Reconciliation

(2Corinthians 5: 18) “…who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”

We all need to have our say on most topics; I suppose that is the way we are. A very good friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with cancer and he has notice, although people have good intentions while knowing very little on the subject, his summation is that everyone is a doctor, or at least thinks it. I cogitate it is because we care when we see someone withering away. We all have a tendency to want to save those who need saving. We want to do our little bit, which in itself has its place when guided with precision. Take a marksman as an example, he may well buy the best telescopic sights for his rifle, but he does not simply bolt it into place prior to a competition. He carefully works with it and once he is satisfied, only then can he confidentially go about his business.

Did you know that as Christian we have all been given the responsibility from God to share the gospel with this dying generation; “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2Corinthians 5:18-21)

Why is it then that most of us, would rather look for reasons to hold our peace on these eternal issues but on the advice about life, where we actually know very little, we will have a lot to say? I include myself amongst the number of having an opinion when it really doesn’t hold water and then when the opportunity arises to declare my Lord’s faithfulness I hold my peace. This is not the pattern we have been called to follow. “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.”

It is obvious for some why we hold our peace, for once we publically declare our allegiance to our great God, in and through His Son our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ we expose all our flaws to those watching, Hypocrite is often the accusation and yes we are often found wanting, need I say more! Then it is the sin in our lives that the Lord Jesus has already conquered that entangles us in our ability to be the example we have been called to be. But before we run away with ourselves and give too much place to the devil and his hold on the world, let us rather focus on our Saviour’s achievements and what it took for Him to overcome its power so that we could go free.

Buckle up…

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) – How can that be one may ask? We see so much sin in the world today. He is the one who conquered sin, how? He live a life in a world full of sinners who had one simple objective, knowingly to some and unknowingly to other, to get him to nosedive just once, to sin just once and he would have failed. He lived on earth for 33 years and experience everything we experienced and yet He overcame, He never ever sinned, for if He had we, every Christian would be without hope and separated from God for all eternity. Hell would have been our final destination. But no, it is heaven and all its glory that is where every believing Christian will end up. You may say then, why do so many Christians sin? The Lord Jesus’ sacrifice allows men and women to be washed by his blood when true confession is made seeking out the forgiveness of their sin.

“This ground of hope we have - Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. [1.] He takes away sin. He, being Mediator between God and man, takes away that which is, above any thing, offensive to the holiness of God, and destructive to the happiness of man. He came, First, To take away the guilt of sin by the merit of his death, to vacate the judgment, and reverse the attainder, which mankind lay under, by an act of indemnity, of which all penitent obedient believers may claim the benefit. Secondly, To take away the power of sin by the Spirit of his grace, so that it shall not have dominion, Rom_6:14. Christ, as the Lamb of God, washes us from our sins in his own blood; that is, he both justifies and sanctifies us: he takes away sin. He is ho airōn - he is taking away the sin of the world, which denotes it not a single but a continued act; it is his constant work and office to take away sin, which is such a work of time that it will never be completed till time shall be no more. He is always taking away sin, by the continual intercession of his blood in heaven, and the continual influence of his grace on earth. [2.] He takes away the sin of the world; purchases pardon for all those that repent, and believe the gospel, of what country, nation, or language, soever they be. The legal sacrifices had reference only to the sins of Israel, to make atonement for them; but the Lamb of God was offered to be a propitiation for the sin of the whole world; see 1Jo_2:2. This is encouraging to our faith; if Christ takes away the sin of the world, then why not my sin? Christ levelled his force at the main body of sin's army, struck at the root, and aimed at the overthrow, of that wickedness which the whole world lay in. God was in him reconciling the world to himself. [3.] He does this by taking it upon himself. He is the Lamb of God, that bears the sin of the world; so the margin reads it. He bore sin for us, and so bears it from us; he bore the sin of many, as the scape-goat had the sins of Israel put upon his head, Lev_16:21. God could have taken away the sin by taking away the sinner, as he took away the sin of the old world; but he has found out a way of abolishing the sin, and yet sparing the sinner, by making his Son sin for us.” (Matthew Henry)

What a God we serve, if He has done so much for us and if we reject His offer, what chance do you really think we will have when the Day of Judgment finally arrives, and be sure it shall arrive. We all have a responsibility to gently share our hope with those who are perishing. If it is our own sin that is keeping us silent, then let us seek out God’s provision to combat whatever we need to walk as victorious Christians. We have an enemy that seeks to stop us from sharing with others, he cannot bite only roar, but God has given us amour for the battle and just like a trained marksman depends on his sights, so too let us learn to use Gods amour skilfully; we must practise with it if we are to be effectual witnesses.

Signing off

Tyrone

         

Pearl of great price

(Matthew 13:46)  “Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

This is probably one of the better parables we can use to truly examine our hearts and see exactly when we stand in our relationship with our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ; how we view Him, will be easily seen in our commitment to Him. To what extent have we sold all we have to win Him? Throughout life we have all experienced some form of sacrifice when love has knocked. But the greatest love of all was our Saviour’s love for us, those who have realised His sacrifice, the way He sold all, how He left heaven and became a man, laying aside His powers as God and committing them to another, His Father. If that is not the greatest example of “selling all”, then I don’t know what is. Laying down His life for a people who had lost their view of God; Dying on a cruel Roman cross to free so many from the clutches of hell; how many is many? “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10) – His sacrifice will in turn save more people (sinners) than can be numbered by a man. And here is another reason for His sacrifice; “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:2)

When one makes a sacrifice it always has an objective behind it. Don’t most work hard through life so when the time arrives for retirement they can withdraw without to many financial worries? Don’t people take out life insurance policies which would force certain sacrifices throughout life as those monies are put aside into a policy for those left behind when death eventually knocks.

