Hope

What is it that gives an individual the will to push through any hardship? Hope endures all things, does it not? I am persuaded that hope is such a powerful force that it achieves miraculous feats. The Bible is full of wonderful examples and I believe this applies to all of God creation.

Give a rat half a chance to survive and witness his endurance, on the other hand trap it with no possible escape and see how quickly it gives up its life. All anyone needs for any bout is just a glimmer of hope. This is a principle that applies to all. As for the Christian once we are captivated by the hope that is ours in Christ, nothing and I mean nothing will be able to stop us from achieving our objectives. It is a beautiful things when our faith in Christ drives us to perceiver whatever hardship we face as a stepping stone in locating our objectives and all because we are persuaded about the hope that is ours in HIM. To know that someday we will have a character like our beloved Saviour. What a day that will be. Because of this its verses like these that blow us away…

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-39) – Do you echo this mantra? If not, your faith is not nourishing your hope correctly. It is the hope of the righteous that brings with it joy. Hardships only bring complains when we are living under the “old man's” stimulus. That which dominated prior to salvation. I don’t have time to go into great depths on this, suffice to say that in this life and in these bodies the war rages on and we will be constantly pushed in one of two directions. As new creatures in Christ or with a conduct that comes naturally. This is why the WORD OF GOD is crucial for our lives. The unsaved do not have ears to hear the voice of God, they are unresponsive to it. Paul was totally persuaded about the hope that was his in Christ, are we? Father God renew a right spirit in us I pray. It’s one thing to echo a beautiful truth from the bible, but quite another thing altogether to live it with conviction.

Any hope deferred makes the heart sick. But while we have breath we have hope. Once we embrace our Saviour with open arms it's astonishing how our hope is rekindled. No matter where you are or what the struggle, Jesus in us the hope of glory is what feeds our determination when we are walking in the Spirit.  

Faith in the finished work of the cross is a must for our hope to reach its full potential. I inspire you to be aware of your predicament, do not turn a blind eye to it, but rather use it to fuel the fire of hope. The brilliance of God. We haven’t even begun to scratch the surface, ok, maybe we have begun to scratch it, but how much more is there to explore, wow! And to have a hope that one day I will audibly hear HIM confess me as his son is almost beyond my comprehension. That day is coming and all because I am rooted in Christ. Thank you Father. I have a hope to wonderful to pass up, do you share my sentiment?

I know that I tend to lose focus when my hope is clouded with the clutter of this present age. However, it doesn’t take much for us to come to our senses, but come we must. We have eye salve to see, God has given it to us in Christ, praise His name, Amen! Can a fire burn without fuel? Can our hope be kindled without the hardships of life? Although many lessons can be taught, they need to be lived in order to bear fruit.

Let me leave you with this encouragement; “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25)

Signing off

Tyrone

Rooted

What it means to be rooted in Christ, wow! The magnitude of this thought is mind-boggling and then to be taken further in reality and then be grounded upon it is priceless, all the tea in China or the richest minerals hidden within the crevasses of the earth couldn’t compare. However the question I ask, are you persuaded? Are you rooted in Christ? Or is this just a pleasant thought when you are asked the question and then soon forgotten? The miracle of salvation is a truth with continuous burst of gratitude when understood correctly. To be transported from a spiritual state of death to life is a thought that engulfs such magnitude that if inferred correctly, it will change our lives forever. Has your life been changed? Is it obvious or are we just blown away by the idea of it?

God give me the wherewithal to shift gears and bring glory to you from here on out is my prayer. May a permanent filter be part of my existence when it comes to the opposing voices that look to challenge the voice and instruction of my heavenly Father, “let God be true and every one a liar…” (Romans 3:4)

Now with that in mind we need to address a relevant viewpoint that has already gained traction and will begin to take control in the not too distant future, the “One World Order” will be the banner flown throughout the globe and it will appeal to the masses. It will be filled will “humanity”. However although the word “god” will be in the mix it will have but one intention and that is to deceive. With “love” as the driving force behind its mantra.

