The war must rage on

The grace of God is not there to hide our sin but rather to destroy it and until we settle upon this truth we will always be looking for a way to mask it. God is omnipresent, he is ever-present and regardless of all the feeble attempts we may have made through our lifetimes looking to cover the darkness that separates us from true fellowship with our heavenly Father, that annoying voice condemning our actions and the other, thankful that no one else is privy to our behaviour, or so we would like to believe.

However there is only one way forward for a Christian soldier and that is to confront the darkness head-on, it’s time to face our fears and seek out the grace needed to overcome. We needn’t stand on our strength that would be an impossible task, we stand upon the finished work of Calvary. But we also do not act as if all is well, if in fact that is far from the truth. Yes a Christian will always have his sins covered, past, present and future. The Lord Jesus Christ our beloved brother has taken care of that. But where the fox looks to destroy the vine in our minds is the sin that so easily besets.

I have witnessed the reaction we have to this chink in our armour; we look for justification to continue, a justification to excuse our behaviour, normally looking to pass the buck. A hot-headed European man would say, it’s not my fault I was born Italian, I can’t help it that I lose my temper. Wrong! A Christian is a new creature in Christ, we have armour to push on through the clash, but unless we dress for battle we will always fall. Shoot a bullet at a man’s chest and what happens? He will probably die. But slip on a bulletproof vest and he will live. We have been commissioned to put on the breastplate of righteousness. It’s only the born again Christian that has this arsenal in his closet. But we all have it, whether we wear it or not is up to us. A masochist loves pain, the drug addict loves the high, an alcoholic loves the escape, a sex addict loves the chase, a madman loves to vent, and a rich man loves the power. The list is endless, but these actions are linked to darkness and are fruits of the flesh, initiated by sin. The very thing that caused a cruel death for our beloved Saviour. How then can we as Christians continue down this path as if it is our right, God forbid! For such a long time I could never get my head around this truth, but God who is rich in mercy is able to bring his children around, praise His name, Amen! He is not only able, He will bring you around.

The next question that springs to mind would be why do I struggle so? Although we are righteous because of what Jesus has done we will never be perfect while we are in our earthen vessels. Yes we have been justified, but the war rages on. It’s how we view the war that is critical. A good soldiers must not entangle themselves with the sin that so easily besets. But to pretend that it isn’t real would be a mistake. What now? We must confront our sin, whatever they may be, although there be many, we press on to the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus our Lord. Although we will continuously slip and fall is some area of our lives, we never excuse our actions but are quick to confess our faults and to seek our forgiveness. This is the day in the life of a Christian. However when we get to heaven this will all change and we will be like our glorious Saviour. We will receive a body like His. But until then the warfare must rage and it will persist until we breathe our last.

“If a person were free from all tendency to sin, he would not be liable to temptation any longer. He would not need to guard against it. There is an evil inside us that makes us exclaim from day to day, “O wretched man that I am who will deliver me from this body of death?”” Romans 7; 24.  (Charles Spurgeon)

To those who believe and stand upon the doctrine that this verse refers to us prior to salvation I echo Charles Spurgeon’s sentiment, which is; “If a person were free from all tendency to sin. He would not need to guard against it.” Does an unbeliever guard against sin as the Christian does? The answer is an obvious one, No! How could he? He does not have God the Holy Spirit living within him.

What are we to do with this information on a practical level? We are to use the grace of God available to every believer, to squash any sin that looks to rob us of the peace of God that is our privilege to enjoy. We will never be totally free from this conflict until we are changed, the day we receive our new bodies, but fight we must and we know what is expected of us, so we are without excuse. To God be the glory now and forever more.

I am convinced that God will bring all those around who has not yet made this their own, He is capable, able and He will do it. His desire for all His children is for us to find a liberty to serve Him without distraction. This is where the His brilliance comes into play, the trial of life working together for the good of all those called according to His plan and purposes. Without it we would never learn much.   

