Are we Lukewarm?

(Revelation 3:16) “So, because you are lukewarm...”

What I despise the most of all enemies, is how much time we give to their influence in our lives and the power they hold over us. Even just the amount of time we will now spend deliberating this point, means that it has captivate more than just my thoughts as it now warrants putting reflection to paper! This behaviour in itself could become an obsessive pattern, as more time is spent on our doubts (unbelief) instead of the glorious finished work of the cross. Yet to be like the ostrich with our head in the sand would also be just as foolish. This is how I then see it! Scripture is full of examples and we can only ever effectively be in one of two camps; the “camp of faith” or the “camp of unbelief”. And we will look at some of these paradigms. Yet so many believe that they are what we will call free spirits as they wonder between the camp grounds, Gypsies or nomads, wishy-washy, or as the Lord refers to them as lukewarm individuals; and let us be careful not to quickly point fingers but to examine ourselves on where we stand in this regard.

I now only address those who have the Spirit of God, those who have been born again, those who somewhere alone life’s journey encountered verve and their eyes were opened to the truth of the Gospel. Those who were once dead by now live! Or as we may understand it, where we felt we once lived but now are no longer sure. Or maybe we have been drawn away by other spiritual messages that now appeal to our itching ears, or we may look for doctrine that excuses sin in our lives. Whatever it may be that causes us to stumble and wonder between these two camps as neutrals believing that the concept of a peacemaker is cool, after all didn’t the Lord teach us that blessed are the peace makers? “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) - This is why we need to unpack scripture in context and use expository deliberation to understand its truth. Examine your own heart and you will see how even this comment I have just made, might want us to run off and explore all its options looking for an easy out, any reason not to make a stand for our great Saviour when we shall be singled out; what will we do? Time will tell! Nevertheless, let us consider where we stand in this regard; do we always obediently live in the “camp of faith” or do we like to wander like the rebellious sheep that eventually needs to have its leg broken by the Shepherd, so that it no longer wonders off into danger. My life has been so marshalled. But surely there must come a time where we no longer wonder off into danger. There must come a moment of reckoning when this question will be asked of us from the Lord; “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:16) – We will eventually need to wear our coat of arms for all to see, we will either be for Him or against Him, we will either live in the “camp of faith”, submitting to all its instructions or the “camp of unbelief”, where it will be obvious whose side we are on. But for those who insist on being neutral, the lukewarm believers, the Lord will eventually spit them out of His mouth. So before that happens let us remember to call upon the name of the Lord and heed His instruction; “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:18-19)

We may look around and see so many being blessed with wealth and worldly possessions and feel despondent, it is important that we get a grip on this truth and who better to bring us a clearer understanding than uncle Charles, this is what C.H.Spurgeon has to say...

“Upstarts frequently usurp the highest places, while the truly great pine in obscurity. This is a riddle in providence whose solution will one day gladden the hearts of the upright; but it is so common a fact, that none of us should murmur if it should fall to our own lot. When our Lord was upon earth, although he is the Prince of the kings of the earth, yet he walked the footpath of weariness and service as the Servant of servants: what wonder is it if his followers, who are princes of the blood, should also be looked down upon as inferior and contemptible persons? The world is upside down, and therefore, the first are last and the last first. See how the servile sons of Satan lord it in the earth! What a high horse they ride! How they lift up their horn on high! Haman is in the court, while Mordecai sits in the gate; David wanders on the mountains, while Saul reigns in state; Elijah is complaining in the cave while Jezebel is boasting in the palace; yet who would wish to take the places of the proud rebels? and who, on the other hand, might not envy the despised saints? When the wheel turns, those who are lowest rise, and the highest sink. Patience, then, believer, eternity will right the wrongs of time.

Let us not fall into the error of letting our passions and carnal appetites ride in triumph, while our nobler powers walk in the dust. Grace must reign as a prince, and make the members of the body instruments of righteousness. The Holy Spirit loves order, and he therefore sets our powers and faculties in due rank and place, giving the highest room to those spiritual faculties which link us with the great King; let us not disturb the divine arrangement, but ask for grace that we may keep under our body and bring it into subjection. We were not new created to allow our passions to rule over us, but that we, as kings, may reign in Christ Jesus over the triple kingdom of spirit, soul, and body, to the glory of God the Father.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

If our lives seem to be surrounded with doubts and fears let us remember to ignore the giants of life and look to the faithful men and women of old and learn from them. They are all now seated in the heavenly realm waiting for their glorified bodies, they wait on us; “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1Corinthians 15:58)

Signing off

Tyrone

 

       

A sometimes Emotional Journey!

(Colossians 2:10)  “And you have been brought to fullness in him...”

As Christians we are no different to a free-diver as she trains to hold her breath for long spells, but eventual she needs to surface and fill her lungs with air, or she will drown! Who would understand the importance of a “breath of fresh air” more than a deep water free-diver? At times the Christian feels the same strain; the deeper the trial the more the pressure and with that comes the doubt of whether or not one will make it back to safety in time to breathe a sigh of relief. We may or may not often feel like this but somewhere along our Christian walk we will be hard-pressed and if we do not cry out to God our Father and find grace in and through the Lord Jesus, regardless of whether we overcome or succumbed to the trail through temptation, we will end up carrying an unwelcome burden upon our shoulders, which is unnecessary! I suppose we will all experience this trial as we wade through life with our emotions in turmoil. Let know one convince you that emotions have no part to play in a Christian’s life, as they play an integral part for the believer, but do not let emotions surpass the Word of God. Rather let us learn to use them in conjunction with God’s Word in our lives.

