As a number of my recent posts have been concerned with the subject of Homosexuality I fully intended to leave the subject alone for a while as I don't wish to be accused of being obsessed with the issue. However, the matter keeps rearing it's ugly head in the national press - the latest episode being the astonishing attack by the Prime Minister upon Christians. Consequently I am compelled to make a response.
While hosting a press conference in Derby, Cameron stated that Christians should be more tolerant and broadminded towards homosexuals.
The Christian faith has survived 2,000 years of persecution and opposition, it is not about to crumble because some muppet makes ill-advised comments. However, in making this statement Cameron has erred in three ways:
1. He has ignored the clear teaching of Romans 1 v 26-27 which states that this practice is a perversion and against nature.
2. He has failed to draw a distinction between disapproving of someone's conduct and hating them as a person. True Christians do not like homosexuality but there is no room for hating them as people.
3. He attacks Christians but fails to say the same about orthodox Jews and Muslims, both of whom regard homosexuals as being in sin.
In this latter point he has shown himself to be a coward - he wouldn't dare attack other religions but the Christian faith is seen as fair game.
What should be our response to this outburst from a man who should know better?
1. Pray for him to be saved. As things stand at present he is under God's wrath - Romans 1 v 32 states that those who approve of these perversions are as guilty, in God's sight, as those who do them.
2. Make a stand for truth by writing to the PM - it may not achieve much in the short term but I firmly believe that Christians need to stand up and be counted. It is so easy to crawl into a corner and hide our faith like scared children. The country is in it's current mess because we Christians have often behaved like chocolate soldiers rather than soldiers of the cross.
3. Re-affirm our commitment to the sovereignty of God. As we read in Isaiah 59 v 19 "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him".
We are on the victory side - we cannot lose.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
A warning to us all
"It is appointed unto men, once to die, but after this the judgement" - Hebrews 9 v 27
The dreadful earthquake in New Zealand continues to dominate front pages with the inevitable stories of people killed, on the one hand, and miraculous escapes on the other. No doubt many will ask the question why did God allow this to happen? Why do earthquakes and natural disasters occur? Surely, people ask, if God was all-powerful He could have prevented this terrible calamity?
The short answer is that when God created the World everything was perfect. However, when Adam sinned the Earth was put under a curse with the inevitable consequence that earthquakes would occur. Moreover, the Bible predicts that as we come ever closer to the 2nd coming of Christ there will be an increase in these kind of events.
The most important question we should be asking ourselves is not "Why did God allow this?" but rather "Am I ready to meet God?". The most important lesson we should learn from this latest tragedy is that life is brief, and death is often unexpected.
I'm sure that most, if not all, of those who died in this quake had no idea that that day would be their last; I wonder how many were born-again Christian believers (and, hence, are now in Heaven) and I wonder how many were not Christians - and are now in torments. Of those who died in their sins I wonder how many had opportunities to be saved and turned away from them.
In my work of street evangelism I give out tracts that are clearly about God and the Christian faith. Most of the tracts cover the facts of Heaven and Hell; they explain the certainty of eternal blessings for the saved and eternal torments for the unsaved. However, because the devil has blinded them to these realities they refuse the offer of salvation.
One of the worst torments of the damned in Hell will be the knowledge that, if only they had listened to the Gospel and responded by accepting Christ their eternal destiny would have been so very different.
May the NZ earthquake awaken in many the realisation that God is not mocked; if people continue to live in sin and refuse the Gospel then they will experience bitter regret - for all eternity.
The dreadful earthquake in New Zealand continues to dominate front pages with the inevitable stories of people killed, on the one hand, and miraculous escapes on the other. No doubt many will ask the question why did God allow this to happen? Why do earthquakes and natural disasters occur? Surely, people ask, if God was all-powerful He could have prevented this terrible calamity?
The short answer is that when God created the World everything was perfect. However, when Adam sinned the Earth was put under a curse with the inevitable consequence that earthquakes would occur. Moreover, the Bible predicts that as we come ever closer to the 2nd coming of Christ there will be an increase in these kind of events.
