Pen of Iron: January 2006

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Boldness to Speak Thy Word

That with all boldness they may speak thy word. ~ Acts 4:29

I sometimes struggle through prayer. I fear that my prayers will eventually sound too routine, but for the most part, I sometimes just don't know what to say, especially if it's a matter that I've earnestly been praying for quite some time. Words are at loss. However, the more I read my Bible, this precious King James Bible, the more I delight myself in God's word.

Hence, reading Acts, I was struck with the word "boldness." How often do we read that the apostles went out with boldnees (haha, I bolded boldness) preaching God's Word. I fear that this is where I lack wisdom. Especially if I know that this person belongs to a certain faith, ie. JW, I get fearful and discouraged. I mean, should that not encourage me to tell them of the truth???? I lack boldness. I am ashamed.

However, I am so glad and thankful that the Lord has convicted me of such, and given me the perfect prayer!

~That will all boldness I may speak thy Word.

Also, the following verse will be a constant reminder that I must not be ashamed:

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. ~ Mark 8:38

Posted by Redeemed at 10:02 PM | 4 comments

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Rock Music

We have this great tract at our church, Rock Music - The Devil's Advocate.

I was not able to get through reading it all. Shivers went down my body. I see that it's a tract form Dial-The-Truth Ministries (www.av1611.org). I really don't know what to write, I'm just in a state of disgust. What bothers me is how christianity today imitates the world. What I mean by that is how satan managed to blind not only the eyes of lost people, but especially of God's own holy people. I'm talking about the modern rock music that goes on in churches today.

~Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good work. Titus 2:14

How are we a peculiar people, when we talk, dress, sing and live like the world and in the world.

~Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day, we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Thess. 5:5

Posted by Redeemed at 8:45 PM | 5 comments

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

We Have Our New Prime Minister

The votes are in, and the Liberals are out! The Liberals had a 12-year run in the country, and it will be an interesting change for Canada with the Conservatives in power. I, myself like Stephen Harper, but in Quebec it's all about the Bloc Quebecois. It's gonna be fun going to work today, can't help but gloat a little...ok, I probably won't cuz it's kinda not nice.

P.S. it's really early in the morning, can you tell, but I know y'all were dying to know who won, and since most of us check our blogs before the news, I thought I would be nice and save everyone time. I have to get ready for work now, sooooo very sleepy though....

Posted by Redeemed at 7:20 AM | 5 comments

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Costa Rica is stunning

Seriously the country is far more beautiful than I ever imagined. As the plane was hovering, you could seethe beautiful mountain ranges beneath. The most beautiful landing sight I have seen in my life. I have been to many countries in Europe, the Middle East and North America, and parts of Africa. Never in my life have I seen a nature more picturesque. As my friends drove me to their home, I felt breathless. The country is just beautiful.

I am here on a business trip this time. I think I will want to spend more time as a tourist some other time. This quick note is just to brief you that I am safe in the former Banana Republic.

Posted by Consecrated at 9:38 PM | 2 comments

Preventing Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. ~Genesis 3:15

I love Genesis. It's a prophetical and mysterious book. Long story short, I had to prepare a lesson, which prompted me to read Genesis 27, which prompted me to use any tools we have in thouse, i.e. books.

Dr. Ruckman, with his commentary on Genesis, in chapter 27, grabbed my attention with the following concerning verses 41-46:

"In Esau's attempted fratricide, we again detect that peculiar undergound vibration which began with the words of Genesis 3:15. Abel is killed to get rid of the seed (Gen. 4). Angels mix with the races to pervert the seed (see Gen. 6:1-6). Ham ruins his seed (Gen. 12). Abraham nearly ruins it himself (Gen. 16:1-6). Lot makes the grade (Gen. 19.) Then Abimelech tries twice (Gen. 20, 26). Abraham almost destroys the right seed (Gen. 22), and now Esau is out for blood! Someone is anxious to prevent Genesis 3:15 from being fulfilled."

