when I became a man

“…when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things…” 1 Cor 13:11, © NKJV, italics and emphasis mine

At the age of 13, a Jewish boy undergoes a bar mitzvah ceremony, marking the end of childhood. In most African tribes we’ve a variety of “Jando”, a celebration declaring a boy to be a man. But, does Jando or bar mitzvah really change a boy into man? If not, when do we‘become’ men, when we marry? get a job? build house? kill a lion? kill a person?

I have met 40-year olds who are as childish as you can get. I believe transformation ‘begins’ when one starts to accept responsibility for ones’ actions. It is childish to always demand your own way, always be served and never serve others, be selfish, crap in your pants (life of sin). The late Dr Ed Cole said, “Being a male is a matter of birth, but being a man is a matter of choice”

“I believe in prosperity for I believe in God, for He gives me power to get wealth” © TJ Kyara

Tim J Kyara
Husband of 1, Father of many www.timiresnassociates.com
Teacher of the Word www.light2mypath.blogspot.com
Minister and Elder www.christianrevivalcentreministry.org
Educator and Writer www.centre4excellence.com
PhD Research Student www.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet

Let No 1 Despise U

“…Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity...” © Gal 3:1-3, NIV, italics and emphasis mine

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” a quote generally attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt (ASA UN Diplomat, Humanitarian & First Lady (1933-45)). Her quote agrees with what Paul was telling young Timothy. Timothy is urged not to allow, accept and or agree with anyone looking down, despise him or what he does.

It is quite normal for ordinary people to belittle, despise and look down on you if you don’t measure up to their standard…but then how do you reject people’s looking down on you? Quite simple, “by your conduct” don’t argue, don’t fight or defend yourself, let your conduct do the talking and you will shut the devil’s mouth in shame.

“I believe in prosperity for I believe in God, for He gives me power to get wealth” © TJ Kyara

Tim J Kyara
Husband of 1, Father of many www.timiresnassociates.com
Teacher of the Word www.light2mypath.blogspot.com
Minister and Elder www.christianrevivalcentreministry.org
Educator and Writer www.centre4excellence.com
PhD Research Student www.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet

Witchcraft in Church

“…you foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?...” © Gal 3:1-3, NIV, italics and emphasis mine

At the risk of being labeled a liberal, I am going out on the limb to say that the church today is full of what I call “faith plus gospel” when it comes to salvation and righteousness. You would hear folks say, how can she be saved and still...or is he really saved, I saw him…as if the gift of God has pre-qualifications to being received and appropriated.

We have failed to understand righteousness from holiness and mercy from grace. Paul rebukes Galatians because they wanted to perfect their salvation (righteousness) by their works. Let us bear with each other, until Christ is formed in us. Remember good works is the outcome of (results from) salvation and not the other way round.

“I believe in prosperity for I believe in God, for He gives me power to get wealth” © TJ Kyara

Tim J Kyara
Husband of 1, Father of many www.timiresnassociates.com
Teacher of the Word www.light2mypath.blogspot.com
Minister and Elder www.christianrevivalcentreministry.org
Educator and Writer www.centre4excellence.com
PhD Research Student www.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet

where art thou?

“…they heard the voice 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 amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?...” © Gen 3:8-9 KJV, italics and emphasis mine.

I am always fascinated by the revelation that the omniscient God would ask a limited mind human being a question—He asked Moses “what is it that you have in your hand?”(Ex 4), to Abraham and Jeremiah He asked, “is there anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen 18, Jer 32) and to Adam He asked, “where are you? (scripture above).

God wanted Adam to realize that he has fallen away from the position and state that He had. This is what sin/rebellion/disobedience does; we lose the status (and fellowship not necessarily the relationship, with God). When we repent, we are forgiven (fellowship restored) but not automatically reinstated into the position and state we had beforehand.

“I believe in prosperity for I believe in God, for He gives me power to get wealth” © TJ Kyara

Tim J Kyara
Husband of 1, Father of many www.timiresnassociates.com
Teacher of the Word www.light2mypath.blogspot.com
Minister and Elder www.christianrevivalcentreministry.org
Educator and Writer www.centre4excellence.com
PhD Research Student www.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet

Happily Thereafter...

“…Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light…” Matth11:28-30 NKJV, italics and emphasis mine

I am reminded of the popular scripture used to evangelize, appeal (entice?) them to come to Christ. more often than not in evangelical outreaches we tend to sugar coat life in Christ and give people the impression that when they come to Christ everything is going to be hunky-dory ''don't worry be happy" kind of life.

But reading beyond Matthew 11:28 in vv 29-30 Jesus actually says He has a yoke and He has a burden...yes indeed...He does and those who want to follow Him must first deny themselves, carry their cross and follow Him for "...anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it..." 2Tim 3:12 MSG

“I believe in prosperity for I believe in God, for He gives me power to get wealth” © TJ Kyara

Tim J Kyara
Husband of 1, Father of many www.timiresnassociates.com
Teacher of the Word www.light2mypath.blogspot.com
Minister and Elder www.christianrevivalcentreministry.org
Educator and Writer www.centre4excellence.com
PhD Research Student www.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet