June 27, 2014

MY FRIENDS CAN WE JUST GO BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGIN?

The complication of being a Christian and trying to get it right is overwhelming at times. So today let’s focus on the idea of GOING BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGIN, when Christ first placed us on our JOURNEY.

But to go back we are essentially saying; there has been no gain or accomplishments in our spiritual growth and if there has been no gain then our FOCUS has not been on serving our Creator but on serving the god of this world and if that is the case then we must reevaluate what faith means to us and the high price of salvation and is it worth what we must go through to achieve it.

As God’s Chosen we must never forget that “Our life is to be bound up with the life of Christ [as we allow self to die daily through God’s Spirit]; we are [also] to draw constantly from Him, partaking of Him, the living Bread that came down from heaven, drawing from a fountain ever fresh, ever giving forth its abundant treasures.

If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise to Him, we shall have A CONTINUAL FRESHNESS IN OUR RELIGIOUS LIFE. Our prayers will take the form of a conversation with God as we would talk with a friend. He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Often there will come to us a sweet joyful sense of the presence of Jesus.” (E. G. White Christ Object Lesson)

My friends everyday must be a new experience and a new hope with greater grace and more knowledge of what God expects from us. Looking at the story of Jacob and his 20 year JOURNEY God placed him on when he left home. Gen. 28:15(NASB) tells us,

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” My friends this is the same promise God gives to all of his children as He places us on our JOURNEY but we must decide if we want to move forward through our faith and endurance as we allow God to lead.

Jacob states in Gen 28:20-21 (NASB) “If God will be with me and will keep me on this JOURNEY that I take,….then the Lord will be my God.” My friends what is your decision, are you seeking His presence, because His hands are outstretched as He waits? Jacob goes back home but now Satan has him thinking all is lost because of that one mistake He made 20 years earlier.

Gen. 32:24-25(NASB) tells us “Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me……And he blessed him there.”

My friends sometimes when our life moves in a direction that seems contrary to the JOURNEY God has placed us on because of decisions we have made in our lives, it is at that point the god of this world has us believing our life has become stagnant and void of any meaning so we become vulnerably and lose hope with no since of direction from our spiritual compass and where it is leading.

Like Jacob we must wrestle with God spiritually on our knees as we re-center our focus and the direction on this JOURNEY God places before us for there is “No temptation [that] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind….. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Cor. 10:13 (NIV)

So stay FOCUSED, DON”T LOOK BACK For in Christ you will “have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33-34 (AMP)

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

June 26, 2014

“GOD’S SOLID FOUNDATION STANDS FIRM, SEALED WITH THIS INSCRIPTION: THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS”

My friends let’s talk to God today and make it personal because this is your season, your journey, a path that is unique to the character God has given each of us, but what’s hilarious is when we look back at the times we thought we could make it on my own intellect but failed miserable and then we have the arrogant disregard for where God is trying to take us, so we tell ourselves, well maybe if I just change directions, it’s got to work.

Our God is so patience His hand remains extended as He waits and because of His grace, love and mercy He will not remove His barrier of protection for he knows His children for “GOD’S SOLID FOUNDATION STANDS FIRM, SEALED WITH THIS INSCRIPTION: “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS….,”2 Tim. 2:19 (NIV)

My friends our hope and faith rest on that promise and to hear those words should give each of us the strength to endure through the final days of this life’s history. Christ second coming want be long so “Be strong and courageous, [we can] not be afraid or tremble [at the god of this world], for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deu. 31:6 (NASV)

In addition, “the LORD is [our] rock and [our] fortress and [our] deliverer, [our] God, [our] rock, in whom [each of us should] take refuge; [for our God is our] shield and the horn of [our] salvation, [and our] stronghold.” Ps. 18:2 (NASV) But my friends there is a PART ll too Paul’s message in 2 Tim 2:19 (NIV) which states “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

Yes, there are conditions for a Child of God to be considered “Safe to Save” in God’s pure and holy kingdom. for “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (KJV) also Paul tells us “the wages of sin is death; but [ if we believe] the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (KJV)

The Trinity has done their part and they continue to do whatever it takes to save us for “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 (NLT) Remember the “LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS” because we are His. Children.