It will welcome all creeds and religions but oppose the fundamentalist. In other words the Word of God will be divergent and twisted to root out all those would stand upon the finished work of the cross. The true Christian will be persecuted without mercy. But fear not our GOD will have the final say and they who endures to the end will be saved. We must stay the course trimming our sails with the WORD OF GOD, THE BIBLE, as the crewmen of our vessels bringing us back into line if we begin to lose our bearing. We must seek out those who latch onto the Word of God, the Bible, and not those who contradict it through prophecy and the like. The Word of God will endure forever; “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” (Ephesians 6:17)  

This slogan is found on the lips of many, even the Christian likes to quote it; “God loves everybody”, Not true! The reason for this type of mentality is to excuse the unbeliever from God’s judgement, which is deceit and a lie from the pit of hell.

The lifeline mankind has been given, is found in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Outside of Him the love of God will be missed, period! It’s imperative you get this; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 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.” (John 3:16-19)

Let’s unpack this; it avows the love of God, “For God so loved the world,” and then it explains how HE has loved; “that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We see the love of God is clearly wrapped up in the Lord Jesus Christ, His SON!

Outside of believing in Christ “but whoever does not believe is condemned already,” In other words is not covered by the love of God. Why? “Because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Therefore, if we want to be covered by God’s love we need the covering of His son the Lord Jesus Christ. Without it we are “condemned already”.

The last question we have to possibly ask ourselves is this, why would people reject God’s love? The answer is found in the text; because of our carnality and the fall of mankind, way back when, in the Garden of Eden, sin entered in and has influenced our reasoning; “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.” (John 3:19)

Unless we see the need to be saved from our sinful natures and call upon the finished work of the cross, the love of God will escape us and we will be judged and then condemned to the Lake of Fire. Which most certainly does not cover the spectrum of God’s love but rather HIS judgment.

I trust your mind will be settled on this as the voices out there will get louder and louder and for all those not built on the correct foundation, which is Jesus Christ, will lose their way.

Stand strong Christian, our KING has overcome, bless HIS name now and forever more, Amen and Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

Gods Will

To be deliberate in seeking out the will of God for our lives must be in the forefront of our minds at all times. If not we must conclude that we are not walking in the Spirit with intent but rather are living with the carnal dominating our engagements. This type of behaviour is of a sensual nature and it will never please our heavenly Father, regardless of its outward appearance. Think about it like this, we may even perform feats of charity but if driven from a natural persuasion it will always remain marred by sin. In other words our intention will always have an agenda. Recognition and the like a driving force.

You may ask how I arrive at such a conclusion. Here is the Word of God which must take priority on all matters and at all times. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”  (Romans 8: 6-8) – Do we understand? It would be a completely futile project to give everything we have to the poor and reject the message of the Gospel. It would have its reward of recognition from others but not from God. Its fundamental that we come to grips with this reality and that our minds are renewed to the point of the will of God on this matter.

This is not to say that we have not been instructed to give to the poor, we must give to all with a cheerful heart. We have been commissioned to lay our lives down for others. But like every principle in life that teaches us about the will of God, so too must we align this application to our lives in the correct order. God first and his righteousness, his will not our needs, as this will ensure that we are walking in the Spirit and we are not simply applying carnal reasons to our actions. How do we test our application to such a turn? We give with a cheerful heart to those in need when we have it in our power to do so, but we do it in secret. This then pleases our Father; “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 6:3-4)

Obviously this instruction speaks about the heart and is driven by the Spirit. When we pray how should we pray? In secret. I trust the yardstick of the Spirit, in principle at least can be measured.

Our intent to do anything must never be done to be acknowledged by others and if it is, even in the smallest measure it is not a work of the Spirit. God give us the resolve to walk in the Spirit and to see the difference.

Signing off

Tyrone

First or Last?

(Matthew 19:30) “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

This verse has to do with our commitment to Christ. The context behind the Lord statement was a question asked by Peter; “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”  This type of mind-set depicts and exposes us to the core, we always do to get. But as I take this thought deeper is that so wrong? We are taught that a worker is worthy of their wage. He works to get paid. God applies himself in a similar vein, does He not? He created mankind in HIS image, with an intent to have fellowship with him. He also placed them into his creation (the Garden of Eden) with a responsibility to “work and keep it”. However, God was present, he was seen and acknowledged by them throughout the process. Today we look to work and keep our planet with a new found urgency but God is hardly considered. This is our downfall and it will be the ruin of our planet. It’s not about carbon emissions, cattle farmer or the like. God has been place on the backburner when it comes to saving our planet. So many voices crying out for us to do our bit to save it. Sadly every effort will fall flat because the hearts of individuals will never change and God will destroy the planet in his appointed time. He will fold up his creation like a garment and cast it into the fire. It’s of great benefit to be aware of what God is planning, that way it will be easier for us to align our wills with his, wouldn’t you agree?  