It’s all about understanding a truth and them making it our own. “For whenever we encounter truth, it is both our duty and our privilege to lay hold of it.” (Spurgeon) 

Signing off

Tyrone

My Light

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” David could claim this with utmost assurance, can we? It’s one thing to say something but quite another altogether to stand when tested. David stood toe to toe with Goliath and therefore has earned the right to wear the T-shirt; “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

Stop what you are doing and think about where we stand, then wrestle and toil with the notion of it all and before long you should understand. Deception may look to conquer but I trust the mirror will win. Faith towards God and the finished work of Calvary is the invisible tattoo the child of God has engraved on his chest and just like ultraviolet light brings hidden matter into the light so too does the trial of life achieve the same result. We have been commissioned to strap on the breastplate of righteousness. He is the great shepherd who rules by the force of love and his shoulders bare the marks of commitment where he has carried our burdens. A God who is always for his people and never against them. It’s the love of discipline that sometimes muddies the waters of our understanding. It’s the lack of knowledge that confuses. The wandering sheep is never left to their own devices, it is part of the flock and at times a shepherd would go as far as breaking a leg so that the lamb would be unable to wonder beyond the borders of his protection. Even through this act of tough love, when it was time to move, the lamb would find a resting place upon the shoulders of the great shepherd, the safest place to be. The love of God who can fathom it?

Ask yourself this question, what is my ultimate goal? I know we have been instructed to walk and live one day at a time, but why? The answer should always revolve around heaven and all its glory. A single days struggle is hard enough and we often place so much energy on the anticipated cares of tomorrow that never arrives. All that worry for nought. Today is the day for change, the day to stand up and be counted, make haste, the trumpet in near, how much wasted time has been a part of our lives. The rule of sin over us has played its part and it still looks for any gap it can find, but the truth be told Jesus has conquered sin and we stand upon his finished work. We need to be aware of who we are in Christ. Not who we are in ourselves, as people look to pass their judgments based upon our worldly standings and success. Sure, there are many benefits for the wealthy in this life, and then what? The judgment of God is coming and how thankful I am for it. We, the Christian has already been judged and our great Saviour has paid the price in full for our sin, it cost him his life, it’s time we starting talking our responsibilities seriously. It is impossible to gain muscle mass without the correct diet and intense training. Although the one takes care of the carnal, without spiritual commitment to the Spirit of God that lives within the Christian, spiritual training if you like, we will stagnate and become ineffective in a dying world. Although we cannot mix oil and water, just like that which is flesh remains carnal and that which is of the spirit remains spiritual, the principle for both world applies. We need to sit at the feet of Jesus, and yes make time in the mornings to make it happen. Get up earlier if need be, it will be beneficial, not only for yourselves but those around you.

We all have our crosses to bare and it's time we started welcoming them instead of begrudging our lot in life. They have been designed to conform us into the image of Christ, and who doesn’t want to be more like HIM? But unless we walk in the Spirit how will this ever be our reality? It may just be time to truly shift our attention onto the ONE who has the power to save. Do not be fooled for there is great power beyond the realised, behind the curtain of the natural that influence so many of us. In fact it is far worse, we depend upon it. The time for repentance is at hand. It’s time to stand upon the Rock of Ages who has been cleft for me, WOW! “Jesus in my place” at salvation and no differently when death knocks. But what about the in-between? Why do we drop the ball here? Mostly because of the sin that so easily besets and the weightiness of the cares of life.

It is time to dress for battle, yesterday has gone, in fact what has passed has passed and the only voice that needs to ring true is the voice of our God for HE is our sword and shield and he has a path mapped out for us, we need to listen for his voice as we sit at the feet of Jesus and with our ears unfabled with the clutter of this world, to then move when called upon.  