“Burghardt DuBois, the great black educator, sociologist, and historian, upon completion of studies at Fisk, Harvard and the University of Berlin, was convinced that change in the condition of the American black could be effected by careful scientific investigations into the truth about the black in America. So he proceeded.

His research was flawless and his graphs and charts impeccable. After waiting several years and hearing not the slightest stir of reform, Dr. DuBois had to accept the truth about Truth: Its being available does not mean it will be appropriated.” (Fred B. Craddock, Overhearing the Gospel)

My friends God’s Word is flawless and His plan for our Salvation is flawless, but if we do not allow self to die daily while allowing our character to be shaped into Christ image by God’s Spirit, even though the “LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS” and is doing everything for our Salvation, it simple is not appropriated by some.

For Christ tell us Himself in Matt 7:13:14 (NASV) “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Once again MY FRIENDS “When you reach that FINAL SUNSET and you look into HIS EYES, will the tears you shed be tears of joy or would they be your last goodbye.” It will be a tragedy to get to that day that you waited for all your life, and realize that all you had accumulated and accomplished on this earth “COULD NOT COMPARE TO ETERNAL LIFE” THAT YOU HAVE NOW LOST.

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

MY FRIENDS WHAT IS THE COST OF DIVINE GRACE?

Wikipedia defines Divine grace 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…”

Today let’s focus on the words to INSPIRE VIRTUOUS IMPULSES, AND TO IMPART STRENGTH TO ENDURE TRIAL AND RESIST TEMPTATION. Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10. (KJV) “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…..”

The question we must now ask ourselves, if grace is a gift why would we need something to INSPIRE VIRTUOUS IMPULSES, AND TO IMPART STRENGTH TO ENDURE TRIAL AND RESIST TEMPTATION remember it is an unearned favor from God meaning we don’t have to work for it 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 free gift, granted to sinners for our salvation. The story is told of a husband that was very demanding, so much so that he prepared a list of rules and regulations for his wife to follow with such details as what time she had to get up in the morning, when his breakfast should be served, and how the housework should be done.

Years later the husband died, time passed and she fell in love and married another man, who dearly loved her. This husband did everything to make his wife happy, continually showering her with tokens of his appreciation and love. One day she found tucked away in a drawer the list of commands her first husband had drawn up.

As she looked it over, it dawned on her that even though her present husband hadn’t given her any kind of list, she was doing everything her first husband’s list required anyway and it was then she realized she was so devoted to her new husband that her deepest desire was to please him out of love, not obligation.

My friends Satan has devised a list of demands which is the burden of sin and the effects of what it does on the human race but “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ASV)

Consistent with this, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” Romans 5:8-9 (NASV) and because of the

love of a Father and Son and what they did and continue to do for our Salvation that is why we should LIVE VIRTUOUS LIVES AS WE GAIN STRENGTH FROM GOD’S SPIRIT WHILE RESISTING THE DEVIL AND THROUGH OUR FAITH ENDURE  and this we do out of love not obligation.

But as we move closer to Christ second coming sin abounds on a scale like the world has never seen before and the love of many [continues to]grow cold. Abraham Lincoln’s words explains it best, who stated in a speech over 150 years ago “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 [our] 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.” And too arrogant to care.

My friends think about all the time, and grace, God has given us to get it right, and then think about all the time we spend in front of our TV’s, or just pleasing self instead of serving the God who gave it all for our Salvation. Peter states 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………” So today my Friends ask yourself WHAT IS THE COST OF DIVINE GRACE? and how do we show or love for what has been given free to us.

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

June 23, 2014

MY FRIENDS, GOD’S TOUGH LOVE EXPERIENCE, HOW FRIGHTENING!!!

