The link to my book - Destroy and Deliver (Autobiography)

Monday 30 March 2015

The longer I live...

­The longer I live, the more I consider and the further I examine, the clearer my understanding becomes with Satan misleading objectives on mankind. He is the prince of darkness and although he looks to lead all down a garden path with lots of delicacies that are filled with lies and rotten to its core; it is though his subtleties that I begin to understand this a little purer; “we are not ignorant of his devices”. He may outwit many but when God by the power of the Holy Spirit begins to reveal the wicked ones technique, his traps are not so easily disguised for the seasoned traveler. From the beginning, way back in the Garden, he looked to highjack what God said and he still looks to capture all of God’s great accomplishments and fill them with distorted lies. The celebration of Easter and Christmas is no different. He does not do this sounding a trumpet! He slinks in the shadows subtly twisting the truth feeding off the sinful natures of mankind to lure his victims. However, even though we may have the Easter date wrong, let the truth be told Jesus did die and He rose again from the dead. Even though chocolate Easter egg hunts look to distract the minds of people from what actually took place, they will never change what really happened. Jesus did die in the place of sinners and all who look to Him in repentance for their sins will find forgiveness.

I am not for one minute professing to be a professor with a doctorate when it comes to the “Fathers of lies” craftiness, but what I will say is that I know enough to understand that he will always challenge the Word of God looking to create doubt in the minds of the foolish. Even the scholars can be split on many meatier portions of scripture. I have lived enough and am able to look upon my physical scars that remind me of my rebellion growing up as a child of God; sin taking hold of my instability and ensnaring me with lying unsatisfied lust that could never be quenched, leaving me on a number of occasions in the pigs pen. But God, who is rich in mercy, has always come through for me and patiently waited for me to learn the lesson of the hour. For this I will always be grateful even when Satan looked to utterly destroy my faith, my Saviour stood by my side as I was taught the error of my ways, until I came to my senses and returned to my Father with a broken and contrite heart, kicking myself as I asked the question, “how on earth did I end up here?” The answer in hindsight was always obvious!

Sins taps, entice our senses, and if caught without God’s armour we are vulnerable, falling into the ambush of sin. The Apostle John puts it like this; “For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1John 2:16) – In other words worldliness does not come from God but from the devil. We are correctly taught that if a brother does not work, he does not deserve to eat. But even this is twisted as worldliness begins to take priority in believer’s lives at the expense of their commitment to the body of Christ. Our existence here is all about the will of God our Father and the way Satan looks to stop that process is by high jacking the Words of God. Looking to cause doubt in the hearts of the young, vulnerable and even at times those who should know better.

Questions that deviate from the accomplishments of Christ work upon that cruel Roman cross, giving other alternatives when in fact there is no alternative whereby a person may be saved, other than the work that the Lord Jesus Christ achieved for us by dying for our own sin. It is simple for God has shown it to us through His Word; "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) – Everything outside of this truth is a LIE, LIE, LIE! And it is governed by the father of lies, Satan!

Because of our sinful natures we may sadly fall into sin when we shouldn’t but we have no excuse entertaining that which is contrary to the Word of God, that my dear friend is very dangerous ground. I am not implying that there won’t be times when we don’t understand the depth of the text, but when we question the obvious that is a NO NO! This is Satan’s objective and it always has been. He lures people to challenge the Word of God! The buck must stop with the unadulterated Word of God. We don’t always have to understand the text to believe it! God has said it so believe it!

If God has said it, it will come to pass!

Bless the name of Jesus now and forever more, Amen and Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone       
        
      



Thursday 26 March 2015

"Seek and you shall find"!

“Seek and you shall find…”

This is a common phenomenon that every living soul can relate to. If we lose an item it is normal to seek it out and the greater the value the firmer the search.

The bible instructs us with this encouragement; And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) - However who ever seeks out something that has never been lost? It is obvious to conclude that the greater the value the more vigour we put into the search and when we understand that our life depends on us retrieving the article needed, we will summon whatever and whoever we need to find that which was lost.