The most important question we should be asking ourselves is not "Why did God allow this?" but rather "Am I ready to meet God?". The most important lesson we should learn from this latest tragedy is that life is brief, and death is often unexpected.
I'm sure that most, if not all, of those who died in this quake had no idea that that day would be their last; I wonder how many were born-again Christian believers (and, hence, are now in Heaven) and I wonder how many were not Christians - and are now in torments. Of those who died in their sins I wonder how many had opportunities to be saved and turned away from them.
In my work of street evangelism I give out tracts that are clearly about God and the Christian faith. Most of the tracts cover the facts of Heaven and Hell; they explain the certainty of eternal blessings for the saved and eternal torments for the unsaved. However, because the devil has blinded them to these realities they refuse the offer of salvation.
One of the worst torments of the damned in Hell will be the knowledge that, if only they had listened to the Gospel and responded by accepting Christ their eternal destiny would have been so very different.
May the NZ earthquake awaken in many the realisation that God is not mocked; if people continue to live in sin and refuse the Gospel then they will experience bitter regret - for all eternity.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
We will have the last laugh
I remember as a kid hearing the expression "he who laughs last, laughs longest" and came to realise it means that although a person may lose a few battles, if he wins an ultimate victory he comes out on top.
This occurred to me yesterday when I heard the apalling news that a Christian couple who wish to run a Hotel in accordance with their beliefs have been told to pay compensation to two sodomites. It appears that these two perverts (Preddy and Hall) were not permitted to have a double room. They then launched a vindictive court action against the Christians and won their case (which is hardly surprising given that the judges are biased against Christians).
I have no doubt that Preddy and Hall are full of gloating, self-congratulation, as also is Ben Summerskill, of Stonewall, who wrote a triumphalist article in the Guardian. They have allowed themselves to be used as tools of the devil in order to harass Christians. However, what they need to be aware of is simply this - one day there will be a reckoning; one day they will have to stand before God and give account of their lives. Should they fail to repent then they will experience the eternal wrath of God, not only for their depraved lifestyles, but also for hounding and persecuting the people of God.
Of course, it is wrong to hate homosexuals; and Jesus did say that we are to pray for those who persecute us. The temptation in these cases is to be full of resentment towards our persecutors but we need to pray that they will come to see the error of their ways. Moreover, if they truly repent and accept Jesus as their personal Saviour then He will show them mercy. However, the fact ( and it is a fact) remains - Hellfire awaits unrepentant sodomites. When the Christians are spending eternity in a place of unalloyed bliss, the unsaved will face indescribable torment.
As the Bible puts it: "...and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire". Revelation 20 v 15.
This occurred to me yesterday when I heard the apalling news that a Christian couple who wish to run a Hotel in accordance with their beliefs have been told to pay compensation to two sodomites. It appears that these two perverts (Preddy and Hall) were not permitted to have a double room. They then launched a vindictive court action against the Christians and won their case (which is hardly surprising given that the judges are biased against Christians).
I have no doubt that Preddy and Hall are full of gloating, self-congratulation, as also is Ben Summerskill, of Stonewall, who wrote a triumphalist article in the Guardian. They have allowed themselves to be used as tools of the devil in order to harass Christians. However, what they need to be aware of is simply this - one day there will be a reckoning; one day they will have to stand before God and give account of their lives. Should they fail to repent then they will experience the eternal wrath of God, not only for their depraved lifestyles, but also for hounding and persecuting the people of God.
Of course, it is wrong to hate homosexuals; and Jesus did say that we are to pray for those who persecute us. The temptation in these cases is to be full of resentment towards our persecutors but we need to pray that they will come to see the error of their ways. Moreover, if they truly repent and accept Jesus as their personal Saviour then He will show them mercy. However, the fact ( and it is a fact) remains - Hellfire awaits unrepentant sodomites. When the Christians are spending eternity in a place of unalloyed bliss, the unsaved will face indescribable torment.
As the Bible puts it: "...and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire". Revelation 20 v 15.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Is God speaking to Australia ?
We have all been following the terrible events in Queensland, Australia, where flooding has wrought serious damage. Not only has this occurred in the country areas but also in Brisbane, the third largest city in the country. Worse than the damage to property is the loss of life. With at least 15 confirmed dead and over 70 missing.
