Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Friday, December 30, 2005

YESTERDAY

In summer 2004, Consecrated (or as I call her, my mami) got me for a gift My Utmost for His Highest, a daily devotional by Oswald Chambers. At first, I couldn't get enough of reading it, and then...well sadly, it faded away as a dust collector on my shelf. I only of recent started reading it in the morning, and it has been quite a blessing. As today is the last day of 2005, I thought I would share what Oswald Chambers had to say for the closing of the year:
Yesterday - ...and the God of Israel will be your rereward ~Isaiah 52:12
Security from Yesterday. "God requireth that which is past." (This verse is form Ecc. 3:15) At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise from remembering the yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God's grace is apt to be checked by the memory of yesterday's sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them in order to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual culture for the future. God reminds us of the past lest we get into a shallow security in the present.
Security for Tomorrow. "For the Lord will go before you." (This verse is from Isaiah 52:12) This is a gracious revelation, that God will garrison where we failed to. He will watch lest things trip us up again into like failure, as they assurdly would do if He were not our rereward. God's hand reaches back to the past and makes a clearing-house for consciense.
Security for Today. "For ye shall not go out with haste." (Also from Isaiah 52:1) As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, unremembering delight, nor with the flight of impulsive thoughtlessness, but with the patient power of knowing that the God of Isreal will go before us. Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities which will never return, but God can transorm this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ.
Leave the irreparable Past in His hands, and step out into the Irresistable Future with Him.
I hope this has been an encouragment to you, as it has been to me.
Good night, and God Bless

Scarlet + Blue = Purple

Here's an interesting thought which ties in with my previous post.
Scarlet + blue = purple

Scarlet is red, the color of the blood
Blue is the color of heaven
Mix the two colors together you get
Purple the color of royalty

Jesus is the lamb of God whose blood was shed on the cross. He is the son of God whose abode is in heaven. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Raiment of needlework

Psalms 45:14 - She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

Exodus 39:29 - And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.

I love it when the Lord hits me with a gem from the word of God every now and then, and it gives me pleasure to share the nuggets.

The reference to needlework hit me this time. It was in the context of the church and how she shall be brought to the bridegroom arrayed in raiment of needlework. Ladies may find this thought particularly interesting, especially those who do crochet. My late grandmother used to crochet a lot, and she was always making table cloths and bed spreads (covers) for all her grandchildren and their wives.

Watching her doing a bed cover for me, I once noticed how she would take the time to do one unit a time, a flower or whatever design she had in mind, and then sew it on to the rest, one unit after another till she finished the whole thing. When it was over, the cover was a masterpiece. I treasure those pieces she gave me. As I reflect back on the years, I remember that when I first immigrated to Canada, and I was not sure I’d stay then, of the items that I had in my suitcase were a couple of needlework pieces that she had made for me.

This is what I gleaned from the reference in Psalm 45 as the reference to “needlework” hit home.

We are in the church age, and the Holy Spirit calls the Christians out on an individual basis. Unlike his dealing in the Old Testament or even in the Tribulation times where God dealt with the nation of Israel nationally, in the church age believers are called individually. Today jews and gentiles are baptized into one body, the body of Jesus Christ. We are his bride and we will be ushered in at the wedding arrayed in needlework. Think for a minute. Each one of us is fearfully and wonderfully made, and yet each of us a member of the body. Just like the needlework my grandma did. God takes the time to work in each of our lives individually and he connects us with muscles and sinews all together into this one body.

I leave this verse with you.

Ephesians 4:16 - From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Make Merry or shew His death

I Corinthians 11: 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

This is a sticky issue, I know but I want to say this hoping that God's spirit would awaken some honest Christian to the truth and reality of the real issue at stake on Christmastime.

The whole world acknowledges that Dec. 25 is not the birth date of Jesus Christ, yet very few Christians take a stand. To all I want to send this reminder. The only commandment we have from God is to commemorate the Lord's death (never his birth) till he come.

I fail to see from the whole Word of God a direct, clear cut, specific commandment to "make merry" the "birthday" of Jesus.

A chilling reference to making merry and exchanging gifts is found in Rev. 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

The reader is free to draw his/her own conclusions.
"The Two Babylons" by Alexander Hislop is an excellent addition to your Christian library.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Dark counsel exposed

Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Praise God who has this week exposed the dark counsel of man and charlatan scientists who wanted to meddle in what is purely HIS sovereign right. We all heard it. Pictures of cloning human stem cells are "intentionally fabricated" and "doctored". In other words, they are fake.

In the same week that a US judge ruled against teaching "intelligent design" in highschools as an alternative to evolution (still people are afarid to call it Creation although they admit that the issues are too complex). God exposed the falsehood of man's attempts at cloning humans let alone that of animals.

What a paradox of events. Three articles in the news in one week. Creation (called intelligent design by fearful men) is banned by a certain judge in classrooms. Doctored photos of human cloning are exposed in S.Korea, and still a science honours is awarded to studies that "illuminated the intricate workings of evolution". (hugh?).

What an outcry of the foolishness of man. Despite the fraud that was exposed to the whole world, they insist on refusing God his rightful place in the creation. Didn't we read the following quotes from the news media:
"Based on these findings, data in the 2005 Science journal cannot be regarded as a simple accidental error but as intentional fabrication made out of two stem cells".
"This is a serious wrongdoing that has damaged the foundation of science,".

What a far outcry from the truthful saying of the Word of God that tells the truth and there is no wrongdoing in it. God's word does not contain any single error, that is why you can trust it a 100%. God's word does not damange the foundation of science but reinforces it. Do you know why Galileo was put to the stake hundreds of years ago. It was because he argued that the earth was round that he was accused of evil possession. Some religious authorities never read the Bible.
Isaiah 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

Scientists are racing to obtain knowledge concerning the foundation of our existence, but they forget a key element. Its author and founder.

God finally confronted Job and this is where we get most knowledge about creation, much more than that of Genesis.

I hope everyone reading this post would take the time to read the last four chapters of Job. Here are just a few quotes which refer to lightning, outerspace where man is frantically trying to explore. Again look at Job 38:

3Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

24By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
31Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?



How much clearer can it get folks?

"In the beginning GOD... (Gen 1:1)

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Sodom and Gomorrah make headline news

Did anybody read the news today.
Sir this and Sir that tying the knot. And people feeling proud? What is happening to the land that propagated the gospel? To the country that produced godly men like C.H. Spurgeon.
May the Lord have mercy on this world as conditions are rapidly approaching the state that prevailed during Lot's days.

Hegel's "spirit of the times" is Lucipher

Hegel coined the term “Zeitgeist” or “spirit of the times” to denominate the concept of the sense, or rationality in the order of things and the succession of one state of affairs after another according to some kind of lawful process. Hegel did see this rationality as a spirit which animated people.


It occured to me two nights ago that Hegel's "ZeitGeist" or "spirit of the times", is to his ignorance, none other than "the god of this world", that is, Satan.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 4:4

You have both concepts here. Satan is god of this world by default, retaking his rule of the age-world when Adam, head of creation, sinned and fell. No world-view, philosophy, religion, or spirit obtains ascendency except by his santion, which provides the underlying process throughout time.
All men are sinners having a dead spirit, and Satan has legitimate access to them, blinding their minds to the divinity of Jesus Christ through various deceptions, one of which is philosophy

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:8

Friday, December 16, 2005

Montreal this morning.





