Reformed and Renewed

Some thoughts on Calvinism

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:07:00 +0000

When a person says he is a “Calvinist” or “reformed” or confesses to believe in the “doctrines of grace”, he is merely concisely stating his theological position. As for me, I have not read that much of John Calvin to date, I am hardly a “follower of Calvin”. I am a follower of Jesus and I look to a Sovereign God who can save me from my own sinful selfish ways. But I do find his systematic theology helpful in understanding the scriptures

I am one who upholds the Sovereignty of God in all things, most certainly in the salvation of the souls of men. As Ephesians 1:3-14 clearly reveals, the redemption of man is for the glory of God alone to the praise of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have found many who malign and misrepresent the doctines of grace and the writings of Calvin for no reaon other than they disagree with him on certain things. It is quite OK I think that people can disagree on the side issues of theology but I find some of these so called contenders downright rude.
In fact I found many of them downright self centred and not gospel driven they inf fact oppose the gospel with a righteouesness of their own making. A severe mistake in my estimation..

I for my part am a long way of from grasp all that the Sovereingity of God in all of life entails. But I do know this. According to 1 John the sure marks of a christian is that you Love God above all else, and Love those He has redeemed with His precious blood.

May you be blessed as you grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Utterly quotable J.C Ryle

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:44:00 +0000

(J.C. Ryle, "Growth in Grace" 1879)

Another mark of growth in grace, is increased spirituality of taste and mind. The man whose soul is growing, takes more interest in spiritual things every year.
He does not neglect his duty in the world. He discharges faithfully, diligently and conscientiously--every relation of life, whether at home or abroad. But the things he loves best, are spiritual things.
The amusements and recreations of the world, have a continually decreasing place in his heart. He does not condemn them as downright sinful--he only feels that they have a constantly diminishing hold on his own affections--and gradually seem smaller and more trifling in his eyes. Spiritual companions, spiritual occupations, spiritual conversation--are of ever-increasing value to him. Would anyone know if he is growing in grace? Then let him look within for increasing spirituality of taste.

Luther Quote....

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:06:00 +0000

Jeremiah Burroughs explains the gospel in this way,.......

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:57:00 +0000

Puritan ,Pastor and Author, Jeremiah Burroughs explains the gospel in this way,

“As all mankind was lost in Adam and became the children of wrath, put under

the sentence of death, God, though He left His fallen angels and has reserved them in the

chains of eternal darkness, yet He has thought upon the children of men and has provided

a way of atonement to reconcile them to Himself again... Namely, the second person of

the Trinity takes man's nature upon Himself, and becomes the Head of a second

covenant, standing charged with sin. He answers for it by suffering what the law and

divine justice required, and by making satisfaction by keeping the law perfectly, which

satisfaction and righteousness He tenders up to the Father as a sweet savor of rest for the

souls that are given to Him...And now this mediation of Christ is, by the appointment of

the Father, preached to the children of men, of whatever nation or rank, freely offering

this atonement unto sinners for atonement, requiring them to believe in Him and, upon

believing, promising not only a discharge of all their former sins, but that they shall not

enter into condemnation, that none of their sins or unworthiness shall ever hinder the

peace of God with them, but that they shall through Him be received into the number of

those who shall have the image of God again to be renewed unto them, and they shall be

kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. - Jeremiah Burroughs”

Paradox of our Time in History

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:19:00 +0000

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; these are the days when Lukewarm is king, when shallow is in, shall we be part of it, or shall we part with it, this world and its things.....My Favourite puritan Thomas Brookes , once said, "The devils sweets are tasty at first, but you will find the sweetness hides a poison that will damn the soul.this is also still the message from
1 John....2:15 Do Not Love the World,Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world---the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions---is not from the Father but is from the world.

A Bit of Philosophical musings....

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

On occasion, I sit here in my cubicle and contemplate the rather complex bunch of people that surround me. I would be amiss if I did not include myself in that definition, since much of everyday life is a puzzle. It is not as many would hope, in fact if you have not discovered this for yourself. Everyday work can be absolutely soul destroying in its reaching for objects that produce nothing but futility, from the very things we posses, we wish to posses even at times our very blessings, Holy writ ascribes it this verdict, “Vanity Vanity, all is vanity, there is nothing as worthless as worly pursuits. The Hebrew here translates more accurately, “void of meaning” This is the state of our world we are born into, it was subject to this futility that the Creator subjected it too.

Not wanting to sound morbid, I find comfort in this rather morose reality, for that is what is, is, real reality, If I was a true Nihilist, which I am not, even close to being, my formula would look something like this. Nothing plus nothing equals nothing. Pessimism is the only true conclusion the mind without its Creator in focus can come too. There is no optimism in illusion, things are the way they are, because they are like the rest of Creation subject to futility.

The problem is then how did we get that way, and why was creation subject to such a sentence ? There is no answer to this in extentialism, atheism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Budhism or even Humanism. This is the great leveler, because there is no earthly sense in it. There is no amount of human reason that can explain suffering or other human ills.