The Lord Jesus did not make His sacrifice without an objective, although He suffered more than any other man, it was worth it all, and if He didn’t believe that He would never have done it. His Father’s plan is an ingenious plan and is shut from those who chose to reject His sacrifice. This was why the Lord Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables; they who could understand would and those who couldn’t wouldn’t.  Without understanding the parable, they would never be able to understand the greater truths of God’s kingdom; “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?”

Our Husband the lord Jesus has proved His love to us, for Him who knew no sin to free those full of sin is almost an unbelievable concept and yet it holds true. This is how He chose to seek out his bride and there will be a wedding feast in heaven in the not too distant future. Will I be part of that ceremony, will you? Time will tell! However today is the day of salvation, call out to Him and you will be heard, do not wait until tomorrow, as tomorrow may elude you.

Back to our parable; to what extent have we sold all to convince our Saviour of our dedication and love for Him? Have we obtained the “pearl of great price”? I know I am way off the mark when it comes to my example, I also know that there is a lot more “selling off” that needs to take place in my life but by the grace of God I shall endeavour to pursue Him as I search out the pearl of great price, whatever the cost.

Today is the day of salvation, what will you do with Him?

Signing off

Tyrone Arthur   

  

Which well will we drink from?

(John 7:38) “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

If any man thirst let Him come unto the one who has the capacity to quench our thirst. All of us at some point in our lives have been thirsty; most should be able to relate on how, way back when, they longed for something to drink. I know what it means to desperately need water, the marines helped with that lesson. Another year has passed, which seemed but a fleeting moment and it is now time of reflection; seated in front of my computer, I feel somewhat disappointed with my achievements throughout this past year. Although I have had my own challenges with regards to daily provisions, I have not had the best spiritual year of my life, in fact far from it, why? I have not come to the source of living water often enough, to have my thirst satisfied and we all need water to survive, from which well do we drink, the “well of lusts” or “the well of everlasting life”? The tricky part is that both wells sit side by side and they are freely available to all wherever one may be throughout the world. As Christians we know which well we should drink from, but how often do we comply? Tonight is the biggest celebration the world over, people will drink in abundance from the “well of lusts”, not paying much mind to God and His well, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are told from the Holy Scriptures that the Lord will come like a thief in the night to call those who belong to Him home. What better time to come, if wanting to catch many off guard, than to come on a night like tonight. Mind altering substances, both legal and illegal freely available for all who would dare venture there. I hate so much about my own weaknesses. How is it that I still struggle with so many things that I had once by the grace of God laid aside? The answer is in my own question, the grace of God! If we are not in the place we should be in our relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord, we then have neglected to find His grace in time of need. But without a craving for spiritual water, we will unfortunately always drink from the wrong well. Jesus Christ not only has the capability, to quench our thirst, but has sent out a decree; “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” (John 7:37)

Tonight is an opportunity for us all; it is a time of reflection, to be rid of the negative influences in our lives; my guess for the most quoted statement of the day, worldwide, will be “My new year’s resolution is…” We all have a willingness to be better. What “well” will I drink from tonight? I wonder! Will I go with the flow or will I seek out God’s grace in time of need?

God has been very patient with so many of us, I wonder at times how He as the capability of being so merciful? We know the answer to that, but my mind boggles in considering His abundant love for us. “Patience had her perfect work in the Lord Jesus, and until the last day of the feast he pleaded with the Jews, even as on this last day of the year he pleads with us, and waits to be gracious to us. Admirable indeed is the longsuffering of the Saviour in bearing with some of us year after year, notwithstanding our provocations, rebellions, and resistance of his Holy Spirit. Wonder of wonders that we are still in the land of mercy!” (C.H.Spurgeon)

This is a fact; “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” If this is not true for you, then it is time for a change, let us all start to drink more frequently from the well of living water.

Signing off

Tyrone

    

God's Call

(Exodus 3:4) “…God called to him out of the bush…”

Regardless of race, colour or creed we all have our quirks. Different traditions for different nationalities, the Greeks break plates when celebrating; Italians could never live without olive oil, Cuba makes arguably the best Cigars and the Turkish are known for Turkish delight. But the Apostle Paul sums us up in two categories, Jews and Gentiles. Jews would fall under the offspring of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. While the Gentiles would be the rest of us, in other words the Greeks would by implication also mean Gentiles and these words where often interchanged when the Apostle would want to highlight two different nationalities in view of God’s perspective. The Greeks/Gentiles were never classed amongst God’s people as a nation. Nevertheless, provision for the individual has always been available, even as far back as Abraham God made provision for the Gentile to be counted amongst the number; “He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.