All this happened in just five hours. More is still coming down.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Meat or Milk - Discerning both good and evil

In an age where we are surrounded with diluted christianity it is more and more important for a Christian to study the word of God as commanded us in 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

It is also noble thing for a Christian to search the scriptures whether what we hear and what we are told correspond to Biblical truth. Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

In this regard, I should like to quote the following passages.

Isaiah 28: 9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. ...
29This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

I offer no apology when I say that it is not an uncommon thing to see some of whom we view as stronger believers get indigestion over eating the meat, therefore they are still on the milk. This teaching is perfectly biblical. Read the following.

Hebrews 5:12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Are we a lukewarm church or Not

In Revelation 3:18 we read of the Lord's counsel to the Laodician church. From a historical perspective, this is you and me. The church of the last days before the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour. God's counsel is this "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of they nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve that thou mayest see.v. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chaten; be zealous; therefore, and repent.

Several years ago a Christian friend of mine pointed the passage in Jeremiah chapter 10 to me but being deeply rooted in the christmas tradition I kind of brushed it of. It is not easy to change convictions I know but for the benefit of all readers I will post the truth herebelow.

1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.4They DECK it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.6Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.7Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

This is pretty straightforward. Isn't it? Does the famous christmas song "Deck the Hall with boughs of holly tra alalalalalal" ring a bell now. Some may argue that I am a fanatic. Praise God for that word "zealous". To that I can only answer by referring to the commandment that follows: Repent.

As I said in one of my comment on another christian blog, try touching on the subject of the Christmas tree in any one evangelical community and you will have a church split, or you will be cast out as a fanatic. Again, little do we head the commandment in Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. The Holy Spirit is describing us, the Laodician church as a lukewarm church. Why because we have the Bible in our hands (heat), but we are worldly (cold), mix the two together and you get a lukewarm church. No wonder he counsels us to buy eyesalve because we are blinded by the traditions of the pagan christianity which has permeated even the evangelical bible believing circles and we think we are rich (in biblical knowledge) yet we are naked the Bible says. We need to put on the white raiment described as the "righteousness of the saints" in Rev. 19:8?

As for being tried by fire for your conviction and for taking a Biblical stand. Try telling a bible believing Christian (let alone others) that Christmas is a pagan holiday and that the Christmas tree is an abomination in the eyes of God?

In a nutshell and to summarize it all. What I am saying here (Christmas/tree or not) is that the church of today even when it sees the biblical truth with its own eyes, it is not willing to give up its worldy traditions and practices making it a lukewarm church in God's own description which he is ready to spew out of his mouth.

Dare saying that, and fiery darts will follow.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

One soul saved

Exactly one week ago I picked up a hitchhiker. He was hard of speech, almost possessed of a slight mental retardation, if that expression can be used at all.I looked at him as a human soul. That's the best away to look at all men to whom you would witness, not as persons, but as souls in need of salvation.
I will not tell of his religious background or region, but suffice it to say that I told him about the Lord Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, and asked the fellow if he knew where he was going after death, if he had that kind of peace.
He said no and no.
I told him he could be saved right here and now, asked him if he wanted to pray to the Lord in his own words and ask for eternal life.
He said yes. He began, head bowed slightly, saying "Jesus Christ..."
seeing he had a hard time articulating words, I helped him out...here's the quote as I heard it; the "..." are the pauses as I helped him pray

"Jesus Christ...I believe you ... (i didn't clearly hear him say "are") the Son of God...and that you died on the cross for my sins...give me eternal life"

I looked at him, his eyes seemed slightly reddened though am not sure,,,(all this while on the road mind you). I extended my hand to him to shake his hand, and said
"that's it, if you prayed believing from the heart, and remember you just spoke before God and the Holy Spirit for a witness, then you are saved my friend. No one can take that away from you. Now you need to grow as a babe, you need to read the Bible, start with John"

I gave him three tracts when I let him down and told him about the church address. He waved and gave me the thumbs up as I drove away.

This has been a full and rewarding week, many things have taken place which I cannot all write here; one friend taking a Bible almost out of my hand to keep and read it, another asking me for a Bible, and another having read all of John and 1 Corinthians 1 and 2. I've also spent the week defending the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ in classroom discussions.
I thank Jesus Christ who is the only wise God for His love and grace, which saved a wretch like me.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Are you sure you do not believe in Dispensations?

Whether you like it or not, every Christian who believes in both the Old and New Testaments is a Dispensationalist. If you were not a dispensationalist, you would still be killing and sacrificing animals just like God's people did in the Old Testament.
Sure, Jesus was the Lamb of God that was slain to bear the sins of the World. Under the New Covenant, Jesus did away with the ordinances of old when he instituted his New Covenant with his blood. Is that a new dispensation, or what?

In the millennium, and David speaks of that in the Psalms, sacrificial worship will be resumed (see Ezekiel's temple). Is that a new dispensation or what?

So there you have it. There was the old way of doing business, we are in the new way of doing business, and there is a future way of doing business (yet to come).

"Rightly dividing" the word of God comes up with dispensations. The Bible clearly speaks of the world that was, the world that is, and the world to come.

Do you see it yet? Every Bible Believing Christian is a dispensationalist, like it or not.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Street preaching and Tract passing

I am so excited because the men in my church have a desire to start a street preaching ministry in Spring. I can't wait for Spring. In the meantime we continue to pass tracts to the residents of Montreal every Saturday. Praise the Lord. Two young men prayed with me at the Metro today and trusted Jesus as their Saviour. I find that when I pray and spend a lot of time with the Lord in the Word, he always rewards with souls getting saved.
Before leaving home this morning I prayed and asked the Lord to bless us as we hit the Metro for tract passing. In the beginning there were two of us, but 3 men from my church joined us a bit later. There is something encouraging about numbers. It feels good when a large number of us go out in God's service. We were passing tracts left and right to everyone we see. Apparently I had given this fellow a tract, but I hadn't noticed. He was lazing around waiting from some friends. When I approached him again, and again, he pulled out several tracts from his pocket and said to me. Look I have them all. Did you read them, and did you understand what you read, I said. He eagerly replied but it was obvious he had not understood. We started talking. I explained the gospel to him. He said he had been reading the Bible, but he did not know how to get saved. I explained the gospel to him and he agreed that he was a sinner in need of salvation. He also agreed to pray to with me. We moved away from traffic, and together we bowed down our heads. I prayed first, and then he followed. I told him, you ask the Lord in your own words, to forgive you your sin and to give you eternal life. After he did that I strongly admonished him to feed his soul on the word of God. He left me feeling quite happy. Later when his friends arrived, he called out to me "Miss, these are my friends". He sounded happy. I got the impression he wanted me to witness to them as well. But only one of them accepted a tract from me. The other just looked away.

