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KICS assembly talks. Current series: “KICS Studies – Analysing Acts”

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Watch Kilskeery Free Presbyterian services live online here

‘Company and friendship can’t be found in a deal at the offie’: Support your local pub, calls DUP MP, before it’s last orders for good

While I was reading my Bible this morning, an email arrived with a link to the above headline in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’.

When I investigated the link I was vexed to discover that it brought me to the headline of a report of the words of DUP MP, Jim Shannon. Mr Shannon is a professing Christian of whom it is commonly reported that he is a member of the Newtownards Baptist assembly.

In 2022 it was reported that he had declared: “I trust that Christ’s finished work at the cross means that, as I have believed and accepted Him as Lord and Saviour, my future is in His hands”

I have no doubt that the statement by Mr Shannon is his response to the lobbying by pub owners and their clientele.

It appears that an MP, even one who professes faith in Christ,  must put first the need to maintain the support of voters, even at the expense of the honour and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The ‘Belfast Newsletter’ article contains the statement:—

‘MP Jim Shannon was moved to hail the virtues of the noble boozer after seeing a number of places to go to the wall in recent years, with his Strangford constituency losing around a quarter of its bars over a 10-year period. Hymning the benefits of calling in for a pint instead of cracking open a bottle at home, he also called on the government to help the hospitality industry before it hits last orders for good.’

Does Mr Shannon find his ‘company and friendship’ in the pub? These words speak little of the value of the fellowship amongst the Christians in his Baptist church! Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-02-20 a 11:38 pm

Today, I submitted the following letter to the Belfast Newsletter.

It maybe a little ‘tongue in cheek’, but I am sure that many noticed that the actions of the police in London differed greatly from the reaction of those responsible for ‘law and order’ here in Northern Ireland with regards the ‘non-arrest’ of those who made no secret of their terrorist activities and who, instead of justice, enjoyed elevation to high office and the mollifying and the aggrandisement proffered by successive London governments toward those who are worthy only of imprisonment!

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Dear Sir,

The news today (19.2.26) of the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is really no surprise.

What is a surprise is that nobody told him that if he had become a member of Sinn Fein, he would not have been arrested, even if he was guilty of murder!

However, this event proves the veracity of the general principle of a just providence, embodied in those notable Bible words, “Be sure your sin will find you out,” Numbers 32:23.

This statement is true, whether or not the powers that be fail in their duty, for divine providence shall see to it that in the end it will be evident that, “Evil pursueth sinners,” Proverbs 13:21.

Those in Ulster, who foolishly believe that they have gotten away with murder, need to consider these words and fear!!

Rev Ivan Foster (rtd)

Kilskeery, Co. Tyrone

Posted on 2026-02-19 a 4:52 pm

(Final Part)

“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God,” Romans 3:1-2.

This is the concluding consideration of the verses 1 and 2 of Romans chapter 3.

I can but look to the Lord to make what I have written a means of Christians treasuring the Word of God more dearly and with hunger of soul, reading it every day and praying for enlightenment and understanding of its glorious truths.

Here now is our final point.

IV. THOSE WHO POSSESS THE BIBLE ARE PRIVILEGED TO SHARE IN THE REVELATION GOD HAS MADE OF HOW THIS AGE WILL END AND WHAT HE HAS PLANNED FOR HIS PEOPLE IN ETERNITY!

The last book of the Bible opens with these words.

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand,” Revelation 1:1-3.

I cannot understand how ministers who are undoubtedly saved and love the Lord, nevertheless, because of a very wrong allegiance to a false system of interpretation of the prophetic Scriptures, do not simply take God at His Word but instead place their own meaning, quite contrary to the plain import of God’s Word,  on what is divinely recorded in Holy Scripture.

In the above verses the Lord issues a blessing upon those who “read” and who “hear” what is written in this book.

However, I know many Christians have been led to believe the very opposite of what the Saviour says in verse 3! They sadly often tell Christians not to bother reading this book for it will result in their confusion.

Surely this borders on blasphemy and is a lie from the devil!

I have written quite a few articles on the Bible’s details of the developments that will take place in the last days.

1. The area which is the focus of the Gospels will more and more become the theatre of world events. Surely we can see this already beginning to take place. Donald Trump is already involved in the affairs of that region, with all his customary pomposity. He also wants to involve the Russian tyrant, Vladimir Putin! Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-02-19 a 6:00 am

Funeral Service in Calvary Free Grace Baptist Church, where her late husband, Dr Brian Green, pastored for many years until his death in 2017.

10th February 2026

Preacher – Pastor Mark Biddle

I was privileged to be able to gather with the congregation that assembled at the graveside and then in Calvary Free Grace Baptist Church to honour the witness and testimony of a very dear lady, Mrs Pat Green.

On 7th January, she went to be with the Lord, the Saviour Whom she had served courageously and unashamedly since her late teenage years.

Her funeral took place on the day I normally speak at the morning assembly in Kilskeery Independent Christian School.

I spoke instead on Monday 9th February and explained to the girls and boys that I planned to fly to London later that evening in order to attend the funeral service the next day.

I told them of my acquaintance with Mrs Green and what a ‘warrior’ for the Lord she had been.

 

In the church service, I was asked to speak a brief word and amongst the things I said, I quoted Romans 16:1-2.

“I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”

Pat Green was a Phebe indeed and I praise the Lord for ever knowing her and I offer my condolences to all her mourning family circle and the congregation of which she was a faithful member.

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)

Posted on 2026-02-14 a 1:55 am

“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God,” Romans 3:1-2.

