Message to the plods - now leave us alone!

In recent years the police have been using (or should I say mis-using) section 5 of the 1986 Public Order Act  in a vain attempt to silence Christians.  The following examples prove this to be the case:

In 2010 a Cumbrian street evangelist was nicked after telling a PCSO that homosexuality was a sin. He was initially charged but the case was dropped.   The evangelist was subsequently awarded compensation for wrongful arrest.

Earlier this year a somerset street evangelist went on trial after telling two homosexuals that what they were doing was sinful - he was cleared by a court.

Also in 2010 a Christian couple from merseyside were nicked and charged after a debate with a Muslim lady when she went whining to the coppers that she had been offended.  The case went to court but the judge threw it out and offered implied criticism of the police for their actions.

In 2011 a Christian cafe owner in Blackpool was visited by the plods and told that the advertising screen which displayed the New Testament contravened the Public Order Act, as it was allegedly homophobic.  Following negative publicity in the national press they came to their senses and apologised to the Christian.

In the latest display of Police harassment of Christians they nicked two peaceful pro-life protesters in Brighton and put them on trial, again for Public Order "offences", even though they admitted the protest was peaceful.  The two Christians (Andy Stephenson and Kathryn Sloane) were yesterday cleared by a judge.

In each of these cases the police have acted with a blatant abuse of their powers and bias against Christians. It is obvious that they are biased in favour of homosexuals, Muslims and abortionist murderers, and woe betide any Christian who dares to speak the truth about these people.  If it wasn't for the independence of the courts then all of these Christians would be facing a life with a criminal record.

Of course, we should recognise the truth of God's infallible word when it teaches that "men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil"  (John 3 v 19) and for this reason people lose all their sense of reason when facing a challenge to their sinful lifestyles.  However, would it be too much to ask that the police finally get the message - we have free speech in this country and that right extends to Christians as well as everybody else.

Clegg's got egg (on his face)

I have tried to leave the subject of homosexuality alone in recent articles on my blog; however, the latest faux pas by supporters of homo marriage makes it essential that I return to the subject.

The so-called Deputy Prime Minister, Clegg, gave a speech to "celebrity" homosexuals last night in support of gay marriage.  There is nothing unusual about that, this man has made no secret of his support for these people.  However, the original draft speech had him attacking supporters of Biblical marriage as "bigots".  When he realised the furore this caused he quickly backtracked.  Now he is in the position of having upset both sides - he upset Christians by calling us bigots, and he upset the perverts by withdrawing the "bigot" remark.  Truly this man has egg on his face - big time.

What does this sorry episode tell us about Clegg, in particular, and his ilk in general.  It tells us several things:

Firstly, those who support homo marriage are deeply spiteful.  They pay lip service to tolerance but it is tolerance on their terms.  In other words, their message states that you can believe and say what you like as long as it agrees with them.

Secondly, it confirms the reliability of the Bible in it's teachings.  In John 3 v 19 we read that people "loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil".   Those involved in homosexuality, and their supporters, are in darkness.  Not only are they content to wallow in their sin but they lash out at Christians who point out the truth of God's infallible word.

Thirdly, it is a fulfilment of Biblical prophecy.  In 2nd Peter chapter 3, verses 3-4, we are told that in the last days people would be living according to their own lusts and would have a mocking attitude to God and His word.  This is being fulfilled in front of our own eyes and is further proof that the Bible is true.

What should our response be to these matters?

Firstly, we should pray for homosexuals and their supporters.  The Bible teaches that they are in sin, but instead of having personal animosity towards them we should pray that God would be pleased to open their eyes and save their souls.

Secondly, we should be consistent in teaching the truths of God's word despite the persecution that this is likely to bring.

In conclusion let us meditate on the following verse: "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know, that your labour is not in vain, in the Lord". 1st Cor 15 v 58.

ECHR = Emperor Nero

I understand from the national papers that a number of persecuted Christians have taken their cases before the European Court of Human Rights.  Of course I wish them well, and it is right that we should hope and pray for their rights to be protected, but we need to bear in mind several important points.