Then just as I was getting ready to leave at around 3pm, I overheard my daughter talking a fellow as they approched. She had been witnessing to the fellow but decided it would be better to bring him over to me. I sent up a silent prayer for wisdom as I tried to find out more about his faith or lack thereof. The Lord opened my mouth. For 30 minutes I spoke the word of God, and expounded the gospel to him. It was obvious the young man was searching. As I reminded him of the prodigal son, I could tell he was convicted of sin. I showed him from scripture (in John) how he can get saved. He would pray at night in his apartment, he said. I asked him, can you guarantee that you'll live till tonight. Why not pray right now with me. He accepted. We moved to a quiet corner, we both bowed down our heads and there Roger gave his life to the Lord. Before he left, I reminded him that there are four types of soil, that Satan would be very quick to steal the word from his heart, or that the worries of the world might choke the word. He promised he was going to feed on his Bible daily, and by God's grace be the good soil that bringeth forth fruit.

Praise God for his goodness. I came home feeling so very happy that God still uses this weak vessel to spread the gospel. Hadn't I prayed that He would send labourers because the fields are white unto harvest but the labourers are few? Didn't Jesus command us to bring forth fruit that the Father may be glorified? Amen Lord. I feel humbled in your presence, yet I rejoice along with the angels over one soul that is saved. How much more two in one day. Praise God.

Friday, November 25, 2005

That the Father may be glorified

John 15:8 - Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

I have been thinking about the above verse lately. Our Lord went about all his earthly life with one driving force: that the Father may be glorified. How can the Father be glorified: if WE bear much fruit. But what fruit (single) is he talking about. I suggest you do a word search if you have a Bible Concordance (Strong or Cruden's).

The verse goes on to say "so shall ye be" not christians, but "my "disciples". What an honor to be called a disciple of Christ. The word christian has been used and abused. But a disciple of Christ! That's something else. A disciple of Christ bears much fruit, and herein is the Father glorfied.

Do you remember what Jesus said about being grafted in the true vine in order to bear fruit. Listen to these verses. John 15:1 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. John 15:2 - Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you his "disciple"? Jesus said, If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). John 15:10 - If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Do you want to bear fruit that the Father may be glorified in his son, then listen to what Jesus said: John 15:4 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I can think of the hymn "Abide in me" right now. I heard an English baritone sing it not long ago, and it was enchanting. Family members and loved ones abide with us in our homes. Don't you love to abide in the house of God.

John 14:13 says: And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Grant it Lord, that the Father may be glorified in this "son" too. Again, John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

A fiery furnace and who is to blame

Last Sunday I had lunch with a couple of friends at a Greek Restaurant. I stress the word Greek, you'll find out why in a bit. The food was good, the company was good and as I left the diner I approached the reception desk and gave the waiter a tract. What is it? He questioned. The Word of God I replied. At the mention of God, he freaked out. I don't want to hear anything about him, he said. One day you will have to give him an account of yourself, I replied. At this, the guy was furious. I do not want to listen to religion when the priest refused to bury my two-month old baby because he had not been baptized. I had to bury my baby like a dog. My son would have been twenty one years old by now. Please listen to me, I insisted. Your baby is in heaven. All babies go to heaven, sin is not imputed where there is no law, the Bible says. No. The Greek Orthodox priest refused to bury my baby, insisted the man, and I buried my baby like a dog. The man was jumping up and down as though he was in a frying pan. One day, I will sit with Jesus and sip a glass of beer with him, he raved on. This is blasphemy, I said, and if you don't repent of these words, you know where you will end up? In hell, was the reply. That's right, I responded and you will never get to see your two months old baby because he is in heaven and you won't be there. By now I was following him around the desk because he was trying to run away from me, and yet when I'd beg him to calm down, he would stand still for a second and then flare up again. A crowd and other waiters stood watching. Look, I said, I come from Greek Orthodox background, and the Greek Orthodox church (and others) does not teach the truth and the word of God. That is why I converted to a Bible Believing Christian. My baby had a dog's funeral he kept repeating. I repeated that what happened to him was the wrong doing of the Greek Orthodox Church. Are you Greek, he asked? No, I said but my pastor is and he teaches the King James Bible. As soon as the fellow heard me mention the KJV he was up in arms one more time. He started cursing again. At that point, I decided it was better to leave.

As I reflect on the incident I feel broken hearted. Twenty one years later, the man had not forgotten. TWENTY ONE years ago, it still hurt. Seriously, the man was burnt. He was jumping as though he was in a frying pan. The pain was too much to bear. I never got the name of the fellow, but to think that some priest refused to give his baby a semblance of a church funeral is outrageous. Those false shepherds will stand before God one day. How can they explain this kind of behaviour beats the life out of me. It was hard for me to bring him down to sanity when I spoke. I did leave the tract on the front desk and by the time I left it was still there. He did not throw it in the garbage. Pls. pray for that fellow. May be the Lord would soften his heart and use that tract to talk to his heart and assure him of his love and that there is hope in Jesus Christ who loved us and died and rose again to give us eternal life.

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Calvary - Nothing less

The text below comes from the daily devotional "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers (Day: 19 November for those who have the book). The sentences in bold stood out as I read.

John 16:8 "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,..."

Conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit blots our every relationship on earth and makes us aware of only one -- "Against thee, thee only have I sinned" (Psalm 51:4). When a person is convicted of sin this way, he knows with every bit of his conscience that Gould would not dare to forgive him.
If God did forgive him, then this person would have a stronger sense of justice than God. God does forgive, but it cost the breaking of His heart with grief in the death of Christ to enable Him to do so. The great miracle of the grace of God is that He forgives sin, and it is the death of Jesus Christ alone that enables the divine nature to forgive and to remain true to itself in doing so. It is shallow nonsense to say that God forgives us because He is love. Once we have been convicted of sin, we will never say this again.
The love of God means Calvary -- nothing less... .
The love of God is spelled out on the Cross and nowhere else... .
It is there His conscience is satisfied. ...

P.S. If you should have only one devotional, I would definitely recommend the book above. It is by far the best devotional I have seen or read.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

ZVI

ZVI is a polish Jew and a survivor of the holocaust, he came to live in Israel many years ago and he met the Lord Jesus Christ and got saved. For about fifty years after his conversion he went about witnessing to thousands of people of his nation from all walks of life.

The interesting thing about him, and I guess about every Christian believer, is that his testimony lives on and is just as effective for God to touch lives. Time: this morning. I am at home praying before I go to work. For some reason I pray like this: Lord you asked us to pray for workers. Lord the fields abound, but the labourers are few. Lord take my children. I’d love to see them both in the mission field. Send me too. Please Lord send workers for the harvest is plentiful.

Later on the train to work. The train stops, and a young elegant woman gets on board and sits in the seat right next to me. I am reading on. She crosses her legs, and from underneath her long winter coat flashes a bare leg almost to the thigh. People are welcome to look. I continue reading, but the voice of God is at work in my heart. Talk to the woman. Don’t be intimidated by her looks. She does not look like gospel material, I thought. Still the voice would not leave me. Talk to her. She may not get another chance at hearing the gospel. Okay Lord. I have learnt a long time ago to obey that still small voice.