I began this study having read the text of Scripture heading this article as part of my daily reading.

As noted in our introduction to part 1 of this study, ‘In a day when the Bible is cast aside by society in general, and even by those organisations which profess to believe and preach its truths but who in fact most wickedly deny its divine origin and infallibility, these words of Paul should be most precious  to every Christian.

Paul is saying that the Jewish nation in times past, had an advantage over all other nations because God in mercy had committed, entrusted to them, the “the oracles of God”, or the “Holy Scriptures”!’

We move on to some more considerations of the benefits belonging to those who own and believe the Holy Bible.

III. THE BIBLE ALONE PROVIDES AN INSIGHT TO GOD’S PURPOSE AMONGST THE NATIONS.

I regularly scan the news headlines that I can access on the internet. There we will find the tangle of opinions and speculations, all uttered with the great of certainty, of ‘experts’ in all matters related to science, social trends and political developments! It will soon be discovered that the opinions and speculations of today are abandoned tomorrow and their authors usually denying that they never at any time espoused them!

With regards the future and the outworking of God’s purpose amongst the nations, man is in total darkness without the Bible! Consequently, a consideration of history reveals mankind ever relating the mistakes of yesterday!

The wise man Solomon said: “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 1:9.

This repetition is the result of the refusal of man to heed what the Bible says of the purpose that God would have men understand and yield to! Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-02-11 a 6:00 am

“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God,” Romans 3:1-2.

William Tyndale published his translation of the New Testament in 1526. This year therefore marks the 500th anniversary of that momentous event.

Myles Coverdale, a fellow English reformer, used Tyndale’s translations of various Old Testament books as the basis of his, the first translation of the whole Bible into English, in the year 1535.

Tyndale’s translation was the first English Scriptures to draw directly from Hebrew and Greek texts. His was the first English translation to take advantage of the printing press.  It was also the first of the new English Bibles of the Reformation.

In 1611, after seven years of work, the 47 scholars who produced the King James Version of the Bible drew extensively from Tyndale’s original work.

One estimate suggests that the New Testament in the King James Version is 83% Tyndale’s words and the first half of the Old Testament 76%.

I was reminded of these facts after I have started this study and consequently I would dedicate this humble and modest article to the honour of a great man to whom every lover of the Word of God owes a great debt of gratitude.

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In a day when the Bible is cast aside by society in general, and even by those organisations which profess to believe and preach its truths but in fact most wickedly deny its divine origin and infallibility, these words of Paul should be most precious  to every Christian.

Paul is saying that the Jewish nation in times past had an advantage over all other nations because God in mercy had committed, entrusted to them, the “the oracles of God”, or the Holy Scriptures”!

Just what benefits were bestowed upon the Jews when they had the Old Testament Scriptures bestowed upon them and what are those same benefits enjoyed by those who have the complete canon of Holy Scripture, the Old and New Testaments? Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-02-04 a 6:00 am

Luke 21:5-38.

(Final Part)

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh,” Luke 21:25-28.

This is our final study of the Saviour’s prophecy recorded in Luke 21:5-38. In the verses that make up the section we wish to look at in this study, we are moving to the Saviour’s references to events at the close of this age.

The concluding words of the last portion of this chapter we studied were those of verse 24, “and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

This reference to the fulfilment of the ‘times’ of the Gentiles  brings us to the time of the Saviour’s return, for it is then that the Lord will restore Israel and deliver her from the Gentile nations which will, at the close of this age particularly, set themselves to utterly and finally destroy her.

That terrible time was prophesied by the Psalmist.

“«Maschil of Asaph.» O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt. Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs. A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground. They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land. We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom. For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness. Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers. The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter. Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name. O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name. Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily. Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually,” Psalm 74:1-23.

There never have been events like these in the history of Israel. That is because this prophecy is of future events, even though it is spoken of in terms of the past.

That is a common feature when reference is made to that which is future in the experience of God’s people.

Paul wrote: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified,” Romans 8:29-30.

The words underlined all refer to those past experiences in the life of the believer, but the final experience, underlined and in bold text, is an experience with lies yet in the future.

Our glorification has not yet taken place but its is so sure and certain that Paul speaks of it in the past tense, as if it had happened!

Likewise, the prophets, when speaking in the spirit of prophecy, refer to events yet to happen as if they had already occurred. Again, the certainty of that, which God has decreed to take place, WILL INDEED TAKE PLACE, in the exact fashion God has purposed! Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-02-02 a 6:00 am

Audio sermons

Click here to listen to all the sermons on this website!

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KICS assembly talks. Current series: “KICS Studies – Analysing Acts”

• Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19
• See all the talks in this series here.
• See all the KICS assembly talks listed here.

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Watch Kilskeery Free Presbyterian services live online here

I have just sent this letter into the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ in response to one recently published. When I first read it I was troubled by some of the statements in it but I believed that the writer’s intentions were good and so I hesitated to comment.

However, it troubled me that perhaps inadvertently, error was being stated so, as gently as I could, I sought to correct one of the improperly worded statements and thus register the need for great care when writing about the Lord and His purpose.

I can but hope that my motives are understood.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,
Ivan Foster

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Dear Editor,

The study of the character and nature of God, revealed to us in the inspired Word of God, is the most exact of all ‘sciences’!

Inaccuracies in definition of terms have eternal consequences.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him,” John 3:36.

It is for this reason I wish to make a comment on the letter titled: ‘Irish Christianity that has existed for nearly 2,000 years is dying and in desperate need of reform’ (28/1/26).