Much of our philosophy is wrapped up in the word itself “ philo” meaning “Friendship and “Sophia” meaning Human wisdom” Something like “the wisdom that comes from human interaction and sharing ideas.

But we need more than that. Far more than that. We need spiritual light for our eyes. Light that only our Creator can give. Such is the state of things as they are, and need amount of positive thinking has yet made any eternal changes in a man.

ANIMISM, ANCESTORS and current South African Goverment

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:03:00 +0000

ANIMISM, ANCESTORS and ANC The centenary celebrations of the ANC and their determination to dedicate the country to the ancestral spirits sparked nation wide controversy. How are we as Christians to respond? What does the Bible say concerning the spirits of our ancestors? To whom should South Africa be dedicated? Are there examples in history of other nations that have invoked the spirits of their ancestors? What were the results in those cases? CelebrationsThe African National Congress started off the year by throwing itself a lavish birthday party in Bloemfontein. To celebrate its journey from anti-apartheid movement to ruling party, they scheduled a golf outing, champagne toasts, and an inter-faith service which involved slaughtering a bull and invoking the ancestral spirits. Ritual SlaughterWith drums pounding and chants filling the air, the ANC president, Jacob Zuma, initiated the traditional cleansing ceremony by ritually sacrificing a bull, killing it with a spear, while it was tied to a tree. ANC secretary general, Gwede Mantashe, explained: "traditionally the act of slaughtering has different meanings. All nations have a way of celebration through slaughter... it is the same but in different circumstances." The inter-faith service included messages and blessings from representatives of all major religions, including Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Rastafarian, and traditional Animist witchdoctors. Despite the ANC, chaplain general's assertion that "all nations have a way of celebration through slaughter" journalists could not think of how the Queen of England, for example, marks national events by ritual slaughter of a helpless animal. Opposition PrayerDr. Kenneth Meshoe, opposition leader of the African Christian Democratic Party, turned down his invitation to attend the festivities, declaring that invoking the spirits of dead leaders will have devastating consequences for the country. Instead Rev. Meshoe joined other Christians outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria for a prayer and worship ceremony to dedicate South Africa to the Living God, Jesus Christ. IntoleranceIn response, the ANC chaplain general, Vukile Mehana, criticized Dr. Meshoe for his "fundamentalist Christian beliefs" declaring that he was "practising religious intolerance". Vukile Mehana condemned Kenneth Meshoe's position as "totally unacceptable and a direct contravention of our constitution as well as the fundamental values and principles of Christianity." Venerating the AncestorsMehana declared that it was "mischievous and misleading" to suggest that the ANC favoured any one particular faith over others. He insisted that the centenary celebrations did not involve the worshipping of ancestors, but the venerating of the spirits of those who were part of its history. The distinction between ancestor worship and "venerating the spirits" would seem to be a fine line. Confusion and DistortionThe position of the ANC chaplain general seemed confused and self-contradictory. On the one hand, he condemned Dr. Meshoe's "fundamentalist Christian beliefs", and on the other hand maintained that Meshoe's position was in direct contravention of "the fundamental values and principles of Christianity"! It was not clear how Dr. Meshoe's position was a violation of the Constitution. One would have thought that freedom of religion, freedom of opinion, freedom of speech and freedom of association were guaranteed by the Constitution. Love for CountryDr. Meshoe declared: "Because I love my country I cannot associate with dedicating it to dead people." He urged all who love South Africa to join him in prayer "to do what is right, because what the ANC is doing is wrong."

A Cursed NationAn example of a country which has been dedicated to ancestral spirits is Haiti. As the Wall Street Journal noted in its article: "Haiti and the Voodoo Curse: The Cultural Roots of the Country's Endless Misery", that despite Haiti having received billions of dollars in foreign aid over the last 50 years, it remains the least developed country in the Western hemisphere. Haiti has defied all development predictions. Operation World reports that Haiti is the poorest state in the Western hemisphere with over 75% of the population living on less than $2 a day. Effective unemployment is around 70%. 98% of the island is deforested. Haiti has some of the worst pollution, drought, famine, rapid rise of drug abuse and spread of AIDS in the Western hemisphere. An estimated 75% of the population are actively involved in voodoo. Haiti is at the top of the corruption index. A full 25% of the police are in the pay of drug lords and gangs. The massive earthquake in 2010 was one of the worst natural disasters to ever hit the Western hemisphere, with over 300,000 dead. At its inception in 1803, Haiti was dedicated to satan. In 2003, voodoo was declared a national religion of Haiti. Obstacle to ProgressThe Wall Street Journal quotes Cameroonian development expert, Daniel Etounga-Manguelle as observing that voodooism is "one of the principal obstacles to progress in Africa." Daniel Etounga-Manguelle observes that "Haiti's culture is powerfully influenced by its religion, voodoo. Voodoo is one of numerous spirit-based religions common to Africa. It is without ethical content. Its followers believe that their destinies are controlled by hundreds of capricious spirits who must be propitiated through voodoo ceremonies." Animism is a "progress-resistant force". The Wall Street Journal observed: "A Haitian child is made to understand that everything that happens is due to the spirits. He is raised to externalize evil and to understand he is in continuous danger. Haitians are afraid of each other. You will find a high degree of paranoia in Haiti."