I put my book down and reached inside my purse for a tract. Now Lord, you know I always obey when you ask me to talk to strangers, but I need help with this one. You got to help me here. Where do I begin. What shall I say. On my mind was something about the need to cover herself. I am still wondering how and where to begin the conversation when SHE talks to me first. For a second I am dumbfounded. “My father has that book", she said with ease and simplicity. I was almost speechless. I don’t know what I answered at first. Oh, I said. Yes, she said, I am Israeli (The book has a flag of Israel on the cover). My father read this book, she continued. He loved it. Have you read it too, I queried. We were now talking. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, I asked.

Of course, she believed in a power out there but she had lost her faith when God took her sister away. She had died of cancer. I shot a quick and silent prayer for guidance. I assured her that God knows all about her sister, but that she needed to look after herself. You sound like the mother was the familiar reply. Soon I pulled out my personal worker’s New Testament and flipping through the pages I read verses to her from Galatians, Ephesians, Romans, John, etc. Good deeds do not save you. The law damns you. Jesus saves. Fresh on my mind was the verse from Joel where Brian preached last night. Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

We conversed for almost twenty minutes. I noticed that several passengers were listening (it is always the case) and watching as I flipped through the pages of The Book. Of course, some looked on with ridicule. One man sitting behind us leaned backwards and stretched his neck as far as he could in order to get a better hearing. I raised my voice. I had a captive audience. Bless God for the liberty we have in this country. By the time we reached downtown, Nathalie had two tracts in her purse. As she thanked me for the “lecture” and before we parted I pressed her for a decision. Demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). I also encouraged her to read the book in her father’s library. I don’t know if she’ll ever get saved. This was no coincidence. Think of it. What is the probability that a total stranger, an Israelite, should sit right next to me and recognize The Best of Zvi, a book which I started reading that very morning. As for me I know one thing. God answered my prayer about sending a labourer to work. The seed was sown. I wait for the harvest.

Were Svi to hear this story he would be happy in his grave to learn that his testimony lives on and God still uses him (or his memory) to reach his people.

Friday, November 11, 2005

Dominion OR Wild Beasts

A certain thought has been bugging me for a couple of days now. It was triggered by the passage in Isaiah 11 where God says that the wolf shall dwell with the lamb. and the leopard shall lie down with the kid etc. (verse 6). My thought has centered around what the original nature of beasts was and HOW did it degenerate. How did the beasts (some of them) become fierce. I don't think there is an open reference to that. In man's case, through reproduction we pass down the sin that is indwelled in us. But in the case of beasts, there is no reference to them disobeying God other than Satan and snake. In the book of Romans we read that all creature has been subjected to bondage awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:18 - 23). Is it possible that because of our sin, the animals lost their ability to speak as well (the snake spoke in the garden and Eve thought nothing much about it). Still I ask myself HOW. It may not seem much to you but it is intriging me.

For visitors: you will realize that because of sin man's nature fell into ruin. We get angry and put the blame on others (look at Adam and Eve), we are afraid (they hid) experience pain and misery (they were kicked out of the state of bliss) we labour (the curse) we age, we die (that's how the book of Genesis ends: a coffin in Egypt).

I want to stop for a second and refer you to Genesis chapter 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth and over every creeing thing that creepeth upon the earth. (P.S. I put "man" and "them" in bold for a reason. Male and female created he them, the Bible says, but that's another study altogether).

Back to the subject of man's dominion and the wild beasts. What dominion do we have over animals today? Not much I guess. Try taming a lion or a shark for example. No sooner do you leave a wild beast to its nature, it'll devour you in no time. That is no dominion folks. Man's dominion is GONE.

In Isaiah, we read that when the Prince of Righteousness comes back to rule the earth (nothing ethereal here, nothing wishy washy, this is a real description of things yet to come on this earth) animals will have a peaceful nature. There has never been a time, yet, when wild animals fit the description. But it will come. The creation is awaiting the Eternal Son, the Son of God, Son of Man to restore all creation. This is the same Lord Jesus Christ "Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things... (Acts 3:21) and when HE is come, Isaiah 11:4 says he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth (for those who don't believe the Word of God: wake up).

Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Latest Bible Study

For another shining example of the excellency of the
King James Bible, please refer to the latest post in Bible Studies



Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Ecclesiastes 8:4

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Building blocks

The verses in the bible are built upon each other. Remember the reference in Romans 8:1 that there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Well here is another proof that the phrase in bold in my other post (about the KJV Bible) is the inspired word of God and should not have been erased by the apostate versions in circulation.
Anyway today I invite you to look at Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

PastorTom Bard from New Hampshire preached at our church this past Sunday and gave a beautiful explanation of Romans 8:2. He used the analogy of the law of gravity and said that the natural tendency is for things to fall to the ground. He said the law of gravity is constant, it does not go away, however it can be overcome by another. Take for example the law of thermodynamics and how it works in the case of airplanes. You engage the engine and it soars in the sky, thus defying the law of gravity. In the case of Christians, the law of the flesh is constantly at work, but when you engage the law of the Spirit of Life, you will overcome the law of sin and death which is at work in our mortal bodies. Remember what Isaiah 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; ". Eagles don't flap their wings, they are there in the sky. They soar and the law of gravity cannot pull them down.

Christian: What law have you engaged in your daily walk. Is it the law of sin and death, satifying your worldly lusts, or have you engaged the law of spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

Should you like to continue reading the passage:
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

The KJV Bible 1611 stands alone - A challenge to all

I invite you to read Romans 8:1 from whatever English Bible you have and let us compare. I challenge you all to find that second segment of the verse in any version other than the King James Version (KJV 1611). Then I have a story to tell you on the subject.

KJV: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

RSV: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Darby: [There is] then now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.

NIV: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Go on. Keep trying. You will not find the condition in bold above in any other version. Here is a real story that happened three weeks ago in one of the homeless shelters in Montreal where Brian, our Assistant Pastor, works.

Brian our Assistant Pastor told us this story which involved him. Three weeks ago a fellow walks into the Welcome Hall Mission where Brian has a night job ministering to homeless men. The fellow claims he is a believer and had been saved some years ago but his life is a mess. He complains to Brian that everytime he opens his bible (The Living Bible) he acutally feels spirits crawling all over him, and it is freaky.

Brian explains to the man that his life is a mess because he has been living in sin. But, the fellow replies by quoting a scripture verse, Romans 8:1. Look here, as he opens his "living" bible. Doesn't the Bible say that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ.
Brian (who is well versed in the Bible) looks at the fellow and tells him to continue. But the man says that's it. Where's the rest of the verse? Asks Brian. There is a continuation to the verse, keep going. But the man just stopped. A key phrase was missing. Then Brian read the same verse from the KJV which continued who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. At that point the man's chin drops. He looks at the KJV in one hand, and looks at his so-called living bible, and then waves the two books in the air exclaiming. What is that? Can someone tell me which one is the Word of God? Brian asked him. Which one gives you peace? The fellow replied by pointing to the KJV. Then take it to your room and read it, says Brian. The man did and since then (three weeks ago) Brian says this fellow's life has been transformed and he is now the most docile man at the mission.

And you want to tell me that all versions out there are the word of God. I don't think so. This man's living book had no power over the demons who were crawling all over him until he read the truth in the KJV 1611 Bible.