When we feel depressed and hopeless and our emotions begin to dictate and rule our lives, what is it that we need to counter these apparent destructive feelings? I say apparent, because even these types of emotions are working together for our good, as it should get us to look for hope when we feel hopeless. And we know that he works all things together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) - Everything, and that includes suppressed sentiment, is there to help us to cry out to a merciful God as we acknowledge that without Him we would live a life of hopelessness. These times reminds us that without Jesus Christ our Saviour’s intercession on our behalf we would be doom for an eternity of constant suffering, hell as our final destination! Nevertheless we would rather avoid these trying times. So, what is it we need if this is how we feel? We need to be encouraged, we need truth ministered and we also need our eyes to be opened, feeding our hope, that is, heaven and all that goes with it!

Let C.H.Spurgeon then minister hope and truth, read his words carefully, chew on them and then digest them and watch you depression as it dissipates and hope once again revitalises the soul. This is the design of God’s Word for our lives!

“All the attributes of Christ, as God and man, are at our disposal. All the fulness of the Godhead, whatever that marvellous term may comprehend, is ours to make us complete. He cannot endow us with the attributes of Deity; but he has done all that can be done, for he has made even his divine power and Godhead subservient to our salvation. His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, immutability and infallibility, are all combined for our defence. Arise, believer, and behold the Lord Jesus yoking the whole of his divine Godhead to the chariot of salvation! How vast his grace, how firm his faithfulness, how unswerving his immutability, how infinite his power, how limitless his knowledge! All these are by the Lord Jesus made the pillars of the temple of salvation; and all, without diminution of their infinity, are covenanted to us as our perpetual inheritance. The fathomless love of the Saviour’s heart is every drop of it ours; every sinew in the arm of might, every jewel in the crown of majesty, the immensity of divine knowledge, and the sternness of divine justice, all are ours, and shall be employed for us. The whole of Christ, in his adorable character as the Son of God, is by himself made over to us most richly to enjoy. His wisdom is our direction, his knowledge our instruction, his power our protection, his justice our surety, his love our comfort, his mercy our solace, and his immutability our trust. He makes no reserve, but opens the recesses of the Mount of God and bids us dig in its mines for the hidden treasures. “All, all, all are yours,” saith he, “be ye satisfied with favour and full of the goodness of the Lord.” Oh! how sweet thus to behold Jesus, and to call upon him with the certain confidence that in seeking the interposition of his love or power, we are but asking for that which he has already faithfully promised.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

This is our standing in Him, inhale the vast amounts of fresh air and live!

Signing off

Tyrone

Although dead he still speaks!

What struggles often need to be confronted, even the mundane issues in life seem to play their part in hindering us achieving our objectives. At least when I penned to paper all I needed was paper and ink. Granted I would find lots of grammatical errors as I read back what had been written. Yet it was a simple way in which to convey ones thoughts. Now with technology at our finger-tips “Microsoft Word” is a great help in that area, especially for someone like me. But when you spend two hours trying to sort out a network connection, like I needed to do this morning and the problem is still not resolved, I wonder which the better system is!

I thought that maybe this morning we would look at a brief biography of a man who lived only with one intention and that was not to waste his life. It amazes me how this man died (fell asleep) at the age of 52 and yet he achieved so much for the Lord...

A MAN WORTHY OF REMEMBRANCE

By

Stanford E. Murrell

A Brief Biography Of Matthew Henry

(1662-1714)

If any receive spiritual benefit by my

poor endeavors, it will be a comfort to me,

but let God have all the glory.

AD 1662 - AD 1680

The Birth of Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry was the second son given by the Lord to Katherine and Philip Henry.  He was born on October 18, 1662 in Broad Oak, in a farmhouse located in Flintshire in Iscoyd township in the county of Salop.  Being born prematurely, there was fear that Matthew Henry would die at birth or soon thereafter. Therefore, he was baptized the day after his birth which happened to be a Sabbath.  Mr. Holland, the Rector of Malpas, administered the holy ordinance to the weak infant. The child's infirmities was just another burden for Matthew's father, Philip Henry, who knew great sorrow as a servant of the Saviour.  He was one of about two thousand ministers who resigned or were ejected from their pulpits by the Church of England for daring to dissent to the conditions set forth in the Act of Uniformity (1662). Matthew’s mother came from a well respected family. Her modest inheritance allowed her husband to continue to live at Broad Oak and minister to the people without pay.

Education

               Though in poor health physically, intellectually and spiritually Matthew was gifted. As a child prodigy he was able to read out loud a chapter of the Bible when he was only three years old. Recognizing their son's unusual mental gifts Philip and Katharine Henry provided a capable teacher in the person of Mr. William Turner. From him Matthew studied Grammar and Latin.  In later years Mr. Turner became the Vicar of Walburton in Sussex and the author of A History of Remarkable Providences. 

A serious soul by nature, Matthew Henry always reflected a maturity beyond his years illustrated by extracts from a letter written in 1671. He was only nine years old at the time when he wrote to his father in London.  "Every day since you went, I have done my lesson, a side of Latin, or Latin verses, and two verses in the Greek Testament.  I hope I have done all well, and so I will continue till you come."  The letter concludes with words reflecting deep spiritual insight. "By this providence we may see that sin is the worst of evils, for sickness came with sin. Christ is the chief good; therefore, let us love Him.  Sin is the worst of evils, therefore, let us hate that with a perfect hatred."

Childhood Sickness

Matthew Henry was born into a world where children died at an early age.  His own brother John did not survive infancy.  When he was ten years old, Matthew suffered the ravages of a lingering fever. Once more it seemed that he was going to die. Once more the Lord had mercy and his life was spared.