What is so wrong to what a reward for doing our bit in life? Besides our nature’s being tainted by sin, I suppose nothing. However, we have all been affected by sin and therefore we will always have a slant with an unrighteous motivating driving us, to will and to do. We need to be saved from our worldliness. This is why we have been commanded to walk in the Spirit. This is the lesson we all need to make our own and it cannot be applied naturally. Hence the purpose of faith and our application to it.

God is righteous and therefore whatever he does is driven from the correct source of what is right and good. The world often comes up with “one-liners” finding fault with God and his process. “If God is love, why are so many children starving?” and the like. That assessment is driven by an unrighteous individual. It may seem like a fair question to some but it is not. We must learn to settle with this thought; God is righteous and we trust Him, Period! This is what it means to walk in the Spirit. Relinquishing all to the potter and yes sheep following their shepherd is a must, if not there is a very tough road ahead and some will end up lost and confused by the opinions of others.

There will come a time where God will hand out his rewards; Peter was told that he too would be seated on a throne judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Heaven will be eternal, we must always be reminded about this truth as it is so easy to lose focus; “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)

Where we get it wrong so often, we get caught doing things for rewards in the present instead of using the looking glass of eternity where the RIGHTEOUS JUDGE will hand out eternal rewards. I pray we will learn, like never before, to lock this down.

“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

(Matthew 19:30)

Signing off

Tyrone

Be Deliberate

It’s all about the will of God, and it always will be. So then the key to the favourable treasure grove which will unlock our understanding to the Father will is obviously found in the Lord Jesus Christ. And by embracing HIM we will begin to work it out with a deeper proficiency…

We each have "our story" and it is dear to us, God has given most of us a lifetime to work it all out. But work it out we must! Make time to sit at the feet of Jesus. Set time aside, a date night if you like and pour your heart out to him, be honest. Explain your struggles, take ownership of them, confess your love and smothered him with kisses. Be deliberate! A conscientious allocation of time set aside where we shut away the world, close our door and cry out to Jesus. Not just a fleeting thought as we stand over the stove, or whilst applying our makeup.

Why is this so important? Besides the obvious, the voices out there are beginning to gain global momentum. With the world wide Corona lockdown I’m sure our TV sets are playing a big part in our lives. The voice behind the curtain that looks to mould our characters and I can assure you that it’s is very seldom, if ever, about the will of God.

Talk shows exploiting the do-gooders of the world often quote the “universe” as their source of substance. “You give to others and the universe gives back.” Simply put, they do not wear the Creator’s coat of arms; “because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” (Romans 1:25)

Without a deliberate action to spend time with our God we will be swallowed up by the voices out there. Be specific with your action. This is a perfect time to not get lost in the “crowd of church”, that itch we scratch acknowledging that we have done our bit.  Go now, shut the door and sup with your Saviour.

Signing off

Tyrone       

Steadfast

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

There has to be a mind shift when it comes to our daily lives and the trial of life. Why do we so freely accept tests to improve our standing in life but are quick to complain about the assessments that we don’t see coming? I think I’ve work some of that our, it is all because of our agendas, we like to be in control, period!

The very tough times of our lives which we have agreed too, the stretches when we are in the right frame of mind allows most of us to push through. For some it might be study, for others physical and mental feats. For me my time with the marines was compulsory, it was part of South African history, but once we enrolled the choices were vast. We could cruise under the radar or embrace the challenge. I had a choice and so I chose. With effort came reward.

This verse seem to have a similar implication “when he has stood the test” what will happen? He will be rewarded. How? “He will receive the crown of life”. Will I put my hand to the plough or will I look to tap out? The sin that so easily besets will always look to interfere. It’s a fruit of our carnality. But the Spirit of God abhors sin, as it is anti-God and everything He is not. I think were we make the mistake, we look to complain about the trial of life instead of embracing it. It has really been scripted into God’s plan and once we align our thought process we can get on with the tasks at hand. Imagine if the Lord Jesus allow Peter to continue hacking away at the centurions ear overthrowing those looking to arrest him and then they ran into hiding. Or if he exposed Judas Iscariot as the one who would betray him long before his treachery was needed. What if the man who had been blind had received sight at birth, how would the works of God be made manifest through him. He was in the exact place, blind, and at the appointed time for the Lord Jesus to show off his miraculous powers. In fact that event had been scripted by God before the foundations of the world. No matter how many times he washed his eyes in the temples pool named Siloam, he was never going to receive his sight, that event was between him and the Lord. If we can begin to view our lives through a different lens it will most certainly help with the struggle. It must be the lens marked “God glorifier”. Once mounted we need to draw from the storerooms of grace to help in time of need.

