Trusting God's Word!

(Revelation 11:3) “…and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."

This clearly means the two appointed men that God has chosen will prophesy and what they say will happen, not every other Tom, Dick and Harry. We must take much of what men and women claim to be from God with a pinch of salt. It is nothing more than vain puffed-up imaginations.

I’m noticing that everything is geared to explain away one of the greatest events of all time, the coming of the Lord. The Rapture will happen because the Bible has so declared it shall happen. God the Holy Spirit its author and nothing He has ever declared has not come to pass. What is the enemy to do? He endeavour’s to rationalize whatever scripture declares and makes what was and is miraculous as something that can be understood by the natural, until his time arrives. He steers us away from the truth of scripture, this is not something new as he was a liar from the beginning. But what seems to fascinate me is the way in which he keeps abreast with the times in relation to biblical prophecy. He knows that the coming of the Lord’s hour is at hand and so for some years now especially Hollywood has played its part conditioning the minds of many. There have been a lot of movies of late about Aliens and the end of the world, but there is always some who survive the onslaught. “Avatar” the movie with lots of undertones; a particular species taping into mother earth and drawing substance from her, serving the creature rather than the creator, with Satan not the creator as he was created and yet he wishes to be served as an equal to his creator, God! This will never happen, sure chaos will seem to rule the earth for a time, but this is all by permission, God has so ordain it. Satan will have his hour, but then he shall be cast into the Lake of Fire.

What is he to do while he prepares the hearts of those in believing his lies before his time finally arrives? It is obvious! He uses our God given senses which have fallen prey to the corruption of sin to ensnare us. To get people to continuously believe a lie! To try and disprove historical events that the Bible has recorded; take the crossing of the Red Sea, how many takes have I heard on that? The water was only ankle deep where they cross and yet that also backfire on the critics, because the whole Egyptian army was then drowned in ankle deep water. Straw men (decoys), looking to disprove actual events that took place in times past, and they continue to try and disprove what will happen in the future. Prophesy in the Bible will always happen as God has declared it. The Lord Jesus will come to fetch His bride as a thief in the night, but He will come and once He has shown Himself I wonder how the world will explain it away, if that could be possible, time will tell!

This was posted on my Facebook page, a beautiful picture but what caught my attention was the explanation in the caption; “This is a rare meteorological phenomenon called a skypunch. When people see these, they think it's the end of the world. Ice crystals form above the high-altitude cirro-cumulo-stratus clouds, then fall downward, punching a hole in the cloud cover. Freakishly weird!”

 “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27):- Just by the association of the clouds people are drawn to certain conclusions, which is not accurate and who knows what will be said when Christ’s bride is raptured. This may well be a stretch of my own imagination but be that as it may, it is awareness to our surrounding that I wish to provoke as we explore beyond the surface for understanding. 

With this understanding; whatever looks to contradict the scriptures is a lie, it is a straw man looking to deceive, the Word of God is the final authority and not our vain imaginations, but Satan will use our imaginations to try and trip us into believing a lie, be alert, be on guard! Jesus is coming and He is coming as a thief in the night.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (1Corinthians 15:3-5)

Wherever your mind or those around look to take you remember that there is only one place of safety when it comes to accurate doctrine, not our imaginations but rather the answers will be found according to the scriptures. We must learn to trust nothing outside of God’s Holy Word, the Bible!

Signing off

Tyrone  

Grace abounds...

(Romans 5:20) “…but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more”

I am tempted once again in the early hours of this morning to look to tear myself to pieces as there is much tearing to do. But I will not do the Lord any more injustice concerning His perfect work on Calvary. This morning I would like to consider just how great an achievement it was for the Lord Jesus to lay down His life knowingly for people like me. It is not as if He determined to lay down His own life with this thought in mind; (once a sinner has repented and believe on my finished work, I will have his continuous loyalty, he will never sin again). I know I have failed you Lord on numerous occasions and sadly I am under no illusions, I will continue to disappoint myself as well as others regarding my commitment to this continuous struggle against this my “body of death”. Does that mean I will throw in the towel and cry, “no more Father”? I may well cry out for your grace, O how I need your grace, but now to say I will now retire, what would be the point? Life and all its lessons a complete waste of time!

I am sorry Father that I have not been the person I wanted to be with regard to your call upon my life, but I must conclude you knew that from the beginning and yet you willingly sent your Son to die for me, for this I will be forever thankful. You are a glorious Saviour Lord Jesus, to suffer “once and for all” to the degree you were called to suffer and yet without sin, with this understanding that those who found the Father’s grace would continuously sin for what you died to destroy is mind-boggling. And yet you still agreed to do it, Praise, Honour and Glory belongs to none other than our great Lord and King, All Hail King Jesus!

Just think back on our lives and it will soon be obvious who has kept us. Yes it is about many Wilderness experience, it is about finding our pallets parched and experiencing water gushing forth from the Rock. It is about those times when we knew what we were about to do was wrong and yet we did it anyway, as our conscience pricked away at us. Just that in itself an indicator that God is for us and not against us. These are just some of the things the Lord has had to deal with after saving so many sinners. I remember the early days were I was convinced that I would never fall in those areas I once fell. But God gives more grace, praise His name!

Remember wherever you find yourself do not, I say do not withdraw from fellowship. We must guard our hearts against this evil. A sick person require a doctor not one who is well and so when we are struggling we need the encouragement of our brethren. This is the ointment used to heal the wounds. God has so purposed it! It is His design!

Here is part of an email I receive by a concerned brother and I quote:-

Morning my brother,

What I'm writing here is not a new truth but one which we cannot see at times because of the pain of sin.

