July 24, 2013

I WAS SINKING DEEP IN SIN

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more, But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, now safe am I. LOVE LIFTED ME

Quicksand: It is usually represented as a deep pool of sandy goo which blends in with its surroundings, lying in wait to slowly suck in anyone who attempts to wander over it. And if you get caught in it, and you have no help to get out. Everything you try to do by yourself only allows the sand to just keep dragging its victims slowly underneath as you sink deeper and deeper, until you become completely submerged.

I think we all identify with that because sometimes, life gets like that when you have allowed the things of this world to occupy your mind and body instead of Christ. And when that happens, it’s easy to lose your focus and get dragged into the abyss of total destruction.  Just like quicksand, sin can have disastrous results. We find that sin is contagious, scandalous, repulsive and complete, if the Good Shepard is not there to rescue one of His lost sheep. Romans 6:23 tells us that ” For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The sinner who never grasped onto the loving arms of Christ is usually lead into the sinking sand of sin. Forced by Satan to go as far as possible until you are completely submerged. Because Sin will always take you farther than you ever thought you would go. Slowly but surely taking control of your mind, and body each day that your eyes are not focused on the Master. Sin will always make your stay a lasting one, much longer than you thought you would stay, oh! i will only take this one drink I am not hurting anyone. Remember the forces of evil have no intentions of ever letting you go until you are completely submerged in sin.

Sin will also cost you far more than you wanted to pay, for it will cost you your life. By allowing Satan one moment of your time, while never becoming aware of the plea’s of God’s Holy Spirit and the saving power of the cross. Your stay will literally last a life time. Satan’s stronghold over us begins when we give Satan permission to enter our lives through disobedience to Gods laws of love. We permit him to take full control of our lives. As the “god of this world” he has the legitimate right to influence and harass us, if we allow him access to our lives.

Remember God will not force us to Choose Him over Satan. if we do not protest by using the armor of Christ salvation, we allow the forces of evil to take over our life, and at that point, Satan has a legal claim to our mind and body because by our choice and only our choice we allowed him to Be our master, and not God. And God will never overrule a person’s will. ‘That’s why it is important to #1. (know who we are in Christ.) John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

#2. (Our rights and privileges.)  Psalm 8:4-6. “What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And you have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; you have put all things under his feet.” And last but not least #3 (What power, and authority do we have as Gods children against Satan.) 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

We then have the power through Christ and His Word and Spirit to demolish any, and all arguments, and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. As “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ” it is important to pray without ceasing, for ourselves and others we love, who maybe blinded by the stronghold of Satan and can’t recognize the forces of evil to get free. As Christians and believers in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, we have the power through Christ to take authority over the enemy.

By calling out His name as Peter. “When he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him. Matt 14:30-31. Remember Our Lord and Savior has proclaim liberty to all who are held captive by Satan. For Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”

Remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was anointed by the Father to proclaim liberty to the captives of Satan to pull us to the shores of safety in His loving arms. Paul tells us in Tim.2:26, “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. “Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves, He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves. He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey, He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.” Love Lifted Me

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

july 23, 2013

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH GODS VOICE

Throughout Scripture we see story after story of God speaking to His Faithful who love Him.

(Abraham),When God called, Abraham believed God and by faith followed God’s instructions. Hebrews 11:8, states that: “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whether he went.” (Jacob) Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name.” Thus He called him Israel. Gen.35:9-10

(Samuel) listens in the darkness. His life had been entrusted to the care of Eli the priest. From his bed he heard a voice calling out to him. twice he went to Eli and ask him if he had called, and Eli said no. On the third time the Lord called, “Samuel”! Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; ”Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling Samuel. So Eli told Samuel, if He calls you again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel laid down. God speaks again, and in a vision tells Samuel that he will become the voice through whom he would speak to his people.

(Moses)The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend Exodus 33:11 (Jeremiah) The word of the Lord came to me, saying “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”Jeremiah 1:4-5 (Paul) He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”Acts 9:4-6

Learning to clearly distinguish God’s voice as the prophets of old would probably guarantee most of the world an easy path to Gods pure and holy kingdom. If we can have the wisdom of Gods actual voice to guide and protect. Our lives, would radically be transformed by reciprocating to the voice of God, as He directs us through life from day to day. Yes The worst situation or circumstances that we as Christians may encounter from day to day, would be one word away from the Lord responding to us as we respond to our children Matthew 7:9-11 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

I believe if we could here God’s actual voice, there would be a total turnaround of our lives. just imagine, any problem you might encounter, one face to face word from the Lord will instantly deliver you. (Sickness) Matt 8:6-8 Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word. and my servant will be healed.

(Marital problems) John 4 says: He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true……. Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”.