Understanding AnimismAnimism is spirit worship. It involves necrolatry - the worship of the souls of the dead. The witchdoctors or shamans are regarded as expert mediators who know the proper incantations and sacrifices to placate the spirits. Animism is a religion that sees a spiritual force behind every event and many objects in the physical world have some spiritual significance. Animism seems obsessed with invoking good luck and avoiding bad luck. Each community is seen as having its own sets of gods and spirits. These are territorial. Pervasive FearFear plays a major role in the life of Animists. They see the world as full of spirits, omens, spells and forces. Through magic, divination and sacred rituals, they seek protection to appease the gods, the spirits and the ancestors. They observe numerous taboos and prohibitions and observe sacred places. For example, in Haiti there is a sacred tree where a pact with the devil was signed over two centuries ago by witchdoctors. Animists see a whole host of objects as sacred things with sacred power. They recognize sacred persons and observe sacred actions. One of these is the circumcision rituals on young men in the Xhosa tribe. Many hundreds of men have died from these dangerous circumcision rituals. The Sangoma and the SnakeDuring the World Cup 2010, much publicity was given to a Burmese rock python, owned by a sangoma (witch doctor), in Nyanga. It was alleged that this python was able to communicate to the sangoma which team would win each match. Gamblers paid the sangoma for predictions. The SPCA found the snake to be underweight, suffering from dehydration, mouth rot and pneumonia and confiscated the python to give it medical care. The sangoma, 25 year old Siyabonga Mthethwa, said that the SPCA did not understand sangomas: "Everything I said does not make sense to them." Ritual MurderThe High Court in Pietermaritzburg found 28 year old Smangaliso Ngubane guilty of murder for having slaughtered his 17 month old baby daughter in a ritual killing. Amini Xaba was stabbed by her father six times in what state witnesses described as "an offering to his ancestors". Ngubane testified that he had heard voices that had told him to do this. Satanic SacrificesTwo teenage girls in Johannesburg were doused with petrol and set alight in a satanic ritual. The provincial police spokesman reported that the girls were tied up by their friends and burned in what appeared to be a satanic ritual. The Star quoted from Izabella Little, of the Teenage Advice Forum, Life Talk, that: "Satanism is not spoken about very often". She mentioned an incident in Cape Town where a mother reported her teenage daughter kidnapped and taken to some satanic church where another teenager was murdered. She managed to escape but was very traumatized. Police investigated the incident, but it was never mentioned in the media. "We always hear rumours about Satanism, but it is not something people are talking about. We would like them to come forward so that this can come into the open."

Child SacrificeIn Uganda the government is setting up posters in playgrounds and on roadsides warning of the danger of abduction by witchdoctors for child sacrifice. Police have investigated hundreds of cases of child sacrifice in Uganda. The mutilated bodies of children have been discovered at roadsides. The Anti-Human Sacrifice Task Force reports that there is a growing belief that when you sacrifice a child, you get wealth. There are people willing to buy these children to be sacrificed for the prosperity of their business. Powerful SpellThe UK based charity, Jubilee Campaign, reports that they know of over 900 cases of human sacrifice in the country. Churches are singing a song: "Heal our land, end child sacrifice." A BBC undercover reporter filmed a local witch doctor who explained how the sacrifice of a child is "the most powerful spell". The witch doctor was recorded saying: "there are two ways of doing this, we can bury the child alive on your construction site, or we can cut him in different places and put the blood in the bottle of spiritual medicine." Haunted RoadsSindephi Spogter-KaMcina of the National Executive Committee of the Traditional Healers Association claimed that the roads of South Africa are haunted because whites have not fetched the spirits of their dead from roadside accident scenes. He explained that the growing Christian tradition of putting up roadside memorial crosses and placing flowers at the scene of an accidental death, stops the soul of the deceased from departing. He claimed that roadside memorials cause accidents because the white people did not appease their loved ones' spirit. He explained that in African traditions the spirit of the dead is brought back home from the scene of the death. Some use a branch from a young tree to seep up the spirit and take it to the body, which must be buried in the ancestral area. Animism is SeriousThese and many other examples remind us that Animism is real and the consequences of dedicating a nation to ancestral spirits are very serious. The Scriptures are clear: "You shall not... practise divination or soothsaying... give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them; I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:26, 31 What the Bible Says"When you come into the land which the Lord your God has given you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you." Deuteronomy 18:9-14 Communicating with the DeadThe Scriptures are clear that we are not able to communicate with the spirits of departed ancestors. It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the Judgment (Hebrews 9:27). There is a great gulf set between the living and the dead and communication between them is impossible (Luke 16:26). However, many people who think that they are communicating with ancestral spirits are actually communicating with deceptive demons, unclean spirits (Matthew 10:1), evil spirits (Acts 19:12), fallen angels who rebelled and are now in darkness bound for Judgment (Jude 6). Their power is limited (2 Peter 2:4). They serve the devil, the prince of darkness, the prince of this world (Matthew 12:24; John 12:31). OccultismOccult practices honour satan rather than God. Occultism makes the enemies of God the guiding forces and the source of knowledge. Those who are "giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" actually "depart from the faith..." 1 Timothy 4:1. We are commanded "Do not learn the ways of the heathen..." Jeremiah 10:2 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 Dedicating South AfricaJesus Christ is the King of the nations. He is the Creator, the Eternal Judge, the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). There is no other Name given under Heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). The only one to whom South Africa should be dedicated is our Creator God, the only Redeemer and Saviour,as was done when the Afrikaners established the Day of the Covenant."Therefore submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 Dr Peter Hammond

