Matt. 17:4, “Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for  Elias.”  This is a powerful statement.  One can read Mathew 17:1-9 to get the context and the content of the story.  I would like to share three promises (simple truths) and what we learn will help us to enjoy and walk with God well.

1. God is good.  In truth “it is good to be here.” We may not be able to see or feel the good.  Yet, “… we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

2. We do not need to always understand or know the whys to live well. Peter did not understand as he said, “If thou wilt, let us make three tabernacles.”  He was confused and spoke in error.  “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Pr. 3:5-6).”

3. God gives us the understanding and sight as we need it.  Peter never met Moses and Elisa, yet he knew them. As Peter sought to live for Christ God gave him the insight needed. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”(Mt. 7:7). God will provide all we need to know, when we need to know it, as we seek and live for Him.

How do we truly enjoy these promises in 2017?  First, we must trust and receive Christ the Lord and Savior.  Second, we simply walk with Him and wait upon Him.   Wow! It truly is good to be here, even though I do not know all the what’s and why’s, but I do know walking with Christ and waiting upon Him is the answer to any question that I will have.  How are you getting your questions answered in 2017?

Heb 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”  This is a well know verse, which finds itself into many sermons and all kinds of announcements. Oftentimes people get tired of hearing they need to be in Church and Sunday School (Bible studies). Most people wrongly believe the pastor is simply trying to boost the attendance. This is a false belief.  Let’s take a look at the two main truths and reasons behind being called to worship regularly in church. The first reason is the pastor (shepherd) deeply cares for your soul. Yes, the godly shepherd will at times be up all night in prayer for your soul, and you will never know it. Heb. 10:23, explains what the pastor is praying for the soul. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)”.  People must attend church worship in order to be fed and encouraged, thereby, they do not waver (slide away) from God’s promises (greatness intended for them). One may well argue that they have grown and can fed themselves with the Word of God.  This brings us to the second reason one should not be skipping church meetings.  This second reason is given twice.   The first time it is given to us in the verse right before Heb 10:25. This verse reads, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” This second truth is also stated in the last part of Heb. 10:25, “…but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” In other words those who can feed themselves well, need to be in church meetings to help those who cannot feed themselves, and those who cannot feed themselves need to be in church meetings to get fed.  Of course, let us not kid ourselves, for there are times we all need help and encouragement, thereby, assembling with other believers allows one to truly give and truly receive the strength needed, even as the days get more difficult (which they will). On the other hand, the part time attendees neither really give to others the full strength they needed, nor receive the encouragement which they need.  One cannot rightfully blame the church for not meeting their needs, as God has fully place the responsibility in each person’s hands.  The truth of success and failure is truly on self, no others. Hope to see you regularly in church gatherings, so we can encourage one another and grow successful together.

Gal. 6:9,  “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” I would like to share with you five truths of “sowing and reaping” that cannot be changed.  No one or anything will ever change these truths. 1. Every moment of every day you sow something.  It is impossible not to sow something. There is no such thing a rest from sowing.  2. Your sowing always multiplies.  It always grows, increases, and spreads far more than we realize.  3. Reaping what you sow affects you, your loved ones, and all those you come across. 4. How it comes back to you, your loved ones, and others depends upon the type and the quality of seed being sowed. 5. You cannot always see what you are sowing, but you can know the sowing is of good quality seed. Therefore, prepare, plan, and proceed to know and walk with Christ according the Holy Scriptures.  “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  Have a blessed New Year!

New Years 2017: – Mt 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Asking for God’s Wisdom to…
a. know what is right and best to ask!
b. know direction on how and what to seek!
c. know where and when to knock!

Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26,   3:5, 12, 21 “…that (who) overcometh….”  Each of the seven churches are strongly exhorted to be overcoming. The Greek word for “Overcometh” means “to conquer” and “victory.” I is commonly used in “winning, prevailing in military battles, athletic contests, and political and social causes.” Do you realize the seven churches did not take Christ’s warnings, and today they are all gone? Not one church survived. I have no doubt there were individuals who overcame, but they as a church did not overcome.  America is not a church, yet American believers in Christ need to realize this nation has come to a crossroad, a fork with two paths. We (the 83% of the American population who claims Christianity) must rise up and choose which fork to take. Too many (nearly 40%) whine, complain, and do nothing, because they don’t like either path.  Just as the seven churches could not change history up to the point of the time Jesus Christ gave them their last warning, neither can America change the road leading up to her crisis crossing. We must rise up and recognize the forks are clearly distinct and marked out.  One leads to Globalism, adversity with no opportunity, death of liberty, and death of lives, while the other fork leads to Nationalism, adversity with opportunities, and life with liberties.  Do not kid yourself, one fork seeks to destroy anything of morals and Christianity, while the other fork provides the opportunity to prevent the snuffing out of America’s light.  “Choose you this day whom ye will serve…” (Joshua 24:15), humble yourself before Christ, listen, learn, and live His Word. Rise up take your God given responsibility including your exercising of governmental control as “We the people…” by exercising your voice and your vote for individuals and the party that give life.  Even if no one else will humble themselves in Christ and arise up to be the overcomer, you do it.  Again I say, rise up in the power and authority given in Christ and be “… the conquerors though him (Jesus) that loved us”(Rom. 8:37).  You in power of Christ can make America great again. Stand up and do it!

