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No country has ever welcomed the Gospel message!

The article from the ‘Telegraph’ of July 18th makes informative reading. I believe I must commend the writer for her challenging of her readers.

However, the article must be viewed through the ‘lens’ of God’s Word. It is very obvious to the student of the Word of God that there are widespread assumptions, that are unwarranted, made and held by many Christians regarding the ‘Christianity’ of certain nations. In truth, Bible Christianity has never been welcomed in ANY NATION on this earth at ANY TIME!

Whatever endorsements governments may have appeared to give to God’s Word in the past, were entirely false and spurious on the part of the majority of the members of such governments. God’s Word been defied and disobeyed by the many in governments everywhere. It was the influence of a few that ever brought about such an endorsement in the first place!

The present arrangement within the ‘state church’ here in the UK, is a clear illustration of that. King Charles III was recently crowned. During the ceremony he publicly vowed to uphold the truth of God. Were he to do that he would immediately put away his present ‘wife’, with whom he presently lives in an adulterous relationship.

We all know that will not happen and furthermore, the majority of clerics in the land would never seek for that to happen!

Such is illustrative of the present ‘allegiance’ of the land to God’s Word!

Speaking of himself and the other apostles, Paul says this: “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; and labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day,” 1 Corinthians 4:9-13.

When the ‘chief’ of Christians were so treated as they brought the glorious message of mercy and salvation, we lesser Christians should expect nothing better from the world when we endeavour to walk faithfully in their footsteps! (more…)

Dogs allowed inside Canterbury Cathedral for the first time

Cathedrals in Worcester and Chichester are also joining the trial scheme, which comes as church officials try to attract more visitors

The ungodly reasoning behind such a scheme flies in the face of God. It illustrates just how far away from the mind, will and thinking of the Lord the leaders of the apostasy are!!

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you,” Matthew 7:6.

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without (outside) are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie,” Revelation 22:14-15.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Part of the article reads as follows.

“All creatures great and small are not usually allowed through the doors of Canterbury Cathedral – but an exception is now being made for dogs.

The seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, has joined a growing number of cathedrals in welcoming faithful four-legged companions inside.

Dogs are being allowed in as part of an effort to develop “community and connection” and to act as an “ice breaker” for churchgoers.

However, only guide dogs and other types of assistance pets, which have long been allowed inside, will be permitted to attend services.

It is one of three cathedrals holding trial schemes this summer in a move that may become permanent.”

“Courage brother, do not stumble!”

John Bunyan, author of *The Pilgrim’s Progress*

“Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left,” Joshua 23:6.

Courage (the word carries the meaning, ‘lay hold of strongly and firmly) is often urged upon those who are required to obey the commands of God.

The great John Bunyan captured the meaning of these words in his famous hymn.

Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither;
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather
There’s no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.

Whoso beset him round
With dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound;
His strength the more is.
No lion can him fright,
He’ll with a giant fight,
But he will have a right
To be a pilgrim.

Hobgoblin, nor foul fiend,
Can daunt his spirit;
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies fly away,
He’ll fear not what men say,
He’ll labour night and day
To be a pilgrim.

Here are some examples of the usage of the word among the many that are recorded in the Bible.

“Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it,” Deuteronomy 11:8.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it,” Deuteronomy 31:6-7.

“And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee,” Deuteronomy 31:23.

“Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them,” Joshua 1:6. (more…)