There is a natural tendency when this kind of thing happens to ask the question - "Why does God allow it?" Given the heavy emphasis on materialistic pleasure in that country, and given that the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has boldly declared her atheism, I wonder if God is issuing a wake up call to that nation. How will Australians respond? Will they simply fall back on the principles of self-reliance that have obviously guided them over the years, or will they finally wake up to the fact that all is not well in their country and turn to God.
I seem to recall in 2009, just after Victoria state voted to allow abortion (murder) the state was stricken with terrible bush fires. However, this did not result in the state parliament rescinding the murder act but they continued to fly in God's face by brazenly going ahead with this abomination.
Here in the UK we have had similar evidences of God's judgement. In the 1960s after passing the law which allowed sodomite perversion and abortion this country was afflicted by a foot and mouth epidemic and 30 years of IRA terrorism. Because we have not repented and turned to God we are being afflicted still further.
In the southern states of the US a few years back a massive "gay" parade called "Southern decadence" was due to take place, and then Hurricane Katrina hit them.
Clearly, God is not mocked - the nation that turns it's back on God will incur His wrath.
Now, the people of Australia have been afflicted. I do hope they take the opportunity to repent and put things right with God.
As the Bible says "If my people, which are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will look down from Heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land". 2nd Chronicles 7 v 14
There is a natural tendency when this kind of thing happens to ask the question - "Why does God allow it?" Given the heavy emphasis on materialistic pleasure in that country, and given that the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has boldly declared her atheism, I wonder if God is issuing a wake up call to that nation. How will Australians respond? Will they simply fall back on the principles of self-reliance that have obviously guided them over the years, or will they finally wake up to the fact that all is not well in their country and turn to God.
I seem to recall in 2009, just after Victoria state voted to allow abortion (murder) the state was stricken with terrible bush fires. However, this did not result in the state parliament rescinding the murder act but they continued to fly in God's face by brazenly going ahead with this abomination.
Here in the UK we have had similar evidences of God's judgement. In the 1960s after passing the law which allowed sodomite perversion and abortion this country was afflicted by a foot and mouth epidemic and 30 years of IRA terrorism. Because we have not repented and turned to God we are being afflicted still further.
In the southern states of the US a few years back a massive "gay" parade called "Southern decadence" was due to take place, and then Hurricane Katrina hit them.
Clearly, God is not mocked - the nation that turns it's back on God will incur His wrath.
Now, the people of Australia have been afflicted. I do hope they take the opportunity to repent and put things right with God.
As the Bible says "If my people, which are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will look down from Heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land". 2nd Chronicles 7 v 14
Friday, 7 January 2011
The choice is theirs
In today's local paper for my area a letter from me, outlining the truths of the Gospel, was published. This means that tens of thousands of people across the district will have an opportunity to be saved. For the benefit of blog readers who do not live in my area I replicate the letter below:
"As we come into 2011 most of your readers will be making plans for the year ahead. However, I wonder how many are giving serious consideration to the possibility that they may not be here 12 months from now. The Bible says: 'Do not boast of tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth' (Proverbs 27 v 1.)
Moreover, in James 4 v 14 the following statement is made 'You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time then vanishes away".
None of us can be certain of how long we have on this Earth and death may come when we least expect it. Consequently, we need to be ready to face what lies ahead after this event. The Bible teaches that we are all appointed to die 'and after that to face judgement' (Hebrews 9 v 27). We must all give account of ourselves to God, who sees everything, and then we face eternity in Heaven or Hell.
The bad news is that because we have all done wrong in the sight of God, we all deserve Hell, but the good news of the Christian Gospel is that Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins and rose again to be our saviour. Moreover, He is the only way to Heaven.
Therefore, if we wish to be ready to face God and experience eternal blessing, we need to repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our personal Saviour. For those who do this there is the joy of having peace with God and the certainty of eternal life in Heaven."
Many thousands of people will read this over the next day or so - they will then have a choice. Their eternal destiny will be determined by the choice they make.
"As we come into 2011 most of your readers will be making plans for the year ahead. However, I wonder how many are giving serious consideration to the possibility that they may not be here 12 months from now. The Bible says: 'Do not boast of tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth' (Proverbs 27 v 1.)