When a saint sins, no matter what the sin, the consequences are always severe - The amazing thing is, that we often seem to grade sin according to some yardstick which we do not find in scripture. This leads the saint to believe that some sin is not as bad as some "very bad sin". This leads us to erroneously believe two things:

1. That if we do not commit a "very bad sin" that we are more acceptable to God and the Church and we are therefore fooled into believing that we do not need to grieve "that much" over our sin and we never experience Psalm 51, because "we do not need to". Fooled into believing that we are not that sinful - the Pharisee and the Tax collector repeated all over again - we never see the "Pharisee heart" within ourselves. Pride tells us that we do not need to grieve over our sin and experience the reality of a broken and contrite heart.

2. On the other hand, when we do commit a "very bad sin", we have been conditioned by the unscriptural yardstick to believe and behave contrary to scripture. The lessons taught in the parable of the prodigal son are forgotten and we err. Yes it is true that God hates sin, it is true that God judges sin, it is true that God disciplines the sinner, it is true that sin strains the sweet communion we have with God - sin is a dreadful enemy to the soul.

We err because in the midst of losing the joy of our salvation, experiencing the crushing and bruising of our bones, being made aware of the wretchedness of the condition of our hearts from conception, the ever pressing awareness that God desires truth in the innermost part of our being, our ever present awareness that we need to be washed and a longing not only to be cleansed, but for the sin to be blotted out where the very presence of its stench is removed and that God will give us His strength to live a Holy life pleasing to Him - we err because we listen to the wrong voices.

The worst voice we can listen to is our own - when we've been exposed to the "yardstick of sin" and when we have sinned a "very bad sin" - that voice rises up and while it may sound "right", it can be very destructive. When we speak that voice, we speak words which the prodigal son spoke. Not worthy to be called a son - I am willing to be a servant - I am willing to forfeit all the privileges of being Your child. Perhaps we do need to hear these words during the process of our hearts being broken and we experience contrition deep within our souls - but there is a better voice.

God has graciously taught me that He hates "all sin" and that no sin is acceptable to Him - my spirit remains grieved for my assuming that my lesser sins, which were not frowned upon by my hardened conscience, were acceptable to God because they were accepted by both myself and my kinsman.

Hear His voice my brother and enjoy the ring, the robe, the fattened calf and the re-instatement - don't resist Him while reaching out to you - worship Him by accepting His lifting you up onto His shoulders and restoring you.

The pain is deep and it is severe - but God in mercy and grace does minister to that pain - don't resist him in your state of "unworthiness".

Do you see the sweet ointment of fellowship addressing the wounds, I am thankful for those who would take the time out to minister to me at a stint like this. Our God and Father is concerned more than we could ever imagine about His struggling children’s well-being. He is for us and not against us even if we at times make some treacherous decisions and let no one tell you otherwise. Why else would He have sent His Son to die such a cruel death, for the strong only, never! It is the weak He is concerned about, praise His name!

Signing off

Tyrone

   

What Christ accomplished...

It is a wonderful privilege to be surrounding by brothers that have a sincere concern for one another. When it is somewhat dark and our judgment has lost its sharpness we are very vulnerable, especially weak in wisdom and therefore often make things worse before they get better, enough said; let me hear from another…

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors.”

- Rom_8:12

As God’s creatures, we are all debtors to him: to obey him with all our body, and soul, and strength. Having broken his commandments, as we all have, we are debtors to his justice, and we owe to him a vast amount which we are not able to pay. But of the Christian it can be said that he does not owe God’s justice anything, for Christ has paid the debt his people owed; for this reason the believer owes the more to love. I am a debtor to God’s grace and forgiving mercy; but I am no debtor to his justice, for he will never accuse me of a debt already paid. Christ said, “It is finished!” and by that he meant, that whatever his people owed was wiped away for ever from the book of remembrance. Christ, to the uttermost, has satisfied divine justice; the account is settled; the handwriting is nailed to the cross; the receipt is given, and we are debtors to God’s justice no longer. But then, because we are not debtors to our Lord in that sense, we become ten times more debtors to God than we should have been otherwise. Christian, pause and ponder for a moment. What a debtor thou art to divine sovereignty! How much thou owest to his disinterested love, for he gave his own Son that he might die for thee. Consider how much you owe to his forgiving grace, that after ten thousand affronts he loves you as infinitely as ever. Consider what you owe to his power; how he has raised you from your death in sin; how he has preserved your spiritual life; how he has kept you from falling; and how, though a thousand enemies have beset your path, you have been able to hold on your way. Consider what you owe to his immutability. Though you have changed a thousand times, he has not changed once. Thou art as deep in debt as thou canst be to every attribute of God. To God thou owest thyself, and all thou hast-yield thyself as a living sacrifice, it is but thy reasonable service. (Charles Spurgeon)

It is good to be reminded why Christ came and why He died, it’s good to remember Him, praise His name, Amen! Our never changing Prince of Peace, our great Immanuel, has accomplished all.

Signing off

Tyrone

The need for discipline...

(Proverbs 29:1) "He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing."

If I am not now surrounded by God’s grace as this warning now rings loud and clear; from as far back as I can remember, reproof has played a substantial part in shaping my life. Let’s face it who likes correction? I am no different and yet I probably as a rule need more disciple than most. So to think that I will eventually arrive at a place in my life that discipline will be a thing of the past is a figment of my imagination. By God's grace alone my arrival in Heaven will complete the process, but until then I will need to accept the facts; I am who I am by the grace of God! That does not excuse my sin, but one thing I know for sure that discipline has and will still play its part in my life. It is how I respond to it that is important and I do not stand alone, as discipline is what is used to mould the child of God.  

