“If that nation I warned repents of its evil—then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned” (Jer. 18:8). There is no “if” in connection with what God has foreordained, and the history of nations has been as truly and definitely predestinated, as the destiny of each individual. “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18), and they are known to Him because they were decreed by Him. Now if God decreed an event He either foresaw what would be the outcome of it—or He did not. If He did not, where is His infinite wisdom and understanding? On the other hand, if He foresaw an event would not be—why did He purpose it should be? If God purposed a thing, then either He is able to bring it to pass by His wisdom and power—or He is not. If not, where is His omniscience and omnipotence? From the horns of that dilemma there is no escape. If God be God then there can be no failure with Him “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11)……..
Excited children masquerading as witches, ghosts, goblins, demons, and other grotesque characters skipping through the neighborhood knocking on doors chanting “trick or treat” while holding out a sack in which one is to drop a piece of candy or other goodies … the party at school, or church, or Sunday School where they bob for apples, tell fortunes, or go through “haunted houses”… decorations of jack-o’-lanterns, witches on brooms, and black cats with arched backs … It’s “Halloween”–one of the strangest days of the year. Are Halloween activities really just the simple, innocent holiday fun most people believe them to be? Where did this holiday originate? Why is this holiday celebrated? History provides the answers.
Holywell – on the North Wales coast – was the venue on Friday, 5th October, 2012 for the Annual Meeting of Christian Watch – an organisation set up to uphold the Protestant Reformed Faith upon which our National Constitution is established.
In the presence of a well-attended gathering of God’s people, the Vice-Chairman of Christian Watch, Mr. Ian Henderson (in the absence of Mr. David Crowter, the National Chairman – due to illness) outlined the reason for the existence of Christian Watch – pointing out that there was a desperate need in our day to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. As a nation, he said, we are in a most wicked state, with men ruling over us – from all political parties – who are godless and have no love for the Word of God. The Word of God states in 1 Samuel 2 verse 30 – ‘for them that honour Me, I will honour’ and the Lord has greatly blessed Christian Watch since its formation as it endeavours to honour God in all its doings. …..
Christ became incarnate or, which is the same thing, became man to put Himself in a capacity for working out our redemption. For though Christ as God was infinitely sufficient for the work, yet to His being in an immediate capacity for it, it was needful that He should not only be God, but man. If Christ had remained only in the divine nature, He would not have been in a capacity to have obtained our salvation; not from any imperfection of the divine nature, but by reason of its absolute and infinite perfection: for Christ, merely as God, was not capable either of that obedience or suffering that was needful.
The divine nature is not capable of suffering; for it is infinitely above all suffering. Neither is it capable of obedience to that law which was given to man. It is as impossible that One, who is only God, should obey the law that was given to man, as it is that He should suffer man’s punishment.
“In no instance does the word ‘gospel’ convey any thought of a mere ‘free-offer of grace’.”
Like so many Bible terms, the word ‘gospel’ has been given various definitions contrary to its original and proper meaning. The word has its origin “in Christ before the foundation of the world.” This was contained in the “promise” God made before the foundation of the world (Titus 1:2). The “gospel”, the “good news” or “good tidings” is the declared fulfilment of that promise.
In Isaiah 61:1-3 is found the outstanding proclamation made by the Sum and Substance of the good tidings, Jesus Christ Himself. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek. He hath sent Me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” The Redeemer repeated this same proclamation of Himself in the synagogue…….
On the 11th of May our witness on stand S92 at the Sandown Christian Resources Exhibition was brought to a close, It began on the 8th of May and the campaign ‘Who is on the Lord’s side’ had plenty of exposure, along with our support for the Keep Marriage Special campaign. Many visitors were confused when we asked them to sign the KMS petition, as they had previously signed the much more well known petition C4M – Coalition for marriage. It may help some of our members with our response at the exhibition to their confusion, and answer those who state that one petition is enough.
We explained that while we are pleased to see folk of all religious persuasions, and none, coming out against same sex marriage; nevertheless the KMS petition is to be presented to the government as one based upon Holy Scripture. It was explained that however the world and the men of this world are by nature often revolted by perverse acts: e.g Paedophilia, Tranvestism etc. so that even their own iniquity is found hateful. The Christian stands upon the Holy Oracles of God in their hatred of all sin which is offensive and at enmity against God; and not merely upon the fashionable whims and caprice of men. After all, it was not so long ago when unmarried men and women living together was a matter of shame. Now this ‘living in sin’, seems to be quite acceptable to the majority in society. Just as sodomites living in homosexual ‘civil’ partnerships is winked at by many who are against same sex marriage and signed the C4M petition.
On the 11th of May our witness on stand S92 at the Sandown Christian Resources Exhibition was brought to a close, It began on the 8th of May and the campaign ‘Who is on the Lord’s side’ had plenty of exposure, along with our support for the Keep Marriage Special campaign. Many visitors were confused when we asked them to sign the KMS petition, as they had previously signed the much more well known petition C4M – Coalition for marriage. It may help some of our members with our response at the exhibition to their confusion, and answer those who state that one petition is enough.