Traditionally the Jews have always had the Torah (the five books of Moses- the first books in the Old Testament). Historically God had a relationship with Adam and Eve, but once sin became a way of life for them he withdrew His hand of fellowship. He separated Himself from them as an intimate Fatherly figure as they were no longer friends but enemies. Yes the power of sin is the catalyst which separates us from God! Hence why the law was firstly introduced and then the reason for Christ dying in our stead, to pay the ultimate once and for all time sacrifice as He conquered sin.

However after Adam as time progressed God connected with men on a deeper level once again; “Enoch walked with God…” (Genesis 5:22) – But it wasn’t until the covenant with Abraham, where God introduce His plan to single out a nation whom He could call His own and visa-versa, the Jewish Nation as God’s people at long last established; “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."” (Genesis 17:5-8)

The Jews have always believed in the only true God but rejected God’s Son, their true Messiah. If this had not happened we as the Gentile race would not of have had any chance in finding salvation and escaping God’s Judgment for our sin. Some individuals yes, but never as a nation; “That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.” (Romans 11:20) - We see it today, some Jews are being saved but as a Nation they reject the Lord Jesus as their Messiah. But the day is soon approaching when God’s mercy will once again open the eyes of Israel and as a country they will look upon the One their forefathers rejected and weep, and through it they will find Repentance.

When will these events happen may be in the forefront of our minds? Here then is the answer; “And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:9-10)   

What is it that the Gentiles/Greeks are in search of? Proof is needed to prove that God exist. They seek wisdom, the Jews do not doubt His existence but they seek a sign.

Here is God’s answer to this apparent dilemma; God has chosen the foolishness of preaching to save those who have been called…

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1Corinthians 1:18-24)   

Here is the good news regardless of where you find yourself, you are either in the Jewish or the Gentile camp; to those who have been called Jesus Christ the Lord is both the power of God and the wisdom of God, ONLY BELIEVE!

Signing off

Tyrone

  

   

The spotless bride

(The song of Solomon 4:7) “There is no spot in thee.”

For those who have a relationship with the Lord Jesus the way He chooses to view us in the light of whom we are in Him is often hard for us to accept. But for those who stand on the outside looking in, will most certainly grapple to understand His undying love for His own; let us remember that God’s way are most certainly not our ways; “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." (Corinthians 1:27-31)

My boast this morning is most certainly in Him…   

All are familiar with the concept of marriage; some are married, others divorced and some dream about marriage. The story of Cinderella and the like have weathered the test of time; the idea of romantically living “ever after” is a dream for many and let’s faces it who in their right mind wouldn’t want a happy life? Whether we fall in to the category of those requiring tender affection or those that pretend it isn’t that important; when we strip away all our very own complexities we all arrive at the same conclusion and we all want to live “happily ever after”, this is most certainly a priority for all.

Why then are we surrounded by so much of the opposite? Heartache, conflict, divorce and sadness; The underlying answer is an obvious one, sin taking control and working itself out can only produce death. Just as the serpent deceived Eve in the garden, so too, does he and his band of reprobates, although unseen, look to fill our lives with misery. Satan wilfully looks for permission to do harm. (See the story of Job…) This I understand and have no problem with the concepts of his objective and the mayhem I witness in the world because of sin; all are effect by it, but what about the Christian? Look at my life, divorced twice with what I thought was an apparent understanding of the responsibility of marriage. No matter how I look to slice my very own cake with the “knife of justification” I always come to the same conclusion, FAILED! How then was it that I failed? Although there is an enemy that goes around like a roaring lion seeking to devour those in the faith, it does not now totally excuse me. Here are the facts, I did not love my spouse as I should; I did not lay my life down for her; I was selfish and quick to highlight her blemishes while excusing my own. I did not heed God’s instruction in and through His Word, which is, “husbands love your wife like Christ loves the church”, in other words lay your life down for your spouse.

An impossible task if one is always finding fault!

However there is still very good news for all those who call upon the Lord Jesus…

Realistically we all have a lot more than spots and blemishes and yet the Lord Jesus sees none of them in the negative per say; let me explain… Even though His spouse often wanders from Him; grieves His Holy Spirit and the like, He never quarrels with her and He never lets her faults influence His love for her. He may even reprimand at times but always with tender affection and with the kindest of intentions. Amazingly even in our darkest times it is even then that He whispers, “my love”. There is no repeated remembrance in the future of our follies, which are many, innumerable for some (guilty as charged). He does not apprize ill thoughts of us, although He created the elephant; often referring to them and we quote, “he has a memory like an elephant”. He does not hold onto retentions that tarnish. He pardons us with His love after as well as before the transgression, an amazing husband with no comparison! Imagine if the Lord Jesus was as mindful of our offenses as we are with our partners, how could He ever commune with some of us? And yet even with my many felonies He still loves me. What a wonderful God I serve. NO! Rather, what a gracious, merciful, stupendous, loving and wonderful God I serve.

Many a time we often convince ourselves that we are unworthy, and realistically on face of it we most certainly are, with hypocrisy having its way in our lives, but even this does not hinder our husband, our Saviour, our God the Lord Jesus Christ from loving us with pureness and with no quarrel. Even our silly hearts are no match for His love. When He looks at His bride, even though we look at each other and see many spots, He sees neither spot nor blemish. He pronounces His Church full of beauty. Moles and beauty spots are often surgically removed to enhance ones beauty. What of the deadly ulcers and the cancerous sin that captivates so many of us? The Lord does not even venture there; He sees no spot or even the slightest blemish. Who then wouldn’t want a husband like that, praise His glorious name.