Amen. 1 Corinthians 14:33 - For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Romans 15:6 - That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

PeaceofChrist blog

I was feeling bored this morning because I am the only one to post on penofiron, it seems. I like to write, it's true, but I also like to see what others have to say. So I turned to Seth Wilson's blog (which I hate to admit I had not visited in ages). I was pleasantly surprised and I loved what I saw. That is why I am advertising it here. PeaceofChrist.blogspot.com

Sunday, October 09, 2005

Twelve Baskets

I have often wondered at the parable of feeding the five thousand especially where the Holy Spirit tells us that after everyone ate and was filled, the disciples removed twelve baskets full.
Here is a quick description of how Pastor Sowell put it. He believed that the basket is a picture of the christian. First you have the meaningless baskets. To begin with our life is meaningless. People who followed Jesus into the wilderness took some empty baskets with them and they would have served for nothing empty as they were. Then you get the miracle baskets which refer to our life once the Lord has performed a miracle and we get born again. Then our life becomes meaningful and we can go out and teach others feeding them on the bread of life. This is the missionary basket. The twelve full baskets of left over food were taken back home to feed those people who did not come out to meet the Lord. Towards the end of life the basket becomes a memorial basket when stricken with age we cannot go out and do the same work we did. You look at the old men of God and you remember what they did in their lifetime. These are the memorial basket.

That message was a booster in the life of so many in our church. Christian: Are you a missionary basket and is your basket filled with the bread of life and of fish? Are you filled with the word of life and have you led men to Christ? Jesus said if you follow me, I will make you fishers of men.

Thank you Lord for Pastor Sowell's ministry. I finally understand why the numerous references to the twelve baskets that were lifted once Jesus had fed the thousands.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Boot Camp

Pastor Rick Sowell from Toledo, Ohio is conducting revival meetings at our church. Preacher So Well as our Pastor described him gave us these four points on Wednesday night. Referring to Ephesians chapter 6 about putting on the whole armour of God he noted that putting on the armour comes at the end of the Epistle. Because first the Christian has to have basic training before he is sent out to war. Soldiers go to boot camps when they are first recruited. There they undergo hard and basic training until they learn to obey orders with eyes closed. They are exposed to harsh living conditions, every comfort is taken away while they train over and over and over again for the battle field. When David was a young lad and Goliath was threatening the nation, he was offered the full armour of King Saul for the battle, but he couldn't wear it because it was too heavy for him. However, later on when David had matured into a strong man after God's own heart, Samuel gave him the giant sword of Goliath, and this time it was not heavy for him. The four points or four factors which are included in the basic training are as follows:

Ephesians 4: 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.
The pastor called this the Pursuit Factor. As a Christian, you must change direction in life. Don't pursue the vain things of this world. Don't go that way. If the world wants to go right, you go left.
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
Factor two. The Procrastination Factor.
Postpone things he said, if you want to take a literal explanation of the words "put off". You can deceive your flesh, and decide to put things off for the next day may, and the next day tell your flesh that you will do what it likes but put it off again to the afternoon for example, and so on until you learn to put off the things of the flesh completely away.

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Factor three. The Pretense Factor I believe this was. Put on even if you fake it. Tell yourself you are going to do something, and you will end up doing it. Do the right thing even if you don't like it.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of...

This is the fourth factor, the Persistence Factor. Persist in doing the right things. Notice the links with lying, is anger, stealing, corrupt communication (foul language) etc.
Once you have passed all these factors we read in Chapter 6 the following:

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Christian: Have you been trained in forsaking the ways of the world, its vanity and deceitful lusts. Boot camp training makes you fit to put on the full armour of God and go out to battle for the Lord and his coming Kingdom.

Monday, October 03, 2005

The houses of the gods of Egypt (Jer 43:12, 13)

May the Lord God help me as I pen this post to try and bring out to you in a very clear fashion the reality of the idolatry that I saw in the land of the Pharoahs during my recent trip to Egypt.

I don't know where to begin in order to describe what I saw. I will retrace my steps and try to describe what I saw and what went on in my mind as I compared all the ruins with the biblical prophecies and God's word in relation to Egypt and the gods of the Egyptians. I am sure I will skip a few things here and there but please bear with me. My trip began in Cairo where we had a business meeting, but on the Saturday that preceded, my colleagues who had been to Egypt for the first time decided they wanted to see the pyramids of Giza. I will try to upload a picture in another post. I have been to the pyramids three times now but everytime I see them I discover something new about them. If you have any idea at all of the geometrical or astronomical design of the pyramid of Giza you will be aware that it was built in the centre of the earth, to align with a certain configuration of the stars, and that the circumference of the pyramid compares to the nth degree to the circumference of the earth itself. The inside of the pyramid is design to reflect an upward path called in the Egyptian book of the dead "the passion of the Christ" (believe it or not). The passion of the christ leads to an uppper chamber called the queen's chamber (made of pink stone) that also leads upward to the King's chamber which is in the uppermost part of the pyramid. At some point in this path, there is a path that leads to a what a called a bottomless pit. Many tourists have falled and died inside this payramid, that is why the authorities have now closed the inside labyrinth of the pyramid, and you are only allowed to go few meters down. Inside the pyramid of Giza, and surprisingly enough, no statues were found, no graven images, just an open sepulchure. Beside the pyramid, the archeologists have recently found dug underground a boat like shaped like the ark of Noah. This was new to me, it has now been raised to surface level and turned into a glass museum. Why am I writing all this description is to bring to you the subject of the giants and the fallen creatures which we read about in Genesis chapter 6. Let me say one thing before I proceed. I offer no apology for my comments herebelow. All you have to do is reserach your Bible, and you will be faced by the most convincing of biblical truths, although I will leave the subject of the pyramids to your imagination.

After the meeting was over, a few colleagues and I flew from Cairo to Aswan (a one-hour domestic flight) where we began our fascinating tours to the temples of the gods dating back to the Greco/Roman era. There we found huge stone temples fashioned in what seemed to me very similar to the tabernacle of God in the wilderness. In every temple we visited was designed with an outer court for the public, an inner court accessible only to priests and royalty, and then of course the inner sanctuary where the statue of their God resided. Isis and Osoris and Horus, as a triad figured prominently wherever we went. I was constantly reminded of the Trinity. Every temple had on the left hand side a birthing house (called Mamisi). The birthing house represented the mother giving birth to the divine child (does that remind you of anything?) A most interesting detail I found was that in the holiest of holies of their temples, their god was always placed in a boat. Now why a boat, I don't know. I could think of the Noah's ark. I could think of the flood. Did they fear the flood was coming, and wanted their god to sail away. Who knows? Remember they also worshipped the nile river as a sources of life.