The Saving Of His Soul

As the Lord saved Matthew Henry from an early death, He also saved him from an eternal damnation. The glorious day when he was translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son may be discerned from a document dated October 18, 1675.  On his thirteenth birth day Matthew Henry wrote down A Catalogue Of Mercies  detailing the progress of religion in his soul. There is a section in the manuscript dealing with conversion.

A Catalogue Of Mercies

 I think it was three years ago that I began to be convinced, hearing a sermon by my father on Psalm 51:17.  'The sacrifices of God are of a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.'  It think it was that that melted me; afterwards I began to inquire after Christ.

December 7, 1673.  on a Sabbath-day morning, I heard a sermon that had in it the marks of true grace. I tried myself by them, and told my father my evidences; he liked them and said, if those evidences were true, (as I think they were) I had true grace. Yet, after this, for two or three days, I was under great fear of hell, till the Lord comforted me. I having been engaged in serious examination--What hope I have that when I die, and leave this earthly tabernacle, I shall be received into heaven--I have found several marks that I am a child of God. His ministers say:

               1.  There is true conversion where there have been covenant transactions between God and the soul. And I found that there have been such between God and my soul, and I hope in truth and righteousness. If I never did this before, I do it now; for I take God in Christ to be mine. I give up myself to be his in the bond of an everlasting covenant never-to-be-forgotten. But hath it been in truth? As far as I know my own heart, I do it in truth and sincerity. I did it December 7, and September 5, and October 13, and many other times. I do it every day.

               2.  Where there hath been true repentance for sin, and grief, and shame, and sorrow, for it, as to what is past, with all the ingredients of it, as confession, aggravation, self-judging, self condemning, &c.

What fascinates me is that this man, obviously under the grace of God, yet with great care and commitment was able to give us a detailed commentary of the entire Bible. And I share C.H. Spurgeon’s idea that this commentary should be the first book in a Christian’s library after the Bible if we are serious with our commitment to Christ.

Just like C.H.Spurgeon here is a man although dead he still speaks. I thank God for bringing me across this man’s path, even if not in person.

Signing off

Tyrone

Stir up one another to love and good works...

(Hebrews 10:24) “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works...”

I realize that there seems to be a style to my thoughts as they seem to run in a certain direction and then change course without warning, leaving a topic hanging in the air. Almost like a squash ball as it is belted against four walls. As I said before; this blog came about when I stopped penning my daily diary, those entries were some of my deepest thoughts, struggles and obvious delights put to paper. It was a succouring time of soberness as are these blogs. However I never looked through the shift by blogging to now change my intentions, I still deal with my thoughts as the Lord mercifully deals with me a struggling pilgrim. I wasn't and still don’t want this to change, all I look for is what the Lord is teaching me on a daily basis or what am I failing to apply in obedience to God my Father, i.e. when I look at spiritual gifts, the infilling of the Holy Ghost or two Spirits, it is not because I now have pet subjects that I am now obsessed with. God saved me in a Pentecostal Church and there they taught me many wonderful truths but with that came many unanswered questions as time progressed. I often address these once unanswered questions as I seek out their truth. In a nutshell I have structure with my blog, I deal with my daily thoughts and where they lead me, I do not have a programme of study that I follow, this blog was never about that. There are far greater bible teachers that one could learn from, but what I am convinced of is that we all have the ability to feed one another and provoke each other to good works. I hope and pray that God will use it to build and rescue others just as He often uses it to feed me.

Nevertheless having said this I will always endeavour above all else to be true to God’s Word. Emotions play an integral part in a believer’s life, but they should never overshadow the Word of God and if they do we then operate in the realm of deception. It is a consideration that now drives me to find accurate answers from the Bible, hence the squash ball effect. So please understand if and when the squash ball changes direction, all it means is something more pressing has captivate my soul.

Now let us continue with the “body principal”... what is the importance of God’s children finding sweet fellowship one with another? It is critical! We must make every effort to seek out like minded people with the intention to feed each other. We must not be like the mosquito, a blood sucker always taking and never supplying. We must learn to take responsibility with the talent (gift) God has given us, and no! It is not a competition, we must never look to outdo one another that will only ever result in contempt and set us up with pride which in turn will lead to our demise. However scripture warns us to be deliberate with this application to our lives.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

That we should consider one another, to provoke to love and to good works. Christians ought to have a tender consideration and concern for one another; they should affectionately consider what their several wants, weaknesses, and temptations are; and they should do this, not to reproach one another, to provoke one another not to anger, but to love and good works, calling upon themselves and one another to love God and Christ more, to love duty and holiness more, to love their brethren in Christ more, and to do all the good offices of Christian affection both to the bodies and the souls of each other. A good example given to others is the best and most effectual provocation to love and good works. 2. Not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, Heb_10:25. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should assemble together, sometimes more privately for conference and prayer, and in public for hearing and joining in all the ordinances of gospel worship. There were in the apostles' times, and should be in every age, Christian assemblies for the worship of God, and for mutual edification. And it seems even in those times there were some who forsook these assemblies, and so began to apostatize from religion itself. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a good means of steadiness and perseverance; hereby their hearts and hands are mutually strengthened. 3. To exhort one another, to exhort ourselves and each other, to warn ourselves and one another of the sin and danger of backsliding, to put ourselves and our fellow-christians in mind of our duty, of our failures and corruptions, to watch over one another, and be jealous of ourselves and one another with a godly jealousy. This, managed with a true gospel spirit, would be the best and most cordial friendship. 4. That we should observe the approaching of times of trial, and be thereby quickened to greater diligence: So much the more, as you see the day approaching. Christians ought to observe the signs of the times, such as God has foretold. There was a day approaching, a terrible day to the Jewish nation, when their city should be destroyed, and the body of the people rejected of God for rejecting Christ. This would be a day of dispersion and temptation to the chosen remnant. Now the apostle puts them upon observing what signs there were of the approach of such a terrible day, and upon being the more constant in meeting together and exhorting one another, that they might be the better prepared for such a day. There is a trying day coming on us all, the day of our death, and we should observe all the signs of its approaching, and improve them to greater watchfulness and diligence in duty. (Matthew Henry)

It will never happen if we sit back and wait for it to occur we must be proactive with our intention. Start with a group of believer friends if you must and then wait on the Lord to multiply that as and when He pleases. Some will neglect this instruction as the Word has declared it so, but may we resolve from this day forth to be among the obedient number. May God help us with our endeavour!

