Tag Archives: new life in Christ

Stepping Into the Light of His Glory

There was a time when I was young and foolish riding on the winds of desire and prosperity, now I am old, rejoicing only in the light of His glory. We all have a story to tell. Some stories would shock our sensibilities while others might help us to recall our own struggles if we were honest. Contrary to our earlier experiences in the home of our blessed parents we all tend to go in our own direction realized by the eventual outcome of our siblings and childhood friends. The winds of change can be harsh and unforgiving in a world that is quickly rejecting the moral imperatives of our religious upbringing. We all have a story to tell even if some of our anchors are more secure than others in our early ethical teachings about what is right and wrong. As we recall the horror of wrong choices it’s most difficult to put them into words, but essential to realize just how far we have come by the grace of God. Being cast into a world of lawlessness and unimaginable evil it’s a wonder that my very brief homelessness on the streets of New York City didn’t leave an irrevocable mark on my consciousness. Each step of the way, unknown at the time, God gracefully brought forth deliverance from the horrific consequences of a life gone astray. Although there would be more years ahead of wrong choices and their inevitable consequences, in time the path ahead would become clear.

Some say, “Christianity is a crutch,” for the lame and the bewildered. However, concerning the true meaning of life, it is much more than a crutch, because it enables us to take our first steps into the light. We had heard the old, old story many years ago as a child about the gift of God that would give us a glorious new life in Christ. However, it took the witness of a blessed woman in my employ to remind me about the glorious new life in Christ that I was visibly missing. This day of praying to receive Jesus Christ as my Savior would open the door to an amazing journey. Although the journey would be filled with deep valleys and tall mountains, it would put me on a path that would see the hand of God miraculously working in my life every step of the way. In the beginning, it’s been a life of intense study from Seminary to the pastoral ministry allowing God to write His indisputable words on my heart, it was the journey that put them into practice, realizing that my life was being transformed. Yes, God was using His anointed words in the Bible, but also every experience and every blessed person who came into my life brought forth great change. From entertaining angels unaware to witnessing the power of His healing miracles when praying for others in the Spirit, God has been at work in my life growing me spiritually from one degree of glory to another (II Corinthians 3:18). God is transforming my life into a brand-new creation where old things have truly passed away (II Corinthians 5:17).

What may have seemed like a crutch in the beginning was in reality a message that changed my life inevitably. Hopefully, every believer understands the message of the Cross where Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, born of a virgin, chose to die on the Cross as an atonement, an acceptable sacrifice, for the sins of all humanity for those who believe in His death and resurrection from the dead in three days. As believers, we follow Christ in His death on the Cross as we die to self, our old sin nature, and are raised with Christ from the grave by putting on our new life in Christ. In faith, we follow Jesus Christ in the total transformation of our life into a new creation. In faith, we trust in God exclusively to give us everything we need for life and godliness (II Peter 1:3-4), to be transformed into the perfect image of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This has been an amazing journey of learning that we can’t, but He can, which is the next big step into the light of God’s glory. Jesus Christ is more than a Savior and Redeemer; He is more than our Lord; He is our helper. Without Christ in our lives, then change would be impossible, and transformation would never be a reality. We can’t, but He can by trusting in God exclusively to lead us into the light of His glory.

Trusting in God exclusively is a major step, unfortunately leaving many professed believers behind either slipping deeper into the pit of normalcy or drifting back into the world controlled by the powers of darkness. As life progresses there are inevitable consequences, not only from our choices but from the choices of others, that can lead to times of unparalleled grief and suffering. There were times when the depth of depression came knocking on the door of my heart where I am now long past the many tears of grief. On our journey to the light of God’s glory, most will be faced with another decision to seek God’s exclusive counsel or seek counsel from the fallen world of mankind. Thank God, His beloved counsel has lifted me out of the pit of despair many glorious times solidifying my trust in God exclusively. Over the years I have learned that there are many different occasions where we are put into a position where we must trust in God exclusively. In the beginning, it was not always easy. There was a time when I was attempting to help a distraught person in his empty apartment who was possessed by an evil spirit. With the hairs standing up on the back of my head, I called aloud to my God who quickly intervened in the situation delivering the man and giving me further guidance on how to help. Trusting in God exclusively is a major step in our journey.

Stepping out on faith and trusting in God exclusively can bring forth the greatest blessings beyond our wildest imagination. In my first pastorate while driving along the avenue I spotted a dirty and disheveled old man walking on the side, and almost immediately I felt in my spirit that I should inquire of his needs. After inviting him to our home for a hot meal and an invitation to spend the night in our spare room, I was shocked to learn that he was a retired priest walking to a retreat in the mountains of our little town. It was not long before I realized that we were entertaining an angel unaware telling me things I have treasured in my heart to this day. All glory to God. I have witnessed God’s little miracles, such as working all things together for good, many times throughout the years and even once experienced the multiplying of food on an insufficient table of provisions. Perhaps it is the occasional healing miracles that mostly amaze me of His wonderful working power in His wounded children. I don’t ever pray unless I feel led to do so in the name of Jesus Christ. When I do pray for a person that I can reach out and gently touch in the name of Christ, it is a wonder to hear them cry out that they have been healed. Although I believe in all the gifts of the Spirit, I never use them for show, often in private, and only for the good of God’s children in the Kingdom. With every single experience, another truth is learned from the Spirit and one step further is made into the light of God’s glory.

