” The 144,000 “

May 28, 2011

Recently many in the world braced for a startling “end of the world” as we know it on May 21, 2011.  The false prophet Harold Camping AGAIN was wrong in predicting the end of the world or in  his words the ” rapture” of 200,000,000. Yet far from being the end of the world, instead  it would be a monumental day in my Christian walk. I would be  “stunned” by the end of that day. The Lord told me something beyond doubt that would shock me, but it WAS CLEAR and has greatly affected me. I must share this in a spirit of hope but also stern warnings.

I must tell you upfront,   due to the most important nature of this message it will be the longest I have ever posted .

Last week I posted on another site, how apostle John,  and how God had trusted him to write His last book to humanity(Revelation). It would be the “deep” things of God, which God knew John understood and was worthy to write. Of those deep things, possible the most mysterious and baffling is the subject of the 144,000 sealed “servants”. I was not unlike the many who were stumped as to the direct meaning of this. So I have prayed for a while “Lord, is that a literal number or a symbolic one, please guide me as to the correct understanding of this?”  I didn’t forget to remind Him I wanted the truth on this matter, for it was growing more  and more of a concern. Let me tell you why it concerned me.

The Lord works things out in His perfect way.When I was a
baby SDA member, I remember being asked by “oldtimers” of the church to go to lunch at the local restaurant. Thinking nothing of it, I said sure. Later as my walk developed I learned it was a “bad” thing to do on the Sabbath- buy and sell (Nehemiah 10:31). So then I scratched my head and wondered  — how is it that these people who have been Seventh Day Adventist for so long think nothing of breaking God’s CLEAR instruction on keeping His Holy Day–HOLY?”   That bothered me. His word was ignored for their “customs”.

Then later as I began to become familiar with the church and the people,  I discovered many would not keep their word with me. We would talk and agree to do something and I would notice nothing would come about what we discussed. As if we never discussed it! I didn’t feel right about reminding them so I just blew it off. It was the motivation for my post “Just how important is our word?”  listed under “keeping our word” on www.oursword.blogspot.com in Feb. of this year. This also greatly bothered me.

Believe me I am far from being perfect, but I do believe in the basic good principles of keeping my word and GOD’S WORD. These two CANNOT be compromised! As I let go of my Idols (things I put before the Lord) I can see sin clearer and clearer and my walk grows.  I have hid in my heart the following words of God  (Isaiah 59:2-3) “But your sins have seperated you from your God , so that He will not hear you. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity, your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered unrighteousness.” God CANNOT listen if we insist on doing unrighteousness.

Then the MOST disturbing thing happened about a month ago. One of our local churches , the Desert Hot Springs Seventh Day Adventist church, I learned owned a large property next door to the church. As I happened to be driving by it, it occured to me to stop by one of the businesses that was in the large property the church owned. It was a chiropractor office. I got their number from the sign and I called and asked ” Are you guys opened on Saturday?”   They said  “Yes we are”. I said thanks and hung up. I was in mild shock and many thoughts ran through my mind.

As I was driving down the road after I heard that I couldn’t contain myself and wept. I felt so sad and devestated for our Lord. Here was His “professed” people telling people to keep His holy Laws and His Sabbath yet profaning His Holy day right in front of His face!!  The words of His Commandment “within your gates” are dead words to that churches leaders.

The Lord was watching all this. What I would do?, how I would respond to these abominations? HE REMEMBERED MY EARNEST PRAYER! The 144,000. He would not let me down and would answer this BEYOND DOUBT.

I did not know this scripture ( Ezekiel 9:4) “…set a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof “. But I soon was to know in a big way.On the eve of May 21, I prayed again to know the truth of the 144,000. Because I had been thinking that just maybe this was the actual saved “servants” number somehow(within the SDA in these last days),  due to all the unrighteousness I was witnessing in our SDA churches. The next morning (Sabbath) I got two signs CONFIRMING it was a real literal number. But the clincher was a sermon the Lord guided me to hear. It was SO CLEAR I must tell you IT IS A MUST TO HEAR!  If you never listen to anything else I say PLEASE listen to this. Your salvation may very well depend on what is discussed in it because it applies to today’s truth for those professing the Lord.

If anyone who is of the SDA faith say’s that the sealing of Ezekiel and Revelation are not one and the same sealing, then they do not   believe Ellen White’s words were inspired of God, plain and simple. That means ALL her words cannot be relied upon. We cannot pick and choose.

The sermon is called “The 144,000, who are they?” you can order this free CD, and some other end time CD’s from this site http://www.11th-hourministries.org/audio/cd_request.html or if you prefer, you can listen now online to it here http://shepherds-rod-speaks.org/2010/11/the-144000-who-are-they/ 

The speaker , brother Glenroy Matthews ,  ties in beautifully Ezekiel, Revelation and Ellen White’s writings (I believe she was indeed a Prophetess).I found NO ERROR in this sermon (believe me I even triple checked it’s references). It reveals truths that  many in their wildest dreams aren’t  aware of. The truth I have learned is that Ellen White said that the Revelation sealing and Ezekiel 9:4 sealing are ONE AND THE SAME!

But our Lord had been watching me observe so much sin and error of the people around me that He knew I was ready for these truths. I now am called by God to share it without compromise. I feel a sense of power yet BIG responsiblity because THERE IS HOPE but also a most serious warning I must give.

The next night I got a dream (further confirmation). In it I am helping someone find a key to a locked room, someone gives me a large book, it has alot of numbers and many pages. I quickly scan down to the middle of page and find the right number which helps find the key. The people are amazed and so am I.  The Lord was telling me I have a new “key of truth”. a very hard to find important truth that I must use to help people open their hearts and mind to the truth.

Now, I would like to reveal more of what I have been shown. Basically God has two people in the world right now . The “gamers” and the “non-gamers”, meaning that the gamers are those professing and trying to follow His word(varying degrees of success). The non-gamers are out of the stadium, not even “trying” to keep His word, they don’t care and are sold out to the lusts of this world.

Of all the gamers, He is watching closely the ones who have “the truth” in the form of His Laws. This defintely would be the Seventh Day Adventists. They know above all other denominations the “truth” as said in scripture. BUT  because of this truth known  by these people there is a big responsiblity and accountabilty to the Lord. Once we know about the Sabbath and His Commandments, we must keep it holy and WALK IN THEM.

And here is the most important part of this whole message   WE  MUST  HATE  SIN!  Let me repeat that   WE  MUST  HATE  SIN!  For God knows we truly love Him if we hate sin, because when we do, we are professing we LOVE RIGHTEOUSNESS. Ellen White nails it when she wrote “The Lord abhors indifference and disloyalty in a time of crisis”. She also said (desribing the end times) of God’s people “They will feel most strongly the wrongs done by God’s professing people”.

The STARTLING truth I have been told is that you must “sigh and cry” for sins you see and hear. Admonishment MUST come from you if you are made aware of sin. For by doing so you are no longer connected to it and can “save” yourself from that sin.

I certainly was hurt by the what is done by that church and made attempts to contact the general conference and let them know. The man in charge,  I was told was a Ernest Furness ( Ministerial Director) I spoke to him over two weeks ago and he said he would check into it–nothing back from him yet. for some reason I don’t think I will hear ANYTHING back!  My point is I will not sit idley by and play the fiddle while Rome burns.

So we must not go through the motions in these last days, for the Lord spoke the truth when He said (Matt 7:14) ” ..Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and ‘few’ (the translation here in greek is puny, which means very tiny)  will find it.”

The 144,000 sealed servants of God will come from the Commandment keeping people and will then go out and save people (Called the Great Multitude in Revelation)  from the “babylon”(False teaching Churches)  to bring in the total saved before the Sunday law takes effect (mark of the beast).So God’s church will be “purified” and a “clean vessel” to go out and do His final work.

Please be zealous my friends, like my friends at www.keepnotsilent.com they are out in the field watching and protecting God’s word and Laws. We will make it, be assured,  IF we love Him with all our heart and walk in His Laws and hate sin. We call it out and let Him know we can be counted on to try to go out and keep the wayward from dying. This is TRUE LOVE, to warn a wayward soul!   Amen.   Ps. the sermon will tell you much more truth about the 144,000.     in Christ,  your servant Rob

Posted in Salvation, Who are the 144K? | 10 Comments »

The promises of the Sabbath

May 14, 2011

When God set a weekly day aside for us He made a most joyful day, a truly spiritually uplifting day! For Isaiah was truly spirit filled when he said ( Isaiah 58:13) ” If you keep your foot from doing your own pleasure ON MY HOLY DAY, and call it a delight and honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways , or speaking your own words, THEN you will delight yourself in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride among the high places of the earth…”   In this scripture we find a summary of  what the Sabbath has to offer. If we heed this word of God, HE WILL FULFILL HIS PROMISE.

You’ll notice in the above word, we are told to basically “keep it holy” . That means to look at our day with our Lord as SPECIAL. We should start it with a long shower, for cleanliness is godliness. Then we should dress respectful EVEN IF WE ARE ALONE. All these things we are doing to show God we HONOR Him on His day, a day HE HAS BLESSED.

Once we look  to honor HIM, He then pours out His BLESSINGS on us. In (Ezekiel 20:20) we are given A GREAT PROMISE! How many would like to KNOW, I mean REALLY KNOW  that the Lord is really your God, that you know Him and  feel Him and walk with Him? Well just look at this promise ” KEEP my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a SIGN between us. THEN (here’s your promise) YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD”   Wow, the ultimate promise– we get to KNOW HIM!!

Many through-out history have neglected this simple and plain instruction of God –  Do  NOT  do  your  own  pleasure  or ways  on MY DAY.  They “mix” this day with worship and their own ways–talking about their personal business, world’s problems, going shopping, to a restaurant, etc.  Are there  not SIX DAYS in the week to do this??

