Dead Works and Living Proof

 

Dead Works and Living Proof

Intro:

We all know salvation can’t be earned — it’s a gift from God. But once we’ve received it, what does it look like in our lives?
This post explores the difference between dead works that try to earn God’s favour and living works that prove our faith through obedience.

When we speak of dead works, the meaning is simple enough: you cannot earn or buy your salvation.
The Word makes it clear — salvation is a gift, undeserved and unearned, received through faith in Christ alone.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

No amount of ritual, religion, or personal effort can purchase what Christ already paid for with His blood.
To rely on works for salvation is to engage in dead works — things that may look holy but lack the breath of the Spirit.

Yet Scripture balances this truth with another:
Real faith produces real fruit.
We are not saved by works, but the evidence of salvation is seen in what we do.

“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” — James 2:17

Think of Abraham.
When he lifted his hand to offer Isaac, that act didn’t earn his righteousness — it proved it.

“Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” — James 2:22

Abraham’s obedience was not an attempt to impress God; it was the outflow of a trust so complete that it acted.
That’s living proof.

And Peter — after denying Christ — was not cast away but lovingly challenged:

“Do you love Me more than these?” — John 21:15

Each time Peter answered, Jesus responded with a command: “Feed My sheep.”
Love for Christ is proven not by words but by obedience.
Faith without action is lifeless confession.

There was a moment recently when I had to admit — I have been found wanting.
I saw that parts of my walk had grown comfortable, even complacent. My intentions were good, but my actions didn’t always match my confession.
It was a sobering reminder that God still weighs the heart, and that faith must continually be proved in obedience, humility, and love.

Yet even that realization is grace.
Because when God exposes where we fall short, He’s not condemning us — He’s inviting us to grow deeper, to move from dead effort to living obedience.

We are not striving to earn God’s acceptance — we already have it through Jesus.
But we prove our love and faith by our obedience, service, and endurance.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10

Dead works try to reach God through effort.
Living works flow from God through grace.

So yes — salvation is the gift.
But the proof of that salvation is a life that reflects the Giver.

Faith is the root.
Obedience is the fruit.

Let us not serve to be seen,
but let our lives prove that we know Him, love Him, and trust Him —
just as Abraham did, and as Peter learned to do.

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH WITHOUT YOUR WORKS, AND I WILL SHOW YOU MY FAITH BY MY WORKS.

— James 2:18

In His grace,

Signing off

Tyrone 

The Test of Faith

 

Journaling and Faith — The Test of Belief

Why do people journal? To clear their thoughts and stay aware of life’s realities, right?

So why do I blog? It begins with my reality in light of Christ’s sacrifice — the very act that allows me to cry, “Abba, Father.” The same holds true for every born-again believer.

The cares of this life are too many to number. They constantly fight for our attention, trying to pull us away from what truly matters: God’s will for our lives and the call to pass the test along the way. Every great man or woman of God faced tests that defied human reasoning.

Abraham was told to leave everything and go to a place he didn’t know. Later, he was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Sarah was promised a child long after her natural ability had ended. She laughed at first, but when we look closer — she believed.
Samson, Gideon, Barak, Rahab the harlot, Jacob blessing Joseph’s sons — all faced their tests.
But the greatest of all was our Lord Jesus, who laid down His life in faith, trusting His Father. When the weight of it all pressed down, He cried out:

“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” — “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Haven’t we all, in some way, felt forsaken?
I understand that actions have consequences — every action has a reaction. Science teaches this: what goes up must come down. Unless, of course, it’s a balloon filled with helium, which defies gravity.
Faith is like that — it rises above the natural. But how can we understand its power unless we’re tested in it? Faith is not blind; it has reference points — the Word of God. NEVER FORGET THIS.

The Tests of Faith

Tests come in many forms.
Maybe we’re in a room where Christ is mentioned — do we speak up or stay silent?
Maybe we’re jobless again — do we panic, or do we apply the truth of Scripture?
It’s easier said than done. When pressure mounts, the test is real. Whether we landed there through our own mistakes or by God’s design, having said that, we know that God is Sovereign; the goal remains the same — pass the test.

To qualify in anything, we must pass the exam. Faith is no different.

So, what’s our yardstick to measure our commitment to God and our walk of faith?
The Bible — and everything written in it.
Not half-baked prophecies that can’t be backed by Scripture. “I have a word for you” has become a popular phrase, but Scripture is the final authority on all things.
This must be our foundation. Only then can we wrestle with deeper truths.

I’ve always admired Charles Spurgeon’s approach to Scripture — he placed the Word above all, even the greats of old. “I am a Calvinist, and a lover of that grand man’s memory and doctrine; but I believe nothing merely because Calvin taught it, but because I have found his teaching in the Word of God.” — C. H. Spurgeon. (Often cited from Sermon #2584 / published collections.) We can all get things wrong, but the fewer errors we make, the more we honour Scripture’s rightful place.

An Example: The Nephilim

Before the Flood, the Bible records a mysterious group called the Nephilim.
Some struggle to believe they existed, but we believe because God’s Word says so. Even if we don’t fully understand, we still believe.

Genesis 6:1–4

“When men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose... There were Nephilim in those days—and also afterwards—when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men of old, men of renown.”

Numbers 13:33

“We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

These are the only two biblical references to the Nephilim.

Meaning:
In Hebrew, Nephilim (נְפִלִים) comes from naphal (נָפַל) — “to fall.” It literally means fallen ones.
My conclusion: fallen angels — though the text itself never directly says so. The “sons of God” in Genesis likely refer to angelic beings, which explains the centuries-long debate among scholars.

What we know for sure:

1.    They existed before the Flood — and perhaps after.

2.   They were linked to “sons of God” and “daughters of men.”

3.   They were mighty men of renown.
Everything beyond that is interpretation.

The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament, 3rd century BCE) translates Nephilim as gigantes — “giants,” though in Greek this also meant “earth-born.”
The Book of Enoch, a non-canonical text, teaches that these were the offspring of fallen angels and human women. (I reached this conclusion without Enoch’s help.)
Historical texts can add context, but they do not supersede Scripture.

There is no archaeological evidence for giant beings or angel–human hybrids.
Factually, we can say only this:

• Nephilim = “fallen ones.”
• Mentioned in Genesis 6:4 and Numbers 13:33 only.
• Described as mighty men of old, men of renown.
• Identity uncertain — either divine–human offspring or powerful ancient rulers.
• No physical evidence exists.

The key point? We believe Scripture first — even when understanding lags. This guards us from deception. The Bible warns that in the last days, some will depart from the faith, following deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

This is your warning: hold to Scripture as the final authority.

The Real Test

Now, back to faith.
We will be tested — we must be tested — or we’ll never know the depth of our faith.

Let me be personal. I am once again jobless. The worry of tomorrow tries to consume me, yet I know I am commanded not to worry.
So I searched the Word:

Matthew 6:34 — “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

The context? Material provision.
The test? Whether I’ll trust God to provide as He promised — or take matters into my own hands.

People often mean well when offering advice, but this is my test, my moment of faith.
And how will I fare? Only Time will tell...

 

Signing off,

Tyrone

When God Speaks - Believe

When God Speaks — Believe

Let’s take a moment to compare the attributes of our God with ourselves. The difference is vast — a chasm as wide as the Grand Canyon. Yet even so, it is good to ask, as Moses did, that God would give us a glimpse of His glory. When the Lord placed Moses in the cleft of the rock and covered him with His hand, He allowed him to see just His back — a reminder that God’s mercy both reveals and protects. We, too, need that mercy to see our hearts as He sees them.

Be merciful, my glorious heavenly Father, for You alone have the power to grant our requests.

