CORNWALL MISSION

Examining Thoughts

2012-01-02T20:31:00.003Z

I was thinking yesterday about my thought life. Thoughts are important because they are powerful. They begin as small sparks but can go on to start huge forest fires. Thoughts in themselves are not necessarly wrong but a wrong thought 'exercised' can lead to sin. The greatest freedom comes when we realise or can identify the source of a thought. Some thoughts originate with us and some are fired at us from Satan and his hordes. Others are God ordained and are designed to steer us in the right direction similar to how a small rudder moves a great ship. Its the seemingly insignifiant thought which can sometimes have the greatest impact. Why am I here? What is life about? Can kickstart the quest for God and meaning in life. Other thoughts if harboured can lead to jelousy, hatred, revenge even murder. A circumstance comes along and the hordes of hell will play it for all its worth. They will bombard with feiry darts to bring the reeling soul into bondage. If recognised early they can be fought off but its a life long battle. King Davids fall began with a wrong thought about another mans wife. Time and time again in the gospels Jesus is recognised as knowing the thoughts of men. Jesus knew what men dwelt upon and the thoughts 'exercised' that shaped them. Wouldn't it be interesting to actually calculate the types of thought we have in just one day. How many would be acceptable to God? How many did we dwell on that we should have flung out right at the start? Practically when a wrong thought comes we can call it as such and reject it. On the other hand when a good thought comes we can meditate opon it and yeld a harvest for the Lord. Paul uderstood the battle is in the mind and gave believers this excellent advice "Take every thought captive to make it (the mind) obedient to Christ"2Corinthians 10:5. Not always easy but a must if we are to make true progress with God and those around us.

Without Christ

2011-12-21T11:20:00.002Z

William Booth said the chief danger of the 21 century would be Christianity without Christ. Yesterday I stood next to a lady at the card stand in Tesco's annoyed because she couldn't find a card without Christmas written on it. A few days ago I noticed a large banner by a major roundabout advertising a Alpha course in that area with the slogan 'Life is worth exploring.' Every Saturday teams of Christians offer up 'Healing on the streets.' A friend of mine overheard an excited Salvation army member talk about the hundred and twenty one he got last week. The hearer was diasappointed when he realised he was talking about pounds. How is God glorified when Christians do not glorify the Son? Life is glorified, healing is glorifed, charity is glorified but the Christ who is Life, the Christ who brings healing, the Christ who cares about the needs of the world is not centre stage. Christians flock to buy a book which puts 'A purpose driven life' at the centre not a 'Christ driven life.' Scriptures declare that God will not share his glory with anyone or anything else. How should Christians respond? We would do well to follow the advice of Peter. "If any man speak, if any man serve do it so that IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 4:11.

Jeremy Clarkson & Free Speech

2011-12-05T19:55:00.003Z

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has apologised for making a remark which drew thousands of complaints. He voiced his opinion on live TV after a recent UK public workers strike and suggested they should all be shot. What's astonishing is that viewers actually thought he was being serious. Anyone who follows his motoring show will be familiar with his querky humour. I am also mindful of a friend of mine who is in court this Febuary after being arrested last July for preaching against the sin of homosexuality on the streets of Somerset. Two homosexuals took offence and made a complaint against him. In may well be the two homosexuals didn't like or agree with what he said but he should still be free to say it. I remember watching a video at 'Yad Vashem' (Holocaust Museum) in which followers of Hitler were shown burning the books of the 'Free thinkers' who didn't line up with 'Nazi theology.' A qoute from an unkown source read "When men burn books it isn't long before they start burning men." In the case of 'Redman versus Bate' a high court Judge ruled that free speech which doesn't offend isn't worth having. I agree. Those who excercise free speech usually understand that some may be offended, while others remain untouched. 'Offence truly is in the mind of the beholder.'

Be Not Faithless, Be Believing.

2011-10-03T18:51:00.003+01:00

I was thinking this morning about Thomas, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. Many will recognise him as 'Doubting Thomas.' We can read about him in John capter 20. Jesus had been crucified and layed in a tomb and his disciples were hiding behind a locked door for fear of a similar fate. The risen Jesus had already been seen but the disciples had a hard time believing it. However the doubts ended when Jesus suddenly appeared in the midst of them. Apart from Thomas who was absent. On returning he famously said he would not believe the resurrection account unless he saw Jesus' pierced hands and side for himself. Jesus waited eight days and granted his request. Thomas then made one of the most important declarations ever recorded in the New Testament he acknowledged Jesus as God "My Lord and my God."
Think about it. Only God is omnipresent. Only God can be invisible and yet have known what Thomas had said eight days earlier. Only God can truly know a mans heart. Perhaps Thomas never doubted at all but rather felt he'd missed out on the big night, after all it would be hard to deny the testimony of ten other close friends. God has shown and continues to show that he is no repector of persons. Any request for a personal encounter with the living God will be granted if the heart is right. That is part of my testimony. God spoke to me ten years ago with that quite, still voice, and changed my life forever. My life was wrong but my heart was searching. Be a Thomas. Dont base your faith solely on the testimony of others, be bold and ask Jesus for your own personal encounter.

Britons Still Oppose Gay Marriage

2011-09-23T05:08:00.004+01:00

National Statistics recent findings suggest 55% believe homosexual marriage is wrong and 75% think adoption by gay couples should not have been allowed nine years ago. Civil partnerships are also on the decline. Lib Dems Equality Minister recently said the UK was a world leader in gay rights however this only applies to a minority of the population. The government commissioned the survey to gage public opinion amidst pressure to align civil partnership with marriage. It would seem this would not be a popular move. Perhaps the stastitics also show that many people are willing to voice their true opinion against homosexuality when done anonomously rather than publicly through fear of being labeled 'bigotted' or 'homophobic.' Interestingly the majority of the population are free to express any opinion on just about any subject without fear of persecution or ridicule unless of course that view is against homosexuality. With the current legislation undermining holy matrimony and the obvious break down of the traditional family surely this report will be welcomed by those who are most concerned.

Disabled But Equal

2011-09-16T15:43:00.004+01:00

I recently received some very sad news of the death of a little boy born with a severe disabilty. His life was short however his parents doted on him. He was much cared for and very much loved. On the back of this a Florida couple have been awarded 4.5 million dollars in compensation because they 'missed the chance' to abort their disabled son. He is now 3 and they argued they they were not given the correct advice. The mother said 'had she known' she would have aborted him. The Bible teaches that every human being is created after the image of God, and is no less valuable to him because of a disabilty. Many treat children like commodoties that can be returned if the product is faulty rather than the precious gift from God that they are. Isn't it true that disabled people have taught the world so much and our lives are much the richer for them. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity to tell you about Ray Comforts new project. Its called 180 and Ray claims he can change a mind set on Pro Abortion in less than 180 seconds. The DVD's for sale for as little as £1 and will be released for sale on the 26th September.

Go to: www.180movie.com

Uk stockist expected to follow shortly at:

www.livingwaters.eu.com

Cornwall Pride?

2011-09-02T11:08:00.003+01:00

August bank holiday saw the 4th annual Cornwall Pride event in the county city of Truro. On its official web-site there is this link with the heading 'Healthy Gay Cornwall' and the following description....' Healthy Gay Cornwall provides a range of services to improve the sexual, physical and mental well being of men who have sex with men in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.' Visiting the web-site however gives some Interesting statistics. Statistically gay men smoke more, drink more, take more drugs than their hetrosexual counterparts. Gay/bisexual men are known to experience mental health issues in higher numbers than their hetrosexual counterparts. Furthermore statistics have shown that the gay lifestyle can shorten a mans life by up to 20 years. Far from experiencing freedom and liberation many men are being robbed of so much. Paul wrote about those who engage in same sex relations "Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion" Romans 1:27. Sad but so true. It begs the question. Why are the powers that be promoting, and endorsing a lifestyle that is clearly bad for your health? The Bible clearly teaches homosexuality is not God ordained but sinful and is a punisheable offence. God does not warn us about sin becasue he is a kill- joy, he warns us about sin because he knows sinful practices harm us and he wants the best for us. As the writer of Romans so aptly put it "Let God be true and every man a liar, so that you (God) might be proved right whenever you speak." Romans 3:4.

Feral Riots UK

2011-08-12T11:52:00.005+01:00

The word feral has been used many times in the media in the last few days to describe the behaviour of mindless rioting youths. Feral means wild or untamed. Feral comes from the latin root word 'feralis' which means 'belonging to the dead.' The bible teaches that "The wages of sin is death." Not just physical and spiritual death but sin kills where ever it goes. It kills trust and respect in relationships and seperates us from those around us we should be connected to. The bible also teaches that unbelief is a sin. Children are taught the lie from an early age their very reason for being is a accident in nature millions of years ago. This hardly instills a sense of purpose. They are also taught that respect is earned rather than the biblical model which teaches respect comes with title and position. The 5th commandment is honour your mother and your father. All things begin at home. If there is no respect there, there wont be any outside. As the endless debates continue as to the reasons for the riots, and many are being put forward, the obvious one will be convieniantly overlooked. Unhinged sin is the spirit of lawlessness. It is demonic in nature but easily bound by praying saints. Government has its vital part to play but only the church understands that "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the ruleres, against the authorites, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil." This fight can only be won in one position and that is upon ones knees.

Forgiveness

2011-08-03T11:23:00.004+01:00

Jesus often taught on forgiveness. Forgiveness is sometimes hard to talk about. When the sinful women anonointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her tears the Pharisees grumbled. Jesus then reminded them how little they had done for him since he came into their house and how many great things she had done. "Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little" Luke 7:47. Was she a greater sinner than those present? No. The difference was she understood how much she needed to be forgiven. You will often find the greatest labourers for God are those who have been the greatest sinners. They do not labour to earn merit or work for their salvation but understand the depth and width of their sin and the real price Jesus paid. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, had a vision of a island with many people knitting and writing and idling away the time. A few others were furiously labouring to save those perishing in the sea all around them. Sadly it was true then, true at the Pharisees house and true now. At the centre of forgiveness is the word 'give.' It really is that simple.

Hope Or Wishful Thinking

2011-07-26T09:32:00.004+01:00

Whenever a celebrity dies invareably the question arises whether they will go to heaven or not. I remember it well with Michael Jackson, Jade Goodie and now with Amy Whinehouse. Most conversations are based on wishful thinking. They look at their wordly achievements, the songs they sang, the good they did and base a desicion on that. However we dont need to lean on mans opinion concerning the journey into the after life we have it in black and white. The Bible gives us hope not just whishful thinking. Wishful thinking is based on wind swept feathers but hope is based on something more concrete than that. Hope is based on a assurance that you can get hold of. The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ gives us hope that he has power over death. Okay we didn't see it, we weren't there but others were and gave their lives to testify of this amazing event. Two thousand years later the very same power that rose Jesus from the dead continues to bring life to the spiritualy dead. A drug fueled life is surely a sign of dispair and lack of a future vision. Proverbs 13:12 declares "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." The biblical prescription for a sick heart is Jesus Christ. He sanctifies the unholy and creates in us a 'clean heart.' Hope is defined as a 'confident expectation' All believers can be confident that if they put their trust in him and not in their own efforts he will carry them safely through every life changing event that comes their way, even death.

News Of The World

2011-07-09T15:19:00.005+01:00

Sunday sees the last edition of the News Of The World. Many are shocked by the speed of its closure after the ongoing phone hacking scandal. There was another Sunday that saw the heralding of a world news story which has forever changed the lives of millions. However this news story is over 2,000 years old and its importance missed by the majority of the human race...the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He promised his followers that their sadness would be turned to joy and that joy is spreading throughout the world. Never before has anyone ever promised to die for our sins and promise all those who trust in him peace with God and a resurrection from the dead. Good news for the world indeed. It is unlikely that The News Of The World will ever be resurrected and its owner Rupert murdock is I'm sure sad to see the loss of a National Icon. Many others will be glad to see its demise as its exhaltation of slease and scandal has fueled generations to gossip and inuendo. The News of The World has caused the downfall of many a public figure but now it would seem is reaping in full measure all that it has sown. "He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword" Matthew 26:52.

WORLD VIOLENCE

2011-04-03T19:11:00.002+01:00

"The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence" Genesis 6:11. Two characteristics of the Genesis account of the world prior to the flood was great moral depravity and violence. The parallells with today are undisputable as the world news portrays a shocking ammount of violence as if the whole world is errupting like a dormant volcano suddenly awakened and spewing forth. Jesus said prior to his return the times would be "as the days of Noah" and because of his faithfulness God is once again preparing a means of escape from Gods coming judgement. The ark was made of wood and held nails. The cross was made of wood and held nails. The ark had one door. Jesus said he was the door. All the promises of safety and a future are to be found in Christ, just as they were for Noah and his family in the ark. Run to Jesus Christ he is the only Saviour.

TWO MEN AND A BABY!

2011-01-28T10:30:00.004Z

A US supermarket created a storm yesterday after it covered up a magazine showing a picture of Elton John, his civil partner and their baby. Apparently done after a river of complaints from thier customers and presumably to avoid awkard questions from inquisitive youngsters on how two men can possibly have a baby. The move has of course triggered anger amongst gay rights campaigners. This once again highlights gay rights frustration that not all of society is approving of their lifestyle choice. My thoughts went to Adam and Eves attempt to cover their shame and embarrasment with fig leaves (Genesis 3:7). What is worse surely is when you are standing there in your nakedness, unhindered and others position the fig leaves for you! Of course all our attempts to cover our own and the sin of others is futile. The Genesis account informs us that the fig leaves just wouldn't do so "God made coats of skins and clothed them" Genesis 3:21. Of course Gods actions point to Christ and away from mans unacceptable self effort to cover his sin. It was God who provided the first covering for sin in the garden and it was God who provided the last through the sacrificial death of his Son upon the cross. Nothing else will do.

HANDS

2010-10-22T11:11:00.005+01:00

As I woke this morning the Lord asked me “Have you considered the human hand?”

Hands hold a gun which end a life and paints pictures which speak into the lives of millions.

Hands tenderly hold a newborn infant in one room and wield the instruments of death to snatch it from the womb in another.

Hands caress lovingly today, and strike out in anger tomorrow, from the same arms.

Hands write love letters and poetry to shape the heart to do good. They also promote hatred, violence and division.

Hands have fingers which can wag, prod and point in judgement; or used to give direction, affirmation
and peace.

Hands write and play music to help the soul focus on the good, or encourage it to dwell on that which brings iniquity and bondage.