Signing off

Tyrone     

Merciful Father!

(Isaiah 42:3) “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.”

It is a beautiful morning filled with the anticipation of life; with hope in the air responsibility nevertheless looms and demands obedience to a Holy God. How privileged we find ourselves when we are afforded any opportunity to speak about this awesome Holy merciful God, the One who not only has the power to be merciful and chooses to share it with His creation. It is true that not all understand the grace of God; in fact many run in the opposite direction as I once did. We could not tolerate the light and its radiance, we were once blinded by our own sin; we would look to avoid any resemblance of God’s glory, when a glimmer of light could be seen in the distance, I remember how I would look to high-tail it in the opposite direction. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." (John 3:18-21)

What then changed in my life, as I once ran after wickedness and the debauchery of sin as my deeds were evil, I could not bear to look into the light. BUT GOD! Who is rich in mercy chose to rescue me from the mire, why many onlookers would ask, “a wretch like you”! I would have to agree with that statement as I obviously deserved the exact opposite, Hell was my fate and yet God not obliged or compelled to answer to anyone, chose to show me mercy and open my eyes and turn me from the filth of sin that I was not only a slave too, but continually went out of my way looking for the next death defying adventure of wine, women and song.  

This morning is International AIDS Candlelight Memorial and I have been asked to share my experience with a congregation of people that I have never met. I have been afforded the highest of all privileges; I now have a platform in which to present the only true everlasting hope for mankind, the GOSPEL! Yet with it comes a great responsibility, water down the truth by presenting a man centred message and I could be involved in condemning people to hell for eternity. If I am to misrepresent my great Saviour’s perfect work I would be in danger of His correction and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God! What responsibility I now face, do I want or need it? Mixed emotions as I consider all my failures as a Christian, and then once I have beaten myself up, I once again am led back to the words of the Apostle Paul; “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) – Although much of today will be about me living with HIV as many of their questions will be focused and directed at me. I have been afforded the highest of rights as I too may preach a message of hope for those who are without hope. I pray that the goodness of God would abundantly abound today in Him choosing to set the captive free, not because they deserve it, but because God has it in His power to save. It begins and ends with Him. We are in your hands Abba Father, Glorify your Son exalt His name I pray, as time is short and that day of His return is soon approaching. I beg you to exalt your own Name and open eyes this morning to the glory of your name. We understand this statement and depend upon it; “...it is the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance.” (Romans 2:4)  

There will be many bruised reeds in that congregation and I am mindful of the prophet Isaiah’s words; “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” (Isaiah 42:3)

One of their questions will be; - Do you think HIV is a punishment from God? And obviously my answer must be YES! But my prayer is that God the Holy Spirit would use this answer to convict men and woman’s hearts of their sin and cause them to cry out on the name of the Lord and be saved. For those who are broken reeds and find their hope but a glimmer fading in the distance, be merciful great Father and flood their souls once again with joy, igniting their hope to once again pursue obedience to your glorious Word. To sit at their Masters feet and to have sweet communion with Him as they sing praises unto Him. There is an old cliché; “cowboys don’t cry” but there is nothing sweeter than shedding tears of joy when we know that our sins have been forgiven, how I relish those moments, praise the name of Jesus as He alone is worthy and He alone has the power to save. Be merciful and saved today we pray!

Signing off

Tyrone  

Importance of Obedience!

(1Corinthians 12:18)  “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.”

I did say we would look at love and Spiritual gifts and the importance they have in our lives when viewed side by side, if any. Can we safely walk circumspectly before a Holy God in complete obedience if we choose to seek out love but despise spiritual gifts? Or are we being too mystical when we look to undercover the true application of spiritual gifts to our Christian walk? We may even say I am not a foot but a hand, therefore I am not part of the body, and would we therefore be excused? We may be captivated into believing that Pastors or teachers are the most important members in the body of Christ. On the surface I would believe the same thing, but not when we look to scripture to build our case; “For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. (1Corinthians 12:14-18) 

I am not as concerned about how you view spiritual gifts as how much we need to understand the importance of the need to function as a member of the body of Christ, just because you may think that you are not as important as the Pastor, does not mean that you are not an interregnal part in completing the local church. In fact Paul has given us an in-depth teaching on this very subject.

It is imperative that we understand our role in the local fellowship, but with so much compromise around, we often feel that we would be better off alone at home doing our own thing. I am guilty as charged!

Nevertheless, I am completely convinced; this is the lesson That God in His mercy continues to teach us, if and when we neglect to follow His instruction in and through His Word, we will suffer loss, this is a fact, so be sure of it. There will be no exceptions to the rule, it is impossible for God to lie and He cannot deny Himself. In other words, He will never say one thing and do something else. At times with our human intellects it may seem that when God is caught up in anger and He is ready to transfer His wrath and pass a judgement on His creation that He may have forgotten His covenant. As I said, it may only seem so, but He has never broken His Word, He never could that would be impossible! Do we remember when men thoughts were continuously evil and God was so angry with them and creation that He looked to destroy it with water, but before that happened one man found grace in the eyes of the LORD, that man was Noah! Here we see interplay between the Godhead as they deliberate the outcome of all of creation; all of creation almost destroyed and mankind with it. It almost appeared as if God was about to terminate His eternal plan...