“Faith, hope and love”. We need faith to believe these truths and hope to motivate us towards our final destination. God give us the strength to embrace His will for our lives, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

Perspective

Let us never forget this truth that God has a plan and it will unfold according to HIS will, Period! Within this great manifesto every “I” will be dotted and every “T” crossed even if it appears as brail to many who think they know better. As for the Christian our beloved brother Paul reminds us of this truth; “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8: 28) – It’s imperative that we do not mismanage our thought process and confuse our own will and lusts when it is clear that it is all about “his purpose”. If we can find the grace to settle on this truth the struggles of life will be boxed correctly and seen as a means to an end. The day is coming when the Christian will open their eyes in heaven and eventually receive their glorified bodies. Perspective is the key to this area of our lives, God has spoken and will achieve all of His objectives, regardless of the enemy’s attempts to thwart God's will. There are many wars on so many different fronts which will all eventually die an ineffective death.

Praise the name of Jesus now and forever more, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

Prioritizing

The Christian has an arsenal of quotes that freely slip off the tongue when called upon, it’s a gift from God. No different to the air we breathe. Gifting is exactly that, a gift from God. It’s just the entombing of it that petrifies me, the burying of a talent never ended well for the cautious man. We have been called to stir up our gift, get the spoon in deep and work the stodginess free. The more we blend, the freer the flow. This all sound good on the surface, but have you noticed by implication this implies the work is left up to the individual. Without the work of God the Holy Spirit in our lives it would be impossible. Because we received the Holy Spirit at salvation, does not now mean we should look to shelve Him and take over the reins per say. However, when prompted how will we respond? Or have we been so severely seared that our conscience is dead to touch no differently to the effect of a burn from a hot iron? Has the idea of church and the like, fellowship with others from the body of Christ become a distant memory, if so then we best fall to our knees and ask God to restore what the canker worm has eaten.    

There are obviously certain truths that we must never overlook if we are to bear fruit…       

Always look to Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith. Seek out God’s kingdom and his righteousness in our daily walks, in other words remember to put Him first not last. We are very restricted when it comes to so much detail in our lives; our dreams for instance are hard to control, it’s obvious, that whatever the conscious mind absorbs somehow effects the vision when asleep. 

However what we can control is our application to an action first thing in the morning, the time we stir and open our eyes. This is the time to put our Heavenly Father first. “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” and let’s face it who amongst us does not want to be acknowledged by Him? To be comforted by our heavenly Father is top of the pops, there is no greater comfort and the only way we will ever experience that is because of the grace of God. It’s because God so loves that He gives of Himself. How has He given? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Everything hinges of this fact, the love of God pivots off His son, period! Miss this truth, or miss inform those seeking the truth and God’s comfort will elude you and them. Repentance begins and ends with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the gateway to the Father and there is no other way that will get you there. Zero, nil, nada!

The first covenant, the law of God through Moses, demanded repentance and sacrifice and that was all up to the individual to implement. The second covenant, which is a far better pledge is a finished work, praise the name of Jesus. He has done the work. He lived a life without ever breaking a single commandment. He accomplished what we could not. One of the reasons I believe God introduce the “First Covenant” was to teach us that we needed be saved from ourselves and until that lesson is learnt we will never repent correctly. The world’s message is love yourself because you deserve it and it has been designed to keep you from God. A simple choice needs to be made. As for me, I will acknowledge my sinful nature and embrace the work of Calvary, come what may!  

There seems to be so much against me, and then I am reminded, fear not Jesus has conquered all. So how would I be reminded of that if I wasn’t kneeling at his feet? There are certain truths that are never sweep aside; “faith comes from hearing the Word of God.” The word corrects us and God the Holy Spirit aligns our rudders and trims our sails.

God will not accept any other attempt to attract His attention. Long repetitive prayers, praying to the Virgin Mary (a women blessed of God and extremely privileged to house baby Jesus) she did not die on a cruel Roman cross for your sins. Or calling on the universe to grant you your wishes, all feeble attempts, in fact man made attempts to make yourselves feel better, I suppose it’s like playing the Lotto that on the off chance you may arrive.