Give me Love Like this, by Amy Carmichael

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:12:00 +0000

Many crowd the Savior's Kingdom,

Few receive His Cross,

Many seek His consolation,

Few will suffer loss

For the dear sake of the Master,

Counting all but dross.

Many sit at Jesus' table,

Few will fast with Him

When the sorrow-cup of anguish

Trembles to the brim.

Few watch with Him in the garden

Who have sung the hymn.

Many will confess His wisdom.

Few embrace his shame,

Many, should He smile upon them,

Will His praise proclaim;

Then, if for a while He leave them,

They desert his Name.

But the souls who love Him truly

In woe or in sweet bliss,

These will count their truest heart's blood

Not their own, but His;

Savior, Thou Who thus hast loved me,

Give me love like this.

Life is hard, but God is True to His Word which does not fail

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:36:00 +0000

Life is hard”, so it has been noted been prominent psychologists and psychotherapists over the years. Yet in this postmodern era that worships at the shrine of relativism life becomes even harder. I understand the pain of uncertainty and the confusion in both the sphere of religion and current trends in society that offer no anchor to the soul and no certainty to the destiny of the individual human. Certainly there is an anchor for the soul of the individual human who gives their reason to a legitimate authority that governs both faith and life. Now while there are many other voices out there the only legitimate resource available to us that speaks with divine authority is the Holy Bible. The God who inspired the Bible gave us in its pages the only legitimate divine revelation that we need for faith and life. As I said there are many other voices but the Bible is the only voice that speaks for God as He is revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ.

There are five fundamentals of the faith which are essential for True faith, and upon which we al need to agree

 The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20).

 The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8-9).

 The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27).

 The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12-14).

 The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15).

Foundational is the Inerrancy and infallibility of Scriptures. Denying the scriptures their proper place as God’s Word. And not the god of the new age but the One True God, Creator of heaven and earth. There is to much confusion around who and what the Person and Character of God is , the Bible is the only legitimate revelation of God and His Character. Anything else is sheer speculation regardless of whether the speculation is mystical or pagan in origin.

*The Bible is inerrant The Bible has no mistakes in it. Since the Bible is God's Word, it must partake of his true and holy character. To understand that Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16-17) is to commit ourselves, in advance, to the proposition that Scripture is errorless.God does not make mistakes; he does not lie; he does not err, and he does not deceive people by misrepresenting himself or his Word. We simply cannot believe that God would lend his name to something erroneous and deceptive. Would he really lend his name to that which was tainted and flawed? Would he give it the grand title "Word of God?" Never!

But more than that, notice how God speaks of his Word:

 "The words of Jehovah are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, purified seven times" (Psa. 12:6). (KJV)

 "Which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures" (Rom. 1:2).

 "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth" (Psa. 119:142).

 "The sum of thy word is truth" (Psa. 119:160).

 "Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).

 "And now, O Lord Jehovah, thou art God, and thy words are truth" (2 Sam. 7:28).

If the Scriptures are God's Word, can he say those words are truth if they contain error? Can they be holy if they contain that which is common and unclean? Can they be called sacred if they are like human, fallible writing? Paul told Timothy, "And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation" (2 Tim. 3:15).

If sacred Scripture is God's Word, and he uses such words as "pure," and "truth" to describe it, it is infallible and absolutely free from error. How could God's Word be truth and still contain error?

Paul called God's Word, "the oracles of God" (Rom. 3:2). In that God claims to be the source of every word.

Too. notice what John said. "I have not written to you because ye do not know the truth, but because ye know it, and no lie is of the truth" (1 John 2:21). Paul called it "the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Scripture is called the "word of God" (Mark 7:23).