Hands hold pens in Joy with hope to sign in a marriage, and sign out in divorce with sorrow and failure.

Hands where violently stretched out and nailed to a cross so we could be forgiven.

Hands are pressed tightly together to pray, and lifted high to worship.

How will you use your hands today?

Shirley Worden 2010

PRAGMATISM

2010-07-27T20:27:00.003+01:00

Pragmatism is a philosophy created by William James. According to James the truth of an idea had to be tested to prove its validity. Pragmatism boils down to "If it works it must be right." AKA Relatavism. It is the thought behind the 'modernising' of the gospel. However Pragmatism cannot work with Christianity. Jeremiah cries out to God that in his obedience to proclaim His word he is "in derision daily, everyone mocks him" 20:7. Jesus taught that many will follow the crowd, the way which seems right and popular and yet will be destroyed Matthew 7:13-14. God called Ezekiel to a people, with a message, who wouldn't hear him. Paul admitted the gospel message preached was 'foolishness' and a 'stumbling block' to many 1Cor 1:18-23. The Gospel therefore fails the Pragmitism test. Consider the end of Jesus ministry! He surely failed the test of pragmatism! Nethertheless thousands are added to the church daily. Pauls summs it up like this "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise" 1Cor 1:27. To God be the power and the wisdom and the glory. Amen.

Christian Preacher Walks Free

2010-05-14T20:07:00.002+01:00

Common sense and the rule of law have prevailed after charges were dropped against a Christian preacher who said that homosexual conduct is sinful.

Dale Mcalpine, 42, was arrested and hauled before the courts after a homosexual police officer arrested him on 20 April 2010 for saying that homosexuality is going against the word of God. He was held in a cell for several hours before being charged with a public order offence.

Yesterday, 13 May 2010, charges against Mr Mcalpine were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as preaching peacefully that homosexuality is a sin is not against the law. In response to the CPS’s decision, Mr Mcalpine said:

'It's good news. I'm relieved the police and the Crown Prosecution Service have finally seen sense. It was a ridiculous charge and I should never have been arrested in the first place. The whole thing was like fiction. It was surreal.

Wrong Focus

2010-05-08T10:02:00.003+01:00

Many ask "How can a loving God send people to Hell?" This same objector would never question a human judge for his sentencing structure. Indeed often the cry goes forth that he was too soft on the worst offenders. However they ask the hell question because they are focusing on the punishment for the crime rather than the pardon. Perhaps they should ponder in astonishment and wonder at the depth of love God had for humanity that he would send his only Son to die for them so they could walk free from the eternal courts of justice. The question also betrays something else. Mankind is offended that one day his rebellion and crimes against God must be accounted for. From the garden of Eden man has sought to be in charge of his own destiny and yet the realisation that at death God will show who really is in charge is a truth to sharp to bear. This objection farther proves the depravity of his heart. He has placed God in the dock and judged him. He has exalted himself and shown the fear of God is far from him. However there is a remedy for this root of pride...the law. The law will cut him down. Ten blows will show him his folly. Then and only then can his humbled heart reach out for the salvation that is only found through faith in Christ.

UK ELECTION SPECIAL:VOTE KING

2010-04-12T10:30:00.002+01:00

In a short while our nation will be voting for a new government. Many of us will be putting our confidence, our futures, our hopes and dreams into the hands of sinful man. The recent expense scandal has highlighted that many of the men and women who pledged to serve us have realy only been serving themselves. The people in authority we thought we could trust are proving untrustworthy. Many are disillusioned. Where are we to turn? Who are we to put our trust in? Is there anyone who really cares about the common man? YES. His name is Jesus of Nazareth. Two thousand years ago the Son of God did something no other man could do. He died on a cross, willingly taking the punishment you and I deserve for all our wrongdoing. Three days later he rose from the grave. Thus satisfying God's righteous anger against your sin and my sin. He dealt with the sin that seperates us from a Holy God, once and for all, and made a way for us to be made right with Him. Have you lied? Have you stolen? Then you need a Saviour. So this 2010 election put an X in the box for man, but do not be deceived man is limited in what he can do for you. Here is the Kingdom Manifesto in which we implore you to cast your vote for Jesus. Your eternal welfare is at stake. Jesus promises never to leave you or forskae you. Jesus promises to carry your burdens and deliver you from evil. Jesus promises to save you from the wrath of God on Judgement Day. Jesus promises to save you from hell. This is His Kingdom Manifesto. TRUST IN THE KING. DO IT TODAY.

This Easter...

2010-03-20T11:56:00.002Z

This Easter...

"Reach your community for Jesus this Easter

This Easter, people need hope. This Easter, people need to know where true security lies. This Easter, people need to know they are loved and valued."

I received this unoffensive and people pleasing lingo in my e-mail box last year. It’s part of a Christian publicists Easter drive. It pretty much summed up were allot of the professing church where last year. Unfortunately not much has changed for this Easter.

I have an alternative....

"This Easter, people need to be saved. This Easter, people need to know they have broken Gods law, sinned against God and his wrath abides on them. This Easter people need to know without repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ they are doomed to destruction in a place called hell."

This is the message I shall be preaching this Easter and every Easter whilst God gives me breath. But that’s not loving you say! But is it loving to hide from someone the truth of their prediciment before a just and righteous God and to withold the only means by which they might be saved? The Writer of Proverbs agrees, “A true witness delivers souls” Proverbs 14:25. This Easter lets work with Jesus and get into the business of saving souls!

The Character Of God

2010-03-16T20:46:00.002Z

Some say they find it difficult to reconcile the God of the Old Testament with the God of the New Testament, as if he were different. However Gods character is cleary revealed in both and is the same in both. God loves and God hates. God listens and God sometimes closes his ears. He can show forth both mercy and judgment with the same hand. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is to be greatly feared among the nations.

A REAL DILEMMA

2010-02-16T20:13:00.000Z

I have a dilemma for you. A new believer has joined a fellowship in which the leader, a man, has declared himself to be the head of the church on earth. He also receives the title Holy Father and claims the words from his mouth and organisation hold the same authority as if they were from the mouth of God himself. One of his teachings is that faith alone in Christ alone is not sufficient to secure salvation and only members of his organisation who practice their religious works are truly saved. Also thousands of times every day, all over the world representatives of his organisation, claim the mystical power to draw Jesus down from heaven and the ability to offer Him up, his real body and blood , over and over again to atone for the sins of those their present. How should you respond?

The response should be four fold:

Firstly that Christ is the head of the church and anyone claiming that right or privilege is a usurper.
Secondly Jesus taught there is only one heavenly Father , His Father, and we should reserve that title for God the Father alone. Anyone receiving the title Holy Father is therefore going against the teachings of the Son. Thirdly Holy scriptures repeatedly and consistently teach that salvation is an unmerited gift from God, through faith alone in Christ alone, and no end of effort on our part could ever secure it. Furthermore Christ offered himself once, and once only, for the salvation of our souls, and therefore no further sacrifice is required.

Consequently, the fourth and final response must be: WHAT ARE DOING IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH?

Mission To Exeter 13th Feb 2010

2010-02-14T18:26:00.002Z

First city street outreach after an eight week break. It was good to take time out so God could restore me and get me back on track. Its so easy to fall into evangelising on auto pilot which allows little or no room for the Holy Spirit. There were four in the team, myself, Matt, Caroline and Esther. We started off outside the Guildhall in the main street handing out testimonies, New Testaments and tracts and chatting to people. After lunch we moved up the street and Matt and I preached. Caroline and I felt led to prayer walk a circle and claim the space for Jesus. A man approached me during my preaching to ask me if I knew what day it was. He seemed very agitated and grabbed my microphone. He told me it was Chinese New Year and the dragon was coming. As he walked away I repeated over the PA what he had said and declared that the Dragon was allready here!!His name was Satan and his main aim was to take as many people as he could to hell with him!! Unbeknown to us about thirty dragon dancers arrived hoping to perform in the spot we claimed for Jesus. They wisely submitted to the King of Kings and moved down away from the main street. Jesus is Lord.

At midnight last night, the United Kingdom ceased to be a sovereign state

2009-12-01T15:55:00.000Z

We woke up in a different country today. Alright, it doesn’t look very different. The trees still seem black against the winter sun; the motorways continue to jam inexplicably; commuters carry on avoiding eye contact. But Britain is no longer a sovereign nation. At midnight last night, we ceased to be an independent state, bound by international treaties to other independent states, and became instead a subordinate unit within a European state.

Yes, a European state. Take a quick dekko at the definition set out in Article One of the1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States: “The state as a person of international law should possess the following qualifications: (a) a permanent population; (b) a defined territory; (c) government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states.”

Until yesterday, the EU qualified on grounds (a), (b) and (c). Now it has ticked the final box. Under the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force today, it acquires “legal personality”, which gives it the right to sign accords and treat with other states. Nor is this right simply theoretical: the EU now has a foreign minister, a diplomatic corps (the European External Action Service) and 160 overseas embassies.

Until yesterday, the EU could not annex additional policy areas without a new treaty, which needed to be ratified by all its constituent nations. Now, it has the so-called “passerelle” clause, or self-amending mechanism. Parliament, in other words, no longer has the final say on extensions of EU jurisdiction. The EU derives its authority, not from its 27 members, but from its own foundational texts.

Until yesterday, Britain could simply walk out of the EU by abrogating the Treaty of Rome and repealing the 1972 European Communities Act. Henceforth, it will have to go through the secession procedure laid down in Lisbon. In other words – in the minds of Euro-lawyers, at any rate, if not of British constitutionalists – the EU gets to settle the terms on which its members are allowed to leave. Formal sovereignty has been shifted from the national capitals to Brussels.

It is appalling, demeaning, disgraceful that such a thing should have been done without popular consent, and in the absence of the referendum that all three parties had promised. “There’s no point in crying over spilt milk,” you might say. True. But there is every point in mopping it up.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100018459/at-midnight-last-night-the-united-kingdom-ceased-to-be-a-sovereign-state/

Christmas Day Gate Crashers

2009-11-30T11:11:00.003Z

December 25th has been set aside to honour the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. However sadly many want the presents, the food and the drink but they dont want the 'Christ.' They are nothing more than 'Christmas Day Gate Crashers.' They dont know the celebrated host or ever want to. However this indifference isn't just confined to Christmas Day. No, for the rest of the year they enjoy his sunshine, his water and his air that they breathe. The first chapter of Romans sums them up very well; "They know God, they glorify him not as God, neither are they thankful..professing themselves to be wise, they have become fools."

Nov 28th Journal Entry

2009-11-30T10:55:00.002Z

Arrived in Plymouth to find the Christmas shoppers out in force. Trying to find a car parking space was a nightmare. Mat, Esther and I had a problem working out were to set up. At the Place de Brest stood Santa's grotto, by the sun-dial a fairground, and at our other spot by Tesco's metro, a Salvation army brass band in full swing! We decided to go up to the top of the street by the shopping centre were hundreds of shoppers stream in and out of. We were greatly encouraged when others soon joined us and many conversation where had and many tracts handed out. Richard stood on the bench to preach to the passers by. As I preached two police officers walked passed me, gave me a casual glance and continued on. Not one complaint in Plymouth today which was a refreshing change. By mid-afternoon the rain came down and halted play not just for us but also for Argyles game against Barnsley! In Christ alone we leave the judging of the results.

Nov 14th Journal Entry

2009-11-14T17:07:00.002Z

Mission to Exeter. The previous night saw terrible gales and the pressure was on to cancel, however the Lord reminded me we are to obey him and not the Met Office!The wind was gusting in the city centre, so much so, I had to stop when it near blew me off the bench I was standing on. Mat's train was delayed by an hour, but he had a fruitful conversation with a lost soul who was searching, and for that reason turned a negative into a positive. Mat and I preached a strong message of the required repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to escape the coming judgement. A female heckler shouted out "Who gives a **** about God." Which pretty much summed up the attitude of the passers by. However some good conversations were had and about 100 tracts handed out. The Lord also sent a unknown brother to encourage us. Also a unsaved couple known to my husband bumped into me 'once again' as I was preaching. They just happened to be in Exeter shopping. This will now be the third such meeting! He patted me on the back to encourage me which shows the Lord is doing a work in his heart. Yet another 'God ordained encounter.' A good time in all. In Christ alone we leave the judging of the results.

This is what happens when you kick God out of things!

2009-11-06T11:39:00.002Z

DEBAPTISE YOURSELF

2009-11-04T11:53:00.003Z

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Purchase your own Debaptism Certificate here

Please allow seven to ten days for delivery.

The certficate declares:
I ________ having been subjected to the Rite of Christian Baptism in infancy (before reaching an age of consent), hereby publicly revoke any implications of that Rite and renounce the Church that carried it out. In the name of human reason, I reject all its Creeds and all other such superstition in particular, the perfidious belief that any baby needs to be cleansed by Baptism of alleged ORIGINAL SIN, and the evil power of supposed demons. I wish to be excluded henceforth from enhanced claims of church membership numbers based on past baptismal statistics used, for example, for the purpose of securing legislative privilege.”

I found this on the UK Secularist web-site. 100,000 downloads of the certificate is impressive. The arguement of lack of consent is I believe one of the strongest arguements against infant Baptism.

Christians protest at portrayal of Jesus as transsexual woman

2009-11-04T11:41:00.003Z

Protesters wave placards opposing Jesus, Queen of Heaven at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow.

More than 300 Christian protesters demonstrated in the centre of Glasgow last night against a publicly funded play that portrays Jesus as a transsexual woman.

The demonstrators, who waved placards and sang hymns and gospel songs, blocked Chisholm Street for about two hours from 6.30pm as they held a candlelit vigil outside the Tron Theatre where Jesus, Queen of Heaven will run until Saturday.

A ecumenical congregation including Catholics and evangelical Christians voiced their disapproval of the show, which presents Christ as a man who wants to become a woman.

One placard said: “Jesus, King of Kings, Not Queen of Heaven”.

Another stated: “God: My Son Is Not A Pervert”.

The production is part of the Glasgay! arts festival, Scotland’s annual celebration of homosexual culture, which receives funding from Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Arts Council.

After reading this article a thought came to mind. I wonder how many of these protesting Christians have read 'The Shack'(Which portrays God as a women). If they have then what right to do they have too critisize this production?