Look at how serious our Lord watches His people observe His Sabbaths.(Numbers 15:32-36)  A man was simply going outside of camp to collect sticks on the Sabbath. The Lord instructed the people that he must die. He was to be an example of  not doing our own ways or pleasures and to keep HIS DAY holy. We do well to remember this drastic example for it shows how serious our Lord watches our obedience. Many don’t understand that we profane the Lord when we trample His HOLY Laws.

That brings me to today. Look around and observe the absolute TRAMPLING of His holy day today by so called “Christians”. Is it not because the “pastors” and “priests” are teaching the people to go ahead and disregard HIS DAY? Again God’s word describes this terrible thing (Ezekiel 22:36) ” Her priests do violence to My Law and profane my Holy things. They do not distinguish between the Holy and the common. They teach that there is no difference between the clean and unclean and they shut their eyes to MY SABBATHS, so that I am profaned among them”.

So His blessings are not received by the people, they walk in darkness, never knowing the bliss and holiness they can feel and experience by OBEYING HIS WORD. Infact we are told that God works on us every Sabbath, making us holier and cleaning us up.He PROMISES to sanctify us. (Exodus 31:13)”… My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you through out your generations, that YOU MAY KNOW that I am the Lord WHO SANCTIFIES YOU”.

If you are not keeping the Sabbath Holy I plead with you to do it. Please don’t go through the motions, do it RIGHT! I was a typical ” in the dark” person who thought the ‘Sabbath” was an old Jewish tradition, something us Christians don’t need  UNTIL I TRIED IT!Then as I learned more and more (how to keep it holy) My joy became greater, my appreciation and closeness to Him became greater!   There is nothing like blindly trusting and following God’s word, EVEN IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND IT. You will completely,  if you believe and follow His word,  amen.

Posted in Sabbath | 7 Comments »

Hal Holbrook’s “The Seventh Day”

April 30, 2011

In these last days God’s truth is being revealed in an amazing way. Many websites and even U-Tube offer occasional nuggets of brilliant truth. I have see one such awesome piece of work, surely  divinely directed by God, called “The Seventh Day” narrated by Mr. Hal Holbrook( on this site- www.sabbathtruth.com)

 the highly acclaimed actor. It is compiled by legions of religious scholars around the world. Very factual with only documented “true” pieces of evidence used.

What  I found fascinating (and learned) was the degree in which Satan has lead his evil workers to destroy NOT Sunday keepers but SABBATH KEEPERS through the church history.  When I often heard about the reformation, I would automatically think  Christians were persecuted with no particular prejudices and such. How wrong I was! The obeying and keeping of the Sabbath is what enraged Satan! The film will PROVE that to you beyond doubt.

There is SO MUCH to  be learned, such as the story of St.Patrick. Many think he was a “Roman Catholic”. He was not. He was a “Celtic Christian” who kept the Sabbath. Infact his Sabbath keeping became legendary. Many think he was divinely visited by an angel during Sabbaths (in human form). And look what the devil has done. He has turned this true saint of God into a “party saint”!

Then there is the truth revealed about Martin Luther. How many of you know that Luther was AGIANST Sabbath keepers? Although he rightly gets alot of credit for expanding the reformation, he was in grave error with some of his teachings. He often argued with his contemporary Andreas Carlstadt. Carlstadt was steadfast in keeping the Sabbath along with his reformation teachings. Has  HIS name became well known in history? No. Infact evidence shows Luther ended one of his letters with the following  ”  this letter may protect his friend against the Sabbatarians, and that he may preserve his Christian faith in purity”. (Source- J.N. Andrews-see below).

So there really was TWO reformations  that happened. One was led by Luther and gang. Teaching to “break away” from the mother church, hence protest which became the name “Protestant”. They taught that the Roman Catholic system of worship was not by the Bible EXCEPT that it’s day of worship “Sunday” was(??) Carlstadt and many others   taught that the mother church was in error in many respects INCLUDING eliminating the Sabbath  for Sunday as  God’s day of worship.

How many are aware that the original “Baptist’s” were Sabbath keepers? Today the Baptist church has largely  “forgotten” the one Commandment our Lord said to remember!

Perhaps the highlight of the film comes in part 4. It sure did make me well up, I’ll tell  you. In the late 1400’s the Russian reformation was gaining ground, lead by a few courageous leaders, one of whom was Ivan Kuritzyn. The reformation was largely lead by Sabotniks (Sabbath Keepers), They wanted to return the people to God’s Holy Day. It didn’t take long before the devil and his workers gathered up their forces (through Roman Catholic leaders in Russia). Trials began because of the supposed “heresy”. Then in the early 1500’s Ivan and some of the reformers were ordered burned at the stake.

History will repeat itself in this regard, the Sunday keeping “Christians” will persecute the Sabbath keeping Christians, who keep the Commandments of God.