(financial crisis), in Matt 17:27 it states “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (food to eat) Matt. 14:17-21 says “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.“Bring them here to me,” He said. And He directed the people to sit down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves….and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied……. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

(Demon possession) Mark 5 tell’s us. Immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling in the tombs……… When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him, and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don’t torment me.” For Christ said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”…….The unclean spirits came out and entered into the pigs.

Today We may not always here the voice of our Lord and Savior. But the Lord always here’s our voice. “I am the Good Shepherd. , “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd.

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.

In order for us to actually hear God’s voice, we must recognize it. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Those who hear God’s voice are those who walk in the footsteps of God, and who have been saved by the transforming power of His love and grace through faith. These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice,who comes when He calls and follow Him wherever He goes because they know He will protect them.

He is there Shepherd there comforter in their time of need they know His voice and respond to Him when He calls. If we are to recognize God’s voice, we must also belong to Him. and only him “The sheep can not worship or follow two sheperd’s at once. either you will Love one Shepard, and end up hating the other. Or have adoration for one, only to fill contempt for the other. we also hear His voice when we spend time in deep heartfelt prayer, Bible study, and just quiet contemplation of His Word, as we focus on His desire for our lives and how we can give Him the praise, honor and glory.

The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to distinguish His voice and His leading in our lives, from the forces of evil. Employees at an airport are trained to recognize counterfeit ID’s by studying genuine id’s so closely from various states, and countries, that it will be unimaginable not to recognized a fake one, simply because they have studied diligently the real from the fake. And we should also as Christians, and children of God be so familiar with God’s Word, and voice that when God does speak to us or directs us as we study His word , it will be absolutely clear that it is God’s voice who we here. And in so doing, it will verify in our minds, any, and all, truth from error.

But my friends while God is God and He speaks to us as He chooses, His primarily source of communication is through His Word, and Spirit, and if we have a sincere, and A heartfelt prayer life, while applying through faith, what we read in God’s Word, we will never get it wrong, when we here the good Shepard’s voice.

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

July 22, 2013

JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW , FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Gen 1:1 “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:1-5

“The creative force that brought about the existence of our world is the Word, And the Word is God. The Word at the beginning of John 1 is linked by this passage to the first words spoken by God at the beginning, when he says “‘Let there be light’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3) “Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, and received into the soul, and it also brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms our nature, and re-creates our character into the image of God.”-Ellen G. White.

The world was created by the Spoken Word of God (Genesis 1). This world and the very existence of life was conceived by God in the spirit, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Gen 1:2.) So what this tells me as a Child of God, is that God’s Word brings about real transformation since God is the Word. But that transformation can only come about when we give it all to the master and then ask God our Creator to recreate our mind and body in His image.

But we also must have faith and believe. faith in God is all about asking God for what we want and believing we will receive it, as we allow our focus, to bring Glory and honor to Him. And once our lives are transformed then we will begin to understand through faith in the Word of God, that a miracle has truly taken place in our lives. Paul says in 2 Cor 5:17-18 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God. who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation”

And once we have completely given it all to the master we allow His full armor of righteousness to protect us against the forces of evil who’s only goal is to destroy us. And we must always remember that The Word of God is the foundation that transforms our lives, and when the mind is saturated with the Word. A transformed life brought on by the Word of God is the greatest confirmation of a true renewal of our character.

And When our character is rooted in the Word of God, and continues to be rooted, it is an experience that lasts throughout our lives here on earth and will also carry us throughout the cessless ages of Eternity. Also if we lack knowing the knowledge in Gods word, due to the fact that we allowed the things of this world to become detrimental to our salvation, because they were more important than studying the Word of God and doing His will. Than if that is the case, our warning comes from God, in the book of Hosea when he says  “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6

Also Paul states Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word about Christ. God says whosoever believes on His Son, Has pardon obtained and a new life begun; His sins blotted out, not by aught he has done, But thru’ faith in the Word of God! Romans 10:17. states. Gods Word, The only Begotton Son of God died in our place on Calvary so we could live with Him in His pure and holy kingdom Oh what love But it did not end with His death on the cross.

He rose again and the word still lives! Yes He lives. And I serve that same risen Savior because He is in my life today. I know that He is living in me, no matter what men may say. I know He lives inside of me, because I see His hand of mercy grace and love as I begin to truly hear, and feel God and His Word, while allowing my faith to grow in His grace. And once we continue to focus on Christ and His word. We will find that God will glorify Himself in us through His Word, and we have God’s assurance, which is based totally on His love for us BECAUSE THE BIBLE TELLS US SO. Paul also tells us in

Romans 5:7-9 “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” And through our faith in God and His word the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, praise and glorify Him no mater what situation or circumstances we may find ourself in.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:17-19 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. Paul also tells us in Romans 5:3-5 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

And So my friends remember that JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO And because of His love Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:10-14 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of his glory.