Signing off

Tyrone

War

One of the biggest question we ever need to ask ourselves is do we plead merit of ask for God’s mercy in time of need? For in us there will never be any merit that will find favour from God, sin has taken care of that. It’s only in Christ that we find justification before a holy God. The work of election was established before time began, God choose certain individuals to love Him so that through process they would learn to glorify Him and not out of obligation but all because of His love. The brilliance of my God and Father humbly boggles my mind, wow! Just to get these tiny snippets of His brilliance is rejuvenation to ones soul. The honour we have to represent has taken on a new dimension and I am forever grateful to be amongst that number. In spite of my many blunders, which plagues my mind continuously, I know that I have been forgiven, bless the name of Jesus. But now all I ask is to be like Jesus. There comes a time when we need to put off childish things, were we need to stand up and be counted. Leaving that which is behind us, all of it and seeking out the will of God for our lives with an honest integrity. 

The battle is fierce and the front lines is where the reality of Christianity is evident, not that the lessons of life do not play their part, of course they do. However it’s when we come face to face with the enemy, it is here that our spiritual senses are quickened and our mind shifts a gear heightening our dependence upon the finished work of Calvary. How small we actually are outside of HIM! I Love my Saviour with all my heart and yet I know that I have so much more to give.

It’s in this context that Paul gives us insight; “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:10-18) 

Anything that looks to disrupt a believer’s progress is the objective of Satan and his followers. We are aware of what the Word of God teaches us and every Christian applies what they are taught is some form and their minds are renewed. God the Holy Spirit plays a massive role here. But it is only when we come face to face, or more accurately voice to voice with the enemy and see them at work that we are gripped with the reality of the evil forces at play. Theory tested practically. This is where the armour of God becomes a critical part of our attire. Without it we are vulnerable and can be left somewhat confused when confrontation happens. Have you ever seen an army scout sent out to the frontlines without the appropriate gear? Dressed correctly we can stand firm; the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes fitted with a readiness to bring the gospel of peace wherever needed, the shield of faith firmly strapped into place as we defend all the fiery darts fired by the evil forces who oppose our God’s rule, with the helmet of salvation lacked in position, with our swords in our hand, not the glinting metal of Excalibur but rather the WORD OF GOD as we remember the power it yields. God speaks and it happens! With continuous prayer throughout the day as we converse with our heavenly Father gaining intelligence on what is needed to get us and others throughout the day. It is to this end that we need to be alert and of service to our God and Father. Remembering our fellow workers in Christ.

God has an army and we have our part to play, God give us eyes to see the seriousness of the call place upon us all.

Remembering that as we dress for battle all the attire we are commissioned to wear is Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour; it’s all because of His accomplishments that we are of use to our heavenly Father, we are never to forget Gethsemane, lest we become puffed up within ourselves. Jesus is alive and because HE lives I live, praise HIS name now and forever more, Amen and Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

Perspective

The journey of life is there to bring us to the place of understanding that we have been tainted by sin, we are sinners and that there is only ONE true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and that through discovery salvation is available to all in the person of Jesus Christ. The rest of our lives is but fill in, somewhat irrelevant in the greater scheme of things. We live to find the will of God for our lives, firstly as individuals and then on a collective level whereby we may be of use too others as we also help them find their way. The end game, the Celestial City, heaven with all its glory.

This morning the mercy of God has taken me to a consideration that is rather simple but we daren’t miss it. God gave certain men the platform to pen their experiences in the greatest of all books, the BIBLE. What has come to me afresh this morning is that it is imperative to have ears to hear where the Spirit of God directs. These appointed individuals give us insight into a very wonderful and precious relationship, theirs with God which in turn must effect our bond with our heavenly Father. It was always the trial of life that brought about the best growth, those particular times of hardship that honed their relationships. David possibly grew the most after acknowledging his sin, but not before sending a loyal servant to his death in order to hide it. Unfortunately for the flesh there is no other way for sin to be squashed, outside of suffering. The only question we need ask ourselves is this; am I willing to go Gods way whatever the cost? The beauty of a favourable retort to that question is that I relinquish my will and I am willing to hand it over to God. The sooner we arrive the better, for we know that heaven is waiting. 