The film shows the stately Ivan being walked to his cage, his hands tied. He is about to give the “greatest love” one can give according to our Lord (John 15:13) “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. Ivan was ready to lay down his life for his friend, our Lord Jesus Christ. As Ivan is put into the cage he says ” I pray that I can die a noble death today”  ” I will die today because I have observed the seventh day of the week as the holy Sabbath day of God”. Then as they start to light the straw around his cage he looks up and says ”  I  Die   today for  love  of  Christ  ——  AND—-   HIS—–  WORD!   Then amidst the flames the scene goes black. Stunning drama and love given to our Lord!

It is truly amazing that the vast Christendom doesn’t care to know the true history of the church and how we got to “Sunday” worship. The devil is perfectly happy to keep it that way. Jesus said (Matt 7:7) “Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened”  Are people REALLY seeking? Do they want to know the truth?

On a final note, I recently received an email from a friend (fellow church member- Warren). In it he verified further eye- witness  proof of the extent of the persecution of the Sabbath keeper in the reformation days. He visited Lima, Peru  in 1994. While there he had the opportunity to visit one of the old Catholic churches.

The tour included  a visit to the “basements” called “catacombs”. It was explained to him, they were used to convince the wayward to repent and accept the “infallible” teaching of the Catholic church. Warren writes ” Of keen interest were signs that named the individuals that had died due to the torture. There were various listings of such things as blasphemy against the church, crimes of attacks against priests, and such. Of keen interest to me were the multiple listings of the crime of being a Sabbatarian”.

Warren goes on to correctly observe that because these people chose to obey God’s holy Sabbath instead of Sunday, they were tortured and lead to recant or die. So the wide spread persecution against the people of God had many times one key ingredient– IT WAS KEEPING HIS HOLY SEVENTH DAY SABBATH.  And I am afraid this will all  be repeated in the near future.

Please learn your church history and spread this far and wide, such truths that are in this film may very well awake a Sunday keeper to his error,   in God’s love, Rob

Ps. For those of you who  want more  truth on the Sabbath history, may I suggest the most comprehensive work done by J.N.Andrews  called  “The History of the Sabbath ” http://dedication.www3.50megs.com/historyofsabbath/hos_contents.html

Posted in Hal Holbrook's "The Seventh Day" | 2 Comments »

The Shotsky Story

April 15, 2011

The story of my pet dog, called Shotsky, is interesting in two ways. His personal story and the spiritual story.

Many of us recall the horrible  hurricane  Katrina in Louisiana in August of 2005. Somewhere amidst those horrifying moments Shotsky was scrambling for his life!  Shotsky has incredible survival instincts, and I don’t just say that because he’s my dog, I have unintentionally seen it. Let me fast-forward to July 2007.

One afternoon my roommate and I decided to go visit a rental property I owned at the time. It was about 4 blocks away. I wanted to take Shotsky for the ride, so I put him in the bed of my truck and tied a rope around his collar. It was a longer one (about 10 feet) than I wanted but it was what I had, so I used it. It was secured to the hook at the cab side of the bed.

So after everyone was in and strapped down I proceeded to drive away. Very shortly I was going probably around 35 or 40 miles an hour. I drove down the first block then stopped, I had my music turned up ( as i usually did before becoming a true Christian). Then I  hit the gas and went on again, going again at about 40 miles an hour. We continued another  couple blocks  when my roommate notices this man waving his arms frantically. She looks in back and says “Where’s Shotsky?”    OH NO!!!

I immediately pulled over. I get out and look to see Shotsky panting extremely hard, blood all over his paws and legs and stomach. I am in mild shock. He was alive! He is standing on all fours just looking at me. We pick him up gently and take him to this neighbors soft lawn and use his hose to hose him down. Then I grab some rags I had and bundle him up somewhat. Shotsky had run his heart out just to keep up with the truck! Maybe even dragged some of the way.  Unbelieveable. So I knew right there I had  a special dog.

Eventually Shotsky made a complete recovery, except for some small scars. Guess who fully healed him? No doctors, it was our ever-working Lord!   He can run and jump just as good as he ever could. But knowing this we can only imagine the real desire and instincts Shotsky used to stay alive in the raging waters. His owners  could have very well died, as I got him from our local dog pound, which had picked up some of the abandoned dogs from there. Don’t ask me how they decided to bring some of them all the way to California(??) But I was told when I bought him for 25.00 that I must wait 6 months to “officially” own him, due to the original owners rights, should they be located. No one came forward.

So Shotsky is quite a dog. Loving, playfull and very intelligent. But the spiritual lesson I wanted to share is this. He is VERY obedient. When I say “Come: he comes. When I say “Jump” he jumps. When I say “Give me a pawn” he does so. I am his master 100%. Our Lord has told me that just as I am SO HAPPY when my dog is obedient to me, so to is He with me. I am proud of Shotsky because he does what I say. It is the same with the Lord and me. When I do the things He says to do, He is VERY HAPPY with me, I can feel it and know it. His is my Lord and Master 100%.