So my Friends, Today, please accept Christ invitation. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Rev. 3:20

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

MOVING INTO UNCHARTERED TERRITORY

Devotion For July 21, 2013

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?………………. Jeremmiah 12:5

The 2012 summer Olympics, track and field events  started August 3rd in London. The anticipation was great; the field never seemed as talented as it did this year. We witnessed Usain Bolt’s “double-treble,” which the term implies three sporting victories or championships in the same season– Mo Farah’s double, Allyson Felix’s treble, and David Rudisha’s historic 800-meter win.

But today I will deal with only the latter, David Rudisha’s historic 800 meter win on the 9^th of August 2012. Rudisha led this amazing race from start to finish, winning the gold, in what was acclaimed, “The Greatest 800 Meter Race Ever”.

Many were astonished by what Rudisha accomplished, as he led the race from start, to the finish, while running a series of split times that defied everyone’s expectation; 23.30sec for 200m, 49.28sec for 400m, 1min 14.30sec for 600m. And on he went, as His long muscular stride carried him effortlessly along the track.

Finally, as he moved around the final bend, it became clear this was history in the making, As the 80,000 audience erupted, he continued to pull away until the final straight, where second place Nigel Amos was unable to gain any ground. But the gap was much too great to close, and Rudisha crossed the line in a world-record time, 1:40.91. They say David Rudisha is “the greatest runner you’ve never heard of”.

That is the line that has been stated by the writers at the BBC, Vanity Fair and others in weeks leading up to the Olympics.But now, Rudisha is a household name; the greatest 800m runner in history. And he did not need a close competitor pushing him to reach 600m in 1:14.30. To put that in perspective, the split from 400-to-600 is surely one of the fastest of all time for that juncture of any race.

Rudisha stunningly pulled that off after blazing through the first 400 meters. Finally, no rest was necessary to finish  the race. His legs remained just as fresh during the last 200 meters, as they were at the first 200m. At the same time, his form remained absolutely flawless.

In an event that is absolutely grueling. And yes without a doubt we can say, that David Rudisha took the 800-meter running to an entirely new level. Rudisha also pulled the entire field around behind him. Great Britain’s Andrew Osagie finished eighth, in 1min 43.77sec.

No one has ever run faster to finish last in an 800m final. His was one of seven personal bests set in the race, along with two national records. Then the odd man out, Rudisha’s great rival, Abubaker Kaki,  had to settle for a season’s best  seventh place.

The fact is there is no one that we know in the world of track and field who can catch Rudisha. As I witnessed this race myself, I was listening to one of the broadcasters on the NBC affiliate station as they were describing history in the making. His words went something like this,

“We have certainly entered into unchartered territory, in that David Rudisha ended his race just as fast as he started it and that is unheard of in the 800m run. Usually a runner at that distance loses a stride or two into that final stretch, but not Rudisha; his final stride was just as strong as his first.” So today I put this in a Christian’s perspective.

For each of us who are looking for Christ soon return, as we come into that final stretch to the finish line, we must ask ourselves; Are we in “unchartered territory?” Are we moving just as strong  in finishing up Christ work here on earth as we did when we first started this race? 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?

Are we constantly asking the question; what must I do to be saved and enter into Gods pure and holy society? Unchartered territory! Yes, that is where we must be in our final stretch 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 waver from when we started, as we come into the final bend of earth’s history.

To finish this race will be very grueling, but we must  never forget that this race has already been 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.

And like David Rudisha, we must pull the field around behind us, by keeping everyone encouraged, by 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; “Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”. So my friends today, Remain faithful as we enter into “unchartered territory.”

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

July 20, 2013

WHAT ARE YOUR MARCHING ORDERS

As a story is told about the duke of Wellington who was once present where a party of Christian men were discussing the possibility of success in missionary effort among the heathen. They appealed to the duke to say whether in his judgment such efforts were likely to prove success commensurate to the cost, the old soldier replied:

“Gentlemen, what are your marching orders? Success is not the question for you to discuss. If I read your orders aright, they run thus, ‘go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ Gentlemen, obey your marching orders.’ So the secret to every Christian’s success in his or her mandate from God,

will be found in the harmonious and daily working of all Christians along with the Holy Spirit in the finishing up of Gods work regardless of what this world deems as success. Therefore, in the sense of a vital faith and genuine obedience and indomitable courage embracing the total stewardship of life, may it be said of us at Christ soon return, They did go tirelessly into all the world to preach my gospel.

