August 2024

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Recently Featured Sermons

Spiritual warfare, pt 4
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Apr 4, 2004
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Spiritual warfare Pt2
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Sun Mar 21, 2004
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Recently Preached Sermons

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Mocking Christ's Last Supper
preached by John Pittman Hey on Sun Jul 28, 2024

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Older Sermons Recently Added

Go Forward!
preached by Rev. Dr. Ian R. K. Paisley on Sun Jun 24, 1979

Funeral service for Miss Edna Weir
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Mon May 12, 2003

Rev. Ivan Foster - My Testimony
preached by Rev. Ivan Foster on Tue Nov 11, 2008

View all recently added sermons


Watch Kilskeery Free Presbyterian services live online here


 

Lessons from the Book of Lamentations - Part 1

The weeping prophet Jeremiah

(An introduction)

By Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)

This wonderful book is scheduled for reading on August 24th – 28th in the excellent Robert Murray M‘Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar.

In 1965, while a first year student in the Theological Hall of the Free Presbyterian Church, I was told by Dr S B Cooke, one of the lecturers, that the prophecy of Jeremiah was ‘the book for today’.

In 1966, during the three month’s imprisonment (July – October) that I shared with Dr Ian Paisley and Rev John Wylie, both of whom have gone to glory, I was led to carefully read the book of Jeremiah. During that time, I gained a little understanding of the work, witness and wretched circumstances the prophet was put through during his 40+ years of serving the Lord and the clear similarity between his times and those coming upon us in Ulster.

Over the subsequent years, I have ever returned to the book and gained a deeper insight into the workings of apostasy and the wonderful mercy and long-suffering of the Lord and also His terrible judgment upon those who reject His mercy, abuse His patience, mock His Word and defy His power and authority.

Christians should study the writings of the ‘weeping prophet’ for it will enable them to understand just what is happening on a universal scale and most definitely here in Ulster. Furthermore, it will enable us to know what the Lord would have us to do in the midst of this rebellion.

I say this chiefly to ministers. Upholding and declaring God’s Word in a time of apostasy is not easy at all. It was for this reason young Jeremiah recoiled from the charge God gave him.

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child,” Jeremiah 1:4-6.

The Lord’s response to Jeremiah’s shrinking back from the task laid upon him, indicates that Jeremiah’s response was very natural and understandable!

“But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant,” Jeremiah 1:7-10.

(1). He had grounds for fearing the reaction of those to whom he was sent with God’s Word. The Lord’s reply indicates that there was much to fear ‘from their faces’,  for his preaching would not be welcomed by the general population. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-29 a 6:00 am


An Utterly Godless Funeral!! -- Part 2

Photo by Rhodi Lopez on Unsplash

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return,” Genesis 3:19.

We continue or study of what the Bible teaches the God-ordained method of disposing of the human body upon death, Is it burial or is it cremation?

I have already stressed in the first part of this article that it can be stated that the Bible sets forth burial as the God-ordained means of disposing of the dead.

Here now is the rest of our study.

II. THE FACT OF THE LONG PRACTICE OF BELIEVERS BURYING THEIR DEATH IS EMPHASISED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.

1. In the prophecies of the last days. Here is one of the most notable prophecies of the graves being opened.

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever,” Daniel 12:1-3.

There is a reference to the two resurrections, which I will explain a little further on in this article. “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-26 a 11:17 pm


A message from 10 years ago which is most relevant for today

God’s message for these dark days



What is our message in these dark days?

“Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon,” Jeremiah 37:17.

I must tell you a story about this text. It was the text the Lord laid on my heart for the welcome home rally held in the hills of Dundonald when Dr P, Rev JW and myself, a ministerial student, came out of prison in 1966. The rally was held on Lord’s Day, 23rd October, some four days after our release. There were approximately 25,000 people in attendance.

I had jotted down a few thoughts, an outline, in the margin of my Bible. When I was called upon to speak, I announced my text and started to speak. When I glanced down at my notes, the wind had turned over some pages of my Bible. Strange as it may seem, I could not remember the chapter my text was in! I asked the Lord to help me and I strongly felt that I was to forget looking for the text and my brief notes and trust the Lord for words. This I did!

Afterwards, Dr Bob Jones Jr said to me: “I pity you son! Most men begin their ministry with small numbers and hopefully build up. You have started with a multitude, the like of which you most likely will never again address!” I think that he was correct.

I want to turn to that text which I sought to preach upon some 48 years ago and which I have never preached upon since though I have often meditated upon it.

Posted on 2024-08-24 a 10:41 pm


The blasphemous bletherings of a fool!