I thought it interesting how satan has been trying since the dawn of time to destroy that which is God's . My Pastor often refers to Genesis 3:1 when making his case for upholding the King James Bible. satan's first attack was upon God's holy WORD; Yea, hath God said...did God really say???? And in so doing, the woman's seed was cursed. But thank God for his quick plan of salvation in Genesis 3:15 and for his purpose to redeem mankind.

And there shall be no more curse...Rev. 22:3

God bless,
Sarah

Posted by Redeemed at 8:53 PM | 2 comments

Monday, January 16, 2006

In Costa Rica next week

In my suitcase I have packed four Spanish Bibles (Reina Valera 1960 edition, which I believe is the KJV equivalent for Spanish-speaking people). Two of these Bibles are gifts to colleagues in Costa Rica where I am going to spend one week for "on-the-job" training purposes. The two spare Bibles I hope to give to whoever the Lord leads me to. At first I was stunned when one colleague told me he didn't have a Bible. How can anyone Not have a Bible, I wondered. As I researched more, I realized how Catholic Costa Rica is. I surfed the internet hoping to find a Baptist English speaking church where I could worship on Sunday, but came up with none. I only found one reference to a Spanish speaking Fundamental Baptist church and I am not sure whether it is close to San Jose or not.

Anyway, I would like to ask for your prayers next week. My colleague has three children, and most likely his wife has never heard the gospel before either. I sensed a real tenderness towards God from this particular colleague, and I am praying for open doors as I spend time with his family next week. As outspoken as I am about the Lord, sometimes the old self takes over. The training coordinator who is in charge of my trip is a lovely lady. She came to Montreal in December and we really got along well together. I do hope that she would be receptive to the gospel when I give her the beautiful leather Bible which I bought having her in mind. I will also be spending a lot of time with her, and I don't have any specific indication as to what her response would be to the gospel. In her case I am stepping into the unknown.

I am excited about this business trip. I have never been to Latin America. This will be my first trip to a Spanish speaking country, and I am looking forward to a spanish immersion experience, with my meagre Spanish language skills. Because I sometimes think of helping out at an orphanage in Honduras (even if on small missions) I feel this trip could be of particular significance. Costa Rica is definitely very different from Honduras, but who knows, may be God is allowing me this trip for a reason.

Please pray for travelling mercies and open doors as I head to Costa Rica this week end. Will give you a report on my return.

Posted by Consecrated at 9:15 PM | 3 comments

Saturday, January 14, 2006

An enigma solved

I am reading Exodus Chapter 18, and one enigma character for me has always been Jethro, Moses' father in law. I never knew what to make of this man's counsel. On the outside appearance it looked sensible, but I always suspsected there was something sinister hidden about that man. I mean, a Midianite shows up out of the blue, gives advice to Moses, claims what Moses is doing is not good (v.17), but asks Moses to listen to him (v.19) and he will give him counsel (v.19), and God will be with him. The son-in-law listens to him, then when the time comes for God's goodness to begin to happen, Jethro opts out and decides not to stay (Numbers 10:30).

Today I can see through the man, i.e. Jethro or Raguel (don't know if the double name means double meaning either). Jethro's advice reminds of what happened in Numbers 16. Will get to that in a minute. Let's look at his advice to Moses once again but a different perspective. "Why sittest thou... and all the people stand...(v.14) (implying that Moses was lording it over the laity). Again, this thing is too heavy for thee (v.18) (implying I care for your welfare).

The sons of Korah had the same argument. Numbers 16:3 "ye take too much upon you" All the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them; wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregration of the Lord?"

Back to Jethro v. 23 "If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so". In v. 19 he had said, I will give thee Counsel, v. 20 Thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws etc. God comes in last. Jethro talked about "it is not good". He never mentioned whether it was "right" or "wrong". Don't we hear that advice far too often.

In v. 24 Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. Unfortunately we don't read of Moses seeking God's face in this.

The discovery I made today is this. The most smooth, subtle Satanic attack on godly and able men of God could very easily come through family connections. Jethro's advice later caused the rebellion in Numbers 16.

