What Does It Mean To Be Saved By Grace?

Ephesians 2:8

"For by grace you are saved through faith and this not of yourselves [it is] of God the gift." (Greek Interlinear Bible)

First of all let's define the words 'grace' and 'saved'.

1) Grace - Strong's Concordance

Charis: grace, kindness
Original Word: χάρις, ιτος, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: charis
Phonetic Spelling: (khar'-ece)
Short Definition: grace, favor, kindness
Definition: (a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, (b) favor, (c) gratitude, thanks, (d) a favor, kindness.

2) Saved - Strong's Concordance

Sózó: to save
Original Word: σῴζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sózó
Phonetic Spelling: (sode'-zo)
Short Definition: I save, heal
Definition: I save, heal, preserve, rescue.

Ok, now that we have the meaning of the two words we can begin to understand what Paul was saying to the Ephesian saints.

The first thing we need to understand is that Paul preached to some disciples in Ephesus on one of his missionary journeys and they were converted to Christ by believing the word Paul spoke and then being baptized in water and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:1-7

"And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all." (NKJV)

Now we can also understand that the epistle to the Ephesians was initially written to those who were already converted to Christ by obeying the New Covenant ordinances of baptism in water and the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:1

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:"

Now let's come back to Ephesians 2:8 and apply the definitions of 'grace' and 'saved', and apply what we have learned above to this text so we can understand what Paul wrote.

"For by grace you (Ephesians) are saved through faith and this not of yourselves [it is] of God the gift."

Paul is saying, 'brethren, by God's favor, and His kindness, He saves you, you are healed, you are preserved and rescued from danger, death, and His wrath'.

Nowhere in these scriptures is Paul telling the Ephesian saints what they should DO in order to be saved or converted to Christ like he told the disciples he met when he entered Ephesus! (Acts 19:1-7)

So those who quote Ephesians 2:8 today, as proof text of their salvation are in error and should repent!

To be saved (healed, preserved, rescued), by God's grace (favor, kindness), is a daily blessing and provision for those who have been truly converted to Christ, who abide in Him, and are faithful to Him everyday.

The salvation of the soul is also a future blessing for those who endure until the end.

Matthew 24:13

"But he who endures to the end shall be saved"

There are many who say 'I got saved at this time', or 'I've been saved for x amount of years', etc... those are cliché phrases that are taught and quoted by those who do not understand what it really means to be 'saved by grace!'

In Jesus,
Tyrone

Ask For Terms Of Peace!

Luke 14:28-32

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace."

Whether or not one believes in Jesus or obeys His gospel, He's coming back to establish His kingdom upon this earth and it will last forever. Although right now we see the world full of atheists, unbelievers, scoffers and mockers, the word of God will be fulfilled.

Jesus, the King of Kings is coming back soon to judge and make war against His enemies and take vengeance on all those who do not obey the gospel of God. 

2nd Thessalonians 1:6-8

"Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

God is merciful and He will give time for all nations to hear the gospel, repent, and enter His Kingdom before the Great King returns with all His army of angels and saints. There will be time to cry out and ask the King for conditions of peace while He is still a long way off.

But there will come a day, some-time in the near future when we will hear the last trump of God and every eye will look to the Heavens and see with their eyes, the return of the King!

Revelation 19:11-16

"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND

LORD OF LORDS."

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Jesus And Judas

 Luke 22:47-48

"And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

We all know this written testimony of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, but I want to point out a few things that amazed me and has taken me years to understand and put into practice in my own life.

1) After praying all night to God, Jesus called and chose twelve men out of the many disciples who followed Him and appointed them to be apostles, one of the twelve was Judas Iscariot.

Luke 6:12-16

"Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor."

**Remember that the gospels were written at least twenty years after the resurrection and they did not know at the time that Judas would betray Jesus!**

Question: Why did Jesus choose Judas when He knew Judas would end up betraying Him?

John 6:70-71

"Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve."

Question: How was it possible for Judas to be with Jesus everyday for three and a half years and still be a devil?

What I learned from this is that it did not matter how holy, righteous, and loving Jesus was, because the heart of Judas was hardened, his mind was closed, and all that Jesus said and did had no effect on him.

