GET OFF THE ROLLERCOASTER

 

A rollercoaster is a fairground attraction or an amusement park that consists of a light railway track which has many tight turns and steep slopes on which people ride in small, fast-open carriages. Those who are in favor of roller coasters tend to experience joy, happiness, excitement, and satisfaction as this is what they want to feel. But it is an artificial experience of joy, happiness, excitement, and satisfaction.

On Thursday evening, June 27th after worship, I fell asleep on the sofa. About forty minutes later, I got up and prepared for bed. Then these words were spoken to me. "We are moving into the days of great calamities upon the earth. Some of these calamities will be brought about through natural and man-made disasters. All around us, there is a spirit of unbalance, that is taking control of the sons and daughters of men. The word of God says, "And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12. The violence here meant is a holy earnestness, such as Jacob manifested. We need not try to work ourselves up into an intense feeling; but calmly, persistently, we are to press our petitions at the throne of grace. Our work is to humble our souls before God, confessing our sins, and in faith drawing nigh unto God.

This violence takes in the whole heart. To be double-minded is to be unstable. Resolution, self-denial, and consecrated effort are required for the work of preparation. The understanding and the conscience may be united; but if the will is not set to work, we shall make a failure. Every faculty and feeling must be engaged. Ardor and earnest prayer must take the place of listlessness and indifference. Only by earnest, determined effort and faith in the merits of Christ can we overcome, and gain the kingdom of heaven. 

The time is right upon us when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal. Even before the last great destruction comes upon the world, the flattering monuments of man's greatness will be crumbled in the dust. God's retributive judgments will fall on those who in the face of great light have continued in sin. Our time for work here on earth for the Lord is short. Before we all know it, Christ is soon to come the second time.

Then a voice said, read Genesis 6:3, which says, "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years."

As I was reading this text, this revelation was revealed. "In Noah's day, all people were not in the fullest sense heathen idolaters. Many had a knowledge of God and His law” but they not only rejected the message of the faithful preacher of righteousness themselves, but used all their influence to prevent others from being obedient to God. To everyone comes a day of trial and of trust. That generation had their day of opportunity and privilege while Noah was sounding the note of warning of the coming destruction; but they yielded their minds to the control of Satan rather than of God, and he deceived them, as he did our first parents. He set before them darkness and falsehood in the place of light and truth; and they accepted his sophistry and lies, because they were acceptable to them, and in harmony with their corrupt lives, while truth that would have saved them was rejected as a delusion."

“The class who professed a knowledge of God were the ones who had the greatest influence and took the lead in making of none effect His word spoken to them by Noah. They not only rejected the message of the faithful preacher of righteousness themselves, but like their master the devil, they sought every means in their power to prevent others from believing and being obedient to God.... While Noah was sounding the note of warning of the coming destruction of that generation, the door of opportunity and privilege to become wise unto salvation was still open. But they gave their minds to the control of Satan rather than God, and he deceived them as he did our first parents...”

“The world before the Flood reasoned that for centuries the laws of nature had been fixed. The recurring seasons had come in their order. The rivers and brooks had never yet passed their boundaries but had borne their waters safely to the proud sea. Fixed decrees had kept the waters from overflowing their banks. But these reasons did not recognize the Hand that had stayed the waters, saying, thus far shalt thou go and no farther. They reasoned then as people reason now, as though nature was above the God of nature, and her ways were so fixed that God Himself could not change them, thus making in the minds of the world God's messages of warning a delusion, a grand deception, reasoning that if the message of Noah was correct, nature would be turned out of her course of order.”

“Human nature in Noah's day, uninfluenced by the Spirit of God, is the same in our age. Jesus in His assertions and representations recognizes Genesis as the words of inspiration. Many admit the New Testament to be divine, while they show no special regard for the Old Testament Scriptures; but these two grand books cannot be divorced... Jesus, carries the minds of all generations, present and future, to the Old Testament. He refers to Noah as a literal person who lived; He refers to the Flood as a fact in history; He shows the specification of that generation as characteristic of this age.”  

“In the days of Noah, the wickedness of the world became so great that God could no longer bear with it; and He said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth” Genesis 6:7. But He pitied the race, and in His love provided a refuge for all who would accept it. He gave the message to Noah to be given to the people: “My spirit shall not always strive with man” Verse 3.”

Like in the days of Noah, today someone is on the rollercoaster. It could be a spiritual rollercoaster, or a physical rollercoaster. It could be a rollercoaster of an abusive relationship, alcohol or drug abuse. It could be a problematic or harmful situation of sexual abuse. It could be a rollercoaster of sickness. Whatever your danger or problem is, it is time to get off the rollercoaster, seek help, and be saved! 

