ME!

Me, me, me… why is everything about me?

My prayers often orbit around my own struggles. It’s far easier to intercede for others when the pressure of life isn’t sitting on my chest. But when the weight comes—financial strain, the daily fight against sin, the mental battles that never seem to clock out—suddenly every prayer becomes a desperate plea for personal rescue.

I know the principle behind it all. Romans 12:1–2 is not foreign to me. Present your body as a living sacrifice. Do not be conformed. Be transformed. Yes, I understand it. But understanding a principle and living it out under pressure are two very different realities. That’s why returning to Scripture is not optional. Without the Word of God guiding us, restraining us, correcting us, and comforting us—who would ever find their way through the madness of life?

“Reaction to action” echoes through my mind. “If only…” flashes in the background. But thank God that “Jesus in my place” shouts louder than all my internal noise. Still, even that doesn’t magically dissolve the weight. There’s this ongoing whisper in my heart: life and then some…

We’ve been commanded, not suggested, not to worry about tomorrow. The call to arms is simple: by faith. By faith we walk, by faith we stand, by faith we overcome. And yes, on paper, that sounds beautifully uncomplicated. But the practical—where we actually live, breathe, fail, repent, and get up again—that’s the battlefield. Without that practical outworking of faith, Scripture is clear: we are in danger of the Lake of Fire. This all begins with faith in an unseen God.

We have clues of His brilliance—the creation that preaches louder than any human voice—but we have never seen God with our physical eyes. We do not see spirits moving, angels warring, or demons lurking. Yet we believe. And this belief—this faith—is the key to salvation. It is the door to being born again. It is the gift that grants us spiritual sight.

There must also be gratitude for the work of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit’s ministry, thoughts would not be drawn toward Scripture, nor would the truths of God’s Word be brought back to remembrance at the moments they are needed most. Jesus taught plainly on this. He said the Spirit would be our Helper—the One who comes alongside. He promised that the Spirit would “teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” He also referred to the Spirit as the Spirit of Truth, guiding believers into all truth.

And here is something that needs to be said: in many circles—especially among the more Reformed-minded—the work of the Holy Spirit often seems minimised. Not denied, not rejected, but overshadowed. Scripture is rightly upheld as the final authority, but sometimes the emphasis leans so heavily on discipline, systems, knowledge, and routine that the living, daily ministry of the Spirit is pushed into the background. Growth becomes associated with effort—memory verses, study structures, routines—all good things, but none of them can replace the supernatural work of God within the heart.

The danger is subtle: when human effort takes centre stage, the Christian life becomes something we perform rather than something God empowers. But Jesus promised a Helper, not a homework schedule. The Spirit is not an optional extra—He is the very One who gives life, conviction, remembrance, and power. Without His inner work, Scripture becomes information instead of revelation; discipline becomes duty instead of delight; and transformation becomes impossible. A person may memorise a thousand verses, but without the Spirit, those verses remain at the surface level rather than carved into the heart.

This is not abstract teaching; it is the active, ongoing work of God. The Spirit plays a pivotal role in the life of every believer, and this work stands as evidence that faith is alive. Every truth brought back to remembrance testifies that God is shaping His people from within. And this work is also a safeguard, because Scripture warns of the danger of repeatedly resisting conviction. Peter wrote of those whose consciences become seared through continually ignoring sin—hearts hardened, sensitivity to truth dulled, and the voice of God slowly drowned out. The Spirit’s prompting, therefore, is not something to brush aside; it is mercy. It is evidence of God still speaking, still drawing, still rescuing before the heart grows calloused beyond feeling.

To truly grasp salvation, you must first grasp your sin. If sin is minimised, salvation becomes sentimental. God’s purpose for mankind begins with acknowledging our guilt and then believing His Word. Whoever cries out to the Lord will be saved.

And that word “cries” matters. It is not a casual whisper. It is a vocal expression of emotion. A shout. A call for help. A desperate sound that rises from deep within. This is how we must call upon the Lord—anything less risks being hollow—empty—faithless.

Think of Jacob. He wrestled with the angel until dawn, refusing to let go until he received a blessing. It cost him further mobility in his hip, but he would not loosen his grip. There is always a cost to blessings… That’s the kind of cry God responds to—a cry that clings, pleads, refuses to surrender.

And with all this, here is the assurance the Lord Himself gave: “Whoever comes to Me, I will never cast out.”
No one who truly comes, crying out for mercy, is ever turned away by Christ.

Signing off

Tyrone

Tension

This response responds to a question from a blog reader.