True love will always win the victory; come what may…

Signing off

Tyrone

The unseen war... part 2

Part 2 of 2

(Ephesians 6:12) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood…”

Moving on, the closer we nestle to the bosom of God the more vigorous the attacks become. And yet the more we consent to sin in our lives the easier we buckle when tried by the enemy. Now before our minds want to lure us into the “blame game” let us be sure according to scripture that all influences in our lives, even if they seem detrimental to our walk with the Lord, serves a purpose and only ever takes place by permission. However most of our suffering is because we are unwilling to let go of so many things in life. Even with these unyielding strongholds of our minds, God will continue to be gracious with His children, if this were not true then how could we ever appropriate such a verse into our lives; “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) – Let us not however confuse the suffering we face throughout life when we have personally wronged God as opposed when He allows suffering to take place when we take one for the team. But I will repeat myself for the sake of clarity, both types of suffering will work out for the eventual good of the Christian and God will ultimately receive the glory.

Let us look at how this unseen war takes place in the lives of believers…

Do you remember the story of Job? He was a man who feared God and shunned evil.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.” (Job 1:6) - Here we see Satan among the sons of God as an enemy to God, to men, to all good: he forces himself into an assembly of the sons of God that came to present themselves before the Lord. And then “the LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." (Job 1:7) – “His examination, how he came thither (Job_1:7): The Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? He knew very well whence he came, and with what design he came thither, that as the good angels came to do good he came for a permission to do hurt; but he would, by calling him to an account, show him that he was under check and control. Whence comest thou? He asks this, 1. As wondering what brought him thither. Is Saul among the prophets? Satan among the sons of God? Yes, for he transforms himself into an angel of light (2Co_11:13, 2Co_11:14), and would seem one of them. Note, It is possible that a man may be a child of the devil and yet be found in the assemblies of the sons of God in this world, and there may pass undiscovered by men, and yet be challenged by the all-seeing God. Friend, how camest thou in hither? Or, 2. As enquiring what he had been doing before he came thither. The same question was perhaps put to the rest of those that presented themselves before the Lord, “Whence came you?” We are accountable to God for all our haunts and all the ways we traverse.” (Matthew Henry)

“And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” (Job 1:8-12)

“The question God puts to him concerning Job (Job_1:8): Hast thou considered my servant Job? As when we meet with one that has been in a distant place, where we have a friend we dearly love, we are ready to ask, “You have been in such a place; pray did you see my friend there?” Observe, 1. How honourably God speaks of Job: He is my servant. “Yonder is my servant Job; there is none like him, none I value like him, of all the princes and potentates of the earth; one such saint as he is worth them all: none like him for uprightness and serious piety; many do well, but he excelleth them all; there is not to be found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” Thus Christ, long after, commended the centurion and the woman of Canaan, who were both of them, like Job, strangers to that commonwealth. The saints glory in God - Who is like thee among the gods? and he is pleased to glory in them. How closely he gives to Satan this good character of Job: Hast thou set thy heart to my servant Job? Designing hereby, (1.) To aggravate the apostasy and misery of that wicked spirit: “How unlike him are thou!” Note, The holiness and happiness of the saints are the shame and torment of the devil and the devil's children. (2.) To answer the devil's seeming boast of the interest he had in this earth. “I have been walking to and fro in it,” says he, “and it is all my own; all flesh have corrupted their way; they all sit still, and are at rest in their sins,” Zec_1:10, Zec_1:11. “Nay, hold,” saith God, “Job is my faithful servant.” Satan may boast, but he shall not triumph. (3.) To anticipate his accusations, as if he had said, “Satan, I know thy errand; thou hast come to inform against Job; but hast thou considered him? Does not his unquestionable character give thee the lie?” Note, God knows all the malice of the devil and his instruments against his servants; and we have an advocate ready to appear for us, even before we are accused.

V. The devil's base insinuation against Job, in answer to God's encomium of him. He could not deny but that Job feared God, but suggested that he was a mercenary in his religion, and therefore a hypocrite (Job_1:9): Doth Job fear God for nought? Observe, 1. How impatient the devil was of hearing Job praised, though it was God himself that praised him. Those are like the devil who cannot endure that anybody should be praised but themselves, but grudge the just share of reputation others have, as Saul (1Sa_18:5, etc.) and the Pharisees, Mat_21:15. 2. How much at a loss he was for something to object against him; he could not accuse him of any thing that was bad, and therefore charged him with by-ends in doing good. Had the one half of that been true which his angry friends, in the heat of dispute, charged him with (Job_15:4, Job_22:5), Satan would no doubt have brought against him now; but no such thing could be alleged, and therefore, 3. See how slyly he censured him as a hypocrite, not asserting that he was so, but only asking, “Is he not so?” This is the common way of slanderers, whisperers, backbiters, to suggest that by way of query which yet they have no reason to think is true. Note, It is not strange if those that are approved and accepted of God be unjustly censured by the devil and his instruments; if they are otherwise unexceptionable, it is easy to charge them with hypocrisy, as Satan charged Job, and they have no way to clear themselves, but patiently to wait for the judgment of God. As there is nothing we should dread more than being hypocrites, so there is nothing we need dread less that being called and counted so without cause. 4. How unjustly he accused him as mercenary, to prove him a hypocrite. It was a great truth that Job did not fear God for nought; he got much by it, for godliness is great gain: but it was a falsehood that he would not have feared God if he had not got this by it, as the event proved. Job's friends charged him with hypocrisy because he was greatly afflicted, Satan because he greatly prospered. It is no hard matter for those to calumniate that seek an occasion. It is not mercenary to look at the eternal recompence in our obedience; but to aim at temporal advantages in our religion, and to make it subservient to them, is spiritual idolatry, worshipping the creature more than the Creator, and is likely to end in a fatal apostasy. Men cannot long serve God and mammon.” (Matthew Hendry)