Moreover, in James 4 v 14 the following statement is made 'You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time then vanishes away".
None of us can be certain of how long we have on this Earth and death may come when we least expect it. Consequently, we need to be ready to face what lies ahead after this event. The Bible teaches that we are all appointed to die 'and after that to face judgement' (Hebrews 9 v 27). We must all give account of ourselves to God, who sees everything, and then we face eternity in Heaven or Hell.
The bad news is that because we have all done wrong in the sight of God, we all deserve Hell, but the good news of the Christian Gospel is that Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins and rose again to be our saviour. Moreover, He is the only way to Heaven.
Therefore, if we wish to be ready to face God and experience eternal blessing, we need to repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our personal Saviour. For those who do this there is the joy of having peace with God and the certainty of eternal life in Heaven."
Many thousands of people will read this over the next day or so - they will then have a choice. Their eternal destiny will be determined by the choice they make.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Sergei Kourdakov - a miracle of grace
Sergei Kourdakov was born in the former Soviet Union in 1951. During his teen years he trained as an officer in the Soviet Navy and as a sideline worked for the KGB leading a team of thugs breaking up Christian meetings. The savagery they displayed towards the believers was vicious in the extreme with several Christians being killed and many others badly injured. Humanly speaking he was a man beyond redemption with no chance of being saved. However, God had other ideas and this man experienced a remarkable conversion which he outlined in his book "Forgive me, Natasha". How did this come about ?
During a raid on a Christian's house he noticed a young girl (Natasha in the book title) who was attacked by one of his men. He discovered her name by checking her ID card and was struck by the fact that such a young and pretty girl was prepared to be associated with Christians. A few days later he and his men raided another house and noticed, to his astonishment, that Natasha was present despite the trouble she had been in a few days previously. Kourdakov then administered a vicious attack upon her hoping that she would never again be seen at the meeting of despised believers. However, some time later he saw her again! He began to wonder if, perhaps, she had something in her life that he was lacking.
A short while later while burning hand-written copies of the scriptures he started to read an extract from Luke's Gospel. He put this in his pocket and, later in his sleeping quarters, read it in more detail. The words of Jesus penetrated him and he started to realise that this was the truth.
To cut a long story short he defected to Canada and then got saved. Thereafter, at great risk to himself he toured N. America telling audiences of the terrible persecution that Christians were undergoing in the USSR.
Eventually, he was murdered by the KGB, but his manuscript was preserved and the book written.
What lessons can we learn from his short life (he died on his 22nd birthday)?
First, no-one is beyond the grace of God. If God so purposes even Osama Bin Laden will be converted.
Second, the fact that God can save whom He wishes should spur us on to greater evangelistic endeavours.
Thirdly, we should not be afraid to use God's word in evangelism - "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God"
And finally, never give up on prayer - it is the means of watering the seed of the Gospel.
During a raid on a Christian's house he noticed a young girl (Natasha in the book title) who was attacked by one of his men. He discovered her name by checking her ID card and was struck by the fact that such a young and pretty girl was prepared to be associated with Christians. A few days later he and his men raided another house and noticed, to his astonishment, that Natasha was present despite the trouble she had been in a few days previously. Kourdakov then administered a vicious attack upon her hoping that she would never again be seen at the meeting of despised believers. However, some time later he saw her again! He began to wonder if, perhaps, she had something in her life that he was lacking.
A short while later while burning hand-written copies of the scriptures he started to read an extract from Luke's Gospel. He put this in his pocket and, later in his sleeping quarters, read it in more detail. The words of Jesus penetrated him and he started to realise that this was the truth.
To cut a long story short he defected to Canada and then got saved. Thereafter, at great risk to himself he toured N. America telling audiences of the terrible persecution that Christians were undergoing in the USSR.
Eventually, he was murdered by the KGB, but his manuscript was preserved and the book written.
What lessons can we learn from his short life (he died on his 22nd birthday)?
First, no-one is beyond the grace of God. If God so purposes even Osama Bin Laden will be converted.