There are moments when God breaks through our noise — an epiphany, when a phrase burns in your mind like spoken words: “When God says something, just believe.” Don’t doubt. Don’t question. If God has decided it, it will come to pass.

We doubt so often and then try to justify it with weak reasoning. But when God speaks, it happens. Now imagine that word mixed with faith — the impact would change everything.

God is not bound by time as we are. Time is tied to the carnal mind, and to be carnally minded is to be at enmity with God. Faith and carnality live in two separate worlds. The faith I speak of is not childlike trust — like a child who knows his father will catch him — but the faith of a mustard seed: the faith that believes against all odds, that clings to the unseen until it becomes reality.

Now, faith and character — do they interlock? Our character is often self-centred, ruled by selfishness, tangled in complexity that destroys the simplicity of life. “Be content with what you have” seems to elude most of us. But there is one thing in our favour: we are sinners by nature. We didn’t choose this; we inherited it. Adam and Eve disobeyed. They didn’t trust God. Eve listened to the serpent — the same one who was cast out of heaven for not listening to God.

The lesson is simple: the Word of God is the voice of God in text. He has spoken — and still speaks — through its pages. The Holy Spirit helps us understand and leads us into all truth. God has also given us a conscience, finely tuned to align with His Word. But if we keep ignoring it, our conscience grows dull — seared and deaf to His whisper.

So how will we know what God is saying if we aren’t listening? How intentional are we with our ears?
Read — read — and read again. Then ask God for understanding.

When it comes to the application, I am not sure if this side of heaven we will ever work out the formula to apply to our lives. Everyone seems to have an answer — but do they really?

For I am persuaded that nothing can separate us from the love of God when our hearts are sincere. Yes, we will make mistakes, but God remains faithful even when we are not. He cannot deny Himself. He is unchanging — the great I AM who sent Moses to deliver His people.

We are the created; He is the Creator. He holds final authority over all things.

Do you truly believe this?

The “universe” has nothing to do with your eternal outcome — it is merely another created thing, fully subject to God’s command. Yet so many today speak of “the universe” as if it were divine. Romans 1 warned us of this very deception, and its end is destruction.

Let us therefore return to the truth: when God speaks, believe.

 

Signing out

 

Tyrone

Shaken to the Core

Shaken to the Core

The Lord declares: “I will shake the heavens and the earth.” Why? To strip away what cannot stand, so that the treasures of the nations may come in. God’s shaking is never random—it is always purposeful, aimed at purifying His people.

And we need it.

Sin silences us. Hypocrisy silences us. Both bind us in shame and keep us in bondage—whether it’s open sins everyone sees, hidden sins only we know about, or the mask we wear to appear “fine” while inside we struggle. The result is the same: our voices grow quiet, our freedom is stolen, and our spiritual growth is stunted.

Ask yourself: Am I being honest with myself? Am I hiding behind hypocrisy, pretending all is well while sin controls me?

This is why we must be brutally honest with ourselves. No excuses. No “hall passes.” Scripture warns: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Even one small compromise, one hidden sin, or one hypocritical act spreads through an entire life. Every time we excuse it, we reveal a hard truth: we are still babes in Christ.

Paul knew this struggle intimately. In Romans 7 he confesses:

“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”

He describes the battle we all face—the tension between the will to serve God and the law of sin at work within us. Ask yourself: Do I struggle with this tension? Do I act righteous on the outside while secretly giving in to sin?

Paul finally cries: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

That cry is exactly where honesty meets freedom. Hypocrisy keeps us silent; honesty breaks the chains. It is the moment we stop pretending and start allowing the Spirit of God to work. Romans 8 answers: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free.”

And always remember: God sees our hearts. It is a beautiful thing when God allows us to see our own hearts—our weaknesses, our hidden sins, our excuses—because that is the first step toward true freedom. He desires truth in the inward being.

Peter adds a sobering reminder: “For the time is coming when judgment will begin with God’s household.” (1 Peter 4:17) We cannot ignore the shaking in our own lives while thinking the Church at large is untouched. Judgment begins at home—within our own hearts, homes, and lives.