A little slumber is a little sleep and then the alarm goes off, what to do - what to do, get up or continue to hit the snooze button, which will it be I sit and ponder. There is only one obvious answer for the child of God, get up!

Here then is wisdom; “There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.” (Proverbs 15:10):- “This shows that those who cannot bear to be corrected must expect to be destroyed. 1. It is common for those who have known the way of righteousness, but have forsaken it, to reckon it a great affront to be reproved and admonished. They are very uneasy at reproof; they cannot, they will not, bear it; nay, because they hate to be reformed, they hate to be reproved, and hate those who deal faithfully and kindly with them. Of all sinners, reproofs are worst resented by apostates. 2. It is certain that those who will not be reproved will be ruined: He that hates reproof, and hardens his heart against it, is joined to his idols; let him alone. He shall die, and perish for ever, in his sins, since he would not be parted from his sins. 2Ch_25:15, I know that God has determined to destroy thee, because thou couldst not bear to be reproved;” (Matthew Henry)

A message from a friend and brother; “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14)

Satan is a fierce fiend and in ourselves we are obviously no match for him, but Christ has conquered him once and for all. However, I am not fully persuaded who I hate more, Satan or my flesh? How this body of death always looks for gratification contrary to the will of God. It most certainly has its own will and that is not to do the Lord’s bidding. May God have mercy on my soul, please give me ears to hear and eyes to see, as I have wondered from the paths of righteousness and now desperately look to find my way back. I remembered how safe I felt on that Celestial road, not so long ago had I travelled along that glorious road “Peace”, but now I feel somewhat trouble and confused but I acknowledge my fault having wondered from the path.

Father please forgive me for my folly and for taking my eyes off our leader the Lord Jesus, when I did that I found that I was no longer in the place of safety but now was treading new-old ground, a place I had learnt to hate or so I thought!

It was the Lord Jesus who lost His blood for our sins I will not forget that my great God, we must remember His finished work, it is all about what He has accomplished, so thank you Lord for what you did for me on Calvary, please forgive me for what I didn’t do for you and forgive me for my sin.

Signing off

Tyrone

What is it with the cycles in my life? How I suppose most of us go through both highs and lows in the Lord.

To be disobedient is a terrible thing and yet knowingly I still am. I know that I am happiest when I am obedient to God’s call upon my life.

“They shall sing in the ways of the Lord.”

- Psa_138:5

“The time when Christians begin to sing in the ways of the Lord is when they first lose their burden at the foot of the Cross. Not even the songs of the angels seem so sweet as the first song of rapture which gushes from the inmost soul of the forgiven child of God. You know how John Bunyan describes it. He says when poor Pilgrim lost his burden at the Cross, he gave three great leaps, and went on his way singing-

“Blest Cross! blest Sepulchre! blest rather be

The Man that there was put to shame for me!”

Believer, do you recollect the day when your fetters fell off? Do you remember the place when Jesus met you, and said, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love; I have blotted out as a cloud thy transgressions, and as a thick cloud thy sins; they shall not be mentioned against thee any more for ever.” Oh! what a sweet season is that when Jesus takes away the pain of sin. When the Lord first pardoned my sin, I was so joyous that I could scarce refrain from dancing. I thought on my road home from the house where I had been set at liberty, that I must tell the stones in the street the story of my deliverance. So full was my soul of joy, that I wanted to tell every snow-flake that was falling from heaven of the wondrous love of Jesus, who had blotted out the sins of one of the chief of rebels. But it is not only at the commencement of the Christian life that believers have reason for song; as long as they live they discover cause to sing in the ways of the Lord, and their experience of his constant lovingkindness leads them to say, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” See to it, brother, that thou magnifiest the Lord this day.”

“Long as we tread this desert land,

New mercies shall new songs demand.”

(C.H. Spurgeon)

Signing off

Tyrone

A Word in season...

(Proverbs 15:23) “…a word in season, how good it is!”

How often have we heard the phrase, “a word in season”? Just when all hope seems to want to breathe its last, our great God and King steps in on His white horse. Our Valiant to the rescue! I believe if we actually realized how often this actually happen on any given day we would be left dumbstruck. It is just the times that we are left to our own devises, when we look to do it our way, which really gets me down. Why? Because I realize I am not the person I was hoping to be. I think this probably has been my greatest disappointment in life. From an early age kicking the soccer ball with my father in the back garden, left me feeling as if I didn’t quite make the grade. What has changed? I am not quite sure anything has changed, physiologically that is. My brain still grasping for something it will never attain too, to be someone I am not. Then with the pressure of those around who feel you also should be acting differently, the way you are doing things is not quite right, etc. Brothers and friends squeezing you for something you are incapable of giving, we all are what we are by the grace of God. Maybe it’s time to stop pretending and to just trust on the Lord’s finished work.

So instead of looking to destroy what Christ has accomplished, as we continually remind ourselves that we are not worthy to enter into His presents on our own merits, which of course is very true, it is a “finished” work, and nothing anyone does or doesn’t do will add or subtract from what Christ accomplished on Calvary. He alone conquered hell, death and the grave. He alone opened the door to eternal life for all those who would acknowledge His accomplishments and those who would believe on the resurrection.

And yes there was yet another slip for me as I ended up doing something I should never have done, so what now? I have one of two choices, I can continue to beat myself up reminding myself how useless I am as a sinner or I can take Charles Spurgeon daily devotion, “a word in season” as direction from my God and seek His forgiveness and believe in Christ finished work and stop pretending to be something I am not. By God’s grace I will seek out the latter.

“The Lord our Righteousness.”