What a warning. Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Posted by Consecrated at 10:42 AM | 8 comments

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

God Leads us Along

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt...and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord....Ex. 7:3-5

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. 14:4

And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.14:17

I guess Pharaoh did not stand a chance of having "an open heart." Exodus is a fascinating book. I like to compare myself with the Israelites, after all, as a Christians we are His people.

It's especially comforting to read that God heard the cry of His people (Ex. 3:7-8) and came to their help. The story could have been much simpler though. Moses goes before pharaoh, shows him a sign, maybe two, that God sent him and his brother to deliver their people out of bondage, pharaoh gets scared, listens to God and lets the people go.

But not so. God has a purpose. He wants all the nations to know and to fear the great I am. I believe His purpose was accomplished, read Exodus 25:15. And I also believe that He wants to prove Himself to His own people, and that purspose too was accomplished, read Exodus 14:31.

We always want the simple way out of our burdens (I'm speaking especially on my behalf).

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near, for God said, Lest preadventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt. But God led the people about, through the way of the wildernes of the Red sea...Exodus 13:17-18

God knows His people (and by that I mean me). How often are we (me again) like the Israelites and tempted to go back to Egypt, to go back into the world because things seemed much simpler and easier. Fear sets in.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.....The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Ex. 14:14

We all know how that came about (Chapter 14:21--31). He is a victorious God, and if we let Him lead us, then we will be a victorious people. There's a hymn we often sing at church (God leads us along), and the chorus goes like this:

God leads His dear children along. Some thru the waters, some thru the flood, some thru the fire, but all thru the blood; Some thru great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long.

Posted by Redeemed at 8:41 PM | 2 comments

Sunday, January 08, 2006

A Dry and Thisty Land

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee, my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. Psalm 63:1

Montreal is a dry and thirsty land, where no water is because people suffered a lot of oppression by the clergy..... It's a city where you can find anything and everything, from different religions to alien believers awaiting the mother ship (I'm serious)......

Although I really appreciate the different cultures, different cultures also mean different religions and different religions don't know the Saviour. Going back to work, this past week was rather difficult after having spent a lot of personal time with the Lord. I only find joy in serving the Lord through my church and my personal time with Him. There's a sense of security about it. You can't fellowship with non-believers, when all you have on your mind is JESUS. Everything I stand for is JESUS.

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

I know that God wants me to reach out to people He puts in my path, and I thank Him for giving me many witnessing opportunities at work. Those opportunities are the highlight of my week! There is a lot of joy in serving the Lord.

I thank Him that we go tract passing every Saturday. I'm really looking forward to next Sunday. After the morning church service, we will be heading downtown for street preaching (men preach, women hand out tracts). Street preaching is great. Montrealers are not used to street preaching. They've gotten used to us passing out tracts, in fact, a few churches do so, and unfortunately, so do Jehovah's witnesses....but street preaching, haha. I love it though, it makes me think of Jeremiah and all the great prophets, that's what they did, preached the Word of God on the streets.

But whether handing out tracts, street preaching, or witnessing to a co-worker, what's great about serving God, is that we get to water the dry and the thirsty land, where there is no water!

Praise God!

Posted by Redeemed at 10:30 PM | 11 comments

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Heart wrenching news

Today is not a good day. My heart is breaking at the news of those courageous miners who lost their lives in West Virginia. I am praying for the young man to survive. It may be a comfort to the rest of the families although the horror of hearing what they might have gone through is terrifying.

My sympathies to all concerned.

Posted by Consecrated at 12:25 PM | 5 comments

Monday, January 02, 2006

Back to work and A New Year's Challenge

It is so good to know that life goes back to normal as of tomorrow. I do find the holiday season exacting at some point. With the cold winter weather officially in, and the city coming to almost a complete halt around New Year's, I get really bored (nothing unusual there). It is good to recharge our batteries in a way but I can't wait to go back to work tomorrow. Besides I am expecting a large shipment of tracts and I can't wait for the mail.

Every year I make it a point to read my Bible through. This past year I was able to finish it way before December. I have challenged myself to read it twice through this coming year. This of course is in addition to all the other Bible commentaries and good books that I can lay my hands on.

