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The following letter by Mr Samuel Morrison, Press Officer with the Traditional Unionist Voice party, appeared in today’s ‘Belfast Newsletter’.

I know it will be of interest to our readers.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

The Relationship and Sexuality Education curriculum

Back in June the Secretary of State announced that he was bringing in changes to the Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum in Northern Ireland. These changes did not come out of the blue. They are a direct consequence of Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019. Section 9 is of course the same piece of legislation which stripped Northern Ireland’s unborn of the protection of the law and created one of the most permissive abortion regimes in Europe. Another consequence of the 2019 Act was the redefinition of marriage.

As the title of the legislation suggests, it also provided for the formation of an executive. Anyone who went into government on the basis of the 2019 Act did so on the basis of legislation which redefined marriage, introduced abortion and paved the way for the changes to RSE. That may be a fact which makes some in the DUP rather uncomfortable – particularly when one remembers just how long the Executive formed on the basis of the Act lasted – but fact it is nonetheless.

The changes in relation to our abortion law has already had radical consequences. Up until October last year, 4,136 were performed in Northern Ireland since the law changed at the end of March 2020. Contrast that with the situation between 2014 and 2019 when a total of 65 abortions were performed across Northern Ireland and it cannot be denied that the increase in the number of abortions is astronomical. One would be hard pressed to maintain an argument that there is a lack of information on how to access an abortion.

Yet information on how to access abortions is exactly what the Secretary of State is bringing into our schools. The Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 state that secondary schools will have to teach “age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion”.

Tellingly, there is no provision for the ethos of schools in the regulations – something which will set schools in Northern Ireland apart from their counterparts in the rest of the U.K.

Furthermore, suggestions that those who are concerned about these matters will have opportunity to feed into a consultation are at best being disingenuous. Any curriculum must be faithful to the legislative framework which frames abortion in terms of a “right”.

Simply put, the regulations lay the groundwork for secondary schools in Northern Ireland to be required to teach a moral wrong is actually a civil right. It will do so without any regard for the conscience of the teacher or the ethos of the school.

While the Department of Education has been quick to seize on salacious and inaccurate information spread by one group which suggested the changes were much more radical and would impact primary schools (they will not) there has been little serious debate in Northern Ireland about the changes which are coming.

It is also noteworthy that the changes have knock on consequences for devolution. Many Unionists who held their noses when it came to accepting Sinn Fein in government did so on the basis at least Stormont would permit Unionists to exercise a degree of control. Some argued that the parallel consent mechanisms of the Belfast Agreement could be used to stop the redefinition of marriage and abortion and would prevent Westminster imposing things over the heads of Unionists.

London has, however, not only repeatedly meddled in devolved matters but, due to the Protocol, has even trashed Northern Ireland’s constitutional position as a full and equal member of the U.K.

With little prospect of things improving if devolution was to return – there is a majority in the Assembly which is even more radical than Westminster on a range of issues such as “conversion therapy”, transgenderism and exclusion zones – those concerned about the changes to RSE in Northern Ireland are unlikely to see any improvement under a Stormont executive.

Mr Samuel Morrison
Press Officer
Traditional Unionist Voice

31 August 2023

Posted on 2023-08-31 a 4:23 pm

This report on the state of the Church of England is of interest to all who love the truth of God, irrespective of our view of that particular religious body.

The ‘Church of England’ emerged from the mists of religious and political controversy in the 16th century, trailing with it much of the ways, the language, the costumes and the errors of popish trumpery!

There were many very brave men and women who did their best to further reform the new ecclesiastical body, many of whom paid with their lives their faithfulness to God and His Word.

In the seventeenth century, under Charles II, the ‘Church’ was purged of virtually all who desired a greater reforming and a closer alignment in faith and practice with the Word of God. They were literally cast out into the street at the King’s command in what became known last the ‘Great Ejection’.

The ‘Act of Uniformity’ of Charles II prescribed that any minister who refused to conform to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer by St Bartholomew’s Day (24 August) 1662 should be ejected from the Church of England. This date became known as “Black Bartholomew’s Day” among Dissenters, a reference to the fact that it occurred on the same day as the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre of 1572.

Oliver Heywood estimated the number of ministers ejected at 2,500. This group included Richard Baxter, Edmund Calamy the Elder, Simeon Ashe, Thomas Case, John Flavel, William Jenkyn, Joseph Caryl, Benjamin Needler, Thomas Brooks, Thomas Manton, William Sclater, Thomas Doolittle, and Thomas Watson. Biographical details of ejected ministers and their fates were later collected by the historian Edmund Calamy, grandson of Calamy the elder.