So, what is the attitude of Scripture toward itself? Does it claim infallibility? If it did not, surely that would take some of the shine off our notion that it is inerrant. But it establishes our notion. It is called the "word of God," a title with serious implications. The words are said to be "pure," "holy," "sacred," and always "truth." How could all that be said if Scripture was full of error, lies, and deceits? No, the Scripture is utterly inerrant. To believe otherwise is to shun Holy Scripture and to *

Most people who write about the inspiration of the Bible focus on one scripture -- 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The King James Version reads:

 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

 Literally, the first part of v.16 reads something more like:

 "All writings God-breathed and/even/also profitable to/towards teaching, to/toward ...." Like verse 17 (see above) the whole of 2 Timothy 3 is referring to finding the knowledge required for living a moral life, using the "God-breathed writings," inspired Scriptures, as the guide.

The concept of the INFALLIBILITY of the Bible is foundational to understanding God’s truth we must believe that God’s Word is reliable and trustworthy searching for God's truth. As a source of truth, the Bible is also claimed to be INDEFECTABLE: it can not fall away or defect from truth. Consequently it will never fail or deceive anyone who trusts it in matters of developing a personal knowledge of God and in matters of salvation.

Another credible source for the Bible source is in fact the determination of history that determined in documents like the Westminister Confession of Faith. Of 1646 and I quote “The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it may be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.

Scripture is sufficient by itself. Because of its Inerrancy and Infallibility, it needs no interpreter, it speaks plainly for itself. And the claim it makes is quite plain it is the only consistent and reliable Word of God. That can be trusted without fear of its words not coming to pass.

Dr Steve Lawson from USA to Speak in Joburg SA, Free Invite

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:51:00 +0000

American Rev Jesse Jackson attends Pagan Interfaith ceremony in Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:49:00 +0000

This just in from Johannesburg. Apparently America's Jesses Jackson has no discernment when fraternizing with communists and pagan ancestor worshippers ( i.e - South Africa's current goverment) Rev Jackson attended a pagan cow slaughtering ceremony at the ANC's 100th year celebration bash. Now either the good Reverend lacks discernment or he does not care about assciating with cow slaghtering pagans. Being an white african myself, and a christian by profession I find this lack of insight puzzling. Apart from else the ANC was in 1989 still ranked as a world terorist organization along with the infamous Irish Republican Army.
Here is an excerpt from an online article....
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) — The Rev. Jesse Jackson says apartheid isn't over.
The Chicago civil rights leader was among the tens of thousands attendees of the 100th anniversary celebration Sunday of the African National Congress, Africa's oldest liberation movement.
He spoke after a church ceremony Sunday. He says there's still "the agricultural apartheid, the manufacturing apartheid, the banking apartheid" and "the shipping apartheid." Jackson says those are the challenges for the next century.
Many South Africans say the party hasn't delivered on its promises since taking power in 1994.
African leaders and former heads of state along with African kings and chieftains attended a midnight ceremony where President Jacob Zuma lit a flame.

I do not normally blog, post or even bother with things of a political nature, but times are changing, I say, stand up and be counted. For all the love I have for country, South Africa, its President is a ancestor worshipping communist, does this mean one disobeys the goverment, by no means. But then one would also expect someone of the Rev Jackson's influence and stature to be carefull of his associations. Attending a pagan call to the ancestors" and invoking the spirts of Shamanism is not a place a christian minister should be.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Jesse-Jackson-attends-ANC-s-100th-anniversary-2449288.php#ixzz1iy43IQS5

A christians best day

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:09:00 +0000

Death puts an end to all changes

(Thomas Brooks, "A Believer's Last Day, His Best Day")

"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better

by far!" Philippians 1:23

A believer's last day is his best day! Death puts an

end to all changes. What is the whole life of a man

--but a life of changes?

Here on earth, you often change . . .

your joy for sorrow,

your health for sickness,

your strength for weakness,

your honor for dishonor,

your plenty for poverty,

your beauty for deformity,

your friends for foes,

your gold for copper.

All temporal things are transitory. Man himself--

what is he--but a mere nothing--the dream of

a dream, a shadow, a bubble, a flash, a puff!

Now the comforts of a man are smiling

--but the next hour they are dying.
Now the Lord smiles upon the soul--and
at another time He frowns upon the soul.
Now God gives assistance to conquer sin--but
before long the man is carried captive by his sin.
Now he is strengthened against the temptation,
in a short while he falls before the temptation, etc.

But death puts an end to all changes. Now the
soul shall be tempted no more, sin no more, be
foiled no more. Now you may judge by this,
that a Christian's dying-day is his best day.

"And so we will be with the Lord forever!"

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Another name for Trouble- Quote by J C Ryle

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:41:00 +0000

He was a wise man who said that "Money" was only another name for "Trouble," and that the same English letters which spelled "acres" would also spell "cares."

Are you poor? Are you tempted to imagine that if you had the rich man's place--that you would be quite happy? Resist the temptation, and cast it behind you. Do not envy your wealthy neighbors--be content with such things as you have. Happiness does not depend on houses or lands! Silks and satins cannot shut out sorrow from the heart! Castles cannot prevent anxiety and care coming in at their doors. There is as much misery riding and driving about in splendid carriages--as there is walking about on foot! There is as much unhappiness in large mansions--as in poor cottages!