Noah was directed to build an ark, and at the same time to preach that God would bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy the wicked. Those who would believe the message, and would prepare for that event by repentance and reformation, should find pardon and be saved; but a continued resistance of the entreaties and warnings from God through His servant Noah would separate them from God, and as a result infinite mercy and love would cease its pleadings. The Spirit of God continued to strive with rebellious man until the time specified had nearly expired, when Noah and his family entered the ark, and the hand of God closed its door. Mercy had stepped from the golden throne, no longer to intercede for the guilty sinner. The question today is, who do you believe? 

The class who professed a knowledge of God and have the greatest influence in the marketplace of making of none effect the word of God, or the class who, "Cry aloud, and spare not, and lift up their voice like a trumpet, and show God's people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." You make the choice, and get off the rollercoaster!

By GARDEN MINISTRY 

 

CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY (A Special Father's Day Message)

Today, June 16^th, 2024, my family and friends allowed me to have an extraordinary Father’s Day among some of the most beautiful people on earth. I received a few cards and gifts, praise the LORD! Thank you to everyone. It is said, "Life is determined by the decisions we make. With so many options available to us, making decisions can sometimes feel daunting or confusing. Making the right choice in life can lead to great success. Maya Angelou said, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

Choosing to serve God against the odds can be a great challenge if the mind is not in the right place. On the other hand, serving God in times of difficulty can be a great blessing and honor if the mind is committed to God's will. 

 

To the natural mind, these things are impossible. Yet it is not with the spiritual mind. The apostle Paul said, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14. 

 

Since the fall of Adam, the natural man has been at odds with God. In other words, mankind's best shot in the flash cannot meet God's standard of holiness. Because mankind is an enemy of God through sin. 

 

Choosing to turn from the natural man of sin to the spiritual man of righteousness is a great struggle. Yet, it can be achieved through the subjection of the Holy Spirit. This is called a choice of the will. 

 

"The will is the faculty of choosing or determining. This faculty is the mainspring of the mind. It holds the operations of the mind and the motions of the body at its command."

 

As a leader, husband, and father of children, Joshua spoke about worshipping and serving the LIVING GOD in the beauty of holiness in his day. "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15.

 

It doesn't matter who you are, no one chooses anything without a cause. Because there are always motives that lead men to choose and decide to act, and these motives are either just or unjust, reasonable or unreasonable. The decisions of a sanctified will are based on just and reasonable motives, reason, sound judgment, and the word of God. 

 

As a legacy to his family and the children of God, notice how Joshua did not leave his deeds to his family in a bank account or the earth. No! He left them his perfect example as a father and husband directing his family in worshipping and serving the Living God.

 

To all fathers and husbands, what example are you setting for your family and children to follow today and in the years to come? 

 

What legacy and inheritance are you leaving them? Is it goal, or money? Is it cars, boats, or the finest of earth's finest? 

 

Whatever you leave them, make sure at the top of that list is the way you worship, serve, and respect God, your wife, and your children.

 

When Joshua had refreshed the minds of the Israelites on God’s dealings with them and called them to exercise their reason and judgment, he said, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve,” It is my prayer that all fathers will take out time today to fashion themselves and their families to choose the way of God. 

 

May God bless all fathers today.

By GARDEN MINISTRY 

 

WE ARE LIVING IN INTERESTING TIMES

Today, I am Instructed by the Lord to share a message of awakening with all my colleagues in ministry and service. Today there is a battle raging for the souls of everyone on planet earth. This is because the end of all things is at hand, and the battle for the souls of mankind has intensified. 

In our daily tasks, we can all agree that we must do better if we're going to make it to our Heavenly Father's Home, with those of whom we are working with and for. 

This is a time of spiritual darkness all around us. People are killing one another, committing the worst crimes, and sin ever done by humanity.

Ignorance of divine things has hidden God and the truth from view. The forces of evil are gathering in strength. Satan flatters his coworkers that he will do a work that will captivate the world. While partial inactivity has come upon the church, Satan and his hosts are intensely active. The professed Christian churches are not converting the world; for they are themselves corrupted with selfishness and pride, and need to feel the converting power of God in their midst before they can lead others to a purer or higher standard.” 

“In our day, as of old, the vital truths of God's word are set aside for human theories and speculations. Many professed ministers of the gospel do not accept the whole Bible as the inspired word. One wise man rejects one portion; another questions another part. They set up their judgment as superior to the Word; and the Scripture which they do teach rests upon their own authority. Its divine authenticity is destroyed. Thus the seeds of infidelity are sown broadcast; for the people become confused, and know not what to believe. There are many beliefs that the mind has no right to entertain.”

 

“Wickedness is reaching a height never before attained, and yet many ministers of the gospel are crying, “Peace and safety.” But God's faithful messengers are to go steadily forward with their work. Clothed with the panoply of heaven, they are to advance fearlessly and victoriously, never ceasing their warfare until every soul within their reach shall have received the message of truth for this time.

