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

Tuesday 31 July 2018

An Imperative Consideration


Hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Summing up what is needed to arm the Christian when he wipes the sleep from his eyes. A daily practice that should be so ingrained in their routine that when it is not acting out they feel uncomfortably naked when they ort to be fully clothed. At least this is the prayer I have pleaded with my heavenly Father to instil into my soul so that I may act upon it with diligence. To live a life filled with so much rebellion, to be led about by the deceitfulness of the flesh for such a long time in so many differing areas of my life. In hindsight it is rather mind boggling and regretful, but thankfully by the grace of God to be brought to the door of Hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” And then not only to stand in front of it but to knock crying out to Jesus to excavate my understanding, to take me deeper, to see life’s journey and the manipulation of it for what it essentially is. We all have regrets, however as long as we are brought to a place of understanding and then find the grace to look to Jesus to apply what we have learnt glorify God our heavenly Father, bless His name now and forever more, Amen and Amen!

Here is the provisos and without it we will miss this very important lesson Jude looks to ingrain into our mind-sets; Until we see the destructive landscape of our fallen natures, the sin within looking to steer our rudders away from the will of God, until He steps in and blesses us with His Spirit we will have no clue of the seriousness of our predicament. As wonderful and gracious as this unmerited act of God’s kindness is, never to be diluted, God is merciful and full of love. We need to traverse deeper and it’s the step after this that I wish to explore with serious consider; until we look in the mirror and understand that we are the ones that needs changing, change will elude us.

We must own our own sin, eyeball it and cry out to Jesus with an urgency as our life does depend upon it, until then we will always make excuses for our actions as we seek out justification not only from within but also from others who share our sentiments. I have been gobsmacked over the last months to see how fast the spiralled downfall of mankind is gaining momentum. The Word of God twisted and shredded for the gain of self, sin personified! It is one thing to struggle against the lust of the flesh owning the transgression, but quite another altogether when sin is tarred with the brush of “love”. “Love conquers all” – yes it does! It is what is needed to embrace the gift of God and to find repentance for any action contrary to the Word of God and obviously His will. They are one and the same. God can’t and will never contradict His Word. He is truth and everything which opposes His voice is a liar and from the source which originates from the pit of hell. True faith looks to embrace the Word of God and then to work through whatever is needed for us to live victorious lives in Christ. No one has ultimately arrive, we fight on, but may we never lie about the wickedness of sin. God help us all to see sin for what it really is, the enemy of God. 

Even though our fallen natures have been designed in such a manner that our consciences often point us in the right direction. The way society on a whole is being manipulated and sadly beginning to consider some serious atrocities as acceptable and in some cases commendable, when in fact it is contrary to the WORD OF GOD. The days of comments like, “I’m only human” or “but I am not as bad as the murderer or the rapist” and the like is often used as a “get out of jail card”. It seems to have digressed; it now not my fault I am who I am and therefore not responsible for my own sin. Although this may only ever excuse an individual from their own judgment. It will never exempt them from that eternal sentence that God will inflict on all, the Lake of Fire, if true repentance is not sort out with a sincerity that can only ever come from the Spirit of God.

Until this penny truly drops we will never hate that which is an abomination to our Father, His love compelled Him to be merciful, so much so that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we could find rescue. God never promised escape outside of repentance. You cannot expect to be covered by the love of God on your terms. That will never play out favourably. Without true repentance, salvage will elude all, the Christian has been rescued and their names have been scribed into the book of life; without this penned entry the Lake of Fire is a person’s final destiny, period! Please I beg all to give this very serious consideration. God’s love is encapsulated in his Son Jesus Christ, reject Him and you will experience the wrath of God. The Bible is clear on this…

