A Personal Admonishment 

I am considerably afflicted by deafness, although mercifully not profoundly so. Age is causing it too be exacerbated and its effect is gradually worsening. This is not a plea for sympathy for me, but for all who suffer hearing loss.

Until you experience it for yourself, you cannot begin to understand how awful an affliction it becomes. I have "endured" meetings where I have barely heard a word, and have been weeping inside a silent and solitary world. 

Many who suffer hearing loss learn to "cheat," when faced with the dilemma of a conversation that is almost beyond their grasp. The conversationalist speaking too quickly, too softly, turning away their face etc. We, the deaf, watch for expressions ,smiling when they smile, frowning when it appears to be sorrowful, laughing with them while having no idea what is amusing; and developing a little ability to lip-read.

This may sound hypocritical, but we don't want to give offence, or embarrass the one engaged in speaking to us. And it is humiliating to have to constantly ask them to repeat themselves, and frustrating to both parties.

Please bear with us, speak up, and speak slowly and clearly, please. Hearing aids are no substitute for thoughtful communication. Deafness is invisible.

"Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:14.

Do not say this was "under law," it is not relevant for this dispensation; that is only possible if the Lord has ceased to be the Lord!

the admonition in connection with blindness I would hope would be unnecessary among the Lord's people, who could possibly remain unmoved by such a terrible affliction? But do not be quick to dismiss the admonition regarding the deaf. You may feel that you could never "curse" a deaf person; but you need to think carefully before you dismiss such a reaction. It is easy to become impatient and frustrated when holding conversations with those who have hearing loss, and to become angry inwardly at least, if not to finally express it aloud. I feel for your frustration, but it is no excuse before the Lord.

T.W.      

Unfortunate Expressions Regarding Divine Persons 

In my personal devotional times each morning and evening I enjoy help from the awesome treasures found in the works of brethren, most of whom have "departed to be with Christ." I am eternally indebted to them for their exhaustive labours under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Thus the expressions I refer to will not include the names or literary works of these beloved brethren in Christ. My only objective is to safeguard the inerrancy of The Word of God; We must be vigilant in our references to Divine Persons, and not use expressions, however well-meaning if they are not to be found in God's Word.

"God-Man" I actually shrank from his title the very first time I read it, but it appeared in my meditation once again and I was equally repulsed. I fully understand what this title is supposed to suggest ,and sympathise with those who coined this phrase because of their obvious longing to present the divine and (impeccable) human natures of our lovely Saviour. but it is not a phrase of Scripture, and opens the door to those who revel in the  profane Roman, Greek and Nordic mythologies with their demi-gods; and still further the ideas suggested in the fantasies of men today with their so-called super-heroes. I need elaborate no further. 

"God the Son; God the Holy Spirit." These titles may seem to some believers as perfectly acceptable, but they are erroneous and without biblical support. Nowhere in the entire Word are these titles found. I believe with every fibre of my being that the Son and the Holy Spirit are indeed God as equal in every way with the Father, both possessing every single attribute of Godhead. But the only title in Scripture permits to speak of "God the Father." The Lord Jesus is the Eternal Son of God, from and throughout eternity, in Godhead and in Manhood; The Holy Spirit is the "eternal Spirit." Wherein lies the danger then? If we speak of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, we allow men to say that we teach a religion comprising three gods! And that is not unreasonable; we must adhere to the very words of the Scriptures. I verily concede that it is and must be impossible for us to express the inexpressable.

"The First, Second, and Third Person of the Trinity." This phraseology might be less commonly used among believers, but I know of a Book or Books that have adopted these titles.

I am not too happy with the word "Trinity" that is never used throughout the Word of God. The usage of first, second and third as to divine Persons has an obvious flaw. the man in the world would see the implication that there are "levels" of divinity, (apologies for poor way of expressing it), but it suggests supremacy of the one and subordination of the other two Persons. I am perfectly happy to use the precious scriptural  title "Godhead;"  and I think in an endeavour to refer to the three divine persons of the Godhead, that I am prepared to use the expression Triune.

In closing I repeat it is beyond the comprehension, apprehension and capacity of even Holy Spirit-enlightened believers to be able to express some profound truths in connection with our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

T.W.

 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.