Oct 31st 2009 Journal Entry

2009-11-01T12:42:00.003Z

I've decided to keep a journal of our outreaches. Here is the first entry. 31st Oct 2009 Outreach to Truro. Mat and Phil did the dead body sketch by the cathedral and I preached on the dangers of Halloween and the responsability of fathers before God to protect their wives and children from spiritual harm. Although opposition was nil (we made petition to the father for favour with shop keepers and police alike) apathy was evident with very little response. Ezekiel 2:7 came to mind: "And you shall speak my words to them, whether they will listen or not, for they are most rebellious." Moved over to the plazza and repeated the dead body sketch. A few curious and listening however apathy reigned there also. A party bus drove past, no doubt collecting revellers for a nights Halloween party. Jesus' words came to mind "As in the days of Noah, they were eating and drinking...and then the end came" Matthew 24:37-39. Mat received a concerned heckler whilst preaching on the inevitabilty of death and Phil Taylor said he really enjoyed the day. Three Bibles taken and four-hundred and fifty tracts given out. Mixed feelings about the day but received a very encouraging word from the Lord on my return. In Christ alone we leave the judging of the results.

UK CLOSE TO BUST

2009-10-15T14:15:00.003+01:00

Britain is in danger of going bust, warns EU
By James Chapman
15th October 2009
Out of money? The EU warns that the UK economy is 'high risk'
Britian's economy was consigned to a list of those at 'high risk' yesterday because of the spiralling national debt. The European Commission issued a humiliating warning that the worsening budget deficit poses 'serious concerns' that the country will be unable to meet future spending commitments, such as pensions.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220508/Britain-danger-going-bust-warns-EU.html#ixzz0U0g0SCBU

Perhaps its time for the UK to pull out of the EU which is for sure the most expensive political club in the world. We are currently paying in £5 billion pounds each year. For what?

Could the legacy of are involvement in the EU mean a broken Britian? Destroyed financially, socially and politically.

Only God can help us now.

Shocking Facts Regarding Administration of Cervical Jab

2009-09-30T11:01:00.001+01:00

Earlier this year, it emerged that 2,118 schoolgirls in the UK have experienced health problems after being given the jab. Side effects range from rashes and fainting, to convulsions, heart palpitations and even paralysis. One girl in Liverpool has spent nearly six months in a wheelchair after becoming paralysed following the jab.

These figures come from the Government's own pharmaceutical watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which monitors reports from GPs and hospitals of reactions to drugs and vaccines.

In May, Crispin Blunt, the shadow minister for Home Affairs, also raised concerns about the vaccines in the House of Commons. He cited the case of Rebecca Ramagge, a schoolgirl in his Reigate constituency who had fallen ill shortly after her first injection of Cervarix.

He said: 'Over the full course of the three injections, Rebecca has gone from being a healthy sports-loving teenager and tournament level tennis player to being crippled by chronic fatique syndrome, unable to attend school regularly and in need of help with basic tasks such as walking and eating because of the exhaustion and muscular pain from which she is now suffering.'

Rebecca suffered serious joint pain after her first injection in September 2008. Yet she went on to receive the two follow-up jabs at school as well.

Worryingly, her family doctor was never told about the jabs - and was unable to link her deteriorating condition to the vaccine. It was only after Rebecca was referred to a consultant paediatrician at hospital that her symptoms were identified, according to Mr Crispin, as 'highly consistent with a reaction to the vaccine.'

The consultant was 'astonished' to find that nurses had administered the third jab despite Rebecca complaining of a side effect listed on the Cervarix production information.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1216942/Cervical-cancer-vaccine-programme-chaos-death-schoolgirl-14-hours-jab.html#ixzz0SaBCg2P9

Girl Dies From Cervical Jab

2009-09-29T08:55:00.003+01:00

Yesterday a fourteen year old girl dropped dead at her school within an hour of receiving the cervical cancer jab. What is shocking is the continued pressure being put on parents and pupils by the government to continue with the vaccination programme.

Last night, a fellow pupil gave a dramatic account of how Natalie collapsed.
The 15-year-old girl said: 'We all had the jab today from Year Nine to the sixth form.
'About an hour after having the jab Natalie went really pale and wasn't breathing. I think it was around lunchtime.
'She fainted in the corridor. I saw ambulance men pumping her chest then the teachers told us to go outside.
'A lot of people were crying afterwards and we were all very worried.
'We have to have three of the jabs in all and a lot of us don't want to take the rest, but they're telling us we have to because there will be sideeffects if we don't have them all.'

Let us be clear cervical cancer is still rare and the virus which causes it is sexually transmitted. Therefore the more sexual partners you have the greater the risk.

My heart breaks for those who are literally being used as guinea pigs in an evil game of social engineering.

Be warned to submit to the pressure to have this jab could literally cost you you daughters life!

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1216714/Schoolgirl-14-dies-given-cervical-cancer-jab.html#ixzz0STofnRKS

AN ALL KNOWING GOD

2009-08-28T11:40:00.002+01:00

'Jesus therefore, knowing ALL things that should come upon him...'John 18:4. The Gospel accounts make it clear that we serve an ALL knowing God. Jesus knew (had forknowledge) of every single event in his life. He knew he would die, why he would die and how he would die. He knew why he came and where he was going. If Jesus has all knowledge of himself and believers are IN him, his body, then what an assurance we have! Jesus knows every finite detail about you. He knows your going down and your rising up. He knows your thoughts, your reasoning and most of all your heart. He promises that if you cleave to him and his word he will not only number your steps but also direct them. Not only has he numbered the hairs on your head he has also counted your every heart beat. Having now recieved this knowledge how could you ever fear your future again?

Peter Tatchell To Lead Gay Pride 2009

2009-08-06T10:56:00.001+01:00

Leading gay and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell will be appearing at Cornwall Pride, the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender festival for Cornwall, which will take place in Truro on Saturday 8 August.

Tatchell has been a vocal campaigner on equality and rights issues for over 30 years. He is best known for attempting to citizen’s-arrest the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe in 1999 and 2001 over alleged human rights abuses. In May 2009 Tatchell was held by authorities in Moscow following his support for a gay rights march in that city to coincide with the Eurovision song contest.

This is the first appearance by Tatchell at a Cornwall Pride event, but he is no stranger to controversy in the county, having previously called for increased self-rule for Cornwall and its own parliamentary assembly.

Tatchell will be leading the Cornwall Pride parade through Truro, leaving from Lemon Quay at 11am. He said: "I am looking forward to attending Cornwall Pride. I hope that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people from all over Cornwall will join me on 8 August in Truro, and bring your straight friends too because it’s going to be a fabulous party day for all the people of Cornwall.”

Truro's Split Welcome

2009-07-27T08:37:00.003+01:00

Had a interesting day in Truro on the 25th July preaching the gospel with John Steele from Sheffield and Matt Rolfe from Plymouth. However the responses from the two areas we preached in was significant. We spent two hours in the Plaza. Handing out tracts and speaking to people. Many Christians came over to be encouraged and to encourage. The CT Prayer Tent was there handing out free Bibles as well and offered us all refreshment. A very pleasent two hours. We then decided to shift to the Cathedral. There were many Macmillian volunteers with buckets collecting money who made it clear they didn't want us anywhere near them. We obliged and moved across the road but they still called the police. The police were fantastic and stood with us as they upheld our right to continue preaching. Apparently they were angry because they were 'on commission' and we were stopping people from giving them money!
A couple of the workers came up to John square on to tell him what they thought of him. John was visibaly shook up with one man who was absolutely raging at him and we were worried his anger might have caused him a heart attack. On leaving a 'Christian' approached me to tell me what we were doing was 'disgusting' and we'll never win anyone like that. The antagonism at the preaching of the gospel is still as evident as it was in Jesus' day. This is the first rule any street worker must reconcile himself with if he is ever to continue in the work he has been called. Another guy approached me as I was talking to the police and asked me were the nearest restaurant was as I seemed to have 'All knowledge.' The police officer obliged him with the information. Another elderly guy who regulary plays a eletric violin, out of tune, in the town for loose coins approached us and asked the police officer if there was anything they could do to get rid of us! The next time your in Truro look out for life size Hindu painted cow which is now standing in the cathedral close!

BUY TWO GET ONE

2009-07-23T15:21:00.003+01:00

The Church of England unveils a two-in-one wedding and baptism liturgy today as it seeks to make peace with families “living in sin”.

The “hatch-and-match” service allows couples to baptise their children after the wedding ceremony. Parents can even get baptised themselves.

The aim is to encourage cohabiting parents to marry as the Church tries to become more relevant to the way people live their lives, but critics said that it appeared to sanction having children out of wedlock. One bishop described the idea as “nutty”. The liturgy, costing £272, is being sent out to dioceses and parish clergy today. The Times Today.

Bloggers Comment: Never, not once are we instructed by God to change his word to fit sin. Quite the opposite is true. We are taught that we must conform to his will, not ours. The Bible teaches that if we repent and put our faith in Jesus, his blood will wash away our sins. Past, present and future. This once again shows that the C of E is about serving man rather than upholding the word of God.

Alex Carlyle wrote:
I think most people commenting on this story are missing the picture. It's not about faith, or love or even religion.It's about getting more cash in!
Think about it, the church charges say £150 per wedding (plus extra for anciliaries) and £100 for christenings. Some people will be put off as they have an "illigitimate" child, some people will be put off because they aren't Christians themselves.
So the Church brings this in. They can now increase revenues through greater numbers of weddings, and also why not throw in a christening! There'll be some synergies there - an even greater cash saving/money making idea!!!!!
Please, we may not believe in your god, but that doesn't make us ignorant...

Yvonne Rautenbach wrote:
'buy one get one free', 'buy one get one half price' or for some maybe even 'buy two and get one free' ! Will the church start giving points on a bonus card?

Tony wilson wrote:
With Church funds so depleted, this rationalisation is a great idea. Why not have a divorce lawyer on hand too so the normal life cycle can be completed in one fell swoop. Adding a funeral service at this stage might be a bit premature, although...?

Michael Jacksons Real Cause Of Death (Official)

2009-07-21T08:21:00.002+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOxSAnnoI3E

Evangelistic Funeral Resources

2009-07-18T08:11:00.006+01:00

Suprisingly out of the thousands of hits I get on my web-site every month the most visited page is my funeral resources page. Search requests such as 'How do I prepare a funeral for the unsaved?' 'Words to say at a funeral of an unsaved person?' are regulary googled. Please take the time to have a look as you may find the resources very helpful or be able to point others to them. On the page you will find a funeral outline to preach, funeral tracts and a excellent recording of a sermon preached at someones funeral. For me preaching at a funeral has become difficult because so many have abondened the gospel. In an effort to remove any offence the congregation are 'soothed sayered' and leave the service still ignorant of the way of salvation. Funeral sermons should always be directed at the living.

http://www.cornwallmission.org.uk/page20.html

British Lords Back Free Speech Protection in ‘Hate Crimes’ Law

2009-07-17T12:19:00.002+01:00

LONDON, UK - The Government has been defeated in the House of Lords over its attempt to repeal a free speech protection from a sexual orientation ‘hatred’ law.

Peers voted by 186 to 133 to keep the protection in place. The matter will be passed back to the House of Commons where Members of Parliament voted for repeal. The protection makes clear that criticising homosexual conduct or encouraging people to refrain from such conduct is not a crime.

The Government says the protection is not necessary, insisting that the ‘homophobic hatred’ offence would not catch the expression of such beliefs. But several members of the House of Lords were concerned about incidents of Christians being challenged by the police because of their beliefs on sexual ethics.

Pagan PCs to get time off to celebrate Halloween and summer solstice (and have their own support group)

2009-07-17T09:02:00.002+01:00

Witches, druids and followers of the Norse gods in police forces throughout the country have persuaded the Home Office to let them set up a support group. The Pagan Police Association will help officers who cast spells and join midnight rituals to fit their beliefs around their police work(Daily Mail 17th July). A spokesman said: 'The Government wants a police service that reflects the diverse communities it serves. It is down to individual forces to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the religion or beliefs of individual officers.' It turns out some forces are already making provision for the very special needs of those who follow unorthodox religions. Hertfordshire PC Andy Pardy, who says he is a Heathen and worships Norse gods, is granted eight Pagan holidays a year, including Hallowe'en and the Summer Solstice.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1200220/Wheres-PC-Pagan-Hes-Summer-Solstice-Sarge-.html#ixzz0LVBK3lVg

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1200220/Wheres-PC-Pagan-Hes-Summer-Solstice-Sarge-.html#ixzz0LVB7HgU3

Jackson Dead

2009-06-26T10:50:00.003+01:00

Thousands are voicing disappointment as Michael Jacksons planned 50 night UK Tour 'This is it' is now cancelled. However no-one is blaming Michael. The pop star died of an unexpected heart attack last night at his Los Angeles home. I was thinking about all the others who have gone before him unexpectedly...Elvis Presley, James Dean, Princess Diana, Marilyn Monroe, Buddy Holly. The truth is we never know when death will come. The Bible speaks of 3 deaths. Physical death, Spiritual death, and everlasting death. The first death no-one can escape. Physical death is the judgemnt of God against our sin and cannot be avoided. However God in his mercy has provided a means of escape for the other two. We can be resurrected from our spiritually dead position and made spiritualy alive in Christ when we become born-again. And we can receive the gift of everlasting life. Everlasting life cannot be worked for, it is a gift bestowed on Gods Children. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is everlasting life in Christ Jesus" Romans 3:23. Christ Jesus is the only means of escape from spiritual death and Hell.

Jacksons sin was laid out to the whole world when he was arrested twice for sexual assaults on young children. The first case never went to court as the victim and his family were paid off. He was found not-guilty at the second trial against overwhelming evidence of his guilt. I'm sure many will continue to idolise this man after death. Huge merchandise deals will no doubt flood forth. Whatever legacy Jackson might have wanted to leave, God will always have the last word.