I am largely in agreement with the thesis of the letter.

I am, however, concerned about the wording of some of the statements in the letter. I have lived to set forth the teaching of the Bible in the fear of the Lord for over 60 years. Any inaccurate declaration of what the Bible teaches or bordering on such, I will correct and oppose as best I can.

In this letter there are statements which need more careful elucidation.

This is not necessarily a criticism of the writer but my reaction to the possibility of a misunderstanding of God’s Word.

I will but mention one example. The writer says: ‘The Judeo-Christian foundations that held the world together are starting to crumble and the old certainties are showing cracks.’

If he means, ‘That faith and trust in the foundation of Bible religion, the Word of God, is declining world-wide today’, then I agree with him.

BUT the FOUNDATION of true Bible religion cannot ‘crumble’ or be thought of as ‘showing cracks’!

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 3:11.

Christ, our foundation and His Holy Word, CANNOT crumble or crack. But there can be a rejecting of this foundation. That is what has happened under the modernistic and ecumenical ‘ministers’ of today!

I am sure that is what the writer is seeking to set forth.

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3. Dr John Gill explains these words to mean: ‘The doctrines and principles of religion are derided and subverted.’

The Bible teaches that this shall happen in the latter days of this age. The Bible is today generally rejected as the foundation of true faith and the teaching of the Gospel is ‘destroyed’ (Hebrew – thrown down).

Paul warned: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils,” 1 Timothy 4:1.

The ‘new foundation’ set forth in the majority of pulpits as ‘the hope for eternity’ is the  “doctrines of devils”.

I understand this to be what your writer was objecting to and on that basis I support him.

I trust that no offence is caused by this sincere attempt to make clear the lies and deceit that are abroad today and which are the root and origin of today’s increasing anarchy and apostasy.

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
30th January 2026

Posted on 2026-01-30 a 5:29 pm

This headline appeared on the local BBC news website on Wednesday 28th January. It serves to remind Christian parents, Free Presbyterians in particular, that there are teachers in the state system who do not necessary believe the Bible but who nevertheless teach pupils ‘about’ Christianity!

View the BBC news article here.

This teacher freely acknowledged that “he was not ‘anti-Christian,’ and did not “have a problem teaching children about Christianity.”

Problem

His problem with the state system is stated as: “He said there was currently a system where ‘one worldview is dominant’.

‘I just think it places a burden on a six-year-old or a seven year-old to understand where Christianity sits in relation to other religions or no religion,’ he said.”

There are many in the teaching profession who would share his view. Indeed, out there in the ‘religious world’ there many clerics in the ecumenical denominations who have long taught that there is more than ‘one world view’!

After all, King Charles III desires to be known as the ‘Defender of Faith’, rather than the title, ‘Defender of the Faith’, which is a reference to Protestantism, when the title was later defined!

It was originally bestowed on Henry VIII by Pope Leo X in 1521 for defending Roman Catholic doctrine, but it was later reaffirmed by the English Parliament to signify the monarch’s duty to defend of the Reformed faith. A duty most monarch’s failed in most dismally!

Luther

But the nation, indeed, nations, have moved on from the 16th century Protestant Reformation. That ‘religious movement’ was in essence, a return to Bible truth after centuries of practising the superstitions and perversions of Roman Catholicism.

It is generally agreed that one of the first steps back to the Word of God was Martin Luther’s nailing up his 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-01-29 a 6:00 am

“Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great,” Luke 9:46-48.

This reasoning as to who would be greatest amongst the apostles was one born of the sinful heart of man. Even we believers today are subject to such carnal thoughts as those that then prompted the discussion amongst the apostles as they followed the Lord to Capernaum.

We should note that they not merely ‘reasoned’ which of them would be the ‘greatest’ (the highest, the most important) in the kingdom of heaven. But the subject was a matter of dispute as Mark tells us, (Mark 9:33).

They were giving most serious thought to this subject.

The word translated ‘reasoning’ or ‘disputed’ first appears in Mark 2:6 and refers to the ‘reasoning’ within the hearts of certain scribes who were bothered by the Saviour’s claim to forgive sins.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?” Mark 2:5-8.

Church disputes

There likely have been more divisions and disagreements within the assemblies of God’s people about this matter than any other! Self-importance and the perceived failure of others to see our ‘importance’ has been at the heart of many a conflict among Christians.

John the Apostle encountered this desire for ‘preeminence’! Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-01-24 a 6:00 am

European countries issue joint statement on Donald Trump’s Greenland tariffs as leaders mull counter-measures

Starmer joins European allies warning of ‘dangerous downward spiral’ in Nato after Trump’s ‘gangster’ threat of trade war unless he gets Greenland

So read two headlines of articles in which the defiant reaction of national leaders to Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on those not supporting his aim of taking over Greenland was set forth!

President Trump has repeatedly said Greenland is vital to US security due to its strategic location and large mineral deposits, and has not ruled out using force to take it.

A QUESTION COMES TO MIND :—

What is the difference in Donald Trump’s justification for his demands to take over Greenland, by force if necessary and Adolf Hitler’s justification for invading and  subjugating his neighbours — Lebensraum (‘Living Space’) — which he claimed would safeguard the life and wellbeing of his Germany?

Hitler’s evil delusions led to World War II and the death, deprivation and misery of countless millions, including 5.3 to 5.5 million military personnel and over 2 million civilians of his own nation!