So to summarize let us remember that our Lord loves obedience just like we do. On the flip side, when we don’t listen and ignore His words, He becomes very sad. Let us  be like our furry friends, with that 100% loving and faithful desire to obey! amen.

Posted in Obedience | 15 Comments »

God sends a Hummingbird

April 2, 2011

Image result for picture of a hummingbird

Many of us are fascinated with this beautiful little creature. Popular science says, and I quote ” By all rights they shouldn’t be able to fly. It’s wing movements are not at all like other birds. It’s the only  species that can fly backward and one of the few that can hover”. So we see they are blessed little creatures of God. God also, I believe, uses them sometimes as little messengers. As you will see in my following story.

Last month in church I told of an experience I had with a hummingbird. I pulled up in line at the local McDonalds. As I waited I noticed a hummingbird flying about this bush in front. God told me ” Keep an eye on that hummingbird”. So I watched it. In a few seconds later it stopped it’s activity and turned around and flew right up to my door window and just hovered and stared at me for what seemed like at least 4 or 5 seconds. I was amazed. It was like it was saying  “Hello, I am from God, to brighten your day, take care”. Then he flew away.  I looked up and said ” Thank you”. It certainly did brighten my day!

Many tell of similar experiences. A lady  came up to me after church and told me of a similar experience with a hummingbird. Also a friend of mine told how God uses hummingbirds to hover close to his Mom regularly.  I believe God uses these special creatures for such little signs and even  dramatic signs as I am about to show you.

It happened this last Sunday. As many of you know I am really big on this short little prayer — ” Dear Lord, guide me in my walk. Keep me mindful of your Holy Laws. Please warn me if I go astray. Let me walk righteous before you”.  And He is faithful in answering this prayer even to the point of a dramatic sign.

In (John 14:21) we read “He that has my Commandments and KEEPS THEM, he it is that LOVES ME and shall be LOVED BY THE FATHER, and I WILL LOVE HIM, and will REVEAL MYSELF TO HIM”. In this word of God we see a real “key” to knowing Jesus  — Keep His Commandments!  And once we do ( to the best of our ability)  He delights in giving us REVEALING signs and wonders, tokens of His love. This in turn strengthens our faith and we become zealous because we do indeed “know” Him.

You’ll remember in my last post “Draw Close” I pointed out how pop-music was beginning to be a problem again in my life. The Lord had made me aware of this. But He REALLY WANTED ME TO GET HIS POINT!  ” Rob, you cannot hear me with that playing . You are not advancing in your walk, as long as you continue to make music an idol like this”.

So after becoming aware of this I shut off the truck radio and didn’t listen at all for 2 days before last Sabbath. I felt closer to Him and could hear Him (His thoughts He made occur in my mind). I often call Him the “Great God of Occurance”, because many things that happen to “occur” to us, can often be Him sending it to us. They just “pop” into our mind.

Then Sunday morning came and I had to go out to my garage to do some appliance work. I have a small shop in  there where I often repair appliances. I opened up my electic garage door. I almost mindlessly and out of habit, walked over to my garage radio/tape player  ( yes, you go it! to listen to music!) As I got close to it and began to reach for the on button I jumped back!  I stood there in shock and amazement. It was a dead hummingbird slumped over RIGHT IN FRONT of the radio!  What is this about? I wondered. Then our Lord told me ” Just as this bird is dead, so too is your radio dead ”  WOW!

It took me a while to gain my composure but I did go to my room and pray to Him. Giving Him praise and thanking Him for faithfullylooking after me.

In the above story we can gain some real insight. We can see that when we pray WE MUST BE ON WATCH to look for His answer. They may come in any different kinds of ways. Some could have saw the dead bird and said “wow, how strange” then think NOTHING about it being a sign from God. Because they were not watchful or expectful of His speaking to them.

I can’t say strongly enough that our Lord wants to answer your prayers. It will all depend on your belief and faith and watchfulness. And if it is  ACCORDING TO HIS WILL   In (1 John 3:22) we read “Whatever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His Commandments, and do the things that are pleasing in His sight”.    God be your strength and desire! Amen.

Posted in Christian faith | 64 Comments »

Draw Close

March 19, 2011

Do you ever have days or even weeks where you don’t feel very close to the Lord? He seems so distant. He has showed me this week some important truth to shed light on this situation.

Call it boredom or whatever, I have been listening to the radio quite alot recently (as I drive around in my work). Since I have become a true Christian I have definitely cut down the listening quite a bit. But still the Lord told me this week “Hey Rob, how can you hear me with the radio playing?” Is this almost becoming an idol again? ”  It made me stop and wonder. YES, it had started to become a problem again, I was “tuning out” my Lord! But I was delighted in one sense. I have often prayed “Lord guide my way, and  warn me if I go astray and against your holy Laws”. He was faithful in answering!