So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” (Gen 6:7-8)

He had predetermined so many things that still needed to happen; His covenant He would establish with Abraham, the introduction of the law, the sending of His Son to die for sin making a way for sinners to find repentance in being reunited with God, the great white throne judgment and the marriage feast of the Lamb. This is proof in itself that God cannot lie! The thought in itself is an abomination!

Or what of the time when Moses persuades God to change His mind, or so it would seem once again on the surface; “And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you." But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, 'With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.'" And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people. (Exodus 32:9-14) – Moses pleads on behalf of the people and God yields to his request. Does that mean that God was about to go back on His Word, never! As it is impossible for God to lie! “so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6:18) – Here we see that if God had destroyed all of the children of Israel, as He may well have done because of their sin, it was impossible to do. Why? Because of His covenant with Abraham; Moses was not in the lineage of the Lord Jesus by birth, do we get the picture? (see Matthew chapter 1) - If He started again with Moses then His covenant with Abraham would not have stood, by now it stands bright and clear. His name is forever praised and proof once again that when God has determined to do something it shall surely stand.

It is now no different for us as we take the Word of God and its instruction and apply it in our lives. If we follow its direction with accuracy then we will be the beneficiaries of His grace, but if we choose to ignore it then it will be to our own peril. We must make it our business to seek it out to glorify our God.

So when the Apostle Paul teachers us the need to be actively involved in a local fellowship, do you think it is important, you decide, as God has spoken!

To be continued...

Signing off

Tyrone

 

   

Forgive the one day delay!

BlogSpot must have had some serious problems yesterday and therefore were a read-only site for the entire day. Good news is they are once again up and running, as I was busy with a new blog-site, having to learn a new template and all that goes with that, I was resolute to get out this post today, regardless. Thankfully that should no longer be necessary. We will just miss a post as a technical glitch and pick up from today as if it was yesterday. There will be no post for the 13-05-2011...

Thanks

Tyrone Arthur

He must increase, but I must decrease.

(John 3:30) “He must increase, but I must decrease”.

“He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.” We now have the mind of Christ, all those who have His Spirit, must begin to reason with His mind.

By now you may well understand the simplistic way I reason things out; I do not look for the snake in the grass, or the needle in the haystack, many of us spend half our lives if not more concerned about things that needn’t concern us. I have a good friend and brother that likes to stretch me and as he would put it, “to think out of my box”. I understand his heart in the matter and at time that is a good thing. But we must never bite off more than we can chew. You see, if we where to compare one another side by side, I would be defeated hands down in all the natural God given faculties, i.e. human intellect, memory and the like, but as far back as I can remember he has always been gifted with those ability. My point is this, regardless of which we are and what we achieved outside the will of God and in glorifying His names it is but a bag of dry bones, it will never produce life in eternity. It will be wood, hay or stubble and when it is judged with fire it may well burn bright and clear but eventually all it will leave behind is ash. Whether we are in either camp, it does not limit God in His ability to work with us as His children, He is a great God, He will always be worshiped as the great I AM and He will never be boxed by man and their intellect or lack of it. In order for God to be glorified in our lives we must decrease; “He must increase, but I must decrease”. (John 3:30)

I was asked a question, “Why are no more books added to the Bible? The answer is simple, God has so willed it as the canon of scripture is complete as the work of the cross in now a finished work, and Christ has risen! I have not over thought it, but simply accepted it in faith and received my direction from God’s Word. Let me not speak on behalf of others as that would not be fair, but I will speak on my own behalf in this regard; when I question scripture to a point of over analysing it, I then am in danger of missing it’s direction. However having said that, we must study His Word: - “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15) – The correct balance is needed, but we may miss its simplicity when we over think it; I say that with caution as I do not want that to be misinterpreted or misrepresented. Let me use an example to illustrate; back to the snake in the grass, it may well be there but until I am confronted by it I needn’t be concerned by it. Others may say, just in case it is there we need to make sure, and for much of their time away on their bushveld holiday they spent hours looking for it. We may deliberate which of the two attitudes would be advantageous, but I say on the authority of God’s Word it is obvious which would be profitable. Let the Lord Jesus teach us as He is our greatest teacher; we by nature worry about so many things, especially when it comes to the well being of family and self. Please see the underlying principle for life and all that goes with it in this illustration. “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:31-34) – How often do we worry about snakes in the grass that never appear, how difficult we make this walk for ourselves when it needn’t be difficult at all. I do not profess to have mastered this application to my life, but that changes me not the truth and the application we should all live by.

You may ask why then do I spend so much time on the warnings of that which is false, i.e. false prophets and teachers, it should be obvious, those snakes have shown themselves and we now must confront the issues at hand.

We must learn to live by faith and believe God and His Word regardless of anything else. Faith feeds our hope, and without hope we would perish. But we have great hope, the greatest of all hopes, Heaven is our destination and the only true God has promised all those that endure to the end that He will be our God and we will be His son’s. If that is not worth dying for then nothing will ever be. Lets us embrace His Word, let us believe it even when we are hard-pressed and life and its struggles squeeze the life out of us, may we remember that our Great Saviour has risen from the dead and He has conquered death, praise His name! Don’t you get excited when you think on these things, I am alone in my study with the sun just breaching the horizon, and as I pen I find myself doing air punches, just as well no one can see me as it would look rather ridiculous. I am forever thankfully to our great God for sending His Glorious Son to die for a wretch like me.