There is much more that could be said on this topic, but I trust some imperative truths have been highlighted, enough for us to understand that this war, although unseen, is very real and should be handled as such.

My conclusion would then be; the more we accommodate sin in our lives the more we play into the hands of the devil. May God help me in the way I process the little foxes in my life (some not so little) which in turn soil the vine! I pray that I learn to hate sin as it was sin that crucified our Saviour.

Signing off

Tyrone

Our view of Christmas

Part 1 of 2

(Ephesians 6:12) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood…”

How often we overlook this truth in our lives, because something is not physically visible it is often overlooked. Take a trained government agent and see how they are trained to process as much information surrounding them at any given time, why? So that they would have the upper hand at any given moment, we could learn from them, the more we see and understand the better equipped we will be to handle the wrestling that takes place in the inner man. The struggles of life often leave us feeling dejected and we often fall prey to the same traps. Which in turn condemn us as we yield to the strongholds of sin!

Take today as an example, now this would now be a very prickly subject, as the day Christmas is probably the most anticipated holiday for all, especially children. I have vivid memories as a child of the nights in which I woke up long before the sun showed itself; only to find the foot of the Christmas tree bare. Restless and disappointed I would toss and turn unable to sleep and then I would eventually hear my parent’s door open and see my father lugging presents down the passage. So much for Father Christmas! The conditioning we and others teach our children is nothing more than a wicked trap; it is not cute and cuddly to place the Lord Jesus on the backburner while Father Christmas gets all the glory! What on earth did he ever have to do with Christmas? No, rather he seems to have everything to do with Christmas, another lie another lure and the greatest of all acceptable traps. Let us not taint our glorious Saviours birth by accepting the appendage of another. Did you know that our great God will not share His glory with another and why should He? God forbid we ever accommodate that thought.

“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:24)

Let me roll-play this to highlight the point… The world is at war and on the brink of destruction, but our leaders have worked out a plan to save millions and keep our hopes alive. However the only way to do this is to find a hero that will infiltrate the enemies lair but it will cost him his life, there is no other way! Someone’s son then volunteers and dies to obtain the objective, life for so many! With much celebration we as a people will now continue to live, but that hero is soon forgotten, no, even worse another gets the glory for his accomplishment. What if that was your son, how would you feel? Need I say more? If it is Christmas we choose to celebrate, let us make sure we honour Him and not another.  

I have highlighted but one of these traps that we must become aware of. We must learn although at times it may be somewhat heavy and cumbersome to speak out against these types of traps, but then again what about our hero’s sacrifice? Was that easy? No greater sacrifice can a man give than to lay down his life for another; “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

In today’s day and age with technology as advanced as it is, our “deception detector” can be lugged around with ease. Back in the 16^th hundreds bibles were an unseen commodity in the lives of the common man. Today we need not even carry a paperback; we can readily glimpse at any particular verse at any given time with the touch of a button. My phone has four different bible translations stored on it. We are without excuse! We must learn to use God’s Word with skill. There is an unseen element that is as real as the sun, demonic forces are the enemies of the cross and their sole objective is to get us to sin and today to forget Christ’s achievement as we replace it with the likes of Santa Claus and the giving of gifts, shrouded with love one for another as families come together is a slap in the face for our Saviour if we forget Him.

(Isaiah 7:14) “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

“Let us to-day go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see him who was born King of the Jews, for we by faith can claim an interest in him, and can sing, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend; let us adore and admire. Let us notice at the very first glance his miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and bear a Son. The first promise ran thus, “The seed of the woman,” not the offspring of the man. Since venturous woman led the way in the sin which brought forth Paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers in the Regainer of Paradise. Our Saviour, although truly man, was as to his human nature the Holy One of God. Let us reverently bow before the holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient glory; and let us pray that he may be formed in us, the hope of glory. Fail not to note his humble parentage. His mother has been described simply as “a virgin,” not a princess, or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True the blood of kings ran in her veins; nor was her mind a weak and untaught one, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise; but yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she stood affianced, and how miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King!

Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendour.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

Signing off

Tyrone

The Caring God

(1 Peter 5:7) …because he cares for you.

No matter where we may find ourselves in this life; no matter how hard the struggle when we strip down all of life’s paraphernalia as Christians we can and must above everything else remember that our God most certainly cares for us. His compassion is not but a fleeting moment where when we see someone in need; I see a homeless child living off the streets and then feel empathy rise up within me. I know I often feel pity for them as I drive-by but sadly that emotion is soon forgotten as the day progresses.

