May 24, 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 22, 2014

FROM THE PRODIGAL TO THE MASTERS TABLE!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 21, 2014

“O LORD PREPARE ME TO BE A LIVING SANCTUARY”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Consistent with this those we witness to who accepts Christ as their risen Savior also becomes a Sanctuary for our Savior to abide as the cycle continues to take place from vessel to vessel as candidates continue the process that we started in anticipation of  “a place Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor 2:9 (NKJV)

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

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

May 20, 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In addition, always reminding the rest of the field, that once we cross that finish line no matter what place you come in at, if you have faith, and believe, and stay focused, and study the course which is the word of God, we all will receive the same, that ultimate prize, which is eternal life. For we must never forget Phil. 3:14 (KJV) “Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus WHO MADE SURE THE BATTLE WAS OVER AND SALVATION IS OURS.

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

May 19, 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SANCTIFICATION; FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR VICTORY!!!

“YOUR WORD IS A LAMP FOR MY FEET, A LIGHT ON MY PATH.” “I will not forget your love for me AND YET MY HEART FOREVER IS WANDERING so Jesus please be my guide hold me to Your side” And never let me go UNTIL VICTORY IS MINE.

My friends seven words is where I need you to focus on today AND YET, MY HEART FOREVER IS WANDERING such simple words with such a powerful message because like Paul “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15 (NIV) that is why Sanctification becomes a DAILY FIGHT FOR VICTORY that starts from within and it than becomes personal because it is all about your Salvation and the CONFRONTATION with Satan in a Christians life that we go through daily to be like Jesus because the most righteous of us is “like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Is. 64:12 (NIV)

In addition, as we focus on the pureness of our Savior we realize the FIGHT in the transformation of our life and character into the image of God starts when we are first introduced to Christ and it will continue until Christ says “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!” Matt. 25:23 (NIV)

Friends each day we grow in grace and if our growth becomes stagnant we become a “spiritual paralytics” fully inactive spiritually 2 peter 3:18 (NIV) tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….”! Romans 12:2 (NKJV)also tells us “not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

With that text in mind Sanctification than becomes a total makeover in all areas of our life from health, work, school, entertainment, even the friends we associate with, your journey becomes completely turned over to the spirit of God and with you as the main attraction your life becomes the fight of the century. Example; another great fight October 30 1974, Foreman vs Ali.

Foreman spent most of his energy throughout the fight throwing punches and with Ali’s training and skill it became difficult for Foreman to hit Ali at all. So by the eighth round Foreman’s punching and defense became ineffective as the strain of throwing so many wild shots took its toll. The fight showed that Ali was capable of taking a punch and highlighted his tactical genius, as Foreman struck Ali with hundreds of thunderous blows, to no effect.

No one, least of all Foreman ever anticipated that Ali would demonstrate so passionately his burning belief in his own ability to meet and master any other man on any terms while never giving up until he could claim victory. That must be our attitude as we make sanctification a daily fight as we focus on our example Jesus Christ who Six thousands years ago when Satan thought he had stripped Christ of all rights to call this world His domain.

Saying in his heart ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High. (Isa. 14:13,14) But Satan never realized what lengths Christ would go through to demonstrate so passionately his burning belief in his own ability and love for us, He had a plan for man’s salvation, and the VICTORY WOULD BE WON AT THE CROSS. And no matter how many thunderous blows Satan would throw, they would be of no effect.

This same POWER. FAITH and ENDURANCE is ours if we demonstrate so passionately our burning belief in our own ability to meet and master Satan on any terms for through Christ “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. AS WE CLAIM VICTORY!!!

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

May 17, 2014

MY FRIENDS IS GRACE BASED ON OUR TIME, OR GOD’S?

Time belongs only to God. Man’s interpretation of time moves in one direction and it is set. “The days of our years are only threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Ps. 90:10 (KJV) “you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4;14 (NIV)

But to God “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” Ps. 90:4 (NIV) But what I need you to focus on today my friends is each of our allotted time, or the divine influence which operates in a Child of God to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation.

I can say with full assurance as I see prophecy being fulfilled, we meaning a Child of God is just about at the end of God’s free gift and soon He will say to each of us “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still:……and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev 22:11-12 (KJV)

As I look at where we are as a society our unearned favor the unmerited mercy and favor that God gave to humanity by sending his son to die on a cruel cross, for our eternal Salvation has just about run it’s course. Now look back over your life and think about every situation and circumstances that has occurred where God has not been a part of those choices you made and the many years our Savior has given you to get it right as you lived a life centered around you and not God.

That was grace 1 Peter 2:21-25 (NKJV) says 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,……..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 our God is kind, loving, and merciful and in spite of us, His Grace continues, He will never abandon His Children, that is not an option, so grace abounds as He pleads with us to seek his presence and focus on Calvary ”In a speech made in 1863, Abraham Lincoln said, “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; 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 my friends Lets make that speech a personal appeal from a Parent or “Our Father which art in Heaven” as He talks to His children, but are we listening do we understand what is being said or do we tell ourselves “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:4 (KJV) So I have time but my friends once again if angels could pull back the curtain and we could witness how close we are to Christ soon coming our knees would forever be bent in heartfelt prayer as we call out, “LORD LORD NOT MY WILL BUT THOU WILL BE DONE”

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