A Slice of Spurgeon - A Sermon for the Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:31:00 +0000

Ask, and it shall be given you. (Matthew 7:7)

We know of a place in England still existing, where a dole of bread is served to every passerby who chooses to ask for it.

Whoever the traveller may be, he has but to knock at the door of St. Cross Hospital, and there is the dole of bread for him. Jesus Christ so loveth sinners that he has built a St. Cross Hospital, so that whenever a sinner is hungry, he has but to knock and have his wants supplied.
Nay, he has done better; he has attached to this Hospital of the Cross a bath; and whenever a soul is black and filthy, it has but to go there and be washed.

The fountain is always full, always efficacious. No sinner ever went into it and found that it could not wash away his stains. Sins which were scarlet and crimson have all disappeared, and the sinner has been whiter than snow.
As if this were not enough, there is attached to this Hospital of the Cross a wardrobe, and a sinner making application simply as a sinner, may be clothed from head to foot; and if he wishes to be a soldier, he may not merely have a garment for ordinary wear, but armour which shall cover him from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
If he asks for a sword, he shall have that given to him, and a shield too. Nothing that is good for him shall be denied him. He shall have spending-money so long as he lives, and he shall have an eternal heritage of glorious treasure when he enters into the joy of his Lord.
If all these things are to be had by merely knocking at mercy’s door, O my soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord.
Leave not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the Lord, and until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be all supplied.
No bashfulness need retard when Jesus invites. No unbelief should hinder when Jesus promises. No cold-heartedness should restrain when such blessings are to be obtained.

Charles Spurgeon

Life lessons from technology.

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:37:00 +0000

Life Lesson from technology.

If you dont charge it, your gadget goes blank, a little bit like not going to your Bible everyday, you go flat, your heart goes cold, and sin becomes allruring. So plug yourself in and stay Connected, ate least with your God.

Be carefull you do not overrate your technology, a little virus will kill it just like sin will kill you if you do not stifle it in the bud. Puritan Jown Owen put it this way " Be killing sin or it will be killing you.

Keep the end in mind. A mobile device or a computer is not you, you are not your Facebook Profile, do not lose yourself in virtual reality and forget ulitmate reality,...this was a hard one to learn....

Technology might help you build a bigger fish tank, but it really has no soul. One of the most googled words on the internet was " I am lonely" Technology will enhance your life, but there ain't no soul in it brother.

Tecnhnology could give you a job, but it will not make you industrious, more productive or make you a person of integrity, Watching youtbe at work is not being productive. It honors the Lord when we do the tasks he Has give us to do,

Googling your name can be depressing, you find so many with the same name doing so much better, under my namesakes are politicians, TV Presenters and CEO's of companies ( have a rather common name) But you know, have to ask mysself do any of them know Jesus, has God revealed himself to them as He has done for me. It is a great thing to be led by the Spirit of Christ, to the Heaven of God. Much better than earthly wealth or fame.

I have learened that technology has put sin virtually in the grasp of your hand, your mobile phone, or your Internet connection. When I was younger you had to leave home to go and find a place to indulge my sinful nature now you can indulge your sinful in the comfort of your own home. Sad, and so much more reason to watch , what you allow yourself to read or look at, many a road to damnation starts with indulging "small sins" In the words of a puritan of old " Flee sin" Sin is worse than death. Sin is worse than ilness for it can seperate you from your God forever.

Technology might be helpfull but it is not your friend, by all means dowload security software to keep you from those sites that will ruin you soul, And there are many. Just a click away.

And remember to go and enjoy God's sunshine every now and then, the computer however great as a tool for gathering imformation and networking with like minded people, does not compare with real life. A real meal with a friend is after all more pleasing than watching Jamie Oliver on the cooking Channel.