First of all when it comes to human rights Christians are often kicked to the bottom of the pile; what I mean by this is that everyone else's human rights are respected except those who follow Jesus.

Secondly, Jesus taught that we would be hated because we stand for the the truth of God's infallible word. In John 15 v 19 He said the following: "If you were of the world the world would love it's own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out the world therefore the world hates you." This statement has been fulfilled many times in recent years in this evil country as Christians have been cast aside.

Thirdly, these judges are people who are living in darkness.  They do not accept that the Bible is the infallible word of God and so it is very unlikely that they will rule in favour of those who do believe in it.

Fourthly, for Christians to appeal for fairness from the ECHR is  akin to asking for fair treatment from Emperor Nero, or one of the other Roman rulers who persecuted believers in the Lord Jesus.

What should our response be to these evil servants of the devil, who cast aside the word of God and persecute His people?

1.  We should pray for them that God, in His sovereign mercy will yet be pleased to open their eyes and grant them repentance unto life.

2. We should remain steadfast and not be intimidated by those who oppose the Gospel, but rather, we should continue to sow the seed of God's word and be faithful in living godly lives.

3.  We should remember what Paul wrote in 1st Cor. 16 v 9 "A great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries".  When we are involved in evangelism God does open doors but the devil is also active.

God is sovereign, He will vindicate His people, He will save the souls of the elect and He will punish the ungodly in eternal torments. 

When we all get to eternity - then it is the Christians who "will have the last laugh".

The greatest events at the Olympics

Now that all the euphoria has died down I'm writing an article about the greatest events at the Olympics. 

What were they?   Perhaps I should list the numerous occasions when competitors ran their legs off on the track and then bawled their eyes out on the podium (but what good is a piece of metal when your soul is not saved?).

No, the greatest events had nothing to do with anything that competitors achieved (and then "forgot" to give God the glory for creating them with athletic ability); rather, the greatest events took place away from the sports arena in the streets of London, where evangelists were sharing the precious Gospel of our Lord and Saviour - Jesus Christ.

Over the two weeks of the Olympics the capital was full of visitors from all over the world, many from countries where open evangelism is forbidden.  It was truly a mission field on our doorstep and evangelists took advantage of this by giving out literature in many different languages.   As the glorious, life changing Gospel was preached souls were being touched and the devil routed.  Only eternity will reveal how many souls were saved during that fortnight.

Moreover, many of the visitors to London were staying in hotels and guest houses where Gideon Bibles were left  in a Bible blitz carried out last year - I wonder how many read the Bible and got saved as a result; again, only eternity will reveal this.

Over the last few years in this evil country Christians have been persecuted for standing up for Jesus and the infallible word of God - the Bible.  However, no matter how many servants of the devil try to suppress the Gospel it will still be preached and souls will still be saved.  God is sovereign, He WILL ensure that His word goes out and every one of his elect will come to faith in Christ.  As Jesus said:  "All that the Father gives me, will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out"  John 6 v 37.

Jerry will be paxoed (unless he repents!)

No politician relishes being interviewed by Jeremy Paxman.  More often than not it is a deeply humiliating experience as Paxman shows up the politician for what he (or she) is - hypocritical and two faced.  When Paxman successfully grills such a victim the poor creature is said to have been "paxoed".

However, news reports suggest that Paxman, while interviewing Dickie Dawkins, not only showed obvious bias in Dawkins' favour but also made it clear that he believes Bible believers are "stupid people".  I wonder if he would have said the same about Muslim belief in the Qu'ran? (Answers on a postcard, please).

Paxman's wickedness in attacking the Bible in general, and Christians in particular, may have won him a few cheap laughs and a nod of approval from Dawkins, but it will earn him torments in Hell for all eternity.  Indeed, to coin a phrase, he will be well and truly Paxoed -  hoist on his own petard!

People like Paxman and Dawkins think they are so clever (I believe the word is "cool") when they behave in such a boorish manner.  No doubt they have a very high opinion of themselves, but what is that worth on the judgement day?  

