The Rapture

As media covers the "wonderful" news that the rapture did not take place yesterday, the world continues to mock such a sacred event. As we know, no man knows the day or the hour when the Lord returns, but what we do know is that HE IS COMING. It is sad to see how people threw parties and gloated as May 21st 2011 passed by. It is funny to them, but the fact is when Jesus comes as a thief in the night laughter will be the last thing on people's minds, that is, those who were left behind. Many false prophets will arise and shall deceive many, but the truth remains intact in the Word of God, that in a moment and a twinkling of an eye with the trump of God and the voice of the archangel, the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together in the sky. Let the world mock on, but let those who earnestly await the Lord's return be ready. Maranatha...

Unlimited Capacity

When the Spirit of God makes His residence within you, you have been endowed with power from on high. With this power there is access to supernatural capabilities and capacity of which the average, unregenerate person cannot achieve. Miracles, signs and wonders can become the norm and supernatural wisdom can be upon an individual as it was upon Daniel, Hanniah, Mishael and Azariah. God gave them wisdom. For me, learning is one of my most favorite tasks and with the help of Jesus Christ retention and increased learning capabilities are a reality. Even the average person can access parts of the mind and brain that unlock abilities that are already within the person. Through the Spirit of Truth, that is to say the Holy Ghost, a true and great understanding of these things can be determined. God has infinite wisdom and when He is your guide you have all revelation and wisdom within you if you listen to the voice of the Ancient of Days. 1 John 2:27 lets us know that the anointing of the Spirit of God teaches us all things. Through praying mysteries in the Spirit, the capacity to interpret the frequency of the Spirit, i.e. the same "channel" if you will, one can become saturated in knowledge, wisdom and understanding by spending time in the Spirit. Through the study of savants, one sees unusual and almost miraculous capabilities that only few are gifted with. But the person that is filled with the Holy Ghost can enter into the same playing field and go even deeper through the revelation of God. Submit to the flow and current of the Spirit and let Him take you over. From the words of the Apostle Paul, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5)."  

Keep Pressing!

Just a quick thought today...Keep pressing on! Now is not the time to give up what you believe, what you have lived for, what you were changed by. Jesus is still in control and no matter how many turn their backs on Him, there are still many that have never bowed their knee to the god of this world. Attending a secular college, I see lots of challenges coming at any religious person. People try to discredit God and say all manner of fallacious statements at religion and more than that, God. For too long the true holiness Christian has kept their mouth shut and absconded in the face of adversity, but it is time to stand with boldness and represent Who you represent! Proverbs 28:1 lets us know that the righteous are bold as a lion. Oftentimes, those that bark the loudest are the most afraid, likewise, those in this world that seem to be bold in their professions against God are the ones most fearful. After all, "the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God...(Psalm 14:1)." Keep pressing and you will eventually see your prayers answered and you faith arise. Keep pressing and let the world and the devil know that you're not backing down and you'll not take the back burner. It's time to press on, press in and press forth. Keep pressing saints of God, your miracle is on its way!

A Living Sacrifice

When studying the Old Testament, one finds that it is about sacrifice from the beginning. Sacrifice after sacrifice is made, none of which completely remove sin, but rather push it forward. Finally, Jesus came on the scene and became that sacrifice for us all. Thanks be to Jesus! But now the tables turn. Romans 12:1 says that now we must present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God. This type of sacrifice is not for the atonement of sin, but for our "reasonable service" to God. I had an elder once tell me that every sacrifice hurts, in other words, when you sacrifice yourself pain is inevitable. This is not necessarily physical pain, but rather it hurts your flesh to give up. As we become holy and acceptable to God, there are things we have to give up that may "hurt." As we get closer to Jesus there is always something else to give up for Him. And every bit of it is worth it. A lot of people want to be easy on their flesh and let it feast on every lust that it has, but a true living sacrifice is without blemish and is holy. God may ask you to travel to South America and give your whole life to see the salvation of an indigenous people that have no "American" concept of life. Maybe he'll ask you to spend several days in fasting each week to be better prepared for His purpose for your life. And He might even ask you to give up your favorite thing that He might use you more. The question is this, will you be willing to be a living sacrifice when He come knocking on your door? 

