The personal musings, and other writings, of a Ross who has maintained the Clan's ecclesiastical link! This is an unashamedly Christian ministry blog. Many of the posts are comments on current affairs, from a Biblical perspective, but I also include some straightforward Christian teaching; poems and songs that I have written; quotable quotes; and information on the persecuted church. Some of my posts stray into politics, and science!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1791394388I have made no secret of the fact that, with regard to Covid-19, I am something of a "conspiracy theorist"! I am also what has become known as an "anti-vaxxer". Okay, I reckon that I may have lost a number of friends just by posting those two sentences!
However, I have not made those decisions lightly, and unthinkingly. I have made them because I have gone to the trouble to do some basic research of my own, and not simply swallow all that the politicians, and the mainstream media, have churned out - in the UK; in France; and, it seems, in the rest of the world!
When one checks, for example, the actual number of deaths that are attributable to only Covid-19, then one discovers that they may be less than what is experienced with influenza! I use the word "may" simply because it is difficult to obtain totally accurate figures from any source! Of course, I don't expect anyone to take my word for it! Do your own research. It could be a real eye-opener!
However, in the book of Deuteronomy, in the Tanakh (the Old Testament of the Christian Bible), and in chapter 7 is a far more serious warning that any given out about Covid-19 - and this one is genuine! I would encourage you to read vs 6-16. Overall, that passage is a positive expression of the blessing of YHWH. It expresses His willingness to help those who trust Him. But that's not the whole picture! In v.10 we read: He "requites to their face those who hate Him, by destroying them; He will not be slack with him who hates Him, He will requite him to his face."
Did you catch that "News Bulletin"? YHWH alerted His chosen people to be 'on the lookout' - not for bad men roaming the streets, but for a good God Who will destroy all those who hate Him!
It's true. A virus, however harmful it may be, is far from the only thing to be feared. Much more fearful is Almighty God! Even although He is merciful, and full of compassion, His awesome holiness makes all other kinds of fear look mild by comparison.
In Matt. 10:28, we have these recorded words of the Lord Jesus: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear Him Who can destroy both soul and body in hell." "It is not hell-fire we are to fear, but it is God; without the stroke of Whose justice hell itself would be no punishment, and Whose frown would render heaven itself insupportable." (Adam Clarke's Commentary). This is the God who is described, by the writer of the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus, as "... a consuming fire." (Heb 12:29).
Just before I was about to publish this post, I received an e-mail that included these words:
"The God Who can speak the billions of galaxies into existence with the “breath of His mouth” (Psalm 33:6) is a God Who can cast ungodly men into eternal hell for their defiance and rebellion against “the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4)."
We may not like to face this sobering truth, but Almighty God will not always be patient with those people who have no love or respect for Him. That, I would suggest, is a "News Bulletin" that we cannot afford to miss - or to ignore!
The following is a copy of an e-mail that I received from Dr Donald Boyd, Leader of the Scottish Christian Party, for which Party I have, myself, stood in the past at both Holyrood and Council elections.
I share it here for the benefit of those who may be confusing the SCP with the SFP.
If you do not have a vote in the forthcoming Scottish elections, please pray that it will be conducted honestly, and that the will of Father God be done in Scotland.
Hello all,
Clearing out my Inbox, I came across this from many years ago (yes, I'm a hoarder - ask my wife!). Rather than send it as an e-mail, I thought that I would edit it, and post it on the blog. I hope that you will read to the end!
The Lord Jesus had been speaking about His Father, and some Jews who were present, responded: "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did, but now you seek to kill Me, a Man Who has told you the truth which I heard from God; this is not what Abraham did." (John 8:39-40). There was a great difference between what those Jews said, and what they were doing.
Our words, if they are to be taken seriously, must be matched by our actions. Those enemies of Jesus had closed their minds to the truth. They steadfastly refused to believe that the claims of the One Who stood before them might be valid; that He might have brought fresh truth from YHWH. They made the claim that they were Abraham's children but, as Jesus pointed out, they were not acting as Abraham did. When messengers of God went to him, he welcomed them (Gen.18). These Jews were seeking only Jesus' destruction - and they were doing so in the name of religion!
But not only did these Jews claim to be the children of Abraham; they also claimed to be the children of God! (v.41). To this, Jesus replied "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of My own accord, but He sent Me." (v.42). To make loud boasts of standing in a particular relationship with Almighty God; to make fervent claims to being religious; means nothing at all unless attitudes and conduct correspond to those claims. In this the Jewish leaders failed - and failed badly!
Although the pressure of other work is slowing me down, I continue to work on the fourth volume of my book series (see the heading). It is entitled "Living the Faith", and is based on the Letter from James. That letter is full of practical advice. I write, in the introduction:
« When we come to this letter, it should be with certain questions in our minds – questions such as, “Do my actions agree with my beliefs?” “Do I ‘practice what I preach’”?
In the letter, James shows us how we may transform our belief into behaviour; our theory into practice; and our doctrine into true discipleship. The letter is about the inter-relationship between belief and behaviour, for the true disciple of Jesus. »
Great disservice may be done to the cause of the Christ by those who profess to be His disciples, but whose deeds do not match their words. It was the American Ralph Waldo Emerson - the 19th century essayist, philosopher, and poet, who said "What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." The world will believe the message that we bring, not merely because of what we say we are, but because of what we show we are, by the way in which we live.
I had never heard of the Russian philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev until one of those who endorsed one of my books mentioned him in the endorsement. However, I discovered an interesting saying of his that it is "the extravagant acts of human love which constitute the credible currency of Christianity".