Our God is not like that, “He cares for you”! This is a continuous caring, not just a fleeting moment. It is not dependent upon us and what we do; sure all the “must do’s” according to the Holy Scriptures have their place; we are commanded to seek, knock and then we shall find; we are told to ask and then we shall receive. We have been instructed to come to the throne of grace with boldness and so on. But what of the times when we are weak as the walls of this life close in on us and we find it difficult to breathe, let alone speak. The times when we are unable to cry out and be bold in character, when zeal is no longer our companion, when thoughts about wanting to end our own lives, now a reality, where it once was a weak and ridiculous thought and anyone who thought like that was pitiful. It is especially in these times that our God most certainly cares for us.

Obviously God is so brilliant he is able to process the happenings of life with all its intricacies simultaneously. Why then if we are in such a hopeless place and seem to be so pathetic to others, why does God care for us? We all have heard, “God helps those who help themselves” – Rubbish! That is a misrepresentation of what the Bible teaches and is a lot of poppycock. It is especially in the weakest state of a Christian’s life that God gives special attention to his adopted son (child). This truth really excites me and it should also motivate you. This is the God I serve, He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and He is my God.

Can I back this up from scripture? Isn't the Lord Jesus the good shepherded? He most certainly is! Here is a parable He Himself uses to explain the extent of His own faithfulness to all those who have truly believed in Him and found forgiveness for their sins; “So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”” (Luke 15:3-7) 

If you’re sole intention when coming to Christ was to find an easier path for your existence, then I would strongly suggest that what you have is a false conversion and you are not born of the Spirit. Salvation must start with us acknowledging that we are sinners and that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One in whom we need to find refuge, for He alone paid the price for our sins. Does a healthy person frequent a doctor? It is the sick that need the physician and not the healthy; so too did Christ not come for the righteous (those who class themselves as good) He came to save sinners. Are you a sinner then call out to Him, if you have no strength to call then pray for the forte; if this then is not possible ask for the fortitude from God through His beloved Son the Lord Jesus Christ that He would have mercy on you and give you the strength to call out to Him, and so on… there is always hope for those who still breathe.

Now for those who truly belong to Him I will leave you with these thoughts…

“God often DELAYS IN ANSWERING PRAYER. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day-he had to wrestle all night for it. The poor woman of Syrophenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul besought the Lord thrice that “the thorn in the flesh” might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead thereof a promise that God’s grace should be sufficient for him. If thou hast been knocking at the gate of mercy, and hast received no answer, shall I tell thee why the mighty Maker hath not opened the door and let thee in? Our Father has reasons peculiar to himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show his power and his sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. Thou art perhaps kept waiting in order that thy desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if he keeps thee waiting thou wilt see thy necessity more clearly, and wilt seek more earnestly; and that thou wilt prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying. There may also be something wrong in thee which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps thy views of the Gospel plan are confused, or thou mayest be placing some little reliance on thyself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes thee tarry awhile that he may the more fully display the riches of his grace to thee at last. Thy prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to thy delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make thee silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

May we never forget to callout in time of need, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7) 

Signing off

Tyrone     

No shadow of turning

(James 1:17) “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Here is a glorious thought; “but since God cannot know the shadow of a turning, his ways will abide everlastingly the same”. Here is doctrine which will confirm that; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17) – Therefore God will never change his mind and his love will be everlasting and so too will His judgement be an everlasting one. We often make a decision and often it is soon forgotten as we contradict what we once held in stone; like chaff in the wind, blowing about with the changes of life; pressure from peers and the like often squeeze us until we buckle and end up sinning against God. It is not always someone else’s fault!

Remember how Adam was quick to turn and accuse Eve in the garden; “The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate."” (Genesis 3:12) - Although she had her part to play in the equation that did not excuse Adam. It is the Apostle John who helps us understand; our hearts have been severely tainted by sin; “For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1John 2:16) - Sure all these influences have been designed by the arch enemy to take our eyes off the cross and fill them with false assurances and how effect they can be at times. BUT GOD cannot change He is who He is; He is the great I AM! His eternal decisions do not change on the whim of a mood swing.

He is not double minded and He supposes nothing, all things that God wills come to pass. The Apostle James teaches us that we must strive to have similar attributes. Not that we would or should ever believe that we are like God and whatever we determine will come to pass because we are great within ourselves. Try as one may but who has ever; “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”

(Luke12:25) – I see many enter a false sense of security, believing something to be true when in fact it is not! False prophets a dime a dozen offering healing when in fact there is no curative. And some people run to them like a moth to a flame. This reasoning is not what we look for but rather let us strive to be like Jesus, the man who had no shadow of turning in His character, even when He was hard pressed and the walls of life look to close in, He never gave in to sin. What an amazing man! Jesus Christ the Lord both man and God. Yet as a man He laid down His powers and subjected Himself to the laws of aging and all that came with the natural frailty of the flesh, He nevertheless lived without sin, what an amazing accomplishment!

