Acting on an Exercise

                                                                  Acting on an Exercise

Yesterday proved to be one of the hottest days of the year here in Bristol. It reached around 86 degrees fahrenheit. The previous evening I had an exercise to distribute Via gospel magazines within my extensive local area. I filled my bag with 250 copies and set out not long after noon. It was very hot, and without the semblance of a breeze quite uncomfortable.

After close on an hour I began to feel somewhat unwell and realised I should not continue much longer. I decided I needed to stop at an easily identifiable place so as to resume on another occasion should the Lord so will. I soon reached a "T" junction and felt this was appropriate. As I knew a short cut home rather than retracing all my steps I was grateful for the opportunity to reach home more quickly, having lingered a little in a shady spot on the way.

Arriving home I drank more than a litre of orange and ate a few squares of chocolate and began to feel much better. I then read a little ministry in my armchair having put my tired feet up. Fully recovered I picked up my bag, still somewhat heavy with magazines, and went up to my study to count how many copies were left and thus establish how few (I feared) had been distributed. It was a great surprise to find I had actually delivered exactly half, 125 copies! I was quite elated and thanked the Father for His gracious undertaking for me in acting upon the exercise brought to me by His Holy Spirit. 

In dark and difficult days with the preaching of the Gospel at a premium due to "lockdown" restrictions, it was precious to give perhaps 250 or more souls the opportunity to read the saving truth of the Glad Tidings, words whereby they must be saved.

May I commend this humble, unobtrusive ministry to you in these days one the Word of God is scarce; and multitudes are dying every day without Christ!       

Face Coverings and the Worship and Service of Believers.

The Government in England has decided to make the wearing of face coverings mandatory in certain settings. Sadly many sisters who refuse to wear head-coverings will readily obey the dictates of men but will refuse to take a subject place before the Lord, the Head of the Assembly which is His body. This is just a reflection of the attitude that prevails in the Assemblies today; [no doubt it is found in the denominations also, but I have no knowledge of their practices.] 

The soul-searching question which has prevailed upon my heart from the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic is in connection with the instructions and recommendations proposed by the various governing bodies in the U.K. and elsewhere in the world. It is not so much whether there have been degrees of wisdom expended in their discussions, but the failure of believers to look away from the foolishness of the "wisdom of this world," i.e "mans' wisdom, and to look to the Lord Jesus for His wisdom; "who has been made to us wisdom from God." 1 Corinthians 1:10,20.

When do we begin to say "if it be righteous before God to listen to you rather than to God, judge ye." Please notice this was addressed by believers to the "powers that be" appointed by God at that time. In addition, Peter stated, "God must be obeyed rather than men." Acts 4:19; 5:29. These expressions were used in the earliest days of the Assembly, while a pristine state prevailed far more than today.

I have read the various counter-arguments to my submission here, but although biblical quotations they have lacked any authority when compared with the above Scriptures. The scriptures quoted by those who seek to dilute the practices of the Assembly gatherings have the divine command in the right context and situations that prevail, for we believers must be "subject to the authorities that are above us."Romans 13:1. [incidentaly this is the only scripture that seems to be quoted by those who hold the different view referred to]. But as forceful are the words of Peter, "Be in subjection to[therefore] to every human institution for the Lords' sake; while Paul exhorts Titus to "put them in mind to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient to rule; and not neglecting the apostles' exhortation to Timothy, "I exhort therefore, first of all, that ...prayers...be made ...for kings." These are each and all verily the Word of God! 1 Peter 2:13; Titus 3:1; 1Timothy 2:1. I dare not diminish their divine origin, perfect compositions of the Holy Spirit Himself. But when these scriptures are used in collision with other scriptures by the failure to see them in the light of the entire subject, what is the outcome here in dealing with the State's interference in the worship and service of  Christ's Assembly? We are "rendering unto Caeser what is Caeser's," and far more than is his due, and without hesitation, while we fail to "render to God the things that are God's." 

I say with the utmost respect and sincere love for my fellow believers in the Lord Jesus, that some of the suggestions as to how we "break bread" are almost farcical, being a caricature of what the Saviour longed for in instituting this "feast of love divine," and nothing resembling the direct revelation received by the apostle Paul as to its celebration. 

Matthew 26:26-50; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.     

  

"Consider Him"

Consider Him

Simple Thoughts For The "Feeble Folk

This unpretentious little volume came into my hands just a little while ago. It is physically very small, but neither its smallness nor its sub-title should be allowed to put the reader off. I purchased it for an insignificant price, but I have been amply rewarded.