In many ways, this was a mortal blow for the Church of England has ever since been an avenue by which false teaching and heresy has been introduced in ‘the name of the Lord’ and corrupt practices have been sanctioned by it.

It has been slowly dying as an institution ever since. This article gives further evidence of the corrupting process known as DEATH, being at an advanced stage in its ranks! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-30 a 5:21 pm

The following article is from the ‘Belfast Telegraph, Monday 28th August.

It relates the attempts of a priest who came from our part of the world, for he was born in Co. Fermanagh, my native county.

He comes from a strongly republican family with very obvious ties to the IRA. His brother, Patrick, was a member of the IRA and was killed in an explosion in 1958 during the IRA’s “Border Campaign”.

The Word of God tells us that Christ forbids the use of the spiritual title ‘Father’ to any man. “‭And‭ call‭‭ no‭ ‭man‭ your‭ father‭ upon‭ the earth‭: for‭ one‭ is‭‭ your‭ Father‭, which‭ is in‭ heaven‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Matthew 23:9. McManus, like all Roman Catholic priests, displays his defiance of Christ by the use of such a title. It is for this reason I try ever to place quotation marks around its use!

McManus took umbrage at a BBC reporter, Seamus McKee, who alleged claimed he had links to the IRA.

This priest, like others who have made no secret of their ties to the terrorists of the IRA, had indeed links with the terror group. He had family links as his brother’s membership of the IRA indicates. Furthermore, he had moral links for his whole public witness was but a reiteration largely of the usual Sinn Fein/IRA propaganda.

In the end, he abandoned his attempts for one reason or another.

But the case is not over, for like all such matters, there is a day when the Lord will publicly reveal the truth concerning such matters men have attempted to conceal.

“‭For God‭ shall bring‭‭ every work‭ into judgment‭, with every secret thing‭‭, whether ‭it be‭ good‭, or whether ‭it be‭ evil‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Ecclesiastes 12:14.

“‭In‭ the day‭ when‭ God‭ shall judge‭‭‭ the secrets‭ of men‭ by‭ Jesus‭ Christ‭ according‭ to my‭ gospel‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Romans 2:16.

“‭Therefore‭ judge‭‭ nothing‭‭ before‭ the time‭, until‭‭ the Lord‭ come‭‭, who‭ both‭ will bring to light‭‭ the hidden things‭ of darkness‭, and‭ will make manifest‭‭ the counsels‭ of the heart,‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 1 Corinthians 4:5.

In the light of that day, the Christian is able to bear with the vexation and the anger that the arrogant and deceitful claims of the likes of McManus, knowing that one day, the God of all truth, will declare the authentic story of the life of such men!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Prominent US priest tried to sue BBC’s Seamus McKee after claiming he’d linked him to the IRA

‘Fr’ Sean McManus began the action in the late 1980s — but a decade later government officials were still dealing with the consequences

Sam McBride

Yesterday at 14:30

A high-profile Irish American priest launched a libel action against BBC journalist Seamus McKee and others after being linked to the IRA — but abandoned it after several years, declassified files show.

A file on the matter was drawn up by Stormont’s Department of Economic Development because it had been named as one of the defendants in the action, along with the senior BBC figure, the BBC itself and former Alliance leader John Cushnahan. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-29 a 6:55 pm

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do,” Romans 7:18-19.

These words of Paul denote great humility on the part of the great man. He has ever been an example to the millions of Christians who have read of his conversion, life and labours in the New Testament. Yet for all his true greatness, God inspired him to record these words of self-deprecation in this epistle “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 1:7.

He would never adopt the title of ‘His Holiness’ as does the usurper who presently claims to be the chief successor of the apostles and the very ‘Vicar’ (one in the place) of Christ’, the Pope of Rome!

What Paul here says of himself, is of course, true of every genuine believer. I would have us consider just what the Holy Ghost has inspired Paul to say in these few words.

I. THESE WORDS WERE MEANT FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF BELIEVERS

Our inherent sinfulness is ever a cause of deep regret and despair amongst Christians. There is an ‘air’ of lamentation about these words. And if we are truly saved we likewise will lament with Paul over our sins.

Therein lies the encouragement in these words -— holy Paul was beset by sin as we sadly must confess of ourselves.

1. Strive as we may, we cannot live without sin. Every Christian is driven to seek purity by the inward work of grace, the new nature fashioned after the likeness to Christ. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure,” 1 John 3:2-3.

