Pen of Iron

Jessica, with my sunglasses.


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.

Posted by Revelation 2:17 at 4:11 PM | 1 comments    

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.

Posted by Revelation 2:17 at 5:06 PM | 5 comments    

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.

Posted by Consecrated at 8:48 AM | 2 comments    

Zechariah chapter 3 verse 7: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

Verse 8: Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH...

I see two classes in God's courts. These that stand by are judging and keeping God's courts (notice the plural here). And thy fellows that sit....... men to be wondered at. It seems to me that there are two contrasting types. Some that stand, and some that sit. Who fits where? I don't know. I may have my views but I will not venture there.

The text is taken from one of favorite passages in the Bible. Zechariah Chapter 3. There you will see a picture of Satan standing before the Lord accusing every one us while we stand in our filthiness before God. Then the Lord in his mercy and grace comes to our rescue. He pleads our case, he has plucked us out of fire, removes our filthiness, puts on our head the helmet of salvation and clothes us with robes of righteousness. Once that is done, he commands to walk in his ways and if we do that he promises to seat us in his courts and rule with him in his coming kingdom. Maranatha.

Posted by Consecrated at 8:14 AM | 0 comments    

I think this is going to become a series. Last night Redeemed and I decided to have dinner at a family diner in our neighbourhood. Normally we don't eat out on Friday nights, but it was hot, AWANA season was over, and we were not in a rush to go home. So we got there only to find out that the place was packed and there was a long line-up as we waited in line for a table to free up. The hostess suggested that there was room in the smokers section, but no one wanted to sit there. That was when the people in line started chatting about smoking in public places and the need to ban it from restaurants. True, effective 1 January 2006 the law will take effect in Quebec, but some restaurant administration have taken the lead and have started applying the law as of now. (Obviously it was not the case here). However here's the good thing that came out of this. When Redeemed and I were finally escorted to a booth which seats four people, we invited the couple behind us and with whom we were chatting to sit with with us. They were only very happy to do so. It turned out to be a wonderful evening. We spent around three hours at the dinner table. It was a great conversation. The Lord opened the door for us. I gave my testimony how I got saved. The man, a retired policeman, said that he believes he had been saved. He used to go to a Pentecostal church but it has been a while since he has been in church. As it turned out, he is now working as security at a seniors residence and by coincidence we found out my favourite pastor and his wife have moved there not long ago. A very Godly couple. The man was excited and promised to tell the pastor that he met us. By the time the evening was over, they each had a tract in their hand. We exchanged phone numbers and they promised that we would hear from them again. Isn't that wonderful. I thought it was a blessing how the Lord led us there last night. I am sure my former Pastor will seize this opportunity and I see God at work giving this man another opportunity to see the love of Christ.

I am reminded of the hymn "Bringing in the sheaves". We sang it on Wednesday night in church, and it opens like this "Sowing in the morning, Sowing in Evening,...... ). Isn't that cute, sowing on the train in the morning, and sowing in a restaurant in the evening. Today we go tract passing at noon, so the hymn comes full circle, sowing in the morning, sowing in the evening, sowing in noon tide and the dewy eve. Waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping, we shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves.

Posted by Consecrated at 6:05 AM | 5 comments    

Did you know that taking a bus, riding a train, or taking the subway can be a blessing. Here's proof. Tuesday morning I was on the train going to work when a young fellow got on the train and sat in the seat facing me. Soon he reached out to grab a morning paper that must have been left behind by a previous passenger. I immediately pulled out a tract "The Romans Road to Heaven" from my purse and gave it to the young man saying "here's something to read if you like". The fellow looked at the tract and said "Oh I have it". When I queried how come "someone gave me a copy at the Metro Cote Vertu" he replied. "And did anyone speak to you about it? Did you get saved", I asked. Oh, he said, they just give it to you at the Metro as you are passing by. That was a great open door for a discussion that followed all the way till we almost reached downtown. I explained the gospel to him, and pulled out my personal worker's New Testament from my purse and showed him from the Bible by making him read verse after verse hat he was a sinner in need of repentance, and in need of being born again. the fellow looked very sincere, and we had a good chat, at the end of which I asked him if he wanted to receive Jesus as his Saviour, because it is not enough that you know or believe. You must receive Jesus as Saviour for the gift to take effect. You must ask him to save your soul, I insisted. Then I pointed to the prayer at the bottom of the tract and showed him an example of what he could pray. The fellow read it aloud once. Then he looked at me and said. "I am ready". I wasn't expecting this. At that moment, on that morning train, William bowed his head and read the prayer with all the sincerity that you would hope for. When he finished he looked up at me. I said did you pray it with all your heart. I said, Congratulations brother, and I encouraged him further to feed the new life which was born in his heart and encouraged him to come to church. Please play that William's faith grows. The bottom line for sharing this story is that after I came home that day I thought to myself, you know, technology is not exactly a blessing. I mean people who drive to work or to school may have the luxury of life but they are missing on opportunities to sow the precious seed by mingling with the public. That is what makes me think that taking public transport could be a blessing if you use it for furthering the gospel of Christ, Bless his holy name.

Posted by Consecrated at 9:09 PM | 3 comments    

Hey guys,
Please please take a look at
Mike's Album-----Unashamed Pursuit.