I was quite surprised when a dear church member told me that he didn't normally read the Law (the first five books of the OT) but he was going to do that in the New Year. I personally love the OT. It is full of real life stories, and being a story teller myself, I guess I find it very interesting. What is more is that many gems are hidden between the verses inside the geneaologies. Take the story of the sons of Korah who wrote the most sentimental and most beautiful psalms (somewhere between psalms 42 and 90). The story of their parents is written right there in Numbers 16, how their fathers did not want to be just levi(s) they wanted to be priests like Aaron and Moses. How they caused a riot and God's anger was kindled against them. How God sent fire and devoured them while the earth split and swallowed their possessions. How Moses was told to take the censors and beat them into a thin layer and cover the altar with the remains of those censors so they were a visible reminder of the punishment of rebellion. Yet the sons of Korah, when they grew up, they were not angry at God for what he had done to their parents, instead they write the most touching psalms.

Did you know that David was not the sole author of the psalms. The favourite chorus "As the deer panteth for the waters, so my soul panteth after thee was penned by the sons of Korah(Pslam 42). Despite their horrible childhood experience they could even sing "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, through the earth be removed etc (46). And guess who penned the most beautiful Song of love, the Maschil "My heart is inditing a good matter, I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pend of a ready writer. Thou are fairer than the children of men (Ps. 45). They rejoiced so much in him they also wrote "O clap your hands, all ye people, shout unto God with the voice of triumph" (Ps.47), and "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God "(Ps. 48), and "my soul longeth, year, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. ... Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well,... they go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God" (Ps. 84).

And it was not David who said "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness". These were the sons of Korah in Psalm 84, verse 10. Many preachers have made this mistake quoting David to have said it.

Here's one more "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God" (Ps. 87).

I don't know how I got on this rabbit trail, but it was refreshing to read them again. Hope you'd take the time to look up all the psalms written by the Sons of Korah, and that you'd challenge yourself to read the whole Book, from cover to cover, in the coming year.

Posted by Consecrated at 9:25 PM | 3 comments

He That is in You

I love this verse:

~Ye are of God, little children and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. ~ I John 4:4

Who is on the Lord's side (Exo. 32:26)? Doesn't it make you want to shout "I AM".

Posted by Redeemed at 4:41 PM | 1 comments

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Disclaimer

Something very weird happened at my church last night. The way our watchnight service works is that as many men who want to can stand up and preach. Allow me not to go into the details but something happened last night that worried me. I started thinking about a few issues and realized that how demanding and probably very fanatic I am. You could also say I am not forgiving when it comes to fooling around when doing God's business. I do take God's work very very seriously, and I do not tolerate stupidities. May God forgive me for that, but this is my New Year's confession, I guess.

One thought triggered another, and another thought got me thinking about a number of issues that happened last year (in the church and with believers). One thought that bothered me was the following: Why can't I be tolerant of people's mistakes. Hasn't the Lord forgiven me a lot. And yet in my zeal for his holiness I get all worked up over issues that I and in the little understanding that I have find very offensive to his holiness and to his commandments. I look around me though and I find that I see eye-to-eye with only a select few. I read the Bible and I see in it clear cut black and white issues. I look at the world, and to them many things are fluid, grey areas. Our God is a God of truth. He is a consuming fire, and yet us humans we have the guts to defy what we read and disobey the commandments.

What happens is that I feel so helpless. I know I can't change the world so, like some of us, I turn to the blogsphere. I post my frustrations. I post my opinions. I post what I believe to be the true of word of God. There is nothing personal in what I write. I want to clarify that. I am not attacking anyone. I just vent my frustration. I see through a lot of issues that have gone by unnoticed by so many. Pls. don't get me wrong. I am not claiming to be self-righteous. I have my numerous flaws. But I want to say how lonely it can get if you take a stand for the truth.

There it is again. The word, Truth. I am the way, the truth and the life, Jesus said.

The Truth. That is what I pursue after. I chose the name code name consecrated because that's what I want my life to be like. Consecrated unto God. Apologies to all if I offended anyone on the way.

Posted by Consecrated at 3:39 PM | 3 comments