However, we cannot attain to perfection while in this body. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,” 1 John 1:8. The words of Paul tend to offset the disappointment that stems from our failure to procure that ‘beauty of holiness’ that we would desire to adorn ourselves with.

We must ever live with the knowledge “that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing”!

2. This awareness of our undeniable sinfulness will surely cast us upon the Lord. It was so with Paul. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin,” Romans 7:24-25.

Paul here describes the ever-presence of his old nature like carrying about a dead body strapped to him. It has been said of these words by John Gill: ‘He was weary of the present life, and wanted to be rid of his mortal body, this did not arise from the troubles and anxieties of life, with which he was pressed, which oftentimes make wicked men long to die; but from the load of sin, and burden of corruption, under which he groaned, and still bespeaks him a regenerate man; for not of outward calamities, but of indwelling sin.’

Our sinful nature is a weariness to the believer, far outweighing any troubles or afflictions that may come our way! It mars the enjoyment of our every blessing, intruding into every aspect of our walk with God, our fellowship, our prayers, our worship! It is as a stinking corpse of which we cannot rid ourselves.

It is to the Lord we must cry for relief amidst this affliction.

3. There is relief to be found in Christ. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We must not be overcome or overly depressed by our sin. Rather, we must heed those wonderful words of John. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9. These blessed words, sandwiched between two verses in which stern words remind us of our undeniable sinfulness. One verse I have already quoted: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” 1 John 1:8. The other reminds us of the crime involved in denying our sinfulness. “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us,” 1 John 1:10.

As I say, in between these two darkly true statements is the sunshine of mercy and grace. Confession of our sins brings forgiveness and cleansing from One Who is ‘faithful and just’, that is, He is faithful to His merciful promise of pardon to the repentant sinner and is ‘just’, in that He cannot punish our sins in us as they were punished in Christ upon the cross. From Christ’s blood-shedding there springs the blessing of cleansing from ‘all unrighteousness’! O how sweet is the glorious truth of the substitutionary death of Christ! Old Isaiah the prophet rejoiced in it some seven hundred years before it took place.

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all,” Isaiah 53:4-6.

II. HOWEVER, WE MUST NOT READ THESE VERSES AND THEN EXCUSE OURSELVES OF SIN

It would be all too easy to misunderstand the implication of these words and say of them that they are saying that I cannot stop sinning therefore I am not to blame for my sinfulness!

1. Please note carefully that despite his open acknowledgement of his unconquerable sin, Paul indicates that he continually seeks to resist it. That is what he says in the verses 24 and 25 he seeks a deliverance from his sin through “Jesus Christ our Lord”.

We Christians have two natures. One is the old Adamic nature, inherited from our fathers. It produces the wickedness of which all men are guilty. “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries,” 1 Peter 4:3.

It is ‘incurably’ sinful. But the Christian has another nature, placed within him by divine grace at his regeneration. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust,” 2 Peter 1:3-4.

We have been given a nature akin to God’s holy nature, with the exception of His divine attributes, His omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience etc. We are however, as Peter says, partakers of the holy nature. “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18. James speaks of this ‘keeping’ of ourselves. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world,” James 1:27.

There is a resistance to sin within each true believer.

2. This spirit of resistance drives us to Christ for deliverance. When Peter sinned as he did when he denied the Lord Jesus, it says that “Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly,” Matthew 26:75. There was brought to his mind what the Saviour had said and Peter realised his sinfulness and he then ‘went out’ from the presence of others to seek in private the face of the Lord and brokenly confessed his sin and repented of it. That he was forgiven and reconciled to the Lord may be seen in the words of the angel to “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome” in the empty tomb. “And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you,” Mark 16:5-7.

How significant are those two words: ‘and Peter’. He was not excluded but being forgiven he was to resume his walk with Christ and continue in the work he was called to do.

The Psalms are filled with examples of the saint running to the Lord, burdened by the guilt of sin and the shame of defeat, and then to be raised in joy to praising the Lord.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God,” Psalm 43:5.

3. Through the grace and power of Christ, the Christian is enabled to live in victory over sin. When In prison in 1966, these words became most precious to me and have remained a constant comfort throughout the subsequent years. “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets,” Micah 7:7-10.

Yes, we  ‘fall’ into sin and are brought into ‘darkness’ BUT we may look upward to the Lord by faith and enjoy that blessed recovery of which only the Lord is capable of working within us. We may have to bear the ‘indignation’ (anger) of the Lord for a season and justly so, yet light from Him will dispel our self-inflicted darkness and He will bring us out of it to look upon His face afresh and enjoy victory over our sinful nature and the devil who has rejoiced in our fall!