Let us break this down; we will never seek out something that isn’t important to us; lose five cents climbing a mountain, who in their right mind would retrace their steps, burning all that energy trying to find it, for the return does not warrant the search. But lose a diamond ring and all will be rallied and every possible inch of the mountain will be searched out until that which was lost is found. Principally we need our minds to relate to every precious gift God has given us. The grander the assessment the harder the hunt; I am slowly starting to understand that it will be evident to ourselves and others whatever we place as priorities in our lives. Both hidden and the seen can be explained like this, “You shall know a tree by its fruits, does an orange tree bear pears?” In like manner does a Christian take for granted what he has been freely given? I suppose because of our sinful natures we err in many areas along life’s journey, but of this I am sure; whatever is of importance to us will be searched for if lost!

If we find that our conscience begins to be seared in any areas of our lives, what can we do to remedy our situation? King David was the one to lead the way and this was his cry after falling into sin with Bathsheba; “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalms 51:10) – We must approach the throne room of grace looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith to help us seek out that which we lost along the way and we will only ever do that if we realise what we have lost is invaluable to us.

So you say that at one stage in your life you were a Christian, but today you say you are not so sure, and then I have this to say it was never really real to you and I would implore you to fall on your knees and cry out to Jesus asking Him for mercy.  You may be like many Christians that have lost their oil for their lanterns, today is the day like never before to go and seek out oil for the night is coming and without oil it will be impossible to find your way. And there will come a time that we will all need that oil, so this then is my cry; seek out that which is lost! But before we misunderstand what that may mean, we needn’t seek out wealth and food and raiment as that type of energy is misguided and it carries with it no eternal return; And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. (Luke 12:29-31)

Seek that which will go from this life into the next…

Signing off

Tyrone
   

   

Tuesday 17 March 2015

The Fiery Trial...

(1Peter 4:12) “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

The authenticity for the Christians daily walk is not about an easily go lucky phenomena with the banner of  blessings in the form of wealth and prosperity flying above our heads as if we had finally arrived, that is a lie and not accurate according to sound doctrine. We are at war! And hard pressed on all sides, if not then we must question our standing in our claim of salvation. Therefore it is imperative that we learn to stand with our allies in unity helping one another along life’s journey. Unity in love for the truth of God’s Word will stand us in good stead and it will be well with our souls. There can be nothing worse than feeling alone and deserted. Even the Lord Jesus reminds us of this desperate position; He stood alone for a time whilst paying the price for our sins, they were not His as He had no sin, however this was His experience; “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) – Our Saviour endured this emotion first, so that we could go free; praise His name now and forever more, Amen!

With this thought in mind let us learn to stand together in our relationships and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Where else will we receive comfort if not from those in the trenches with us? We must understand the enemy will always look to bring division, let us not be ignorant to this. Did you know that a church in love resembles a mature church; “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ...” (Ephesians 4:13-15)

It may be time for you to repair those broken bonds that you once had with family and church members; it is time for us like never before to be counted amongst the saints, but for us to be successful we most positively need each other. It must begin at home! We will be tested in these areas of our lives but when we find the grace of God to get us through the trial it will be sweet. Let us therefore pray for fortitude for one another ultimately bringing glory to our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Bless our Saviour now and forever more, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone     



Monday 9 March 2015

"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread“! I have not often heard this cliché quoted and yet it most certainly has come across my ears more than once. Its source Alexander Pope used back in 1709 in one of his poems, “An Essay on Criticism”. Without having read his poem, most, if not all would understand the kernel of what it means. Not that any angel was ever consulted giving their stamp of authenticity regarding the validity of that quote. But this could well have been written 6000 years ago, in the Garden of Eden, but then it could have read; “fools rush in where the foolish angels live”. Sin the common denominator! Not foolish with the “ABC’s’” but rather disobedient to the voice of God’s perfect wisdom; they disobeyed His commands. They thought they knew better! It’s too late for them now but not for us. As humans we can still right our wrongs if we still have breath. The mercies of God, who can measure it, praise His name now and forever more, Amen!