While much of the fruit of our labor will not be apparent in this life, God’s workers have His sure promise of ultimate success. As the world’s redeemer, Christ was constantly confronted with apparent failure. He seemed to do little of the work which He longed to do in uplifting and saving souls. Satanic agencies were constantly working to obstruct His way. But He would not be discouraged.

For He would forever stay focused on His mission, which was Calvary and our Salvation. in 1 Timothy 2:1-5 it says First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, Godly and dignified in every way.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

So therefore our responsibility  and duty as Christians as we enter into the last phase of this life’s history before Christ soon return, is to make saving souls our No. one priority.

As Christians we must have a passion engrossed with love, and A Heartfelt and concentrated zeal for saving souls as we follow Christ mandate To take the “Gospel of the kingdom throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

and in so doing you have put before the heavenly courts an insurmountable source of power which comes directly from God’s Holy Spirit.  A power that is engrossed with love, as God loved. When we as Christians follow the course set before us by God, our focused must never waiver it must be all about Christ and His will for us in spreading the good news of His soon coming to the World.

For with each passing day There are family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers and A world that is loosing site of Gods saving grace and mercy. As Mrs. White speaks of  “A train of cars that were  shown her, going with the speed of lightning. The angel bade her to look carefully. As she fixed her eyes upon the train.

It seemed that the whole world was on board. Then he showed her the conductor, a fair, stately person, whom all the passengers looked up to and reverenced. I was perplexed and asked my attending angel who it was. He said, It is Satan. He is the conductor, in the form of an angel of light. He has taken the world captive.

They are given over to strong delusions, to believe a lie that they may be damned. His agent, the highest in order next to him, is the engineer, and others of his agents are employed in different offices as he may need them, and they are all going with lightning speed to perdition.

Then she asked the angel if there were none left. He bade me to look in the opposite direction, and I saw a little company traveling a narrow pathway. All seemed to be firmly united by the truth. This little company looked careworn, as if they had passed through severe trials and conflicts.

And it appeared as if the sun had just arisen from behind a cloud and shone upon their countenances, causing them to look triumphant as if their victories were nearly won.” My Friends time is running out we only have a short time to do Gods will, and to rescue souls off of the train to perdition.  So, let us all say as Paul says,

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” It is up to us to “proclaimed it throughout the world as a testimony to all nations” as we near the finish line. So today Let’s give it all to the Master and finish up His work so when Christ comes as peter says in 1 Peter 5:4 “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” friends I look forward to that day, and I hope you do also.

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

July 18, 2013

IS THE ROAD TO THE KINGDOM, THROUGH THE POOR ?

“To accept passively an unjust system is to cooperate with that system; thereby the oppressed become as evil as the oppressor”. Martin Luther King Jr. “It takes a village originated with the teachings of Jesus. But the village must be an environment in which families and individuals are supported and strengthened by each of us whose goal it is to walk the same path as Christ walked to Calvary.

With the current cuts in federal programs, more and more people are being turned away from shelters, and government programs. And at a time when the economy is bad, the unemployment rate is high, and people keep losing their homes. But of course the foolish rhetoric of our country is a total cover up of the basic rights of all, and will eventually leave only To two classes, the rich, and the poor. not the Black and White

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” Martin Luther King Jr.. In the days of Amos, God accuses the rich of even making “the poor of the land to fail.” By bringing them down to such a low poverty level that they never could escape from it.

So what this tells me is that the poor will always suffer more severely in a godless nation. As the majority of the One per center’s, throughout the world we live in, believe only in the god of money. But If I am not mistaken, In God We Trust is still on our currency, but whose god.

Not the God I serve, who died on the cross for all, which includes the rich and the poor. As we get closer to Christ return many of our church doors are even being locked to the poor. When someone phone’s a church asking for help, they are usually sent  to a shelter, or an agency which the government funds, which most on the religious right wants to cut the funding for.

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. “I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” Martin Luther King Jr. In Proverbs it also states “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31.

As Christians we must individualized our stance on our compassion for others as Christ did and hope it will catch own to others as we spread Gods word. For “He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth, and he who gives gifts to the rich both come to poverty.” Proverbs 22:16

Ezekiel says it best in Ezekiel 16:49-50 “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.”

God states clearly that he destroyed Sodom’s sins because of their pride, and their excess of food while the poor and needy suffered. The bible maintains a clear position on the poor throughout its pages, and, interestingly, it has less to do with them than it has to do with us and how we treat the poor.

In Deuteronomy 15:11 it says There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. Christians are commanded to help one another but we are also called to help those who are less fortunate than we are.