Dr. John Coulter

I just had to respond to this article from today’s ‘Belfast Newsletter’, sent to me by a friend.

The writer, John Coulter, the son of a Presbyterian minister, shows yet again the moulding of his thinking under the modernistic and liberal theology he would have been placed under in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, a church now embracing in various degrees all the immoral and God-dishonouring practices of the world-wide apostasy!

His articles invariably carry at the end this little statement: ‘Dr John Coulter has been a journalist since 1978’! I can tell you he has been an ‘eejit’ a lot longer!

What he says in this article, and employing a modern ‘perversion’ of the Scriptures in order to give the appearance of having support for his nonsensical views, is a direct denial of what the Bible in truth teaches.

In so doing he maintains his track record!!

1. He calls the Bible view of modest appearance a ‘draconian view’. In other words, ‘harsh and severe’. That is a very dangerous thing to say of the Word of God.

2. He then goes further and states that it was ‘very misogynistic’ for all women to have their heads covered in any place of worship. That was and still is the command of God. “‭Every‭ man‭ praying‭‭ or‭ prophesying‭‭, having‭‭ ‭his‭ head‭ covered‭, dishonoureth‭‭ his‭ head‭.‭ ‭But‭ every‭ woman‭ that prayeth‭‭ or‭ prophesieth‭‭ with ‭her‭ head‭ uncovered‭ dishonoureth‭‭ her‭ head‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ (her husband)‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭: for‭ that is‭‭ even‭ all one‭ as if‭ she were shaven‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 1Corinthians 11:4-5.

I preached on this portion back in 1995.

Here are links to two sermons on the subject and the notes that accompanied them. I was preaching against the very views that Coulter is here espousing!



Read sermon notes here


Read sermon notes here

3. The man shows himself a fool by thinking that the abandoning of God’s Word and substituting it with man’s notions is how to fill pews! I dare say that he is ignorant of the Saviour’s words to those of a similar ilk to himself back some 2000 years ago (there really is nothing new under the sun! Ecclesiastes 1:9). “Why‭ do ye‭ also‭ transgress‭‭ the commandment‭ of God‭ by‭ your‭ tradition‭?‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬” Matthew 15:3.

What Coulter would have the Christian do is abandon God’s Word and take up his silly theory for advancing the cause of the gospel.

Silly indeed, and more than that, it is to think that by abandoning God’s Word we can fulfil God’s will and purpose and see His blessing descend upon such disobedient assemblies!

As I said, the poor man is a fool!

Below is a picture of his article.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster
23rd August 2024

Posted on 2024-08-23 a 5:28 pm


Logos Ministries International — Is This The  Final Straw???

An open letter to all Free Presbyterians from Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)

Free Presbyterian Church ministers have publicly associated themselves with ‘Logos Ministries International’ and three of them have stated their approval of what it was Mr Danny Roberts (who is, I understand, a member of Ballynahinch Free Presbyterian Church) said in response to my setting out the fellowship and cooperation with ecumenical churches here and abroad and also the organisations that promote and endorse Roman Catholic doctrines, that he and the LMI are openly engaged with.

In his response to my article on the LMI, Mr Roberts at no point denied that he and LMI are involved with ‘ecumenical churches’ here in Northern Ireland or in many other places.

He did, however, attack me stating that I am engaged in tearing down ‘the church and God’s people’ and ‘spreading false information’. I am a liar in other words.

He clearly insinuated that I spread hate and false information, as well as being unbiblical in my dealing with him and blasting other believers online for the world to see.

He also indicated that he would have nothing to do with ‘mixing with Catholics’ and that I was therefore accusing him falsely.

I set out in detail in a further article, just how false these denials were and that the internet is full of clear documentary evidence that Mr Roberts and the LMI organisation  have very close links with and are in a working relationship with ecumenical churches and those who promote Roman Catholic doctrine.

Mr Roberts has put on record that he is not going to reply to my third article: ‘Logos Ministries International attack answered!’

Now why is that?

Might I suggest that it is because HE CANNOT TRUTHFULLY ANSWER THE ARTICLE.

The facts of his unscriptural associations and activities are displayed repeatedly on the internet – put there by him and his associates!

Since I mounted on the ‘Burning Bush’ my third article, many Christians, who did their own research, sent me links of the unorthodox religious alliances that Mr Roberts and the LMI have formed! Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-23 a 6:00 am


Answer to LMI defender

The following is my reply to an email that was sent to me today.

I have decided to send it out to show the baseless defence of LMI’s activity that some Christians are ready to offer.