 

The True Currency of Heaven: Grace at the Cross, Faith in Christ, and the Watermark of Obedience

Some of the most sobering and most liberating passages in Scripture sit side by side:

• “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom…” — Matthew 7:21
• “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:13
• “If it is by grace, it is no longer by works…” — Romans 11:6

At first glance, these verses seem to pull in different directions. But place them beneath the shadow of the cross, and the tension resolves beautifully. They reveal the root, the response, and the evidence of true salvation.

And nothing illustrates this truth more vividly than counterfeit money.

 

1. Grace: The Only Real Currency — Minted in Blood

Every nation recognises its own currency. Anything else—even if convincing—will be rejected. Heaven is no different. Grace alone is the currency God accepts.

But this currency was not printed on paper; it was forged on the cross of Jesus Christ. His obedience was perfect, His righteousness spotless, His suffering sufficient, His resurrection victorious. Salvation cannot be earned, improved, or patched with human effort—any attempt to add works makes the note counterfeit. Grace + works ceases to be grace.

The cross proves it: salvation is all of His work, and none of ours.

 

2. Faith: The Empty Hand That Receives the True Note

Paul says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Faith is the empty hand extended to the One who has already paid the full price. It is not a ritual or a magic phrase—it is a cry of a bankrupt soul:

“I have nothing to offer. My righteousness is counterfeit. Only Christ can save me.”

Faith does not earn salvation; it receives salvation. It is the act of trusting the currency of grace that Christ produced at Calvary.

 

3. Obedience: The Watermark That Shows the Note Is Real

Matthew 7:21 warns that many will speak and act like believers—saying, “Lord, Lord,” performing religious duties, moving in Christian circles—but their faith is counterfeit. When Christ holds their profession to the light, the watermark of genuine transformation is missing.

Obedience does not save.
Obedience reveals.
True faith, empowered by the Spirit, produces lives that align with God’s will—not to earn salvation, but as proof that the cross has taken root in the heart.

 

4. The Cross That Changes Us: Repentance, Not Perfection

When the crucified Christ becomes our Treasure, sin loses its charm, and His will begins to become our delight. But this does not mean perfection suddenly blooms. The cross creates repentant people, not flawless ones.

We still stumble. We still wrestle with temptation. We still sin.
But the Spirit reshapes our desires: sins we once defended, we now grieve; habits we once excused, we now confess; temptations we once chased, we now drag to the foot of the cross.

Repentance becomes our daily rhythm, not a one-time event. Grace empowers the ongoing battle against sin. The counterfeit believer sins comfortably; the true child of God sins with grief and turns back to Christ continually.

 

5. God Disciplines His Children — Not the Counterfeit

One unmistakable sign of true salvation is the Father’s discipline. Hebrews 12:6 says:

“The Lord disciplines the one He loves…”

Discipline is not punishment—the punishment for sin was paid in full on the cross. It is proof of belonging. The true believer feels conviction, correction, and restoration, whereas the counterfeit feels no Fatherly hand.

Grace trains, refines, and restores. Sin no longer holds its charm, because the Spirit will not let His children remain in darkness. The counterfeit may drift without correction; the child of God will sense the Spirit’s tug, guiding them back to the cross.

 

6. The Three Verses United: Christ at the Centre

• Romans 11:6 — Grace is the currency forged at the cross.
• Romans 10:13 — Faith receives that currency by calling on Christ.
• Matthew 7:21 — Obedience is the watermark proving that the cross has taken hold.

The root is Christ’s work.
The hand that receives is faith.
The fruit is obedience.
The heartbeat is ongoing repentance.
And the glory belongs to Jesus alone.

 

Conclusion: Nothing but Christ

At the end of the age, when every soul stands before Him, the question will not be, “Did you work enough?” or “Did you perform well enough?” It will be, “Did you receive My Son?”

For those who have—those who cling to His cross, treasure His presence, repent daily under His mercy, bear the Spirit’s watermark—the verdict will echo through eternity:

“You are Mine.”

Not because we were perfect,
Not because we paid,
Not because our hands were strong.

Because He was, He paid, He is, and He continues to work in us.

The cross produces no counterfeits.
It produces children.

And every child bears the watermark of the Treasure: Christ Himself.

 

Grace to all who call upon the name of Jesus.

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone

The Brilliance of God's Grace...

 We often — or rather, I often — find myself turning to Scripture, seeking truths that guide the course of my life. Looking back, that hunger is one of the clearest signs of God’s grace at work within me. Without it, where would I be today? What amazes me most about my glorious God and Father is His patience, His long-suffering, and His willingness to collaborate with a wretch like me.

The world shouts a vastly different message today. Self-worth, self-celebration, self-exaltation — these themes dominate, especially as the deceiver subtly infiltrates hearts. “You deserve it,” they say. “You owe it to yourself.” But if we are honest, all any of us deserve is eternal separation from God — hell and the lake of fire. We have ignored the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, and offered little homage. Even after the cross, our flesh resists, but thank God, a day is coming when our body of death will be shed forever.