Press on struggling pilgrim, it won’t be long now before we all sing praises to our King in that wonderful Celestial City, even so we cry come quickly Lord Jesus!

Signing off

Tyrone

Beware of that which is Counterfeit!

Before we venture on into our deliberation with Spiritual gifts, let us consider our opponent and his strategy. "Negotiators give themselves an advantage by thinking about what is motivating the other party, by getting inside their head”. (Galinsky)

Counterfeit and all that goes with it seems to be a massive global market that attracts the masses. And it will be no different when the anti-christ is revealed. We obviously have a natural tendency to be drawn to that which is phony just so long as it will pass off to the unschooled as an original. I wonder if this is a ploy the devil uses to beguile, if he could, the children of God? This then must be one of his objectives, a game plan if you like in the “boardroom of hell”. I am convinced that this is true as we have an enemy who goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, and NO! he is not already chain as some suggest, that day is still coming. His ploy is to deceive even the very elect with his counterfeit paraphernalia and his lying signs and wonders. “For false christ’s and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24) – This reference is of a time still to come and some may say I am quoting a reference in the present instead of the future. Let me rather quote another reference to prove this; “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. (Philippians3:18-19) – This is a reference to two thousand years ago, therefore it is clear to see a pattern of the enemy throughout time and it will remain so until the end, that is obvious!

Let scripture now always prove every point we make on this blog, let supposition without scripture and verse be disqualified from voicing its opinion, as we seek God’s voice and nothing that is forged is welcome amongst us.

May you please help us Father to ACHIEVE THIS OUR OBJECTIVE; we only want to hear your voice and your direction, so that your name may receive glory. Yes, we will be the beneficiaries of your grace, but your name alone will be praised amongst your people.

How do we know that deception by way of what is counterfeit is a ploy of the devil? It is scripture that teachers us this truth; - “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2Corinthians 11:14) - That means that even apparent Christian leaders are disguising themselves as angles of light- copies of what seems to be the original, but it is the Word when examined that exposes them as wolves in sheep’s clothing. We must use the Word of God as our yard-stick if we wish to be accurate with our findings, nothing else will do! If we miss a quality check no matter how small it may seem, we may end up in trouble and believe a lie.

A case in point that affected all of us living in South Africa would be the R200 note, a classic example of how a counterfeit note slipped through the system, in fact it was such a good replica that the Reserve bank was forced to call back its entire bank roll and then print a new note.

I will then ask you, do you think deception is a real threat, we know it is! - “So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2Corinthians 11:15)

Yet having said that we must never undermine the work of our great God in our lives as God the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth; “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13) So long as we seek out God’s will in our lives, it is grace needed to win the victory every time, we must never forget that it is our great Saviour who has overcome and we stand in Him, if it were not for Him we would lose the battle every time, He has defeated the devil and all that is evil, when we in ourselves look to defeat the devil we fail every time, but it is not so with our great Saviour the Lord Jesus, we must look to stand on His finished work and nothing else. We must always remember that pride is a great enemy and the devil will use it skilfully to get us to stumble as he knows that God resist the proud; “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:6-7) - May we always remember to fly that banner while seeking out the truth of God’s Word in every area of our lives.

Signing off

Tyrone 

Love and Spiritual Gifts!

(John 8:32)  “...and the truth will set you free."

I am considering the importance of spiritual gifts for the Christian in today’s economy, if any!  Reformed theologians like to refer to the history of the church to back up certain truths practised in the church and then obviously discard what we would call error on the basis of historical fact, and sometimes even to the exclusion of scripture. I am now finally persuaded what it is the Lord who has called me to stand on the truth of God’s Word, in whatever measure that may entail, yet without compromise. I nevertheless shudder to think that through my example in life God has called me at all. But forgetting those things that are behind, which is almost impossible as I bear the marks in my body, I stand or fall before Him; He alone knows my heart in the matter, praise His name, nothing is hidden from Him.

I just pray that my objective is to glorify His name and not to look for self acknowledgment, to somehow find acceptance from my peers. My feeling, my opinions and the estimation of others does not really carry any water if it opposes the Word of God. If this is some form of pride in my life and it is rooted in self, it will amount to a bag of bones. However if it is God who has sparked this though and this drive, then it will bring forth its fruit in its season, time will tell the story. Having said that, no matter who brings anything contrary to God’s Word and especially the Gospel, let him be accursed and even if I decide to veer off the beaten track with another skew on the truth of the gospel may I then be accused. It is a very serious thing to be involved with the exposition of God’s Word, for all who teach in whatever form will receive a stricture judgment.  “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1) – This is a scary thought, but with so many false prophets/teachers around who will put up their hand and be counted? If God is for us, then who can be against us, this is our consolation, praise His name! And the only time God will be for us is if we stand on the truth of His written Word. How we need the help of God the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.

I am convinced that this is my call in whatever measure, if it be but to my family and friends then I am grateful for the privilege, wherever my great God would call me to go with this message in hand; “let God be true and every man a liar”, I will go as this I now understand as His call on my life. I may have already blundered it; God alone Knows, it will be up to Him to decide whether or not He will choose to use me or not. But I am convinced that there is absolutely nothing more important than the Word of God and its direction for our lives. In whatever gauge I will be afforded the opportunity to proclaim this truth I now resolve from this day forth to be diligent with this intention; Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged." (Romans 3:4) – How will it help us to accommodate error if indeed it opposes the Word of God? It could never help us, may this truth grip all of our hearts.