I now appeal to all those who have tasted that the Lord is gracious. So there was a time in your life where true repentance captivated your soul, you repented and confessed Jesus as Lord, believing that God raised Him from the dead. What a glorious day that was and life began. Before that wonderful day it was as if you walked around with blinkers, blind to the truth of it all, and then one moment in time, true enlightenment actualised. Wow! What a day that was and I remember it like yesterday. Now I could cry out “once I was blind but now I can see”. It was a period filled with jubilation, long before life and its challenges looked to press in and rob me of the undeniable joy I wore with glee for the entire world to witness. Anyone and almost everyone heard about my understanding that Jesus Christ the Lord was and is the answer and that He has such a massive heart, willing to save all those that cry out to Him. There has never been anyone else like Him, what a glorious Saviour. In high sight even though He sees our journeys from start to finish and being able to eagle-eye the many blunders I have made, HE was still willing to save me and for this abundant mercy fill with such love I will be forever grateful. We do not know what tomorrow holds but he does he has already seen it unfold, this is why it is so important for us to live one day at a time. Anything more than that will be far to overbearing. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)  

Then the cares of this life started to present themselves with great inevitability. Do you recall? What now? This then is the real test for the Christian, their journey and how they handles those decisions along the way. But more importantly what they learn from them, applying it to their lives. Everyone across the globe has a similar outlook on life looking to learn and apply. However the Christian has what they don’t; we have the Spirit of God, we have an understanding that eludes them and they are blind to it. Everything that feeds our minds must now come from the source that is full of life, the Spirit of God and how to embrace Him, which has been penned into the Bible, the written Word of God is that glorious river which nourishes the soul. When the Spirit within eliminated that which is written to our understanding, it’s these moments that I wish to address with seriousness. Has our journey brought us to a place of understanding or have we become dull of hearing? Regardless of the knocks you have taken along the way, or the times God had to bring you to the brink of death to wake you up. The answer is a simple one, “to him who overcomes”! A lesson learnt, is a lesson correctly applied.  

Having said that never lie to yourself that our sin will be overlooked as it is very offensive. God hates sin! Yes, you heard me correctly, He hates it, and sin is an abomination to Him as it looks to challenge His character. It is everything He is not. We have been instructed to resist the devil and then we are taught that “he will flee from you”, but as far as the volatility of out flesh goes, we are to flee from it, especially in the weak areas of our lives. We must avoid those traps at all costs, if not we will surely act upon our weakness and sin against God. This is how Spurgeon puts it; “The devil I am to resist and he will flee from me, but the lusts of the flesh, I must flee, or they will surely overcome me.
   
With these considerations in mind let me take us back to my initial thought. When I wake up what do I want from my understanding? The very first inkling or word out of my mouth must be to praise my heavenly Father, regardless of the topic, praise must be eminent. From there whatever the Spirit within prompts you to consider, meditate upon it and then to find confirmation by the WORD OF GOD (flipping through the Bible) to ensure that you have captivated the correct understanding; that will drive us in the right direction towards the light of God and not from it. The Christian is to never forget that there is an enemy that goes around like a roaring lion seeking to devour the children of God or rather to mislead them, to deceive is one of his greatest weapons. But if God is for us who is really the threat? We must keep our eye fixed upon HIM as we diligently seek the Spirit’s help in changing the way we process information, it must always, or as often as possible be about the will of God for our lives. This is the lesson of life and we must learn to apply it well and the rest we have been taught and conditioned to believe will run its course. Then the doors of eternity will open for all. There will be no more ifs and buts, it will be too late for some. Let’s make sure by the grace of God that we are not amongst that number.

Signing off

Tyrone

Thursday 19 July 2018

A sombre thought


I have a challenge for all, try and stretch your imagination to a point of total capacity, it will not be easy, almost impossible I guess. Why the challenge? Because of the burden I feel for those who never seem to arrive and that is almost everyone. I realise that statement in itself seems rather arrogant, but that is most certainly not the intent I look to drive home and I trust through this read that will become obvious. Expand your mind, allow it to find some elasticity and if you able to take it to a place of true reckoning it may just save your life.  Just lay it out there, be honest and brutal where necessary. Above all, read between the lines but always remaining within the margins of your own lives. Step out of it as you look into it… The Apostle Peter brings our attention to this truth; “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

Where to begin is the burning question. Let’s start at the beginning and then work our way forward…

When I consider the laws of the USA, and I see how many less fortunate individuals from across the globe look for permanent residency, wanting to live the “American dream”, failing that illegal immigrants sneak through the less patrolled Mexican borders as they smuggle in the illegitimate in search of their “American dream”. The effort and dangers they put themselves in to reap the welfares of the “American Dream”; minimum wage and the constant fear of being deported, a symbolised dream. Now apply that intent to the areas of your lives which may be effected, good or bad, work it out and study it thoroughly. Write it down and spend some time dissecting each individual talent and then dissect the evil intent that draws you away from serving the Lord. It’s not as if we need to be told when we are out of line and up to no good. Our conscience bears witness to our very own sin.

