The ungodly do God's work!

I thought that title would raise a few eyebrows! 

Let me explain; sometimes opponents of the Gospel write articles or give speeches against some particular evangelistic outreach.  They think they are furthering their own godless cause by so doing, but in fact they are helping to publicise the Gospel. 

An obvious example of this is the hysteria generated by such people over the short film made by "Jews for Jesus" (which can be viewed on www.thatjewdiedforyou.com).   This film is part of a web site that encourages seekers to ask for a book outlining testimonies from Jewish people who have accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour.   Various writers have been railing against this film by calling it deeply offensive and insulting.  However, when people write such articles it simply encourages their readers to look up the offending website and view the film for themselves. They may then be led to seek further information and, we trust, will be led to repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Indeed, the You Tube video of this has been viewed a staggering 1.2 million times!  No doubt many of the unsaved who view this will turn away and complain about alleged anti-Semitism and lack of sensitivity, but there will also be others who will be drawn to the Saviour when they realise how much He loves them. 

Clearly, Jews for Jesus are motivated by a sincere desire to see Jewish people turn from their bondage and come into the liberty of knowing their Messiah in a personal way.  Indeed, many Jewish believers call themselves Messianic Jews rather than Christians.  This is understandable given the way that professing Christians have treated the Jews over the centuries.  (The film "The Merchant of Venice" with Al Pacino is an example of this; I know the film is fictional but it gave an accurate insight into the way the Jews were mistreated.)

However, not only do Jewish people need their Messiah in order to know true liberty of worship, they also need Him in order to avoid the eternal condemnation that will come to those who do not know Him.  In John 3 v 18 Jesus warned that people "who do not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God" are under God's condemnation.  (When the Bible speaks of Jesus as the "only begotten Son of God" it is referring to His uniqueness as the only Son within the Trinity).

The Bible is crystal clear - all people who do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God are heading for eternal torments. 2nd Thessalonians 1 v 7-9 teaches that such people will be punished with "everlasting destruction".  Moreover, Revelation 20 v 15 warns that people whose names are not "in the Lambs book of life will be cast into the Lake of Fire".

Far from being anti-Semitic and deliberately offensive, groups like "Jews for Jesus" are doing a tremendous service towards to the Jewish people and should be commended for this.

Only eternity will reveal what good has been done to people's souls through evangelism, the spread of the ONLY message that will save sinners from damnation.

The Gospel transcends language barriers

Last month I wrote an article about how French visitors to Canterbury were being reached with Gospel literature in their own language.  This work continues apace and, only this week, I've been able to give French scripture booklets to young people and even children; these booklets have a French address at the back and a website for further information.  Only eternity will reveal what good has been done to people's souls through this outreach.

However, it is patently obvious that visitors to the city come from all over the world.   It is simply not possible for me to carry booklets in many languages so how can these needy souls be reached with the Gospel?  How can they be given the ONLY message that can save their souls?

As I pondered this question I was reminded of a true story I heard about a Turkish merchant seaman who docked at New York.  While on shore leave he walked passed some evangelists who were preaching and passing out tracts.  An English tract was given to him, and, though he couldn't speak or read English he was greatly intrigued by this.  He resolved to teach himself to read enough English to be able to understand what he had been given.

To cut a long story short, he mastered written English and read the tract.  He then bought, and read, a Bible in English and came to know the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour.

This actually happened, and can be repeated time and time again.  If someone is truly seeking God then He will bring that person under the sound of the Gospel and lead them to faith in Christ.  As the Bible puts it: "..and you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart".  Jeremiah 29 v 13.

Of course, it is right to give someone literature in their own language but God is sovereign, He is able to ensure that the Gospel transcends language barriers - He WILL see to it that all those given to Jesus will come to Him (see John 6 v 37).

Such incidents as that related above are a great encouragement to evangelists; we know that our responsibility is to spread the Word.  Our responsibility is to do all we can to pass the Gospel to souls on the way to Hell.  However, it is God's responsibility to actually do the saving - we sow the seed but God gives the increase.

