A Subtle Movement of the Devil

 The image below is a perfect example of the suggestion that Hallowe'en is comical, a humorous, even childish tradition, eliciting no danger.

It is of the same ilk as the numerous caricatures used to depict the evil one. He is the one who is laughing! Every distraction and deflection away from his true identity no doubt gives him depraved pleasure ,as he slowly enmeshes ignorant souls into his bondage.

Here in the UK we have had very little first hand knowledge of the impact of Hallowe'en in the USA. I cite the USA as its influence in this matter is overwhelming here in this land. 

Now as spiritual and moral principles and practices, are at their lowest ebb, perhaps ever, we now have to deal with ,no doubt unsuccessfully, another malignant assault of the devil as this dark shadow is cast over a gullible, guilty and grievously wicked nation.  

An alarm reverberated in my soul as I discovered the depths of the Hallowe'en "celebrations," on my own doorstep! Thus the quote is a little extensive.  

"Hallowe'en has become so popular that some attractions now make more money from the spooky season than Christmas, operators say.

From pumpkin festivals and haunted mazes to zombie experiences, businesses say demand for Halloween events has soared as the celebration grows from a single night into a month-long attraction.

At Avon Valley Adventure Park near Bath, Halloween activities now generate around a third of the site's annual income. Founder Doug Douglas said: "Halloween is really important for us, it has surpassed Christmas."

"We make half of our turnover in October, and one third comes from the week of Halloween alone," said David Gaze, owner at Chaplins fancy dress shop in Bristol. 

My inclusion of the word "Christmas" in the quote, is simply in connection with the believers' joy in Christs' impeccable incarnation. Just directing our thoughts to the awful popularity of a satanic intrusion ,compared to the divine revelation of the only-begotten Son of God.

Anything that touches even the border of occultism is to be absolutely shunned! Its' dangers can never be exaggerated! It is an abomination to God. 

Dear saints wheel away from this impenetrable darkness, do not allow the (seemingly) most innocuous things to defile the soul and spirit of all your dearest ones.  

"Be not diversely yoked with unbelievers: for what participation is there between righteousness and lawlessness? or what fellowship of light with darkness? and what consent of Christ with Beliar, or what part for a believer along with an unbeliever? and what agreement of God's temple with idols? for ye are [the] living God's temple; according as God has said, I will dwell among them, and walk among [them]; and I will be their God. and they shall .N.D.be to Me a people." 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. New Translation J.N.D.

A Word of Wisdom (4)

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes He, being rich, became poor, in order that ye by His poverty might be enriched."    2 Corinthians 8:9.

We oft recount the various down-stooping of the Son of God when He took a "bondman's form" in incarnation. But there is a beautiful expression of His abject poverty that we may easily overlook.

"And when the days of her cleansing are fulfilled, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring a yearling lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or turtle- dove for a sin offering, to the entrance of the tent of meeting, unto the priest. And he shall present it before Jehovah, and make atonement for her. And she shall be clean from the flux of her blood. This is the law for her that hath borne a male or a female." Leviticus 12:6 & 7.

If that were the commandment in finality, every poor Israelite could never have met the divine demand, what a fearful thought! But the Lord in His infinite grace and tenderness of heart made provision for them all. Are not the poor, the afflicted ones ever upon His heart? His Only-Begotten Son became the poor man, the poor wise man. And thus we read, "And if her hand cannot find what is sufficient for a sheep, she shall bring two turtle-doves or two young pigeons; one for a burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her; and she shall be clean."                Leviticus 12:8.

Such is the shadow, the type; here is the substance, the Anti-type. "And when the days were fulfilled for their purifying according to the law of Moses, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord....and to offer a sacrifice... a pair of turtle-doves of two young pigeons." Luke 2:22-24. The offerings of the poorest, as it were on behalf of the One whose wealth was incalculable. All creation was His!

But dear brethren and sisters, He emptied Himself of all that love could give, that we might be filled!

"Since from His bounty I receive

 Such proofs of love divine, 

Had I a thousand hearts to give, 

Lord, they should all be Thine. 

Would it please the Lord that these aspirations after the surrender of our heart's affections to Him, might be truly realised in our worship of Himself.      T.W.                                       

His Voice 

Our recognition and familiarity with His voice in this scene is a remarkable, present preciousness. It is His voice, the voice of the Good Shepherd who speaks thus: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give unto them life eternal." It set me meditating upon His assembling "shout" when He steps into the air to "receive us unto Himself." It is His voice though archangel-like in character, and is accompanied by "the trump of God." 

We will hear and recognise His well-known, well-loved voice. But, forgive me for simplicity and bear with my childlike musing, will it be in to each in our personal earth-borne language as at Pentecost? Or will it be in the language of heaven, our first experience of celestial tongue? It WILL be in accents tender. I am persuaded that it will be the latter, but it will not be our first lesson in that language, we will be fluent from the moment we are raptured.

O sincerely hope that this does not prove to be a "chasing after the wind, or "vanity of vanities," it is simply the pondering of a feeble saint.

John 10:27,28; John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Ecclesiastes 1:2. 

T.W. 