You will love what you'll see there. Mike is a Christian and he had left a comment on one of my prayer requests for the ministry in China. That's where I got his addy from, and Iwas very pleasantly surprised. You will too, I am sure. Take a look.

Posted by Consecrated at 11:57 AM | 0 comments    

I read your very interesting post in Bible Studies about Rebellion. It was after I had posted my comment that a very interesting word in your entry came really alive. You spoke about a confederacy. In my comment I referred to Nimrod and his Babel, the first rebellious city and how he rallied the living world around himself and claimed authority over. He claimed that he is their protector providing them with safety. How interesting that you should refer to a "Confederacy" which has its parallel in Babel. You were inspired by the spirit of God, I am sure.

On another note I want to add this word of caution to every Christian believer who is stuggling with the question of authority. Need I remind you of David and Saul. David had done Saul no harm. The Kingdom was now promised to David while Saul was officially the king. David some to go through some training in the meantime and God had to prepare him for the job lying ahead. Now Saul, aroused by jealousy, had repeatedly tried to kill David, the heir to the throne. What do you think David did. Did he try to fight back. No. There is not one record in the book of Samuel that teaches so. At one point we even read of a unique opportunity presented to David to avenge himself of Saul's wrong doing. Saul is fast asleep in a cave I believe, and he was within reach of David and his men. David could have killed him in his sleep. But David was a man "according to God's heart" the Bible says. He respected GOD'S AUTHORITY vested in Saul (a bad man by now). Although his men encuoraged him, David would not slay God's anointed (evil) king. The point is this. If you raise your hand against the man of God, whether he be in the right or in the wrong, you are actually raising your hand against God's authority. Don't meddle in God's business. Step aside. "Be still and know that I am God" says the Psalmist 46:10. He can look after his own affairs. He does not need anyone. He is Almighty God. I am a worm, David said.

Posted by Consecrated at 10:20 AM | 0 comments    

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    

Here is the passage I was referring to [on the subject of trusting the Lord for guidance and direction]. It is in Isaiah 30. You may want to read the whole chapter.
v.18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. 19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. 20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
__ __ __ __ __ __

Now that I am not in a rush like I was when I posted the above, I want to add a comment or two hoping that you have read Isaiah chapter 30 in the meantime. The Lord wants to be good to his children, and he "therefore will the Lord wait" for us to return to him in reliance. Looking at the early verses of the chapter and viewing this passage in context we see that the people had relied on the hand of the Egyptian, or Pharoah, which is a type of the world or a type of friends and acquaintances or influential people to whom we might run for help, or think that our livelihood depends on them.
And although we had tasted the "bread of adversity" referring to difficult times through which we lived, God's promises never fail. He will direct our life. He says your eyes shall see your teachers, and you will respect your spiritual teachers {not be removed in a corner any more). Your ears (how many times did Jesus cry out those who have ears let them hear what the Spirit says)will hear a voice from behind you as the Holy Spirit strives with you. Read the Word of God, and Listen to the voice of Holy Spirit. Two words will sum up what I said. Return and Rest. Look at verse 15 of the same chapter which I shall quote. The second half on a plaque hanging in my living room. It goes like this" "For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength"
These are good promises from the Lord who is waiting to be gracious unto all his children. Who is like unto thee O God.

Posted by Consecrated at 9:32 AM | 0 comments    

This post I copied from our "Prayer" department, written by Consecrated, because I think it deserves more exposure
"
Here is a quote from a message which I received

"He told me their Chinese pastor (Pastor Jimmy) had just been arrested (or they call it abducted) by the Public Security Bureau for preaching the Gospel, some of the ladies who saw what happened said the PSB shoved him into their car but as they were doing so they saw marks on his neck and arms. One of the ladies from the church then called Lui to tell him not to come to church that afternoon because the PSB had made their visit and they were on to what’s “going on”
Lui was going there to teach English to the younger children as he usually does in the afternoons

Please pray for Pastor Jimmy! As Lui says, they have no idea where he is and if or when they will see him again. Pray that God will give him wisdom and strength and the same to Pastor Jimmy’s wife and their two young children. Lui said they were doing OK, but that there is too great a risk for them and himself if he tried to get in contact with them

Posted by Revelation 2:17 at 12:17 PM | 1 comments    

In one of the recent posts by Rev. 2:17 he pointed to a verse in the Book of Daniel (4:17) which refers the "Watchers". That aroused my curiosity, and I promised to research the subject further.

This morning during a visit to the Official Antarctica Page, I clicked on "Myths and Legends" not knowing what to expect. To my surprise, here's an excerpt of what I found. The reference is to the Book of Enoch which is famous for talking about the fall of the angels. Now before I quote, I want to reassure everybody that the Book of Enoch is NOT an inspired book and I am NOT endorsing anything the following text says. Just for fun however, and for the sake of those who are curious like me, here it is.

"According to the Bible, angels once walked upon the surface of the earth. Speculation also exists that they are the missing 'master' race. In 1773, a British explorer, James Bruce, discovered a scroll in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) that was a full copy of the Book of Enoch, which appeared to be a Book of the Bible, written in the 2nd century BC. This text had existed in fragmentary form, written in Aramaic, in Europe for centuries, but had been rejected by the Catholic Church as heresy. The text itself deals with a group of angels on Earth called "The Watchers", who dwelt in a high place".

Take it or leave it. I just thought it was an interesting reference.

Posted by Consecrated at 11:01 AM | 0 comments