My friends each of our decisions weather good or bad will eventually determine our ETERNAL DESTINY and it is when we get to our CROSS that Christ has ask us to bear, that God may decide it is time for my child to EXPERIENCE TOUGH LOVE.

God’s Word tells us “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34 (KJV) surely we will feel His presence and hear His voice through what we are about to experience. So we close our eyes and seek GOD’S PRESENCE, it’s frightening to us but God waits in silence.

My friends what we will never understand until our journey takes us into the Promise land is the hurt that our God must feel when He must remain silent, but that silence is a never ending chapter of the love our God has for us and it is called TOUGH LOVE which would be defined as a God who has done it all for our Salvation even to the point of given His only begotten Son to die on Calvary for our salvation but because He loves us so much He must “enforce certain constraints on His Children, by requiring us to take responsibility for our own actions.”

So now we must continue and like Elijah God does [tells us to], “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. ”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, came [GOD’S TOUGH LOVE and then] a GENTLE WHISPER [well done my Child.] 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)

No greater love, then our God who is “All knowing” “all powerful and “always present” and still loves us enough to express JUSTIFICATION by our faith through a TOUGH LOVE EXPERIENCE so remember “God is too wise to be mistaken , or too good to be unkind So when we don’t understand and when we don’t see his plan when we can’t trace his hand or Feel His presence or hear His voice please TRUST HIS HEART, BECAUSE HE SEES THE MASTER PLAN because He holds our future in his hand, (Babbie Nason)

“So don’t live as those who have no hope.” For God is our Hope even in the silence. The difficult part of GOD’S TOUGH LOVE is Satan, who  also makes his presentation “All this I will give you,’ …’if you will bow down and worship me.” But our response must be as our Saviors when Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Matthew 4:8-10 (KJV)

So today as you stand at your CROSS and you don’t feel God’s presence or hear His voice, remember God is on top of that mountain that seems so hard to get to the top of and He is in the valley, He is in the dry and barren places and He is in the rain and fire, so Endure.

Choosing our cross without feeling God’s presence or hearing his voice is difficult at times as we cry out as Christ cried to His Father “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matt. 27:46 (NKJV)

But remember as we seek the presence of God in His word it becomes a mirror to our lives and as we get to our CROSS and recognize the TOUGH LOVE of God in the deadening silence as we seek His presence. We must then realize as we look at that mirror, how far short we have fallen from the glory and purity of God and of the high standard set for us by Christ, so we must now “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,” before we can carry our cross and though the silence is frightening remember He who began a good work in [His Children] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:6 (NIV)

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

GOODBYE TO ANOTHER DEAR FRIEND, “HOW LONG LORD”?

Getting old takes life to a whole new level and it has nothing to do with grey hair, or an enlarged waist line, or the aches and pains we feel each day we awake that we didn’t have the day before, or the everyday search for keys, glasses and that cell phone we can’t seem to leave the house without. but it goes far beyond that to a level that as humans our limited minds will never be able to comprehend.

Sin My friends, those three letters even had to be “a new element, strange, mysterious, and unaccountable” to a  God who is OMNISCIENT, OMNIPOTENT, and OMNIPRESENT. So if Heaven was caught off guard of its existence and its source how could we possible understand it.

But what a child of God does understand or feel, are the results of sin and death from a being that was not satisfied with the love and harmony of what existed in God’s holy kingdom but had a desire to “ascend above the tops of the clouds; [with the hope of making himself] like the Most High.” Is. 14:14 (NIV) but don’t misunderstand me I do realize Death affects us at all ages, but the older you get the more it becomes a part of something which you never get use too, or want too get used to.

Yesterday I saw a friend taken away to be prepared for burial and right now I’m just tired with a feeling of helplessness but I am also not ignorant, [My friends] concerning them which are asleep, [and my faith will not allow me to sorrow], as others which have no hope.” 1 Thess 4:13 (KJV)

Consistent with this, the love and grace of God saw beyond death and that is the part of this story that brings us all back to reality because beyond the deep sadness and helplessness we feel when we realize a love one will no longer be a part of our life, a plan was devised for our Salvation.