Once that has been establish, look to Jesus with a vigour as we plead with him to restore that fire that once burnt so bright and clear. Looking for God’s righteous fire to purged the dross from our lives. But until we strip the true from the false in our lives and our minds, nothing will change. The beauty of our Father’s awesomeness is that if we can’t see the wood from the trees or if sin is robbing us of our pursuit of holiness, we can still cry out to Jesus and call on our Father’s mercy to renew our minds, highlighting where we are dropping the ball so to speak. “Let God be true and every person a liar”, if this is a statement that you are not persuaded by, then there is much work needed on the horizon. Forget whatever you have been told or taught if it drives you in the opposite direction to the purpose of Gods will, all we need to work out is how and where we fit in to assist in fulfilling His masterpiece. The minute role we have to play is crucial for our eternal wellbeing.

I’ve come across the opinionated theories of some who have no founding nor any historical evidence for what they believe and it amazes me that they seem persuaded by such tripe. Democracy teaches that we all have an opinion and we should all have the right to be heard. This is God view on that; “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2Thessalonians 1:5-18) 

There is nothing more important to our existence than to embrace the voice of God and to seek out His will for our lives, period! Our eternal survival depends upon it…

Signing off

Tyrone




Tuesday 10 July 2018

Authenticity


Authenticity, the real deal is often mistaken for counterfeit. This cannot happen for the Christian they may be lured by many false messages but never swallow by them. We live in a world of deception. Fake name brands sold under the auspice of them being real, but it’s only ever the untrained that will be caught by such a ploy. Conmen preying of their targets, like a viper sensing out its prey. Thankfully this is something we are all capable of despatching as we understand the fundamentals of what is fake and when we open our eyes looking beyond the restraints of eternity, there are greats lessons to be learnt just as the day ticks on, so much of our lives have been designed to trigger deeper questions with the intent of seeking out God’s will for our lives. “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.

It can be difficult at times to differentiate between that with is authentic or fake. It is one think to be sold something fake, knowing that it is forged, but quite another deception altogether when we wear it as if it is the real deal. With some of the skilled falsifiers out there even the most valuable paintings have been forged. Another industry that has been bombarded by deception is the watchmakers industry. I have seen some amazing knockoffs that not even the in-house technicians where assured and only once their backs where opened and examined or the registry role was explored could they know for sure.

Sadly it is not different for Christianity, this is probably the leader of the pack with conmen looking to cash in. We must be on guard, we must examine our faith. What do I mean by that? We must examine our own hearts and there is only one way we will make it into heaven and that is if we have been marked by God. Our names must be penned in the Lamb’s book of Life, legitimizing those who have been truly saved. Without this entry we can forget ever entering time without end, with God as our ally, in fact it’s far more than that, we will be His son’s and He will be our Father. This is the hope that the Christian has and I desperately want to be amongst that number. How about you? Therefore it is crucial we get our understanding and senses up to speed when it comes to the authenticity of God’s Voice, His Word is the final authority! Nothing outside of it will do, remember this well as it may just save your life; “let God be true and everyone else a liar”. This must become the Christians mind-set. For those who are not persuaded by that statement, BEWARE! God has spoken and when HE speaks it happens. When God said “let there be light”, it happened. It wasn’t the “Big Bangers” philosophy that want people to believe that it just simply happen without any instruction. Change simply sprang to life by chance, right! The more confusing the influences behind trying to silence the truth, the grander the seeds of doubt sown throughout the land, However, God is far greater than the enemy and His purpose will flourish and come to pass. He is extremely patient and has our best interests in mind, we must never forget this truth! But as for the enemies of God, Woe! “As it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God”.