The only repentance (feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing) God the Father will accept is this; “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” 

There is so much focus on our sin that we could miss the boat completely and overlook our application to find forgiveness. ONE MAN, ONE DEATH, ONE RESURRECTION! Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life and it may just be time to leave all the other jargon behind as you repent and call out to Him. He alone has the power to save.

Signing off

Tyrone

Attention!

There seems to be a dearth wafting across the planet like never before, or at least in my lifetime. I cannot recall a time such as this and once again we needn’t look further than ourselves to understand the predicament. What has happen to the urgency, the will at all costs to preach the gospel? Complacency tagging alongside with so many Christian institutions buckling to the whims of society. “Changing with the times” is often quoted as if to say we have been given licence to act this way. Hollywood the biggest influence of all as it blatantly opposes the will of God and the masses cheer "Sedition! Sedition!"–"Down with him!"  

I will remind you as I have been reminded that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Perfection cannot change, if it had too it would no longer be perfect. God is the great “I AM!” He will always have the final say. Come His way or suffer the consequences is my appeal to all. While we have breath we have hope. I implore you to pay very special attention to the warnings engraved below the surface, look a little deeper and it will become obvious. It’s time to pay particular attention to the horizon. God is stirring up his watchmen to be on high alert, the enemy is gaining momentum and the coming battle will be fierce.

God give us the eyes to see and ears to hear the quivering ground before the roar. Be warned of the worlds conditioning and the voice which provoke change as the norm is not our friend but the enemy dress in sheep’s clothing and as soon as it has lured those in, it will pounce with one thought, to destroy!.

We have nothing to worry about so long as we remain centred upon the finished work of the cross. Looking to Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith. But look we must. I cannot stress the point enough, half of the proclaiming Christians will miss the wedding feast. Five out of ten of the virgins never had oil in their lamps.

Signing off

Tyrone

Reward

Everything in life revolves around recompense. Even creation was all about the prize. It seem that everything God does is for reward. This was God response to His creation; “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” It is obvious that God was pleased with the work of his hands. His reward was self-gratification, or so it would seem. Throughout history we see many amazing feats or accomplishments and even darn right abominations, but they all have a common factor – reward! We are designed with a goal in mind and we are naturally driven toward it. If we take the most horrific examples and look at the effort and the lengths those individuals were willing to travel to arrive. Take Hitler and his will to destroy the Jews, or the worst sex offender and the lengths he would go in order to keep his secret hidden. The list is endless. The question we need to resolve is this, do we believe that the Christians faithfulness will reward heaven and even better than that is the voice of the Almighty acknowledging us as his sons. A verbal confession proceeding from His mouth as He gazes into our eyes. If this truly grips our imagination there should be no hardship we cannot find the grace to face.

Reward it’s all about sonship, a glorified body, heaven and much more. In fact it’s a totally another dimension, which our carnal natures cannot fathom. Once we were born of the Spirit, we were quickened to catch a glimpse into the reward that awaits. We see through a blurred window pain, but we see enough to believe it with all our hearts. Therefore let us remember to focus on the reward, our hope must be driven by faith and overshadowed with love.

Very very soon we are going to see our King, Let us lock hands as we stand in unity with the Word of God as our guide, to God be the glory now and forever more.

Signing off

Tyrone     

Help!

Time to tack, whoever travels across the ocean without coming about and the only way that is possible is for us to subject ourselves to the Word of God. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”. It would be foolish to believe that we can be strong in faith without subjecting ourselves to its direction. The WORDS OF GOD is what keeps us focused and it’s the Spirit that directs us. The world is filled with distraction, we don’t even have to look for it as it will always find us. Which in turn will veer us off course if we are not feeding off God’s nourishment, His voice! Look to Jesus is what I hear loud and clear this morning, but how do I look to something that is blind to the naked eye? This is where the work of the Spirit reigns supreme. With faith as the catalyst bringing about a reality larger than life. A mystery scattered with such beauty. How brilliant is our God? And there are only some who find pockets of sweet waters amongst the trials of life. Those who have learnt this crucial lesson, “Jesus in my place”.

Let us examine this, a voice there, an undertone slipped between the lines of a Hollywood script with a deliberate intention of conforming the mind into accepting sin as the norm. This shift evident and this is why we must daily be looking to Jesus for direction. Sure he is so full of love that he is willing to leave the herd under the protection of their numbers as he moves off seeking the lost sheep, the heart of God who can fully fathom it? He is just a cry away, cry out unto Jesus and live. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, not only does he sympathize, he understands. But don’t be lulled into confusing the acceptance of sin as ok. Our saviour died to squash the power it has over us all, we need to look to him to find direction through the trial of life. This is the Christians mission, this is why we live. Forget the efforts we muster looking to ourselves as the conquerors, all that ever produces is pride, even if it lives hidden away in the closet.              

It may just be time to cry out, “Help me!” We are so conditioned to want to do it ourselves that we forget the Lord's sacrifice, we don’t really, but when broken down we overlook the magnitude of his ransom as we try and get through our issues alone. When last, if ever, have you cried out to Jesus, help? I desperate plea from the core of our being is what we should be a looking for, not just a simple thought which travels from the brain and then onto the tongue, no! An earnest plea for help, but I suppose that will only ever live once we have exhausted every other option.  

As I now sit at the feet of Jesus with one word on my lips, help!

There is a song that comes to mind; “give me oil in my lamp keep me burning burning burning give me oil in my lamp I pray”. How imperative is it for the Christian to have oil in their lamps? We should know the answer to that, the parable is clear, half miss that very special event and are forbidden to enter.

Signing

Tyrone

Transformed

“Life and then some” is a quote many of us understand, especially as we get older. The trial of life squeezes and shapes us into the people we become. Sadly billions have missed a trick and our beloved brother Paul looks to set us right, if only we would pay attention.

His life is the prime example of what we need to learn to embrace and it’s not the God given ability he had been given to teach that I seek but rather his ability to shut out the world and lock onto the prize, heaven and all it glory. To be precise, the will of the Father is all that matters, period!

It’s about learning not to be conformed but transformed. This is what I wish to explore; “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

We need to discover this verse in depth and so I wish to spend time here, but before I start I realise a truth needs to grip us if we have any chance of total commitment because without it we will never come to grips with the complexities of his statement. We will be left mollycoddling the heart of the instruction with kid gloves, which is, DO NOT be CONFORMED but TRANSFORMED.

Firstly we have to peel away the layer of the world’s conformity, we need to come to grips with it and then we can tackle the issue. Conform means to comply with…

It’s the arrangement we need to examine, let’s face it, it’s almost as if the pattern has been carbon copied across the globe and transversely every tribe, tongue and nation that has been colonized has education as a priority with money driving it. This is the core of our existence, when parents gloat, doesn’t it often cover education? But how often do we speak about our children growing up in the ways of the Lord like a Samuel. It’s all about money. Even sport accolades has a similar slant. Think about it, the way we judge ourselves and others. Money the catalyst behind it all. And we know that the love of money is the root of everything evil. Or at least the Christian should know that. On the news yesterday two daughter killed their mother, why? An insurance pay out, money behind a very evil deed indeed.  

With that though nagging away at our minds, let us then heed the instruction; do not be conformed but TRANSFORMED! We need to free up our minds and begin to arm it with new information, which is material that will aid me in appropriating a mind-set which will please my heavenly Father. The only way I have any chance of achieving this is if I pay careful attention to the previous verse; “present your bodies as a living sacrifice”. If that doesn’t resonate then forget it. Carry on with the routine of conformity. It’s not as if we have to go out of our way to put our bodies up for sacrifice. Each day is filled with choices we are called to make. It’s these picks that we need to examine carefully and then by the mercies of God to find grace to act differently. Remember transformed and not conformed.

I suppose I could begin to use examples to get my point across, but that would leave you a particular persuasion and that's not the point. It’s about our lives and God’s will, all I ask is that we stop lying to ourselves. God give us the grace to see ourselves for who we are and then were we need to act accordingly. Be merciful Father, it’s not as if we deserve it, but Christ most certainly does and your children are covered by His sacrifice. Help our love grow as the world begins to distort ripping away at itself.  

Signing off

Tyrone

Adrift

Being stranded at sea on a flimsy raft must be rather daunting, No matter where you gaze you see nothing but moving water. At the mercy of the currents, similarly to us and our lives, adrift and far from God, our creator. The damage is so server that our worlds are exclusively self-regulating, or so we would like to believe. Everyone opinionated on what they believe their perception to be for this life and the one to come. But only as long as we breathe oxygenated air and then we shall all see the truth for what it is, and sadly for many it will then it will be far too late. Death will have the final to say. 

Our souls (spirits) live on forever and the Father of Spirits is the same God who created us and this world we live in. It wasn’t a random Big Bang or some other fabricated concoction. We best be about His business and not only our sinful wants. Or at the very least somewhat aware of what is going on. Some are quick to pass their opinions on those around them as fact entrapping themselves and others. The Bible is the final authority and God has sanctioned it. If any persuasion twists the guidelines of what has been penned or comes with some new doctrine it has been designed to mislead, period! The enemy is fierce and we often are our own worst enemies. Everything that operates on a carnal level is toxic, why? It has been tainted by sin, passé! And the sooner we learn this lesson the better. It’s only the Spirit that is not subject to that influence. This is why we need to learn to walk in the Spirit. 

If we believe that sin may be accommodated as the norm, we are mistaken, there are many examples I could use to stress this truth. I heard someone say, “To hate is like drinking poison and expecting them to die”. It’s this type of mentality that ensnares us and we could use the logic across every walk of life. Same sex marriage, sexual immorality (decadence), woman usurping authority over men as a general rule, fits of anger, strife, jealousy, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness and the list is endless. Agape love is love of the highest order, God’s love could never accept sin as it is outside of His character, but His Son the Lord Jesus Christ did defeat it in human form. God Himself became a man and laid down His life for sinners like you and me. Reject His sacrifice at your own peril.  

  

The sooner we learn to “let go and let God” (The one who is in perfect control of even the future) it’s only at this place in our lives that the peace of God becomes a reality. Listen to the word of our beloved brother Paul; “I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Can we echo his sentiment? To be totally at peace in every situation because we know who we have in our corner, praise the name of Jesus! There is no more hoping against hope, or willing a lie to be true, believing something for the sake of your existence because that somehow allows you to live with yourself. It’s an easy test to calibrate, but only if your believe "God to be true and every man a liar”.     

Why did God create mankind? He did it for himself; "this people have I formed for myself, they shall show forth my praise". Sadly how far is that from the truth? Save a handful of individuals along the way whom God chose to single out, all those who confronted fierce opposition from the enemy, all the hates of God. God had a purpose to create man so that they would bring Him praise, as a rule there is nothing further from the truth. There is chaos on every corner and as for the apparent church of God, there are many who are making a mockery of God’s reflection. The twisting of His Word the Bible to accommodate their lusts as if God has given them a pass. Sadly we all fail to some degree in this area of our lives, but only until God the Holy Spirit brings us to our senses. The One who leads us into all righteousness. We are continuously having to deal “with the sin that so easily besets”. But the fight must rage on if we are to please our Father. Victory at times, defeat and then repentance. Just don't excuse sin as the norm. We may never have victory in every area of our lives, but we must die trying to find the grace to overcome. The more I explore this thought the more I am floored, God’s goodness, His tolerance, such patience on display. Remembering that He has it in His power to destroy. And it’s not as if He spent months fabricating a weapon to achieve His objective, there is no need for that, He is the armament and a Word from Him is all it takes. He has that much power, and yet He allows mankind to mock, blaspheme and belittle His authority. Why, I know I obviously do not have that type of resolve? This will floor you if you see it for what it is… “For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” It’s the Love of God that drives Him into action. Just like seasons have their time, so too will the window of the Love of God come to an end, today is the day of salvation, harden not your hearts but repent, call upon the name of Jesus and you shall be saved. Die without ever doing this and hell will be your final destination. Tar and feather me if you must, but there are so many lies out there and the truth must be declared. I could sit back in my corner and hold my tongue, with the attitude I’m ok so why endure the opposition from people who resist the gospel. The answer is an obvious one, God used someone to speak to me which in turn brought about my repentance. How then could I be so selfish to keep it to myself.   

God created mankind for a particular purpose, to bring him praise and Satan looks to overthrow the will of God. This is how it all started for us and how we ended up in this apparent calamity. I say “apparent” only because at the end of it all, the will of God will remain supreme and He will as always achieve His objective. The bride will be ready for the marriage feast of the Lamb, praise God!

Here is a verse that when digested will bring with it great comfort; “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)

Christian we must not lose focus as we are so near to the end of our race, remember to look to Jesus and live.

Signing off

Tyrone