Drag Me To Hell

2009-06-19T08:46:00.006+01:00

Drag me to Hell is a terrifying horror movie about a women called Christine who receives a curse from a gypsy. A demon comes to torment her and in three days he will drag her to hell to burn in fire for eternity. Elements of the film are set for humor, however the films content is anything but funny. The film is closer to the truth than anyone would like to think. The Bible teaches that Hell is a real place,
created by God. It is a place of punishment originally intended for Satan and his fallen angels (demons), but now the final destination for billions of lost souls. Jesus taught that it was a place of “Everlasting punishment” (Matthew 5:46) “Weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:46) and “Fire unquenchable” (Luke 3:17). Christine realising she only has hours left visits a fortune teller, psychologist and a medium, but no one can help her. In the final scene the ground beneath her opens up
and demonic arms pull her down into Hell. She tries to crawl out, but to no avail as her flesh burns away in seconds and she screams desperately for help before the ground closes above her and she is damned to suffer for eternity. This is fact: God promises to punish all thieves, liars, blasphemers, murderers and adulterers in Hell. How many times do you have to use Gods name as a cuss word to be a blasphemer?-just one! How many lies do you have to tell to be a liar?-just one! A murderer?-take just one life! Be honest if God judges you by his Holy standard on Judgement Day you’re in big trouble. "For all have sinned” (Romans 3:23). However there is good news-incredibly good news. We deserve judgement, but God offers us mercy through the cross of Jesus Christ. We broke Gods law, but Jesus paid the fine. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). On the third day he rose from the grave proving he was sent by God to save us from our sins. Jesus did this to deal with the sin that separates us from God and to set us free from the curse of the law, so we wouldn’t have to go to Hell. Jesus said that if we repent (turn away from ourselves and sin) and put our faith (trust) in him we will be saved from the wrath to come. Do the opposite to what Christine did, cry out through prayer, in faith, to the only one who can save you, the Lord Jesus Christ. Do it today!

Only marriage can mend broken Britain, says top judge

2009-06-17T11:54:00.003+01:00

Daily Mail 17/06/09 'Marriage should be promoted by the Government to end the 'social anarchy' of family breakdown, a senior judge said last night.
Mr Justice Coleridge accused mothers and fathers who fail to commit to each other of engaging in a game of 'pass the partner' that has left millions of children 'scarred for life'.
In a hard-hitting speech in Parliament, he called for a change of attitude that would attach a 'stigma' to those who destroy family life and said a National Commission should be established to devise solutions for the 'epidemic' of broken homes.
He said: 'The reaffirmation of marriage as the gold standard would be a start.'
Currently, one in three marriages ends in divorce. One in ten children lives with cohabiting parents and a quarter live with a single parent.'

My thoughts on this article are this: If you believe as I do that God instituted holy matrimony and sustains those things he has put in place then it is our nations turning away from God that has caused the problem. Divorce and family breakdown are therefore merely a symptom of this turning away. It is a turning back to God that will mend broken Britian not just a governmental rethink on marriage.

Never before have Church leaders been needed to publicly speak out for righteousness (that which is right). But where are they?

Swine Flu Latest

2009-06-13T11:22:00.004+01:00

The World Health Organization has raised its swine flu alert to Phase 6, indicating that a global pandemic is underway. It is the first time in over 40 years that a flu pandemic has been declared.

The move to Phase 6 reflects the geographic spread of the virus and does not suggest any change in its severity. Of the 29,000 cases that have been recorded across 74 countries, the majority have not been severe. However, 145 people have died from the virus.

Mad cows disease, Foot and Mouth disease, bird flu and now swine flu all within ten years. Do you think God's trying to tell us something? "When he opened the fourth seal I looked and behold a pale horse. And power was given to him over a quarter of the earth to kill with the sword and with hunger AND WITH THE BEASTS OF THE EARTH" Revelation 6:8.

What we are seeing I believe is only the rumblings, a quickening, a foretaste of what is coming upon the earth. There is a difference between Gods Judgement and Gods wrath. Gods judgement is his MERCY upon people to show them somethings wrong and they need to repent. Gods wrath is an outpouring of his anger against sin.

Please read afresh Revelation chapter six through to to the end. You will see the wrath of God revealed against all unrighteousness of men. Gods final judgement has been delayed for the lost to take up the offer of a pardon. However Jesus taught one day the door to salvation will be shut and the wrath of God will come.

How often do WE feel outraged at sin. The millions of aborted babies? Child molesters? Imagine how God feels. Gods 'pay back' time is fast approaching. We need to continue to warn the lost they need to come into the ark, which is Jesus Christ. He is the only means by which they must be saved.

Free One Day Abortion Giveaway

2009-06-12T11:08:00.002+01:00

Philadelphia, PA (LifeNews.com) -- An abortion business in Pennsylvania is drawing criticism or giving away free abortions on Tuesday in honor of slain late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller. The Philadelphia Women's Center said the free abortions were meant to show appreciation for Tiller, who was allegedly killed by extremist gunman Scott Roeder.

Town Hall columnist Jillian Bandes said a staff member at the abortion center said an unspecified number of free abortions were done yesterday for Tiller's “memory and legacy.”

Operation Rescue president Troy Newman condemned the free abortions and said they only injured women and killed children.

"There seems to be no comprehension of the value of human life with these people. Killing babies for free to honor someone who was murdered can only be described as sick," he told LifeNews.com.

"There is no such thing as a 'free abortion,'" said Newman. "It costs the life of an innocent baby and puts the women at risk for increased problems in their lives. The loss of each innocent life diminishes us all."

Baptism at Tremor... More Photos

2009-06-07T18:57:00.008+01:00

Click on image to view full size

Esthers Baptism at Tremor Manor

2009-06-07T18:40:00.006+01:00

Click on picture to see it in full size

Esther baptised today June 7th 2009 aged 10. Also baptised with her 5 others. The ladies face speaks a thousand words. "And the Lord adds to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:47

Using Fear In Evangelism

2009-06-03T07:18:00.006+01:00

Recentley we decided to use a replica coffin with the scripture "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement" on the streets of Exeter. We were approached by various well meaning but ignorant Christians who accused us of being unloving. The premise being its wrong to stimulate and play on peoples fears. Have you seen a packet of cigarettes lately! I mean it. The have these graffic pictures on the front of them, throat cancers, lung cancers, arterial disease. The idea being that looking at the photo will produce fear in the smoker who will then as a result quit. Fear is regulary used as a tool by the government to induce a change of behaviour in the population. Think about the horrific drink driving ads at Christmas, or the terrifying aids ads of the eighties.

I looked up fear of God in the concordance: It is a reverence for God and his power which leads to obedience. In aother words Gods awesome power has become a reality to you, in so much, that it has induced a change of behaviour in which you now want to follow him in obedience. "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" Ecc 12:13.

It is clear even from a casual look in a concordance that God has and continues to use fear to bring about his purposes. "Through fear of the Lord men depart from evil" is beautifuly illustrated by Jesus in the following parable, were he encourages his hearers to stay away from sin. "If your eye offends you, pluck it out: it is better for you to eneter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire" Mark 9:47. He instructed his Disciples to "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" Matt 10:28. What greater incentive to stay away from sin could we need?

God sent Jonah to Nineveh with a message of judgement "Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destoyed." Through fear of the Lord a whole city repented and was saved by Gods amazing grace. Okay it doesn't always go to plan. Paul shared his faith with the noble Felix in Acts 24:25 and reasoned with him about judgement to come. Although Felix 'trembled' he sent Paul away, remaining as much as we can tell unconverted.

Barnes' commentary on Jude 23 summs up the type of people who are won by fear: "And others save by fear, pulling them out of the fire." And others - Another class; those who were of such a character, or in such circumstances, that a more bold, earnest, and determined manner would be better adapted to them.Save with fear - That is, by appeals adapted to produce fear. The idea seems to be that the arguments on which they relied were to be drawn from the dangers of the persons referred to, or from the dread of future wrath. It is undoubtedly true, that while there is a class of persons who can be won to embrace religion by mild and gentle persuasion, there is another class who can be aroused only by the terrors of the law. Every method is to be employed, in its proper place, that we “by all means may save some.” Pulling them out of the fire - As you would snatch persons out of the fire; or as you would seize on a person that was walking into a volcano. Then, a man would not use the mild and gentle language of persuasion, but by word and gesture show that he was deeply in earnest.

Hebrews 2:15 tells us that all are subject to bondage through fear of death. However Jesus defeated the power of the grave and now offers eternal life to all those who come to him. So yes, fear of death, or rather the will to live, is an often overlooked, but valid tool for reaching the lost. If you take the average age of death as seventy and you are twenty you have two thousand-five hundred weekends left. You then loose five hundred weekends every ten years that goes by. If you're sixty you have only five hundred weekends left. Charles Spurgeon said "Men have been helped to live by remembering that they must die." Fear of death should cause the lost to run for the cure, and the saved to offer it. amen.

330 Salvations in 4.5 hours - including Buddhists, Muslims, Spiritualists and atheists!

2009-06-01T11:02:00.002+01:00

This is the claim being made by a group of evangelists from The River church Exeter, after their soulwinning outreach this Saturday. My heart would be rejoicing if these are indeed true converts to Christs. However I'm doubtful, firstly because I have read their soul winning script and secondly I bumped into one of the Atheist converts they are claiming. Yes you have guessed it we were also in Exeter that day as part of our preaching intinery. Four of us worked for four hours and didn't see one soul saved. On the surface it would seem we are failing in our methods and maybe need to change the way we do things. Or perhaps its simpler than that. It is my understanding that River Church would class a soul saved because someone has repeated
a prayer, and for me this is the problem. This leads nicely back to the Atheist false convert. I met him in the afternoon after I approached him with a tract about Athiesm (God is good). At first he refused believing it to be a Christian tract. However we got into a conversation about sin, righteousness and judgement to come. He kept repeating to me his unbelief so after a long conversation with him and his friend I offered to pray for him. It was then he told me he had already been prayed for that day by two Christians in the town who had taken him through a script. His name was Luke. Praise God I was given the opportunity to explain to him the Biblical way of salvation. Why heart grieves for any lost precious soul who now believes he is a Christian because he repeated a pre-prepared prayer. False converts are a Biblical fact and because of the reality of hell I shall forever keep this in mind. It may well be a few of the number they are claiming will go on to bear fruit for the Kingdom. However I believe it will be despite their method not because of it! I recommend Paul Washer teaching on the dangers of decisional evangelism, here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shxQcczYuAA.

Came back rejoicing

2009-05-23T20:00:00.003+01:00

Had a fantastic day preaching the gospel in Plymouth today. Last Saturday everything was against us and its sooo easy to become discouraged, but praise God who has shed his love abroad in our hearts. As we move around Plymouth there are many buskers, entertainers and the like. All of them have PA's blasting out. But you've guessed it the moment we put on our puny 15 watt PA which is the size of a corn flake packet someone complains. Its usually a shop keeper. I wouldn't be suprised if its the same one! The police approach ask us to turn it down. Of course we oblige wanting to keep the peace but its so unfair!!!!I've preached without a PA and they still complain. The truth is they dont want to hear what your saying however or whatever vehicle you choose to say it through. Praise God we still have freedom of speach and the church still retains many rights concerning open air worship and preaching. I've got quite friendly with a Community police officer who prides herself in being fare unfortunatly it was her day off today. Next time I see her I shall take it up with her. As with any right, sometimes you have to protest loudly when you think that right is being compromised. We are to be people of faith and courage. Of course we know Christians will always be the underdog but as the saying goes, every dog will have his day, he who barks loudest etc. I heard a fantastic joke last night. Some one walked into a club, which looked good on the outside, but when they entered it was anything but good. When he protested to his friend of his judgement of the pleasant exterior of the building his friend said "Thats what the Christians thought about the Coliseum." Sometimes we have to look behind the reactions of others and see there hatred for Christians and there deep seated passion to throw us to the lions!!!God is good and IN HIM we trust. Amen.

One world religion in Cornwall to be set in concrete

2009-05-20T10:48:00.004+01:00

Leaders of most of the religious faiths in Cornwall met last week to discuss a project to build a inter-faith centre where all of them could meet. The buildings name 'Dor Kemmyn' is Cornish for common ground. Representatives from the Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Pagan, Buddhist, Bahai religions and Anglican Bishop Tim were all present. Plans are afoot for a stand promoting the project at this years Royal Cornwall Show and a faith walk this September. The interfaith movement recognizes that God is present in every religion. Apparently this is the common ground they meet on. However this statement is seriously flawed. Just a casual look into the beliefs and practices of these world religions will quickly reveal they are certainly not worshipping the same God. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO MAN comes to the father, but by me" John 14:6. "Through him we have access to the father" Eph 2:18."For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" 1Tim 2:5. This truth is foundational to the Christian faith. If Jesus is the way to God and the only way then all other ways are wrong. How then can someone proffessing to be a Christian agree to take part in such a worthless excercise? Spurgeon said that lack of concern for the salvation of souls was a sure sign of a false conversion. I believe he is right. A true Christian could never withold the very means of salvation to his neighbour if he truly cared for his eternal well being. We are called to preach the gospel to all nations and make followers of Jesus. This surely is the most loving and unifying thing we can ever do.

True Revival

2009-05-19T15:49:00.002+01:00

"Old-fashioned, Spirit-filled, Christ-honouring, sin-hating, soul-winning, Bible preaching! It is the hope of the church! It is the hope of the nation! It is the hope of the world!" -Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001). When the spirit and the word come together...then we will have revival. At the moment there is a famine for Gods word in the land and yet the Bible has never been so easily obtained. But the spirit is brooding. God is raising up many in this hour with the faithfulness of John the Baptist, with the spirit of Elijah, with the power of pentecost to preach Gods word with boldness. They wont give up, shut up, or lie down. They will be hated of all nations and yet to the nations they must go. Nameless faces who look not for the glory of man but for God's name to be gloryfied. They will receive supernatural provision, supernatural strength and supernatural endowement. Let it be.

How To Avoid Swine Flu

2009-05-05T10:56:00.003+01:00

Millions of leaflets will be deposited through the nations letterboxes over the next few days instructing us on how to avoid swine flu. One of the instructions on the leaflet will be to wash your hands after sneezing or coughing. This advice can be found first given hundreds of years ago, before the age of science, yes you've guessed it...The Bible! Had any taken heed of this advice many millions of lives could have been saved during the black plague! Arturo Castiglione wrote about the overwhelming importance of this biblical medical law: ‘The laws against leprosy in Leviticus 13 may be regarded as the first model of sanitary legislation’ (A History of Medicine)." It would seem the publicity this bug is getting is not being matched in casulaty numbers. Perhaps the scientific community know something we dont? However Jesus warned us that before his return perilous times would come and rumours would abound. The only sure way to avoid it is to avoid ALL human contact which for many of us is impossible. I for one shall not be rushing out for a face mask!