Proverbs 21:13 is among the most powerful calls from God to help those who are hungry because “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” 1 John 3:17 states that, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him ?” As a nation, when we allow the poor to suffer. One day soon.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. He will sit on his glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people, one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will say………

“I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:31-40 As Christians We must not forget our eternal destiny is shaped by how we treat the poor and needy. We don’t get into heaven, by going to church, or by being moral. We don’t even get  into heaven by being good.

No! we only get into heaven by loving as Christ loved, and Caring as Christ cared, especially for the vulnerable and needy. Even when this is not spiritually motivated, by our churches, or those around us. It must be an individual heartfelt concern. That only comes about by walking with God each and every day. And as we make this walk it determines our eternal destiny. For everyone who takes a daily walk with God, has within themselves the capacity to love everyone, as Christ loved.

Dr. King, always a believer in nonviolent civil disobedience, spent his last months organizing the national Poor People’s Campaign, which sought to bring low-income Americans from all racial and ethnic backgrounds. As he focused on poverty he also dramatize the pressing need for jobs, income, healthcare, and housing; as he also raise essential questions about the gap between the rich and poor in America.

But forty five years later, America still has not gotten it, even though we are at a crossroad in history, as we move further into the 21 century, and  Christ soon return. “All too many of those who live in affluent America ignore those who exist in poor America ”Martin Luther King, Jr.

And today my friends I don’t speak to the world or to the “fool who says in his heart, “There is no God.” For They are corrupt, their deeds are vile…”Ps. 14:1. But I speak to the Christian whose destiny is Gods pure and holy kingdom. Jesus says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Luke says “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor…. ” (Luke 4:18).

And once we as Christians have taken care of one’s physically needs it will be easy to lead them to the love of Christ, because they already see Christ in us. So as the world moves farther and farther away  from Gods will and responsibility to the poor. Ask yourself  how can I as a Christian keep from “conforming to the pattern of this world, as I transform my mind, and character as I carry out Gods will in my life.

And in the end, the Master will say to me, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

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

July 17, 2013

IT IS FINISHED

When we as Christians think simplistically about saving souls, especially in regards to our family, friends love ones, and co-workers we set ourselves up to always expect simple solutions recognizable answers, and precise results even under insurmountable situations and circumstances. But as Christians, we all need to come to terms with the actuality that Satan still exists and he is as strong as ever Because he realizes His time is just about up.

Satan has had close to six thousand years to study prophecy. And he knew over two thousand years ago when Christ said “IT IS FINISHED!” that his days were numbered. Yes, at the cross was the end of it all for Satan. Yes, at that point, Satan knew without a doubt, that all the prophesies, all the laws, all the prophets before Christ, terminated on the cross when Christ repeated, just three words. And everything from that point is than consummated, because this is where God concludes, to everyone who believes, “IT IS FINISH!”.

Three simple words became Satan’s demise. “IT IS FINISHED!”. I don’t believe that ever in history of our world, anywhere, at any time, by anybody, where three words, were more pertinent with there meaning, than these three words given by one man our Savior on Calvary. “IT IS FINISHED!” In John 19:30 it says “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar He said, ‘IT IS FINISHED!’ and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.”

And I  believe, Satan and all the forces of evil were totally shocked, and amazed! You see, this is the platform into which Jesus is moving. You can say the life of Jesus was a three act drama. The first 30 years of His life, act 1, is in preparation for the last three which is act 2, and the final act, act three, which will take place when He leaves the heavenly courts, to come and get his faithful children. The first chapter has been written, The second chapter came to a climax on the cross, when he said “IT IS FINISHED”

The third chapter began at His resurrection, and will end very soon. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 says “for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape”. The terror Satan must have felt when Christ said “IT IS FINISHED”! I can only imagine demons asking Satan what’s happening as they see Jesus dying on the cross.

I can see angels looking over the parapets of heaven, I can see the Jews the Romans and the Greeks all there together on Calvary wondering what is this all about. But it was not until the death of Christ, that Satan’s character clearly was revealed. Satan had so hidden himself with duplicity, and deceit that even the holy Angels had not understood the course he took or why. The plan of redemption was completed at Calvary the character of God was revealed to all mankind, and God’s love and honor is now established.

The destruction of sin and Satan was forever made certain to all, at the cross, and the redemption and salvation of man was guaranteed. And the universe was forever protected from the penalty of sin, if and only if, we are willing to give it all to Master. At the cross, Christ and His Father fully comprehended what His sacrifice on Calvary meant to each of us who believed, as He looked forward to our Salvation. And what those three words would mean to the faithful, when He cried out, “IT IS FINISHED.”