Yet, as long as we cling to childish excuses or hypocrisy, we prove ourselves spiritually immature babes in Christ. Paul says plainly in 1 Corinthians 3:2–3: “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh.”

Ask yourself: Am I still feeding on spiritual milk? Am I clinging to childish ways or hypocritical masks that silence me?

Babes cling to excuses. Babes hide sins. Babes are silenced by guilt, shame, and hypocrisy. But maturity—the life of a fully grown believer—demands we put off childish things. Ask yourself: What childish habits, hypocrisies, or excuses do I need to put away today? How will I lean fully on the Spirit for help?

We are soldiers being trained and prepared for battle. The enemy is real, and in the near future, we will face the greatest battle many of us will encounter—the rise and revealing of the Antichrist. The Church will be tested like never before. Now is the time to strip away weakness, hypocrisy, and excuses, and stand ready in truth, faith, and maturity.

God’s shaking has begun. It is not for destruction—it is for purification. It is not for ruin—it is for redemption. It is an invitation to leave behind the excuses, compromises, and hypocrisy that keep us bound—and step into the full freedom and power of life in Christ.

Ask yourself: Will I continue clinging to hypocrisy and childish ways, or will I embrace the Spirit’s power to set me free and walk in maturity?

God sees your heart. It is a beautiful gift when He allows us to see it for ourselves—so that we may be honest, humble, and fully prepared for the battles ahead. Judgment begins in the household of God, and now is the time to stand ready.

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone

The Normalisation of Sin

 

The Normalisation of Sin: From Sodom to Hollywood to the Pulpit

Suffering is part of the Christian journey. It is the furnace where faith is tested, and the tool God uses to break our pride and build our trust in Him. Without suffering, we would never truly learn dependence on God. It teaches us that our strength is not enough, that our wisdom is not sufficient, and that our lives are not our own. Suffering shapes us for eternity, pressing us into the image of Christ, who Himself was made perfect through suffering. This is why Scripture says we must arm ourselves with the same mind—because suffering is not meaningless, it is God’s refining fire preparing us for glory.

But suffering is not the only reality pressing on the church today. There is another breach—a far greater one than we often admit: sin being normalised in our culture.

⚠️ The Warning from Sodom and Hollywood

Sodom and Gomorrah give us a clear warning. They were not destroyed simply because sin was present; sin exists in every city. They were destroyed because their sin was normalised until the entire population believed perversion was natural. From the youngest to the oldest, they celebrated what God called wicked. What was once shameful became identity. What was once hidden was flaunted openly. When the men of Sodom surrounded Lot’s house, demanding to defile the angelic visitors, it showed how deeply they had been deceived. They had learned to call evil good, and judgment was the only answer.

The same spirit lives today. Hollywood has become the loudest pulpit of our age, preaching rebellion through screens. Movie by movie, series by series, homosexuality and queer identity are portrayed as beautiful, natural, and even heroic. What once shocked us has now become a staple in nearly every script. This is the strategy of Satan: drip by drip, hearts are desensitised until sin feels normal, even noble.

But I cannot write this as if I stand above anyone. My own life is marked with sin and failure. I know what it is to stumble, to run back to chains Christ broke, and to feel the sting of shame. If not for God’s mercy, I would be lost. I do not speak as a judge looking down—I speak as a sinner saved by grace, warning because I know how easily hearts—including mine—are led astray.

Proverbs highlight the value of rebuke. The wise listen and develop, but the fool rejects correction. “He who hates reproof will die” (Proverbs 15:10), yet “he who receives instruction is on the path of life” (Proverbs 10:17). There is blessing in correction, and danger in stubbornness. The blind, who refuse to see their sin and ignore godly counsel, will stumble into ruin.

⚠️ The Blind Leading the Blind

“Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matthew 15:14).