Yet today — right now — is the day of salvation. The door is open, but it will not remain so indefinitely. This is the season of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation. But we must respond before the season passes.

I want us to grasp the magnitude of this truly… Jesus in my place, and what that cost our God and Father. What did this extraordinary achievement cost God? How extreme was the sacrifice? Let us walk through Christ’s journey — a biography of the eternal Son stepping into time.

 

His Eternal Identity

Before Bethlehem, before creation itself, Jesus already existed. He is the eternal Word — co-equal, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit. The triune God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit — three persons, one essence. He was not created. He is.

 

His Descent into Humanity

The Word became flesh. The Creator entered His creation. He did not descend upon a throne, but into the womb of a humble virgin, Mary. The infinite God confined Himself to an infant’s body. The eternal became temporal — the first scandal of grace.

 

His Life of Perfect Obedience — Despite Opposition

As He lived among us, Christ walked in perfect obedience to the Father. Not once did He sin, stumble, or deviate from His mission. Astonishingly, even those closest to Him inadvertently tried to thwart that mission:

• Peter rebuked Him for speaking of His coming suffering.
• Even His own brothers urged Him to step into the public spotlight before the appointed time, not yet believing in Him themselves (John 7:1-9), but Jesus remained perfectly aligned with the Father’s will.
• The crowds sought to crown Him before the appointed time.

Even in the wilderness, Satan tempted Him — and failed. Every shortcut, every appeal to hunger, authority, or pride felt powerless before His obedience.

Jesus remained locked into His Father’s will. If He had failed even once, humanity would have been eternally doomed. But He did not fail. He carried the weight of salvation flawlessly.

His Sacrifice on the Cross

At Calvary, He stood in our place. Every sin — every lie, lust, pride, and act of rebellion — was placed upon the sinless Son. The wrath that rightfully belonged to sinners fell upon Him.

The Father did not spare His own Son. Nails tore flesh; suffocation gripped Him; the agony was unimaginable. Yet the emotional weight was greater still. The sinless One bore the full weight of sin and divine judgment. When He cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” it was substitution — standing where we should have stood.

With His final breath, He declared, “It is finished.” Justice satisfied, wrath exhausted, the door of grace thrown wide open. This is love beyond comprehension. This is what it took to redeem wretches like us.

 

His Burial and Resurrection — Triumph Over Death

He truly died, fully and completely. Laid in a borrowed tomb, the stone sealing the entrance, the world held its breath. Yet the grave could not contain Him. Sin could not claim Him. Death could not defeat Him.

On the third day, the silence was shattered. The stone rolled away. Angels declared the impossible: He is not here — He has risen!

The resurrection is proof of victory, the declaration that death has been defeated, and that every promise of God — redemption, restoration, eternal life — is secure for all who believe. The empty tomb proclaims: Salvation is complete. Hope is eternal.

 

His Ascension and Eternal Reign — Seated in Glory

After conquering sin and death, Jesus ascended — not as a defeated man, but as the conqueror of all things. He sits at the right hand of the Father, exalted above all powers, principalities, and names. From that throne, He intercedes for every believer, ensuring that the work of the cross continues to save in real time.

Yet His reign is not only intercession. Every kingdom, every nation, every force of darkness bows — willingly or not — to His authority. One day, He will return visibly, decisively, and gloriously as King of kings and Lord of lords, unopposed and triumphant.

We live in the tension of this reign: seated with Christ in heavenly places, yet awaiting the day His kingdom is fully manifested. His ascension assures us: nothing is beyond His reach, nothing beyond His control, and nothing can separate us from His love.

 

A Call to Reflection and Response

As we revere all Jesus has done — from eternity past to His ascension — one question remains: where do you stand in relation to Him?

He left heaven to obey perfectly, suffer in our place, die for our sins, and rise victorious. He now reigns in glory, yet the offer of salvation remains open — but not indefinitely.

This is the moment to humble yourself.
This is the moment to turn from rebellion and self-reliance, and bow before the One who loved you enough to die in your place.
This is the moment to acknowledge that apart from Him, you are lost; in Him, you are redeemed.

Do not wait for another day. Today is the day of salvation. Step into the freedom, forgiveness, and new life Christ purchased with His blood.

Let your heart respond in faith, gratitude, and surrender. Let your life bear witness to the cross, the resurrection, and the ascended King. Nothing — not death, sin, or circumstance — can separate you from His love.

And one day soon, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, every eye will see Him as He returns in glory. Let us not face that day unprepared. Walk in light, obedience, and the power of the One who conquered all for you.