If you and I claim to be disciples of Jesus, let us be sure that our actions speak - at least as loudly as our words!
It was back in 2008 - remember those days when we were free to meet regularly, without any concern about 'social distancing' or the wearing of masks! - that, during Communion in the fellowship with which we then worshipped, the following words came to me. I published them, on this blog, that evening with the comment that: "It’s never going to be classic literature, but the thoughts are sincere, and intended to bring glory to the Lord." I found a hard copy at the weekend, and decided that it might be an encouragement to someone of I posted it again.
It’s only a tiny piece of bread, but it speaks of a God above
Who came, in the Person of the Son, to show how great His love.
It’s only a tiny piece of bread, but it speaks of atoning death
As Jesus completed His earthly work, and breathed His last human breath.
It’s only a tiny piece of bread, but it speaks of new life for me.
It reminds me of all that Jesus did, on that cross, at Calvary.
It’s only a little cup of wine, but it speaks of the Saviour’s blood
Shed on that cross, for all mankind; fulfilling the sacred Word.
It’s only a little cup of wine, but it speaks of the mighty flow
Of the mercy of God, to a sinner like me, and the grace that e’en I might know.
It’s only a little cup of wine, but it speaks of great sacrifice
As it spurted from head, hands, feet, and side; and the soldiers threw their dice.
It’s only a tiny piece of bread, and a little cup of wine;
But, each time I partake, I rejoice once again, in His wonderful love divine.
Blessings, and shalom.
Over a number of years, I have developed the habit of weighing myself every Friday morning - just to keep a careful eye on my weight! However, I have discovered that our bathroom scales play a trick! When I first step on to them, they register a certain weight. However, if I then step off, and back on again, I amazingly lose a couple of pounds in the process! Neither dieting nor exercise required!! Regretfully, repeating the action doesn't lose me another couple of pounds! Now one of those readings must, surely, be false. However, needless to say, I judge my 'progress' by the lower reading!
Paul writes to the early disciples of Jesus in Rome: "Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness." Rom 6:16-18. In other words, whether we admit it, or not, we are subject to that which effectively controls our actions!
Almighty God is the God of absolutes. His scales never give a false reading. With Him, a pound is a pound; a kilogram is a kilogram; right is right; wrong is wrong. He says "... I, YHWH, do not change;" (Mal 3:6). The writer of the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus, states that "Jesus, the Christ, is the same yesterday and today and for ever." (Heb. 13:8). This means that what He has declared to be sin, is sin - regardless of what humanity may otherwise decide! His Word is true, and eternal.
For those of us who are His disciples, this assurance is a source of great strength. We gain confidence in the face of difficulty, and anticipate the fulfilment of every divine promise, and prophecy. I am nearing the end of my current reading of the Book of Daniel in my personal devotions. I am now working my way through ch.11, and am amazed at the accuracy of prophecy that any student of history can confirm as having taken place. This, of course, encourages me that those prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled, will be - in His perfect timing!
If Almighty God were easily moved by every whim or notion, our eternal destiny would be in constant jeopardy. But, because He is the Unchanging One, we may be absolutely certain that His promise is true, that He "... so loved the world that He (the Father) gave His (the Father's) only Son, that whoever believes in Him (the Son) should not perish but have (here, and now) eternal life." (John 3:16; emphases added).
Have you taken Him at His word?!
Many will be familiar with the old Negro spiritual that asks the question: "Where you there when they crucified my Lord?" On this Good Friday, it's a question that may still be, legitimately, asked!
The story is familiar to many, but here is Luke's account of the part on which I wish to concentrate: "... when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified Him , and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide His garments. And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of God, His Chosen One!" The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering Him vinegar, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" (Luke 23:33-37).
Consider those who callously passed by the Saviour, as He hung on the cross - how they mocked Him; scoffed at Him; even challenged Him. How heartless they were. Yet, before we rush to judge them let's remember that many continue to treat Him thus today! They fall, broadly, into three groups.
There are those who want a cross without a Christ. It's possible to revere a symbol - even a symbol of death! - without giving any thought to the Saviour. So-called 'celebrities' will often be seen with a bejewelled gold cross being worn as a necklace; others will have little crosses hanging from their ears; many men will wear a 'chunky' gold cross around their necks. But that emblem, be it of silver, or gold, or wood, or anything else, will never pay the penalty for even one sin. It is the Christ, alone, Who redeems us with His precious blood.
Then, there are those who want a Christ without a cross! They want a mighty conqueror, not a dying Lamb. They would cry "... come down from the cross!" (Mark 15:30). They want a good example; a great teacher; a triumphant king. Theirs is a 'gospel' of human works. They want to be able to sing "I did it me way" - not His. They despise the true Gospel that declares that we are made right with Father God by faith in the One Who shed His blood on the cross.
A third group is those who want neither the Christ, nor His cross. They are untouched by His sorrow; unmoved by His suffering; unrepentant of the sins that He bore. They have never given thought to those wonderful words, penned by Horatio Gates Spafford:
"My sin - O the bliss of this glorious thought - my sin, not in part, but the whole is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more; praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul." (emphases added)
(by the way, if you don't know the story behind the writing of that song, I would encourage you to check it out. Try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReApJymYSiw The 'embed' code is below but, for some reason, doesn't always work! Any advice appreciated!)
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He Who was sinless gave His life, that I, who am a sinner, might live in Him. He took my place, that I might have His peace.
What about you?!