Saints in Wrong Places

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:06:00 +0000

The sins committed by ancient Israel were recorded "for our admonition" (1Co_10:6, 1Co_10:11) that we might not make the same mistakes. Many great men have failed God because they were found in the wrong places. In the form of a question, we introduce several of the "wrong places" where some great servants of God failed.
Are you on the slippery path of DISHONESTY, as was Abraham when he went down to Egypt (see Gen_12:10-20)? Since his wife, Sarah, was such a beautiful woman, Abraham feared that the Egyptians might kill him in order to have her. To prevent this, Abraham deceived them by telling them she was his sister. It was only a "half-truth" for Sarah was Abraham's half-sister (Gen_20:12). We have a modern name for what Abraham did: "situation ethics," the philosophy which says that one's ethics are determined by the situation in which he finds himself. According to this concept, there is no absolute standard of morality, no objective basis for conduct. Thus, one may lie, cheat, commit immorality, etc., if the situation "calls for it." However, God has always abhorred the practice of dishonesty (Deu_25:13-16), no matter who was involved. Christians are to "provide things honest in the sight of all men" (Rom_12:17).
Are you giving way to IMPURITY as did David when he walked upon the housetop (2 Sam. 11, 12)? David yielded to his lower and baser instincts when he saw the beautiful Bathsheba bathing. The immorality led to further sin-murder! It all began when David was at the wrong place at the wrong time. The Christian, whose mind should be on things above (Col_3:2), would do well to avoid people, places and literature which tempt him to yield to unholy passions.
Are you sitting under the juniper tree of DISCOURAGEMENT as did Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-18)? Elijah's great victory at Mt. Carmel was followed by despondency when he learned that Jezebel was out to kill him. He sat down under a juniper tree and prayed that God would let him die. Despondency frequently comes after a mountain-top experience, doesn't it? When it happens we want to crawl under our "juniper tree" and let the rest of the world pass us by. Remember, God is still on His throne and rules the world (cf. Psa_42:5).
Are you sailing on the ship of DISOBEDIENCE as did Jonah when he fled to Tarshish (Jonah 1:1-17)? Jonah's prejudice prompted him to disobey God when he was told to preach in Nineveh. Is it possible that you are "on the way to Tarshish" when you should be "on the way to Nineveh?" Did you obey the Lord in becoming a Christian, but you have now boarded the ship of disobedience and are fleeing away from your Redeemer?
Saints in the wrong places! Maybe we can learn something from them and avoid their mistakes.

A Defining Mark of a christian

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:31:00 +0000

Col 3:8 (NASB77)

⁸ But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

Now there a couple of things that one should at all costs avoid, and the text in Colossians gives us a very good starting point. Anger at best is a destructive emotion. And when people say “ I am going to give you some constructive criticism, quite frankly, I cringe. It normally means “ I am going to take a bite out of you because you are doing something I don’t approve of. Now certain things you should be disapproving off and certainly some things you should be angry at. But since we are not God, we cannot keep anger to ourselves as an explicit right of expression. On the contrary scripture says right here in the text “put away such things” Good advice from the Proverbs starts right here in showing the Christian how to handle this volatile emotion. A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Prov 15:1 (NASB77) In other words, watch your mouth, control your temper, it is yours to control. Galatians 5:22 states that the fruit of the Spirit is “self control” to be self controlled is to be supernaturally, natural, it is the defining mark of a Spirit filled man or woman.

Having said all this I need to be found doing this. Self control is a fruit of the Spirit of Grace, those who Name the Name of Christ should be found at His feet asking for this Grace. it is a life saver. Bad tempers flatter no man and makes a mockery of their profession and their lives. Trust me, been there done that. it is better to be found at the feet of Jesus than to indulge the moods of the flesh.

Blessings

Pay Close attenttion to what you have heard.

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:23:00 +0000

Hebrews 2. Warning Against Neglecting Salvation -Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,

3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,

4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

I came across a sermon related to this text th other day, and the words "pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it." have really struck me. Pay close attention to what to what? The answer is of course in Hebrews 1. The Supremacy of Christ, His immense sacrifice for sinners, like me, the love He has shown to men and women who deserved not less than to be fodder for the fires of hell. This is not a small thing. The Love of Christ is to be received with reverence and fear, for it is not our due. Our due is to pay the wages of our law breaking attitudes and sinfulness ourselves. In the everlasting torments of outer darkness. This is our due.
But God has had pity, shown mercy and given as a Savior to save us from our sins but not only that, He has given us a new Master to serve. even Christ.
There are two errors I see we as sinful human beings make, one we go our own way and live debauched lives and hoard up for ourselves th wrath of God which will come upon all who are not hidden in the tender mercies of Christ. Then the other error, which is almost worse, is the staunch, critical, religous spirit that governs the lives of so many. Pridefull , arrogant, self suffcient, sel;f rigtheouss, brothers, out of these things Christ has safe many of us, from false teachings of false teachers.
In this text we are reminded to "pay close attention" to Christ, to His divine person, to His glory and to the fact that on His glorius head is the crown of of the Universe, and in His hand is the Sceptre of Justice. Our God is an awesome God, and we are to be fearful that we do not take for granted His gift of mercy, His Grace that pardons us, and His lingsuffering with us. Do not I ask, be mistaken the day of Judgement will come, and Jehovah will be on His throne as our Judge, have you pleaded for His mercy before that day? Please do it is all the hope you have. Then look upon the Christ, who was pierced for our trnasgression, and bruised for our iniquities. And never sin against His gift of love. For this has to be the evil of evils, to have heard the gospel and still choose to go to hell has to be more dreadful than not hearing the gospel at all.
God is good, let us pay carefull attention, not to offend His goodness, or neglect it, for in dong that we heap condemnation on ourselves that we will not be cured off. Die rather of some sickness , suffer rather loss than die in your sins. It is better to suffer unkindness from men or rom even illness that could lead to death than to suffer for sin.