I believe it fair to say that a lack of a proper knowledge of God’s Word and a misunderstanding of it, gives rise to such a defence. It is to be expected that shallow, casual teaching of what men ‘think’ the Bible says leads to disciples with the same misconceptions of God’s truth.

That is to be seen all over the ‘evangelical world’ today. Shallowness in the pulpit cannot do anything but produce even greater shallowness in the pew.

It is commonly reported that some young preachers obtain their ‘pulpit messages’ by going to the internet and downloading what others have said — not all of them the most orthodox, it must sadly be said!

How far removed is such preaching from that marked by the introduction so often used by the prophets and the inspired description of that proclaimed by the apostles!

“Thus saith the LORD,” Exodus 7:17.

“Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also,”Acts 15:35.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster


20th August 2024.

Dear  xxxxxxxxx,

You have raised a number of matters in your email.

I will attempt to answer them though I serious doubt if you will be satisfied with my reply. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-20 a 10:29 pm


Free Presbyterianism - the true and the false!

Here in this recording is the stand and the witness of the Free Presbyterian Church as it once was set forth by the man, who in his heyday, was the epitome of contending for the faith and denouncing the errors and evils of ‘Ecumenism’ — the late Dr Ian Paisley.

This sermon was preached the year after I became minister in Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church.

It is appropriate, as we mark Kilskeery’s 50 years of witness and contending for the faith, that Ulster hears again the voice of authentic Free Presbyterianism, preaching in that fashion for which he was greatly beloved.



May all consider the contrast there is between that which was being preached back in 1979 and the mocking  and degrading parody of the gospel of Christ, offered by Mr Danny Roberts and his LMI associates. Here is a link to a LMI video, which we mount alongside Dr Paisley’s preaching to highlight the utter contrast and is what some Free Presbyterians have invited into their churches and some have even praised while endorsing a condemnation of my witness against the errors of the Logos Ministries International.

 

Free Presbyterian, please compare Dr Paisley’s definition of Free Presbyterianism with what you are listening to. If there is not a likeness and compatibility, then I suggest you do something about it by telling your minister this truth and urging him to listen to the recording included here!

Dr Paisley’s message here should help all to recognise the drift away from the stand that our denomination was brought into existence to maintain and move them to humbly pray that the Lord in mercy will overthrow the compromise and heal the backsliding that has gripped the Free Presbyterian Church and bring us back again to the ‘old paths’ (Jeremiah 6:16)!

Posted on 2024-08-19 a 4:56 pm


KILSKEERY FPC, 50th anniversary, afternoon meeting, Acts 26:22-23

(18th August, 2024 — Annual Day of Prayer marking the beginning of the witness — August 17th 1974)

“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles,” Acts 26:22-23.

Today we meet to bless the Lord for His mercy to Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church over the last 50 years.



Read sermon notes here

 

Watch a video of this sermon below:


Posted on 2024-08-18 a 9:27 pm


Dying to sin, self and the world

A FORGOTTEN PRACTICE!

“‭I am crucified‭‭ with Christ‭: nevertheless‭ I live‭‭; yet not‭ I‭, but‭ Christ‭ liveth‭‭ in‭ me‭: and‭ the life which‭ I‭‭ now‭ live‭‭ in‭ the flesh‭ I live‭‭ by‭ the faith‭ of the Son‭ of God‭, who‭ loved‭‭ me‭, and‭ gave‭‭ himself‭ for‭ me‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Galatians 2:20.

Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, oil on canvas, Valentin de Boulogne, ca 1619

I can recall back in 1968, just after Ann and I were married and we had moved, for a short time, to a house in Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh, bowing in prayer before this text and asking the Lord for understanding of it.

I. Spiritual understanding once granted, must be retained and sustained by a constant supply of God’ grace.

As we must repeatedly and regularly partake of food and water and sleep, in order to maintain physical life, even so it is with our soul’s strength and vigour.

If we are to remain ALIVE to God and His mind and will for our lives, there must be this constant partaking of His grace by the appointed means — prayer and the reading and musing upon His Word. As David said: “‭My heart‭ was hot‭‭ within‭ me, while I was musing‭ the fire‭ burned‭‭: ‭then‭ spake‭‭ I with my tongue‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalm 39:3. The word ‘musing’ carries the meaning of ‘whispering or muttering’. Those who read the Bible to themselves in this manner are seeking to savour and digest every word and its meaning.

Acts 8:30 says, regarding the meeting between Philip and the man‭ of Ethiopia‬ in the desert: “‭And‭ Philip‭ ran‭‭ thither to ‭him‭, and heard‭‭ him‭ read‭‭ the prophet‭ Esaias‭, and‭ said‭‭, Understandest thou‭‭‭‭ what‭ thou readest‭‭?‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

We should note how this man was reading, it was out loud. He was musing and seeking the meaning of what it was he read.