This is the reality today: Hollywood and worldly culture lead millions astray, and when compromised pastors fail to correct or rebuke, the church stumbles alongside them. Both leaders and followers risk destruction when they close their eyes to the truth.

Yet even as I confess my weakness, I must hold to the truth: grace is never an excuse for sin. To use “I am weak” as permission to live in rebellion is deception. Christ’s blood was not shed to make me comfortable in bondage—it was shed to set me free. I may fall, but I must rise, repent, and keep fighting. And this is true for every believer: we may stumble, but our Saviour will never abandon us. He has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Even in our darkest failure, His hand reaches for us. His Spirit convicts us, not to condemn but to restore. So, remember to pray for fellow believers across the globe. We also know that we are not alone in our struggles, as we all fight the good fight of faith and share the same cup to endure. Sure, it may vary in dynamics, but when stripped down, it is all cut from the same cloth.

And this is why being compromised in the church is so dangerous. While Hollywood normalises sin in the world, too many pastors are normalising it from the pulpit. Some remain silent to avoid offence; others twist Scripture to fit culture. But when a shepherd withholds truth, he betrays the flock. When a watchman sees the enemy coming and refuses to sound the trumpet, blood will be required at his hands (Ezekiel 33:6).

God has not changed. The cross still saves. His Word still stands. The fire that fell on Sodom is a warning for us: do not make peace with what God has called rebellion. My failures remind me daily of my desperate need for grace, but they also remind me that grace is meant to transform, not excuse.

Church, this is the hour to wake up. Parents, guard your children from Hollywood’s discipleship. Pastors, preach the Word without fear. Believers, fight sin with everything in you—but never lose sight of this: your victory is not in your own strength, but in Christ who will never leave nor forsake you. Listen to rebuke, embrace correction, and walk in the path of life, or risk stumbling as the blind who refuse to see, and do not lead others into the ditch with you.

All hail King Jesus—the only One who gives repentive sinners the right to cry, “Abba, Father.”

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.”
— 1 Peter 4:1–2

Signing off,
Tyrone

Scratch

 

How often do we find ourselves in the stories of Scripture? As we turn the pages of the greatest book ever written, characters leap out at us—not because they mirror us perfectly, but because their sins, their responses, and God’s dealings with them echo our own. There is so much to learn from how they fell, how they repented, and how God responded—sometimes in mercy, sometimes in judgment.

So, here’s my question: are we genuinely seeking understanding, or are we quick to pass judgment—accusing others while excusing ourselves? My desire isn’t to judge but to learn, and then to find the grace to apply it. And what a privilege that is: that through Christ we have been given the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Pause on that for a moment. The Almighty God, the Righteous Judge, the Creator of the universe, has drawn near to us so intimately that we can call Him “Abba”—a child’s cry of trust, love, and dependence. This is not sentimentality; it is the fruit of Calvary. At the cross, Christ removed every barrier, silenced every accusation, and opened the way for sinners to become sons and daughters.

David was called “a man after God’s own heart.” What does that mean? God’s heart is vast—mercy, justice, holiness, love—so rich that we’ll only ever scratch the surface. But scratch we must. That’s why shallow one-liners won’t suffice. Many unbelievers dismiss God with lines like, “If God allows children to starve, I want nothing to do with Him,” or “If He’s loving, why is there suffering?” These aren’t sincere searches for truth; they’re convenient exits from accountability. Reducing the Almighty to a sound bite is easier than seeking His heart—but it is not honest.