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
19th January 2026

Posted on 2026-01-19 a 6:00 am

‘Do thyself no harm’

A message preached at the 30th anniversary of Malvern Free Presbyterian Church, 17th May 2009.

On Friday 16th January, I read Acts 16, marvelling afresh at the wonderful record of the advance of the Gospel into Europe. Two women, one on each side of the great spiritual divide, played a major part in the visit of the God’s servants to Philippi. Lydia, a most courageous, godly woman, verses 14-15.  And then there was the “certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination”, verse 16.

For every faithful soul who desires to advance the Gospel cause there is a counterpart, who does all to hinder the Gospel by subtly and craft or by physical and cruel opposition.

What a wonderful drama unfolded way back then in Philippi!

May you find comfort and blessing in this seventeen year old message.

(The ‘John’ I refer to in my introductory remarks, was most likely the former minister of Malvern, Rev John Greer.)

Rev. Ivan Foster (Rtd)
Sabbath Day, 18th January 2026

Posted on 2026-01-18 a 6:00 am

Luke 21:5-38.

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,” Luke 21:20-24.

As we come to study the next section of the words of the Saviour’s prophecy, given in response to the question of His disciples, verse 7, we come face to face with that which I allude to in my title for this study. In these verses there is that to which I refer as ‘a much misunderstood and misapplied prophecy by the Saviour.’

I. THERE IS A CLOSE SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE ABOVE PASSAGE AND MATTHEW 24:15-31.

Matthew 24:15-22 reads:—

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:  neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

Yes, there is a close similarity but they do not refer to the same events as those of Luke 21:20-24. That I will seek to show you. It is this seeing the two portions of Holy Scripture as referring to the same events which creates a misunderstanding of the Saviour’s words.

But firstly please learn that:

1. The tactics of the enemies of God and His people never change! On a number of occasions I have said that the devil is a slave of his own depraved heart and mind. He instinctively attacks the cause of God in a manner dictated by his own depravity.

I am sure that most readers have watched a video of the lions in Africa hunting their prey. Their tactics never change!

Well, so it is with the one who “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” 1 Peter 5:8.

As the lions of Africa CANNOT change their instinctive hunting methods, so it is with the lion from hell and all who follow him.

Similarity

Consequently, you will see a great similarity in the Bible’s record of the many attacks, from many sources, upon God’s people  throughout the ages.

How often we read, ‘AGAIN’ in regard to the backsliding of Israel and also the repeatedly attacks of her enemies.

“And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD,” Judges 4:1. What they did was the result of the devil’s temptations and allurements but it always followed the same pattern. See Judges 6:1, 8:33, 10:6, 13:1 for examples of this repetition!

Depraved man cannot alter his habits, just as the devil cannot alter his. As a result we may see a foreshadowing of the final events of this age, when the great apostasy takes place, when the devil and those duped by him muster their forces in a manner manifested in the many previous attacks he launched. Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-01-16 a 4:57 pm

In Joshua 14:6-13 we read these words:

“Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.”

In a time when the carnal and worldly notions and views of men crowded out simple faith in the promise of God and the way that God’s people should go, Joshua and Caleb stood up and defied such foolish and blasphemous thinking.

The incident is recorded in Numbers 14:2-9.

“And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. But all the congregation bade stone them with stones.”

That spirit of ‘returning to Egypt’ has ever pursued the people of God. It is evident in ‘Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney.

(Copy of a video sent to me of ‘Hebron Hub’)

In a video the leaders of that congregation glory in the ‘entertainment suite’ they have opened in the church building. Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-01-13 a 11:11 pm

The following headline appeared in ‘The Belfast Telegraph’ of Saturday 10th January, 2025.

File claiming Gerry Kelly was key IRA figure in 1990s ‘removed from Dublin archives at request of Irish government’

(See also ‘Secret Garda security briefing note identified Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly as key figure within the IRA’)

(Another article worthy of note —

Woman identified by Garda as Enniskillen bombing IRA commander ‘living an ordinary life in Fermanagh)

There is a saying in Ulster regarding that which is well-known: ‘Even the dogs in the street know that it is so!’

If our canine neighbours could only laugh, there would be much ‘guffawing’ from our furry friends the length and breadth of Ulster at the attempted denial of Gerry Kelly and the attempts of the fools in the Dublin government who have complied with his demands to hide away his past links with terrorism!

The ‘Belfast Telegraph’ report states:

‘A once-classified file which included a secret garda briefing note that claimed Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly was a key figure in the IRA in the mid-1990s has been recalled after being publicly released by Ireland’s National Archives, it has been reported.

It was among documents recently declassified in Dublin under the 20 and 30-year rules.

However, the file has now been withdrawn, according to The Irish Times, who reported it was at the request of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs.

The department, Sinn Fein and Mr Kelly have all been contacted for comment.

According to The Irish Times, the file was pulled following “urgent consultations between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice” in the Republic.’ Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-01-12 a 6:00 am

Read sermon notes here

 

Watch a video of this sermon below:

Posted on 2026-01-07 a 10:18 pm

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken,” Jeremiah 6:16-17.

Rev Samuel Fitton, minister of Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church, preached upon the verse 16 at both services on the Lord’s Day past. He has chosen it as the motto text for the new year. His exposition was most instructive and I commend both messages. The messages may be viewed here and here. There was a problem with the sound in the evening broadcast but it was restored before the preaching begins, so simply fast forward to about 30 minutes into the recording.

Companion

This text has been a long time companion of mine from when I first encountered it. It took on greater importance for me when in my first year in the Free Presbyterian Theological Hall, Dr Bert Cooke said with his unique way of emphasising a truth, ‘Jeremiah is the book for today!’