It must be recognised that few Christians so read their Bibles. For many it is an exercise similar to the counting of the beads of the rosary by the Roman Catholic! In other words, a ritual that must be performed!

We can never remain ALIVE to God by insincere observance of a vital means of grace and life to our souls. How often have Christian confessed to themselves and even to others that they feel so ‘dead’!

That is NOT an admission that spiritual life has ceased within them. No, that cannot happen to the child of God, for to them has been imparted ‘eternal life’!

No, it is the acknowledgement that the level of spiritual energy within them has dropped away because of their neglect of their soul and its requirements. They have become ‘cast down’. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-17 a 6:00 am


An utterly Godless funeral !! (Part 1)

“‭In the sweat‭ of thy face‭ shalt thou eat‭‭ bread‭, till‭ thou return‭‭ unto the ground‭; for out of it wast thou taken‭‭: for dust‭ thou‭ ‭art‭, and unto dust‭ shalt thou return‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Genesis 3:19.

Advertising of cremation as a ‘handy’, ‘cheaper’ and much more ‘pleasant’ way to dispose of the dead, has become a very regular feature in the media of late.

The adverts treat death in a most unseemly and distasteful way. Death is to be an occasion for a party and songs and celebration. That has been seen on some recent occasions when a ‘celebrity’ left instructions that bright and garish clothing was to be worn by those attending their funeral and worldly songs, signifying worldly joy, were to be sung. This all is the result of the darkness that has descended upon the general public regarding eternity and what lies beyond death for the unconverted sinner.

Death, for ever so many today, is but the end of a life of godlessness and Christ-rejection and the beginning of an eternal sentence of God’s judgment upon such.

If only the Bible were more widely known and believed, then people would understand that far from being a matter of frivolity and catchy advertising, death for the sinner is an entering into an indescribable cauldron of eternal sufferings.

Heed these words.

“‭And‭ as‭‭ it is appointed‭‭ unto men‭ once‭ to die‭‭, but‭ after‭ this‭ the judgment‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Hebrews 9:27.

Photo by Rhodi Lopez on Unsplash

“‭The wicked‭ shall be turned‭‭ into hell‭, ‭and‭ all the nations‭ that forget‭ God‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalm 9:17.

“‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭Who among us shall dwell‭‭ with the devouring‭‭ fire‭? who among us shall dwell‭‭ with everlasting‭ burnings‭?‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Isaiah 33:14.

“‭But‭ the fearful‭, and‭ unbelieving‭, and‭ the abominable‭‭, and‭ murderers‭, and‭ whoremongers‭, and‭ sorcerers‭, and‭ idolaters‭, and‭ all‭ liars‭, shall have their‭ part‭ in‭ the lake‭ which‭ burneth‭‭ with fire‭ and‭ brimstone‭: which is‭‭ the second‭ death‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Revelation 21:8. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-16 a 6:00 am


Free Presbyterians, awake!!!

Samuel Relating to Eli the Judgements of God upon Eli’s House, by John Singleton Copley, 1780

On this day, when I wrote my answer to Mr Roberts of Logos Ministries International and his deceitful attempt to deny what I wrote about LMI, I providentially read, as part of my daily Bible reading, 1 Samuel chapter 4.

As I read it, I noted truths which I am sure God would have Free Presbyterians take note of.

It was time when a perplexing question was on many lips. It is a question that needs to be asked by us all in this day when the enemy prevails.

“WHEREFORE HATH THE LORD SMITTEN US TO DAY BEFORE THE PHILISTINES?” verse 3.

Christian, do you have any sense of that which is taking place amongst us today?

Please note these following observations:

1. They were smitten of the Lord because they had followed the leadership of ungodly frauds and imposters.

“Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,” 1 Samuel 2:22.

2. Being thus led, the people placed their hope in vain notions.

“Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies,” 4:3.

3. Belief in such vain notions filled them with false hope.

“And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again,” 1Samuel 4:5.

4. The dreadful price the people paid for their folly.

“And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain,” 1 Samuel 4:10-11. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-14 a 9:55 pm


Logos Ministries International attack answered!

Deceitful words in defence and the dupes who support it!!

In my article, Paul’s announcement that his course was finished, posted on the 8th August, I indicated that I would be setting aside the ‘sword of contending’. I did not say I was throwing it away. Because of age and declines in health and strength I fully intended that I would be ending that element of my witness on the ‘Burning Bush’ website, but I did keep the sword close at hand in case I ever needed it again!

