Why Are You Afraid?

2 Timothy 1:7

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Is there anything that makes you afraid? How about the death of your body? Or physical persecution for being a Christian, maybe you fear a confrontation from an unbeliever, or speaking the truth when you know there will be disagreement.

If you have any fears, be encouraged! The Lord has promised to deliver us from ALL our fears!

1 John 4:18

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."

Fear is from the devil, period! What happened when Adam and Eve first sinned? They hid from God when He was walking in the garden of Eden calling for them. And why did they hide from God? Because they were AFRAID!

Genesis 3:8-10

"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

When Adam and Eve sinned, darkness entered into their souls and instead of running to God when He called, they ran away from God!

That same thing can happen to us if we commit a sin and turn away from God instead of going to Him for help, healing, and forgiveness. Don't allow sin to deceive and entangle you, pushing you further and further away from God. Run to Him!

David was a man who knew God, even though he committed a grievous sin he still ran to God for forgiveness and deliverance. He knew that God would deliver him from evil, his enemies and ALL his fears!

Psalm 34:4-7

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them."

In Jesus,
Tyrone

In Power!

There are many people talking about God today, but where is the true, genuine power of an Almighty, Omnipotent God that we read about in the bible?

Let's be honest here, is there anyone today demonstrating the Spirit and the Power of God with undeniable, irrefutable signs, wonders, and mighty deeds that even satan can't imitate?

Listen to what Paul said in 1st Corinthians 2:1-5

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

How many of today's ministers have read the above scriptures? All I hear is talk, but where are the signs that should follow the word? Confirming that the person speaking is indeed sent by God.

Paul's ministry was not about his Godly wisdom or his eloquent speaking, it was all about Jesus Christ and demonstrating the Spirit and the power of God!

1st Corinthians 4:18-20

"Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power."

Do you understand what Paul said in the above bold and underlined scriptures? The kingdom of God is NOT in word, but IN POWER!

The Pharisees were amazed at the word of Jesus and saw the power of God demonstrated when the evil spirits came out of a man when Jesus commanded them.

Luke 4:31-37

"He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, 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 demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region."

The apostles understood that they were only vessels, and instruments to be used by God for His glory and His purposes.

Acts 3:11-16

"Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

The time of talk is over! The time of the Son of Man is coming, the time of demonstrating the Spirit and the power of God is at hand!

In Jesus Name,
Tyrone

The Stage Is Being Set!

 Obama to tackle 'unfinished business' of gun violence in 2016

Obama plans to do something this year about gun violence in the U.S. in his last year in office. What will be the outcome of such an endeavor when there are so many in this nation that vigorously oppose anything being done about their second amendment rights, which states:

The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Quotes On The Issue:

"Former Congressman Joe Walsh tweeted on Thursday, “On Monday, Obama, on his own, to go after guns. It’s war. Defy his executive actions. Time for Civil disobedience.”

"While the National Rifle Association declined comment to CNN on the Obama administration’s latest unilateral action on gun control, the NRA previously said Obama’s “gun control agenda was rejected by Congress. Now, he is doing what he always does when he doesn’t get his way, defying the will of the people and using executive action.”

Arguing that the current gun laws in California are Obama’s “wish list of gun control” the laws did not “prevent the San Bernardino attack.”

NRA spokeswoman Jennifer Baker said, “The fact is, the President’s gun control agenda will only make it harder for law-abiding citizens to exercise their right to self-defense.”

Before my wife Cynthia woke up one morning about a week ago she heard: "Abraham Lincoln"

That same night I dreamed of a president being shot in the oval office.

Yes, the stage is being set! Be prepared people! Be prepared!

In Jesus,
Tyrone

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