As the old hymn puts it: ‘Each victory will help us, some other to win’! Each victory we enjoy over sin as we repent and come against to ‘the fountain filled with blood, drawn from Emmanuel’s veins’ for cleansing from its stains, is but a foreshadowing of that glorious victory of which we will one day partake.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.

Please remember the wonderful conclusion Paul draws from these truths: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord,” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

May the Lord bless you through these few thoughts.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster
Saturday, 26th August, 2023

Posted on 2023-08-26 a 8:00 am

Here is further evidence of the cowardly and compromising response by the DUP to the LGBT advances and the dominant position that the advocates of perversion have attained in society, chiefly because of the pitiful attitude of men like Stephen Moutray. I am inclined to believe that the apology by Mr Moutray was the result of  pressure from the DUP’s ‘hierarchy’! If that is so, it but magnifies the shamefulness of the prevailing character of the DUP and its members in the face of the LGBT’s arrogant aggression!

Why is the DUP leadership and rank and file so frightened of them? Given what the Bible says of their ‘future’ there is nothing to be frightened of!

Mr Moutray is reported in the ‘Irish News’ of 21 August, 2023, as saying: ‘In serving as a public representative for over 22 years, I am well aware of my responsibilities under the Code of Conduct to show respect and consideration for others. To this end, I apologise for any offence caused to Ms Bradshaw, Mr Muir and Mr Tennyson.’

He is under a very much superior ‘Code of Conduct’ than that instigated by any local authority here in Northern Ireland. All men are under the ‘Code’ of God’s Law!

I understand that Mr Moutray has frequented gospel meetings (a very common practice with politicians soliciting the votes of Christians) and is therefore aware of what the Word of God has to say about sodomy. That makes his spineless response all the more  blameworthy. He is without excuse in his shameful kowtowing attempt to safeguard his council seat!

Under the code of God’s Word, it is absolutely no offence to decry the attitudes and antics of the LGBT crowd and their supporters. If it were the case, then how guilty is the Lord for none has spoken more scathingly, in a more derogatory fashion of the sodomite lobby than He.

Rather than show ‘respect and consideration’ to shameful acts of rebellion, the Christian is required to denounce such in the strong terms that God uses of them. We should follow Asa’s example and that of his son, Jehoshaphat, both of whom were followers of the Lord!

“And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made,” 1Kings 15:11-12.

“And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land,” 1 Kings 22:46.

Their actions brought God’s blessing upon the land. Stephen Moutray’s will not bring God’s blessing on himself or upon Ulster!

The Lord not merely has held an attitude toward these wicked people and spoken against them, but He has declared that He has prepared a place of eternal damnation for them and for all who defy His rule and Word!

That which He has prepared was set forth in His dealings with Sodom.

“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire,” Jude 1:7.

The howls of protest against any Bible-based criticism of sodomy from them and those in league with them, are nothing to the ‘weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth’ which will be heard eternally from those who take no heed to the warnings of the gospel.

“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth,” Matthew 13:41-42.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Posted on 2023-08-22 a 4:36 pm

“Wondering at God’s Great Works”

“For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone,” Psalm 86:10.

A message preached by Rev David Creane (Rtd) at the morning service, August 20th 2023, marking the 49th Anniversary of the opening of Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church building on 17th August 1974.

A video of this sermon may be viewed here:

A brief account of the work of God in Kilskeery

 Today has been set aside as an anniversary of the opening of the first building on this site 49 years ago.

However, the work of grace in the area had begun some years before. From the earliest days of the Free Presbyterian witness in Lisbellaw, where the first regular service began on 12th February 1967, there were Christians from the Ballinamallard/Kilskeery area attending the services.

But in 1970, chiefly as the result of the witnessing of a Kilskeery lady, Mrs Sadie McKinley, who had been saved in a meeting at which Dr Ian Paisley preached, in a gospel mission that I was conducting in Springfield, a few miles north west of Enniskillen, members of her family and friends in the Kilskeery area began attending the Lisbellaw meetings, travelling over from Kilskeery, a distance of some 12 miles. Very soon, some 20 adults and children were attending regularly, some 12-15 having been converted. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-22 a 12:16 am

The following article has appeared in today’s Belfast Newsletter.