I was moved to study it closely during my three month stay in the Crumlin Road Jail, back sixty years ago in 1966. I have seen repeatedly and increasingly the truth of Dr Cooke’s words as the years have passed and the apostasy has deepened and impacted upon those who foolishly have seen fit to try and narrow the gap between the apostasy and the Lord’s separated witness!

Whispered

The response of the disobedient and defiant, recorded twice here — “We will not walk therein . . .  We will not hearken”  — may be heard whispered amongst our ranks. That is alarming and frightening for any who believe what the Lord says in the verses that follow our text!

Please consider . . .

I. THE COMMAND OF GOD PLAINLY GIVEN.

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths . . .”

These words carry all the authority of heaven! They are not the product of Jeremiah’s mind or heart, though of course he was in complete agreement with what is said by the Lord. No, this was a divine directive to a confused and deceived people in need of direction. Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-01-06 a 6:15 pm

‘The pain will be as raw now as it was at the time’: Kingsmill Massacre’s 50th anniversary marked today and tomorrow with commemorations

This is a report in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ of the marking of the 50th anniversary of the ‘Kingsmill Massacre’ of 10 Protestant workmen returning home from work in a mini-bus on 5th January 1976.

The 11th man survived, despite being shot 18 times! The one Roman Catholic workman in the mini-bus was told to run away before the shooting started!

The murderers were members of the IRA.

No one has ever been convicted of involvement!

Here is the link to the BBC’s report of the anniversary.

‘When dad came home it was in a coffin’

This, and the thousands of other atrocities should never be forgotten by the people of Ulster!

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
Monday 5th January 2026

Posted on 2026-01-05 a 6:00 am

Luke 21:5-38

“And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls,” Luke 21:13-19.

In our last study, the concluding  point that we made was:—

FROM IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHRIST’S ASCENSION UNTIL HIS RETURN, HIS PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF AN ANTAGONISTIC AND HOSTILE WORLD!

As is stated in verse 12, before the events of the later times of the Saviour’s absence from us, there will come persecution. “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you . . .”

In truth, there never has been a time when the persecuting of the people of God was not taking place.

Yes, there have been times of comparative quiet, when God’s people were unmolested. But other times the flames of cruel hatred have raged hot.

Stephen

Stephen, the first martyr of the Gospel era, asked this question of the Sanhedrin, before which he had been summoned to give an answer to the charges laid against him by the “Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia,” Acts 6:9:

“Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers,” Acts 7:52.

That question makes it clear that the message of God and His messengers have always been opposed, even unto death.

Here, in verse 12, the Saviour warns His disciples that such a spirit of antagonism will continue throughout the intervening years before His return in glory.

We come now to a new section – verses 13-19.

I. SUCH TIMES OF OPPRESSION BECOME OPPORTUNITIES TO WITNESS.

“And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2026-01-03 a 6:00 am

Posted on 2026-01-01 a 5:36 pm

Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church’s last prayer meeting of 2025.

Read sermon notes here

 

Watch a video of this sermon below:

Posted on 2026-01-01 a 12:01 am

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(Read the BBC article here.)

These officials did not say it publicly for that would have upset London’s long-term plan to sell out Ulster to Irish Republicanism and a united Ireland!

Known

I have no doubt that this was known by the leaders of the Democratic Unionist Party BUT they still entered an evil ‘power-sharing’ alliance with the IRA party just 2 years later!

London’s chief concern was that the robbery would derail its ‘peace plan’, which was in truth nothing more than a devious scheme to betray Northern Ireland.

It is reported in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’, that the then Downing Street chief of staff, Jonathan Powell, said: “that while the heist was a “serious set-back”, there was a need to keep the process going and then prime minister Tony Blair was “not prepared to give up on the process”. (Newsletter 27th December 2025).

History

The outcome is history. Today the nefarious plan of London is well advanced and we see Stormont in the hands of Sinn Fein/IRA and the various Unionist representatives wriggling futilely like flies caught in a spider’s web!

This all is a judgment upon Ulster Protestantism for its rejection of the Bible and its embracing of ecumenical apostasy.

On the other hand, ‘across the water’ we see the fruit of a similar rebellion against the God of mercy Who made England great in former times through the gospel.

Fruit

We see in all the confusion and mayhem that is evident in all the affairs of that nation, the curse of God that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah.

“Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; that frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish,” Isaiah 44:24-25.

That is an accurate account of the state of affairs in the United Kingdom, more explicitly stated than could be penned any of the political pundits who see a little of the true state of the land!

As the departure from God advances, so too does the day of final reckoning by the Lord with the nations caught up in the latter-day apostasy which will, in the end, produce the final Antichrist. He  and his cohorts will rule in the territory of the revived Roman Empire, defying God and persecuting the Jews and those who name the name of Christ.

This is what is revealed in God’s Holy Word for all to see and believe.

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
29th December 2025

Posted on 2025-12-29 a 4:42 pm

Luke 21:5-38.

We have begun a study of this portion from Luke chapter 21.

We have already noted that the passage is a parallel to that of Matthew 24. The introductions to both passages indicate that.

“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down,” Matthew 24:1-2.

“And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down,” Luke 21:5-6.

However, there is very important difference in the two portions of Holy Scripture. Luke’s account of the Saviour’s words gives details of the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army and the dispersion of the Jewish people which followed, whereas, Matthew’s account does not refer to that event.