When we feel close to the Lord there is NOTHING like it. A sense of love,a sense of power ,a secure feeling, fills your being. This is the way our walk is suppose to be. But sadly, many times it is far from that. But if we look to God’s word we find many hidden treasures, more valuable than the purest gold.

 In (James 4:8) we read ” Draw close to God and He will draw close to you…”. This simple word of God is so true IF WE’LL ONLY FOLLOW IT! Therein lies your answer! If you want to feel close to our Lord, make an effort. With this truth known, let us look at ways we can put this into effect in our daily lives.

In our hussle and bussle world we get into so many routines. We almost mindlessly program our life to watch TV or be on the computer at set times everyday. We spend WAY too much time doing things that come before our praying or reading the word. The first thing is to look at your routine. Instead of watching that favorite TV show of yours, ignore it!  Go instead into your quiet room or such and pray or read His word. Or have a bible study with your family. You’ll be putting His word into reality!

How about setting the alarm at 5 or 6 am, and foregoing that beloved sleep and get up and pray? It is said that the pious St. Patrick, while he was a young man living out in the open, as a sheep herder, would awake rain, snow, or whatever EVERY MORNING at 5 am to pray to God. No wonder he is remembered as being close to God! He also obeyed  the Commandments including the Sabbath.

One of the ultimate ways to draw close is to fast and pray. Jesus said there would be a time when the “bridegroom” would be gone and that His people would fast.

In another of my own examples, I was mindlessly walking right into my office and sitting down at the computer after work and upon arising. Recently the Lord pointed this out, how I was doing this “first” before Him. We must look carefully at our life and be sure not to have idols or worldy things, time and again come first routinely.

So please review your life if you are wanting to experience His closeness, and if you  “DO”   His word (James 4:8)  you’ll know His word is so true!    Amen my brothers and sisters.

Posted in Christian walk | 8 Comments »

What is Salvation?

March 12, 2011

In these last days many are preaching a very complicated message on how to be “saved”. Some are saying you must know the correct “name” of God. Some are saying you must understand the Trinity completely. Others are saying “Grace” alone is all you need to be saved. Your life of sin can continue, it is God’s grace alone that get’s you to heaven.

But to truly know “how to be saved” and to get eternal life, let us look at what our Lord’s word says clearly about “how”. In (Matt 19:16) we see a certain man ask just this very important question, he asked ” … Good Master, what good must I do that I may have eternal life?”   This young man wanted to hear Jesus tell the plain simple truth to eternal life. He got it STRAIGHT AND TO THE POINT from our Lord. (Matt 19:17) “…If you wish to enter eternal life, KEEP  THE  COMMANDMENTS”.

On this last verse, it is extremely important to know it has implications for your salvation. We must study it deeply and understand it’s powerful message.  Some mis- guided souls think Jesus is talking about His “general” commands and not the Holy 10 Commandments. But is that really true?

The word Commandments in this verse is “Entole” in the original Greek language . Jesus said we must keep  “Entole”. Further, just so we (and that young man)would know “what” Commandments He was talking about, in verse 18  Jesus quotes directly from  some of the HIS 10 Commandments ( no murder, no stealing, no  false witness, etc.) Here Jesus equated “Entole” to the 10 Commandments.

After I learned that “Entole” means the Holy 10 Commandments I was curious to know if the Sabbath Commandment was ever addressed –Entole (?) Seek and you shall find!  YES IT IS. In (Luke 23:56) we read “… They returned, and prepared spices and ointments, and rested the Sabbath , according to the Commandment ( Entole). So it is clear when Jesus said that in order to enter eternal life  WE MUST KEEP THE ENTOLE ( Commandments). It can’t get any clearer than this.

But I want to make something very clear. I am SAVED by Jesus’ blood first and FOREMOST! Try as hard as I might I could never  keep the holy 10 Commandments(In this life) good enough to please God. Jesus’ sacrifice covers me in my failures BUT I must keep trying daily to obey them . I CANNOT quit trying and say ” Oh my Lord did it all, I can live sinfully (trespass His Commandments regularly) and claim eternal life”. NO WAY!

Let’s understand this right. Jesus will save us FROM our sins not IN OUR SINS. Jesus wants  me to progress, be a better Christian one month from now than what I am today. His Holy Spirit guides me and I am ABLE to walk righteously and obey His Commandments.

It is so sad to know many are claiming Jesus’ sacrifice and not making an effort to “keep” His Entole.If you trample His holy Sabbath each week, you deny His words and to deny His words is to DENY HIM and His ENTOLE!   We don’t even “know” Him if we don’t keep His Entole. ( 1 John2:3-4) ” This how we know we know Him, if we KEEP HIS ENTOLE.  He that says ‘ I know Him ‘ and does not keep His Entole, is a liar and the truth is not in him”.

He has given us salvation unto eternal life should we love Him as he said to? (John 14:15) ” If you love Me keep my Commandments ( Entole)”. Again, it is SO CLEAR what Jesus wants.