As 1st Corinthians 3 v 7 puts it "neither is he that plants, anything, or he that waters, but God who gives the increase".

There IS a God, and He will NOT be mocked.

News has come through of the resignation of the culture secretary, Maria Miller, from the cabinet.  One may wonder what this has to do with the headline at the top of this article - the answer is simple, and I will outline it.

Up until a couple of years ago Miller was a virtual unknown; despite being a member of the government she wasn't given much attention in the media.  Then Cameron gave her the job of steering his "destruction of marriage bill" through the House of Commons.  This bill, otherwise known as the "gay marriage" bill, would allow legal recognition of unnatural sexual perversion.  It was a wicked law to enact, and Cameron was warned time and again to back off, so was his culture secretary Maria Miller.

This law would be a clear example of trampling underfoot the precepts of God's inspired, infallible and inerrant word.  Despite being warned not to go ahead, Cameron and his sidekick, Miller, did so.  Only last month (March 29, 2014)  the first of these unnatural unions was lawfully recognised in a date that will live in infamy (see my last article).  At the time of her triumph Miller must have thought she was unassailable; she must have thought that, with Cameron's protection and support, she was guaranteed a permanent seat at the Cabinet table and a massive salary as a government minister, not to mention the huge pension she would get (all at taxpayer's expense) at the end of it all.

Now, she has resigned in disgrace, and I firmly believe this is a clear example of God's judgement.  She went against His laws, and against nature itself, by allowing herself to be used in this way by Cameron. 

In the Bible we read that one should not follow a multitude to do evil (Exodus 23 v 2); we also read, in the Book of Proverbs "When sinners entice thee, consent thou not" (Chapter 1 v 10).  Maria Miller allowed herself to be enticed to do evil, no doubt tempted by the promise of earthly recognition and riches, and she has been dealt with by the Lord for it.

The Bible says, "God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" Galatians 6 v 7.  In Miller's case it could be re-phrased "God is not mocked, whatsoever a woman soweth, that shall she also reap".

She has lost her cabinet seat, will she also lose her soul?  That is matter she cannot ignore; one hopes that she will learn a lesson from this and repent of her sins, one hopes she will make her peace with God by turning to Christ and accepting Him as her Lord and saviour.

I repeat the title of this article "There IS a God, and He will NOT be mocked" - many wicked people seem to be having the upper hand, they seem to be in the ascendency, but a reckoning WILL come.  God WILL have the last word.

March 29, 2014 - a date that will live in infamy.

On December 7, 1941 the Japs bombed Pearl Harbour; this brought the Yanks into the 2nd World War and led to their president, F D Roosevelt, to declare that this date would live in infamy.

However, this date has now been overtaken by March 29, 2014; why is this?  Because on that day the Destruction of Marriage Act came into force and people involved in unnatural sexual relationships could legally call themselves married.  The Prime Minister, Cameron, did not re-define marriage when he forced this law through the House of Iniquity (known as the House of Commons), he destroyed marriage.  He went against many centuries of marriage as defined as a union between one man and one woman; he also went against the wishes of huge numbers of people in his own party.

However, what is more serious than going against his own party is the fact that he has put himself against God, and His infallible word - the Bible.  I wouldn't wish any personal harm against Cameron, or anyone else for that matter, but I wouldn't want to be in his shoes on the judgement day.

God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6 v 7).  It is easy for those of us who believe the Bible to be downcast and despondent at yet another plunge in the moral temperature of this nation, but let us remember that God is on the throne.  He allows wicked men to go so far (in order to give them a chance to repent) and then He acts in righteous anger and vengeance. 

We see this in the Old Testament in Egypt.  When Moses told the Pharoah that God wanted him to let the Israelites go from slavery, Pharoah arrogantly dismissed him and boasted that he didn't know the Lord.  When Moses then started to perform miracles to convince Pharoah that he should repent, the magicians could "duplicate" these miracles.  However, there came a point when these magicians could no longer act in such deception and God's power was clearly shown.  The nation of Egypt was virtually destroyed and the first born wiped out.  Only then did Pharoah "get it" and let the Israelites go.