- Jer_23:6

“It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are “perfect in Christ Jesus.” It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that “Christ is made unto us righteousness,” we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord, Christ hath done it all. On the cross he said, “It is finished!” and if it be finished, then am I complete in him, and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, “Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” You will not find on this side heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ’s righteousness. When the believer says, “I live on Christ alone; I rest on him solely for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus;” then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought-”Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love him and serve him, seeing that I am saved by his merits?” “The love of Christ constraineth us,” “that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them.” If saved by imputed righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

May God patiently and graciously continue to bear with my/our inconsistencies as we see that day approaching. Thank you Lord Jesus for being our Valiant, my Hero and always extending a helping hand when there seems to be no hope. Others may look to blotch it with good intentions but clueless application, but your touch is always perfectly timed. You alone will receive all the glory!

Just maybe it is time to let go of self, please help me Father, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone   

The bruised reed...

It is probably the worse thing a man can do once he has been saved, to sin against God His Father at yet it seems inevitable. I suppose some sins are easy pickings, while others tend to be excused without too much fuss. Not that I would look to justify any sin as God so hated sin that He was willing to send His only Son to die for all sin to save a remnant of His creation. We know that “God so loved the world”, but we also know that not many in the context of the world will embrace the finished work of Calvary. So in the context of the billions that have lived; the word, the “remnant”, is a good choice.

With that said; what of the parable of the sower? How do so many fit into this parable, how do I fit in? Will the cares of this life eventually choke all the hope I have, God knows! The Apostle Paul had this to say about his example living as a man claiming to be a Christian; “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1Corinthians 9:25-27) – I most certainly cannot claim what he was able to claim. My life has been full of so many bad choices and I never seem to put off this “body of death” which continues to lure me into the same traps and the very same mistakes.

What is a man to do O great Jehovah? One could never denounce the work of Calvary as it is obvious what you have done to save the lost, it is also obvious what Christ had to endure to make away for sinners to find repentance in and through His sacrifice. But the times I have disappointed you is unbearable, the times I have sinned against you is too much to bear. Please forgive me Father God! I have no excuse I am guilty as charged, nothing I do or say will excuse my guilt. You alone know my end!

Both vessels of honour and dishonour will ultimately glorify your name; “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory--.” (Romans 9:21-23)

As I sit in this dark dreary pit I pray please forgive me and do not cast me to the dogs, I alone kneel and call for your mercy, and I never seem to change. Thank you Father for Jesus Christ the Lord, thank you for His finished work, He never changes, He is truly worthy of all praise, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

With much heaviness...

Whether I wish to acknowledge it or not, there has been a particular pattern to my life and it seems to never ultimately change; I may be strong for a time in the Lord finding grace and commitment in part to what I have been called to do, obey! But then the wheels come off with debauchery allowed into the playground. Sin acceptable if only for a time, nevertheless alive and well with its voice dictating and influencing my actions. Why does this constantly happen in my life? The pattern constantly repeating itself; is it there to teach me what I am doing wrong and yet I obviously keep missing the lesson. A wise man said only a fool will continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. I continue to fall in a particular area of my life and I am not sure it will ever change. My mind tells me I must change but history has shown that I cannot change. Hate is a strong word, but I hate this part of my life!

Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will make it to heaven, but he who does the will of my Father. So when I act on my weakness as a man I am contravening God’s law and I am guilty as charged. I am not doing the will of God the Father, but rather succumbing to my own lust and will. A terrible predicament and yet I finds myself again in the same place. A pattern to my life, that never seems to change, why? What am I doing wrong, now a serious consideration and can it be rectified once and for. What seems to confuse me is how can a tree bring forth both good and bad fruit? It can’t! So, maybe this now needs to be considered a little closer? “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:17-20)

Once again to avoid a slanted view on these verses as I now examine myself in light of them, let someone else teach…

1. The illustration of this comparison, of the fruit's being the discovery of the tree. You cannot always distinguish them by their bark and leaves, nor by the spreading of their boughs, but by their fruits ye shall know them. The fruit is according to the tree. Men may, in their professions, put a force upon their nature, and contradict their inward principles, but the stream and bent of their practices will agree with them. Christ insists upon this, the agreeableness between the fruit and the tree, which is such as that, (1.) If you know what the tree is, you may know what fruit to expect. Never look to gather grapes from thorns, nor figs from thistles; it is not in their nature to produce such fruits. An apple may be stuck, or a bunch of grapes may hang, upon a thorn; so may a good truth, a good word or action, be found in a bad man, but you may be sure it never grew there. Note, [1.] Corrupt, vicious, unsanctified hearts are like thorns and thistles, which came in with sin, are worthless, vexing, and for the fire at last. [2.] Good works are good fruit, like grapes and figs, pleasing to God and profitable to men. [3.] This good fruit is never to be expected from bad men, and more than a clean thing out of an unclean: they want an influencing acceptable principle. Out of an evil treasure will be brought forth evil things. (2.) On the other hand, if you know what the fruit is, you may, by that, perceive what the tree is. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; and a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit, nay, it cannot but bring forth evil fruit. But then that must be reckoned the fruit of the tree which it brings forth naturally and which is its genuine product - which it brings forth plentifully and constantly and which is its usual product. Men are known, not by particular acts, but by the course and tenour of their conversation, and by the more frequent acts, especially those that appear to be free, and most their own, and least under the influence of external motives and inducements.