I am amazed at the fact that we can be absolutely holy and full of the love of Jesus and there will be those who are the complete opposite of us, yet we are able to co-exist with one another and in some cases like Jesus and Judas, sleep under the same roof!

2) Jesus gave Judas power to cast out demons, raise the dead, heal the sick and to preach the gospel.

Matthew 10:1-4

"And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

This shows me that it's possible to be called, chosen, and given gifts by God but still end up falling away or being cast into outer darkness as an unprofitable servant in the end.

3) Jesus loved Judas with a love that surpasses human understanding.

John 13:1-5

"Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."

What an amazing love! Jesus washed the feet of His own betrayer, knowing beforehand exactly what Judas would do!

Jesus left us the perfect example to follow, He showed us how to love our enemies, and to serve those who hate us.

1st Peter 2:21

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:"

In Jesus,
Tyrone

The Cross

Romans 5:8

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

My wife and I watched the Passion Of The Christ yesterday, and it was only the second time in our almost nine year marriage.

It helped to remind us of why we suffer persecution and rejection on a daily basis, and it helped me to see how focused Jesus was on finishing the work that God gave Him to do.

It also helped us to realize that what we go through every day, doesn't come close to being compared to what Jesus went through for us. Paul helps us to keep our sufferings and afflictions in proper perspective.

2nd Corinthians 4:16-17

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,"

What Jesus suffered through and did on the cross for all man-kind is the greatest act of sacrifice, self denial, and obedience that can ever be done. He was holy, perfect, without sin, righteous, full of grace and truth, yet He was treated as a common criminal, a blasphemer, beaten beyond recognition, and crucified by sinful men.

Isaiah 52:13-14

"Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;"

Isaiah 50:5-6

"The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting."

Let us never forget why we follow Jesus, let us never forget why we bear the name Christian!

In Jesus,
Tyrone

There WILL Be Revival!

Revelation 7:9-17

"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,  and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”  All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.  They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

"I The Lord Will Save A Great Multitude", That's what the Lord said to me about five years ago.

A great multitude of souls are going to be saved when the Lord pours out His Spirit during His final harvest, and they will come from ALL nations on the face of the earth! Including America!

In Jesus,

Tyrone

The Pre-Trib Rapture Is A FALSE Teaching!

"Pre-tribulation rapture theology was popularized extensively in the 1830s by John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren and further popularized in the United States in the early 20th century by the wide circulation of the Scofield Reference Bible." (Wikipedia)

Jesus Himself refutes the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine with the parable of the wheat and the tares.

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

"Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Jesus said clearly, 'Let Both Grow Together Until The Harvest', so this tells us plainly that the righteous and the wicked will be on this earth together until the end of this age!

The Parable of the Tares Explained

Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

Do You Have Ears To Hear?

In Jesus,
Tyrone

The Mark Of The Beast?

Revelation 13:16-17

"He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." 

It's amazing to me how time reveals truths from the bible, that years before we had no understanding about. One of those time revealed truths is the mark of the beast, in times past we would read the scriptures about the mark, be we couldn't imagine what the mark of the beast would look like, or be.

Then comes the RFID (radio-frequency identification) chip technology that has the potential to replace all forms of identification, credit cards, and cash. 

"Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the wireless use of electromagnetic fields to transfer data, for the purposes of automatically identifying and tracking tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically stored information. Some tags are powered by electromagnetic induction from magnetic fields produced near the reader. Some types collect energy from the interrogating radio waves and act as a passive transponder. Other types have a local power source such as a battery and may operate at hundreds of meters from the reader. Unlike a barcode, the tag does not necessarily need to be within line of sight of the reader and may be embedded in the tracked object. RFID is one method for Automatic Identification and Data Capture." (Wikipedia)

So basically the day is coming when the false prophet, with the approval of the beast will FORCE all mankind to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and anyone not having this mark will not be able to buy anything (food, clothes, etc..) or sell anything. 

Could the RFID chip be the mark of the beast? I think so, and I also think that if it's not in the exact form of the RFID chip, the technology for the mark is here and ready to be implemented when the time comes.

And it will not matter what a person believes or the opposition to this mark, if the mark is refused, the person refusing will be killed, it's as simple as that. And if that person dies in their sin without being converted to Christ, their immortal soul will enter Hell to await judgment day. The bottom line is, Jesus is our only hope!

The majority of the people who will not worship the beast or take his mark will be those in Christ, true Spirit-filled, born from above, children of God. It will be very similar to the first century when the Christians were martyred for their faith in Jesus and their belief in the word of God.

The first century Christians rejected the worship of Caesar in Rome and the religious traditions of the Pharisees and Sadducees in Jerusalem. And it will be no different today as the world grows darker and the laws are changed to appease the perversion of the ungodly.

Revelation 20:4 

"And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."

Here is a video of what the mark could look like being used in a grocery store.

If you want life, repent and turn to Jesus, He is the only way that your soul can be saved!

In Jesus,
Tyrone

Be Separated!

2nd Corinthians 6:17-18 

"Therefore “Come out from among them And be separated, says the Lord. And do not touch an unclean thing, And I will receive you.” “And I will be a Father to you, And you will be sons and daughters to Me, Says the Lord Almighty.”

So what does it really mean to 'come out from among them and 'be separated'?

Well I can tell you what it doesn't mean! It doesn't mean that as a follower of Jesus you withdraw yourself from humanity and go live inside a convent!

And it also doesn't mean that you build big buildings and congregate inside them on Sunday, while the rest of the week you look and act just like the world does!

The Greek definition of separated means:

873. aphorizo af-or-id'-zo from 575 and 3724; to set off by boundary, i.e. (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc.:--divide, separate, sever.

And who is our perfect example of one separated from the world? Jesus is of course!

Jesus was completely separated from the world, yet He could live in the world and co-exist with His creation. He was never ashamed of who He was and He never compromised the word of God!

The first century disciples were called out and separated by Jesus from the world.

John 15:18-19

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

So the truth is, being chosen out of the world and becoming like Christ in all we say and do will inevitably cause the world to hate us! 

There are many today who talk about the love and compassion of Jesus, and surely He was full of those two fruits, but they forget what Jesus told His own brothers in John 7:7

"The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil."

Would it be any different for Jesus if He preached the same message and did the same ministry works He did in the first century, in the streets of America today? I think not!

James 4:4 Tells us: 

"Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

2nd Corinthians 6:14-16

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

Are you trying to do what the world does to win the world? Are you hanging out with unbelievers thinking you can some how win them over for Christ? Don't you know that bad company corrupts good character!

It's not up to us to win or save the world! Only Jesus can save a persons soul! And only the Father can draw people to Christ!

In the first century church the believers were all together and the LORD ADDED to the church those who should be saved. The apostles and prophets were just instruments used by God to do His will and accomplish the works He prepared in advance for them to do.

It's God's will for those in Christ to bear fruits, to be holy, separated, co-laborers with Christ, and to enter His rest. 

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Testimonies On The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit (Smith Wigglesworth)

Smith Wigglesworth (8 June 1859 – 12 March 1947), Was a British evangelist and faith healer who was important in the early history of Pentecostalism.

"You know, beloved, it had to be something on the line of solid facts to move me. I was as certain as possible that I had received the Holy Ghost, and was absolutely rigid in this conviction. When this Pentecostal outpouring began in England I went to Sunderland and met with the people who had assembled for the purpose of receiving the Holy Ghost. I was continually in those meetings causing disturbances until the people wished I had never come. They said that I was disturbing the whole conditions. But I was hungry and thirsty for God, and had gone to Sunderland because I heard that God was pouring out His Spirit in a new way. I heard that God had now visited His people, had manifested His power and that people were speaking in tongues as on the day of Pentecost.

When I got to this place I said, “I cannot understand this meeting. I have left a meeting in Bradford all on fire for God. The fire fell last night and we were all laid out under the power of God. I have come here for tongues, and I don’t hear them-I don’t hear anything.”

“Oh!” they said, “when you get baptized with the Holy Ghost you will speak in tongues.” “Oh, is that it?” said I, “when the presence of God came upon me, my tongue was loosened, and really I felt as I went in the open air to preach that I had a new tongue.” “Ah no,” they said, “that is not it.” “What is it, then?” I asked. They said, “When you get baptized in the Holy Ghost-” “I am baptized,” I interjected, “and there is no one here who can persuade me that I am not baptized.” So I was up against them and they were up against me.

I remember a man getting up and saying, “You know, brothers and sisters, I was here three weeks and then the Lord baptized me with the Holy Ghost and I began to speak with other tongues.” I said, “Let us hear it. That’s what I’m here for.” But he would not talk in tongues. I was doing what others are doing today, confusing the 12th of I Corinthians with the 2nd of Acts. These two chapters deal with different things, one with the gifts of the Spirit, and the other with the Baptism of the Spirit with the accompanying sign. I did not understand this and so I said to the man, “Let’s hear you speak in tongues.” But he could not. He had not received the “gift” of tongues, but the Baptism.

As the days passed I became more and more hungry. I had opposed the meetings so much, but the Lord was gracious, and I shall ever remember that last day-the day I was to leave. God was with me so much that last night. They were to have a meeting and I went, but I could not rest. I went to the Vicarage, and there in the library I said to Mrs. Boddy, “I cannot rest any longer, I must have these tongues.” She replied, “Brother Wigglesworth, it is not the tongues you need but the Baptism. If you will allow God to baptize you, the other will be all right.” “My dear sister, I know I am baptized,” I said. “You know that I have to leave here at 4 o’clock. Please lay hands on me that I may receive the tongues.”

She rose up and laid her hands on me and the fire fell. I said, “The fire’s falling.” Then came a persistent knock at the door, and she had to go out. That was the best thing that could have happened, for I was ALONE WITH GOD. Then He gave me a revelation. Oh, it was wonderful! He showed me an empty cross and Jesus glorified. I do thank God that the cross is empty, that Christ is no more on the cross. It was there that He bore the curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” He became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him, and now, there He is in the glory. Then I saw that God had purified me. It seemed that God gave me a new vision, and I saw a perfect being within me with mouth open, saying, “Clean! Clean! Clean!” When I began to repeat it I found myself speaking in other tongues. The joy was so great that when I came to utter it my tongue failed, and I began to worship God in other tongues as the Spirit gave me utterance.

What had I received? I had received the Bible evidence. This Bible evidence is wonderful to me. I knew I had received the very evidence of the Spirit’s incoming that the Apostles received on the day of Pentecost. I knew that everything I had had up to that time was in the nature of an anointing bringing me in line with God in preparation, but now I knew I had the Biblical Baptism in the Spirit. It had the backing of the Scriptures. You are always right when you have the backing of the Scriptures and you are never right if you have not a foundation for your testimony in the Word of God.

For many years I have thrown out a challenge to any person who can prove to me that he has the Baptism without speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance-to prove it by the Word that he has been baptized in the Holy Ghost without the Bible evidence, but so far no one has accepted the challenge. I only say this because so many were as I was; they have a rigid idea that they have received the Baptism without the Bible evidence. The Lord Jesus wants those who preach the Word to have the Word in evidence. Don’t be misled by anything else. Have a Bible proof for all you have, and then you will be in a place where no man can move you.

I was so full of joy that I wired home to say that I had received the Holy Ghost. As soon as I got home, my boy came running up to me and said, “Father, have you received the Holy Ghost?” I said, “Yes, my boy.” He said, “Let’s hear you speak in tongues.” But I could not. Why? I had received the Baptism in the Spirit with the speaking in tongues as the Bible evidence according to Acts 2:4, and had not received the gift of Tongues according to 1 Corinthians 12. I had received the Giver of all gifts. At some time later when I was helping some souls to seek and receive the Baptism of the Spirit, God gave me the gift of Tongues so that I could speak at any time. I could speak, but will not - no never! I must allow the Holy Ghost to use the gift. It should be so, so that we shall have divine utterances only by the Spirit. I would be very sorry to use a gift, but the Giver has all power to use the whole nine gifts."

Testimonies On The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit (R.A. Torrey)

Reuben Archer Torrey (28 January 1856 – 26 October 1928), Was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, writer, and first Superintendent of Moody Bible Institute In Chicago.

"While a great deal is said in these days concerning the baptism with the Holy Spirit, it is to be feared that there are many who talk about it and pray for it who have no clear and definite idea of what it is. But the Bible, if carefully studied, will give us a view of this wondrous blessing that is perfectly clear and remarkably definite.

1. We find first of all that there are a number of designations in the Bible for this one experience. In Acts 1:5 Jesus said: “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” In Acts 2:4, when this promise was fulfilled, we read, “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” In Acts 1:4 the same experience is spoken of as “the promise of the Father,” and in Luke 24:49 as “the promise of my Father” and “endued with power from on high.’ By a comparison of Acts 10:44, 45, and 47 with Acts 11:15, and 16, we find that the expressions “the Holy Ghost fell on them” and “the gift of the Holy Ghost” and “received the Holy Ghost” are all equivalent to “baptized with the Holy Ghost.”

2. We find in the next place that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a definite experience which one may know whether he has received or not. This is evident from our Saviour’s command to the apostles: “Tarry ye in the city…until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). If this enduement with power, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, were not an experience so definite that one could know whether he had received it or not, how could they tell when those commanded days of tarrying were at an end?

The same thing is clear from Paul’s very definite question to the disciples at Ephesus. “Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed?” (Acts 19:2, ASV). Paul evidently expected a definite “yes” or a definite “no” for an answer. Unless the experience were definite and of such a character that one could know whether he had received it or not, how could these disciples answer Paul’s question! In fact, they know they had not received or been baptized with the Holy Spirit, and a short time afterward they knew they had received and been baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6).

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is for every child of God in every age of the Church's history. If it is not ours in experimental possession, it is because we have not taken (the exact force of the word "receive" in verse 38 is take) what God has provided for us in our exalted Saviour.

A minister of the Gospel once came to me after a lecture on the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and said: "The church to which I belong, teaches that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit was for the Apostolic age alone." "It matters not, " was replied, "what the church to which you belong or the church to which I belong teaches.

What says the Word of God?" Acts ii: 39 was read: "To you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him." "Has he called you?" I asked. "Yes, he certainly has." "Is the promise for you?" "Yes, it is." And it was. And it is for every child of God who reads these pages. What a thrilling thought it is that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, the endue-ment with power from on high is for us, is for me individually."

Economic Crash Coming? Mystery Of The Shemitah!

Amos 3:6-8

"If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it? Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?"

In Jesus,

Tyrone

A September To Remember?

SOMETHING ELSE COMING IN SEPTEMBER: A UN RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A PALESTINIAN STATE

The UN Security Council is likely to be voting on a UN resolution which will establish a Palestinian state

by MICHAEL SNYDER | END OF THE AMERICAN DREAM | JUNE 1, 2015

*****Excerpts quoted from Alex Jones' InfoWars.com*****

"There has been a lot of talk about things that are going to happen in September, but something that has been almost totally overlooked is the fact that the UN Security Council is likely to be voting on a UN resolution which will establish a Palestinian state at that time.

Right now, France is working on a proposed resolution which would give formal UN Security Council recognition to the Palestinians, would declare that a divided Jerusalem is the capital of both Israel and a Palestinian state, and would set the 1967 borders as the baseline for future negotiations which would establish the final borders between the two nations. It is being reported that France will submit this resolution for a vote after the 70th session of the UN General Assembly begins on the 15th of September. At this moment, 136 nations have already recognized a Palestinian state, but the United States has always blocked recognition by the UN Security Council. This time may be different though, because there are quite a few indications that Barack Obama actually plans to back the French resolution in September. If that happens, and the UN Security Council approves this resolution, it is going to have enormous implications for all of us.

The proposed French resolution will only be tabled after the June 30 deadline set for the nuclear negotiations with Iran. The intention is to bring it to a vote in the Security Council during the General Assembly session in New York in September.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest pledged on May 12 that following “the comments made by the prime minister in the closing days of his election,” the United States would change its approach toward promoting a solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Earnest was referring, of course, to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comment that a Palestinian state will not be established as long as he is prime minister. The most likely assumption, based on Earnest’s words, was that the president will replace his indulgence of Netanyahu’s procrastination on the process with support for proposals for resolving the conflict. Among other things, the new approach appears to include a freeze of the US veto at the UN and its institutions until such time as Israel deigns to extract the two-state negotiations from the freezer.

If the United States does not veto the French resolution later this year, it will almost certainly pass. So right now, the only thing standing in the way of a Palestinian state is Barack Obama. And considering the fact that he is probably the most anti-Israel president in our history, that is a very sobering thought.

Publicly, Obama is being very coy about what he plans to do. But privately, it appears that he has already made up his mind. In fact, Debka is reporting that Obama has given France a “green light” to move forward with this resolution…

US President Barack Obama did not wait for Benjamin Netanyahu to finish building his new government coalition by its deadline at midnight Wednesday, May 6, before going into action to pay him back for forming a right-wing cabinet minus any moderate figure for resuming negotiations with the Palestinians.

Banking on Netanyahu’s assertion while campaigning for re-election that there would be no Palestinian state during his term in office, Obama is reported exclusively by our sources to have given the hitherto withheld green light to European governments to file a UN Security Council motion proclaiming an independent Palestinian state." {end quote}

To read the article in it's entirety go to: 

http://www.infowars.com/something-else-coming-in-september-a-un-resolution-establishing-a-palestinian-state/

Daniel 9:27

"Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;"

Also check out this Youtube video that compiled 27 things to happen in Sept-Oct 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ03_m50T-M

In Jesus

Tyrone

He Was With Her!

Genesis 3:6-7

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings."

The first deception and sin of man. This one act of disobedience led to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the glorious garden of Eden, and caused every subsequent human born to be spiritually disconnected and separated from the One True God.

I thank God for this testimony in Genesis because it helps us to see how easy it is to fall from grace and be deceived by a fallen angel who hates us and God.

What I would like to point out though is that all the evil power that satan wields to deceive man, would have been negated with a simple, NO! And to make matters worse, Adam, who God made to take care of His creation was right there with his wife and didn't say or do anything to stop the deception!

We can see the same type of immaturity in some men today who let their wives rule over them and they don't fight or stand up for themselves or their family!

All Adam had to do was say, wait a minute Eve, I remember what God said:

Genesis 2:15-17

"Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

That's why it's so important to have the word of God in our hearts and minds, it's the truth that keeps us from falling into deception and sin. If you obey the word of God and put into practice the teachings of Jesus Christ you will be able to resist the devil, and stand against his lies.

Of course God knew what would happen, but He allowed this situation to occur to test Adam and Eve, they had a choice to obey the command of God or take into their hearts and minds the lies of satan. They made the wrong choice!

Thankfully God also had a plan before the foundation of this world, JESUS! It's because of the Lord and Savior that we can be reconciled to God and be free from sin and death.

So let us make the right choice today, let us choose life instead of death!

In Jesus,
Tyrone

One Man Show

Ephesians 4:11-16 

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

Have these scriptures been removed from modern day translations of the bible? It certainly seems so to me!

What we see today in the buildings that are called 'church', has no resemblance whatsoever to the first century church, and the ministry gifts that Jesus Himself gave to His body are essentially non-existent in many congregations of professing Christians.

Did Jesus revoke His gifts to equip the saints for the work of the ministry?

Did He change the way He wants His church to function?

The scripture tells us, that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So that means man has done the changing and exchanged the truth of God for a lie!

Many religious leaders today have done exactly what the Pharisees and Sadducees did during the time of Jesus' ministry. They have nullified the commands of God by their traditions!

Some believe that there are no more true apostles or prophets today, if that's true, then there are no more true evangelists, pastors, and teachers!

Sadly, those who oversee God's flock in many denominations and ministries have not been holding to the teachings of Jesus Christ, nor do they hold their congregations accountable to what's clearly written in the scriptures they read every Sunday!

The first century church was blessed by the plurality of overseers who loved the saints and fought for them, laying down their lives daily to see them grow and mature in Christ.

2nd Corinthians 3:1-6

"Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

The first century apostles, prophets and elders, knew that nothing came from themselves, they received their ministry and strength from God.

The time of the one man show is ending, the hand writing is on the wall, and the Lord said to my wife a few years ago:

"The Little Ones Will Be Great And The Great Will Disappear".

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Jesus Is Loving Barabbas - Judah Smith Sermon Jam

Romans 5:8 

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

In Jesus,

Tyrone

In Order To Live, YOU MUST DIE!

Mark 8:34-37

"When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

This is the way of God. Death to self. If you try to hold onto any part of your life in this world you can ultimately lose your soul in the end. 

And isn't it the American dream to have the big house, the attractive spouse, a fancy car, respect and admiration from your peers?

But the words of Jesus that lead to eternal life are the exact opposite of everything the world holds dear. 

John 12:24-25

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

In order to truly live, you must die! And I mean complete death of all that you are in this world, and what does Jesus promise if you give up your life for Him and the gospel? Eternal Life!!!

The blessed assurance and hope of living forever with God in complete love, peace, and joy for all eternity!! What could be better than that? 

So the question is, have you died yet? Or are you still holding on to that bank account? To the American dream? 

And if you are a Christian, is there something still in you that you haven't completely surrendered to God?

Paul understood the ways of God and applied the teachings of Jesus to his life, will you do the same?

Galatians 6:14

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Sin, Or Discrimination?

Let me say this right off, sin is sin, regardless of what type of sin it is. 

Murder, fornication (which is adultery, and pre-marital sex), rape, theft, sexual immorality (which includes lesbianism and homosexuality), all of these and more are sins according to the word of God as so written in the scriptures contained in the bible.

Now, one could believe what the scriptures say or not, we all have free will, that's how God made us.

But just because a person does not believe in God or agree with what the scriptures say on any given subject, doesn't mean they are not true!

Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled that same sex marriage will be legal in all of the United States Of America. A ruling that goes against the laws and commandments of God, just as any other sin does. 

I wouldn't even be writing about this had I not seen the above picture of the guy holding up a sign that says, "our constitution is our shield against Bible based discrimination toward our gay friends and neighbors". 

Since when did the bible start discriminating against a specific group of people? 

Here is what Discrimination means:

"The practice of unfairly treating a person or group of people differently from other people or groups of people" (Merriam Webster)

The only person and group of people I read about in the bible being treated unfairly is the prophets of God, Jesus, and the Christians!!!!

If any professing Christian is using the bible to discriminate against a person or group of people then they are not practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ! 

Jesus tells us to 'love our neighbors', and 'love our enemies', but we are not called to love the sin that people commit! We are called to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus name!

In contrast here is what Gov. Bobby Jindal and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said:

"Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, a Republican candidate for president, warned that the court decision “will pave the way for an all-out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree.” (Quote taken from The New York Times Online)

"But Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., dissenting, wrote, “Hard questions arise when people of faith exercise religion in ways that may be seen to conflict with the new right to same-sex marriage — when, for example, a religious college provides married student housing only to opposite-sex married couples, or a religious adoption agency declines to place children with same-sex married couples.

There is little doubt that these and similar questions will soon be before this Court,” he wrote, adding, “Unfortunately, people of faith can take no comfort in the treatment they receive from the majority today.” (Quote taken from The New York Times Online)

The prophecies that Jesus spoke in Matthew 24:9-10 are right at the door and I pray that those who call themselves Christian will be ready to face the persecution that's coming to this country and the world.

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."

The Judge of judges also said this:

Revelation 21:6-8 

"And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Is Your Heart Hard?

Mark 16:14

"Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen."

After three and a half years of miracles, signs and wonders, wisdom from above, and a love that was beyond human comprehension, the eleven disciples that walked, talked, ate, slept and ministered with Jesus still had hardness in their hearts.

I'm amazed by that truth and even more amazed that one could eat, sleep and minister with the Lord and never change, never be touched by His love, never shed a tear of repentance and Godly sorrow. 

Yet that was the case with Judas Iscariot, who we all know betrayed the Savior of all mankind.

It has taken me years to really understand how a man or woman can harden themselves to the love, grace, and Spirit of God. I've learned over the years that it's not hard to resist the pull of God's grace, and it's not hard to resist the conviction of the Spirit, people just do what comes natural to them since birth.

When they feel the pull of God, they turn their faces away, when the Spirit convicts their hearts of sin, righteousness, and judgment, they harden themselves to it, they ignore the Spirit of God and become engrossed with work, pleasures, and the pride of life.

No, it's not hard to resist God, but it IS hard, painful, and difficult to resist satan! It's hard to resist the lusts of your flesh, and very difficult to overcome the world, and go against the grain.

The truth is sin hardens the heart, and once a man or woman resists God long enough, He gives them over to a depraved mind, He gives them over to the lusts of their flesh and they eventually end up beyond feeling. 

Did you know it was possible to be past feeling? The scriptures talk about such people.

Ephesians 4:17-19 

"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 

Jesus prophesied that because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Lawlessness is indeed abounding throughout this world! 

Is your heart hard?

Hebrews 3:15

“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Peace, Be Still

Mark 4:35-41 

"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!”And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

God does many things on a daily basis to test our hearts and minds, He tests the fruits that are birthed in our hearts to see how we will respond in any given situation. 

Are we faithful when disaster strikes, are we peaceful when the storm rises up and threatens to overtake us?

Jesus is the prince of peace and He trusted the Father completely with His life while He walked this earth as the Son of man and the Son of God. He knew and understood that no matter what was going on around Him, that God was with Him and would protect Him from harm and death. Jesus had peace.

Are you peaceful when there's an unforeseen accident? Are you peaceful when you lose your job and the rent is due and the kids are hungry? Or do you go off and lose your temper not knowing what to do?

While Jesus slept in the boat the disciples were becoming more and more fearful of death as the storm raged and the waters started to fill up the boat. 

How could Jesus sleep in the midst of a raging storm, howling winds, flooding boat, and fearful, yelling disciples? PEACE! 

Strong's Lexicon gives us this definition of Peace.

G1515: 1. A state of national tranquillity, a. exemption from the rage and havoc of war 5. of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. (Blue Letter Bible)

The disciples might have thought Jesus didn't care about them because He was sleeping while the storm raged, but that was their state of mind and being at the time. Jesus loved them all, but they had to go through the experience to learn how to trust in God and follow the example of Jesus.

John 14:27 

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Phillipians 4:6-7 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

In Jesus,

Tyrone

The Church Is NOT A Building!

Mark 1:21-28

"Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee."

The fact that there was a man sitting in the midst of the synagogue with an unclean spirit, (while Jesus taught!) tells us that satan and evil spirits don't care about a physical building at all, they are not bound by the physical. And it doesn't matter how historical or the name of the building, demons can and will enter a building with the label "church" on it and feel quite comfortable IF there is no one in that building with the Holy Spirit and anointing of God IN their souls.

If there is no one with the power and authority of Jesus to cast out the devils that inhabit the bodies of the wicked and believers as well, inside buildings and outside, then the demons will be free to do what they will.

What those who are truly in Christ must understand is that WE ARE THE CHURCH! And if the Spirit of God dwells in you, then it doesn't matter where you step your foot, God is with you in that place!

1st Corinthians 3:16

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

Did Paul tell the Corinthian saints that the physical temple of Jerusalem at that time was the temple of God? NO! He told them that THEY were the temple of God!

Jesus knew that His body was a temple of God.

John 2:19-21 

"Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body." 

Paul quoted the prophets and reiterated to the Corinthians what God Himself said.

2nd Corinthians 6:16 

"For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 

Eventually the demons will manifest (show themselves) in the presence of one with the power, authority, and grace of God emanating from their spirits. Even Judas who was with Jesus His whole ministry, eventually showed himself for who he was, a betrayer and a devil!

No, the church is not a building and never will be. And when the buildings that are called 'the church' are no more, then those in whom God dwells will stand strong in His power and His might!

Matthew 16:18 

"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." 

In Jesus,

Tyrone