So to summarize , our salvation is simple –Love our Lord and fellow man and KEEP His Entole. (Rev 22:14) confirms this salvation plan “Blessed are they that DO HIS ENTOLE, that they may have the right to the tree of life”  Amen my Lord!

Posted in Salvation | 2 Comments »

From the brink of death *

February 26, 2011

I was scheduled to write about the last days “Laodicean Church” and how we must do what our Lord described in Revelation about this. But yesterday I was shown an inspired story which God has lead me to publish instead. We should always be ready to change “our” plans when He guides us.

Her name is Teodora and at 40 years old, she was dying. The autoimmune disease was ravaging her body. She got down to 90 pounds. Death was lurking. She became desperate and called Speranta TV, a Hope Channel station based in Romania. For some of you not aware,  Hope Channel is a true Christian TV station , similar to 3 ABN TV.

” I must be baptized quickly!” she said over the phone as she spoke to the Speranta representative.  ” Can you come baptize me?” she pleaded. In response to Teodora’s cry for help they immediately sought help for her wish.

Romania along with Bulgaria, are two of the poorest nations in Europe. And as we shall see,  God has his eye on these “poor people” because many times such people are humbled by their circumstances, and as such have a open heart to His truth when they hear it. Money and it’s Idols or man’s religious traditions, in many cases,  haven’t taken hold of them.

Just a few years ago Teodora was healthy, enjoying life with her husband and daughter, Leontin and Larisa. But it all changed when a deadly disease attacked her thyroid and kidneys. She started losing weight at an alarming rate. Doctors tried to help, but nothing seemed to slow the disease.

One day Petrica, a local Sabbath keeping church member was giving bible studies to another family in Teodora’s neighborhood.Learning of her near fatal condition, Petrica went to her house to pray for her. Although he was unable to have bible studies with her, Pedrica encouraged her to start watching the popular and growing TV station called Speranta. Soon Teodora began to think the station was “exactly what she needed”. She was learning and her eyes were opening ( spiritually)

The station preached of God’s truth and His Commandments and how obedience is the fruit of our faith. The next several months came mixed blessings, her body wasn’t improving much, but her spirit was growing by leaps and bounds. But amazingly her husband and daughter were also watching this station, soaking up  all the truth’s they heard. Even a frequent friend “Maria” became intriqued as well.

As the months passed and her strength waned, she knew her time was running out. But she wanted to be baptized and join the church that helped to sustain her spirit during these tough times. That’s when she called Speranta TV. She got to speak to pastor Darvasan, and he could tell she was desperate. He immediatley called the local pastor in her area to have him visit her. When the pastor arrived, he was surprised to discover that not only Teodora asked to be baptized, but Maria and another friend also. All touched by the truth they received by watching Speranta TV.

So the pastor baptized all three women. God had worked a remarkable spiritual miracle in these women’s lives but He wasn’t done just yet. He was to improve Teodora’s health considerably.

Teodora didn’t die right away like many expected. Slowly she began to regain her health! Soon she had gained 50 pounds! While she still had the disease, she had improved so much, she was able to care for herself and her family. Soon after,  she and her family began to worship the true Lord and could be found every Sabbath worshipping with her new church family at their local Seventh Day Adventist Church. Word began to spread and soon other families were watching this station and learning “new truths” from the word of God. Praise the Lord!

As Teodora will testify God has brought her hope and a new lease on life. And it is because she had been guided and looked after by God, directing that bible study church member  to “just stop by”. He showed her a station proclaiming God’s word and truth.

So  we have the ability to tell people of His truths also, through 3 ABN, Hope Channel, Amazing facts TV and DVD’s. God’s 3 Angel’s message is being broadcast by these mentioned stations 24/7, and when you tell people about them YOU also are proclaiming this important last day’s message.  So don’t think you can’t be a part, YOU CAN! The growth of these stations is truly amazing because HIS MESSAGE in these last days MUST be made!  God be with you.

* Source — Hope Channel Organization

Posted in God's power | 2 Comments »

We must understand Paul’s writings

February 12, 2011

In the New Testament it is very  important to understand that the “Law” is spoken about in TWO SENSES. The Mosiac law( or ceremonial law) and the Moral Laws are two distinct laws which  are quite different in their meaning and purpose.

In the book called  ” The Ten Commandments twice removed”  the writers explain very clearly the following.  ” The law of Moses described ceremonies and practices given to Israel that pointed forward to  Jesus as the true lamb of God. Because of this, it  sometimes was referred to as the “Ceremonial law” and had a limited time of effectiveness attached to it.”

Now before we go into more about understanding this difference we must know that this misunderstanding was told of by Peter when he said (2 Peter 3:15-16) “…just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave. He writes the same way in all his letters. speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are HARD TO UNDERSTAND which the ignorant and unstable people distort, as they did other scripture, to their own destruction.” God foresaw in His great vision that Paul’s writing would be taken out of context, amazing and true!