This decision by the ‘Parades Commission’ indicates the sympathy with which everything linked to the ‘LGBT lifestyle’ is held by those in power. All that the ‘LGBTites’ do and desire is held to be ‘sacrosanct’ by those who come under the umbrella of the ‘status quo’!

Increasingly, over the last decade in particular, the perverted campaign mounted by those who would live in utter defiance of all things decent and that ordered by the God of Heaven, have been given carte blanche regarding all they wish to see the rest of society, the vast majority of society, concede to them.

Their views and evil practices have been enshrouded in legal protections and sanctions.

Basically, it is deemed a ‘hate crime’ to say of them and to them what the Lord, the Judge of all the earth, Who alone can only do right? (Genesis 18:25), has said is the unalterable and eternal consequences for those who give themselves to this wickedness.

In truth, though the ‘Pride’ organisers would never believe this, it is the greatest kindness that could be shown to these defiers of God when thy are plainly told from God’s Word of the harvest that awaits them for their rebellion!

Little do the ‘Parades Commission’ realise that they are denying, not the Christians who wish to witness against this wicked event, but a merciful warning from those who are wrongly deemed disturbers of the peace and potential instigators of disorder, to those parading and flaunting God’s Law!

What is happening bears out the recent headline in the ‘Times’ newspaper.

Civil servants are losing faith in Christianity 

August 17 2023, 7.00pm.

We have become a nation of fools!

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good,”  Psalm 14:1. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-22 a 12:03 am

“‭‭‭‭‭‭The heavens‭ declare‭‭ the glory‭ of God‭; and the firmament‭ sheweth his‭‭ handywork‭‭.‭ ‭Day‭ unto day‭ uttereth‭‭ speech‭, and night‭ unto night‭ sheweth‭‭ knowledge‭.‭ ‭There is‭ no speech‭ nor language‭, ‭where‭ their voice‭ is not heard‭‭.‭ ‭Their line‭ is gone out‭‭ through all the earth‭, and their words‭ to the end‭ of the world‭‭‭‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalm 19:1-4.

Before Charles Darwin, or any of his unwise predecessors, opened his mouth to spout the utter folly of the notion of ‘evolution’ — the idea that there was a spontaneous coming into existence of the basic elements of all life and matter and their development by stages over countless millions of years to what we may observe today — there was the clear and universal testimony of the silent lips of that created of their origins at the hands of the Lord.

Psalm 19, quoted above, has long declared this truth, even before the creation of man.

Evolution, in whatever form it is presented, for there are as many variations of this ever ‘evolving’ notion as there are fish in the sea, is essentially nothing more than another attempt by fallen man to deny the existence of the Lord, his Creator! “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭The fool‭ hath said‭‭ in his heart‭, ‭There is‭ no God‭ . . . ,‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalm 14:1. It is man’s attempt to contradict the testimony of the skies above and the earth beneath of the handiwork of God.

Such attempts at denial are indeed, as David says, the actions of the fool. So foolish is the ’theory’ of evolution that it has to be altered and corrected and updated almost as soon as it is articulated! It has more varieties than the famous ‘Heinz 57 Varieties’ of food products! The superfluity of variations of man’s notions of the origin of all things is testimony to the simple fact that man does not know the truth of how this world and the immensity of the heavens came about.

It is a self-inflicted ignorance for there is ever before his eyes the glorious witness of which our text speaks. But man is a creature in rebellion against God. He is the disciple of sin and will not admit the existence of the God of the Bible. I say, ‘the God of the Bible’, for man is not in truth an ‘atheist’! He happily invents for himself a ‘god’ of his own liking. Even those who profess Christianity are in truth in this camp. That is why the pulpits and the pews of most churches are occupied by those who reject the testimony of the Holy Scriptures given us of God and seek to amend and edit them to present a ‘god’ with whom they are content! Thus today’s ‘Bible’ bookshops are filled with a large variety of so-called ‘versions’ of the Word of God. They are in truth, ‘perversions’.

Please consider the testimony as old as time itself and projecting its witness since that first day spoken of in Genesis 1. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-18 a 8:00 am

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness,” Psalm 17:15.

I read Psalm 17 on the Lord’s Day morning past and then began a study of the verse 15. When time for the morning prayer meeting came round, I walked the few yards down to the church. The prayer meeting was opened by the singing of this psalm, which would indicate that the elder leading the prayer meeting also follows Robert Murray M‘Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar, something I recommend to all.

This psalm comes from the pen of David. God has been pleased to pass on to ensuing generations much blessed instruction through  the psalms and songs of the King of Israel of old.