Giving

This is a very simple thought, but I felt it might be of interest to some of the Lord's people. For a considerable while, certainly some years, I realised I could enhance my "giving" to the "Lord's Work Fund," (a borrowed phrase,) very simply. I engage in paid surveys and earmark all the rewards for this purpose. There is no thought of any boast on my part, but if I am not participating how can I persuade other saints?

Just to repeat it is only a suggestion, but I feel it is an exercise with some merit; I refer to the participation, not the participants! I am a little annoyed in having failed to mention long ago.

I really trust that I have not offended anyone who may see this in a different light. 

T.W.

Open Doors

Open Doors 

From time to time I hear information which frankly astonishes and confuses me. Even Assembly-based believers engage in promoting things they have heard, read or listened to, mainly in the media and especially it seems from the platforms of so-called social media.

The subject I am referring to is that of individuals, groups, organisations and "churches," arrogating to themselves the title "Christian." And what is so frightening it seems numberless believers accept that claim and sympathise with it to varying degrees. there is very little di9scernment exercised, and I suggest very little effort to confirm these claims.

"Open Doors" is referred to as "a legitimate Christian Non-Profit charity." Its main principle is concern for "the persecuted church. " its website  abounds with numerous details of persecuted believers, globally. It goes into great detail regarding some of the more heinous persecutions being perpetrated against  believers.  These vivid descriptions no doubt have the effect of gaining sympathy from many who are reached with this incidents, and thereby bolstering donations for the seemingly worthy cause.   

In  case a reader of this "post" may feel there is some bias on my part, let me assure that there is indeed. To make merchandise of the truth is abhorrent to me. And the facts speak for themselves.

The CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland is Tiffany Barrans, while the CEO of Open Doors US is Lisa Pearce. the divine order is once more turned upside down with these women taking the lead. Furthermore, this "Non-Profit organisation pays George Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors US/International USA,  an annual "compensation" of $204,281; The global executive CEO, Dan Ole Shani, receives "compensation" of $142,847 annually; Meanwhile Tiffany Barrans the CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland as you will recall, currently "earns" £95,000 annually.

If this alone does not give cause for concern, then I admit I am more confused than ever. Surely there can be no case to argue for such greed, if it is not downright fraud. Where is there any scriptural support for touting for "donations?"

A lone voice on a comparatively simple and obscure Blog will do nothing to interrupt the cash flow to this organisation nor bring it into any measure of disrepute, but I hope that this as an example will encourage believers to be so much more circumspect and discerning in these matters; and not accept without due diligence anything purporting to be "Christian" in character.

T.W.    

A Word of Wisdom (3)

Not every wise word in the Holy Scriptures are words of comfort, love, or characterised by a devotion design. But every wise word is infinitely wise, divinely so. for it has its origin in heaven, in the heart of God, and in its written form is "God-breathed." 

But when we attempt to discover it to ourselves and others, our explanation is not inspired, but nevertheless if relying upon the Holy Spirit, it is kept true, and blessed of Him. I am not suggesting that it may prove faulty, but the failure is all on our part, we get in the way of the Spirit's ministry. But we have an unction from the Holy One, and a capacity given of God to discern the truth.

The following brief paragraph is the ministry of another, and that some decades ago, but it is so pertinent to that which prevails in this world now.

"To accomplish His purposes, God made use of the great nations of old, just as He does with modern nations, unknowingly the agents of His ways towards Israel. World events are controlled by Him, and He uses them to protect or to discipline His own."

I trust that in the light of so many disasters, and the myriad conflicts across the globe, that our hearts will not faint or be alarmed. "God ruleth by His power, for ever." Psalm 66:7. Thrice over this Word of wisdom came from heaven itself to Nebuchadnezzar the most powerful king ever found among men. "The Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men."                         Daniel 4:17,25,32.

What an amazing revelation, may it enlighten our hearts and garrison-around our minds.

T.W.

A Pathway Retraced 

About a decade ago my wife and I were compelled to "withdraw" rom a local Assembly; and we felt vindicated when the Lord "removed the Lampstand" so soon after. But last Wednesday I felt somewhat exercised about being cooped-up at home trying to stay out of the unbearable heat and subsequently losing opportunities to spread the Glad Tidings. Surprisingly I remembered a road in the district where the Gospel Hall had closed. Each year we had distributed Gospel Calendars to thousands of homes in that area. And from time to time "tracted" different parts of that neighbourhood.  

The road I had in mind included a number of blocks of flats. It was an extremely hot day and I thought delivering in those particular buildings would be fairly comfortable as cooler than outside. It prove to be so, but although there were six buildings, two more than I remembered, the number of flats in each was a real disappointment,

Nevertheless, along with a few houses opposite the flats we, my wife and I managed to deliver 59 Via Magazines. Far less than I had hoped and catered for, carrying 350 copies in our car! But still it was a little task accomplished for the Master. And the excessive heat would not allow of more effort outdoors. Old age robs one of so much energy, and the ability to bear with the temperature. But I did feel some relief from the the disconsolate failings of the previous few weeks.

It is a joy to serve the Saviour how ever feebly; I hope this will encourage some hearts as the heatwave continues unabated. I KNOW the Lord has a purpose in it, even if  I cannot comprehend what He intends for His glory, and that of His Son's too.

T.W.