Each Old Testament prophet before Christ was like an artist that came along and put their own unique style on the canvas of this story. One by one, they came, each putting their distinct, color and touch on the canvas. Then as Christ is Crucified, we have the final stroke which finishes the picture, and meaning of God’s sacrifice, for us, and his angels who up to this point still did not fully understand. And now the revelation to mankind IS FINISHED! And Satan’s fate is sealed.

But we as Christians have A responsibility, because it is only an individual who has walked with God who recognizes the importance of Paul”s statement in Romans 5:7-9 when he says “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”

John says it best in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” So our mandate Comes directly from our savior who did it all for us. And that is to tell the world “IT IS FINISHED!”. And through Christ, we whose heart is fixed to serve God will always find the opportunity to be a witness for Him, because the more we can focus on the character and love of Christ the more we come to realize that we must follow Him all the way to Calvary by being A humble servant to others as we carry out Christ mission to go into all the world and tell everyone of His love, grace, and mercy.

Remember success as a Christian for Christ is not Him asking us to devote ourselves to His cause: but for us to yield ourselves to His will. Every excuse in word and action, with every element of fear and faithlessness to continue witnessing for Him was challenged and answered on the cross. Like Christ who forever stayed focused on His goal, which was the cross, and our salvation, places each individual who has decided to endure till the end, in various situations, and circumstances, in order to instill upon Them, duties that will be peculiar to the times in which they live, and the various conditions under which we as Christians are placed in order to tell everyone about the good news.

And yes the good news to everyone who believes is “IT IS FINISHED!”. Especially as we enter into the final days of this life’s history, we must constantly study the word of God and seek His Spirit, as we sustain a heartfelt prayer life, “while putting on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes”, as you begin to finish this race, while allowing the light of Gods Spirit to also be open before those we witness to. But remember truth is no more desired by the majority today than it was when Christ was on this earth. So we must not get discourage as we use Christ as our example forever enduring to the end.

So my friends, please, never give up, continue the fight to spread the word of God, in this sinful and immoral world we live in, and endure, and never give up until the race is over, and you have reach the finish line. Oh the gratitude of souls that will meet us in the heavenly courts, to thank us for our efforts in presenting the gospel of Christ to them, and letting them know Satan was defeated, and there salvation assured at the cross when Christ said “IT IS FINISHED!”.

And at that time they will finally come to understand the sympathetic, and loving interest which was taken by our Savior, and the faithful workers of Christ, so that they may have salvation. And then, together on one accord, in adoration, throughout the heavenly courts, we will all give God the praise, glory and honor, for we will forever recognize, without Satan telling us otherwise, the Love grace and mercy employed in the salvation of mankind on this earth that were ready to parish, until God sent His only Begotten Son, to die on a cruel cross and, so that we may all be saved from the penalty of sin. And now my friends that is how the story ends.

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

July 16, 2013

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE LIKE CHRIST

It is impossible for man to understand by using his limited intellect the things or mind of God. Man cannot imitate Christ by some scientific method, as if it was as simple as putting a man on the moon, or inventing a microchip the size of a pins head that holds billions and billions of scientific data. So what is the key to Christ likeness or having His Character. Acts 4:13 says “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.?”

So does that mean to be like Christ you must be with Christ. and to be with Christ what does that mean. He no longer walks among us. So does man really have the intellect to explain God So we can get some feel of who God is in order to be like Him. One scientists who wrote “The God Theory” Bernard Haisch ” Says he believes in a metaphysical deity who can only experience material reality through living beings. He believes that the purposeful ideas of God somehow manifested into the laws of nature underlying the universe.

He sees a God who initiated the Big Bang 14 billion years ago, and whose ideas support the astrophysical inflation theory of multiverses. He combines science and religion into a rational kind of uplifting spirituality that is geared at providing a more tolerant and enriching metaphysical path.” I can say without a doubt I just wrote something that I cannot tell you for the life of me what i just wrote, I only wrote that to show you the possibility of an intelligent mind and a foolish mind being the same person, each joining forces to make one foolish statement. But moving on to something that makes sense.

John says in 1 John 2:5 “But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.” This is how we know we are in him: The Apostle Paul writes, in Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” John 1:1 says In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Also in John 1:14 it says “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.

Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” So can I know God by just knowing The scriptures. Something doesn’t seem right with that picture either. Well I can tell you my friends today and I can only tell you because of my faith and what that means to me and hope your faith tells you the same. and that is their is only one way to really know God first we must ask God’s Spirit to give us understanding of the Word of God as we study diligently each day.

And that is the beginning of a firm foundation in knowing Christ, one that will be laid deep into your heart. Luke says in Luke 6:47-49 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.

Paul says In 1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. In 2 Timothy 2:19 it also says “But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone… ” So those text tell me, if you Build a good, solid and secure foundation deep in your heart, based on God’s truth in His word and at the same time completely surrender your will to the master, while allowing your character to totally be consumed and transformed by the character of God his Spirit and His word.