Every one of the inspired psalms abounds with divine instruction on all things spiritual and related to the experiences of the saints of God. For this reason they have been a favourite portion of God’s Word to consult in times of perplexity, trouble and fear.

As one who holds to the Presbyterian form of church government and polity, I know how much the Psalms have meant to my forefathers in times of tribulation and distress. We sing still with joy the metrical form of the Psalms as compiled and arranged by our 17th century forefathers.

Today’s generation of Free Presbyterians need to make sure that this holy practice does not diminish or die!

In our verse there is given to the people of God a wonderful picture of the happy prospect that is theirs through the grace of God. What the future holds for the believer has ever been revealed by the Lord to His people. Thus Job, who had no written record of God’s Word, was able to say with assurance: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me,” Job 19:25-27. There is so much in these words that it would take many sermons to expound them all!

Job was acquainted with the truth of the Redeemer and His then present existence. He knew of His second coming to this earth (which indicates he knew of His first coming) to rise up in power to rule the earth for that is implied in the Hebrew word translated ‘he shall stand’. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-14 a 4:32 pm

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek,” Romans 1:16.

This is a text that I am sure every true gospel preacher has preached from at least once. Most will have visited it many times in their ministry. It is a wonderful compendium of gospel truth!

The apostle Paul was truly a great man though he never attained to the realms by which worldly men today measure ‘greatness’!

Those whose faces and names frequently, if not ‘ad nauseam’, appear in news reports, will undoubtedly be forgotten, long before 2000 days are passed, never mind 2000 years!

It is believed that it was around AD 68 that the great man was put to death by the Roman Caesar, Nero. It is believed that he was converted to Christ (Acts 9:1-18) around about the early AD 30s. That means that he lived as a Christian and fervently served the Lord for some 35 years.

In those years, he left an indelible mark upon human history. He is still a guide, an inspiration, a pattern (1 Timothy 1:16)  and an example to the countless millions of Christians who have sought to obey the gospel Paul preached and follow Christ.

In our verse Paul speaks of being unashamed of the gospel. Without doubt there were many things regarding himself that Paul was ashamed of. He said of himself, “I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God,” 1 Corinthians 15:9. Paul never forgot his shameful pre-conversion days. His heart burned with a hatred for Christ, His Word and His people. His spirit is displayed to us in Acts 9:1. “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,” Acts 9:1. He was ‘dragon-like’ in his fury against God and His people!

I recall, while a ministerial student (1965-68), Dr John Douglas, in our English Bible studies, saying it was likely that the memory of his former fury against the Lord that motivated him in his gospel labours and spurred him on so that he could later rightly claim, with due acknowledgement of God’s grace in it all: “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me,” 1 Corinthians 15:10.

He not only surpassed the labours of his fellow apostles, but I believe that he suffered for Christ more than they all. Of this he was warned on the day of his conversion. The Lord sent Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, to help Paul (or Saul as he was then known). “But the Lord said unto him (Ananias), Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake,” Acts 9:15-16.

And suffer he did as he later testified. “In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?” 2 Corinthians 11:23-29.

These words tell us of his zeal for the Lord, his indifference to what he had to endure to spread the gospel, his courage and his patient endurance. He is indeed an example for every Christian today.

Please come to the famous verse 16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek and note:

I. WHATEVER PAUL HAD TO BE ASHAMED OF IT WAS NOT THE GOSPEL!

He tells us why he was not ashamed of the gospel. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-12 a 7:43 pm

The recent data breach by someone within the Northern Ireland Police Service, whether civilian worker or police officer, is incalculable in its implications and ramifications!

That the full details of serving officers and civilian staff should have been made available to all and sundry, including terrorists, is incomprehensibly incompetent to say the least!

Mr Jim Allister KC, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice,  has quite rightly asked the Chief Constable the following astute questions,

We wait with interest the response of the Chief Constable!

Sincerely in Christ’s name, Ivan Foster

TUV challenges Chief Constable on data breaches

10th August, 2023.

Dear Chief Constable,

Re: Recent catastrophic data breach

I would like some clear answers arising from the above.

*Is there an internal audit trail of everyone concerned in processing this request within the PSNI? (These people must be held to account.)

*What supervision, and at what level, was there of those who put the information together?

*At what level was the intended FOI response checked? I note references to a junior member of staff compiling the information, but is there no threshold of seniority as to who has access to such information? How, if correct, did a junior member of staff come to be handling this information?

*Was the compiler a civilian member of staff, a full employee, an agency worker or a police officer?