It captivated me early on in its 126 pages, with expressions I thought were mine alone, exclusively mine! But I feel this has confirmed that such puny expressions must be Holy Spirit granted; none are in any way "new revelations," only "peculiar" ways of expression.

The main title says it all, it is soul-occupation with the precious Saviour, the Son of the Fathers' love.

Apart from a few "titles" regarding Divine Persons, and of the saints of this dispensation, I am left without any misgivings in recommending it to any believer, if they can find a copy. I have only found one other copy on the internet and surmise that it is very scarce.

As to the author we only have his initials appended to the book, K.B. and I have not been able to discover his full name. I contacted the seller of the book on the internet as his copy bears the authors' signature. I requested him to decipher the name and kindly inform me, but sadly he did not respond. Any help would be appreciated and may be sent to me by email. I append my email address. Thank you in anticipation, in Him, Tom.

tw007q5184@blueyonder.co.uk

  

Removal of Offensive Statues

Removal of Offensive Statues
John Newton 1725-1807

I have no political affiliations or views, never having voted at any time or in any connection. this is NOT a political or racial statement, and is attributable to me alone. I am not expressing the views of any other person or persons.

In Bristol U.K. where I currently live there is a faction who want various statues removed in many different locations in the U.K. In general it is based on historic facts proving them to be  Slave Traders, although sometimes the factual  basis appears rather tenuous.

A number of people have asked the very pertinent question, "where will it all end?" I am apt to voice the same query.

With the advent of demolishing statues erected to honour (some) who were definitely involved in Slave Trading, the momentum is gathering apace. Will there now be a concerted call to remove, destroy or demolish the sculpture of the face of John Newton found in the "Amazing Grace Park" in County Donegal? And will there be a banishment order placed upon singing all his hymns, particularly "Amazing Grace," which appears to be a favourite with many choirs who often have black soloists and singers among their number?

I am afraid that MUST be the case if the argument is to be void of hypocrisy and in conformity with the actions taken at this time. 
Just by way of an interesting aside, Newton was enslaved himself by a black woman of the Sherbro people of Sierra Leone. Will it not cause some considerable perturbation and embarrassment if genuine and earnest research is made into Slavers who were black themselves?

Significance of the Rainbow

Significance of the Rainbow

The rainbow is among the most beautiful of sights to be found in the whole of creation. As I am well-advanced in years I have had the inestimable privilege of seeing its wonderful arched-form spread out across the heavens. Of course so many of its appearances have been long forgotten, but one remains indelibly etched upon my heart. A number of years ago I had been invited to take responsibility for an evening Ministry Meeting quite some distance from my home. I had preached the Gospel and ministered the Word of God there on many occasions prior to this particular evening. But I remember it as if it were but yesterday. Just a short distance from the Gospel Hall the brightest and most beautiful "bow in the clouds" bejeweled the sky, seeming to touch the earth itself at both points; appearing to be in touching distance from me. It took my breath away! I knew at that moment I had to change the character of the ministry I had had upon my heart, and the Spirit of God so graciously enabled me.

But what is the divinely purposed significance of the Rainbow? First of all we must establish ownership. Jehovah speaks of it as "My bow," thus silencing all other claims. Genesis 9:13.

What precious truth has the Lord assigned to the "bow," what does it represent? At the cessation of the universal deluge, when those eight souls who alone remained alive on the earth, disembarked from the ark, "Noah built an altar to Jehovah," upon which he offered up burnt offerings. Genesis 8:20.

As surely as the ark was a "type" of Christ, so also were the burnt offerings, and their "sweet odour" "odour of rest" ascending to heaven itself; "And Jehovah smelled the sweet odour." Genesis 8:21.

This a precursor of the fragrance produced in incarnation by the Son of His love, that which would ravish the heart of the Father, throughout His sojourn in this scene. 

Indeed, at that very moment we read, "And Jehovah said in His heart," what a sublime expression, "I will no more henceforth curse the ground on account of Man." 

Genesis 8:21. 

Twice the Lord repeats "And I, behold, I establish My covenant with you." 

Genesis 9:9&11.

And thus He speaks of the "sign" that seals, confirms this covenant: "I set My bow in the clouds, and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." "And the bow shall be in the clouds,...This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is upon the earth." Genesis 9:13, 16&17.

What is that covenant? It is as infinitely simple as it is infinitely profound. "And I establish My covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood, and henceforth there shall be no flood to destroy the earth. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living soul of all flesh that is upon the earth." Genesis 9:11,16.

The "bow" is His, and the assurance of His mercy is secured, because it is His responsibility to "look upon it;" just as in a later dispensation He would promise, "And when I see the blood I will pass over you;" Exodus 12:13. 