Let me explain it in its simplest form, starting with God given His only begotten son to die for the sins of mankind if we believe that is possible, also our belief tells us we can lay all of our sins at the cross of Jesus and because of the grace, love and mercy of God they will remain there if we will continue to have Faith in the death and resurrection of God’s Son and endure until Christ personally tells us “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt. 25:21 (KJV)

I know I will see my friend again because the God I serve  is patience enough to wait on us to find Him and He did find Christ before He closed His eyes. That is why He puts us on separate journeys because even though we were all created in God’s own image Paul tells us we all have “gifts that differ according to the grace given to us….” Romans 12:6 (ESV)

God Loves us so much and paid such a high price so that we my receive eternal life and that explains why He is“….longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) so He waits.

My friends God’s promises in His Word are all that we have to go on. That is why if you seek Gods kingdom our faith must go beyond where it is at this point and this can only happen if we will not allow the god of this world to “conform [us] to this world, but [we must allow the transformation and]the renewal of [our mind,] that by testing [we] may discern what is the will of God, [and]what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Friends IT WANT BE LONG, God is finishing His work quickly here on earth, many are being put to sleep and thank God for those who have fallen asleep in His name, but God must continue to be a compass for His chosen who demonstrates their love and desire to be saved as we take up our cross and point others to Calvary where they may also lay their sins and burdens at the feet of Jesus.

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

June 22, 2014

GOD I NEED MY SEASON TO GO BEYOND MY UNDERSTANDING TODAY!!

For everything there is a SEASON, and a time for every matter under heaven: Ecc. 3:1 (ESV) My friends WHAT ABOUT THE SEASON IN YOUR LIFE TODAY? for Seasons change from the hottest to the coldest time of the year but it is all regulated by God and His control of the elements that He brings about in our lives but mankind adapts one way or another as conditions and the forecast change. But my friends today, I need you to focus on the words GOD I NEED MY SEASON TO GO BEYOND MY UNDERSTANDING.

Consistent with this ”The tapestry of my life that has every situation and circumstances woven in and out of it, tells me “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward [us], [allowing our season to extend]  not wishing that any [of His Children] should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3”9 (ESV)

In addition, that text tells each of us that God’s grace and mercies extends our season when hope begins to fade because God wants us to “rejoice in our sufferings,[throughout our season because He knows] that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” as [He continues his work throughout our season] until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Acts 1:6-7 tells us the disciples Had come together and inquired of Christ about His kingdom and at “what time would He restore it” and “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority”

Ms. White tells us “To understand when the kingdom of God should be restored, was not the thing of most importance for them to know [or for His disciples today]. THEY WERE [AND HIS CHOSEN GENERATION TODAY ARE] TO BE FOUND [CARRYING OUT THE MASTERS MANDATE] PRAYING, WAITING, WATCHING, AND WORKING. They were to be representatives to the world of the character of Christ.” (Sermon at lansing, Mich., Sept. 5, 1891)

My friends to many of us our season may never change, that mountain that at times which seems insurmountable may only get steeper, but Paul tells us to be “stedfast [and] unmoveable [in our season], always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that [our] labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)

For “There is a reason for each of our seasons and sometimes at night we may “cry more then we pray” but our God is still in control so thank God for where we are on this Journey He has placed us on and the direction He is leading for it will only last until the appearing of our savior in the clouds above and we hear “WELL DONE, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful [throughout your season, so now], I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt 25:21 (KJV)

My friends WELL DONE are the only words that matters on this journey to the promise land and Christ approval of the way we have conducted our lives on this short probationary period He has given His Chosen while on this earth. Our daily prayer should be Lord thank you for my Season because it continues to lift in the depths our my despair because your promises tell me to be strong and courageous [in my season and to] not fear or be in dread of [anything, for it is the Lord my God who goes with me every step of the way because I know with full assurance that] He will [never] leave [me] or forsake [me].” Due 31:6 (ESV)