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROYAL ALBERT BRIDGE, SALTASH

2009-05-03T15:18:00.003+01:00

This weekend the people of Cornwall and Plymouth will celebrate 150 years since the official opening by Prince Albert in 1859 of the Saltash rail bridge. The bridges engineer I.K. BRUNEL 1859 appear in large metal letters on either end of the bridge, added as a memorial after his death on 5 September 1859. The bridge provided the vital first railway link between Cornwall and the rest of the country. Nearly two thousand years ago God engineered a plan that would bridge the great divide between lost sinners and himself. He sent his Son to die on a cross to be the spirtual bridge of reconciliation. The work cost him his life and it costs to cross it. It's more than a pound, nothing less than the surrendering of ones life to him who surrendered all from mankind. On the Tamar bridge which sits beside it, on the Cornish side, is found Plymouth Cities coat of arms and motto "The name of Jehovah is a strong tower." There are many who are running into it and finding safety and shelter. Let us continue to proclaim the Son of God as the bridge to the people of Cornwall and Devon and believe by faith that many will choose to take that first step of faith, and crossover from death to life.

3 Greatest Sins Of Mankind

2009-05-01T12:21:00.005+01:00

There are three great sins committed by mankind, before God which rise up like a bad smell to his nostrils. The first great sin is the sin of UNBELIEF. Unbelief manifests in an attitude of mind which says "My way not your way." You have clearly revealed your truth to me God, but I shall find another way. It is not that the unbeliever cannot believe for God has given to ALL men a measure of faith. It is that they WILL not believe and therefore choose to put their faith in something else. The second great sin is the sin of INDIFFERENCE. Indifference manifests itself in coldness toward God and his people. The heart has a big sign saying 'Shut Door.' Again it is not that the indifferent cannot love but rather chooses not to. The greatest love, the love God shows is 'agape.' The love of action, shown ultimatly in the cross, yet many respond with deadness of heart. Love is a command and the greatest command is to love God with all the heart, soul, mind and strength. When God gives us a command we must also believe he has also given us the ability to obey it or it would be a worthless command. The third greatest sin is REBELLION. Rebellion manifests itself in refusal to obey Gods commands, in part or in fulness. 'My will, not Gods will.' The rebellious soul will not accept Gods absolute authority or rule over them. God is looking for a relationship but with rules attached to it! This is why Jesus placed such importance on submission to God and his ways as a sign of our love for him. "If you love me you shall obey my commands." When we share Christ we must also be aware of these three sins. All three must be repented of and forsaken. Unfortunatly we have many proffessing Christians who have not dealt with one or all of these three sin issues. We have unbelieving believers, cold hearted fellowships and open rebellion of Gods commandments. The proffessing church has now taken on so much of the world in thought, deed and action it is becoming hard to tell them apart! Let us prayer for one another that in this hour we shall redeem the fallen through the power of the gospel and through the ministry and power of the word, constantly check our walk.

PC or BC?

2009-04-28T10:58:00.003+01:00

Carrie Prejean, Miss Calafornia, lost her chance to gain her most sought after prize to remain biblicaly correct. She was topped to win a national contests and only five questions stood in the way of her receiving the title Miss America. Unfortuntaly for her, one of the questions given by Judge Perez Hilton, an open gay, was her thoughts on gay marriage. She decided to follow her conscience and declare her Christian beliefs in one man to one women union. “In my country, and in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman,” Miss California said at Sunday night’s Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas. It is believed by many that her frank answer probally cost her the crown. She finished the contest as first runner up. Same sex marriage is high on the agenda at the moment in the USA as individual states are voting on whether to legalise civil partnerships. Her comments on National TV have certainly stirred up a hornets nest. Miss Prejean, now labeled as a 'gay hater' is unmoved. She believes she did the right thing by following her own conscience. Many agree the controversial question was loaded and that her religious persuasion was known by the judge. Whatever your feelings on beauty pageants you have to admire the young lady for her gutsy faith. It is my opinion that political correctness for Christians is nothing other than compromise. We must always be Bilicaly correct, no matter what it costs us.

Why Did Jesus Have To Die? Its Good To Be Reminded.

2009-04-10T17:52:00.002+01:00

Contrary to popular belief, the Jews didn’t crucify Jesus, nor did the Romans. They
may have played a role in the physical crucifixion of Jesus, but the fact is YOUR sins were the reason Jesus willingly suffered and died on the Cross. What is sin? Sin is the breaking of Gods holy law, the ten commandments. Do you think you have kept the ten commandments? Have you ever lied? Stolen anything? Used Gods name as a cuss word? Looked with lust? Hated anyone? If you have said yes to the above then by your own admission you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterous, murderer at heart and we’ve only looked at five of the ten commandments! On the day of judgment, when you stand before your creator, do you think you will be found innocent or guilty of breaking his commandments? If you are honest you would say guilty and admit your sins make you deserving of hell. But here’s the good news. This is not Gods will for you. “For God so loved the world, he sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16. This is the reason Jesus died, to pay your fine with his own blood so you wouldn’t have to go to hell. He then rose from the dead three days later proving he was God. Now if you repent (turn from your sin) and trust in Jesus as your only means of salvation, you will be saved from hell and receive the free gift of everlasting life. Jesus also promises never to leave you or forsake you. Shouldn’t you make peace with God right now? Pray something like this: “Lord Jesus I admit I’m a sinner. Thank you for taking the punishment for my sins. Please forgive me. I Surrender my life to you right now and receive you as my Lord and Saviour.” Amen

This Easter...

2009-04-08T16:26:00.002+01:00

Reach your community for Jesus this Easter

This Easter, people need hope. This Easter, people need to know where true security lies. This Easter, people need to know they are loved and valued.

I received this unoffensive, people pleasing and policitical correct lingo in my e-mail. It’s part of a Christian publicists Easter drive. It pretty much sums up were allot of the professing church is at the moment.

I have an alternative...

This Easter, people need to be saved. This Easter, people need to know they have broken Gods law, sinned against God and his wrath abides on them. This Easter people need to know without repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ they are doomed to destruction in a place called hell.

This is the message I shall be preaching this Easter and every Easter whilst God gives me breath. But that's not loving you say! But is it loving to hide from someone the truth of their prediciment before a just and righteous God and to withold the only means by which they might be saved? The Writer of Proverbs 14:25agrees, “A true witness delivers souls.” This Easter lets work with Jesus, not aginst him, and get into the business of saving souls!

OBAMA YOUTH

2009-03-30T10:42:00.007+01:00

The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act (GIVE)

President Obama has called on Congress to create new opportunities for Americans to build a stronger country by helping students perform better in school, prepare Americans for green and innovative 21st century jobs, rebuild cities in times of disaster, improve communities and much, much more. This legislation answers his call.

On March 18th, the House passed the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act, H.R. 1388 - legislation that launches a new era of service that will give Americans of all ages an opportunity to invest through service in our nation's recovery. The “GIVE” act, would require the US government to develop a plan to implement a “MANDATORY service requirement for all able young people”.

Many Americans are calling this forced unpaid labour (SLAVERY) but the really interesting part is the people and organisations which will be excludued!!!!

SEC. 1304. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE
ORGANIZATIONS.

Section 125 (42 U.S.C. 12575) is amended to
read as follows:

`SEC. 125. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE
ORGANIZATIONS.

`(a) Prohibited Activities- A participant in
an approved national service position under this
subtitle may not engage in the following activities:
....(7) Engaging in religious instruction,
conducting worship services, providing instruction as
part of a program that includes mandatory religious
instruction or worship, constructing or operating
facilities devoted to religious instruction or
worship, maintaining facilities primarily or
inherently devoted to religious instruction or
worship, or engaging in any form of religious
proselytization.

DISCRIMINATION OR WHAT!!!!!!!!!

A concerned American wrote: Do you think our “government” really knows the difference between the words “volunteer” and “mandatory”?
If this bill gets passed, do you think they’ll rename this something like “Obama Youth”?…if we want to follow history that is. This bill would be abusing America’s youth just like Hitler did before and during WWII. Some of the activities being described above are very similar to the Hitler Youth program.
I thought we were supposed to LEARN from history. Is OUR government really willing to take the same path?

Another writes: Have you seen what a person “volunteering under this act would be giving up? They would be giving up the right to vote, the freedom of religion, the freedom to protest, and so many more!

The American people are right to be concerned!!!

Jade Goody's Christening

2009-03-08T13:54:00.003Z

On Saturday 7th March Jade Goody went through a religious ceremony conducted by the Anglican church in which she now believes she can enter heaven at her death. My heart goes out to her becasue if she is genuinly seeking reconcilliation with God she has probally be duped. The Bible is clear we cannot be reconciled to God through ANY religious ceremony however spiritual it may seem. The Bible clearly lays out salvation as coming about through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. Christenings can be viewed as a dead 'Work' rather than a faith experience. I have been to many christenings in which unbelievers have had their children baptised. One such christening was conducted even though the father made it quite clear he was a unbeliever. The Vicar apparently replied that it didn't matter. The ceremony includes promises that God has not made, such as the child receiving the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit and becoming a member of Christs body, at the moment of baptism. God will not be mocked. If Jade is genuinely seeking salvation then God promises to meet that need, however if all she is seeking is a quick fix in the last moments of her life then she is in for a big shock.

This Easter?

2009-02-27T08:04:00.005Z

Reach your community for Jesus this Easter

This Easter, people need hope. This Easter, people need to know where true security lies. This Easter, people need to know they are loved and valued.

I received this unoffensive and people pleasing lingo in my e-mail box today. It's part of a Christian publicists Easter drive (CPO). It pretty much sums up were allot of the professing church is at the moment.

I have an alternative....

This Easter, people need to be saved. This Easter, people need to know they have broken Gods law, sinned against God and his wrath abides on them. This Easter people need to know without repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ they are doomed to destruction in a place called hell.

This is the message I shall be preaching this Easter and every Easter whilst God gives me breath. But that's not loving you say! But is it loving to hide from someone the truth of their prediciment before a just and righteous God and to withold the only means by which they might be saved? The Writer of Proverbs agrees, "A true witness delivers souls" Proverbs 14:25.

Vacant Chair 666

2009-02-26T12:22:00.002Z

I found this report on Ian Paisleys oficial web-site. As he is a member of the E.U this report can be viewed as credible. The report is a few years old and I have been unable to verify whether this vacant seat still stands. Security measures does not alow a seating plan to be available to the general public.

The Vacant Seat Number 666 in the European Parliament

Report on the opening of the Fifth Elected Parliament of Europe in Strasbourg and its occupancy of the new Parliament Buildings.
Ian R.K: Paisley, M.P., M.E.P.

The recently elected Fifth Parliament of Europe met on Tuesday, 20th July, 1999, in its new glass building which cost the taxpayers of Europe an as yet uncalculated sum of billions of Pounds. The first meeting, due to begin at 10.00 a.m., did not start until 10.30 because the amplification system, which cost millions of Pounds, was defective. No doubt more defects in this Crystal Palace will be manifested in the days to come.

Incidentally, the Members of the European Parliament had no say whatsoever in where the building was to be located, what its design was to be, what amount of money was to be spent on it, or how it was to be furnished. The French Government forced it both upon Members of Parliament and upon the Governments of European Union countries, Germany and the United Kingdom being made to foot the exorbitant bill. These two countries are Europe's pay slaves.

The prophetic significance of the European Union has been revealed as the saga unfolds. [See our two articles on "The Conspiracy behind the European Union".] First, the sign which it chose as its symbol was the Woman riding the Beast. This comes from a prophecy in Revelation 17. The depiction of the harlot woman was reproduced on the centenary stamp of the European Union, in a huge painting in the Parliament's new building in Brussels, and by a huge sculpture outside the new E.U. Council of Ministers Office in Brussels. The new European coinage, the Euro, bears the same insignia. The Tower of Babel has been used on the posters emanating from Europe – a truly suggestive prophetic sign.

Now, a massive Crystal Palace tower (officially called the Tower Building) houses the Fifth Parliament of Europe.

It is certainly a building of the Space Age. The seats of its massive hemicycle are designed like the crew seats in the Star Trek space machines. There are 679 of them – but wait for it! While these seats are allocated to Members, one seat remains unallocated and unoccupied. The number of that seat is 666. The relevant section of the seating-plan provided to each Member reads as follows:

* 655 Couteaux
* 656 Fitzsimons
* 657 Hyland
* 658 Kuntz
* 659 De La Perrière
* 660 Marchiani
* 661 Montfort
* 662 Quiero
* 663 Souchet
* 664 Thomas-Mauro
* 665 Zissener
* 666 -------
* 667 Cappato
* 668 Turco
* 669 Bonino
* 670 Pannella
* 671 Dupuis
* 672 Della Vedova
* 673 Dell'Alba
* 674 Gorostiaga Atxalandabaso
* 675 Gobbo
* 676 Speroni
* 677 Bossi
* 678 Formentini
* 679 Crowley

Revelation 13:18: "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." That is 666.

Today this scripture is being fulfilled before our very eyes.

The Antichrist's seat will be occupied. The world awaits his full and final development. The Lord will destroy him by the spirit of His mouth (the Word of God) and by the brightness of His coming (2 Thes. 2:8). The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Persecution In The News

2009-02-13T18:56:00.003Z

Once again UK news agencys report the story of Christian 'Persecution.' This time a five year old was the cause. The child told a fellow pupil what would happen to her if she didn't believe in Jesus. Hell was mentioned, and as we know the lost are offended at the very mention of coming judgement, whatever the age. Interestingly the very same thing happened to my daughter. She told her fellow pupil the same thing. She then went home and asked her mummy if hell was real. Her mother made a complaint to the teacher who reprimanded my daughter. I was upset on the grounds that every human being has the right to express their faith and I doubted whether the same fuss would have been made if my daughter was a Muslim! However I did not contact the press or e-mail all my Christian friends. I accepted that this was part of 'Being a Christian' and went to the Lord for my guidance(He is the expert on handling rejection and persection). There are thousands languishing in prisons with no media to court and have the Lord and him only to rely on. Christians must not peddle equiality in faith. We can never be equal with other faiths. Persecution is inevitable, let us rejoice when it happens and question our Kingdom activity when it doesn't.

Persecution Coming?

2009-02-08T18:36:00.002Z

I was recently disturbed by the commentary of one who worked in the field of the persecuted church. They spoke for twenty minutes on the works of the enemy; rape, imprisoment,torture and the like. I pressed for a testimony of what Jesus was doing.
Eventually I got something, but my gut said the balance was wrong.I was further alarmed when fear was further pressed in "Persecution is coming." Jesus warned and encouraged with both hands "You shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" John 17:33. Beware of those who instill a spirit of fear. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of Love, power and a sound mind" 2Tim 1:7.
Let us continue to encourage the saints in the work of the ministry.God has the victory. We are a victorious people. Let us walk in that knowledge.