Scripture shows a God who is unchanging in character yet relationally responsive—especially to repentance and intercession. Consider these moments:

• The Golden Calf (Exodus 32:9–14): After Israel’s idolatry, God announces judgment. Moses intercedes, and “the Lord relented from the harm” He had said He would do. Mercy met covenant faithfulness.
• Sodom (Genesis 18:22–33): Abraham pleads down from fifty to ten righteous. Though the city fell, God’s willingness to spare reveals His mercy toward the righteous.
• Nineveh (Jonah 3:4–10): From king to commoner, they repent in sackcloth, and “God relented from the disaster” He had threatened. Mercy met humility.
• Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1–6): A death sentence becomes fifteen more years when the king turns his face to the wall and weeps. “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears.”
• Kadesh Rebellion (Numbers 14:11–20): God says He will strike and disinherit; Moses appeals to God’s name and mercy. “I have pardoned according to your word,” yet consequences remain.
• David’s Census (2 Samuel 24:10–16): Judgment falls, then “the Lord relented,” saying, “It is enough; now restrain your hand.”
• Amos’s Visions (Amos 7:1–6): Twice the prophet pleads, “O Lord God, please forgive!” and twice, “the Lord relented.” Intercession matters.

Now anchor this in David’s own house. After his sin with Bathsheba, the child is condemned (2 Samuel 12:13–23). David fasts, lies on the ground, refuses food—because he knows God’s heart: “Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?” David understood that God sometimes overturns declared judgment in mercy. But when the child dies, David rises, washes, worships, and eats. He accepts God’s final word without bitterness: “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” Seeking mercy is never wasted; presuming on mercy is. David does the first, never the second.

As I grow older, I look back on mistakes that still drain me to remember. Those days are gone, but I am accountable for them. How do they shape my life today? The answer isn’t in cynicism or excuses; it’s in understanding God’s heart—coming to Him with truth, repentance, and hope. He is the same God who pardoned at Moses’ plea, added years to Hezekiah, spared Nineveh, stayed the angel’s hand for David, and heeded Amos. And He is also the God who, at times, leaves a consequence in place for our good and His glory.

 

God give us all a hunger to scratch,

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone

Sinful Desires

 The Apostle Peter is clear: life on this earth is spiritual warfare. And the battle? It rages within — our sinful desires. Too often, we miss this. We think the enemy is “out there” somewhere, but Peter reminds us: the conflict is right here.

What are sinful desires? Beyond the obvious — greed, pride, lust, selfishness — it can be summed up in three words: me, myself, and I. At the root of it all is self-gratification. And when that root is exposed, laid bare before God, the error of our ways comes into the light. Peter knew this well, and that is why he begins by anchoring us in God's mercies. We are not left hopeless! God has caused us to be born again into a living hope — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

And so, let me say this clearly: I am speaking to those who have tasted that mercy.

But beware of the victim mentality. It is a trap — a deadly one. The world is filled with such traps, with its psychobabble and its “woe is me” mindset. The struggle is real, but let us not deceive ourselves. Our sisters especially are in the line of fire, being targeted daily by these lies. That is why we must stand together, grounded on the WORD, upholding them with prayer and support.

Peter points us beyond our trials to our hope — heaven and all its glory. That’s the endgame! Yet trials are unavoidable. And here’s the truth: no one enjoys them, especially when we’re unprepared. But let us not forget — what pushes hardest against our hope is not just the trial itself, but our sinful desires. They whisper relief. They promise escape. But it is fleeting — temporary.

There is a better way. Peter doesn’t sugarcoat it: be holy, as God is holy. That is the bar. That is the mindset. Holiness is the goal. Trials will come, but they are opportunities to find grace… or to fail.

Here’s the danger: if we misunderstand the theory, we cannot live out the practice. Fail to grasp this truth, and you’ll fail the test every time. No reward comes without trial. Scripture prepares us for this:

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12–13)

This isn’t strange. This isn’t random. It’s the way of Christ.

Let this sink in. Meditate on it. Chew it like a cow chews the cud — slowly, repeatedly — until it becomes nourishment for your soul.

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

Suffering is not failure. Suffering is the test. And grace is the power to endure it. When the struggle feels overwhelming, remember this simple truth: this too will pass.

Here is my conclusion: we face two options. We can surrender to our old ways and live like we once did, or we can find the grace to overcome. It begins in the mind. The world says: “Dig up the past. Blame your parents, your childhood, your circumstances.” But God says: Forget what is behind. Press forward.