Many have taken the two accounts as being exactly parallel, and thereby error has arisen. This error utterly distorts the prophecy of the Saviour and robs the people of God of the information Christ would have His people understand, regarding the closing days of this age, just prior to His return in power and great glory.

Future Antichrist Rejected

I emphasised the reason some wish to parallel Luke and Matthew’s account of the Saviour’s prophecy in part 1 of our study. It is not necessary for me to repeat what I wrote then. Suffice for me to say that the ‘Antichrist’, who has yet to arise, is a MAN and not a series of popes! Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-26 a 6:00 am

“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not,” John 1:10-11.

(Preached in Tavistock FPC)

There is no evidence of any celebrating of the birth of Christ within the scriptural records nor is there biblical evidence to support a mid-winter date for His birth. The origins of what are today termed “Christmas celebrations” are totally pagan.

This so-called celebrating of Christ’s birth is most popular amongst the ungodly. That is an indication of its character. The child of God ought to be consistent in their rejection of the world and its ways.

I do not believe that it is acceptable to God for His people to be associated with the excesses of this season of the year. It may be argued that children love it and really it is quite harmless. Parents ought to know that there is much children love and which is very harmful and which must be forbidden for their own good.

Can the promoting of a belief in a mythical figure which has its origins in popery really be harmless? “No lie is of the truth,” 1 John 2:21.

The whole ‘Christmas sham’ reminds us of how the Antichrist will be embraced as he gives to men just what it is they crave.

There is a solemn lesson to learn from the giddiness of today’s celebrations!

Posted on 2025-12-23 a 6:00 am

The following is a summary of the resolutions passed by the members of a special General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, published by the ‘Belfast Newsletter today.

The special General Assembly was called in response to the news that a police investigation has been launched into “serious and significant failings” in central safeguarding functions for children and vulnerable adults from 2009 to 2022.

It is to be noted that the resolutions read like that which a secular organisation might formulate when faced by a similar crisis.

THERE IS NOT ONE MENTION OF THE LORD, THE WORD OF GOD, OR REPENTANCE BEFORE GOD FOR THE YEARS OF REBELLION THAT HAVE LED UP TO THIS DREADFUL SITUATION!

I said in a previous article (Presbyterian Church in Ireland special General Assembly) that repentance was a gift from God and a church which had for some 100 years lived to defy God and embrace Bible-rejecting doctrines and honour those who promoted such evil, would not be granted repentance as is taught in Scripture in passages such as Proverbs 1:22-33.

The remarks of the replacement Moderator, Rev Richard Murray, I put down as mere ‘window dressing’. There is no formulating of his sentiments or incorporating of them into the resolutions summarised in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ today.

Here is what the ’Newsletter’ states.

Presbyterian Church in Ireland safeguarding crisis: The key decisions made by Special General Assembly

The gathering of over over 700 ministers and elders passed a series of resolutions that will :

1. Elevate significantly the position of safeguarding in PCI through the establishment of a new Safeguarding Department with new direct line management and external oversight through a Safeguarding Supervision Panel.

2. Create two senior level posts – a Head of Safeguarding; and a Safeguarding Lead – with appropriate professional social work and administrative support.

3. At an appropriate time, hold a full, independent, external review of PCI Safeguarding at all levels. Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-20 a 7:51 pm

Reports have appeared in two of our local newspapers today (19.12.25) of the special General Assembly, called by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland over the police investigation into failures to properly safeguard its young people from perverts within its perimeters.

Former Presbyterian moderator Rev Trevor Gribben resigned last month after an internal review found “serious and significant failings” in central safeguarding functions for children and vulnerable adults from 2009 to 2022.

The previous moderator, Rev Richard Murray, stepped in when Rev Trevor Gribben resigned.

The PSNI and Charity Commission have launched investigations into the matter.

Rev Richard Murray called a special General Assembly, which met yesterday. The Belfast Newsletter reported on this gathering.

“Hundreds of Presbyterian clerics and elders from across the island of Ireland have come together to discuss the fall out of the safeguarding scandal.”

The Moderator is reported as saying at the beginning of the special meeting:

“So we are turning to God today to repent of our sin, to grieve and to lament before him, to pray that he would have mercy upon us, and guide us in how we might rectify our behaviour so that these things might not happen again.

Delegates were chided that despite an invitation going to them to come to a prayer meeting before proceedings began, only around 50 turned up.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-20 a 1:21 am

Luke 21:5-38

I have often told the congregation of Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church in the past and, in more recent times, the pupils in Kilskeery Independent Christian School when I speak at their assembly gatherings, that we must come to the Bible as does a detective attending the place where a crime has taken place.

That is, with great care we must, as does the detective, seek to avoid disturbing anything at the scene and observe everything that is there. Nothing is unimportant to the detective. No smudge in the dust, or scrap of paper or any item visible to his eye.

With such care and attention we come to the Word of God and strive to note every word, its tense, be it present past or future! By so doing we will avoid hasty conclusions about what it is the Lord is saying to us.

Remember, “Every word of God is pure. . . ,” Proverbs 30:5. It must be considered invaluable and cannot be carelessly skipped over or ignored if we are to rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).

The passage before us, Luke 21:5-38, is a parallel to that of Matthew 24. The introduction to both passages indicate that.

“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down,” Matthew 24:1-2.

“And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down,” Luke 21:5-6.

As with the statements of any witnesses of a scene or an event, there are differences, though since this is the inspired Word of God, there are no contradictions!

One witness reports slightly more of what was said on the occasion reported.