Well, I have a need of it and have gripped it once again to respond to a concealed and secretive attack upon what I have recently said about ‘Logos Ministries International’!

The devil is a master at concealing his evil machinations, even from those he uses to carry them out!

The labyrinth of links and associations that LMI has established with ecumenism and apostasy is bewildering and difficult to unravel, even for those who wish to get to the truth.

I am prepared to believe that some of those who have publicly rejoiced in the pronouncements of this organisation, do so with little or no understanding of what it is they are embracing and endorsing.

Even Free Presbyterian ministers may be guilty of such gullibility!

Attack

I was not told by Mr Roberts himself of anything he said about me and my article. I have, however, been informed that he, who is prominently involved in ‘Logos Ministries International’, has attacked me and my articles on the ecumenical involvement of LMI. He has been supported in his attack by Free Presbyterians ministers, who give their names on his ‘Facebook’ page.

At no point in his statement does he deny that LMI is involved with ‘ecumenical churches’ here in Northern Ireland or in many other places.

He states that I am engaged in tearing down ‘the church and God’s people’. He faults me for not having spoken to him about LMI. He further says:

‘But to be called out from someone I have never had a conversation with saddens me, especially when that person is an ex-minister spreading false information.’

He may have failed to notice that I never even mentioned his name in anything I wrote, just the activities of LMI.

But every little distortion aids in the spread of falsehood! Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-14 a 5:20 pm


The Bible tells us what we should love, avoid, and even hate!

There has been much reporting of ‘hate’ crimes of late. It is rather strange that while the IRA were murdering hundreds of Protestants in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, there were very few references or headlines about ‘HATE’.

These last few days have rarely seen one go past without some news outlet using the word ‘HATE’ in a headline.

Invariably, the term is used of a crime committed against a non-native, black or Asian individual, whose person or property has come under attack from those who claim to be protesting against the disproportionately generous treatment of the immigrants who arrive in the UK illegally.

As is ever the case in such circumstances, many innocent, hard-working and legal immigrants become targets by those acting is a most loutish fashion.

I. THE BIBLE TEACHES US WHOM WE SHOULD LOVE.

From the beginning of time, God has expected His people to treat strangers with kindness. “‭Thou shalt neither vex‭‭ a stranger‭, nor oppress‭‭ him: for ye were strangers‭ in the land‭ of Egypt‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Exodus 22:21.

The Christian must ever act in the light of their estrangement from God. “‭Wherefore‭ remember‭‭, that‭ ye‭ ‭being‭ in time past‭ Gentiles‭ in‭ the flesh‭, who‭ are called‭‭ Uncircumcision‭ by‭ that which‭ is called‭‭ the Circumcision‭ in‭ the flesh‭ made by hands‭;‭ ‭that‭ at‭ that‭ time‭ ye were‭‭ without‭ Christ‭, being aliens‭‭ from the commonwealth‭ of Israel‭, and‭ strangers‭ from the covenants‭ of promise‭, having‭‭ no‭ hope‭, and‭ without God‭ in‭ the world‭:‭ ‭but‭ now‭ in‭ Christ‭ Jesus‭ ye‭ who‭ sometimes‭ were‭‭ far off‭ are made‭‭ nigh‭ by‭ the blood‭ of Christ‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Ephesians 2:11-13.

The true believe cannot but have an affinity with strangers.

We are not required to ignore sin or criminal activity amongst strangers but we are forbidden to oppose them simply because they are not ‘native born’. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-14 a 6:00 am


The wicked walk on every side

Metropolitan Community Church Minster Teagan MacAodhagáin. Photo by Steve Humphreys 6th August 2024. (Belfast Telegraph)

THE WICKED WALK ON EVERY SIDE, WHEN THE VILEST MEN ARE EXALTED‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalms 12:8.

Teagan MacAodhagáin: Meet Ireland’s first transgender minister who was ordained in NI”, so ran the headline in the Belfast Telegraph of Saturday 10th August. The ‘church’ into which this ‘man’ has been ordained has been known from its beginning as ‘the gay church’!

“Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) (aka The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches or UFMCC) was founded in Los Angeles, California (USA) on October 6, 1968 by the Rev. Troy Perry.

Since then, MCC has grown from a few churches in the 1970s, when we were known as “the Gay Church,” to hundreds around the world by the 1980s when we became known as “the AIDS church,” to our current configuration which many dub “the Queer Church.” As a global movement comprising churches, spiritual communities, emerging ministries, clergy and lay leaders, human rights activists and many others, our goal is to “Transform Ourselves as we Transform the World.”