Lord you have always been my courage to restore life’s troubled in my season,  as these worries and heartaches continue to mount every day, But Lord, I don’t know how you do it. Can’t explain the where why or how I manage to get through it all but what I do know is the season that I am in today is only to prepare me and make my faith stronger so that I may endure what lies ahead on this Journey to the promise land so thank you Lord FOR THIS SEASON I AM IN TODAY JUNE 22, 2014 AMAN.

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

June 21, 2014

MY FRIENDS, IF I COULD HAVE JUST DONE IT THIS WAY!!

My friends sometimes we get so overwhelmed as we trace our steps back to when life was so simple, starting with life as a child, Christmas mornings, the sight of a county fair for the first time, the companionship of friends, schoolmates, graduation, the beauty of your bride or groom as you tell yourself this is the answer to my soul’s desire and then a new life begins to unfold a child is born and life takes on a whole new meaning.

The Journey God places His Children on has many turns because as stubborn Children at times we fill we can move away from Gods guidance, that is when life becomes a maze as we begin to experience the mountains and valleys of life with no idea of which direction makes sense. But through it all as His chosen God still has his guiding hand on us.

Oh the love of God as He gives His children just a glimpse of  why the cross was necessary for our Salvation as we begin to lone for a better place a home free of  the baggage that comes along with sin and the god of this world. In addition God has made his purpose clear there is work to be done before the bridegroom comes and takes His children home.

Yes I know we all lone for a better place as we awake to a world each day where Satan seems to have full control but we don’t have time  to think about regrets or what life SHOULD HAVE BEEN, OR COULD HAVE BEEN, IF WE JUST HAD DONE IT THIS WAY.

My friends God’s Mandate must be carried out now, the good news of the gospel must “be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matt 24:14 (NKJV)

Since no one has seen the elements above open and the Son of man appear through the clouds of heaven, that tells us the end has not yet come and God still has work to be done. My friends we must finish the course that Christ has set before us. But it must be all about God and his will as we die daily.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV) tells us “I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me.” So once we die in Christ we then begin to “lay aside every weight, and the sin [and things of this world] which doth so easily beset us.”

In addition, nothing in the past or present should we seek except life eternal and not just for ourselves but friends, family, love one’s neighbors co-workers, and a world that has lost hope that at this point is traveling on that wide road to perdition.

The spreading of the good news of Christ return must become a PASSION with the words forever on our lips, He didn’t come today, but it will be tomorrow, and as we wait, and work for Christ daily the “Lord, will be a shield around each of us the Lord will sustains us.”Until the day of His appearing”

So today we must fill an anticipation for Christ return more than ever before and tomorrow I will say the same thing because I can say with full assurance that as a child of God we all can begin to “count the weeks as days.”

Friends we are at the threshold but we must keep fighting and praying, as we continue to build our faith and endurance for the victory is ours. Satan is on the ropes, and He’s about to fall never to be a factor again as we make our plans to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity with or Savior.

So yes my friends We COULD HAVE DONE IT ANOTHER WAY but be “certain that God, who began the good work within you, [in spite of  the seasons of life and Satan changing our directions at times God] will continue his work [within us] until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Phil 1:6 (NLT)

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

June 20, 2014

MY FRIENDS CAN YOU SAY “LORD, LORD,” AND CARRY YOUR CROSS AT THE SAME TIME?

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Matthew 7:21-23 (NASV)

“The tendency of the popular religious teaching of the day is to make the Christian’s pathway as easy and attractive as possible. There is a great deal said concerning faith, but the necessity of performing the sacred obligations set forth in the word of God, the necessity of living consistent, godly lives, of being workers together with God, of denying self, of coming out from the world and separating from its fashions and follies” (E. G. White Signs of the times March 30, 1888) is just not essential to being a Christian in the 21^st century high tech society we live in today. We tell ourselves I’m a good person, I go to church every week, I’m on the Deacon or deaconess board I even pay a 20 % tithe, I visit the sick and feed the homeless what more does God want.