At the end of the day who doesn’t want to hear the words “well done my good and faithful servant, enter into your rest”? Therefore whatever will aid in achieving our objective needs to be done, period! And yet there is so much clutter that always looks to get in the way, Why is that? We have been tainted by sin, but let us not overlook the mercies of God, the grace that abounds towards the believer, we are new creatures in Christ and we need to be continuously reminded. We will never be justified by what we do, we are only ever justified by what Christ achieved for us. And yet we have be summoned to walk in the light and to avoid the darkness if we are to please our heavenly Father. Who does not have this objective at the top of their “bucket list” to please God? If that is not one of our priorities, well then, sadly we have been duped into believing a lie, or even worse we are bastards and not sons and we will never make it to heaven.

Intertwined with all of the instruction to the Christian is an overarching truth that should never be missed and yet I see it glanced over as if it carries very little weight amongst believers of today; “without faith it is impossible to please God”. Faith takes God at His Word, don’t mistake magic as faith, magic is filled with deceit and there are many under the Christian banner that claim to be gifted when in fact they are nothing but liars. It’s all about filthy coinage that drives them, it’s not about pleasing God. They are not ministers of the light. Faith believes the truth of an unseen God at his Word, we study the bible in context and when we hear the voice of our God we believe and find grace in time of need to follow through with its instruction and if we fall short we seek out forgiveness, this is the life of a Christian. However combatants of the darkness look to garble the message, interference with the unadulterated message of the gospel is their main objective. They are the enemy who look to destroy, those who have fallen from grace. Whose journeys started in heaven with God, no longer friends but foe and the mêlée is fierce. It’s time we realised the severity of the battle, time to grow up and to be number amongst the saints, regardless of the cost.

Signing off

Tyrone

Confronting HIV

The depths and the measure of the love of God who can truly understand it. All I know is that I will be forever grateful.

This is my story or a few chapters of it at least...

Defiance

“Defiance” is a term that packs a punch and in the case of the masses it is a great noun which depicts a rebellion against God. It literally means; open resistance; bold disobedience. A word that could be easily interchangeable in today’s society would be “modern”. Model Family a TV program that shouts defiance with all it represents. Modern in place of obedience. Do not be fooled into believing that random exists, that would be a lie. We are either for God or against Him, period!

Defiance! It’s not as if it is a new phenomenon, from the beginning it’s a word factored into many equations resisting the will of God. Lucifer and one third of heaven's angels and then Eve in the garden followed by Adam. From there a downward spiral as we head towards the culmination of the flood. A time when the thoughts of men were consistently evil. God put on the backburner so that mankind could entertain their lusts. After the purge where only eight souls survived the earth was once again replenished, it didn’t take long for sin to once again spiral out of control. Its greatest masquerade is to appear as light when in fact it is darkness. It’s a popular thing to be cool, we are told to get with the program, get on the bus, or move out of the way because we are still leaving in the dark ages. The definition of darkness is the absences of light. God is light! In other words sin has nothing to do with the ways of God, it lives on the opposite extreme. We are fallen creatures by nature and all because of the influence of sin and the way it dictates. Exemption is unheard of, no matter how sneaky an individual may be, deep down we are governed by the power of sin. However, the Christian is now a new creature in Christ and have so many aids at our disposal, the storerooms of the grace of God, the ability to run toward the light, we have a Shepherd that has conquered sin and all its hidden snares, the Lord Jesus Christ has conquered Satan and all of sins warriors. He overcame in a body like ours, flesh and blood was his home for 33 years. He was tempted like us all yet without yielding to sin. The Christian must latch onto His victory and not focus so much on our failures and then resolve to live in the light where there is no darkness. How privileged we all are and all because of the goodness of God. A God who so loved those trapped by sin, has freed us in Christ, but let us never forget what it cost him to purchases our freedom, his life!

Defiance is what lives in plain sight and no one is willing to speak out, “hate speech” is now high on the agenda of all in power. But what of the haters of God? There day is coming and they will stand before his judgment seat.