We have an instructing book to follow; the Bible is all we need to find the answers to life; the traps of life that so easily beset, the life giving water that quenches our soul and how in the midst of the storm we find peace. We must come to Jesus Christ the Lord and search Him out if we are to find the true answers to life. It is not enough to say we believe and when we see Him we just nod our head in acknowledgement. We must fall at His feet and honour him as the King of kings. It is not enough to put up our Christmas trees and place Santa Claus on the same pedestal as if he had anything to do with Christ’s sacrifice. In that sense God will never share His glory with another; “(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)” (Exodus 34:14) – So then it is also wrong according to the Bibles teaching to tolerate other gods in any form whatsoever. Like I said there are many traps that seem to stir a response out of our persona’s but they are often nothing more than that, traps and we often think that they aren’t.

Nevertheless our God is an Awesome God; He is not subject to our folly and the devils ploys which look to keep mankind living in sin. There is no shadow of turning in Him! He has now made a way for sinful man to find forgiveness for their sin; Jesus Christ the man has conquered sin by overcoming sin as a man.

A musician, Jim Croce sings a song that I think is very apt for this season, here are some of the song’s lyrics; “You say you love the baby but you crucify the man”. Many household worldwide celebrate Christmas and is willing to except baby Jesus but that will certainly not cut the mustard. For the following day the same person will use God’s name in vain. In other words they crucify the man and all he stands for. Let us be quick to make up our minds and repent if need be. Jesus Christ the man was crucified for our sins so that all those who turn to Him, confessing Him as Lord, believing in His resurrection from the dead, them and them alone will be saved. And for those who now belong to Him, He will not lose one of us. For in Him is not shadow of turning, praise His glorious name, Amen!

There will be gifts a plenty, but there is only one gift that will bring peace in the storms, praise the glorious name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ the Lord, the Son of the only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Signing off

Tyrone

    

The rights of the poor...

“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” (Proverbs 29:7)

For a man to give provision to the poor (those in need) in high up on God’s agenda when it comes to “good works” when done with the right spirit. Obviously much of that kind of open sacrifice is displayed throughout the world for all to see and is so acknowledged by many while society places them on very high pedestals. However this type of offering is what is known as a “dead work” and has very little effect on getting God’s attention. As Christians we have been called out from such reasoning; “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God…” (Hebrews 6:1)

In other words the writer of Hebrews now instructs his readers and by implication informs us that we must repent from this type of reasoning. The Lord Jesus confirms this for us and explains why; “"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”” (Matthew 6:1-4)

Now think of the motion of a pendulum how it swings within its arc; let us not now “throw the baby out with the bath water” and withhold our hand from the needy. Although there are those that give to be seen as “do-gooders” we must still understand God’s heart in the matter and act accordingly because with the correct application comes great blessing not only for the needy but for the giver. In fact when we understand, this verse rings very true to our ear, as we make it our own; “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"(Act 20:35) – this verse obviously implies a lot more than the giving of food and raiment, our time and our lives are most certainly in question, but because we are naturally selfish we tend to excuse ourselves… which looks something like this; “it is better to give of my time and my prayers”. The Apostle James has this to say; “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:15-17) 

Now our minds conclude if that be the case then we must feed fellow believers where and when needed, which is obviously true, but it does not exclude our participation with those outside! “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” (Proverbs 21:13)

Having said that we must still be cautious no to be caught up with dead works and find a healthy balance of less of self and more for others…

(Joe 2:13) “Rend your heart, and not your garments.”

“GARMENT-RENDING and other outward signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested and are frequently hypocritical; but to feel true repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common. Men will attend to the most multiplied and minute ceremonial regulations-for such things are pleasing to the flesh-but true religion is too humbling, too heart-searching, too thorough for the tastes of the carnal men; they prefer something more ostentatious, flimsy, and worldly. Outward observances are temporarily comfortable; eye and ear are pleased; self-conceit is fed, and self-righteousness is puffed up: but they are ultimately delusive, for in the article of death, and at the day of judgment, the soul needs something more substantial than ceremonies and rituals to lean upon. Apart from vital godliness all religion is utterly vain; offered without a sincere heart, every form of worship is a solemn sham and an impudent mockery of the majesty of heaven.

HEART-RENDING is divinely wrought and solemnly felt. It is a secret grief which is personally experienced, not in mere form, but as a deep, soul-moving work of the Holy Spirit upon the inmost heart of each believer. It is not a matter to be merely talked of and believed in, but keenly and sensitively felt in every living child of the living God. It is powerfully humiliating, and completely sin-purging; but then it is sweetly preparative for those gracious consolations which proud unhumbled spirits are unable to receive; and it is distinctly discriminating, for it belongs to the elect of God, and to them alone.