Calvinist cat helping out Predestined Mouse

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:11:00 +0000

The Biblical Doctrine of Election in graphic form

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:56:00 +0000

Give Thanks unto God for He has done Marvelous things.

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:29:00 +0000

I am not an American neither do I live in a country that knows anything of an official Thanksgiving day, but this much I do know. God is to be thanked and praised in our words and deed regardless of our country of origin. I count it all joy that I may live in such a time as this, even though apostasy abounds and corruptions of mens hearts are seen as plain as day. God is good, and even though we are still in our regenerate state sorely lacking in many graces, let not us not be lacking in giving of thanks. Alleluia!

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

1 Corinthians 15:56-58

God is for you!

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:24:00 +0000

God is for me!" Psalm 56:9

By- James Smith
Beloved, the greatest mercy a sinner can enjoy--is to have God on his side, and employed in his most important concerns! In Christ, this mercy is yours!
God is for you!

He chose you in Christ before the world began.

He formed you to show forth His praise.

He preserved you in Christ until He called you by grace.

He quickened you by His Spirit, and led you to Jesus.

He has given you His Son, and promised every additional good.

He has said to you, "You are Mine!" You have said, "I am Yours!"

He is now your refuge and strength! He is . . .

tenderly concerned for your welfare,

devotedly attached to your cause,

and observes every step you take!

He may try your faith--but will certainly supply your needs. He may exercise your patience--but will never turn a deaf ear to your cries, except you indulge iniquity in your heart.
No parent ever felt so deeply interested in the welfare of a beloved child--as God does for all His children. He says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters and great trouble--I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty--you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression--you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" Isaiah 43:1-3. Trusting such a promise, who can fail!

"God is the best friend--but the worst enemy!" Thomas Watson

God is the Provider of your deepest need.

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:49:00 +0000

Matthew 6 :7 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Trusting in God's Provision might just be one of the most profound dicoveries you make in life, He provides Salvation, to save you from your sin and from the wrath to come, he gives you a life to live and air to breathe, he gives you food to eat and family and friends to enjoy. Some think they will enjoy these things in the lower reaches of hell but that is not the case, hell is solitary confinement for all eternity.
It is better to trust in God's Provision for you life, whatever your lot might be. Than to enjoy sin even for a season. I have seen it to often Many lay to heaven but live and talk like children of the devil.
Rather trust in God's Provision to save you from this present evil age than trust in your own resources.Too soon the thread of life is cut and you find yourself faced with your Maker. Rather forsake your sin you have loved so much now, repent of it now, than answer for it then. Do not worry for your life, for God already knows your need. Do not be shy to pray, for He delights to hear you call upon His Name, you will get the help you need and he will get the glory for the help He gives.

Trust in Him, for He is Faithfull, to Perform all that He has said He will do. Do not fail to trust in Him. Forsake your sin and trust in Him to deliver you and help you. Your deepst need is His forgiveness His Lvoe you soul's completion. Do not fail to see this,. Pray for Ligth and undestanding, so you may live in the Light and not be given to folly. Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trus and obey.

Ideas for integrating housework with Technology

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:30:00 +0000

This brainwave hit me watching my wife watch TV and do the ironing, its sort of Syncretistic really like the Emergents like Brian McLaren wanting to celebrate Ramadan and Christmas without seeing any conflict, or Shane Hipps offering to give communion to Muslims. Or Rob Bell teaching Yoga from the Pulpit.

Dont forget Rick Warren who seems to fit in almost anywhere, he can even be a good calvinist when he wants to. or Catholic. Taken from his offering of "Purpose driven Catholics. "

Syncretism is as foolhardy as trying to pass this device off as New Technology to the Modern woman. Dont even try!

The Crown and Glory of Christianity- by Thomas Brookes (1662)

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Thomas) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:14:00 +0000

The Crown and Glory of Christianity, or, HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness",

"Does He not see my ways, and number all my steps?" Job 31:4
The eye of God had so strong an influence upon Job's heart and life, that it wrought him up to a very high pitch of holiness.

The scholar writes most exactly while his teacher's eye is upon him;

and the child walks most exactly while his father's eye is upon him;

and the servant works most exactly while his master's eye is upon him;

and so certainly, all the sons and servants of the most high God walk most exactly--when they see themselves as in the presence of the great God, who is all sight--who is all eye!
Ah friends! as ever you would be high in holiness--have a serious apprehension of God's presence! Set yourselves daily as in His sight, as under His eye. Remember, though a man may easily baffle his conscience, and deceive others--yet he shall never be able to baffle or deceive God's omniscient eye! God has His window in all our hearts, and He exactly and precisely observes all that is done within us, and all that is done by us!
If the serious consideration of His sharp, piercing, all-seeing eye will not influence us to labor after the highest degrees of holiness--then I know not what will.
I have kept Your precepts and decrees--for all my ways are before You." Psalm 119:168