My friends it is so easy to look at what James tells us in James 1:26 (ASV) and say to ourselves I am a “doer of the word, and not [just a] hearer.” “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matt 7:14 (NIV)  The part of God’s word that gets blurred in our translation is the very foundation that our salvation is based upon which is centered on Calvary and the events that leads to Christ death on the Cross and His resurrection.

Christ tells us in Matt. 10:38 (ASV) “And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.” My friends it is very easy to stay in a comfort zone and pay a double tithe and visit the sick because that was the simple part of Christ ministry but oh the faith, endurance and love it will take to make it personal with Christ our example who laid the path and now “sits at the right hand of God” Advocating for each of us who have the faith to follow him to Calvary as we carry our own cross.

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man someone would even dare to die. But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8 (ASV) Now friends ask yourself, what part of that cross have I carried up to this point of my life, maybe the part of being spit upon or slapped or beat unmercifully and then scourge and this all happens before the weight of the cross you bear to Golgotha where our Savior died a cruel death for our sins.

Where I need you to focus today is the preparation of what lies ahead for God’s chosen and the extinct Satan will go through to make a child of God recant on our commitment to Christ to serve Him and do His will. In addition, it all comes down to allowing Christ to stretch our faith a little more each day while allowing self to die as we gain the power and strength needed to endure the journey ahead as we take up our cross and follow Christ as we focus on His Word while allowing the Spirit to transform.

“When the emperor Valens threatened Eusebuis with confiscation of all his goods, torture, banishment, or even death, the courageous Christian replied, “He needs not fear confiscation, who has nothing to lose; nor banishment, to whom heaven is his country; nor torments, when his body can be destroyed at one blow; nor death, which is the only way to set him at liberty from sin and sorrow.” My friends we all must make a conscientious decision to tell God today, You have placed me on this Journey and I am committed to say LORD, LORD  AND TO CARRY MY CROSS AT THE SAME TIME.

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

July 19, 2014

OUT ON THE BATTLEFIELD, WILL YOU BE AN ARMY OF ONE FOR GOD?

Today let’s go to 1 Samuel 17 where you have two opposing armies on the battle field one representing the god of this world and the other representing Jehovah the creator of the universe. “The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

……“I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, THEY WERE DISMAYED AND GREATLY AFRAID [my friends ask yourself how does a child of God become afraid of outside forces when He has God on His side]…

……Then David [a bystander] spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” My friends where I need you to focus today is how far does a individual or a whole army have to move away from a relationship with God before they fail to recognize the presence of God.

Consistent with this, It took a “ruddy boy with bright eyes” to bring them back to reality and allow them the opportunity to understand the consequences of an uncircumcised Philistine or the god of this world who defies  the armies of the living God because “For forty days the host of Israel had trembled before the haughty challenge of the Philistine giant.

Their hearts failed within them as they looked upon [the] massive form” of Goliath. But my friends continue to ask yourself why no one out of this vast army besides David a “ruddy kid” who was only a bystander did not defend the living God who they were suppose to be representing and then look at yourself  and ask, do I defend God each day, in my home , on my job, in my neighborhood and in a world that has lost their “spiritual compass.”

As David faces Goliath He Speaks for His God and not for Himself. David did not fear this Giant who represented everything that He had been taught was an abomination to God. Representing God he faces Goliath with only God at his side, as he speaks to the uncircumcised Philistine: “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”

God made sure David’s speech to Goliath reverberated among the thousands of warriors on both sides. To the Philistines God needed them to recognize that Israel’s army were not “SERVANTS OF SAUL” but they represented the God of the universe, Jehovah.