Reflect. Repent. Respond. Live for Him — today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone

 

The Light

Walking in the Light – The Triumph of the New Creation

When Scripture declares that we are “new creatures in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17), it is not describing a moral upgrade or a spiritual improvement plan. It is the miracle of salvation — God taking what was dead, separated, and corrupted, and making it alive with His very life. Nothing in human history compares to this transformation.

Through Jesus Christ, God accomplished what no man, priest, or prophet could ever achieve. The separation between God and humanity, caused by sin, was destroyed forever at the cross.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21

This single act of substitution — the innocent bearing the guilt of the guilty — remains the most remarkable achievement of all time. Heaven itself bore witness when the Son of God cried, “It is finished.” — John 19:30

In that moment, the debt of sin was cancelled, justice was satisfied, and redemption was sealed.

 

Christ’s Achievement — Heaven’s Victory on Earth

Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled every righteous demand of the Law. Where Adam fell, Christ stood. Where humanity failed, Christ conquered.

He triumphed over sin, death, and the powers of darkness — not through force, but through perfect obedience and love.

“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” — Colossians 2:15

No earthly achievement can compare. Kings have built empires, and philosophers have offered wisdom, but Christ rebuilt the bridge between God and man, restoring what was lost in Eden and opening the door to eternal fellowship.

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” — Colossians 1:13

Through Him, the believer is not simply forgiven — he is born again, brought out of darkness and into the life of God.

 

The Beginning of the Walk — You Must Be Born Again

And this is vital because it is impossible to walk in the light unless your spiritual journey has a beginning, just as your natural life had a beginning.
The Lord Jesus Himself said: “You must be born again.” This is not optional or a suggestion — it is the divine requirement to enter His kingdom.

This is not a vague spiritual awakening or a cultural Christianity inherited from family or tradition.
It is a decisive moment — where you recognise your need for a Saviour and cry out to God for salvation through the finished work of the cross.

Without this beginning, you may have been drawn into a form of religion — a tradition that soothes the conscience but offers no life, no power, and no new birth.
It is like having a fake Gucci bag: it may fool some, but not those with a trained eye — especially not the designer himself.

If there is no new life, there can be no walk in the light.

 

When the Light Reveals Our Weakness

Yet even as I write these truths, I must confess — there are moments I feel defeated. Times I stumble, fail, and see the hypocrisy of my own heart. I fall short of the very light I long to walk in.

But the beauty of grace is that the light that exposes also heals. I know where I need to surrender. I know the dark corners that must be brought into His presence. And I seek grace to overcome — not to boast of my strength, but to rely entirely on His.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

But this grace does not excuse sin — it empowers us to confront it. We must be brutally honest with our own hearts, refusing to twist weakness into licence.

 

What It Means to Walk in the Light

1. Walking in the Light Means Living in Truth

“God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” — 1 John 1:5

Walking in the light means honesty before God — no masks, no pretence. His light doesn’t humiliate; it transforms.

“If we walk in the light as He is in the light… the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” — 1 John 1:7

 

2. Walking in the Light Means Following Christ’s Example

“He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” — John 8:12

It is choosing obedience even when we fail, choosing humility when pride tempts us, and choosing to keep following even when we fall.
The light we walk in is not our own — it is His life reflected in us.

 

3. Walking in the Light Bears Fruit Worthy of the Light

“For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” — Ephesians 5:9

The evidence of walking with Christ is seen in transformation — not perfection, but direction. The more we walk with Him, the more His life grows in us.

 

The Light That Never Fails

Jesus didn’t just reveal the way — He is the Way. His light doesn’t flicker when I stumble; it patiently draws me back.

“For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 4:6

Even in my weakness, His light remains constant. The same God who said “Let there be light” speaks that same word into my heart each time I surrender.

 

Conclusion — Living as Children of the Day

Christ’s victory is not a distant story — it is the living reality of every believer, even the weary one.
To walk in the light is to live from His victory, not toward it.

“You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:5

So even when I feel defeated, I remind myself: I belong to the light. The call is not to perfection but to surrender. Each day, I look for grace to overcome, grace to keep walking, grace to keep believing.

“But you are a chosen generation… that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” — 1 Peter 2:9

And so, I walk — sometimes stumbling, sometimes shining —
but always toward the Light that saved me.

 

A Heart of Gratitude

I wish I had a scale to measure the depth of my gratitude for the Lord Jesus — for saving my soul, for redeeming me from darkness, and for walking with me even when I stumble. Words fail, yet my heart cries, “Amazing grace — how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!”

Every day I live in awe of His mercy, and every step I take in the light is a response to that incredible gift of salvation.

 

 To King Jesus be all the glory, now and forevermore. Amen and Amen.

 

Signing off,

Tyrone