Then of course the entrance to the temples, especially at Edfu (and Karnak in Luxor), were decorated by huge statues of either eagles, elephants or even baboons. At the top of the entrance to each temple, was the picture of the sun disk with eagles wings on each side and of course the two snakes one on each side of the sun disk. These were to protect the kings/gods whose images or statues were inside. The pillars that were roundabout in the outer court were huge and decorated with either the Lotus or the Papyrus plants symbols of lower and upper Egypt. The statues of the several Ramses were grotesque, huge and very high. I kept thinking to myself as I stared these must be the giants of old (supposing that these were life size statues). Images from the books of Genesis Exodus, Joshua, Judges etc. came back to life as I visited the temples in Edfu (the most complete temple ever found), Comombo, Philae and Elephantine Island. The two obelisks (of course, how could I forget those) at the entrance of each temple stood huge shaped like an arrow pointing upwards in defiance to God. I was reminded of Nimrod. In one temple one obelisk was missing and our tour guide told us it stands today in the centre of the outer courtyard at the Vatican. I don't understand either why there is an obelisk in Washington too. I leave it all to your imagination. Then of course there was the scarabee and the cartouche. The tourist guide explained to us why the scarabee charm is a symbol of good luck to the Egyptians, and why the cartouche. The cartouche is shaped like the egg of the scarab, which itself is a kind of cockroach that comes out of the manure (dung, excuse the expression) in the morning and returns to it at night. So the ancient Egyptians thought these come up with the sun rise and go to bed at sun set, then these are a symbol of life, and they worshipped it. Do you still want to buy a scarabee as a good luck charm? They also sell what is know as the key of life. I hope you all know who the way, the truth and the life is. Just think that human kind has always wanted to have eternal life but they seek for it in all the wrong places, forgetting the true creater and author of life himself. They have rejected the creator and worshipped the creature.

From Aswan we sailed in a cruise ship along the Nile river(several hours) we came to Luxor where we visited the Karnak temple (the biggest temple ever found about 62 acres if I am not mistaken). It is at Karnak that I saw the huge statues of Ramses and the giant men, and the elephants and baboons. In one area at Karnak we came to a huge man made lake which contained the "holy" i.e. stagnant water which the priests used for their purification. (Does that remind you of anything in the Old Testament?) We also visited the Luxor temple there, but the highlight of the trip was the Valley of the Kings. I hope every one of you can make that trip some day because you will be in the middle of a desert land, with huge limestone mountains, and at the mouth of each mountain are several entry ports. You step inside and you find yourself in a huge but beautifully decorated wide alley made of white limestone leading downwards, and all walls, side walls and ceiling you see colorful paintings of all the mythical gods that you can think of. People offering sacrifices to the mytical gods, and kings offering sacrifies to the gods, and then of course the famous judgment scene as each dead person stands before Horus and his heart is weighed in the balances, and should have led a good life then he moves on to purification, but if he has led a bad life, then his is either mutilated, or his heart is plucked out. You feel a combination of feelings. Disgusted yet fascinated to be in the very famous deserts that were once trodden by Moses and Joseph.

At some point, I wanted to leave the land because I had seen enough paganism and idolatly, and I came to grips with God's words about the gods of the Egyptians and his hatred for them. I remember seeing blue painting in the ceilings of the temples representing the stars (you could still see the colors even though faded with time) and how they worshipped the host thereof. A woman wrapped around the ceiling represented the goddess of whatever. There were gods for anything and everything painted on the walls. We even saw mummified crocodiles. The ancient Egyptians worshipped anything they feared and tried to please them in order to avoid their evil. Anything ugly or evil. Three headed snakes were to be feared the most, crocodiles, rats, mice, baboons, eagles, reptiles, eagles. (Think of the ten plagues). Every mythical god had either the sun disk or the moon shape on his head. All this time I kept telling myself, this is what God meant in Jeremiah 43 and in other reference too where he said he will break the images of Bethshemesh (house of the sun) that is in the land of Egypt and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire. Remember I did see some blackened ceilings too because apparently when the early christians were persecuted in Egypt, they ran and hid in these huge temples (some are still standing, one is rather complete) and since they cooked their meals inside them, it is thought that they had caused the black ceilings of some of the temples we saw.

You would not believe the deceit and idolatry that pervaded the land of Egypt in those days. Its greatness and its riches are still manifest, although the present day Egyptians are not the same people. The stories that are told along side every wall of every temple talk about the need for pleasing the gods in order to obtain eternal life. Unfortunately they missed the point big time. And as the Bible says in Romans 1: 25. As a matter of fact Romans chapter 1 verses 19 onwards came brilliantly alive as I toured in the lands of the pharoahs, and when Jeremiah 46:25 says, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings even Pharaoh and of them that trust in him, I felt sorry for every tourist who unwittingly thought it a privileg to visit the goldsmiths and buy either the "key of life" as a pendant, or even more popular the cartouches with their names engraved inside the egg of a beetle.

I should not forget to mention that we also visited the high dam built by Gamal Abdel Nasser in the late sixties, early seventies. We saw the nubian areas where nubian villages are now flooded because of the high dam project. Some nubians (who speak nubian as well as Arabic) village people who have been relocated tell you the stories of their flooded villages. They recount how once a fertile soil is not bereft of the silt which covered when the Nile flooded. The older folks told us that even the taste of the fruits have changed. The soil is not as rich as it used to be. That was one negative aspect of building the high dam.

One place I would have loved to visit would have been the temple of Abou Simbel. This temple was going to be flooded when the high dam was built but UNESCO intervened, and they chopped up the temple into 15000 pieces and they raised it. Here's a fascinating detail however. Apparently the temple was built to align with the stars in such a way that on the birthday of the king (21 October) when the sun rose, at midday the sun rays would shine right on the face of the god or king. Apparently after UNESCO raised the temple, using all the atronomical calculations as though it was built at the time, they missed by 24 hours. Therefore when the shines on the face the king it misses it by one day and now it shines on his face on two days, 22 October and 22 November of each day, thus missing the date by one day. Does that remind you of a missing day in the Old Testament? Think of Joshua and you might have a clue.

May be on another visit if the Lord permits I would like to also visit Tal El Amarna as well as Abu Simbel temple.

There, I hope I have been able to present you a bit with what it felt like to be in the lands of the pharoahs. In three days we were transported thousands of years back into history. Fascinating and saddening at the same. To me it only made me glorify the Only True and Living God all the more for his grace and mercy which saved a sinner like me from the deceitfulness of worshipping idols which come hidden in the form of charms. Who knows?

Saturday, October 01, 2005

On an upcoming Bible study

This is in answer to Consecrated's excellent comment in "Back to Montreal".

Yes, how very true. In fact, just today I presented the youth group a sketch of Jesus' descent into hell to declare his triumph and take hell's keys, as well as to Abraham's bosom to "lead captivity captive" Ephesians 4. Some great great truths appeared, which Lord willing I will be writing in an upcoming Bible study.

God bless you all

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Back in Montreal

By the grace of God I am safely back in Montreal. Hats down to the captain who lighted the Boeing 777 like a feather on the Pierre Trudeau tarmac. When the aircraft touched down it was the smoothest landing I have been in. As we were approaching the airport I had been praying asking the Lord to take control of the aircraft. I did not hear it when the Captain engaged the landing gear and as we touched down on the runway you would have thought we were still airborne. Praise be to God who heard my prayers and he is a Captain like none other. Soon I will post my experiences in the land of Egypt which did not pass by without tasting a bit of the curse of the Pharoahs. Praise be to God for keeping his children and bringing me back home to my family, both at home and at church.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Mighty in the scriptures?