History may well have its place, but it can never override God’s Word. It must confirm God’s Word; if not then History itself is the liar.

Love is a more excellent way but only if we appropriate it correctly, only if we follow Pauls teaching in application, if not, we kid ourselves. Correct application to sound doctrine will equip us to stand for and on the truth; we must remember it is only the truth that will set us free. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) -  The gist of this is to abide in his Word; this alone will prove the true disciples from the false, look at the text if you choose. Even those who are true believers may be in the dark concerning many things which they should know. We are but children, and act as children. Do children not need to be taught? We have found favour in knowing the truth, to know the particular truths which we are to believe and the grounds and reasons of our belief, we must know what is truth and we must prove it to be so, yet the Word itself must be our teacher. However it is a process; “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 12:2)  - It is a gracious promise of Christ, to all who continue in his Word, that they shall know the truth as far as is needful and profitable for all who believe. Christ's scholars are sure to be well taught. And with so many voices out there today with so many differing opinions we must be sure we stand on the truth of God’s Word. We must revisit everything we have been taught to be sure we stand on the truth of God’s Word. Wherever you are now in fellowship, be sure for yourselves that the truth in its entirety is taught. As it is only the truth that will keep us free from error. Many say there are hills to die on and others to turn a blind eye too, I am not convinced that this will be in our favour as we work out the will of God for our lives. All scripture if there for correction, not only some of it; “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2Timothy 3:16)

What then of Paul’s teaching in relation to spiritual gifts? Should we overlook them as not important, or excuse them away, as only acceptable for the Corinth church and not for us in today’s economy, or avoid them like the plague because many Charismatic Christians abused this teaching? No! I believe it would be better for us to understand the correct teaching on our application to these gifts. It is a vast subject and help is needed to understand. By God’s grace we will look at this subject in more depth over the next couple of entries. We will look into the history and the take from other experienced brethren with their understanding of this teaching, a verse at a time. Many of my colleges will object to this, but one question I will ask is this, if this subject does not have a place for believers, why then was so much space in the Bible given to the topic. It is our own responsibility as believers in Christ to seek out God’s truth in every area of scripture, not only our pet subjects.

I welcome any input as we explore the deeper truths of God’s Word over the next couple of admissions, regardless of whether you agree with my finding or not.

Signing off

Tyrone

  

Perfected by Love!

(1John 4:18) “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Discipline may well achieve its objective in a believer’s life, but if it carries with it the banner of fear, it will never be perfected by love. What an amazing verse, trust our faithful brother John to give us this insight. I pray it may grip our souls and captivate our minds and with it bring forth its fruit in its season.

Fear is a reality for most and yet love casts out all fear.  I want us to seriously consider this. So many voices with gloomy messages of doom, and yet we instinctively turn a blind eye to those type of outcries. But the only time that would be to our benefit, was if, “wolf” was cried. Any message that carries truth on her wings must be well received, as it may mean the difference between life and death. However with many of these types of messages, they are simply designed to instil fear into the hearts of people. They come with a hidden agenda and with their master at the helm, yes Satan the mastermind behind so much confusion.

The Bible and those privileged enough to understand and teach us what will unfold through time; inform us that the Lord Jesus is coming back to earth to fetch His church (bride). It is referred to a gathering in the clouds and this will happen suddenly, in a twinkling of an eye, a blink. So we have a very clear instruction on this topic; how do you suppose the world will explain away this event? I cannot with certainty say, but what I am sure of is that doubt with its many foundational liars have and are being laid. Global warning, extinction, aliens and the like all seed of doubt sown into the hearts of people when and where needed to be presented as an answer for the unexplained. But the Bible has explained it simply and clearly. Hell will be a place that is real, but the smoke screens will only be effective while on earth, when people eventually end up there it will be too late and I wonder how many would have said that there is no such place? It is the same with the message of our planets potential destruction; one may say, “A comet may take us out”. No it won’t as that is not part of God’s plan. He is dealing with His creation and all of it according to His will and purpose, man will not determine its outcome. How does the creation have power over the creator, it doesn’t and never will although billions believe this, they are wrong! We are all left with two choices, will we believe the scientist with their convincing proof or will we believe the Word of God. It is not complicated, we are all left with a choice and it will eventually come down to an open confession on what side we stand. As for me, I have made my choice, nothing is more important that the Word of God. I may even run out of daily bread, but that will only sustain me for this life. It is eternity that captivates my mind and soul, more specifically it is the Lord Jesus my love who mesmerizes. It is too Him and Him alone that I pledge my allegiance. Remember that every day we will have to make a choice on whether we will believe man and his wisdom or the Word of God. Almost everything is designed to point us away from His Word. No matter the sirens that may sound, with their intent of sending us into hiding, we must always remember that our God is in control and that His love cast out all fear. So with the many giants in life if we look at them through the eyes of faith, they become but ants which can at times be a nuisance but no more than that. It is imperative that we begin to feast on God’s Word like never before, it is the sustenance needed for what is soon to come.