And with that, I leave you with Paul’s words, which echo down through the ages with strength and clarity:

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12–14)

Keep pressing on, and love to all who confess Jesus as Lord

Signing off

Tyrone

You are exactly where you need to be

Since yesterday—actually, almost the moment after I hit “publish” on my last post—a thought has refused to leave me:

“You are exactly where you need to be.”

That truth is not just for me; it’s for all of us who believe that God is Sovereign, which He is!

Yet I still ask myself: why do doubts, questions, and restless thoughts keep bombarding my mind? The onslaught feels endless until I anchor myself again with this simple but profound reminder: “You are exactly where you need to be.”

God is omnipresent, but for our limited human understanding, imagine Him as the director of a blockbuster film. Before a single scene is shot, the script is already written, the plot set, and the ending known. The cast may not yet see the full picture, but the director does.

Before creation, God had already mapped out the entire story. The Godhead embraced the plan in its fullness. Scripture gives us glimpses: in Genesis, God spoke creation into being. John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” He is revealed as personal, active, and the very One through whom all things were made.

Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” The question is—do you believe that this means everyone will die at some point? Or the exact time and place have already been set by God, written into the script of your life?

I believe the latter. When your appointed time comes, it comes—no human effort can alter it. Yet the Director reserves the right to rewrite a scene. Throughout Scripture, we see moments where God, in His mercy, changed what had been declared.

Our view of these hinges on how we see God. His brilliance is beyond anything we can imagine. Our human minds shrink Him down, but His intelligence and wisdom far exceed our comprehension. One day, when I see Him, I know I will fall to my knees in tears of joy, overwhelmed by His holiness, grateful beyond words that He saved a sinner like me.

Here’s my unshakable conviction: God never leaves anything to chance. Every detail is under His control, including the names written in the Book of Life. That truth leads me back to my starting point—you are exactly where you need to be.

So I choose to hold onto that truth in times of trouble. For I know in Whom I have believed.
ALL HAIL KING JESUS, MY KING!

Signing off,
Tyrone

#peace #predestination #KingJesus #YouAreExactlyWhereYouNeedToBe

Testings

The Tests of Life: Dressed for Battle

Everything in life is driven by testing.

Think of a baby taking its first step — the mother positions the child, encouraging them to try again. She’s not just enjoying a milestone; she’s continuing the test to see if the child can walk. That is life in miniature. Our journey is filled with tests. Existence itself is a continual assessment, shaping who we are.

We often say, “the trials of life.” But perhaps we should say, “the tests of life.”

If we know what our armour and weapons are, we must dress for battle. We are in a war — and if we don’t realise it, we’ve been deceived.

Yes, we live in the flesh, but our war is not against the flesh. Our struggles often play out in the flesh — anger, malice, deceit, lust — but those are only the fruit of defeat. The real battle begins in the mind.

A thought must be stopped before it becomes intent. It must be snubbed at inception — and that’s exactly what the armour of God does for us when used correctly.

Paul teaches this vital truth, and John expands on it. Testing should never feel strange to us — it is necessary for growth.

Peter writes:

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

James adds:

“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:3)

Are we starting to see the picture?

How often have Christians questioned why their life isn’t going according to their understanding? But what is our goal? Surely it’s heaven and all its glory.

James reminds us:

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

And Paul exhorts:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1–2)

Even discerning God’s will in our lives is learned through testing.

So instead of asking “Why?” we should be asking, “What is the lesson?”

Grace is our aid in times of need. The life of Job stands as a striking example — utterly devastated, stripped of all comfort, yet he humbled himself before God. Job understood: It’s about the long game, not just this life.

We are commanded to hallow God’s name, especially under pressure. That’s the heart of the test — to praise His mighty name even when it hurts.

All hail King Jesus!

Signing out,
Tyrone

 #testings #thewillofgod #heaven