The writer of the articles is a well known advocate of all things that promote the ‘LGBTQI+ community’, Gareth Hanna! I have refuted him and his claims in a letter to the ‘Belfast Telegraph’, back last year. 

However, he and his like persist in their perversity, even though they are unable to answer what it is the Bible says.

What a day faces them when they meet with the AUTHOR of the Bible they cannot answer though they have lived to misrepresent its teachings!

“‭And‭‭ the times‭ of this ignorance‭ God‭ winked at‭‭; but now‭ commandeth‭‭ all‭ men‭ every where‭ to repent‭‭:‭ ‭Because‭ he hath appointed‭‭ a day‭, in‭ the which‭ he will‭‭ judge‭‭ the world‭ in‭ righteousness‭ by‭ ‭that‭ man‭ whom‭ he hath ordained‭‭; ‭whereof‭ he hath given‭‭ assurance‭ unto all‭ ‭men‭, in that he hath raised‭‭ him‭ from‭ the dead‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Acts 17:30-31.

Latest Folly

In his latest article, Hanna reports on the ‘ordination’ of one who claims to be a ‘transgender’ though what he claims to have ‘metamorphosed’ from and what into, I cannot really be sure from Hanna’s scribblings. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-12 a 6:00 am


First Minister Michelle O’Neill — The Embodiment of Hypocrisy!!

First Minister Michelle O’Neill spoke about the ‘real human impact’ of the violence

‘No place for racism in our society’, says O’Neill

 O’Neill leads a party which was allied with IRA terrorism which raged for decades here in Northern Ireland and which resulted in hundreds of innocent people, Protestant and Roman Catholic, being callously murdered. The chief motive of the IRA was a hatred of all things Protestant and British. Thus the Protestant and Unionist community chiefly were the targets of the IRA. Roman Catholics who were deemed to show any sympathy for the IRA’s chief victims, became targets also and were brutally murdered. The bodies of some of these victims have never been found!

For her to condemn ‘RACISM’ is so ridiculous to be laughable!  Sadly, she and her party hold office only because of the blatantly foolish action of the Democratic Unionist Party entering into nefarious agreement to share power with them back in 2007. Blind greed and grasping after power was the DUP’s motive for such an utter contempt for all its former promises to never share power with Sinn Fein/IRA. That greed was bolstered by a confidence in its own ‘political skills’!

We are where we are today because of that arrogance and mercenariness!

The hypocrisy of O’Neill was shared by the DUP in that she was joined in this statement, we are told, by the DUP, Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly.

It would appear that the DUP has either forgotten the years of IRA terror and murder or simply, for the sake of maintaining their apparent position of power, which is in truth a mere ‘spider’s web of make-believe’, shut them out of their minds! Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-09 a 5:49 pm


A Postscript to ‘Logos Ministries International’ article

Following the distribution of my article — “Free Presbyterian ministers are to help raise funds for an ecumenical organisation, engaged in fellowshipping with and aiding the outreaches of ecumenical denominations”, some have requested evidence of the ecumenical involvement of this organisation.

I must say, that when I received the requests I thought of the saying I heard of old in Belfast when a man responded to a questioning of that which he considered to be very obvious. His response was: ‘Is the Pope a Mickey?’

To ask if Logos Ministries International is ecumenical is the equivalent of asking ‘Is the Pope a Mickey?’!!

A little research will show that LMI cares nothing for the purity of a Christian testimony, the honour of the Saviour, divinely inspired truth or obedience to God’s Word. NO, just the pursuit of a money-raising enterprise which is of their own invention!

‘Logos Ministries International’ has long been involved with ecumenism. It is a clear evidence of the silence of our pulpits regarding the duty of warning people of such dangers, that I have to establish for many the errors of this organisation.

Here are some links to articles that will demonstrate the ecumenical links, local and overseas, of ‘Logos Ministries International’.

Thomas McClean and Alan Dourish enjoyed an excellent morning with the congregations at Corrick Presbyterian Church and Badoney Presbyterian Church yesterday, as they shared about the work of LMI and brought a missional challenge from God’s Word

Sincere and heartfelt congratulations from everyone at LMI go to our Overseas Ministry Partner in South Sudan, James Baak, after his recent elevation to the position of Rt. Rev’d James Baak Nhial, Suffragan Bishop of Lietnhom Area Diocese!

Last Sunday morning, LMI’s Communications Manager, Alan Dourish, was back in his home village of Florencecourt in County Fermanagh, where he spoke at two church services in Druminiskill and St John’s

It will very much be a case of ‘turning back the clock’ for our Co-Founder and Mission Director Thomas McClean this Sunday evening, when he travels to be with our friends at Carryduff Presbyterian Church

Anyone seeking further proof of the corruptions within LMI may search the internet for themselves. Facebook in particular will shows the LMI to have many links with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland, all of which have been long time supporters of Ecumenism and are riddled with support for unbiblical doctrines and immoral behaviour. LMI is also with Charismatic groups.