Second, the fact that God can save whom He wishes should spur us on to greater evangelistic endeavours.
Thirdly, we should not be afraid to use God's word in evangelism - "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God"
And finally, never give up on prayer - it is the means of watering the seed of the Gospel.
Monday, 6 December 2010
Further proof God exists
Some months ago I wrote a blog article proving the existence of God. Now I wish to give further proof in the following true story that has been verified.
William Mackay was born in Victorian Britain and had the blessing of being raised in a Christian home. When he left home at 17 to start medical training his mother gave him a Bible and inscribed her name on the inside flyleaf. Shortly after arriving at university he fell in with a group of men who led him astray. He took to drinking heavily and even joined a group which existed for the sole purpose of ridiculing God and the Bible. He reached a particularly low point when he pawned the Bible in order to buy more booze.
Eventually in time he qualified and became one of Scotland's foremost doctors, being employed in an Edinburgh hospital. His skill as a doctor was undisputed but he was still far from God and would have nothing to do with the Bible apart from mocking it.
One day a man was brought in with serious injuries to his lower body. It was obvious that he wouldn't live more than a few hours but he seemed to have a calm serenity that impressed Dr Mackay. "Just lay me down anywhere", he said, "I am ready to die because my trust is in the shed blood of Jesus". He then asked Dr Mackay to arrange for his pay cheque to be given to his landlady and for a message to be given to her asking for the book. Dr Mackay asked what book that was - "Oh, she will know. Just ask for the book".
A few hours later Dr Mackay asked a nurse about the man's condition and was informed that he had died a few minutes previously. He then asked what the book was. "It's under his pillow" came the reply. Dr Mackay then looked for himself and noticed that it was a Bible - when he opened the flyleaf he saw his mother's name. It was the same Bible he had pawned for booze years before.
He realised that God was dealing with him and went upstairs to his office - there he made his peace with God. His mother's prayers were answered - the prodigal had returned.
After this he spent the remainder of his life serving Christ faithfully and spreading the Gospel.
This true account tells us that there is a God who seeks after sinners, just like the Shepherd who left the 99 sheep and went after the one that went astray. The fact that Dr Mackay found the Bible he pawned was not a co-incidence but a "God's-incidence". God is sovereign - He will have His way in people's lives even if they stray far from Him.
William Mackay was born in Victorian Britain and had the blessing of being raised in a Christian home. When he left home at 17 to start medical training his mother gave him a Bible and inscribed her name on the inside flyleaf. Shortly after arriving at university he fell in with a group of men who led him astray. He took to drinking heavily and even joined a group which existed for the sole purpose of ridiculing God and the Bible. He reached a particularly low point when he pawned the Bible in order to buy more booze.
Eventually in time he qualified and became one of Scotland's foremost doctors, being employed in an Edinburgh hospital. His skill as a doctor was undisputed but he was still far from God and would have nothing to do with the Bible apart from mocking it.
One day a man was brought in with serious injuries to his lower body. It was obvious that he wouldn't live more than a few hours but he seemed to have a calm serenity that impressed Dr Mackay. "Just lay me down anywhere", he said, "I am ready to die because my trust is in the shed blood of Jesus". He then asked Dr Mackay to arrange for his pay cheque to be given to his landlady and for a message to be given to her asking for the book. Dr Mackay asked what book that was - "Oh, she will know. Just ask for the book".
A few hours later Dr Mackay asked a nurse about the man's condition and was informed that he had died a few minutes previously. He then asked what the book was. "It's under his pillow" came the reply. Dr Mackay then looked for himself and noticed that it was a Bible - when he opened the flyleaf he saw his mother's name. It was the same Bible he had pawned for booze years before.
He realised that God was dealing with him and went upstairs to his office - there he made his peace with God. His mother's prayers were answered - the prodigal had returned.
After this he spent the remainder of his life serving Christ faithfully and spreading the Gospel.
This true account tells us that there is a God who seeks after sinners, just like the Shepherd who left the 99 sheep and went after the one that went astray. The fact that Dr Mackay found the Bible he pawned was not a co-incidence but a "God's-incidence". God is sovereign - He will have His way in people's lives even if they stray far from Him.
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