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

Do You FEAR The Lord?

Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Do you have a reverent fear of God? A fear that helps you to do right when you want to do wrong?

I'm not talking about a fear that makes you afraid to come near to God and receive His salvation and love. But a godly fear that keeps you obedient to Him and His commands.

In these last days it seems there is nothing much that can cause a man or woman to stop sinning and repent (change your mind) and turn to God. 

With ever increasing sin and debauchery, what will it take before people begin to fear the Creator of Heaven and earth? 

What has to happen before man says this is the finger and the judgment of God, who can stand?

In the first century church, Ananias and Sapphira learned a hard lesson about lying to God.

Acts 5:1-5

"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things."

It's inevitable that God will do the same things today that He did thousands of years ago when people forgot to fear and reverence Him. 

So let those who fear the Lord remember His promise of a heavenly kingdom that cannot be shaken, and let us labor to enter into that kingdom and the joy of our Lord!

Hebrews 12:28-29

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire."

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Something Is Coming!

A few weeks ago my spirit was quickened by the Lord and I said, "something is coming". And the same day while my wife was praying and meditating she received the same thing and spoke out loud, "something is coming". 

Whatever it is many will not be prepared for it and they will be swept away by it. The only hope any soul has on the face of this earth is Jesus! 

Luke 21:25-26

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken."

In Jesus,

Tyrone