On reflection, how often have you asked yourself the question, why on earth did I do that? I know I have! And yet God has allowed certain things to come across our paths to teach us many lessons, with grace and mercy high up on His agenda. We often ask the question why? Well it could just be that you acted foolishly! Then again you may have been blinded by your own sin and missed the lesson completely. As my understanding starts to deepen on how my life is unfolding, I am persuaded that God is in perfect control even when we aren’t. We think the world revolves around us when in fact everything we see exists because of Him. And when God has allowed a man to pen something that has stood the test of time; a quote written in the Bible, we must learn to prioritize His Word above everything else in our lives. That includes our emotions and uncertainties that look to tells us a different story. If God has allowed it to be penned in the “Good Book” it will carry His authority, so when He allows the Apostle Paul to say; “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) - It carries no other meaning, its good even when we see it as bad. However this only applies to those who have been called according to His purpose. If you remain on the fence to God’s call or you reject the gospel then this does not apply to you, it cannot! Calamity may bring about your ultimate destruction. But it will never defeat the Christian, it may bruise and scar him, but never defeat him, praise the name of Jesus!

As I was watching a news related program last night it was obvious that most believe we are capable of superseding the Word of God, no differently to the way Satan tricked Eve into believing that lie so long ago.

Let me explain…

If we increase our knowledge about climate control we will be able to put things in place that will ultimate save earth and preserve our existence. Efforts are being made to achieve this goal like never before. This is the question I pose to you and the world, answer me this; if God has declared something will it happen or can we swing what He has said causing a different outcome? For He has said; "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17) or put another way and possibly easier to understand; “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Revelation 21:1) – Here then is my question, will man’s endeavours save our planet or will God eventually destroy it? Does mankind have more authority than the Word of God? How ridiculous that would be, puny man trying to outwit God and yet it is happening! It is a very simple reality; put the Word of God first in all you do and it will end well with your soul. This world will pass away, regardless of mankind’s efforts; God will make a new one, far better than this solitary planet and all those who trust Him and His Word first shall be part of that new world.

Talk about irony we are sending data capturing devices into the sea to learn about climate control and God will destroy this world and create a new one without a sea!

In conclusion who will you believe, I have made up my mind! Praise the Word of God who became flesh and dwelt amongst us as a man. The Lord Jesus left the portals of heaven to pay the price for our sin so that some would be saved from that type of reasoning and learn to trust His Word above every other opinion.

Signing off

Tyrone
  
  

  

Friday 6 March 2015

Justification!

(Act 17:4) “And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas…”

 Persuasion is a word that carries with it a lot of weight. It is powerful, meaningful and has finality attached to it. It speaks volumes and leaves no wriggle room for any form of distortion on what is said. “For I am persuaded”, can mean nothing else! It does not suggest that I might believe something if I see more evidence or it invites me to taste and then I will be convinced. “For I am persuaded” means exactly that! No ifs or buts, no more evidence required…

Why do I spend time writing a blog many may ask? “For I am persuaded” that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life; regardless of opinionated differences on this truth, from all different walks of life and religions. “I am persuaded” that Jesus Christ is the only true God who has the power to save sinners from their predicament, every other religion is a lie, a decoy to misguide the masses into following God’s enemy, deceiving those blinded by their own sin. Satan has been so successful that even organizations that fly a Christian flag have been hoodwinked into placing their own corrupt efforts above God’s perfect work in and through His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! They too have missed the mark completely!

If a person wanted to arrive at a required destination, a specific address, they would need to be given accurate directions, or their trip would be chaotic. How many times have you keyed in an address into a GPS device and then been sent on a rabbit hunt, especially in a country like South Africa with so many boomed roads. Going in circles and ending up in the same location, yet no nearer to arriving at your destination. Something was off! In this instance satellites cannot locate a boomed road and therefore it sends you down a road that has a dead-end. Religions do exactly the same thing; you think you are on track to please God when in fact you are doing anything but that! The Roman Catholic Church is such an organization. It puts people under pressure forcing them to confess to men and then being pardoned by a man not God. We all need God’s forgiveness and that can only ever be achieved on a personal level. It is between you and God! And this is how we shall all be judged one day, one on one. Do not be fooled into believing that you can earn an entrance into heaven on your own merit, this is a lie from the very pit of hell and “I am persuaded” that there is no other way to find favour from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Now the Muslims believe that Abraham was their father, but neither Isaac nor Jacob had anything to do with their claim and their religion. They believe in another God and he is not the God of truth! Of that “I am persuaded”! So then what is needed for those who do not have the same conviction? You must acknowledge your sin before the great “I AM” and confess to Him and Him alone, seeking out His forgiveness and then the light switch will be triggered. Only then will you be persuaded!

