I will guard what I have so that no one will take my crown

From: July 20 – 26, 2004

THEME: I will guard what I have so that no one will take my crown Revelation 3:11 We count the years and days, but God doesn’t count the years. That is why we must be prepared since we do not know the day when we will have to answer to God. At all time the Father reveals us that Jesus will come. Many take it easy as if this event wasn’t going to happen soon. This can be very dangerous. We must understand that we should wait for the coming of the Lord as if it were seconds away, no matter how long it will take. If you are expecting it, you will prepare for it. If you don’t take it seriously, you become careless. We must understand that we must guard our crown. In this life we take care of many things, but it is most important to take care of our crown of life. 1 Corinthians 9:25 We will not find happiness in this world. Here is where we struggle for eternal life. Life here is not easy. Only in heaven beside our Lord Jesus Christ will we find abundant life. We have much to struggle for in this life. Therefore, we must care for our crown. The good moments are very few. Most of our time is difficult moments. Our terrestrial life is a battle against Satan. This is why we must have the full armor of God. There is a war every day. Ephesians 6: 11 James 1:12 Very few people are interested in seeking eternal life. There is apathy in most people, who are not interested in the real kingdom. But for God it is very important and He warns us in the Bible saying; “Let no one take away your crown.” If anyone succeeds in taking your crown away, you will be left empty handed. Open your eyes and take care of what you have received from God. While we are on trials, we can either complain or thank God and rejoice in God. Beloved, be tolerant and live each day watching the hand of God move. You decide. Each person will decide how to live; either you neglect your crown or care for it so that no one will take it from you. Those who struggle until the end without stopping will obtain the crown of life. You will earn it after many trials, maintaining your integrity and fidelity to the Lord. Acts 14:22 He whom loves God will demonstrate it with his acts and not with his mouth. We demonstrate it with our life. That’s why only those who have the crown of life and have loved the Lord denying themselves will reach eternal life. They are many things we most deny and say NO. Beloved, struggle here loving and serving the lord with all your strength for God is the only one who has really loved you. James 1:2-4 The Scriptures are clear and the one that retorts you is the Holy Spirit. Then, why stay behind? Why not reach and obtain? Our attitude must be of rejoicing in the mist of trials. And the work of God will be complete in you when you are perfected and right. God wants you to be righteous and have integrity so that you will have everything. But we pretend to reach without seeking God. As long as we are participating of this world, we will not be able to reach all that God has for us. We should not touch the impure. So, then we repent from our sins and seek the presence of God to become righteous people and gain the crown of life. We love the Lord and hate sin for perfection is the believer’s goal and our loyalty have to be until death. Colossians 4:12 That is why we must struggle to win the crown,

fight this battle and overcome trials. We must cleanse our lives of all evil contamination, because millions will be lost forever for not cleansing their lives. Clean your house for when the Lord comes back it must be clean. We must watch over each day. As time goes by many Christians neglect and grow cold. And what once was wrong becomes right and then they stumble. Beloved, what once was wrong will always be wrong. So, if you want the crown of life you must always see things as they are. The Scriptures say; “retain what you have.” It means guard it, take care of what you have. Your gift, talents, leadership, etc. The person who does not retain what he has received it’s as he returns it to God after God gave it to him. It looks like for many it is easy to abandon what God has given him. That is why Jesus explained that only the half of those who are waiting for His return will be saved. In order to preserve what God has given us we must obey and do what He tells us to do. If you give back what God has given to you there will be no crown. This road is not easy, it’s narrow, but it’s the one that leads to eternal life. That is why we must clean our houses every day, because it is easy to lose everything if we don’t watch over. We must love the crown of life for it will be the mark which will take us to God; it is the gateway to eternal life. We must have the knowledge of Christ and not arguments that come from those who only want to destroy our lives. Church, retain what you have, deny yourself, be capable to give up whatever you must. Be a conqueror and not a loser. Be faithful, know the Scriptures for it is the truth of God and don’t let the devil take advantage and bring pain to your life. God loves you and He has promised eternal life, an incorruptible and glorious crown. Retain what you have so that no one will take your crown. AMEN.