When all of humanity is arrayed before God to give account of their lives the cleverness of people like these will be worth nothing.  I am reminded, while writing this article, of a conversation I had yesterday with an atheist who was brazenly showing off to her female companion (yes, I suspect they might well be...ahem, you know, that sort).  This lady boasted that she was going to Hell and then denied the existence of such a place.  She then proceeded to pour scorn on the very idea of God's existence and she feigned indignant shock when I pointed out that the devil has blinded her.  One hopes that she comes to her senses before it is too late - or she, too, will be paxoed on that great and awesome day of the Lord.

Revelation 20 v 15 "Whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire".

Ian Huntley can be saved

Next week sees the 10th anniversary of the Soham murders.  We can all remember the deep sense of shock felt at the senseless killings of two young girls.  No doubt when Ian Huntley was convicted and sent to prison many people felt that his sentence was well deserved and that he was "beyond redemption".

However, while his sentence may well have been deserved no-one is "beyond redemption".  Even the vilest, most wicked of people can be delivered from the darkness of sin and its bondage to be brought into the light and liberty of the Gospel. As the Bible puts it, they can be turned "from darkness to light and from the power of satan unto God"  - Acts 26 v 18.

As a street evangelist I have sometimes been asked if it is possible for  murderers and other criminals to be saved and I answer emphatically "YES".  There are a number of examples of God's grace in action; a Baptist preacher in the North of England who used to be a terrorist before his conversion in prison, another Baptist preacher in Wales who used to be a drug dealer, again, before being converted in prison.

Then there are the numerous examples of people who have been involved in wartime atrocities who, after being convinced of the error of their ways have turned to Christ and become "Born again" of the Holy Spirit.  In this respect I think of the Nazis at Nuremberg  (8-9 of them came to know Christ as their personal Saviour while on trial) and the Jap pilate who led the attack on Pearl Harbor - Mitsuo Fuchida, who was converted some years after the war and went on to become an evangelist.

Indeed, people who have been guilty of bad crimes can be more likely candidates for salvation than law abiding citizens who think that they are so good they don't need to be saved.  Perhaps this is why prison ministry can be so fruitful as the evangelist doesn't need to convince prisoners that they are sinners in need of salvation, they know they have done wrong and need to change.  However, you try convincing law abiding people that they need to repent of their sins and accept Christ and they complain that you have insulted them!

Let us remember the words of Paul in 2nd Corinthians 5 v 17 "...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;  old things have passed away, behold all things have become new".

Where is she now?

News has come through in the national press of the death of Hollie Stevens at the age of 30.  Hollie who? I hear you say. Yes, I agree, I've never heard of her before but apparently she appeared in scores of pornographic  films and internet web sites.  No doubt she made a lot of money through living a life of extreme sinfulness but what good did it do her now she has passed into eternity.  Moreover, it has also come to my attention, again through the national press, that Sylvia Kristel is dangerously ill with an advanced form of cancer.  This "lady" starred in a number of extremely rude films in the 1970s.  I have never seen these films but the reviews made it clear what they contained.

These people, and many more like them, lead lives that are clearly in rebellion against God and His word.  They act with a brazenness which is, quite frankly, frightening; but what happens to them when death finally comes?  While writing I'm reminded of Oliver Reed, a so-called "Hell raiser" who died while engaging in a bout of  drunkeness.  Again, what good is their fame and fortune when they are roasting in the flames of an eternal Hell? 

In the case of Hollie Stevens, she did have time to prepare for death and one hopes that she repented and turned to Christ.  One also hopes the same for Syliva Kristel.  However, in Oliver Reed's case he didn't have time to repent as he died while in an act of sin - so we can say definitely that he is in Hell, and will remain so for all eternity without respite.

Of course, even devout Christians can contract serious illness, but at least we know our souls are saved and we have God's peace in the midst of trial - not so the unsaved.

The words of Psalm 37 are apt here viz. "Fret not thyself because of evildoers neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like grass and wither as the green herb"  (verses 1 and 2).

It is very easy to get downcast because of the amount of extreme evil in the world today and, for the present, it seems that the wicked are in the ascendancy but they will be cut down, then it is the eternal flames for them.  As the Bible says "The triumphing of the wicked is short".  Job 20 v 5