In addition, the Israeli army along with God’s Chosen army for today’s battle field needed to know if we would only lift up [our] eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh [our] help. [Never forgetting that our] help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will [never] suffer [our] foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel [and todays chosen army] shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is [each of our] keepers: the Lord is [the] shade upon [our] right hand. The sun shall not smite [none of His chosen] by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve [His Children] from all evil: he shall preserve [our] soul. The Lord shall preserve [our going out and [our] coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” [Even throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity if we believe]” Ps. 121:1-8 (KJV)

God’s Word then tell us David “ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.” Because He rememberd as each of us should if we are “strong and courageous [for God] [and not afraid or terrified to face the enemy]… [the] LORD [our] God[will go before us]; he will never leave [His Children nor forsake [us.]” Deu. 31:6 (NIV) even if we are only AN ARMY OF ONE.

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

June 18, 2014

FRIENDS “WOULD YOU, COULD YOU, DIE FOR THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL?”

EXTREMIST SECTARIAN, THE FLAVOR OF THE DAY AND THE POLITICAL REALITY OF PROPHECY; Nairobi, Kenya – “Dozens of extremists attacked a Kenyan coastal town for hours, killing those who weren’t Muslim and those who didn’t know the Somali language, officials and witnesses said Monday.

At least 48 people were killed and two hotels were set on fire. A wife gives her account of the horrifying events of the day “They came to our house at around 8 p.m. and asked us in Swahili whether we were Muslims. My husband told them we were Christians and they shot him in the head and chest,” said Anne Gathigi. (NBC News report)

This catastrophe happen four days ago June 2014, not 64 AD when the Emperor Nero set Rome on fire and accused the Christians which started the beginning of persecution and the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of Christians who gave their lives for the Master.

Focus my friends, Christian are being killed daily in the 21^st century simply because they are Christian and it happens while you are asleep, or on your way to work, or eating your meal, or relaxing in front of the TV, or just maybe you were studying the Word of God building up your faith and endurance to take up the cross of Christ.

Now place yourself in front of that same EXTREMIST SECTARIAN as they ask you point blank are you a Christian, think hard friends, now ask yourself what level is my faith today. Peter tells us in 1Peter 4:12-16 (NKJV) Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

BUT REJOICE TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU PARTAKE OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you…. yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”

BUT REJOICE is the key, rejoice in your suffering for Christ “The Greek term for church is ekklesia. Borrowed from the secular world, it refers to “THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED OUT.” IN every generation God has called out HIS CHOSEN to reflect His will through their faith, endurance, trust, love, humility and obedience as they give it all to the Master.

Christ tells us Himself “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:10 (KJV) But to believe God’s promises in that text we have to have a relationship with our God that places us in His presence as we allow self to die which brings our faith and endurance to a level which PERSEVERES under any situation or circumstances.

“In ancient Rome, crowds by the tens of thousands would gather in the Coliseum to watch as Christians were torn apart by wild animals. Paul Rader, commenting on his visit to this famous landmark, said, “I stood uncovered to the heavens above, where He sits for whom they gladly died, and asked myself, ‘Would I, could I, die for Him tonight to get this gospel to the ends of the earth?”

Rader continued, “I prayed most fervently in that Roman arena for the spirit of a martyr, and for the working of the Holy Spirit in my heart, as He worked in Paul’s heart when He brought him on his handcuffed way to Rome.” Those early Christians “lived on the threshold of heaven, within a heartbeat of home [and life eternal, with] no possessions to hold them back.” (Our Daily Bread)

My friends now ask yourself what possessions that the god of this world has placed before you holds you back and “WOULD YOU, COULD YOU, DIE FOR YOUR SAVIOR TODAY TO GET HIS GOSPEL TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH?” and if not then tell yourself  BECAUSE OF MY UNWILLINGNESS TO DIE FOR CHRIST, I HAVE NO DESIRE OR PASSION WHAT SO EVER FOR LIFE ETERNAL AND GOD’S PURE AND HOLY KINGDOM.

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