Well, I am older now and with the exception of my writings I am retired from the pastoral ministry, but the journey continues. As I step further into the light, I have witnessed the deplorable situation of the fallen world. My greatest sadness, however, is the great falling away of those who claim to be believers in Christ. I can prophesy about what I see now and what is soon coming upon the whole world, but I am afraid it will not change the inevitable. I can share the gospel with my family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances but I will always leave the initial calling up to God and the choice to those who hear it through my written messages or in a face-to-face contact. I pray that all who hear this message will join me as we step together into the light of God’s glory. It is a wonderful place to be to hear His still small voice like beautiful music enlarging our hearts. It is a wonder to witness all of His miracles that bring great joy to the depths of our hearts. Most of all it is a wonder to experience His amazing love flowing through us to others. It is a wonder to experience His peace that defies understanding. As we walk in the glory of God’s light, we know with all assurance no matter how bad it gets God will always be with us, He will never leave us or forsake us. Finally, with all the brief pain and suffering I have experienced on the journey I would not trade this wonderful life that God has given to me for anything in the world. I am stepping into the light of God’s glory. I hope that you join me.

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Blessed are the Peacemakers

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 15:9).

Blessed are the peacemakers who work for peace in a world ravaged by hate, division, and war. Today we will talk about true peace that can bring all parties to the table. True peace is much more than the cessation of hostilities. True peace reaches the soul and heart of humanity. It will open the vestiges of a new world governed by a sense of right and wrong. True peace will need to move beyond the limitations of the current world order that’s being controlled by the powers of darkness. True peace in the world will open up possibilities beyond our wildest imagination, although this world peace will never be realized by allowing the powers of darkness to influence all of our thinking and decision-making. We must return to the original model instituted for humanity; a model instituted in the beginning by the God of creation. There are many different models introduced to humanity over the last few hundred years that have allowed humanity to stray further from the truth about God’s created order of things. All the statutes and guidelines given to humanity have been slowly and methodically eradicated by the powers of darkness. We have gone so far as to remove the Ten Commandments from all the schools of public education in this country. Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers

Grasping the Benefits of Christ

If the human race really grasped the benefits of Christ everything around us would immediately change. We have had many people, some no doubt wiser than myself, try to explain the grandeur and majesty of these benefits. There have been hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pages written by some of our most ardent Christian scholars to plummet the depths of this most profound mystery. I dare say, over the centuries, there have only been very few in each age that has truly understood the great mysteries and benefits of Christ. These are bright lights shining in the darkness. These are the ones who have touched the very essence of Christianity through the indwelling Holy Spirit. These are the ones who have sat long at the Savior’s feet waiting for Him to open their minds to His abiding presence. They have waited patiently to understand the glorious benefits of being in Christ, to experience the great joy, and peace that truly defies understanding. As we fast approach the end it’s essential that we fully grasp the benefits of Christ. Let me encourage you to fully grasp the benefits of Christ and not settle for what can be seen on YouTube or social media. Please don’t settle for what the lukewarm church is offering. Continue reading Grasping the Benefits of Christ

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness

The Bible says, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). Most are not what they appear to be. When Christ comes back their masks will be removed, and everything will be revealed. Are you truly ready for that day? Remember, God looks at your heart, your mind, and your soul. He looks at your memories and your every thought that you ever had. He looks at how you spend your days chasing after one opinion and then another. He is fully aware of how much time you have spent on social media, YouTube, entertainment, and your relentless searches on the internet. He knows everything about you as you stand before the King of Glory waiting to be judged for everything that you have done in the body (see II Corinthians 5:10). Now, tell me again that you are ready for His glorious coming in the clouds. The Bible says, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). So, let’s talk about getting ready for the coming of Christ who will rapture up the pure Body of Christ, to be caught up to meet Him coming in the clouds. This is a topic we don’t want to quickly pass over. We need to take our time to ensure that we will be ready when Christ returns. Continue reading A Voice Crying in the Wilderness

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

The question most asked, even by professed followers of Christ is, “Why do bad things happen to me?” That’s a great question. It is a question that’s been asked since the beginning of time. It is a question that has haunted humanity since the dawn of history. If you seriously want to know the answer, keep reading. This is a question that must be brought before the Lord in deep prayer and meditation, taking time to listen to His every word. We live in a day where the age-old understanding of fate has resurfaced, especially among the unbelievers. Unbelievers now espouse their senseless rhetoric, “That things just happen” solidifying their belief in fate. This is a belief that everything that happens is beyond our control, contrary to what we do or don’t do; if we are bad or good it makes no difference to the outcome. Although this kind of thinking may help them to accept the onslaught of bad things happening to them, it doesn’t answer the question. It only delays the inevitable, which often leads to stress, psychological trauma, mental illnesses, or something far worse, eternal separation from God. Continue reading Why Do Bad Things Happen?