Preparing for the Golden Scepter

Before Esther found favor in the eyes of King Ahasuerus there was a process that was crucial to go through. Today we find many Christians that have had a genuine experience with God, but have come to a place of stagnation. To remain neutral in God is to be backslidden. As we search the scriptures we find that the most effective characters were those that continually pressed into God and continually desired more of Him, who were not afraid to "come boldly unto the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)." Esther is a perfect example of how a believer should approach God. Before she was ever chosen to be queen, there was a major process that had to take place. All of the women that were candidates had to go through a process of purification that consisted of six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet odors and other substances (Esther 2:12). What is interesting about myrrh is that one way it was used in the ancient world was to clean wounds. As we come to God, we all have wounds from our past. We have hurts and trials that we have been through, and in the process before being favored we must be cleansed with the myrrh as God cleanses our wounds. The next thing in preparation for selection by the king was "sweet odors." In Revelation 5:8 the scripture says in heaven there are "golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints." Here we find that before being selected by God we must come to Him in prayer. It is essential to have a prayer life to remain clean and are prepared for the call of "the King." After Esther was selected and became queen, a day comes when trials come her way. A decree is made to have the Jews, her people, slaughtered. At crucial times in life we must find favor in the eyes of the King and have the golden scepter stretched out to us. Once again, Esther had to go back to preparation, this time it was fasting. In Esther 4:16 she tells Mordecai to fast along with the other Jews as well, then she says that she and her maidens will also fast. For three days and nights they fast without food or water. After this preparation, Esther approaches the king without being bid and she finds favor with the king as he holds out his golden scepter to her. To make a long story short, the Jews are not destroyed, but one person who had prepared themselves received favor with the king. As believers in the Living God, we must emulate this story by preparing ourselves with prayer and fasting, and after a season the King will hold out his golden scepter and our desires will become reality!

Thoughts from a holiness preacher

Being the first blog that I write, I figure that I should properly introduce myself by sharing some thoughts which will let the reader get a glimpse of my mind. Today the word holiness has been misconstrued by religious groups, the media and academia. Holiness is not a legalistic approach to life, nor is it a lifestyle of bondage. Having a set-apart way of life is liberty at its finest because it reveals the Jesus-controlled life, and he that the Son has set free is free indeed. Unfortunately, there are many religious organizations that no longer esteem the full expanse of holiness as necessary. As a young man, prior to my salvation experience, I had little understanding of the "Way of holiness (Isaiah 35:8)." Following my conversion, I began to understand this "Way" as I drew near to God and He drew near to me. In this day, it is imperative to fully grasp the concept of holiness in order to come where God is. In Exodus, we find Moses approaching a burning bush which is not consumed by the fire. Being intrigued by such a site, Moses ventures off of the path and examines the bush. Next, God speaks from the midst of the bush and before revealing to Moses his calling and purpose, Moses had to first put off his sandals for he was on "holy ground." Before Moses could approach any further, he had to put off the dusty sandals from his feet. Why? God created man's flesh from the "dust" of the Earth and therefore the dust or "flesh" that Moses had built up on his sandals had to be forsaken before he could get any closer to God. Between Moses and God were the "grounds of holiness." When churches and groups reject the message of inner and yes, outer holiness, then they will not be able to hear the "full counsel of God." So, to make a long story short, as a preacher of holiness I believe that in every aspect a believer in Jesus Christ should exemplify separation and distinction and put off the lusts of our flesh and hear what God is saying. Looking different, talking different, and ultimately living different is not an old-fashioned gospel, but it is the ever-present Word of God. For without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb.12:14). Oh! I want to see Him!