Fence Sitting Disallowed

2009-02-04T13:06:00.003Z

It came to my thoughts how truly devisive the word of God is. We read in the opening verses of Genesis that God divided and separated, by his word. We see God dividng and separating a people unto himself through the calling of the Israelites, by his word. We read Jesus declaring the continuation of this work by his word "Think not that I come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34. This weapon is the deadliest of them all.."For the word of God is alive, active and sharper than any a two edged sword.... dividing asunder and diserning the thoughts and intents of the heart" Hebrews 4:12. Quote Gods word to any soul and you will quickly discover, there our no fence sitters. Gods word is like a surgeons knife it exposes the diseases of rebellion, sin, pride and hatred. I was a member of a small group a little while back that was instructed by a well meaning but ignorant fellow "When witnessing never say; "The Bible sais!" My immediate thought was who in their right mind would go into a war zone and leave his weapon behind? Any soul who attempts to witness without using the authority of Gods word is going into battle unarmed and will be carved up. A say a battle because when we go for souls we go head to head with the flesh, the world and Satan. Praise God scripture declares God's word has victory over all three. However God instructs us through his word to rightly divide it and .."Study to show ourselves approved of God,a workman that need not be ashamed" 2 Timothy 2:15. Like any good sword handler you must know when to use it defensively, offensively and even when to temporarily place it back in its holder. There are some who haven't got the stomach for the battle, like the false Prophets of old they call a truce and declare peace when there is none and uphold a false unity that has not been brought about by the Holy Spirit. History records many who got into bed with their enemy hoping for an easier ride, their folly evident to all. As the days get darker the separation and division will undoubtably intensify. The proclamation of Gods word amongst the masses has never been popular, but thank God he hasn't called us to be popular.

People Of Faith Fear Not

2009-02-02T10:39:00.003Z

As a bank nurse is suspended for offering prayer to a patient it would be so easy to respond in a knee-jerk fashion. Unfortunatly this is being used by some to highlight the apparent unfair treatment Christians receive. I say unfortunatly because suffering for our faith and facing hardships has prety much baulked at by the seeker friendly churches who promise financial blessing and life enhancement instead of what Jesus said we would recieve. Wisdom needs to be applied here. I would not advocate witnessing to anyone on 'Bosses Time' however there are opportunities during lunch breaks etc. to share your faith. As this affair is being looked at by a Christian legal team hopefully it will bring clarification to the issue. However the whole affair may highlight a human rights issue which grants each individual the right to express his or own own faith. Be encouraged, God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Let us continue to step out for Christ and if we receive a bit of flack along the way, lets rejoice because 'Great is our reward in heaven.'

Evolutionary Protester

2009-01-29T11:26:00.002Z

I read with interest your article on David Attenborough’s evolutionary beliefs (Jan 27th). Interestingly he said ‘Evolution is not a theory; it is a fact” Which of course is true. It can be scientifically proven that variations can occur within a species over time (Micro evolution). However followers of evolution then take a huge step of faith and claim that over time species have changed into something completely different and have over eons of time eventually become a new species (Macro evolution). If this is true we should have evidence of trillions of transitional forms, not just a handful of doubtable ones. Even Darwin admitted "Not one change of species into another is on record ... we cannot prove that a single species has been changed." (Charles Darwin, My Life & Letters).

David Attenborough is well respected in his field however in the scientific community there are many macro evolutionary dissenters. Unfortunately when discovered they often find there funding reduced or at worse they loose their position. This has been particularly highlighted in the recent US Documentary by Ben Stein called ‘Expelled.’ This excellent film highlights the negative effect evolution has had in history.

Adolf Hitler for instance believed he was doing the world a favour by ridding the planet of the weak and ineffectual. Modern racism also has its root in the theory of evolution in that there are perceived weaker and less evolved races. Many of the early settlers of Australia considered the Australian Aborigines to be less intelligent than the “white man,” because aborigines had not evolved as far as whites on the evolutionary scale.

Abortion and euthanasia are also tolerated because of the belief that man came about by random acts of nature and therefore is expendable. Many will remember being taught at school that as an embryo develops in its mother’s womb it goes through a fish stage with gill slits, etc., and other evolutionary stages until it becomes human.
Shockingly this theory was later proven to be a fraud and yet is still taught in schools and universities. The result being as people were told that the child growing in a mother’s womb was just an animal reflecting its evolutionary ancestry, there was less of a problem about destroying it.

Paradoxically schools will continue to teach children they evolved from pond scum, are here merely by a freak of nature, and then wonder why they suffer from low self esteem.

Charles Darwin undoubtedly handed the Humanists and Atheists followers a perceived weapon in which to attack faith in God. However the selfish and uncompassionate use of that weapon is now evidenced in the downfall and folly of many. As we remember Charles Darwin’s legacy, I for one shall not be celebrating.

Pope Blocks Comments

2009-01-26T12:14:00.010Z

I recently visited the new 'Vatican' channel on 'You Tube' in the hope I would be able to leave a comment. It would seem comments are not allowed which shouldn't suprise me. I watched one video and was enraged that the commentator kept referring to the Pope as the Holy Father. This is the comment I would have left if I had been given the opportunity.

I protest most strongly that the Pope is not 'The Holy Father.' God is the Holy Father, see John 17:11 and many other scriptures that declare him as Father. The Pope is neither The Head of The Church. That position is owned by Jesus Christ himself, see Ephesians 5:23. The Pope is nothing more than an evil usurper who seeks to rob God of his authority on earth. He has also taken the title 'Vicar of Christ' which was a name reserved solely for the Holy Spirit and him alone. This wicked man stands before the world declaring himself to be the physical incarnation of the God head.
The title anti-Christ in its simplest form literely means, instead-of Christ. And Jesus said there will be many. And we have had many Popes. As a Protestant by way of historical tradition I will protest at every given opportunity against this man and the pseudo religious system he heads up.

Within Hours Of Office

2009-01-26T11:03:00.003Z

President Obama on Friday lifted a ban on federal funding for international groups that promote or perform abortions, reversing a policy of his predecessor, George W. Bush. This means that US taxpayers money will now be funding abortions in other countries.

Anti-abortion groups criticized the move. "President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would support policies to reduce abortions, but today he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding groups that promote abortion as a method of population control," said Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee.

Republican lawmakers were critical of the new president's action. "Just a day after thousands of Americans came to Washington to celebrate the principle of life, President Obama has made it clear that reducing abortions is not one of his priorities."

Obama, a Christian? Highly unlikely. No Christian I know would ever legislate to kill a child.

Believers Bus

2009-01-23T13:44:00.001Z

Has anyone seen this bus?

Stranger Evangelism

2009-01-19T18:36:00.004Z

Stranger evangelism. This is the idea that you purposefuly approach a complete stranger and share with them the gospel message. But is it Biblical? It would seem so. In fact Jesus regulary witnessed to people he had never met before. I've been hard pressed to find anyone Jesus is recorded having witnessed to who he had met before. What about the apostles? It is recorded they met with a lady called Lydia at a river bank. They had never met before and they shared the gospel with her. She was converted and baptised there and then. We read of Philip who was sent by the Holy Spirit to witness to an Ethiopian eunuch. They had never met before however the eunuch believed and was baptised. In fact the New Testament is full of such encounters. Suprisingly I cannot find evidence for the modern method of evangelising the lost called 'Friendship Evangelism.' It is true the mad man of Gadarene wanted to follow Jesus but was instructed by Our Lord to stay and tell his countrymen, but he was a citizen of Ten Cities! "And he departed and began to publish in Decapolis the great things Jesus had done" Mark 5:20. It would seem the Biblical model is to go to complete strangers and witness to them. Every Christian will testify to the fact that sharing the love of Christ with those closest to you has never been easy. For most they cant get passed who you used to be and are pretty much blinded to the new creature you are now in Christ. It is my conclusion after regulary witnessing over a seven year period that strangers are far more easier to share the gospel with. If every Christian witnessed regulary to complete strangers eventually, my unsaved family members and friends would be all reached. Perhaps it may catch on!

Harry Windsors Video Burp

2009-01-12T11:27:00.006Z

Prince Harry's off the cuff remark shows people judge our words. If people judge our words how much more will God! "But I (Jesus) say to you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement" Matthew 12:36.
Harry apparently made racist comments on film about a fellow soldier when he called him my 'Paki friend.' Ironically we are taught that we all originated from pond scum and some races are more advanced than others. AKA the theory of evolution. The Bible teaches we all originated from one man and one women and we are all inter-related into one big 'family.' Interestingly when this belief is held a brotherly jibe would not offend anyone. I would certainly not take offense if someone referred to me as their 'Cornish friend.' God pre-ordained to whom I would be born and were I would live. If I am submitted to his authority, which I am, how could I ever doubt that he knows best. There are many in the media who are stretching Harry's mistake to ridiculous levels obviously in the hope of selling more papers. However those who are profiting from his error would be horrified I am sure to discover even five minutes of their conversations recorded for the whole world to hear!

The Christian Workers Greatest Enemy-Apathy!

2009-01-11T18:08:00.004Z

A visiting street preacher from Australia has remarked on the dreadful apathy toward the preaching of the Gospel in the UK. Sometimes you need someone from outside to highlight what's going on under your nose. apathy n want of feeling; indifference. apathetic adj indifferent. He is so right. Its so refreshing when you see someone reacting to the gospel message. An evangelist once said mad, glad or sad, any one of those will do, but not apathy we dont want that! Its making we think. Sometimes you just get used to things being as they are. On Saturday my brother Michael was approached by a very angry man who reacted badly to his preaching. His mother had died a year before and he was angry with God. Another guy selling balloons nearby objected to the message on hell. We see the odd one but it would be great to see the kind of conviction which fell upon the lost in the time of Wesley. By faith I believe a obedient servant will be rewarded. This is what sends me out and keeps me going, that I can and have played a part however small in the work the Lord has called the church to do, and that is the proclamation of the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Darwins Legacy-The Betrayal Of God

2009-01-05T14:55:00.002Z

In 1859, from his home near the small village of
Downe in England, Charles Darwin wrote The Origin
of Species. This book popularized the idea that life
could be explained by natural processes, without God.
A few years later Darwin published the book Descent
of Man, applying his evolutionary ideas to the origin
of man and postulating that mankind evolved from
ape-like ancestors. From this house spread a philosophy
that attacked the authority of God’s Word in Genesis—
the foundational history for all Christian doctrine
(including the gospel), and, in fact, for the entire Bible.
This fact is clearly illustrated by a quote in the home’s
final exhibit, which is mounted on top of the
silhouetted text of Genesis 1. It reads: Many
Christians believed that the world and everything in it,
including mankind, had been created by God in the
beginning and had remained unaltered ever since … .
Darwin’s theory made nonsense of all of this. He said
that the world was a constantly changing place and all
Living creatures were changing too. Far from being
created in God’s own image, Darwin suggested that
human life had probably started out as something far
more primitive—the story of Adam and Eve was a
myth [emphasis added]. The quote above sums up the
legacy of Darwin. His ghost has spread around the
world, and it is totally consistent with what Darwin
himself wrote in his autobiography: I had gradually
come, by this time, to see that the Old Testament from
its manifestly false history of the world, with the
Tower of Babel, the rainbow as a sign, etc., etc., from
its attributing to God the feelings of a revengeful
tyrant, was no more to be trusted than the sacred books
of the Hindoos, or the beliefs of any barbarian.
Darwin, Charles, The Autobiography of Charles
Darwin, 1809–1882, Norton, New York, pp. 85, 1993.
Written by Ken Ham www.answersingenesis.org

Gospel For Lost Not Church

2008-12-21T08:56:00.003Z

Many well meaning Christians are inviting non-Christians to come to their church activites over Christmas. I am sure their heart motive is right but what we should be doing is inviting people to come to Christ not church. Church is for the saved, the gospel is for the lost. We just need to be faithful with the gospel message. Jesus said "I will build my church" so lets stop trying to do his job and just get on with ours.

St Stephens Church Exeter

2008-12-08T17:47:00.003Z

On Saturday a small group of us stood beside St Stephens Church in the centre of Exeter to witness and proclaim Christ crucified. One of the team was handing out tracts and was approached from someone in authority from within the building and politely asked to stand aside as "We wouldn't want people to think you are associated with us!"

Faith and Hope Separated

2008-12-05T10:54:00.004Z

It was with sadness we learnt of the death of the separated twin Hope. Her sister Faith is recovering from the eleven hour operation which separated the conjoined twins. London's Great Ormond Street Hospital said week-old Hope Williams had died shortly after the procedure to divide her from her sister Faith.
As Christians we are admonished to "Continue in the Faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the Hope of the Gospel." Colossians 1:20. Faith and Hope must stand together because when they are separated death often occurs. Hope died at the expense of Faith. However Faith continues and where there is Faith can Hope ever truly die?

Lie for a season

2008-11-28T11:44:00.002Z

As Christmas approaches millions of parents will lie to their children. Mothers and Fathers will encourage their children to make lists of gifts they want from a false god called Santa. The ninth commandment is "Though shalt not lie" However many will overlook this commandment during the festive season. Jesus understood this well when he said "You reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition" Mark 7:9. To the visible disgust of many we never told this lie to our daughter but told her plainly the presents come from us. She has in no way 'missed' out and I feel God has blessed us in that. To encourage worship of Santa is to incite covetness, materialism and greed. Interestingly Santa is an anagram of Satan. The second commandment forbids us to bow down to anything other than God and the first commandment to always put God first. In millions of homes the God of the Bible will be the last thing on many peoples minds. The false god Santa will be exalted amongst the unregenerate and the real God will receive no thanks for life, family, food and all the other common blessings he has made available to all.

Defender Of Faith

2008-11-14T10:26:00.003Z

Charles has once again expressed his desire to drop the 'The' from 'Defender of the faith' when and if he becomes King. I suppose he would also wish to drop the the 'The' from "I am the way" and replace it with 'a.' I do not believe we need another defender of faiths in this country, we are allready awash with them. However pseudo religious groups across the country will see it as welcome news and embrace him I'm sure. And there is the problem. Charles is a people pleaser not a God pleaser and more importantly a pleaser of self, as his past life testifies to. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have laid down there lives to uphold the truth of God's word and more particulary to proclaim 'Jesus is the only way to find peace with God.' It would seem that Charles will not soil his clothes with such a matter. God help us.

To pray or not to pray?