LMI is even ‘thrilled’ to have links with Roman Catholic organisations as the following link shows.

We are thrilled to have Ron Huntley from Divine Renovation Ministry with us on Monday 21st October. Ron will be with us all the way from Nova Scotia, Canada to share his experience at Divine Renovation, a Catholic Ministry with a heart for developing missional parishes. This is an afternoon for those in church leadership, especially within a Catholic context.

LMI have made no secret of their links with compromised and ecumenical denominations and groups! Their Facebook publications glory in these links!

Rev Ian Foster (Rtd)
8th August 2024

Posted on 2024-08-08 a 5:18 pm


Lawlessness on the street !!

Not really surprising.

“For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; in transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment,” Isaiah 59:12-15.

Photo by Flavio on Unsplash

THERE IS LAWLESSNESS IN THE CHURCHES!

Prayers asking for God’s blessing for same-sex couples

THERE IS LAWLESSNESS IN PARLIAMENT!

Tory MP investigated over alleged misuse of party funds

THERE IS LAWLESSNESS IN THE POLICE!

Police corruption

THERE IS LAWLESSNESS IN BUSINESS!

Water firms to be punished for years of sewage leaks

THERE IS LAWLESSNESS IN THE HOME!

Child deaths due to abuse or neglect: statistics briefing

THERE IS LAWLESSNESS IN THE ADMISSION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!

Around 80 migrants including children rescued from Channel


All this being so, it can hardly be surprising that we have lawlessness on the streets!

What happens in the pulpit will spill over into the pew and then out to the pavements of the land!

It has happened before as the Bible gives ample historical evidence for and there are also told that this age is to end with a world-wide rebellion against God which, as it did in Noah’s day, will bring God’s judgment though this time in the form of the personal intervention of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS,” Revelation 19:11-16.

While governments struggle to find an answer to ‘lawlessness’, the Christian enjoys an inspired account of how our Saviour will bring it all to an end when “the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever,” Revelation 11:15.

Posted on 2024-08-08 a 6:00 am


Paul’s announcement that his course was finished

Rev Ivan Foster early in his ministry

I have finished‭‭ ‭my‭ course‭,‬‬‬‬‬” 2 Timothy 4:7.

The word ‘course’ is linked in its meaning to the idea of ‘running’. I believe that Paul was referring to the course of his ministry, which he had desired to finish with joy, and was now declaring that it was finished. This desire he had stated earlier, as recorded in Acts 20:18-24.

“‭Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”‬

Although the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 have the air of the approach of an imminent death: “‭I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”‬, yet the words that follow indicated that Paul anticipated that he would not be put to death immediately.

He says to Timothy in verse 9, “‭Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me”‬. This request surely indicates that he expected to be alive for at least a little longer. Also, the words of verse 13 also indicate that he expected to live for some time yet.

“‭The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”‬

The books and parchments indicate that Paul felt that he had yet work and studying to do.

I. FROM THESE CONSIDERATIONS I BELIEVE WE MAY LEARN THAT A MAN MAY BE AWARE THAT HIS LABOURS FOR THE LORD HAVE REACHED THEIR END.

I believe that Paul felt that his life’s work for the Lord had reached its conclusion even though he might live yet for a time.

I must confess that these ponderings of the words of verse 7 came to me in the middle of the night as Monday dawned in the wake of the heart-stirring events of the death and funeral of Dr John Douglas, following on as it did just two months from the death of my dear and sweet life’s partner, my wife Ann, on June 8th.

1. Dear Christian, it is always right to mark the milestones of life’s journey. Many live as if they will never die. That is most foolish. It is absolutely true that man “‭knowest not what a day may bring forth,”‬ Proverbs 27:1. Nevertheless, the signs of aging and the approach of our demise should not be ignored.

Sinners do that in their blindness and folly. In my life I have stood at many a bedside and spoken to those who were near to death. It was plain for all around to see that was so, yet the one in bed often replied to my pleadings to receive Christ as their Saviour with the words, ‘I would like to take time to think about that’!

There was an ignoring of the ‘milestones’ of frailty, grey hairs and sickness. How wrong that is! We should heed the signals that indicate that our ‘course’ is nearing its end.