2. The application of this to the false prophets.

(1.) By way of terror and threatening (Mat_7:19); Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down. This very saying John the Baptist had used, Mat_3:10. Christ could have spoken the same sense in other words; could have altered it, or given it a new turn; but he thought it no disparagement to him to say the same that John had said before him; let not ministers be ambitious of coining new expressions, nor people's ears itch for novelties; to write and speak the same things must not be grievous, for it is safe. Here is, [1.] The description of barren trees; they are trees that do not bring forth good fruit; though there be fruit, if it be not good fruit (though that be done, which for the matter of it is good, if it be not done well, in a right manner, and for a right end), the tree is accounted barren. [2.] The doom of barren trees; they are, that is, certainly they shall be, hewn down, and cast into the fire; God will deal with them as men use to deal with dry trees that cumber the ground: he will mark them by some signal tokens of his displeasure, he will bark them by stripping them of their parts and gifts, and will cut them down by death, and cast them into the fire of hell, a fire blown with the bellows of God's wrath, and fed with the wood of barren trees. Compare this with Eze_31:12, Eze_31:13; Dan_4:14; Joh_15:6.

(2.) By way of trial; By their fruits ye shall know them.

[1.] By the fruits of their persons, their words and actions, and the course of their conversation. If you would know whether they be right or not, observe how they live; their works will testify for them or against them. The scribes and Pharisees sat in Moses's chair, and taught the law, but they were proud, and covetous, and false, and oppressive, and therefore Christ warned him disciples to beware of them and of their leaven, Mar_12:38. If men pretend to be prophets and are immoral, that disproves their pretensions; those are no true friends to the cross of Christ, whatever they profess, whose God is their belly, and whose mind earthly things, Phi_3:18, Phi_3:19. Those are not taught nor sent of the holy God, whose lives evidence that they are led by the unclean spirit. God puts the treasure into earthen vessels, but not into such corrupt vessels: they may declare God's statutes, but what have they to do to declare them?

[2.] By the fruits of their doctrine; their fruits as prophets: not that this is the only way, but it is one way, of trying doctrines, whether they be of God or not. What do they tend to do? What affections and practices will they lead those into, that embrace them? If the doctrine be of God, it will tend to promote serious piety, humility, charity, holiness, and love, with other Christian graces; but if, on the contrary, the doctrines these prophets preach have a manifest tendency to make people proud, worldly, and contentious, to make them loose and careless in their conversations, unjust or uncharitable, factious or disturbers of the public peace; if it indulge carnal liberty, and take people off from governing themselves and their families by the strict rules of the narrow way, we may conclude, that this persuasion comes not of him that calleth us, Gal_5:8. This wisdom is from above, Jam_3:15. Faith and a good conscience are held together, 1Ti_1:19; 1Ti_3:9. Note, Doctrines of doubtful disputation must be tried by graces and duties of confessed certainty: those opinions come not from God that lead to sin: but if we cannot know them by their fruits, we must have recourse to the great touchstone, to the law, and to the testimony; do they speak according to that rule? (Matthew Henry)

I do love the accuracy we find in the Word of God, my flesh hates its shackles and yet at times it breaks those restraints and sins against God. Forgive me Father for I have sinned. And on the basis of the pattern of my life, I am in fear of being cut down and cast into the fire. You alone know my eventual outcome. Please be merciful as you have it in your power to show mercy.

Signing off

Tyrone

Spurgeon

It is time to hear from others…

“Perfect in Christ Jesus.”

- Col_1:28

Do you not feel in your own soul that perfection is not in you? Does not every day teach you that? Every tear which trickles from your eye, weeps “imperfection”; every harsh word which proceeds from your lip, mutters “imperfection.” You have too frequently had a view of your own heart to dream for a moment of any perfection in yourself. But amidst this sad consciousness of imperfection, here is comfort for you-you are “perfect in Christ Jesus.” In God’s sight, you are “complete in him;” even now you are “accepted in the Beloved.” But there is a second perfection, yet to be realized, which is sure to all the seed. Is it not delightful to look forward to the time when every stain of sin shall be removed from the believer, and he shall be presented faultless before the throne, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing? The Church of Christ then will be so pure, that not even the eye of Omniscience will see a spot or blemish in her; so holy and so glorious, that Hart did not go beyond the truth when he said-

“With my Saviour’s garments on,

Holy as the Holy One.”

Then shall we know, and taste, and feel the happiness of this vast but short sentence, “Complete in Christ.” Not till then shall we fully comprehend the heights and depths of the salvation of Jesus. Doth not thy heart leap for joy at the thought of it? Black as thou art, thou shalt be white one day; filthy as thou art, thou shalt be clean. Oh, it is a marvellous salvation this! Christ takes a worm and transforms it into an angel; Christ takes a black and deformed thing and makes it clean and matchless in his glory, peerless in his beauty, and fit to be the companion of seraphs. O my soul, stand and admire this blessed truth of perfection in Christ.

Signing off

Tyrone

The root of bitterness

(Hebrews 12:15) “…that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble…”

There are times in every believer’s life we need to really focus on the Word of God and its teaching in spite of how we are feeling. The Children of Israel never doubted that they had been freed from Egypt but they began to moan about what they had left behind. Bitterness about anything in our lives likes to take us to that dark gloomy place. This very verse now knocks on my door; “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15) – What I find interesting is when this root looks for life it is only because my own sin now looks for justification. Therefore in case my judgment may be clouded let me hear from another trusted brother on the topic.

“Where afflictions and sufferings for the sake of Christ are not considered by men as the chastisement of their heavenly Father, and improved as such, they will be a dangerous snare and temptation to apostasy, which every Christian should most carefully watch against (Heb_12:15, Heb_12:16): Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God, etc.

(1.) Here the apostle enters a serious caveat against apostasy, and backs it with an awful example.