2008-11-11T10:33:00.003Z

What follows is an excellent point made recently by a viewer of The Way Of The Master television programme.

"I've noticed that sometimes after you witness to people you encourage them to pray a prayer of repentance and faith later. Is this because you discern that they aren't ready to truly give their life to Jesus right then? I see the wisdom in not rushing a person to make a decision (we don't want to make a false convert), but wouldn't it be good to have them pray right then (if they have acknowledged their sin and understand the gospel) as long as we don't follow that prayer by saying, 'Congratulations, you're saved'? Shouldn't we have them pray before the conviction wears off? What if the actual verbalizing of a prayer makes something 'click' in their heart? Isn't waiting potentially as dangerous as rushing the person?"

Our methodology reveals our theology. If the conviction is there, it's only because the Holy Spirit is doing the convicting. That means that God's hand is on him, and he will come to Christ in God's timing. I don't ever want to interfere with a work of God. Another reason I ask if they would like to pray later (on TV) is that there is something a little awkward about surrendering to Christ on-camera. This is because I don't pray a "sinner's prayer" with him, but instead ask if he wants to pray a prayer of repentance, then I pray for him. Confessing and forsaking your sins is very personal, and I don't want to push someone into something they don't want to do. Remember, people aren't saved by verbalizing a prayer, but by their heartfelt repentance and surrender to Christ. God knows their heart.

Real or not so real?

2008-11-10T10:38:00.003Z

Imagine your holding a twenty pound note. What percentage of changes must be on it to make it counterfeit? 5%? 3%? 1%. I believe the smallest ammount will cause that twenty pound note to be a fake. That is why counter-fitters work with microscopes because they know 'Its in the detail.' The majority of us wouldn't know if we had handled a counterfeit note because we've never studied it enough. However as Christians we are called to study God's word with great care and precision. When we do this we will be able to spot the odd addition or odd subtraction as a counterfeit work and reject it. "Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2Timothy 2:15. Let us encourage one another to spend more time in the word of God so that our faith in it and our obedience to it may wax exeedingly.

Male Rape

2008-11-07T14:01:00.005Z

Last year over a thousand men went to the police after being raped. It’s believed than many more don’t report their attack because of shame and the fear they won’t be believed. Police believe they are only seeing about 8-10% of rape victims. All agency's report a substantial increase in those coming forward for help. Survivors UK a charity which works with victims say they are getting thousands of calls asking for help. A family friend told me last year how his step-son had been homosexually date raped by a gang of men. He woke up in a field. The last thing he remembered was drinking in a club. The pain then kicked in and the awful reality of what happened came flooding back. Eight months after the event he is still unable to leave his home.

We know from the Bible accounts of Lot and Noah that God acts quickly when these kind of violent acts are prevalent. Jesus warned that homosexual perversion and violence would increase prior to judgement coming upon the earth. Let the preachers of righteousness go forth and sound the trumpet for the wrath of God is at hand.

Unbelievable!

2008-11-06T14:48:00.002Z

What on earth is the church coming to? A friend of mine was waiting for a bus at 1.45 pm besides St Andrews Church Plymouth when having 10 minutes to spare decided to have a look at their bookshop. Imagine his amazement to find the Church full to the rafters and playing the song (from the film Life of Brian) 'always look on the bright side of life.' A song which mocks the crucifixion! Apparently it was a funeral and that was the chosen 'hymn!' Jesus was correct when he doubted upon his return whether there would be any faith left! I can bet my bottom dollar the person in the coffin is not singing 'look on the bright side of life.' He isn't singing period. If we believe the words of Jesus the lost are languishing in Hell with great torment. May the real bride of Christ stand up and reveal the usurper for who she really is!

Happy Reformation Day

2008-10-31T08:40:00.002Z

On October 31st 1517 a young German monk nailed his 95 listed objections to the claims of the Roman Catholic church to the church door. His name was Martin Luther and from this single act the Protestant reformation was birthed. What followed was the execution of many Bible Christians who belived in the doctrine of justification through faith alone by grace alone because of Christ alone. Meanwhile the Catholics were selling indulgences to buy your way into heaven. William Tyndale who translated the first English Bible was burnt at the stake for heresy by the Catholics. Thanks to him and others like him the Bible can now be freely read however forsaking the light now available to them many Christians are getting into bed with the Catholics through the ecumenical movement. They are without excuse as the truth of Gods word is clearly and substantially available to them. Paul instructed Timothy to "Fight the good fight" the enemies are clear. They are all those who take away the final work of the cross and usurp Christs headship of his church. In Roman Catholic churches all over the world through the mass Christ is sacrificed again, and again and again. It is called the unbloody sacrifice and yet the Scriptures say "There is no remission of sin without the shedding of blood" Hebrews 9:28 and in verse 28 of the same chapter "Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many." The apostacy of the Roman Catholic church is clear to all those who have seen the light and walk no longer in darkness. So today of all days remember that great cloud of winesses who took a stand of faith "Even unto death" and make a commitment to do the same.

Gross Lapse of Taste or a Bridge To Far?

2008-10-30T12:17:00.002Z

Many, myself included will be pleased to hear of the recent disiplinery action being taken against Jonathon Ross. As the saying goes 'Give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves!' I have found Ross' constant blashphemy disturbing and offensive to say the least. He uses the name of our Lord to express disgust in a way unrivalled by any other TV presenter. However his gutter humour apparently is enjoyed by millions who regulary tune into to his radio and TV show to get another dose of Ross' depraved banter. I would pretty much guess they were not part of the 27,000 complainers who have officialy voiced their concerns over his latests folly with Andrew Sachs. It is becoming clear that the BBC policy of allowing cultural divercity into its programming has really only opened a door to allow the profane and obscene into every family home in Britian.

Credit Crunch

2008-10-06T10:40:00.004+01:00

Often times what's realy important doesn't become apparent until there's a threat that it may be taken away. We know that many people have put their confidence and future assurance in their bank balances, only to have that security shaken by the recent credit crunch. The best antidote to the fear being generated is this "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupts, and where thieves break through and steal, But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, and were thieves do not break through to steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew:19-21. Jesus issued an even starker warning "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul" Mark 8:36. The message that runs throughout the Bible is that man is more than the substance of what he owns. Tragically 'Things' is all the unregenerate man can cling on to. The Church is called to recognise the basic needs of mankind but more importantly to recognise that which is temporal and that which is eternal. As Christians we are called into the department of eternal affairs. It is better to be eternally saved and poor, than temporarily rich but lost. This is the message the church must proclaim in a time when many are looking for future security and comfort from their present financial trials. The sacrifice of Jesus, Gods only Son proves the seriousness of Gods investment to save a world of lost sinners, and in that the price has been paid in full.

Blowing Ones Trumpet

2008-09-25T11:20:00.004+01:00

Most will notice in the media the exhaltation of charitable giving. In fact the bigger the cheque held the more prominent position is given. Jesus told us to give to the poor and help the needy but knowing the heart and motives of man gave this advice. "Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your father in heaven. Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synogogues and in the streets that they may have glory of men. Verily I say to you they have their reward. But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does; That your alms may be in SECRET:and your Father which sees in secret himself shall reward you openly." Matthew 6:1-4. I wonder how many would continue in this line of work if they never got a mention, or where recognised by anyone? An interesting thought.

Commerce within the house of God

2008-09-25T10:59:00.004+01:00

I read with interest an article in my local paper concerning a raffle that was held during a church service to raise funds for local charities. Matthew 21:12 came to mind. "And Jesus went into the Temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves." However you would wish to interpret this verse the message of Jesus was clear, it angers God when you use his house inappropriately. Jesus went on to say "My house shall become a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." He further illustrated the correct use of Gods house when "The blind, and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them."

Interestingly I had a conversation with a local Methodist outraged that her local church would not permit raffles within the walls of the church. She reasoned they where old fashioned and out dated. Perhaps it is much simpler than that. Could it be they fear God more than they fear man? Tragically a healthy fear of God is a essential Christian character trait in many places you would be hard pushed to find!

Unmasking The Pope & The Catholic System

2008-09-22T11:30:00.009+01:00

I highly recommend this audio teaching by John MacAurthur. Cd copies can be obtained from us by e-mailing your request.

Listen/Download online from:
http://www.bereanbeacon.org/audio_video/UnmaskingThePope.mp3

"If you have the truth then you have nothing to fear."

Go Preach

2008-09-22T11:15:00.003+01:00

Jesus commanded his followers to "Go into ALL the world and preach" Mark 16:15. What are we to preach? Jesus said we are to preach "Repentance and forgivness of sins in His name, among all nations Luke" 24:47. Repentance because without it "You shall perish" Luke 13: 3,5; in His name because the "Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins" Matthew 9:6 and because "There is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" Acts 4:12.

Church apologises to Darwin

2008-09-16T11:13:00.004+01:00

The Church of England will tomorrow formally apologise to Charles Darwin for misunderstanding the theory of evolution! What's to misunderstand! Darwin put forward a theory which denied God as ultimate creator and mankind as created in God's image. In practice his denial of Genesis 1 would lead one to discredited the whole Bible as a trustworthy account, Something a true believer cannot do. Gods word is clear "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God" 2Timothy 3:16. Apparently the real motive behind this move is that the C of E wants to publically distance itself from fundamental Christians who actually believe God created the heavens and the earth and everything in it, in six days. When will someone please stand up and apologise for the Church of England!

The Vicar of Baghdad

2008-09-09T11:40:00.006+01:00

Listened to a wonderful interview with Anglican Canon Andrew White this morning on Radio Four. His faith in God is awe inspiring. He told of an occassion when he was called into a meeting with Iraqi officials and looked down on the table to find recently severed fingers and toes. He was asked if he was afraid. "No" he said quite emphatically. He went on to explain that the Bible says perfect love cast out all fear and and spoke of his love for the Iraqi people. Andrew suffers from MS a wasting disease and has been declared unfit to work in the UK. If you're ever feeling sorry for yourself or having a crisis of faith then this mans life is your tonic. He is like an oak tree, supernaturally grounded and steadfast in his calling. He is adamant there is no one else that can do the work he is currently undertaking, and I believe him.

TRUE REVIVAL

2008-09-04T13:54:00.002+01:00

REVIVAL: THE MANIFEST PRESENCE OF GOD
Author Unknown

I. Appetizers

By way of an appetizer, here’s an eyewitness account of something that happened at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1906, as told by the pastor. “It was at a late prayer meeting, held in the evening at 9:30 that the fire of God fell. There was nothing, humanly speaking, to account for what happened. Quite suddenly, upon one and another came an overwhelming sense of the reality and awfulness of His presence and of eternal things. Life, death, and eternity seemed suddenly laid bare. Prayer and weeping began, and gained in intensity every moment...One was overwhelmed before the sudden bursting of the bounds.... Friends who were gathered sank on their knees. Each seemed to sing, and each seemed to pray, oblivious of one another. Then the prayer broke out again, waves and waves of prayer; and the midnight hour was reached. The hours had passed like minutes... One who was present says, ‘I cannot tell you what Christ was to me last night. My heart was full to overflowing. If ever my Lord was near to me, it was last night.’”[1]

Let me read you some descriptions and definitions of revival both from those who have studied it, and from some who were involved in a revival.

“When you read the history of the past, you find that there have been periods in the history of the Church when she has been full of life, and vigour, and power. The statistics prove that people crowded to the house of God, whole numbers of people who were anxious and eager to belong to the Christian Church. Then the Church was filled with life, and she had great power; the Gospel was preached with authority, large numbers of people were converted regularly.... Christian people delighted in prayer. You did not have to whip them up to prayer meetings; you could not keep them away. They did not want to go home, they would stay all night praying. The whole Church was alive and full of power, and of vigour, and of might. And men and women were able to tell of rich experiences of the grace of God, visitations of His Spirit, a knowledge of the love of God that thrilled them, and moved them, and made them feel that it was more precious than the whole world. And as a consequence of all that, the whole life of the country was affected and changed.”[2]

“You hear of people talking about these communications, and about their dealings with God and with the Lord Jesus Christ, the realisations of his presence, the manifestations of his love; of being almost overwhelmed by a sense of the nearness of the Lord Jesus Christ, of being filled with a sense of God’s glory and of his love.”[3]

“Revival is not when the churches exchange members, but when the Holy Spirit changes lives.”[4]

“Revival is a going of God among His people, and an awareness of God laying hold of the community...moving men and women who until then had no concern for spiritual things, to seek after God.”[5]

The end result of revival is, “a community saturated with God.”[6]

Wouldn’t you like to see something like that? I read those things, and my heart just yearns within me: O Lord, do it again! It’s been over 100 years since God visited this state with that kind of revival, and my prayer is that of Habakkuk 3:2, “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Revival is not a program; it’s not a series of meetings or a special speaker. It is something only God can do. We can prepare the way, but we cannot produce it. If there is any other explanation for it, it is not revival. In Germany in 1727, Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf described it this way, “Hitherto we had been the leaders and helpers. Now the Holy Spirit himself took full control of everything and everybody.”[7]

During revival, nothing really new happens – it usually includes all the same elements that should be a part of normal church life–prayer, worship, preaching, evangelism, etc. But they happen more suddenly, spiritual growth is accelerated, and there is much greater intensity to everything.

Revivals are often known for their effects in the broader community, but they always start in the church. A revival implies that there is some life there to begin with. Once God’s people begin to be changed by the Lord, it then spreads to affect the whole community or nation, as it did after Pentecost.

II. The Manifest Presence of God Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:1-4

We believe that whenever Christians meet together, in church, or in homes, or at work, God is there. Jesus promised us, Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” So we can say confidently that Jesus Christ Himself is right here this morning in our sanctuary. But in Acts 2, the Spirit of Christ came among the disciples in a way that everyone knew it. They experienced His presence, rather than simply affirmed it as a point of doctrine like I just did. The same kind of thing happens in revival.

I have heard it said that we should not seek religious experiences, and there is some wisdom in that, because there are so many different religions, and they all offer some kind of experience. Early in the last century, William James wrote a book called The Varieties of Religious Experience, in which he describes religious experiences from around the world that will both challenge your theology and curl your hair. But to say that Christianity or Christ is not to be experienced is a serious mistake. That leads to what we might call “dead orthodoxy”, where people have all their theological t’s crossed, and i’s dotted, but do not have a living relationship with the living Christ. Yes, we want to have right doctrine; but we also want a real relationship with the God who is here! In revival, God manifests Himself to us, He makes Himself more real to us than ever before. It’s as though the veil that separates this world from the spiritual dimension becomes translucent or even transparent, instead of opaque, and we begin to see the spiritual realities much more clearly.

