Pen of Iron

How can we encourage young people to serve the Lord?
I promised Freed Forever that I will post something on the subject, but my schedule is quite hectic today and I should like to take more in answering the question. In the meantime may I recommend that young people who have a desire to serve the Lord read the book of Daniel. Daniel represents a perfect example for young people to take a stand against the trends of their time. Remember Daniel was of royal blood, and he was about 17years of age when he was taken into captivity. Yet Daniel purposed in his heart not to be defiled with the delicacies of the King. This means that in his mind Daniel had made a decision and he was determined not to do something which corrupts. See Daniel knew the Holy Scriptures. While all his friends revelled in the good food and wine that was presented to them by King Nebuchednezzar, Daniel refused. He would not socialize (eat or drink) with them. He and a select few of his friends stood alone. He was termed Beloved of God several times in the book of Daniel. Here we see that the process begins with a determination to do what is right even if it means that we might have to stand alone. It does get lonely to obedient Christians but the rewards from God are great. In the book of Daniel we read that the wise shall shine as stars in the firmament. Read the Book of Daniel, I say. More to follow.

Posted by Consecrated at 12:07 PM | 0 comments    

I love listening to Ravi Zachrias. Ravi is a one of a kind christian philosopher and you can check his web site entitled Rafi Zachrias International Ministries at www.RZIM.org. where you can order his sermons too. He comes on the christian radio am760 in Montreal every Saturday at 11hrs. am. For a good three weeks now he has been covering a series of sermons called "Why can't I feel my faith". I cannot repeat what he said, but he did go through the importance of the word of God and of the church and of good hymanls. But what struck me most is how he stressed OBEDEIENCE. He gave the perfect example of Jesus whose feelings made him dread the separation from the Father, and wished there would have been some other way than the cross but he went through it all through OBDEIENCE. The obedience which led to his self denial and death on the cross which he endured for our salvation. He also related how Paul buffeted his body in order to be found in Christ. Oswald Chambers always said that we should not pray about our moods but rather battle them.
In the end, I was struck by the way Rafi Zacharias ended those sermons. Listen to how he ended. He said when you ask yourself Why can't I feel my faith, ask yourself, Have I been to Calvary?

Posted by Consecrated at 11:34 AM | 0 comments    

I have been away for a while due to overflowing blessings. Blessings of the heavens and blessings of the depths. Trials, work at BookSellers, studying... I'm learning to glorify Jesus before men in all that I say and do. Still, much more chiseling does He need to perform upon this stiff neck of mine.

I am glad to see a constant stream of visitors. The weblog needs much work but it is encouraging to continue. Many believers are out there in the world that need consolation and encouragement. Many unbelievers are out there in the world to be brought to faith, salvation and the love of God.

I thank God for Consecrated and Redeemed who have kept the feeding line open here. May the Lord bless you mightily, unto rest and victory.

Pen of Iron might not have Egypt's onions and fish and bread, but it has Manna; the unadorned Word of God, wherein is power unto the salvation of souls from the divine wrath.

I am in the process of reading/studying "The Evidence That Demands A Verdict, Part 1&2" by Josh McDowell. What a gem so far. If you want objective evidence for Jesus Christ and the Bible, or would even be curious on what such a book could possibly expound, please go and get it. The God of the Bible has worked in the laboratory of human history and has with a pen of iron etched upon the academic altars of this world the blindness of humanity.

Posted by Revelation 2:17 at 4:35 PM | 1 comments    

Have you seen someone whom the Lord has blessed? The following verse gives you an insight as to why. Ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water. (Exodus 23:25)

Posted by Consecrated at 11:33 AM | 0 comments    

Just wondering. Has anybody logged on to the Dial-the-Truth ministries web site (www.av1611.org)? See my entry below. If you have, tell me what did you think of it.

Posted by Consecrated at 8:10 AM | 0 comments    

The text below is a direct quote for C.H. Spurgeon's daily devotional.

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten. Joel 2:25) Yes, those wasted years over which we sigh shall be restored to us. God can give us such plentiful grace that we shall crowd into the remainder of our days as much of service as will be some recompense for those years of unregeneracy over which we mourn in humble penitence. The locusts of backsliding, worldliness, lukewarmness, are now viewed by us as a terrible plague. Oh, that they had never come near us! The Lord in mercy has now taken them away, and we are full of zeal to serve Him. Blessed be His name, we can raise such harvests of spiritual graces as shall make our former barrenness to disappear. Through rich grace we can turn to account our bitter experience and use it to warn others. We can become the more rooted in humility, childlike dependence, and penitent spirituality by reason of our former shortcomings. If we are the more watchful, zealous, and tender, we shall gain by our lamentable losses. The wasted years, by a miracle of love, can be restored. Does it seem too great a boon? Let us believe for it and live for it, and we may yet realize it, even as Peter became all the more useful a man after his presumption was cured by his discovered weakness. Lord, aid us by Thy grace.

Posted by Consecrated at 4:49 PM | 0 comments    

Think about this for a moment. These three men are mentioned collectively in the Book of Ezekiel. One would wonder what is the common factor that links these three men together. Our pastor mentioned something yesterday and I immediately thought "Umm how true." These three men overcame three things.
Noah overcame the World
Daniel overcame the Flesh
Job overcame the Devil

Ezekiel 14:14 - Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 14:20 - Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

What I haven't figured out yet is the order in which they are mentioned. I could think of something but can't be sure. Here's an attempt that is open to interpretation. As a new born Christian we overcome the world, then we struggle with the flesh, then finally the Lord will put an end to the devil?

.

Posted by Consecrated at 12:00 PM | 1 comments    

Hey everybody. Check this web site out http://www.av1611.org.
You will love it. Trust me. These guys tackle modern day issues(not so modern after all) in the light of biblical truth. They discuss everything from rock music (the devil's advocate) to tattoos, to bar codes. Check the 666 Watch caption on their web page. I would highly recommend it to all those who love the appearing of our Saviour, none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, God the son of man.

Posted by Consecrated at 9:47 AM | 0 comments    

Praise God, last night, Friday 6 May 2005, Brian (31 years old) was officially ordained as a minister of God. Tears flowed down my face as I watched him kneel down infront of the whole church, and five pastors put their hands on his head, giving him the right hand of fellowship. It was a very moving evening service. We sang a couple of hymns, then the pastors sounded Brian out on a number of issues. He was handsomely dressed in a suit, and his face looked angelic as he tackled every question that was thrown at him, supporting his answers by verses from the Word of God which he has memorized. After that, a young pastor Peter who had also graduated from our church five years ago gave a short message from Joshua chapter 1. What struck me most was the reason behind God's selection of Joshua. In last segment of Joshua 1:1 we read "the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying...

Peter pointed out that God chooses men for his service who have demonstrated faithfulness and willingness to serve under men of God. He described Joshua's faithfulness to Moses, and gave another example of Elisha poured water on the hands of Elijah, he added.

For the past five years, Brian has been faithfully serving under Pastor Larry while diligently studying the word of God. Personally, this is the second ordination I have been to. I am praying that if the Lord tarries I would get to see the ordination of someone who is very special in my life.

Posted by Consecrated at 7:53 AM | 0 comments