Greetings to all the brothers and sisters in Christ. As I read this passage this morning, I stopped at length when I read the character details given about a certain man whom the Bible said was MIGHTY in the scriptures. I don't think I have read as many descriptions about any one man as far as the knowledge of the scriptures are concerned as this passage contains. I have highlighted in bold all the adjectives and adverbs employed by the Holy Spirit, and I ask myself were someone to describe me as a Christian would I fit some (let alone all) of what you see below? Do I know the scriptures more perfectly? Am I so mighty in the scriptures that I can convince others publicly and show them from the scriptures that Jesus is Christ the Lord? Take a personal quiz and see how many of the following traits apply to you too.

Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

I guess this is the same Apollos that Paul spoke about in the first chapter of his first letter to the Corinthinans.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Ad-free forum

Finally, yes finally, our forum is AD-FREE! amen to that. No more nasty ads. So world, whatever queries you might have, just enter the FORUM from one of the flashing buttons or from the side-bar and post in good faith please.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

A very unlikely prayer

The following verses refer to the disciples praying after they were threatened by the chief priests. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice and prayed thus.

Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

What struck me in the above verse is that when the disciples were being threatened by the influentials of their days, they did not ask the Lord for protection. On the contracty they asked the Lord to grant them to speak with all boldness. What an amazing prayer. Who would have thought to pray like that.

Monday, September 05, 2005

Why is it called the French Quarter

I have heard this question a couple of times in the past two days. Reporters reporting from a certain neighborhood known for its sinful entertainment business have queried, on TV. This morning I found something on the web which will explain why.

Apparently in 1803 Napoleon needed money to fight his wars and he offered a huge swath of French-owned territory in North America for just $15 million. The deal was known as the Louisiana Purchase, and helped by the Britts, this acquisition (State of Lousiana) gave the Americans a large gateway at the mouth of the route of the Mississippi River which enabled the rise of the U.S. into the greatest, most economically successful single nation on earth.

But what happened there, why is the complete lock down and paralysis of this famous gateway, also known as sin city, upon us. I leave the rest to your imagination hoping that God almighty would illuminate the mind of the reader to understand and to heed.

Friday, September 02, 2005

arrived?

When you delete this post or comment thereon, I will know you have arrived safely.

Here's a nugget from Spurgeon's devotions for you.
"The Lord trieth the righteous."—Psalm 11:5.
ALL events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. ....

Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened.

You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace.

Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

"christian" blogs and teachings

I have been reading some "christian" blogs. What a mess have "christians" made of hearkening to the Word of God. It is simply numbing to read what's being put out there...I was a lost sinning sheep and my Father took me back and I'm upset that there are so many false-shepherds out there...

Listen up world!

There is only ONE Jesus Christ. And He happens to be the God of the Bible. You see God created you (mankind) in His image and likeness in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 1:26)
I don't dispute for a second that man created a god (read "gods") in his own image. Why? Well because your little old carnal self can't stand the fire of the God of the Bible (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29). So you (world) create your own personal Jesus Christ, according to your fallen image and likeness. One that will ease your conscience instead of convict it, one that will assimilate to the lusts of your carnal minds.

Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.


2Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears

You see there is THE Jesus Christ of the Bible, and A Jesus Christ for every self-caressing perverted imagination.



Get one thing straight, the one true honest God is the God of the Bible, the WORD OF GOD

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy TRUTH: for THOU HAST MAGINIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME.

And He doesn't need every "new" era/culture/epoch/world, editing His Word whom He has identified with His very person.

Also:

2Peter 1:20 Knowing this FIRST, that NO prophecy of the scripture is of ANY private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible fully aware of the passage of time and socio-cultural changes. People speak of a "modern" and "post-modern" era. Ha! What a monumental sham! The Bible is always contemporaneous and contemporary if for nothing else, simply because fallen human nature doesn't change and is the same from Adam right down to you here reading this and living to prove it. So don't buy that stuff about new values and societal evolution. That's human society wallowing in its own vomit. (Proverbs 26:11)

Besides God has all of time before His eyes continually.


Acts15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Furthermore His Word is SET in heaven eternally


Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

That God is love (1 John 4:8) and that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16);
is just as true today as is His condemnation of all sorts of evil which you soul-gambling "christians" are today calling good and acceptable.

Satan has all the right words too. He is the copy-cat of God "par excellence". Don't you worldly ministers read your bibles anymore? Or are you interpreting God's eternal Word according to the bents of your seared consciences? (1 Timothy 4:2) Have you forgotten about the parable of the tares? (Matthew 13:24-30) Or are you the tares that look identical to the wheat, so that the eye can't tell them apart, but hollow of heart, and doomed to burn?

Satan is leaving the church stammering, fearful, politically correct, compromising, and makes it feel good about it too. What a tour de force! It ain't for nothing the Bible says that he seals up the sum, full in wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12)

You know the world doesn't respect nice cuddly dishonest people. And it doesn't need you either if there's no condemnation. Ruminate that!

So, for all of you "christians" in positions of leadership who don't believe that the Bible today is the historically, theologically, scientifically, inerrant very inscripturation of God's Word, unadulterated in its judgments by any authoral/cultural influence...

YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR ME

I'll let the living God do that in due time.

And ditto for those of you who say you do and then like Jehu use the Bible to justify your own personal zeal in a matter, whether for hatred, murder, evil communication, wanton wrath, love of money, et c...



Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth
John 17:17




Friday, August 19, 2005

God's POWER unto salvation; Hawking's question

Here's an interesting train of thought that emphasizes the awesome power of God's salvation.

An ant is in some degree greater than any other insect. Proverbs 6:6, 30:25

A lion is in some degree greater than any other beast. Proverbs 30:30

An angel is some degree greater than any other man. Psalm 8:5

God is infinitely greater than His creation and all His creatures, including angels and men.
The gulf that exists between a man and God is always underestimated by us.


Now think about the following a little.

How hard would it be to make an ant out of an insect?
How hard would it be to make a beast out of an insect?
How hard would it be to make a lion out of an insect?
How hard would it be to make a man out of an insect?
How hard would it be to make an angel out of an insect?


You know what would the ultimate "test" of God's power be?***

God's towering greatness over man is proportional to the difficulty of making man partaker of the divine nature. You see the more inconceivably removed God's greatness is from man, the more inconceivably difficult it is for man to partake of God. In fact, compared to God, man is as good as an inanimate object. Romans 9:21


And since, according to the Bible, the greatest (though not only) difference between God's glory and man's, is holiness, (Romans 3:23) then you can start pondering what a feat it was for Jesus Christ the Son of God to bring us God's salvation by making us sons of God (John 1:12) and partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)

*** Incidently and in answer to Hawking's child-like taunt of a question in "a brief history of time"

"Can God make a rock that He Himself cannot move?"

I answer

1) "yes". In fact, I know the name of the rock. It's "JESUS" (Romans 9:33, 1 Corinthians 10:4, see also Hebrews 12:26-27)

2) that Rock is also God Himself (John 8:58; Colossians 1:15, 2:9; Hebrews 1:3)

3) God, in fact, cannot do some things (2 Timothy 2:13, Titus 1:2)

4) but how does (3) change the fact that He is over all and so does whatsoever He wants in the hosts of heaven and earth and none can question Him (Daniel 4:35) and that He will judge the whole earth (1 Chronicles 16:33) according to the Gospel of Jesus His Son (Romans 2:16) ?