God has preordain a plan for creation, and it will play out in accordance with His will, regardless of the opposition faced. Of this I am convinced. But how has “defiance” now looked to soften the blow of God’s will for the believer. It is the believer I address, beware of the darkness that parades as light. This is what I see as clear as day; “Christian communities” looking in defiance to contradict the Word of God. It’s one thing when the open haters come at us that is to be expected. However when the “church” begins to buckle under the pressure of sins defiance, then we are in serious trouble. We need to remain faithful unto the end, period! God is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow, so too is his Word immovable, it remains constant. 

Evolution or the big bang theory has its origin from darkness. And those inclined to lean towards that theory have already been handed over in a sense. The evidence is obvious, read Romans 1. There is only one truth that we must latch onto and that is the finished work of Calvary, which is anchored by the WORD OF GOD! There is so much paraphernalia surrounding the Christian that operates behind an unseen realm, the war behind the curtain which our carnal senses aren’t privy to, however we are instructed to walk by faith and that needs to be fuel by the Word of God, that which we can see.

Signing off

Tyrone

Sanctification

Sanctification is the means whereby we through process please our heavenly Father, it begins at salvation without the Spirit of God intervening in our lives sanctification would elude us all. Let’s say we regrettably sin and do something we know displeases our God, as a Christian what is our response to that action. It has to be repentance and if not we are literally playing with fire. Because it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Sin will always look to rob us of our standing before a righteous God. However our failure in falling prey to it can never condemn us to the point of death, because Christ has overcome. Past, present and future sins have been taken care of concerning judgment. Christ was judged on our behalf. The Christian sands guiltless before a Holy God. By far the greatest of all miracles. The beauty of the gospels power, who can truly fathom it, get their head around it and allow the brain to settle? And this is where faith plays a mammoth role in our lives; “now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” If we had to rely on our own efforts to get to heaven we know that we would never arrive. Christ was victorious, praise his name now and forever more, amen and Amen!

However the way we conduct ourselves reflects our understanding of sanctification. It’s the truth of God’s Word that brings us to a place of knowledge, accurate theology will bring with it a correct application to our lifestyles. This is the work of the Spirit of God. We must be sanctified in truth. If we miss this gem behind our journey on earth, so much time will be wasted. How many indulge an error in judgment and habitually continue down the same road? We need to understand the truth and then clinch to it with all we have, this is when we will be sanctified by the Spirit. Do not expect sanctification in our lives if we cling to error as if it where certainty. Matters of opinion do not excuse us if it contradicts the truth.

It’s not the trial of life that defines us but rather our response to it. Is sanctification evident in our lives? It’s not about what others perceive, although that is important, but rather what we know to be true.

Father God I pray please continue to sanctify me in truth and forgive me for my sins, help me understand the gravity behind it all. Make me more like my beloved Saviour.

“The Spirit of God brings to our minds the precepts and doctrines of truth, and applies them with power. These are heard in the ear, and being received in the heart, they work in us to will and to do of God's good pleasure. The truth is the sanctifier, and if we do not hear or read the truth, we shall not grow in sanctification. We only progress in sound living as we progress in sound understanding.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Signing off

Tyrone

            

Faith and Repentance

If it's the goodness of God that leads a man unto repentance, which it is! Then how does repentance work in an individual’s life, what should it look like?

Both the saved and unsaved man have a built in barometer that drives them to places of regret and eventually once they come to their senses seek out forgiveness for their folly. Let’s face it any form of sin springs from irrationality, an action contrary to God’s character who is perfect and full of light. We have a built in conscience that measures our actions and I suppose we all have a differing tolerance line for it and if we blow past that the fruit of regret germinates.

Who is it that brings a man to his senses? Well, surely that is the work of God the Holy Spirit.

Understanding the need to repent and then acting in accordance with the will of God in that area of one’s life is an ongoing daily activity, or at least it should be. Are we seeing the same grow spurt with our faith and repentance, or is the one being left way behind? We have been called to a more excellent way, the art of bonsaiing is not the way of the Christian or at least it shouldn’t be. A seed germinates and then grows in accordance with nutrients within the soil and the watering thereafter; “repentance grows as faith grows. Do not make any mistake about it; repentance is not a thing of days and weeks, a temporary penance to be got over as fast as possible! No; it is the grace of a lifetime, like faith itself.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Let these words germinate deep within the recesses of the soul, because once it has settled we can get on with the task at hand and we will stop living in the “why” and get on with the “now” with the “endgame” in sight. Repentance and faith has locked hands and they have purposed to run their course, it’s only when we breathe our last breath that their work will end. Evolution has nothing to do with the purpose of God, whatever He wills comes to pass, and this is the power He possesses. Its time we swept out the cobwebs of humanism and got on with the task at hand. We must constantly be looking in the mirror with an honest stare, confessing our sin before a holy God with our faith anchoring the process. The work is complete, it is finished we have been forgiven, Jesus has overcome, it is over! So why the need for the struggle in our lives? I believe it’s to prove our commitment to our heavenly Father, that in spite of the struggle, we will still be grateful. And obviously it’s the hardship that teaches us obedience.

I am convinced that with God everything has been perfectly positioned and even the evil we see is in the process of servicing its purpose. Because we may lack understanding highlights our defects. God is perfect and perfection lacks nothing. Once faith is no longer needed I am persuaded that we will be blown into orbit when the brilliance of God is revealed. Faith uses a different dimension to engage and repentance is the evidence behind it all.  

Signing off

Tyrone

The Scarecrow

The strawman better known as the scarecrow, the decoy used to scare off the birds and in turn produce a greater harvest. We would have to dig deep or travel far to find a better analogy to highlight the way of humanity and this leg of our journey.

Let me explain…

It would take resources and manpower to have an actual individual overseeing the crops, especially just after the sowing of the seed. The farmer’s objective to produce a healthy crop and line his pockets for the winter and the only way to do that is to set up mechanisms to achieve his goal. Someone somewhere came up with the ingenious idea, and the scarecrow was born, through time adaptations added to improve the end game. No longer a static figure but now moving with the wind to imitate the movement of an individual.

The psychotherapist seems to be the flavour of the day. We need to speak through our concerns, but before we can do that we all need to acknowledge a want for improvement. As fruitful as this technique may be, it is no more than another distraction if it shifts our focus off the Lord Jesus Christ. For He alone is the source and attention that will bank treasures for our eternities. Miss this truth and drive in our lives and the consequences are too dreary to discuss, an eternity of absolute misery will be our lot. We need to pay special attention to the ruse.   

Everything in life has been design with the same objective from the one trying to deceive. The hidden figure behind the screen, the once fallen angel Lucifer, known as Satan to the masses. The deceiver and the father of lies. The one who introduce our ancestors to sin, the action that separates our relationship with God, the creator of the universe. So to answer your questions, why is there so much devastation in the world? It is for this exact reason; the sin that so easily entraps keeps our eyes off the end game, which is heaven and all its glory. The leg of our journey that will last an eternity. The scarecrows objective to keep the birds from the seed. Satan’s objective to keep humanity out of heaven. There is a war in the heavens over the souls of men and woman. If only we could see the angels part in it all our shift would be instantaneous, we would bend the knee willingly and without hesitation. However that is not how God has chosen the leg of our lives to unfold…   

God started his creation in plain view and yet one third of the angles chose to follow Lucifer a created being and where cast out of heaven, banished from the presence of God. Mankind now call upon the name of the Lord who is hidden through the eyes of faith, who in turn broke the shackles of sin allowing the repentant believer to enjoy a union with God the Father. Removing the obstacle that kept us from Him, the brilliance of God who can fathom it? Nevertheless, everything and I mean the whole enchilada that pertains to our carnal wants has been designed as a decoy, a strawman to keeps our eyes off the end game and all because Eve allowed sin to enter in.

The trial of life has been designed to help us call upon the name of the Lord, which in turn opens the eyes of faith and realigns our sight on the “endgame”. However if the trial encapsulates us and we pay it too much attention it could become an unbearable burden playing into the hands of the deceiver. The flipside is also true, the plush luxuries of life could lead to an intensive passion to keep them alive. Do what needs to be done to live the dream which drips with sin. Even the justification we find tainted from start to finish. There is no doubt in my mind that the better place to live would be with the trial of life squeezing in and forcing us to our knees in order to find grace, the aid needed to overcome.