The text commands us to rend our hearts, but they are naturally hard as marble: how, then, can this be done? We must take them to Calvary: a dying Saviour’s voice rent the rocks once, and it is as powerful now. O blessed Spirit, let us hear the death-cries of Jesus, and our hearts shall be rent even as men rend their vestures in the day of lamentation.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

Some other verse to back up this thought…

“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.” (Proverbs 14:21)

“The poor person pleads for mercy, but the wealthy man responds harshly.” (Proverbs 18:23) (ISV) 

“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” (Proverbs 28:27) 

Signing off

Tyrone

Rolling with the punches

(1Peter 2:9) “…that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you…”

To roll with the punches, to take it on the chin and the like is something we are all forced to do from time to time. However, it is how we react that defines us. Some cleave to “worldly sorrow” (the woe is me syndrome) while others look at it as God’s sovereignty and often His correction, which in turn teaches us valuable lessons as life unfolds. The Apostle Peter clarifies some truths in relation to this subject; “and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1Peter 2:8-9) – All will fall into one of two camps, those who stumble at this teaching, in other words reject God’s Word and in fact are destined to do so. While there are others who have been destined to embrace come what may and through their lifetime will bring glory to their almighty gracious merciful God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

What then of this call? I could speak for many as I looked to excuse myself of the sin that so easily besets but that would be foolish on my part. From day to day there is more than enough I need to contend with and in my lifetime I will never arrive by my example quite like the Lord so majestically conquered by defeating sin, hell and the grave; Christ our perfect sacrifice. This truth however should not keep me from wrestling to put off the nature of the old man and yes as some of my brethren so aptly put it; after twenty five years I am still doing a lot of the same things in my life and in fact I am worse in some areas. I still struggle in many of the same areas, but does this mean I now throw in the towel as some onlookers would suggest as they see a bloody and battered face with my knees buckling just about to collapse, NO is the cry! While I have puff, while we all have breathe we most certainly are alive to hope.

Mediocrity is not an option; excellence must be our objective; “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

It is not what the individual does that makes us acceptable in the beloved, the Lord Jesus Christ is the one who justifies and we are sanctified by what He achieved on Calvary. Nevertheless because we have now been freed from the power of sin we now need to start living as those who have been freed. This truth is often overlooked in my life and for this I ask for forgiveness my Merciful Father. A forgetful hearer is what I become and it should not be so. However, today a good day, your grace has peeled away the hindering wax of life from my ears and the sound of your sweet small voice is pleasant on the ear. Your grace is most certainly sufficient, thank you Father God for your tenderness; “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalms 145:8)

How do I know this to be true? If it wasn’t so I would no longer be alive or be rolled up in some desolate corner begging bread. So, yes even for those who are not model Christians, we most certainly have a hope, NO! Rather cheerful hopes in Him, our glorious Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, bless and praise His glorious name. My voice goes out to those whose hope seems somewhat clouded; the clutches of death once again gape at your throat looking to choke the life from you. Fear not, our great Saviour has overcome, call out to Him with sincerity and He will be quick to send His ministering angels to bring relief. Do not let the cares of this life, or even the voices of friends discourage you, call out and you will be heard, you WILL be saved; “For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."” (Romans 10:13) – But call you must!

In conclusion, no matter where we are as Christians we most certainly have a high priest who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. When the bible says, that our God cares for us, this is not a suggestion but a fact; “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7)

These are just some of the attributes of my great God, the God of all true Christians; I will exalt His name, praise must go to Jesus the One who has made the way for so many wayward sinners, all glory belongs to Him and to no other, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

  

  

An endurance race...

(Hebrews 12:1) “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Deception is an astute, problematic and a very devious anomaly. However it is not that irregular, as life, with all its tricksters continue to confuse and ultimately deceive. But before the finger is so easily pointed let us remember that we are all originally cut from the same cloth, the fabric of sin! Our innovative minds are programmed to run with “sin” as our underlying operating system. This is why the Christian is warned of sin and its persistent onslaught against our conscience. It relentlessly looks to weaken our resolve in many different areas of our lives. And sadly it has many victories along life’s passage. But before I run away with its power, we must also understand that it will never win the battle. As Christ has conquered sin by His sinless sacrifice. God in the flesh, laid down His life, became a man and then lived a sinless life. He upheld every one of God’s laws never giving-in to deception or the temptation of sin. Some tried to insinuate that He was this or that, every one of them a false accusation; they even called Him a winebibber and every trap they laid failed! God proved His Son’s innocence to sin by raising Him from the dead, and there are witnesses that if called to a stand to testify would readily do so; “but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” (Act 10:40-41) 

Our ultimate victory in Christ is no longer in question. We as Christians are justified by what He achieved and not by what we achieve. It is all about Him, God’s grace (goodness) and He who has begun a good work in every one of His elected believers will certainly complete it; “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) – And yet we nevertheless have clear instruction on how to combat the enemy and this is where “deception” looks to rob us of our victory as we begin to hang our heads instead of wearing “the posture” of our victory in Him.

This then is the warning; “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”. (Hebrews 12:1) – It is sin that clouds our judgement; it is deception that keeps us believing a lie but faith that believes in Christ’s finished work, it is that faith, which is counted for righteousness sake; “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5)

Therefore it is imperative to believe and trust in God’s ability to complete our salvation and yes even if we find ourselves struggling with so many issues in life, even if we are not living as model Christians, it is faith in our God that will in turn bring about correction in our lives where and when needed. It has to be about the “Christ in you, the hope of glory”, praise His glorious name!

Having said that we are still under instruction, we must all work out those good works that have been prepared for us as individuals; “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)

“Deception” is what looks to confuse the issue, so what will align our thinking properly? It is not difficult, all one need do is pray this prayer; “God how can I be of service to you today?” And not “God give me goodies today!” Deception keeps us looking at our pitiful state, but faith looks to see how we can be of service glorifying our great God.

Signing off

Tyrone