Luke 6:40 says it best “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher”. Also in 2 Corinthians 3:18 it states “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” It is then and only then that we as Christians become like Jesus. It is then the work of God’s Spirit to transform our Mind and Body, and not by the rationalizing and foolishness of some scientific intellect who tries to prove otherwise.

Understanding and knowing God and His word is the process by which God’s character is cultivated in us. But it must be a daily process, and in so doing, we become aware of our own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings, through Christ, and as a result, each day we begin to walk into Gods divine wisdom, A wisdom that allows us to focus and walk along the same path that Christ did when He was own this earth. A path of a humble and loving servant to all. Someone once approached Blaise Pascal, the famous French philosopher and said,

“If I had your brains, I would be a better person.” Pascal replied, “Be a better person and you will have my brains.” Paul says In Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Paul also says, as He talks about Imitating Christ’s Humility in Philippians 2:1-2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

Of all the wonderful attributes of our Lord, as I try and understand Him and the things He wants us to know about Him. The most outstanding was his humbleness. Paul states in Philippians 2:5-8 “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.”

Isaiah says also in Isaiah 66:2 “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” We should strive daily to be like Jesus in all we do or say even when no one else sees us, but God. Even after preaching all day to the masses, Jesus would leave to pray. His life was sustained by His time with His Father.

So should ours be the same, as we walk daily in the path and righteousness of our Lord and Savior. God chose us to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn with many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29) says it best “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Oh what a honor, so to show my thanks and love to God for all He has done for me I will serve Him till the day He comes to take me away to live in His pure and holy kingdom. And each day until then. May each individual we come in contact with, recognize us as someone who have been with Jesus.

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

July 14, 2013

Traveling the Narrow Way Through Faith

My friends let’s take a trip with Ms. white today. “We start off with being in the company of a large body of people, preparing to take a journey, with heavily loaded wagons. As we journey, the road seems to ascend. On one side of this road is a deep vertical cliff; on the other is a high, smooth, white wall. As we journey on, this road grows narrower and steeper. It eventually became so narrow that we could no longer travel with the loaded wagons. We then loosed them from the horses, took a portion of the luggage from the wagons and placed it upon the horses, and journeyed on horseback. The path continued to grow narrow.

We were then obliged to press close to the wall, to save ourselves from falling off the narrow road down the cliff. We then decided to remove the luggage from the horses, over the cliff it went. We continued, greatly fearing, as we came to the narrower places in the road, that we would fall over the cliff also. But, a hand always seemed to take the bridle, and guide us over the perilous way. As the path grew more narrow, even horseback was no longer safe, we soon left the horses and went on foot, in single file, one following in the footsteps of another.

At this point small cords were let down from the top of the pure white wall; these we eagerly grasped, as they aided us in keeping our balance along the path, which finally became so narrow that we concluded that we could travel more safely without shoes or socks; so we slipped them from our feet, and continued the journey. We then thought of those who started this journey with us, who were not accustomed to privations and hardships who allowed the afair’s of this world to consume them instead of the Word of God and His Spirit.

Where were they now? For they were no longer in our company. For at every stop, some were left behind, only those remained who had accustomed themselves through the years, to endure trials and hardships. The privations of the way only made those who were left on this journey more eager to press on to the end. The danger of falling from the pathway increased, as we pressed closer to the wall. We then suspended nearly our whole weight upon the cords, exclaiming: “We have hold from above!” The same words were uttered by all who were left.

We then shuddered as we heard the sounds, of mirth and revelry that seemed to come from the abyss below. For we all understood that Babylon the great was fallen, “and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”And it all seemed to come from the abyss below.

We were then more anxious than ever to keep upon the narrow, difficult pathway. Much of the time we were compelled to suspend our whole weight upon the cords, which increased in size as we progressed. I noticed that the beautiful white wall was stained with blood, but I realized it was all as it should be. For thoes who will come behind us, will know that others have passed the narrow, difficult way before them, and will conclude that if others were able to pursue this onward course, then they can do the same. And as the blood shall be pressed from their aching feet, they will not faint with discouragement; but, seeing the blood upon the wall, they will know that others have endured the same pain.