Did you know that God has an abundant supply of grace, a storeroom that cannot run dry? All that is left for us to do is to come boldly, with confidence, which is fortified fuel to overcome the obstacle. Praise the name of Jesus. 

Remember it is always about the end game, be on the lookout for the decoys and there are many, keep your eyes on the finished work of Calvary always looking to Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith.

Signing off

Tyrone

Testing

It’s not a light thing to pick up a pen and scribble your thoughts, especially when it centres on the Lord's will for it. Much of it is a process, learning right from wrong, testing what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God. It begins with a thought but has to end with an action to prove that a lesson has been learnt. It is not good enough to have a particular theory waxed if it lacks application.

Image you are on holiday, a beautiful white sandy beach and the full sun baking down on the crashing surf with seagulls speckling the skies above. It is day one and you have forgotten the sun screens, no umbrella nor any lotion. The theory is obvious avoid any rigorous time unclothed in the beautiful but brutal conditions or else. Either that or turn around and get the necessary protective gear needed to handle the brutal suns gamma rays.

Even with this knowledge almost tattooed into our skulls, how many have disregarded the theory suffering the consequence later?

The beautiful God inspired book that we have at out fingertips. The bible is truly filled with theory, all the information we need to keep us on the straight and narrow. However it is one thing to have the brilliance of God illuminated through the text of the pages, especially when it’s is a God given revelation, when a truth jumps out at you and you know that God the Holy Spirit has revealed something extremely precious. Once absorbed and processed it is written upon our hearts and we know it to be true, just the nourishment needed in that exact moment.

However for a truth to be cemented into our characters, it must first be verified. A law student needs to first pass the Bar Exam before they can call themselves a lawyer.

Abraham is the father of faith. He denounced the foreign gods of the time, he understood a truth about the great “I AM” and heeded the voice of God. When he was tested, he passed with flying colour, but his faith was tried, we have to face similar investigation to see who we are and where our loyalties lie, period! If we can keep this understanding in the forefront of our minds whilst enduring hardship it will be well with our soul, disengage and we will find the pressure unbearable.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. (Hebrews 11:17-19)

We can and will never know more than our heavenly Father, He is in our corner and the trial of life has its purpose, to teach us obedience. We all need to treasure his Word, the Bible and hold it dear to our hearts. I heard someone say on a radio station yesterday; “I’m a Christian but I don’t believe in the man-woman authorities in the church.” Proof that what comes out of her mouth contradicts what she claims to be. The talk not reflecting the walk.

There is so much hate for the authority of God, my mind is spinning from what it needs to process on so many fronts. Many of those considerations I am unable to pen lest I sign my death warrant. But when the time is right God give me the strength to be bold and glorify His name, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

In the beginning

If and when we look for answers it is always good to go back to the beginning. A regiment needed in order to find the truth or any hidden clues we must start as far back as possible to be precise. Now there are those whose look to go beyond, apparently speaking as authorities about billions of years ago, really! Well be that as it may, for the Christian it is not as complicated, it’s rather simple, and the clues have been penned. The Bible is the final authority and we know it to be true. Today in most countries the bible is freely available for all to explore. Let me rephrase with the likes of the internet, all have access to the bible. Some cherish it as I do whilst others disregard it completely, why? Well that is the answer I need to search out and where better to start than in the beginning…

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) 