2. I have been active as a Christian now for just over sixty years. Strange to relate, although I can look back to my conversion by the grace of God on a Sabbath evening, April 5th 1964, I found assurance of my salvation the following Sabbath in Ravenhill Free Presbyterian Church, when I responded to the appeal made by Dr Paisley at the end of his sermon and came out to meet with him in the little prayer room to the left of the main door as you enter the church. He opened the Word of God and showed me that “‭Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved,”‬ Acts 2:21, and other related Scriptures. Instantly, all doubts vanished and my heart was filled with joyful peace that has never forsaken me. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-07 a 6:00 am


Free Presbyterian ministers are to help raise funds for an ecumenical organisation

Free Presbyterian ministers are to help raise funds for an ecumenical organisation, engaged in fellowshipping with and aiding the outreaches of ecumenical denominations.

IS ASSISTING SUCH AN ORGANISATION A BREACH OF THE FREE PRESBYTERIAN  MINISTER’S ORDINATION OATH?

It most certainly once would have been considered such but it appears that new rules of interpreting that oath have been adopted by some, whereby the standards of separation from apostasy once adhered to have been set aside!

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Posted on 2024-08-06 a 4:27 pm


A tribute to Dr. John Douglas

Rev. Ivan Foster (Rtd) delivered a tribute at the homegoing service of Dr. John Douglas, who was his brother-in-law and fellow labourer in the Lord’s work. The service was held at Lisburn FPC, where Dr. Douglas had ministered for decades.

I count it a great privilege and honour to be invited to take part in the funeral service of Dr John Douglas.

I sincerely thank Eunice and the family for allowing me to play a small part in today’s proceedings.

I wish to express first of all, the sincere condolences of the whole Foster family, to Eunice and all the family, even as they were our comforters in the time of our sorrow at the recent home-call of Ann, my precious wife and her dear sister.



View a video of the entire service:


John Douglas was my dear friend as well as a brother-in-law beloved. He was a companion in the faith, a fellow labourer in the gospel and one with whom I shared an earnest contending for the ‘Crown rights of King Jesus and crown jewels of His gospel’.

I first met John in 1964, 60 years ago. That was a year of ‘introductions’ for me.

On April 5th of that year, the Lord in mercy introduced Himself to me, a lost sinner, and graciously pardoned my sins and made me a new creature.

One week later, I met a man who was to become a great influence in my early Christian life, Dr Ian Paisley. He it was who led John to Christ, his first convert at the beginning of his ministry in Ravenhill.

It was shortly after that, that I met John in the old Ravenhill church. In September of that year, I also later met my dear wife to be, Ann, along with her sisters Eunice and Jennifer and brother Charlie. Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-03 a 10:03 pm


BBC knew Huw Edwards had been arrested in November

Huw Edwards attending court

This evil man has acknowledged his guilt.

‘Ex-BBC presenter Huw Edwards pleads guilty to making indecent images of children’

The ‘Independent’ of July 31st, reports: ‘The former BBC News at Ten anchor, 62, admitted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to having 41 indecent images of children on his phone, seven of which were category A, the very worst kind.

Also among the 377 sexual images discovered by police – sent to him by 25-year-old convicted paedophile Alex Williams from Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, between December 2020 and August 2021 – were 12 category B images, and 22 category C images.

Five of the category A images featured children aged between 13 and 15, while at least two were moving images that depicted a child believed to be “between seven and nine”, the court was told.’

It is also reported that he faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children.

Paid in Full

Despite knowing this about the pervert, the BBC continued paying this man his full and excessively high wages until his final resignation in April of this year.

That makes the BBC complicit in his wickedness! Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-02 a 6:00 am


The spirit of murder stalks our streets

“And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave.

And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea,”  Mark 5:1-13.

I was made to think of this portion of God’s inspired Word when I heard of the horrific events in Southport, England, on Monday 29th July. It was widely reported in the press. Here is a BBC report.

Southport stabbing: How the knife attack unfolded

In truth, no news report could ever fully convey the distress and heartbreak that followed this horrendously murderous attack by a teenager, a son of immigrants. The culprit has been arrested. He has been described as being ‘reclusive’!

The little murdered girls —  Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7,  Alice Aguiar, 9 and Bebe King, 6.

However, that would not account for his actions and for the actions of the many, many other examples of similar murderous incidents in recent times on the streets and in the homes of the United Kingdom! Hundreds of murders take place each year, the most of them animalistic attacks almost void of any tangible motive.

In these days of apostasy from God and His truth by the mainline churches, the impact of this rebellion upon the nation is the releasing of the floodgates of lawlessness and defiance of all that the Lord has commanded men to obey!

It is that spirit that is epitomised by ‘the man of Gadara’! Click to read more…

Posted on 2024-08-01 a 6:00 am