[1.] He enters a serious caveat against apostasy, Heb_12:15. Here you may observe, First, The nature of apostasy: it is failing of the grace of God; it is to become bankrupts in religion, for want of a good foundation, and suitable care and diligence; it is failing of the grace of God, coming short of a principle of true grace in the soul, notwithstanding the means of grace and a profession of religion, and so coming short of the love and favour of God here and hereafter. Secondly, The consequences of apostasy: where persons fail of having the true grace of God, a root of bitterness will spring up, corruption will prevail and break forth. A root of bitterness, a bitter root, producing bitter fruits to themselves and others. It produces to themselves corrupt principles, which lead to apostasy and are greatly strengthened and radicated by apostasy - damnable errors (to the corrupting of the doctrine and worship of the Christian church) and corrupt practices. Apostates generally grow worse and worse, and fall into the grossest wickedness, which usually ends either in downright atheism or in despair. It also produces bitter fruits to others, to the churches to which these men belonged; by their corrupt principles and practices many are troubled, the peace of the church is broken, the peace of men's minds is disturbed, and many are defiled, tainted with those bad principles, and drawn into defiling practices; so that the churches suffer both in their purity and peace. But the apostates themselves will be the greatest sufferers at last.

[2.] The apostle backs the caution with an awful example, and that is, that of Esau, who though born within the pale of the church, and having the birthright as the eldest son, and so entitled to the privilege of being prophet, priest, and king, in his family, was so profane as to despise these sacred privileges, and to sell his birthright for a morsel of meat. Where observe, First, Esau's sin. He profanely despised and sold the birthright, and all the advantages attending it. So do apostates, who to avoid persecution, and enjoy sensual ease and pleasure, though they bore the character of the children of God, and had a visible right to the blessing and inheritance, give up all pretensions thereto. Secondly, Esau's punishment, which was suitable to his sin. His conscience was convinced of his sin and folly, when it was too late: He would afterwards have inherited the blessing, etc. His punishment lay in two things: 1. He was condemned by his own conscience; he now saw that the blessing he had made so light of was worth the having, worth the seeking, though with much carefulness and many tears. 2. He was rejected of God: He found no place of repentance in God or in his father; the blessing was given to another, even to him to whom he sold it for a mess of pottage. Esau, in his great wickedness, had made the bargain, and God in his righteous judgment, ratified and confirmed it, and would not suffer Isaac to reverse it.”

(2.) We may hence learn, [1.] That apostasy from Christ is the fruit of preferring the gratification of the flesh to the blessing of God and the heavenly inheritance. [2.] Sinners will not always have such mean thoughts of the divine blessing and inheritance as now they have. The time is coming when they will think no pains too great, no cares no tears too much, to obtain the lost blessing. [3.] When the day of grace is over (as sometimes it may be in this life), they will find no place for repentance: they cannot repent aright of their sin; and God will not repent of the sentence he has passed upon them for their sin. And therefore, as the design of all, Christians should never give up their title, and hope of their Father's blessing and inheritance, and expose themselves to his irrevocable wrath and curse, by deserting their holy religion, to avoid suffering, which, though this may be persecution as far as wicked men are concerned in it, is only a rod of correction and chastisement in the hand of their heavenly Father, to bring them near to himself in conformity and communion. This is the force of the apostle's arguing from the nature of the sufferings of the people of God even when they suffer for righteousness' sake; and the reasoning is very strong. (Matthew Henry)

Signing off

Tyrone

Christianity is not a sprint...

(Hebrews 12:1) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

It is rather intriguing the way God the Holy Spirit uses various means to speak to God’s children. Sometimes it is the unlikeliest places we find His direct voice as it gives us clear direction. We often like to second guess His voice as we are yet carnal in many ways. This then is what I received this morning, it was the very first think I read in the dubious of places and I quote; “Although it should not happen, occasionally the Born Again believer may find that they have lost their way. If this is you, the critical thing is to accept your weakness, then draw from the strength of Jesus AND TURN AWAY from whatever it was that tripped you. It is not the one who says the sinner's prayer who will be saved, but the one who says it, believes it, and ENDURES TO THE END. This is vastly different from the false feel-good gospel that is so commonly preached today!” (Allen Hemphill - Facebook) – Very wise words on many levels; we shouldn’t lose our way but we may have… if so - do this; accept ones weakness and turn away (repent) looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; it isn’t simply about words but actions will win the day. It will take endurance to finish the race. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord haven’t I done this in your name will make it.

It would be good for us to remember why we are in this race; whilst I was a boy at school on occasion I was asked to run middle distance races, not on any great level but inter-house seemed to need my participation. During the race I often ask myself this question, what on earth am I doing running this middle distance race as it is not my forte. I never even placed and it seemed such a waste of time. I wonder how often we “in type” feel the same way as Christians. It wasn’t until I got my national service call-up papers and I eventually found myself in Oudtshoorn’s Infantry School that I learnt something about myself that I never knew. I actually could run, but never believed it and never push myself to my limit. As an English speaking individual with the surname Arthur and with my black belt instead of a brown one, we marines stood out like sore thumbs! We were easy pickings for the Afrikaans army instructors and the only way to silence them was to beat everyone else in the 2,4km race we were often forced to run.

I suppose once I had decided that I was going to make the most of my National service it got a lot easier, not that the training got any easier but my mind-set allowed me to be the best I could be. That leaves me with this question, why are we Christian? I am a Christian because I believe without the finished work of Calvary I would be lost in a dismal place, the Lake of Fire, without God and in constant torment. A thought too horrific to consider! But God in His goodness and mercy in spite of myself had mercy on me and opened my eyes to His Son’s sacrifice, but more specifically His sacrifice for me. What now should my response be? This race was never intended as an easy ride, but if we all come to this conclusion; wherever He will lead I will follow. That does not mean that life will be easy, it won’t be! Regardless of what He has in store for us, it will certainly be worth it all!