Let us now conclude with our teaching of love with Matthew Henry... (1Corinthians 13:8-13)     

“Here the apostle goes on to commend charity, and show how much it is preferable to the gifts on which the Corinthians were so apt to pride themselves, to the utter neglect, and almost extinction, of charity. This he makes out,

I. From its longer continuance and duration: Charity never faileth. It is a permanent and perpetual grace, lasting as eternity; whereas the extraordinary gifts on which the Corinthians valued themselves were of short continuance. They were only to edify the church on earth, and that but for a time, not during its whole continuance in this world; but in heaven would be all superseded, which yet is the very seat and element of love. Prophecy must fail, that is, either the prediction of things to come (which is its most common sense) or the interpretation of scripture by immediate inspiration. Tongues will cease, that is, the miraculous power of speaking languages without learning them. There will be but one language in heaven. There is no confusion of tongues in the region of perfect tranquility. And knowledge will vanish away. Not that, in the perfect state above, holy and happy souls shall be unknowing, ignorant: it is a very poor happiness that can consist with utter ignorance. The apostle is plainly speaking of miraculous gifts, and therefore of knowledge to be had out of the common way (see 1Co_14:6), a knowledge of mysteries supernaturally communicated. Such knowledge was to vanish away. Some indeed understand it of common knowledge acquired by instruction, taught and learnt. This way of knowing is to vanish away, though the knowledge itself, once acquired, will not be lost. But it is plain that the apostle is here setting the grace of charity in opposition to supernatural gifts. And it is more valuable, because more durable; it shall last, when they shall be no more; it shall enter into heaven, where they will have no place, because they will be of no use, though, in a sense, even our common knowledge may be said to cease in heaven, by reason of the improvement that will then be made in it. The light of a candle is perfectly obscured by the sun shining in its strength.

II. He hints that these gifts are adapted only to a state of imperfection: We know in part, and we prophesy in part, 1Co_13:9. Our best knowledge and our greatest abilities are at present like our condition, narrow and temporary. Even the knowledge they had by inspiration was but in part. How little a portion of God, and the unseen world, was heard even by apostles and inspired men! How much short do others come of them! But these gifts were fitted to the present imperfect state of the church, valuable in themselves, but not to be compared with charity, because they were to vanish with the imperfections of the church, nay, and long before, whereas charity was to last for ever.

III. He takes occasion hence to show how much better it will be with the church hereafter than it can be here. A state of perfection is in view (1Co_13:10): When that which is perfect shall come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When the end is once attained, the means will of course be abolished. There will be no need of tongues, and prophecy, and inspired knowledge, in a future life, because then the church will be in a state of perfection, complete both in knowledge and holiness. God will be known then clearly, and in a manner by intuition, and as perfectly as the capacity of glorified minds will allow; not by such transient glimpses, and little portions, as here. The difference between these two states is here pointed at in two particulars: 1. The present state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood: When I was a child, I spoke as a child (that is, as some think, spoke with tongues), I understood as a child; ephronoun - sapiebam (that is, “I prophesied, I was taught the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, in such an extraordinary way as manifested I was not out of my childish state”), I thought, or reasoned, elogizomēn, as a child; but, when I became a man, I put away childish things. Such is the difference between earth and heaven. What narrow views, what confused and indistinct notions of things, have children, in comparison of grown men! And how naturally do men, when reason is ripened and matured, despise and relinquish their infant thoughts, put them away, reject them, esteem as nothing! Thus shall we think of our most valued gifts and acquisitions in this world, when we come to heaven. We shall despise our childish folly, in priding ourselves in such things when we are grown up to men in Christ. 2. Things are all dark and confused now, in comparison of what they will be hereafter: Now we see through a glass darkly (en ainigmati, in a riddle), then face to face; now we know in part, but then we shall know as we are known. Now we can only discern things at a great distance, as through a telescope, and that involved in clouds and obscurity; but hereafter the things to be known will be near and obvious, open to our eyes; and our knowledge will be free from all obscurity and error. God is to be seen face to face; and we are to know him as we are known by him; not indeed as perfectly, but in some sense in the same manner. We are known to him by mere inspection; he turns his eye towards us, and sees and searches us throughout. We shall then fix our eye on him, and see him as he is, 1Jo_3:2. We shall know how we are known, enter into all the mysteries of divine love and grace. O glorious change! To pass from darkness to light, from clouds to the clear sunshine of our Saviour's face, and in God's own light to see light! Psa_36:9. Note, It is the light of heaven only that will remove all clouds and darkness from the face of God. It is at best but twilight while we are in this world; there it will be perfect and eternal day.

IV. To sum up the excellences of charity, he prefers it not only to gifts, but to other graces, to faith and hope (1Co_13:13): And now abide faith, hope, and charity; but the greatest of these is charity. True grace is much more excellent than any spiritual gifts whatever. And faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces, of which charity is the chief, being the end to which the other two are but means. This is the divine nature, the soul's felicity, or its complacential rest in God, and holy delight in all his saints. And it is everlasting work, when faith and hope shall be no more. Faith fixes on the divine revelation, and assents to that: hope fastens on future felicity, and waits for that: and in heaven faith well be swallowed up in vision, and hope in fruition. There is no room to believe and hope, when we see and enjoy. But love fastens on the divine perfections themselves, and the divine image on the creatures, and our mutual relation both to God and them. These will all shine forth in the most glorious splendours in another world, and there will love be made perfect; there we shall perfectly love God, because he will appear amiable for ever, and our hearts will kindle at the sight, and glow with perpetual devotion. And there shall we perfectly love one another, when all the saints meet there, when none but saints are there, and saints made perfect. O blessed state! How much surpassing the best below! O amiable and excellent grace of charity! How much does it exceed the most valuable gift, when it outshines every grace, and is the everlasting consummation of them! When faith and hope are at an end, true charity will burn for ever with the brightest flame. Note, Those border most upon the heavenly state and perfection whose hearts are fullest of this divine principle, and burn with the most fervent charity. It is the surest offspring of God, and bears his fairest impression. For God is love, 1Jo_4:8, 1Jo_4:16. And where God is to be seen as he is, and face to face, there charity is in its greatest height - there, and there only, will it be perfected.” (Matthew Henry)

Signing off

Tyrone