In order for anyone to start their journey correctly they must begin on the correct tile. Most have played monopoly, to do decide to join the game start on a tile you have been eyeing out, which is forbidden, we all start on the tile that says “start”! Miss the truth about “God the Creator” and you will always be chasing the rabbit down the hole and remain in darkness. However, because there was a time that we were blind doesn’t mean we won’t receive sight. However, there is a particular process that needs following in order for it to happen. Unless a person is “born again”, regardless of race, religion, colour or creed they haven’t even begun the quest of eternal understanding. Many may believe that they are on track but are sadly mistaken. It is never too late to begin correctly, whilst we have breath we have hope. However some will never yield to the voice of God, whilst still under their own sway or should I rather say, under the sway of the devil. That’s really where we are, one or the other, no in-betweens. That is what deception was designed to do, get people to believe in lies as truth. A conman may sell you a fake Rolex and you buy it believing it to be authentic. You believe the lie and remained conned into the purchase. Miss the truth behind that it was God who created the heavens and the earth and you will never arrive with any meaningful conjecture, it will always be surrounded by deception. Give God His rightful place as the Creator or beware, judgment is looming. Save as many dolphins or whales as you must but be sure to acknowledge God as their Creator, and voice that very clearly within the struggle. Leave no doubt behind, it’s time to stand up and be counted.

The question I have for myself is why do I believe that with all my heart and others do not? Why have I received revelation? It is obvious, the goodness of God, there is nothing within me that somehow got God to sway His hand toward me as if I had earned His favour. If anyone actually believes that, they must be delusional. “It’s the goodness of God that leads a man towards repentance”. Therefore the bible is a tool to help mankind get to a place of precise understanding; God is the Creator of all things. I will say it again, question this at your own peril.

Now if one is capable of saying Amen to that truth, without any but’s attached to the equation, the game have begun and it is now time to roll the dice. However the beauty of this game is that it is “finished”, Jesus has overcome. Faith now drives us to believe God, regardless of the obstacles we face. It’s now our chance to learn many valuable lessons along the way. The book Pilgrims Progress is a wonderful illustration of a Christian’s journey from start to end. It encapsulates the entire experience in one form or another, it is a far better account that any fictional novel as it places you slap bang in the centre and able to glean from his experience as our own, the journey is fierce and although there are many treacherous scary creatures to overcome, we are the ones who need conquering the most. It’s the “I” that needs to die.

Why have we been born and what is the sole purpose of mankind? Pay very careful attention to my response; to learn to honour God and to pay Him due benevolence as the Creator of all things, the final authority! The rest of our lives will then be modelled slightly differently but will all have the same objective; to be about the will of God, and this will take a lifetime to work out. Thank God for His patience! All praise and honour belongs to Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour, bless His name now and forever more, Amen and Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

My Testimony

This then is my testimony; I sat in my living room at home with many unanswered questions and it wasn’t until I found myself accepting what the bible taught on face value that I was able to see; in other words only after I confessed my sin and thanked God for dying in my place was my understanding quicken to believe in the finished work of Calvary, my prayer went something like this; “Father God I have many doubts and unanswered question, people tell me I am saved yet I am not fully persuaded, however the one thing I am thankful for, I believe that Jesus is the way the truth and the life and that He paid the price for my sin.” I most certainly hadn’t understood the measure of what that meant but I at least had now caught a glimpse of that truth. The floodgates then opened as tears of joy flowed freely down my cheeks and I cried uncontrollably with tears of joy. I was blind to the purposes of life but now could see. It was such a tangible experience that I was compelled by this new unmerited favour to share it with someone else. I ran into the study and flipped through the Teledex, found Greg’s number and called him; we had travelled Europe together and almost lost our lives in Greece, I had to give him the good news, No! The greatest news I had every come to know; “Sledge (Greg) I have found the answer to life”, I bellowed into the phone, expecting a similar response from him, but to no avail but instead I only to hear, huh! What are you on about was the tone of his sigh. Not the same response to the glorious news of the Gospel, but Greg still lives, so there is yet hope. Be merciful to Greg Father I pray, save His soul, not because he deserves it but because you have it in your power to be merciful. There are many other I also pray for Bandit (Brett), Richard, Paul, Trevor, Robbie as he is closing in on his last days, what of Dosh, my sisters and there are many others that have come across my path through life, whether friend of foe all are in need of salvation as nothing else really matters.

Who can fathom the mercies of God, who can measure the depths of His love? I implore you Father God be ever so merciful, while we have breathe there is hope.

Signing off

Tyrone