I believe that I am correct in saying that Luke’s account of the Saviour’s words, which we are going to study, gives details of the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army and the dispersion of the Jewish nation which followed, whereas, Matthew does not refer to that event.

Many have taken the two accounts as being exactly parallel in order to deny the understanding of prophecy set forth by those who hold to the position of Historic Premillennialism. Such try to apply the whole of Luke 21 to the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

That involves a serious error and utterly distorts the prophecy of the Saviour and robs the people of God of the information Christ would have His people understand regarding the closing days of this age, just prior to His return in power and great glory.

FUTURE ANTICHRIST REJECTED

In truth, the reason for promoting the notion that the whole prophecy in Luke 21 refers only to AD 70 is in order to reject a future Antichrist and the attempt to establish the notion of the ‘A-millennialist’ that the ‘Pope’ or series of popes, is the Antichrist referred to in Revelation 13:18. Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-18 a 6:00 am

The following is one headline that followed the Bondi beach massacre.

Bondi Beach massacre: Church of Ireland archbishop condemns ‘creeping anti-Semitism plaguing the world’

(Belfast Newsletter, 15th December 2025)

The attack on the Jewish families is but the latest in a mounting wave of ‘anti-semitism’

Condemnations abound as are calls by the public and political leaders for action to be taken to stop the victimising of the Jewish people.

What is not evident is an understanding of what lies behind such attacks!

For this we must turn to the Bible and there we will learn that to REJECT the Lord Jesus has terrible consequences.

XENOPHOBIC

To link the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus with the Jewish race is considered xenophobic and racialist by many who are ignorant of the truth of God.

Repeating historical facts regarding the rejection of Christ by the Jewish race is not any more racist than teaching the history of Germany’s part in the Second World War!

That history includes the massacre of millions of Jews in a most devilishly cruel manner. It is not wrong to recall such terrible events and to comment truthfully on them, condemning them afresh!

RECORD

The Lord has given us an inspired account of the sad and inexcusable action by Israel when they, in the words of Isaiah the prophet, some six hundreds years before Calvary, “despised and rejected” Him.

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not,” Isaiah 53:1-3. Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-15 a 6:04 pm

“He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross,” Philippians 2:8.

There are many ways to die! By an accident; by the hands of an evil person; on a battlefield or even by our own hands, which some are most foolishly seeking to legalise!

Why was the cross chosen by God as the means by which our Saviour, the Lord Jesus, should die?

It was in the darkness of the night that this matter arose in my mind. In the morning I began a search of my Bible wherever the word ‘cross’ appeared. One needs ever to refresh one’s knowledge of the truths of God. Thus the Psalmist  said of the “blessed man” that “his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night,” Psalm 1.

When I came on my text I saw that my question was wonderfully answered.

I. TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR THE SINS OF HIS ELECT CHRIST MUST DESCEND TO THE DEPTHS OF HUMILIATION.

1. This was because He had to became as our sin. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him,” 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Christ on the cross pictures the sinfulness, the gravity of sin, in the sight of God! The humiliation of Christ was of God! It was ‘He’ who heaped humiliation upon the Saviour!

That was because Christ had assumed our sin and became ‘sin’ in the sight of the Father and was therefore treated by Him as such.

2. Sin is the lowest state into which man can sink! Mankind fell by Adam’s transgression and the humiliation of Christ on the cross, when He bore our sin, illustrates how far man fell. Mankind does not feel or know how low they are before God. Self-opinion is always very high! However, the humiliations and sufferings of Christ on the cross indicate and illustrate where sin has brought mankind!

3. When the sinner upon death is committed to everlasting damnation, in truth he has not sunk any further than when he was alive, he is just being committed to that place befitting his dreadful state. When the prisoner is taken from the dock to the prison cell, he does not become more guilty or depraved. He is being confined to that place appropriate to his sinfulness. Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-13 a 6:00 am

“Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead. And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land? Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away,” 1 Chronicles 19:1-4.

I am seeking to set forth the parallels in this passage with the kindness of God toward sinners, displayed in the Gospel message sent to those who “were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly,” Romans 5:6.

We have considered the greatness of the King, even the Lord, who sent the Gospel condolences and the spurning of the kindness by those to whom the expression of love was sent.

The chief manifestation of the rejecting of the Gospel is the humiliating of God’s servants.

History tells a sad and horrific tale of the sufferings of the servants of the true God.

Mention is made of this byPaul in his epistle to the Hebrews.

“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth,” Hebrews 11:36-38.

The ‘Dark Ages’ was a time of great persecution of the people of God. The Roman Catholic Church is stained with the blood of many tens of thousands of men, women and children, whom it deemed were only worthy of destruction.

God has appointed a day when their blood will be avenged! Heaven will sing on that day! The hurting of His servants is counted by Him as a hurting of Him. Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-11 a 6:00 am

Lights aplenty festoon not just the streets and shops of cities, towns and villages, but I have noticed a great increase in the number of private houses with the trees in their gardens swathed with flickering lights and illuminated heralds of ‘Christmas’!

It is all supposedly to mark the birth of Christ and yet there is little reference to Him at all amidst the pagan festivities.

Indeed, so absent is Christ from the minds of those engaging in these activities, that they are ignorant of the fact that the Bible tells us Christ was NOT born in December!

Celebrating a birthday, the date of which they have completely mistaken – such is the folly of this season!

But, ‘so what’, say those who thus indulge the desires of the flesh! Any excuse for a good time is all that most are interested in.