Our path soon ended. There was nothing now to guide our feet, our whole reliance must be upon the cords, which had increased in size, until they were as large as our bodies. Here we were for a time thrown into perplexity and distress. We inquired in fearful whispers, “To what is the cord attached?” A fearful struggle was before us. Should we fail here, all the difficulties of our journey that we had experienced would be for naught. But Before us, on the other side of the chasm, was a beautiful field of green grass, with soft beams of light, resembling fine gold and silver. Nothing I had seen upon earth could compare in beauty and glory with this field then I remembered

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “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.” But could we succeed in reaching it, was our anxious inquiry. For we knew should the cord break, we would perish. Again, in whispered anguish, the words were breathed, “What holds the cord?” Then we exclaimed: “Our only hope is to trust wholly to the cord. It has been our dependence all the difficult way. The words were then spoken:

“God holds the cord. We need not fear.” These words were repeated by those behind us, accompanied with: He didn’t say that your way would be easy trials, but they do come about only to make us strong, So that we will endure till the end of our journey, because our example comes from the one who paved the way for us all, on Calvary “He will not fail us now. He has brought us thus far by faith.” we then swung over the fearful abyss into the beautiful field beyond. Oh what a sense of relief and gratitude to God. We than heard voices that no man can number raised in triumphant.

Praise to God! Praise to God!, “and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” My friends this was only a dream that Ms.White had in the eighteen hundreds, but my question to you today is, will you be among the redeemed that will stay focused and endure, through it all. And will you give it all up for the Master in order to live throughout eternity with Him. Nothing on this earth is worth losing out on what God Has in store for those who will finish this race through faith, and endure till the end.

In Phil. 3:7,8, Paul said: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” and Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark.10:29,30). Friends!! YOUR CHOICE YOUR DECISION!!

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

July 13, 2013

ARE WE ENTITLED TO MORE TIME AND MORE GRACE

In a speech made in 1863, Abraham Lincoln said, “We have been the receipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prospertiy; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.

Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.” Now Lets move the clock forward 150 years later to July 13, 2013 and ask yourself HAS ANYTHING CHANGED? Not at all Peter says in 2 Peter 3:4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

But lets move on to our subject today which is about Gods grace in Romans 5:20 Paul says Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, he also states in Romans 5:17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Florida mass Choir sings a song name more time more grace the words go something like this.

Grace more time and more grace even more to run this race I sit and come short of your glory is true but all the pardon I need I found it in you Lord I’ve made up my mind to ask for more grace and a little more time. often heard it said time belongs to no one clock can’t turn back all the wrong we’ve done but Lord I’m calling out your name as best I can and i’m asking for the blessings that comes from your name.

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia grace is defined as a theological term present in many religions. It has been defined as the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin. I love the part that says to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation.

Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Simply put, GRACE can be defined as unearned favor, A free gift and can never be earned no matter how many sick individuals we visit, or how much tithe we give or food we give to the homeless. No amount of work will ever earn Gods favor, It is God’s gift, A gift of salvation, granted to sinners for their salvation.

Common Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited mercy or favor that God gave to humanity by sending his son to die on a cruel cross, thus delivering eternal salvation God’s JUSTICE, MERCY and GRACE can be compared to the pardon that a governor of a state can give to a guilty prisoner who because of his crimes against humanity was sentence to death without a reasonable doubt by A jury of his peers, on all counts. JUSTICE will now be served and death is assured unless the Governor has MERCY and pardons or FORGIVES the prisoner.

But because the Governor is the final Judge. He, and only He, gives the prisoner not only a pardon, but also total freedom, and on top of that, a huge mansion to live in, and unlimited resources of things he could have never imagined he would ever have or be entitled to. Now you can say the Governor has given the guilty prisoner both MERCY & GRACE. If he had received the JUSTICE that he deserved than JUSTICE would have meant, the sentence be carried out and he dies for his crime.

The same with God’s grace, JUSTICE for our sins means death because that is what we deserve because we are guilty of our sins. Paul says in Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So that means once again we all should die but Paul also says in Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. So now that tells me we have been given a stay of execution. And Right now God offers us a pardon (MERCY).

He also wants to forgive us and set us free from the results of sin. And He has the right to do this because He is our creator. And our creator, Jesus Christ, came from His beautiful home in heaven to this wicked universe and died on a cruel cross so that we would not have to die. But His death can only be our salvation if we accept it. The choice is up to us. The prisoner above could also have decided not to take the offer the judge gave him, and die. To us that would seem like a stupid decision for him to make, especially since the Governor is willing to give him not only his life but treasures beyond anything he has ever imagined.

Paul states in 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “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. Isaiah also says in the old Testament in Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.

But my friends think about all the time, and grace, God has given you to get it right, and then think about all the time you spend in front of the TV or gossiping on the phone, or at the dinner table after church, I heard something funny the other day someone told me, I don’t gossip I just need to here everything so i will know just what to pray for, if that was really the case. But If Christ is truly going to be our example.

Peter says it best in 1 Peter 2:21-25 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

john also says in 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. My friends time and grace is running out this race will be over soon and God will say it is finished in Revelation 21:6-7 john says And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

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