As Christians who then are we? We are children of the living God…

“Your heavenly Father.”

- Mat_6:26

God’s people are doubly his children, they are his offspring by creation, and they are his sons by adoption in Christ. Hence they are privileged to call him, “Our Father which art in heaven.” Father! Oh, what precious word is that. Here is authority: “If I be a Father, where is mine honour?” If ye be sons, where is your obedience? Here is affection mingled with authority; an authority which does not provoke rebellion; an obedience demanded which is most cheerfully rendered-which would not be withheld even if it might. The obedience which God’s children yield to him must be loving obedience. Do not go about the service of God as slaves to their taskmaster’s toil, but run in the way of his commands because it is your Father’s way. Yield your bodies as instruments of righteousness, because righteousness is your Father’s will, and his will should be the will of his child. Father!-Here is a kingly attribute so sweetly veiled in love, that the King’s crown is forgotten in the King’s face, and his sceptre becomes, not a rod of iron, but a silver sceptre of mercy-the sceptre indeed seems to be forgotten in the tender hand of him who wields it. Father!-Here is honour and love. How great is a Father’s love to his children! That which friendship cannot do, and mere benevolence will not attempt, a father’s heart and hand must do for his sons. They are his offspring, he must bless them; they are his children, he must show himself strong in their defence. If an earthly father watches over his children with unceasing love and care, how much more does our heavenly Father? Abba, Father! He who can say this, hath uttered better music than cherubim or seraphim can reach. There is heaven in the depth of that word-Father! There is all I can ask; all my necessities can demand; all my wishes can desire. I have all in all to all eternity when I can say, “Father.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

Signing off

Tyrone

And God said...

(Romans 3:10) "None is righteous, no, not one;”

The on-going dilemma of this battle between right and wrong will haunt me until the day I die, I am persuaded of it. But outside of Christ what does it all amount too? A lot of worthless babble! A man may hold his tongue for many years but then one day it may slip and all his good work will be forgotten as he will be condemned as a slanderer. It happens to criminals throughout; they serve their sentence but still they are classes as convicts. People like to remember the sins of others justifying themselves.

I have concluded that as sinners, we all make up our own minds on how much sin we are willing to live with on a daily basis. This then varies between individuals, with undoubtedly upbringing and culture playing its part… Take Jacob Zuma the South African President for instance, he is a Zulu and although the law of the land states that a man can only marry one woman at a time, a divorce decree must first be issued before they may marry again. His culture teachers and permits multiple marriages and so he has many wives and still as president continues to marry new wives. The public has much to do about this and much is said, mainly condemning him for his actions. Does this bother him? I am not sure it does, it would be hard to speak for another but I would think neither would his own conscience condemn him; amongst his people, the Zulu’s, he was committed no crime.

Then on the other hand take the “big game hunters” throughout any part of the world, those who pay top dollar to hunt the “big five”, does their conscience plague them when they shoot a lion or a majestic leopard? I doubt it; in fact they well up with pride as they achieve their goal mounting the heads of their kill on their walls, while nature lovers despise even the thought of hunting such animals.

What then of abortion and such topics? It is now legal to abort a child in South Africa; The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act was passed in 1997 in South Africa, providing abortion on demand for a variety of cases. The list could go on, everyone a judge in their own right, everyone with an opinion, and yet sin reigns supreme in the lives of all. 

This then is the reckoning of God; this is how God views all those not covered by his Son, the Lord Jesus; all those who refuse to repent and believe in and on the finished work of Calvary; “as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;” (Romans 3:10) – but some may say, what about all the good I have done in my life surely the good will out way the bad? This then is God’s view on your reasoning; “Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die.” (Ezekiel 33:13) – All it takes is just one sin and we will be remembered for the injustice to our lives with hell our eminent doom. That is harsh some may say! It is what it is, God is not casting any popularity polls to see whether we agree with Him or not, He is who He is and His reckoning is the final authority.

There will come a day where we will all present our case before the only true God, that is not Buddha, some idol or some Greek God of old. It is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God who sent His only begotten Son to die a cruel death so that sinners might find forgiveness through His sacrifice. Outside of Christ there is no hope for the human race. Whether we agree with this or not will never change the facts; God has spoken! “Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.” (Isaiah 45:21)

He is both righteous and a Saviour, if we will not bend our knee to Him now we will all be forced to on that day of reckoning. Let no one tell you that “love will conquer all” and that there is no hell. For all those who depend on their own works to get them to heaven will end up in hell, but for those who realise that they are indeed sinners and in need of a Saviour and find repentance in and through the only righteous man to ever live, the Lord Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, they then will escape the fiery end.

“To God be the glory now and forever more”, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone     

 

  

O wretched man that I am!

(Romans 7:24) “Wretched man that I am!