But Luke 2:7, displays the world’s true attitude toward the Son of God!

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

There is still no room for Christ in this world given over to the pursuit of the fleshpots of this world!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster
10th December 2025

Posted on 2025-12-10 a 11:24 pm

Read sermon notes here

Rev. Dr. S. B. Cooke in his younger days

Dr and Mrs Agnes Cooke in earlier days

Watch a video of this sermon below:

Posted on 2025-12-08 a 6:01 pm

The passing of ‘Mr. Valiant-for-truth’

Dr S B Cooke (1929 — 2025)

Dr Cooke was a dear friend of mine and we last talked together on Monday past at the nursing home in Kilkeel where he and his dear wife have been. He went to heaven this afternoon.

I wish to express my sincere condolences to his wife Agnes, also a dear friend, his brother Ronald and his family in the USA, his two sisters Nancy and Audrey, and Agnes’s loved ones.

Bertie Cooke was a man esteemed amongst his brethren for his wisdom and tenacious stand for the principles of Free Presbyterianism.

We praise God for his lasting witness and testimony.

“‭And‭ one‭ of‭ the elders‭ answered‭‭, saying‭‭ unto me‭, What‭ are‭‭ these‭ which‭ are arrayed in‭‭ white‭ robes‭? and‭ whence‭ came they‭‭?‭ ‭And‭ I said‭‭ unto him‭, Sir‭, thou‭ knowest‭‭. And‭ he said‭‭ to me‭, These‭ are they‭‭ which came‭‭ out of‭ great‭ tribulation‭, and‭ have washed‭‭ their‭ robes‭, and‭ made‭‭ them‭‭ white‭‭ in‭ the blood‭ of the Lamb‭,” Revelation 7:13-14.

Funeral Service in Moneyslane Free Presbyterian Church
Monday 8th December at 12 noon, followed by burial
in the Ballygowan Free Presbyterian graveyard

(Full details here)

Posted on 2025-12-05 a 10:16 pm

Religious Education ‘not suitable’ for NI society, study suggests

We will acknowledge one unintended grain of truth in the above BBC headline, and it is this. What passes for ‘Religious Education’ in Northern Ireland, is not suitable for anywhere in the world, never mind here!

The Core Syllabus for Religious Education in Northern Ireland is jointly defined by the Department of Education (DE) and the representatives of the four main Christian churches in Northern Ireland (Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican, and Methodist).

Thus it is an evil ‘homogenisation’ of modernistic and liberal theology and idolatrous superstition and man-made traditions!

I always find it utterly unreasonable that those who feel that they had to leave, or even flee, from their homeland, for one reason or another and seek refuge in the United Kingdom, feel it necessary to immediately begin to try and transform our land into that from which they felt they had to get out of.

That to me is very strange indeed!

However, that said, there is a great need for educating Northern Ireland on matters religious from the Word of God, the ‘only rule of faith and practice’. Martin Luther is quoted as saying: ‘The true rule is this: God’s Word shall establish articles of faith, and no one else, not even an angel can do so.’ Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-04 a 4:52 pm

Sir,

A letter from James Hardy was published in your newspaper on 3rd December 2025.

It had the heading:

‘Following the debate over the teaching of Religious Education in schools, are Bible basics best explained at home?’

It most certainly is a clear command of the Lord that the ‘home’ is to be a place of Scriptural Instruction for children.

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.,” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

There can be no disputing the place given to Biblical instruction of the young within the home in the purpose of God. It is emphasised a little further on in Deuteronomy. Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-03 a 6:09 pm

Given the paganism masquerading as ‘Christianity’, seen everywhere at this time of the year, I always like to bring a word of instruction to the boys and girls of Kilskeery Independent Christian School regarding what the Bible says about the birth of Christ.

Read sermon notes here

 

It is a word that today all too many believers would need to heed since the ‘celebration of Christmas’ has infiltrated their ranks!

There are none who can deny that it is pagan in its origins and its form.

Nor can it be denied that Christ was NOT born on 25th December!!

No good can come of this conforming to the world’s ways and practices and the adopting of the follies of unregenerate man.

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)

Posted on 2025-12-01 a 6:00 am

“Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead. And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land? Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away,” 1 Chronicles 19:1-4.

As I said in part one of this Gospel study, these verses formed part of my daily Bible reading on Monday, 25th November. As I read them I thought of the parallel there is between the kindness of David, the reaction of the Ammonite king and princes to his kindness and the parallel reaction of men to the greater kindness, by far, of the Word that the Lord sends to sinful man, amidst the mourning that sin has wrought universally amongst us!

Please consider: —

I. THE WORDS OF SYMPATHY TO THE MOURNERS CAME FROM A GREAT KING.

We are told that at that time, following a series of great victories by David over neighbouring nations, that it had all come about because, “Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went,” 1 Chronicles 18:13.

1. For David to take note of the sadness that had come upon the household of “Nahash the king of the children of Ammon”, by the death of the old king, was an act of gracious kindness. It is very obvious from the passage that David was engaged in the establishing of his kingdom with the help of the Lord. For him to take the time to consider the grief of the family of Nahash indicated his love and concern for the family of a man who had shown kindness to him (verse 2).

Likewise, we can say with the Psalmist that “The LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth,” Psalm 47:2. Yet, the “great King”, “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” John 3:16. That displays kindness and love at their ultimate level!

It has ever been a source of great wonder to me, and indeed to all who have experienced the saving grace of God, why he ever took notice of me. Click to read more…

Posted on 2025-12-01 a 6:00 am