However, shortly afterwards he changed his mind and chased after them.  God opened the Red Sea to let His people pass and then wiped out the Egyptian horsemen.  Truly God showed His power even though He patiently waited for Pharoah to repent and make his peace with Him.

We may wonder why it is that God doesn't act in judgement more speedily. The answer is found  In 2nd Peter 3 v 9  where we read - "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance".

The reason why God hasn't yet judged Cameron for his wickedness is because He is patiently waiting for him to repent.  However, the day of reckoning will come when Cameron will have to give account to God for his wickedness.

Indeed, we can apply this principle right across the whole human race.   Multiplied millions of people are openly living in rebellion against God and His word, and seeming to get away with it.  However, God will "have the last laugh", and His people will be vindicated.

Psalm 73 v 17 - "Until I went into the sanctuary of God, then I understood their end".  Eternity is a long time to bitterly regret one's sinful lifestyle.

Reaching French kids with the Gospel.

The country of France is even more secular and godless than the UK (if this was possible!).  An example of this being the fact that the Gideons are not allowed into French state schools with a view to distributing New Testaments. 

This means that multiplied thousands of French kids are not being given the chance to hear/read the Gospel.  This means that their souls are in mortal danger unless someone tells them how to be saved.  Fortunately, in the good providence of God, a number of French kids come to Canterbury every year on school trips, be it for the day or a few days.  When they come there is every chance that they may encounter a street evangelist giving out Gospel leaflets/booklets in French.  I'm am one those evangelists.

Whenever I go to Canterbury to give out English Gospel leaflets I also take with me a pile of French comic booklets that contain a clear Gospel message, and a warning to people of the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ.  The English title of this booklet is "This was your life"; if you want to read this online simply Google "This was your Life cartoon booklet".

On the back of this is written a Paris address and a French language website that explains more of the truths of the Christian faith; there is also a link on this website giving details of churches right across France.

This booklet has been well received by the kids; I've even had some come up to me and ask for copies when they see what their friends have got!  Truly this represents a wonderful opportunity to  spread  the Word of God.

Over the years hundreds of French kids have been reached in this way.  Only eternity will reveal what good has been done in the salvation of precious souls.

What lessons can we draw from this?  Two things in particular:

1.  That God is sovereign.  The devil has attempted to prevent French kids from hearing the Gospel.  The banning of Gideons from going into French schools is a direct attempt by Satan to stop people being saved. This is the kind of opposition we expect from the devil's servants and is nothing  new.  However, if God has his hand upon someone then he, or she, will hear/read the truths that lead to eternal life.  God will providentially cause that person to come across the Gospel.

2.  We need not despair when we are opposed.  Our responsibility is to spread the Word of God no matter what opposition there is.  We sow the seed and God gives the increase.  Our responsibility is to be faithful and leave the results with the Lord.

Let us re-double our efforts to preach the Gospel to everyone remembering that the Gospel has never in any place converted all, but has, in every place, converted some.

"Go into all the world and preach the Gospel".   Mark 16 v 15

Germany's Shame

The issue of whether or not to send one's children to state school or home educate has long been a matter of debate and discussion among Christians.  For myself, I sent my boys to state school and have not regretted it. However, I fully respect the views of those who wish to home educate, especially when one considers that education today is even more godless and satanic than it was 20 years ago.   In the 1990s when my sons were at school, the teachers were not obliged to teach sexual perversion to children as they are now.

Moreover, it is wholly wrong for the state to persecute parents who wish to home educate.  In this country parents have the right to home educate but in some countries it is illegal - one such place is Germany. 

In the Nazi era a law was passed making it compulsory for all parents to send their kids to state schools.  This was intended to ensure that they were taught Nazi dogma.  However, this law was never repealed even after Germany lost the war.   Consequently, any parent who does not wish to send their kids to state school risks losing them.  When one considers that state education in Germany is as godless as in the UK this is very serious.  The state obviously wants to indoctrinate children into vile practices and teach them sinful behaviour.