*What level of security clearance did the compiler hold?

*What were the supervision arrangements in place and were they fully followed? Supervision, or lack of it, seems to me a key consideration, with scapegoating of junior staff not acceptable.

*What was the status of the person(s) who signed off on the release?

*What is/was the function and responsibility of a) ACC Todd and b) yourself in oversight of data handling?

*Is mishandling/disclosure of sensitive/classified information regarded as gross misconduct with dismissal consequences?

*As Chief Constable how far do you take responsibility for this disaster, or where does the buck stop?

I suspect you will seek to brush aside my questions under the guise of an ongoing investigation, but you should realise that public confidence in you and your staff is in play here and you should not compound the situation by prevaricating and seeking refuge from answering.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Allister

Posted on 2023-08-11 a 10:09 pm

Preached in Coragarry Free Presbyterian Church, Co. Monaghan, the Irish republic, by Rev Ivan Foster, Lord’s Day 6th August 2023.

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh,” James 5:8.

This morning I wish to turn your attention, if I may, to a subject that I have felt more and more burdened to deal with, either in the pulpit or with my pen, as I near the end of my being able to so minister.

I refer to that great Bible truth:

THE RETURN OF CHRIST TO THIS EARTH IN POWER AND GLORY.

If it seems to some that I am preoccupied with this subject, may I quote some verses from the Acts of the Apostles. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began,” Acts 3:19-21. These are the words of Peter. He says that all God’s ‘holy prophets’ spoke of the return of Christ at the time of the “restitution of all things”.

So far from being fixated with this wonderful subject, it would appear that I am in step with ‘all’ of God’s servants of old! The words of our text were written some 2000 years ago. This does not mean that believers back then were expecting the Lord any time soon. No, they would been instructed in what Paul taught the Thessalonians. “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. There I s to be a great falling away before the return of Christ. The phrase ‘a falling away’ is a translation of the Greek word from which we get ‘apostasy’.

The Saviour’s return is drawing nearer and nearer. We are commanded to watch for the sign of that event amongst the affairs of men and events in the physical world. Were Christians and men generally to ever keep this wonderful event before them, the passage shows the impact for good it would have on the rich, the greedy and those suffering under persecution. As for Christians, our text indicates that ‘patience’ and ‘stability and stedfastness’ would be the result.

One of the signs is given us in Luke 21:26. “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” We are witnessing strange times of late and certainly men are alarmed and postulating all sorts of reasons for the lawlessness in society and the environmental events taking place world-wide. I wish to quickly set before you the most prominent signs Scripture says will indicate the near approach of the ‘Coming of the Lord’.

I. NOTE THE FIRST SIGN PAUL MENTIONS

1. That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first. There is a be a most notable ‘apostasy’ amongst professing Christians. Paul refers to this time again in 2 Timothy 3:1. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” A time spoken of in Revelation 12:12. “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

2. It reminds me of the devil’s ‘last fling’ in the gospels. Mark 9:17-26. He rages before before departing from the child. In like manner, the great apostasy, culminating in the appearance of the Antichrist, is the devil’s ‘last fling’ before the return of Christ.

3. Today, the devil is seeking to destroy the gospel witness. He has succeeded in many places. We have but to consider our own United Kingdom, and closer to home, our own province of Ulster. It was once the home of gospel blessing and that not long ago. Some of us can remember times of real Holy Ghost stirrings, some 50-60 years ago. However today, there is a great resemblance to the lad in Mark 9:17. “he was as one dead’! Deadness prevails throughout our land. Apostasy rules and reigns in the vast majority of churches where once the gospel was preached. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-08 a 5:37 pm

Sinn Fein supports the full spectrum of evil!

Sinn Fein has called for new legislation for Northern Ireland to make puberty blockers available to young trans teens as part of normal healthcare.

Every defiance of God springs from a common source — the depraved heart of man. This the Saviour affirmed very clearly. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man,” Matthew 15:19-20.

The very first evidence of man’s depravity that the Saviour mentions is ‘evil thoughts’. The word ‘thoughts’ refers to that ‘evil reasoning and disputing’ against God and His truth that has its source in the human heart, prompted and aided by the devil.

That is what lies behind the ‘thinking’ of Sinn Fein and its latest call for a defiance of God and His ordained order amongst mankind, as reported in today’s (3.8.23) ‘Belfast Newsletter’.