Brian Edwards has written an outstanding book called Revival! (see outline) in which he analyzes some of the characteristics that have been common to revivals throughout the centuries. Here are some of the main things he says we can expect when revival comes. They are all based on the character and nature of God, because revival is essentially the manifest presence of God.

When God manifests His presence, when He makes Himself real to us,

A. His holiness convicts of sin Isaiah 6:3; 40

This is almost always the first impression people have of God when He comes in a revival. Certainly that was true for Isaiah, when he saw the Lord, high and lifted up, with the angels flying around and singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord Almighty!” (Is 6:3). The Hebrew word for holy (qadosh) comes from a root that means to cut or separate, so it means that God is separate from His creation. He is not like us. Pascal said God created man in His image, and ever since then we have been trying to return the favor by making Him in our image. But as God so pointedly asked Isaiah, Isaiah 40:25, “‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One.” No one is anything like God. He is absolutely unique in all the universe. He is set apart from all that is ordinary, or common. One of the primary things that makes Him so different is His absolute purity and righteousness. That is what strikes fear into the hearts of those who see Him in His holiness. God is holy...

A1 ...so we repent

Isaiah’s response to the holiness of God is instructive: Isaiah 6:5, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." When he saw the holiness of God, he was immediately impressed with his own unholiness. He was suddenly convicted deeply of his sin, and knew that he was in desperate trouble in the presence of such a holy one.

In revival, Christians weep over the sins that at present they casually tolerate. They see these things as the offenses that they are against a holy, pure, and righteous God, and they are deeply grieved, often to the point of tears. In January, 1907, God was moving in a powerful way in North Korea, and a western missionary recalled one particular scene: “Man after man would rise, confess his sins, break down and weep, and then throw himself to the floor and beat the floor with his fists in perfect agony of conviction...And so the meeting went on until two o’clock a.m., with confession and weeping and praying... Some threw themselves full length on the floor, hundreds stood with arms outstretched toward heaven. Every man forgot every other. Each was face to face with God. I can hear yet that fearful sound of hundreds of men pleading with God for life, for mercy.”[8] We hear something like that, and we are likely to be put off by the outward display of emotion, but folks, that wasn’t something the missionaries or the pastors drummed up; it was a completely unself-conscious and absolutely appropriate and necessary response to the holiness of God.

When God manifests His presence, we see that

B. He is glorious Isaiah 6:1-4

David Brainerd, a missionary to the American Indians in the early 1700s, wrote this in his journal: “As I was walking in a dark, thick grove, unspeakable glory seemed to open to the view and apprehension of my soul. I do not mean any external brightness, for I saw no such thing,...but it was a new inward apprehension or view that I had of God, such as I never had before.... I stood still, wondered and admired! I knew that I had never seen before anything comparable to it for excellency and beauty....it appeared to be a Divine Glory. My soul rejoiced with joy unspeakable to see such a God, such a glorious Divine Being, and I was inwardly pleased and satisfied that He should be God over all for ever and ever. My soul was so captivated and delighted with the excellency, loveliness, greatness, and other perfections of God that I was even swallowed up in Him.”[9]

Jonathan Edwards had a similar experience of God’s glory at about the same time: “I had a view that for me was extraordinary, of the glory of the Son of God as Mediator between God and man, and His wonderful, great, full, pure and sweet grace and love, and meek and gentle condescension. This grace that appeared so calm and sweet, appeared also great above the heavens. The person of Christ appeared ineffably excellent with an excellency great enough to swallow up all thought and conception....”[10]

Story after story is told of similar experiences of individuals and groups who came face to face with the glory of God. They remind us of the powerful experience Isaiah had, which he described in chapter 6, Isaiah 6:1-4, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. [2] Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. [3] And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ [4] At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.”

God is glorious,

B1 ...so we worship Him

Revival is all about the glory of God. He brings revival, not so we can have more fun as Christians, but so that He can get the glory He deserves, both from the Church, and the world, as people everywhere are forced to acknowledge who He is.

In revivals, worship services seem to go on and on, because the people don’t want to leave the beautiful presence of God. One pastor in Wales wrote in 1904, “I cannot leave the building...until twelve and even one o’clock in the morning—I have closed the service several times, and yet it would break out again quite beyond the control of human power.”[11] People often gather spontaneously at the church every night of the week. They come early, before the appointed time of the service, unlike many of us, who tend to arrive fashionably late. All the other programs of the church are put on hold because Jesus is the center of attention. The singing is usually the same songs that congregation used to sing, but now there is a special quality to the singing. People put their hearts into it; the words are more meaningful; the music moves their emotions. The manifest presence of God moves people to spontaneous worship of His glorious person.

I often wonder what we would do if Jesus appeared in a visible way to us here in church. If the president walked in, we would all stand as a sign of respect for his office. But if Jesus manifested Himself, I suspect we might find ourselves on our faces in worship. That is certainly what has happened time and again in revivals. People are overwhelmed with the sense of God’s glory, and they have to express that in some physical way.

When God manifests His presence, we realize

C. He is available and real Genesis 28:16-17

When revival comes, everyone is impressed with the fact that God is here, and He is real. The reality of God makes all the difference. They are like Jacob when he awoke from his sleep and thought, Genesis 28:16-17, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” [17] He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” We know God is here now; but when we know it experientially, we will pray as never before.

C1 ...so we pray

Here’s a report from Ulster, Ireland in 1859, “Our congregational prayer meeting was attended by some fifty persons ordinarily. During the three months past, whether held four times or seven times a week, it is attended by more than twenty times that number.”[12] That would be a thousand people at a prayer meeting! Our Sunday evening prayer meeting averages about 20 people, so if we were to see twenty times that, we would have more like 400 each week. In revival, prayer becomes a delight and a joy, rather than a burden. That’s not to say it is easy; there is a spiritual battle to be waged in prayer. But the reality of God’s presence makes it obvious to everyone that we can, and should, pray.

Sometimes, a burden of prayer has so overwhelmed a congregation that everyone prayed at once. “In Korea in 1907, the missionaries felt a tension as if everyone longed to pray. One of them said, ‘If it helps you to all pray together, then pray in that way.’ Then a tide began to sweep through the church. There was no confusion; it was a single harmony of prayer, as if all the voices of all the praying congregation merged together to form a single cry to God. There was not the slightest disorder.”[13]

When God manifests His presence,

D. He speaks through His Word

Every revival in history has included powerful preaching of God’s word. The men who preach in revivals are always unafraid and urgent. They are conscious of the fact that the eternal destinies of their hearers hang in the balance, and are passionate about pressing people to get right with God. The cross of Christ is always at the center of revival preaching, because this is at the center of the good news that God has for mankind. Christ died for you—that’s the central message.

But beyond that gospel message, believers hear God speaking through His Word addressing all sorts of areas of their lives, and they get serious about their obedience.

D1 ...so we obey

The repentance that I mentioned earlier is followed by a compulsion to obey God in the smallest matters. People who have tolerated and even joked about their sins are now horrified that they would do so, and go to great lengths to make things right. In 1953, in what was then the Belgian Congo, a revival had this remarkable effect: “Many had stolen from the state, and the Christians...wanted to make restitution. So many things were being returned to the Belgian Office that an embarrassed official wrote to [the missionary], “Mr Davies, I’ve no time to handle all this. Tell them to come to your mission and fill a truck and you bring a load down.”[14]

When God manifests His presence,

E. His sacrifice for us becomes precious

The message of the gospel becomes something entirely different from dry doctrine. It literally becomes “good news”, which is what the word gospel means. We’ve all heard the story so many times that it becomes “old hat”. Our emotional response to it is virtually nil. But in revival, it becomes much more meaningful. Then we realize in a powerful way that Christ died for us! It’s like a cancer victim reading of a cure for cancer that is available to everyone. It’s the news for drought victims in Africa that a water tanker is coming, and they can drink all they want. It’s a last-minute reprieve for a convicted murderer on death row. This is really good news!

E1 ...so we spread the good news

The result is that people want to spread the good news to everyone they know, and even people they don’t know who need to hear it. So now the nuclear reaction that has been building in the church explodes outward, and the entire community is affected. Stories abound of the town drunk, or the hardest man in the village, coming weeping to the altar, begging people to pray for them. People that no one ever thought would darken the door of the church are there every night, seeking mercy.

Evangelism in our local community, with our friends and family, is the weakest part of our church life right now. But in a revival, it won’t be a burden, or something that the leadership has to try to push, pull, and drag people into; it will be a desperate concern on the part of everyone. We will be passionate about telling people this good news. There’s a contemporary Christian song out now that has the line in it, “Wake the neighbors, get the word out!” and that is pretty much what happens in revival. We’ll no longer be so concerned about what people may think of us, because we will be much more concerned about what they think of Jesus. In revival, both those who are sharing and their hearers feel the horrors of hell and the glories of heaven, and it results in many people being saved.

E2 ...so people are saved

First, in the church. People who have attended church all their lives are brought face to face with the fact that they do not have a saving relationship with Christ. They know the stories; they memorized the Apostle’s Creed; they have been active in the life of the church. But they are lost! In a revival, this realization dawns on many church-goers.

Then it spreads outside the church, and hundreds of thousands, even millions of new believers, pour into the churches. In Wales in 1904, over 100,000 were converted and brought into the churches in a three month period of time; in the Great Awakening in New England, perhaps 7% of the total population was saved. Think what it would be like if that happened today —7% of the current U.S. population of 296 million is 20,700,000 people who would be converted. Do you think that would affect the social and spiritual climate of the country?

It certainly has in other times and places when revival came. In Wales in 1904, the judges were presented with white gloves: they had no cases to try. No rapes, no robberies, no murders, no burglaries, no embezzlements, nothing. The District Consuls held emergency meetings to discuss what to do with the police, now that they were unemployed. Drunkenness was cut in half. The illegitimate birth rate dropped 44% in two counties within a year of the beginning of the revival.[15]

Born-again Christians comprise maybe 40% of the United States population, but we have a minuscule effect on the culture. In a revival, the Church becomes God’s agent of cultural transformation. How do you change the culture? Not through legislation, or getting the right person on the Supreme Court, but by one person at a time coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

III. What Will You Do?

In a revival, God makes His presence felt in a powerful way. It is no longer just an affirmation of faith, but a real, life-changing experience. People become aware of His holiness, and are moved to genuinely repent of things they usually don’t even think about. A vision of His glory moves them to heartfelt, enthusiastic worship. The reality of His presence calls people to pray like never before. God speaks through His Word, calling His people to a more conscientious and instantaneous obedience. And the blessed hope of the gospel, the good news of God, grips their hearts and moves them to spread the good news, with the result that hundreds, thousands, and even millions are saved.

Oh, friends! I want this! I need it for myself; I want it for us; I want it for Loveland. Will you join me in this quest? Will you seek His face until you find Him? You may not be the up-front leader; you might be the person who lays hold of the throne of God and calls down the power of the Spirit. Will you be the one who believes and prays and seeks until God pours out His Spirit on our church and our city?

http://www.faithepc.org/Sermons/2005/20050807.htm

Roy Fields UK Tour

2008-08-28T12:11:00.008+01:00

Roy fields definition of Revival is when Christians fall in love with Jesus all over again and have the joy of their salvation restored. He will be in the UK for a tour in September. Go to his web-site for further details. www.runwithfire.com
Roy's first date on his UK We Are The Generation Live tour will be on 14th September in Maidenhead at 6.30pm. For more info see www.riverevents.org.uk

Cornwall Pride 2008

2008-08-24T09:24:00.003+01:00

A parade was held in Truro yesterday to celebrate Cornwalls diversity. Unfortunatley the premise that all diversity is good and should be celebrated is incorrect. It turned out to be a very low key event with crowds visibly absent. Interestingly the Bible views human pride in the negative. Most have heard of the saying "Pride before a fall." Many might not have heard that "God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud" and "A mans pride shall bring him low" and "When pride comes, then comes shame." Moreover as believers we are instructed "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride, and arrogance." The events main puropose was to promote the Gay lifestyle interestingly that fact was carefully ommitted from all public promotion of the event. You may draw your own conclusion.

Sex can take your mind of your infirmities

2008-08-13T11:05:00.004+01:00

The heading on the front page of the Cornish Guardian today reads 'A little bit of what you fancy does you good'! The dreams of four men affected by Huntingdons disease where fulfilled when their care home took them on a trip to a lapdance club in Newquay. The night out was organised by mental health nurse Katie Uglow. Could this be stretching 'care in the community' a little two far?

This has to be seen to be believed. There's also a disturbing photo of the four disabled men sorrounded by the lapdancers. This is obvioulsy a P.A stunt to conteract the bad publicity the club has recently been receiving. Could their slogan be "Sex can take your mind of your infirmities"!

Can Anyone Save Him?

2008-05-16T13:29:00.003+01:00

8 am, two days out of rehab and Paul Gascoigne shambles across the road, a bottle of gin and a piggy bank in his tatty holdall, Can ANYONE save him? This is the headline to a story running in the Daily Mail today. The answer is a RESOUNDING YES. Jesus can save him. Jesus can reach down to the deepest pit we could ever dig ourselves into and pull us out. Millions of born-again believers can testify to the transforming power of Gods Holy Spirit when we first put our trust in Gods only Son Jesus Christ. Demons must flee, addictions must go. He is a restorer of our souls and a lifter of our heads. Todd Bentley leader of the current Florida out pouring being aired every night at 7:00pm on God TV is a living example of a changed life. Watch it and be encouraged.

Dont Ask Jesus Into Your Heart!

2008-05-07T08:30:00.003+01:00

Many disilussioned false converts confess that they have "Asked Jesus into thier heart" many times. This term is often used by modern day preachers. Dont ask him into your heart it isn't biblical. He gave his life for you so he wants more than your heart. Instead do what the Bible says. Repent,turn from all sin and 'Give Him Your life' Then receive him as your Lord and Saviour trusting in Him and Him alone for your salvation.

Pushy Christians

2008-04-29T08:23:00.002+01:00

Someone said as Christians we shouldn't be pushy. I agree we should be PULLY. The writer of Judes v 23 instructs us "And others save with fear, PULLING them out of the fire." Some are so close to the eternal fire of torment you can smell the singeing. So dont push them, PULL them. Get verbal, use the Gospel. "For unto us which are saved it is the power of God unto salvation."