Mat. 25:24-29,  “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:  25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:  27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”  Three thoughts: First note, God will hold you personally accountable for every area(aspect) of living life.  Don’t kid yourself. Mercy may be received now, but when the final judgment comes, there will be no mercy.  Second thought:  One of the many responsibilities Christians have who live in American is  “We the people…” are the government, and we must exercise our responsibility by voting. Not voting or throwing away your vote (on individual whom you know cannot win) will not be rewarded, for it is the exact same thing as burying your responsibility (talent). Last thought: America is dying, babies are murdered, liberties are being eroded, lawlessness (which is not pretty) is coming, all because 50,000,000 to 80,000,000 people each election year are not voting (burying their votes) rather tha praying, turning to God, and then voting. At least vote for the national party platform which has many biblical principles laid out in it, for it would at least bring some usury from the talent. Voting responsibility is only one example and only one area of many in which we each will be held accountable.  Research the truth, pray, and go vote responsibly.

1Co 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”  We live in the information age. We have access to more information, yet we find little wisdom. We have a world of knowledge but no common sense. Today we are living the negative effects of little wisdom and no common sense.  The reason is clear. People are listening to the wrong voices and looking in all the wrong places, “for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.”  The word “preaching” means to proclaim loudly, yet this not the normal Greek word which is translated “preaching.” The word “Preaching” here is the Greek word “logos” which literally means “the Word.”  The word is Christ, for “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1) ” And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us …”(John 1:14). “Preaching (the word) of the cross” is the proclaiming of Jesus Christ, thereby, we may hear of Jesus Christ and live in wisdom. But of course hearing God’s message of Jesus is foolishness to the world, which is why many go to motivational speeches, information seminars, amusing stories, and entertaining churches while avoiding the ordained called men who preach God’s Word, and not opinion. Are you sick and tired of information without “wisdom” and “power”? Do you want real, transformational change? Turn to Christ or Psalm 107:27, Isaiah 29:14, and 33:18 will be all yours in this life with much worse to come.

Mt 6:23 “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Why do people try to accomplish God’s work using darkness? Darkness cannot drive out darkness! Only light can drive out darkness. Simply put, methods are as important as the desired result. Hence the statement “the ends do not justify the means.” One cannot use the methods of this world to remove the darkness of this world to bring rest and peace. The world’s hate will not and cannot bring forth peace, neither will worldly love bring peace. The world’s thinking and the world’s way will only spread more chaos and unrest. Only the method of Christ given in Scripture can bring forth light and remove the darkness (John 8:12, 12:46). After all Christ Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8:12) and Christ Jesus is “the truth, the way and the life” (John 14:7). All those who receive and follow Christ will not live in darkness, but will shine forth and even remove darkness.

Day – 16
THE TRUTH OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND FOREFATHERS
John Witherspoon who signed both the declaration of Independence and the constitution wrote the following concerning His beliefs:

[C]hrist Jesus – the promise of old made unto the fathers, the hope of Israel [Acts 28:20], the light of the world [John 8:12], and the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth [Romans 10:4] – is the only Savior of sinners, in opposition to all false religions and every uninstituted rite; as He Himself says (John 14:6): “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” – The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, p. 255, Sermon 15, “The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ,” January 2, 1758.

[N]o man, whatever be his character or whatever be his hope, shall enter into rest unless he be reconciled to God though Jesus Christ. – The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, p. 245, Sermon 15, “The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ,” January 2, 1758.

[T]here is no salvation in any other than in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. – The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, p. 248, Sermon 15, “The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ,” January 2, 1758.

I shall now conclude my discourse by preaching this Savior to all who hear me, and entreating you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ; for “there is no salvation in any other” [Acts 4:12]. – The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, p. 276, Sermon 15, “The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ’ January 2, 1758.

It is very evident that both the prophets in the Old Testament and the apostles in the New are at great pains to give us a view of the glory and dignity of the person of Christ. With what magnificent titles is He adorned! What glorious attributes are ascribed to him!… All these conspire to teach us that He is truly and properly God – God over all, blessed forever!140
[I]f you are not rec¬onciled to God through Jesus Christ – if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness – you must forever perish. – The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, p. 278, Sermon 15, “The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ,” January 2, 1758. (Return)

Don’t attempt to lie and claim America was not built on principles of the Bible, God’s Holy Word. The Constitution was truly structured by Christian principles.

FYI – Who is John Witherspoon?
John Knox Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 – November 15, 1794) was a Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and aFounding Father of the United States.[1] Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish Common Sense Realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey (1768–94; now Princeton University), became an influential figure in the development of the United States’ national character. Politically active, Witherspoon was a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress and a signatory to the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration.[2] Later, he signed the Articles of Confederation and supported ratification of the Constitution. In 1789 he was Convening Moderator of the First General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. – From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Day – 15)
THE TRUTH OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND FOREFATHERS

Samuel Adams a signer of the declaration of Independence Quotes: