on earth as we did when we first started this race? And with the help of the Spirit of God are we spreading the good news of Christ saving grace to our friends, family, love one’s, co-workers, and a world that has lost sight of the saving grace of our savior?

And are we constantly asking the question; since the BATTLE IS OVER, what must I do to end this war that is raging from within and is causing  me to be a “Spiritual paraplegic”?  Yes, that is where we must be in our final stretch as we pull the field around behind us, by keeping everyone encouraged.

In addition, always reminding the rest of the field, that once we cross that finish line 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 all will receive the same, that ultimate prize, which is eternal life. 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 WHO MADE SURE THE BATTLE WAS OVER AND SALVATION IS OURS.

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

May 19, 2014

MY FRIENDS, ALL WE NEED IS IN THE MASTERS TOUCH!!!

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, AND TOUCHED the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, IF I MAY BUT TOUCH HIS GARMENT, I SHALL BE WHOLE. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; THY FAITH hath made thee whole.

And the woman was made whole from that hour. Matthew 9:20-22 (NKJV) Whenever we speak of this Bible Story, we often deal with the miraculous healing aspect of what occurred instead of the power of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified to save the sinner sinking deep in sin. His ability to perform miracles is secondary for healing each of us of our infirmities is only a thought in the holy realm of our Savior.

The psalmist tells us in Ps. 30:2 (KJV)”O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.” In fact Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US.” My friends that is where I need you to focus on today on the words “THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US.“ for it all comes down to THE POWER OF OUR FAITH THAT IS WITHIN US.

Often when Jesus healed in the gospels, He told the person that was healed not to tell anyone. It was not because He was trying to hide the power of His miracles. But He knew OUR FAITH IN the POWER of HIS NAME was what was important on this journey God has placed each of us on to the kingdom. Twelve years of constant blood flow, what ENDURANCE as she seeked TO TOUCH the Master.

Exhausted and smothered by the crowd, desperate to see if what she had heard of the power of this street preacher was accurate. Finally falling to her knees as she told herself, “IF I MAY BUT TOUCH HIS GARMENT, I SHALL BE WHOLE” Matt. 9: 21 (KJV) reaching, crawling, on her hands and knees in the filth and grime of the outside environment.

Oh what PASSION as she reached with only one thing in Her hand and that was the faith that who the rable had called a street preacher would be what she had been seeking not only 12 years but a lifetime of hope for the Savior to cleanse her of all her physical weaknesses and sins. So she touched His garment as He passed her, that was all it took. For it then became personal from that point on as His focused on her problem and her Salvation became His main priority.

Consistent with that, our God is a personal God because He “knows when we sit down and when we get up. He knows our thoughts before we think them. He knows where we go and where we lie down. He knows everything we do. Lord, even before we say a word, Ps. 139 1:4 (KJV) Faith my friends as she reached out AND TOUCHED THE MASTER and that same faith we must all have as we seek His presence with a Passion, in heartfelt and sincere prayer as we cry out Lord I know as a Child of God you have my back in all situations and circumstances, so I don’t mean to waste your time, but I have a passion deep down inside just to fill the power of the MASTER’S TOUCH.

Everything in my life tells me I have no hope, but I know there is hope for the hopeless IN YOUR TOUCH. There is, Rest for the weary IN YOUR TOUCH, Love, grace and mercy in the Master’s TOUCH and forgiveness and restoration IN OUR TOUCH, as you meet me wherever, and whatever place in my life I am at. And when the wind and rain, beats against the very fiber of my existence, you tell me not to be afraid for your love knows no bounds, and all we have to do is have the faith to reach out AND TOUCH YOU.

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