I am often in debates and discussions with “Sunday” keepers and they almost always quote Paul as to their reason that the “Law” was done away with or changed. Particularly Colossians and Galatians. If you were not aware that Paul discusses “two” laws in his writings you could easily be fooled into thinking he is talking about the “Moral Law”. For example let’s look at the often quoted ( Col 2:16)

In that verse it reads  ” Let no man THEREFORE (remember this word) judge you in meat or in drink, or in respect to a holyday, or a new moon, or of the sabbath days.”  When we read that verse we must understand the verses BEFORE it! The word “therefore” means Paul has arrived at his conclusion based on what he said BEFORE this verse and now wishes to draw his conclusion with the fact we should not be judged based on the CEREMONIAL law.

In verse 2:14 Paul writes ” Blotting out the handwritting of ORDINANCES (don’t forget this word) that was against us, which was contrary to us and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.” Now it is very important to understand that it was the “ceremonial law” which had all the ordinances NOT the 10 Commandment Law (Moral Law). Paul was explaining that ceremonies and the like were “shadows” of things to come, and after our Lord’s sacrifice , THEY CEASED! Therefore don’t allow anyone to judge you according to “those laws and ordinances”! And the Ceremonial laws had many special “sabbath days” of observance APART from the 7th day Sabbath (totally seperate Sabbath!)

Can anyone say the Commandments were “against us”?? Just use common sense on that one. I could go on and on to explain all the misunderstandings of Paul’s writings but I think you can see the reason for the mis-guided reasonings. Infact even the popular Protestant preacher Billy Graham has said “The NT speaks of the “law” in two senses, and does not imply that the 10 Commandment Law has been done away with” (source- Doug Batchelor  Lord’s day DVD)

In (1 Cor.7:19) Paul makes a stark difference between the two laws. “Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of  THE COMMANDMENTS of God is what matters”.  Circumcision was part of the Mosiac law, and therefore was being explained by Paul as not important, rather it’s God’s Commandments that are. So anytime you see Paul explaining the “non-importance” of the “law” you can be assured it was NOT the Moral Law  (10 Commandments).

So the next time you are discussing the Sabbath or the Commandments with a non-believer, make sure they understand that the “Law” isn’t just on ONE SENSE when spoken in the New Testament. The Devil wants many to believe this and sadly many are!  But if you summit to the Lord and make him YOUR KING and obey His holy Laws, your eyes will open and you’ll understand scripture clearly, amen!

Posted in Understanding Paul's writings | 7 Comments »

A story of true faith

January 29, 2011

Sometimes we get alittle discouraged in our walk and need stories like the following.

His name is Mike Mudd. He was in his mid twenties when he gave his heart to the Lord and became a Christian. ” I had been an atheist my whole life and then had an experience with the Lord. I went from an atheist to telling everybody about the Lord”, Mike said.

Mike was an valued employee at a local auto parts  store. Shortly after becoming a Christian Mike became aware of the Sabbath and felt he must keep it. Mike’s pastor wrote a letter to the company explaining Mike’s beliefs. The company was very supportive and agreed to give Mike Saturday  off.

Later the company changed management. In 2007 they contacted Mike and told him he would have to work Saturdays. Mike refused! He valued the time spent with the Lord and knew that day was the “Lord’s day”. Mikes says “they told me if I wouldn’t work they would let me go. So I was terminated. It was scary as no income was coming in”.  Mike went for making good money to no money!

But Mike and his family stood firm! Just like the prophets of old they drew the line and would not cross it. God’s law was just that, GOD’S LAW. Later a friend heard about Mike’s story. He told Mike about a Seventh Day Adventist program that helped people who had be wronged by their convictions.

The organization heard the details about Mikes situation and contacted the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and filed charges against the company for religious discrimination. In the meantime Mike and his family were PRAYING for a way to share the gospel to others. They looked not upon their own suffering but  to others  whom they could help. Now  is that not what Christ taught!!?  Serve and not think about what we need, amen!

God heard their prayers for it was sweet to Him! Their selflessness was truly a good thing before the Lord. Shortly therafter they decided  to attend the Lay institute for Evangelism. Mike said ” we didn’t have the money to cover the cost for the program but we were convinced it was what the Lord wanted us to do”.

Mike then heard from the organization defending him that his former company had made a settlement offer. They agreed to pay him EXACTLY the amount needed to attend the program!  God came through!  Wow!

Mike said “My wife and kids got to see how the Lord works when we are faithful. It has been an unbelievable experince for us. If we set our hearts upon God and according to His will, He will always be faithful, always!”

Let the above story be a reminder that when we put GOD FIRST he comes back and lifts us up to Him! amen.

Ps. The Seventh Day Adventist Church has a department called “The Department of Religious Liberty” should anyone need help in any similar circumstance. 1-800-456-3991

Posted in Christian faith | 6 Comments »

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