In recent years a number of Christian families have fled Germany rather than lose their kids and have obtained asylum in other countries.  One such family is the Romeikes.  They fled to the US and sought asylum in order to protect their children.  However, the Obama government fought tooth and nail to send them back.  No doubt if they were gays fleeing "persecution" in Iran they would have been fast-tracked to full citizenship, but because they belong to the hated Christian faith their application was blocked.

After a long campaign by many Christians to help this family they have finally been allowed to stay.  This means that the parents can raise their children in the Christian faith without the interference of a godless and satanic regime.. These children can be raised in a godly environment without being forced, by government diktat, to accept sinful and unnatural perversions.

However, this whole issue raises one fundamental question - how can a supposedly tolerant country like Germany call itself  a democracy when it allows, and even encourages, the persecution of a decent family who simply wish to raise their kids in a loving, Christian environment?

What happened to the Romeikes, and others like them, will happen to other families across Europe if the EU becomes even more totalitarian than it has been hitherto.  Moreover, our supposed love of freedom in the UK  will be under serious threat if the EU decreed that all European families must send their kids to state schools, there to be indoctrinated in the ways of abominable behaviour.

As this country, and continent, becomes ever more dark we need to be vigilant in watching out for such threats to our freedoms, and we need courage to stand up for what we believe in.

We are to walk in the ways of the godly, not to succumb to the pressures from the ungodly to be like them.

Psalm 1 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful......."

...and yet another atheist now knows he was wrong.

News has come through of the death of Bob Crow, a militant union leader, who passed away this morning at the age of 52.

After hearing of his death I did some research on his life and discovered that, he not only had communist views (which, of course runs counter to the Word of God), but also that he was a convinced atheist.

A review of his life shows that he was a powerful trade union leader and very influential in the field of  extreme, left wing politics. He also earned a huge salary as a union leader.  However, it was his atheist "beliefs" that concern me the most; why is this? For one very simple reason - atheists arrogantly dismiss the notion of a God to whom they must give account.  They think they can live their lives without the constraints of Biblical teaching and morality.  Indeed, I believe that atheists adopt that belief (or should I say non-belief) system because they want to live their lives "their way" and not do what "the man upstairs" tells them to do.

It is for this reason that atheism is the most arrogant of all beliefs.  In effect they are strutting around saying "look at me, I'm master of my own destiny".  Well, I've got news for all atheists - you are NOT master of your own destiny, God is in control of your life and destiny.  He determines the length of your days on this earth, and when He is pleased to take you away from this life and bring you into account then that is what He will do.  What good will your arrogance and self-assuredness do when you  keep that appointment with God.  (Remember Hebrews 9 v 27 -"... it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgement").

One day we will ALL have to give account of our lives to God.  No one is bigger than God, He has the perfect right to require of us total obedience to His inspired, inerrant and infallible Word - the Bible.

As we head towards the 2nd coming of the Lord Jesus Christ then we must expect more expressions of arrogant atheism to manifest itself.  Indeed, in the book of Revelation (Chapter 12 verse 12) we read that the devil has come down "having great wrath because he knows that he has but a short time".  This means simply that, as the devil knows his time is running out he becomes ever more zealous to inspire wickedness in people's hearts and behaviour, hence the reason why atheism is becoming more pronounced in our society.

However, the days of all such people are numbered.  They know that one day they will pass into the presence of God, and they WILL have to account to the One they have spent their lives denying.  There WILL be a day of reckoning.

I will end this article by quoting from  Psalm 37 verses 35-36   "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.  Yet he passed away and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found".

P.S.  Since I posted this article online I have been accused by atheists of "gloating" over someone else's death.  My reply to such allegations is two-fold; firstly, I am not gloating at all, simply pointing out that we must all give account to God, and atheists are in for a shock; and secondly, I seem to remember that, when Maggie Thatcher died, atheist, lefty types were openly gloating over her death and even holding up banners proclaiming that "the witch is dead|".  The words pot....kettle....black come to mind.