“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)

"Ephraim is a cake not turned." (Hosea 7; 8) A cake that is never flip is unevenly cooked, it is not cooked on one side. And so the reference here is that Ephraim was in many respects untouched by divine grace; there was obviously partial obedience and yet plenty rebellion ruling the “uncooked” side of his life. And as my beloved brother Charles Spurgeon would put it. “My soul, I charge thee, see whether this be thy case. Art thou thorough in the things of God?” If this post does nothing more than for you to seriously consider where and how you stack up with God’s call upon your life, it would make me a very happy man. We all have a natural tendency to want to push the goal post further. Apathy when it comes to Christianity seems to be prevalent on the one side and on the other lasciviousness runs riot.

What is our goal? Art thou thorough in the things of God? Has grace gone through the very centre of thy being so as to be felt in its divine operations in all thy powers, thy actions, thy words, and thy thoughts? To be sanctified, spirit, soul, and body, should be thine aim and prayer; and although sanctification may not be perfect in thee anywhere in degree, yet it must be universal in its action; there must not be the appearance of holiness in one place and reigning sin in another, else thou, too, wilt be a cake not turned.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Signing off

Tyrone









Wednesday 4 July 2018

Saved in Hope


Hope is a very powerful word used to describe the state of an individual’s volatility, it is never based on actuality but the potential of something coming into fruition, unless it hinges on true faith. The Christian is “Saved in Hope”. It is an unseen gift imparted to the believer through faith. Although invisible it is as real as these keyboard keys I punch. It isn’t a blind stab hoping for the best possible outcome. If it were we would be no different from the masses; where people take the little they have and bet on the lotto, hoping for an almost impossible payday and answer to all their financial woes. If only, is what drives their decision. The Christians hope is most certainly not cut from the same cloth and I thank God for that! We are saved in a hope that can never fail; God will never fail! It’s the Spirit of God working in us that drives our hope. It’s only when uncertainty creeps into our lives that hope begins to dwindle. Unbelief the enemy of faith which when seen for what it is, disobedience to the Word of God becomes evident in a person’s life. Tests will and must come, in fact this is what cements the Christians hope and causes it to shine. It’s these very examinations that separate the tares for the wheat and the goats from the sheep.  

An eternity with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the hope that will captivate the hearts of every true Christian, every born again believe who has been call into the light, those who have begun to grasp the difference between light and darkness and the different effect it has on ones well-being.

The beloved disciple has this to say; “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.” (2 John 1:8) – There is a lot on the line, in fact it is so massive that eternity (time without end) depends on the outcome of our understanding and commitment to the call that God has place upon our lives. If you believe, been called by name, and now continue to walk in the light as an individual snatch out of the fire, what is our responsibility? Hopefully we are not like the man who buried his talent, or has the gift of God, the Lord Jesus Christ sparked us into action? Is our hope so obvious to all that it is undeniable? Regardless of what people may think or say. Are we in the process responding to God’s call to the best of our abilities? I know that I am lacking in areas where I could be far more diligent, not from a carnal perspective, this is where we are often trapped into giving ourselves a pass. The call is a simple one, less of self and more of God and however that needs to be cut into our lives is what we will be judge on. To what degree has our commitment and gratitude sparked us into action…

We must make it our goal to end well and so with that in mind let’s pray for one another. This is an obvious truth; actions in our lives speak louder that the words that come out of our mouths. But never forget that it is the WORD OF GOD that must drive our actions and not the opinions of individuals.  

Help us feed the hope which drives us to be about your will in our lives Father God. Lord Jesus keep our eyes locked on the cross where it all happened, the anguish you faced so that the Christian could be set free, thank you my selfless King for that brutal sacrifice that has set me free. I need my mind renewed, that part of my brain that says know to my selfish will and yes to God, whatever that may look like.

It’s HOPE in that which is to come that helps realign my reality, there is an era coming where I will see my God face to face and a time where I receive my glorified body. Where I will be able to fall done and praise my heaven Father and personally thank Him for his patience with me. The day when I can embrace my glorious Saviour, thanking him for what He has done for me. These truths will come to pass and probably the time I look forward to most, is the day when every knee shall bow and confess Jesus as Lord or will it be when God the Father looks me in the eye acknowledging me as his son? The truth of it is this, that no eye has seen nor ear heard that which God has in store for those who love him. It is because we are saved in hope that we are reminded about these trues, praise God now and forever more, Amen and Amen!      

Signing off

Tyrone