“One Day in the House of the Lord would be more attractive than a thousand elsewhere”, is a song writers lyrics. It is a dazzling privilege to find oneself in the presents of the Lord and no one could ever dispute that. But we forget that it is also a very fearful thing for the flesh to even come near to the glory of God. Moses was bold and asked God to show himself; Moses said, "Please show me your glory." (Exodus 33:18) - This was not conceivable and so it could never be possible for any human to witness God’s Shekinah Glory, no carnal man (sinful man) has seen his face. Sin has made sure of that! John and Paul came face to face with the Lord, but Paul explains his experience like this; “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.” (2Corinthians 12:2-4) And yet we so often hear people claiming to have had similar experiences, I think not! This kind of experience is a very big deal and it operates outside of the realm of faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

When all of God’s children get to heaven faith will no longer be needed as a tool for the battle. Moses saw the latter parts of God, he personally witnessed it. This was his experience; “And the LORD said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." Moses said, "Please show me your glory." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live." And the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen." (Exodus 33:17-23)

However his experience was outside the realm of faith, he saw God’s back with his physical eyes. The Christians encounters his God through Spiritual eyes and this can only even be done through the realm of faith. Faith then is a key ingredient to get us home. Why then do we have stronger days while other days look to rob us through unbelief? The answer is once again a simple one; it is disobedience that leaves us high and dry doubting our salvation and it always linked to sin. Our own sin robs us of faith.

It is the children of Israel that teach us this lesson; “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:12-19)

Therefore it is the sin in our lives which causes unbelief. Peter has this to say; “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1Peter 2:11) – It is when we give in to these passions that our faith dwindles and the possibility of not entering into the presents of the Lord is probable.

There is not one set of rules for one child and another for the other; God may deal with us differently as a result of our sin, but He is holy and so will never accommodate our sin, how could we ever expect that from Him and yet I still trudge along! How I hate this “body of death”. Will I ever find obedience in areas of my life that I seem so desperately to continually struggle?

One thing I know for sure, without God’s mercy my quest would be a useless one. I am reminded that all the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea and journeyed on into the Wilderness, but not all made it into the Promised Land. It was sin that robbed them of their goal.

What then must we cling to? Praise the name of Jesus Christ our Lord as He is our only hope; “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24)

God continue to have mercy on my soul and all those who at times finds that the light of faith begins to dwindle.

Signing off

Tyrone

   

      

     

A little leaven!

(Galatians 5:9)  “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”

All it takes is a little leaven to help bread rise and affect the entire loaf. Just a bantam needed to affect the complete loaf. What about the warnings to the ten virgins; all who claimed to be Christian are instructed to go and buy oil while it is still day? Is there any connection between leaven and lack of oil? Once again it is the mirror I look into and examine my own life and not that of another.

Where do I really stand in the bigger picture? Will I make it on that day or am I amongst the number of so many that think all will be well, but it ends up tragically, they do not make it into heaven, although they thought they might.

Now we are taught that a particular tree cannot produce both good and bad fruit, this verse has often trouble me if I honestly scrutinize my life. Over the past 24 years there has been a certain pattern to my life as a Christian. I would need to call it a “yo-yo experience” with the so many highs and lows to my life. Could it be probable that someone with so many mistakes to one’s life that they could still be named amongst the number? There must be at least a concern in my heart as I now am worried about where I actually fit into the picture of God’s equation. He is the potter and He will determine the outcome for all. And yet we are fully accountable for the decisions we make. It is a very difficult concept for me to grasp in its entirety and yet I know it is just. God is just and He has so ordained it, praise His name!

The instruction then is to come and buy oil; “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” (Matthew 25:4) - I know that if my fruit tree does not bear any fruit it is pruned and when it does produce, it is again pruned so that more fruit may appear. Yet there is a more serious consideration, what if my tree continues to be pruned for what seems to be the old man’s way or the “body of death” always sprouting another node and then having to be cut down and cast into the fire. Just maybe it is time for a serious pruning, that branch that continue to keep its life needs to be removed entirely so that it no longer has any potential to work it mischief. May God hear my cry and forgive me for the many continuous mistake of my life, I never seem to arrive, forgive me Father God, and please forgive me my great Saviour.

The instruction that the Lord Jesus left for all who call upon His name was this and Paul confirms it; “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” (1Thessolonians 5:2) – The Apostle Paul does not mince his words, this is not merely a possibility but it is a fact; the Lord Jesus will come as a thief in the night. There is much talk about those who have His Spirit, as all of them will make it home, and I am still persuaded that this will happen because God’s Word supersedes opinions or suppositions, it is the final authority!  But who is to say of a certainty who has His Spirit and who doesn’t? The Lord Jesus taught you will know a tree by its fruit. Not all that say Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom! Who then will make it? The answer is obvious, those who do the will of the Father.

Peter teachers us that judgment will begin with the household of God; “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1Peter 4:17)

I will confess I have been found wanting and it worries me deeply. Let me make it very clear, I do not doubt God’s ability, He will achieve what He has set out to do, and that is a no brainer! Yet, both vessels of honour and dishonour are needed to bring glory to our great God’s glorious name. We would never of known his holiness if we have not seen wickedness. How would we understand the benefit of light if we never knew what it meant to grope in the dark?

Will I ever ultimately change? Will I eventually begin to suffer for doing well, God knows! I pray please have mercy on my soul, not that I have done anything to deserve my request, in fact on the contrary, on my own merits I would be the first to be disqualified. But as you O great God have it in you power to show mercy on whom you choose I pray for that mercy. Forgive me for my constant pattern of giving in to my “body of death”. How I hate it so! Please prune what needs pruning in its entirety so that my life would bring glory to you. To think that heaven will be a place without sin is such a comforting thought, a place that we no longer have to strive against falling prey to its traps.

We cannot serve two masters; I do hate the traps of the devil and yet I am still ensnared by them. I choose to serve you Father God but I am weak and in need of your help. A friend and brother reminded me of this truth.

I do not know the outcome, but you do! I place my life into your hands and ask for forgiveness for the many mistakes I currently make. Help me die so that I may live!

I do not pray for myself alone but for the many others that may be in the same predicament, please Father have mercy as you have it in your power, I ask in the mighty name of Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone