In Order To live, You Must Die! (Updated)

 

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 on to 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?

You must be willing to sacrifice your life in this world for Jesus first, and even for your own salvation! 

A sacrifice is required from every soul just to be used by God to help yourself, your family and other people in this world! 

Peter said he was ready to die for Jesus, but we know how that turned out! 

It's not easy to lay down your life for Jesus and others, especially when you are hated and persecuted for being a disciple of Jesus. But that's what God requires in order for us to enter His Kingdom and to have our souls saved! 

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."

The Choice Is Yours!

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Husbands And Wives

 

Ephesians 5:22-33

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

Alot to break down in these eleven passages of scripture! Is it possible for a man and woman today to have a marriage like this? If the Spirit of God is within you it is! But if you try to do these commandments by your flesh, you will fail in one or all of the above!

Is there any woman who desires to submit herself to her husband as to the Lord? Who recognizes him as her head and then defers to him for final decisions? A woman who always respects and supports her husband?

Is there any man who truly loves his wife, just as Christ also loved the church? Does he give his time and make efforts to be with her? Does he listen to her and respect her opinion, and advice? Does he ask her for help in daily decisions and very important ones?

So let us break this down even further!

What “submit herself” means in biblical terms

Biblically, it does NOT mean: Being inferior or lesser in value, being controlled, silenced, or dominated, blind obedience or loss of personal will. Enduring abuse, sin, or injustice.

The actual biblical meaning

“Submit herself” means a voluntary, willing alignment under loving leadership.

Key points: Voluntary, not forced, the Greek word used (hypotassō) means to willingly place oneself in order. It is never about coercion. A wife chooses this posture; it is not demanded or enforced.

Rooted in mutual submission: Ephesians 5:21 sets the foundation: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” The wife’s submission exists within a marriage of mutual humility and respect, not hierarchy for control.

Modeled after Christ’s relationship to the Church: Just as the Church follows Christ because He is loving, sacrificial, and faithful, a wife responds to her husband’s Christlike leadership — not tyranny.

Paired with a heavier command to the husband: The husband is commanded to: “Love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Christ died for the Church. That means biblical leadership is self-sacrificial, not self-serving.

Respect, not silence: Submission does not remove a wife’s voice, wisdom, or free-will. Proverbs 31 describes a woman who: Speaks with wisdom, manages business and finances, influences her household and community, yet she does so while honoring her husband.

Never submission to sin: Biblical submission never requires agreeing with sin or enduring harm. 

Scripture is clear: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) 

To “submit herself” biblically means:

A wife freely chooses to support and respect her husband’s God-given role, trusting his Christlike love, leadership and sacrifice, while remaining fully valued, heard, protected, and honored.

In this world where the roles of men and women and have been flipped and redefined, with biblical marriage being undermined by Supreme Court rulings. 

Let the people in God's Kingdom strive to live out the biblical commandments of Jesus and His 1st century apostles!

In Jesus Name,
Tyrone

Keep Moving Forward!

 

Galatians 6:9

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

The road to salvation is long and narrow! The road to blessings and the promises of God is just as narrow and thorny and difficult!! BUT, we will receive all that God has for us IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP!!!

Along this narrow road is temptations, tests, trials, hardship, heartbreak, obstacles, setbacks, God's correction, and daily choices. How we respond to each of those things will determine how long it takes for us to reach the promise land!!!

For those of us who have received some promises of God, like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David, who all had to go through many trials and tests before they received their promises, it can seem like the promises will never come, because it can take decades of waiting on God to fulfill His Promises!!

But the word tells us, God is not slow in fulfilling His promises! Oh Lord have mercy on us, and give us strength to keep waiting!!

Habakkuk 2:3

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time… Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”

Numbers 23:19

"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

2nd Corinthians 1:19-20

"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us"

Joshua 21:44-45

"The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass."

So keep moving forward people of God! The Light is at the end of that narrow road, and The Lord Himself will give us Rest, Restoration, Revival, and the  Fulfillment of His promises at the appointed time!!

In Christ,

Tyrone