Try looking smart telling the Judge that He can't do something while He sentences you to hellfire and there's none to save neither in heaven nor on earth nor below the earth, because you have rejected the Chief Corner-Stone (1 Peter 2:6) , the Rock against whom the gates of Hell shall not (and did not) prevail (Matthew 16:18) ; Jesus Christ.




There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD
Proverbs 21:30

Friday, August 12, 2005

Bible Studies

A note to all:

Posts that are more of a Bible study will from now on be exclusively posted on
Bible Studies , a weblog profitable for non-believers, believers on milk and believers on meat.

Now someone has pointed out to me that the title of that blog isn't particularly appealing, which I believe might be the case, but check it out world, you might find comfort to your hearts and rest for your souls




Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16





(c) FreeFoto.com

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Difficult times ahead

In the wake of the recent events in London and the legislative debates over the role of religion in inciting hate crimes, I fear that the gospel message will before long fall victim to worldly legislation banning the distribution of free religious literature, driving the world into spiritual oppression and darkness. Brothers and sisters in Christ, I beseech you, let us redeem the times. May the light of the gospel message shine forth in our lives and actions until that glorious morning when our Lord shall reappear and catch his bride away when we shall be with the Lord always.

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Fish with gold in its mouth

Matthew 17:27 - Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Rev. 2:17 and I were amazed last night at the interpretation my pastor gave concerning the gold in the fish's mouth. He gave us a sermon from Mark 4 about mending the net. As fisherman in God's sea, he encouraged us to mend our nets before we go fishing for men, otherwise all the fish that we catch will escape through that one hole. He spoke about the hole of wrong doctrine, the hole of carelessness and other holes that I don't remember right now. What struck us was also the fact that if you go fishing for men, the fish will bring their own gold in their mouth to the church. Think about it.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

back in Canada, miss the church, Jessica, London bombs

I thank God, the Father of our God Jesus Christ, for having arrived safely to Canada.
Everyone in the family is walking with the Lord and doing fine. The independent Baptist church here is very blessed and growing.
To all the church in Lebanon, I pray for the Lord to keep you from the world, and found you in the True Vine who is Jesus, and bless you unto an increased faith this summer. I miss you all already.
A note on Jessica (see picture-post below). The day after the post I was informed that Jessica's parents showed up reclaiming her. They cannot keep Jessica, but have taken her from the orphanage that Ziad and Katie run to put her in an Orthodox school. It was a hard blow for many of the church, yet we trust it is God's will and pray that she will grow up to trust in the name of Jesus and be saved.
===============================================
My mother woke me up this morning to the televised news of London's evil nightmare.
We got on our knees and prayed the Lord to have compassion on those hit, and return the people of the land back to the God of the Bible who had blessed them mightly and to whom they turned their back over the years.
There is a lebano-english family with which I am very close that I was fearing for, given that they live all over London. I tried the lines for 2 hours before getting through. The daughter, an old time friend was stuck at work, in the middle of the ring of bombs. Thankfully, the little clan is safe, although the mother had been crying trying to get through to her smaller daughter at school. The former told me that there is today no more safe place on the planet, contextually hinting at the recent explosions in Lebanon.

The Lord sometimes used foreign nations to punish His children, yet in His infinite justice He inevitably paid retribution to the attackers. That is the God of history.
As far as we bible-believers are concerned, our weapons are love and grace for the salvation of all.

Friday, July 01, 2005

Welcome Home

The Lord has been gracious to me. My son arrived safely today, Canada day, amid alerts of severe weather conditions. I prayed and asked the Lord that he delay the clouds. Thankfully the Lord diverted the stormy weather and the airplane landed safely although it was one hour late.

Monday, June 27, 2005

There is no such thing as an illegitimate child, only an illegitimate parent

Jessica, with my sunglasses. Posted by Hello


World, say hello to Jessica. Jessica is the newest addition to our church. Her parents cannot afford to keep her, so Ziad and Katie have, for the near future, borne the joyous responsibility of raising her in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and providing her with familial love and care, as God intended.
We don't know her family name, but as Ziad loves to repeat
"there is no such thing as an illegitimate child, only an illegitimate parent"
Jessica warms our hearts. She is a lively and resilient kid. She has been with us for a few months now. Thank you Jesus.


Psalm 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

of pagans in the pews

If you're a believer go out now now now and get

"Pagans in the Pews
(how the New Spirituality is invading your home, church and community)"
by Peter Jones.
It is a sober assessment of an ancient but newly visible and insiduously noxious spiritual war between the God of the Bible and pagan monism; and it will give you tremors. The religious stage is being set for the beast and the man of sin.
I am going to buy 10 copies and give them out.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

The blessings of a messed up bridal shower

Last night I went to a bridal shower to which a lady from another church had invited me seeing I was a friend of the bride-to-be. Time: 6pm at some restaurant in an unfamiliar town, so I drove in to work, something which I don't normally do. Incidentally a lady at the office asked me if we were going somewhere filthy after dinner. We are christians, I briskly replied. We don't do things like the faithless people do. I may have touched a nerve there, but my answer was too quick and spontanous. Anyway back to my story. At around 6:45 pm soon after all the ladies had arrived including the bride, I hear my name being called to go to the front desk. As I moved toward the public telephone booth I wondered who was calling me. Centrainly not my daughter who had just called me on my cell. As it turned out another lady, the only other person from my home church, a very pregnant lady had run into car problems. It was rainy. Her car had broken down. She had no cell phone on her. She could not reach her husband. She was crying on the phone but she had managed to walk in the rain and catch a bus to the closest coffee shop where she thought of calling the restaurant and paging me. I calmed her down and told her I was on my way to get her. Soon after she was calmly seated at the table with the car left behind. The tire had taken a bad blow and the car was stranded near a truck parking lot.

Mercifully the lady whose shower it was had an extended service warranty with the CAA, and once they heard the story they were willing to help out. Leaving all the guests behind, some twenty ladies, the three of us (bride-to-be, my pregnant friend and I) drove back to the car to meet up with the CAA serviceman, the car tire was soon replaced, and again we were all happily seated to the dinner table. It was close to 9.00pm by now. So we were the last three to eat. The waiters were happy to bring our food back again. They had kept our orders on hold until we returned.

Now here's what I have to say, under normal circumstances, and had it been a non-christian lady whose shower it was, the guest of honour would have felt that her bridal shower was ruined. Instead all evening long the sweet christian lady was praising the Lord that the CAA had accepted to service the car of her very pregnant friend. When I picked my friend up she had been sobbing wondering why all this had happened to her, but by the time we drove back home, all the way keeping her in my rear mirror view, she was tearfully rejoicing and praising God for his goodness through it all.

As for me, the day gave me a chance to give a tract to the parking lot guy in the morning, to the CAA man in the evening, and to the Italian man who had waited on us at the dinner table. Who knows, it might have been God's will to reach these men after all. I too came home at night rejoicing and praising God for having mercifully seen us through this ordeal while giving me three different opportunities to reach three different men with the word of God yesterday, all because of a memorable bridal shower. It was not messed up after all.

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