 

There is a cause for alarm in the condition of the religious world today. God's mercy has been trifled with. The multitude has made void the law of Jehovah, “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Infidelity prevails in many of the churches in our land; not infidelity in its broadest sense,—an open denial of the Bible,—but an infidelity that is robed in the garb of Christianity, while it is undermining faith in the Bible as a revelation from God. Fervent devotion and vital piety have given place to hollow formalism. As a result, apostasy and sensualism prevail. Christ declared, “As it was in the days of Lot, ... even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” The daily record of passing events testifies to the fulfillment of His words. The world is fast becoming ripe for destruction. Soon the judgments of God are to be poured out, and sin and sinners are to be consumed.”

 

The word of GOD to all is, "Dwell on present truth and Christ’s second coming because the Lord is coming very soon! We have only a little while in which to present the truth for this time—the truth that is to convert souls. This truth is to be presented in the utmost simplicity, even as Christ presented it so the people can understand what is truth. The truth will dispel the clouds of error encircling the world with darkness. 

Yesterday, a family member and friend sent me an audio recording message entitled, "We live in very interesting and funny times." I have taken the liberty to transfer it into written form. May we all consider these eleven points as we go through our day.  

"WE LIVE IN VERY INTERESTING AND FUNNY TIMES.

*1.* We live in times where we see many humans, but not humanity.

*2.* We live in times where the rich have more rooms than children and the poor have more children than rooms.

*3.* We live in times where smartphones bring you closer to those who are far away, but distance you from those who are closer.

*4.* We live in times where we open Facebook, more than the Holy Book;

*5.* We live in times where a single mother can look after ten children, but ten children can't look after a single mother;

*6.* We live in times where the rich walk miles to digest food, while the poor walk miles to search for food;

*7.* We live in times where women are paid to be naked, while others have no clothes to cover their nakedness.

*8.* We live in times where our contact lists are huge, but our relationships are poor

*9.* We live in times where our possessions are more, but our appreciation is less;

*10.* We live in times where we know how to earn a good living, but somehow forget how to live good;

*11.* We live in times where many know the price of everything, but  not the value of anything

Indeed, we live in a strange world. May God help us and guide us." By EYA Oliver Uchenna.

To those who have an opportunity to hear the truth and yet take no pains to hear or understand it, thinking that if they do not hear they will not be accountable, will be judged guilty before God the same as if they had heard and rejected. There will be no excuse for those who choose to go in error when they might understand what is truth. In His sufferings and death, Jesus has made atonement for all sins of ignorance, but there is no provision made for willful blindness.

We shall not be held accountable for the light that has not reached our perception, but for that which we have resisted and refused. A man could not apprehend the truth which had never been presented to him, and therefore could not be condemned for light he had never had. 

My appeal today is, who will join me in preserving the honor of the living God and the credit of His people in the earth? Will you? 

By GARDEN MINISTRY

AGAINST ALL ODDS

 

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31.

One day, a gazelle was being chased by a lion on the african Safari. The only thing that the gazelle had was two horns, and the lion had his paws and his teeth and great strength. In a moment, the gazelle notice that it was soon to become the lion's next meal. It's mind went into overdrive and quickly reacted by using one of his horns as a protection tool. Before he knew it, the horn broke off finally in the jaw of the lion.

It is said by them of old, "Those who love God need not be surprised if those who claim to be working with you, or christians are filled with hatred because they cannot force the consciences of God’s people.”

“There was never one who walked among men more cruelly slandered than the Son of man. He was derided and mocked because of His unswerving obedience to the principles of God’s holy law. They hated Him without a cause. Yet He stood calmly before His enemies, declaring that reproach is a part of the Christian’s legacy, counseling His followers how to meet the arrows of malice, bidding them not to faint under persecution.

“While slander may blacken the reputation, it cannot stain the character. That is in God’s keeping. So long as we do not consent to sin, there is no power, whether human or satanic, that can bring a stain upon the soul. A man whose heart is stayed upon God is just the same in the hour of his most afflicting trials and most discouraging surroundings as when he was in prosperity, when the light and favor of God seemed to be upon him. His words, his motives, his actions, may be misrepresented and falsified, but he does not mind it, because he has greater interests at stake. Like Moses, he endures as ‘seeing Him who is invisible’ Hebrews 11:27; looking ‘not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen’ 2 Corinthians 4:18.

“Christ is acquainted with all that is misunderstood and misrepresented by men. His children can afford to wait in calm patience and trust, no matter how much maligned and despised; for nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest, and those who honor God shall be honored by Him in the presence of men and angels.

“Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,’ said Jesus, ‘rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:12.

Today if you are being pursued by a lion or some other enemy. With God and the heavenly angels around you, there is no need for fear. Better still, you don’t need to fight like an animal against your enemies. "Fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life;" 1 Timothy 6:12.

Because, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17.

As you go through your day today, remember, in life, nature has a way of correcting itself, even against all odds.

Take a moment copy and look at this 14 second video:
https://youtube.com/shorts/XqjS1CHStHE?si=Md8ty3-njOcTWLUA

Have a Happy Day! Blessings, Blessings, Blessings

By GARDEN MINISTRY