Here are the words of a man who once believed that to follow Mohammed’s instruction was the only true way to ensure his salvation, with death as the only assurance of entering paradise. The Jihad’s believe that if you die under Mohammed’s instruction found in the Koran, you will be guaranteed an entrance into paradise, “I am persuaded” that is a lie! 

Here is part of this man’s testimony who once believed that lie; Al Fardi was a man born in Saudi Arabia and he was taught that he would be punished if he doubted any of Islam’s laws. His religion taught him that you had to work for salvation. The bible in Hebrews chapter six teaches us that this type of mentality is no more than a dead work and it will never free the individual. You will always strive to please God but always find disappointment in your efforts. The only way man will ever find forgiveness for their sin is in and through the sacrifice of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He paid the price for sin and no one else will ever accomplish what He has. Islam teaches a lie and Al Fardi came to this realization in spite of the prophet Mohammed teaching that the only way to be assured of heaven was to be martyred.

He came into contact with a Christian family in America with the intention of converting them to the Muslim faith, but it wasn’t that easy, they were Christian. Today He is a Christian and declares that message! God had mercy on Him and He now is able to declare the truth. He has an interesting story and it was refreshing to hear about his conversion. It was this verse that came to me whilst listening to his testimony; “And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)

The mercy of God who can measure it!

Signing off

Tyrone

              

Monday 2 March 2015

Forgiveness must come from the heart!

Forgiveness must come from the heart!

If your brother trespasses against you and you chose to forgive him with resentment it isn’t true forgiveness. Imagine if the Lord Jesus had bitterness to a lost world, blinded by their sin and then He chose to forgive with resentment. How would that resemble true love? It wouldn’t! There would always be a nagging indictment attached to it. The one forgiven would always be in debt, which in itself is conditional forgiveness. This epitomizes the human heart; it only ever forgives on condition. We cannot avoid this reaction as we are sinful creatures; it is part of our character. Test your own hearts and then decide if what I say carries any weight?

This is what true forgiveness looks like; "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)  - Once forgiven there would be no debt attached to that truth. God has such a gracious heart that when forgiveness is devoted to His mercy, His perfect love becomes our amazing reality! We are freed from any form of guilt and only true forgiveness can carry such power. Forgive someone of a debt but continue to remind them at every turn and what do you have? A recipe for disaster!  God’s forgiveness removes our sin from our guilty consciences, and He does it in this fashion; He removes our sin “as far as the east is from the west, remembering them no more.” He has the ability to forgive and forget, WOW!

Consider your life, examine it and find some event in your life that repulses you and consider that becoming public knowledge. How would you feel about having one of you weakest moments exposed for all to see. Those who once held you in high regard now losing all respect for you. If I am honest, which I shall be, I have moments in my life that repulse me and yet I know that God has forgiven me for all my sins. What an amazing relief! To be forgiven for something that I have done and not been charged for it and yet someone had to pay for my sin, this is a requirement for a perfect God. The Lord Jesus paid for my folly! That seems very unfair and yet it is the reality of all things considered. WOW!

What I find even more amazing is that God hasn’t only forgiven me for my transgression, but was willing to forgive me for such hideous actions. That blows my mind! Regardless of you sin God is willing to forgive you if you call out to Him, seeking His forgiveness. Why would he offer such a pardon? Like A.W.Tozer so accurately breaks it down for us in His book “The attributes of God”; God is perfect and because He is perfect, even His grace is perfect and therefore God has a measure of perfect grace that He has offered to all of mankind. Part of His character oozes mercy and grace. But in the same breath He is also perfect in justice and wrath. Reject His mercy at your own peril! For all who discard His mercy will be on the receiving end of His wrath!

I am pleased with my considerations this morning and I hope they will give you food for thought. The beauty of approaching such a magnificent God, who cannot lie, has declared that whosoever comes to the Lord will be received. So Come! Cry out unto Him for He cares for you, He, may be the only one who does. Nothing more will ever be needed in any individuals life because He is the finally authority on all things. Let that reality resonate deep within your heart.

Signing off

Tyrone.