But now we witness an abomination flagrantly waved before the face of the Lord. Men and women promoting and the most perverted acts, reminiscent of Sodom, have dared to attempt to claim the "rainbow" for themselves! To publicly and unashamedly declare their pride in their loathsome, nauseating manner of life. My heart sank and something akin to fear took hold of me when first I learned of this wicked practice. I was afraid that the Lord would act immediately in providential judgement. And perhaps this pandemic is of such a nature.

But I hasten on. Only the other day I learned something that gave me a little solace in the face of this monstrous affront to our righteous God. Many of the populace of the  United Kingdom have assigned the "rainbow" as a tribute to the National Health Service, Care Home Workers, etc. This has thoroughly dismayed those who support the obnoxious behaviour of the homosexual community. Hoist upon their own petard. But more than that I learned that the so-called rainbow emblem assigned to them has only SIX colours! This is not a matter of ignorance, but that of satanic origin. SIX, in Scripture is mans' number, that of incompleteness, of imperfection and confederation in evil. While SEVEN is Gods' number, expressing perfection,completeness, rest, fulfilment and blessing. Here in this scene the seven-coloured rainbow has been appropriated to set forth in a feeble, but in a way of thankfulness, the acts of mercy performed by the "front line" workers bravely facing the threat of the coronavirus. God will ever have the final word; He is still on the Throne!  

  

Update concerning my son Adam

A considerable number of the Lords' people have asked me to "post" an update concerning the health of my son Adam (Wyatt).

He is presently in hospital having developed Sepsis as a result of a large kidney stone and kidney infection that had not been detected at an earlier stage. He previously underwent various tests to discover the nature of a supposed recurring U.T.I. But nearly a fortnight ago he had to be rushed to hospital with symptoms similar to Covid-19.

He had various intravenous "drips" to combat the infections and hydrate him. He was very seriously ill and we were fearing the worst, humanly-speaking. he had to undergo numerous tests and suffer a number of unpleasant procedures.

The Doctors tested him for Covid-19 on three occasions but each test proved negative, the symptoms of Sepsis are very akin to those of the virus, but there are more nasty symptoms re. Sepsis.

As of now, in wonderful answering mercy to the continual prayers of so many saints I can report that Adam has almost, if not absolutely, beaten both infections. He has an internal "stent" which acts as a drain to expel the infectious "material" near his kidney. When he has regained enough strength to be able to "transfer" from bed to wheelchair/car etc. he will be discharged; then four weeks later he has to return to hospital as an out-patient and have an operation to remove the kidney stone. He has to have this waiting period so as to be able to withstand the anesthesia.

A Doctor I spoke to commented that he was "remarkable well." Sepsis can hospitalise a patient for as long as eighteen months, and is often fatal. When it realised that Adam remains a paraplegic, and has been in hospital for less than two weeks, it heightens the measure and magnitude of Gods' grace to him. 

Excuse the length of the "post" but I wanted to be as comprehensive as possible. Please continue to pray for him. We thank you from the depths of our hearts for your faithfulness.

Tom Wyatt

Bristol U.K.

Royal Dainties

Royal Dainties

Part way through this book entitled "Royal Dainties," I feel the need to say something about it. I had looked forward to reading it with immense anticipation, as I had to put off the opportunity of reading it, until I had finished another book I was already reading.

My longing was to immerse myself in the "Upper Room discourse," if you will kindly allow that expression, Johns' Gospel chapters 13-17. The book is a revision by J. McBroom of Bible Readings and Addresses held in November 1948.

The Bible Addresses were contributed by six different brethren, only two of whom were familiar names to me, J. McBroom himself not being one of them. 

It may well be argued that I need to read the entire book before attempting any kind of review ,and that is a fair comment. But my disappointment is so real that I cannot help but say something at this juncture, having read 48 pages of the 123.

In the notes of the Bible Reading of John 13:31-14:6 there is this statement, "The Fathers' house and its many abodes would be the universe." I struggled to grasp what this really meant, I am able to see some argument of this nature in connection with the Lord Jesus as the "Son of Man" to whom all things universally will be subject in a coming day; but the context does not allow this line of truth, at least as far as I can understand.

The next passage is John 14:6-16. The exposition of these verses is fraught with that which is objective, subjective and even abstract. It went over my head! I fear if there were believers today subjected to this method of unfolding the truth, they would very soon give up all hope of being edified, and consequently lose any attention to what is being said. 

On a brighter note, I found the Address by J.B. Duff, "Under His Shadow," to be quite delightful. I trust there is more of this character to be enjoyed in the ensuing pages.