Never was there clearer evidence of Sinn Fein’s party’s God-defying mindset than this call by Emma Sheerin. This party would have it established here that the deviant demands for medical aid to hinder and oppose that natural transition that takes place in the human body as it grows and develops from adolescence to adulthood.

Sinn Fein’s MLA for Mid Ulster, Emma Sheerin, made her demand at the ‘Belfast Pride Talks Back’ radio event last week. Host William Crawley asked a political panel if their parties support access to puberty blockers for young trans teenagers in Northern Ireland. Emma Sheerin responded with this demand that such an abnormal procedure be ’normalised’ and become available on the National Health Service. According to press reports, Sinn Fein appears to have affirmed that this is the party position on this subject.

Apart from anything else, the NHS is so overstretched that with such an additional procedure becoming standard, it would mean that the treatment of common and legitimate ailments would suffer.

Shall such a scheme come about? In truth, I will be surprised (and delighted) if it doesn’t! Only Jim Allister’s TUV party has come out and publicly spoken against the issue of ‘transgenderism’. The party issued a statement and it is reported in the ’Belfast Newsletter’. I see no real opposition within the other Unionist parties regarding this perversion and of course, we cannot expect the Government in Westmister to oppose that which it has so much to promote! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-04 a 6:41 pm

“‭Even as‭ Sodom‭ and‭ Gomorrha‭, and‭ the cities‭ about‭ them‭ in like‭‭ manner‭, giving themselves over to fornication‭‭, and‭ going‭‭ after‭ strange‭ flesh‭, are set forth for‭‭ an example‭, suffering‭‭ the vengeance‭ of eternal‭ fire‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Jude 1:7.

Following the display of depravity by those who have adopted a life of moral perversion and defiance of God in Belfast, on Saturday, July 29th, there has been much in the press about one protest mounted against that exhibition of the latest example of the fast growing rebelliousness of mankind and the tragic acceptance of it by thousands of men, women and parents with their children.

I am referring to the open-air protest mounted by Mr Ryan Williamson. There followed quite a stir amongst the supporters of the sodomite parade at what he said during his open-air meeting. I will not repeat what was reported in the press as being his words of condemnation, for he has claimed that he was taken out of context though he did not dispute his use of the word ‘rape’. The matter is under consideration by the police who took videos of what was said by Mr Williamson. We await the outcome of that investigation.

I might offer my support to Mr Williamson in his protest. I do not know him. I have never met him or heard him nor do I know much about his theological views, though I do accept his profession of being a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have been a preacher in the open-air and in pulpits since I first feebly opened my mouth to proclaim Christ in an open-air conducted by Mr Noel Stephenson, back in April 1964, some thirteen days after God saved me out of darkness, ignorance and sin on 5th April of that year.

I have been engaged in preaching and in protest ever since, both in pulpits, open-air meetings and by the use of the pen. Some might even suggest that I have been a ‘mite’ controversial in my witnessing! Be that as it may, I have been led to follow a simple rule when denouncing the wickedness of this age. I recall hearing old Pastor Willie Mullan, as he related his response to criticism of something he had said: “Your argument is not with me, but with God for I have only quoted what He said in the Bible!”

Providentially, that simple precept was implanted in me from that time and almost unconsciously I have been constrained to abide within the parameters of that rule.

The Bible gives an abundance of clear and proper denunciations we may employ when dealing with men’s sinfulness. Indeed, we cannot come up with words more damning than those God employs. The Saviour’s censuring of His critics, His enemies, in Matthew 23, sets down an abundance of proper terms to employ against God’s enemies.

When criticised for employing the Saviour’s terms of rebuke against those who break His Law, we may respond with a ‘Thus said the Lord’! Such criticism should not in the least embarrass Christians nor, above all, bring any measure of reproach upon the cause of God.

These are evil times and whatever a Christian may seek to do to uphold the honour and truth of the Lord Jesus will be opposed and misconstrued by those who have no compunction about employing lies against the child of God. Remember it was so in the case of our Saviour Himself! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-02 a 4:42 pm

This brief article was prompted by a report on the BBC website today. A Statue of Frederick Douglass has just been unveiled in Belfast city centre. His name will be unknown to most.

Here is the BBC headline.

Frederick Douglass: Statue of American activist unveiled

I know that it is likely that the most important fact about this man will be overlooked and ignored by the many who will view the statue and especially by those who will be most anxious to sing his praises and make political points before the cameras and microphones of the press!

Frederick Douglass said of Belfast, which he had visited in the 1840s at the invitation of the Belfast Anti Slavery Society and to where he had come when fleeing from the threat of recapture: “Whenever else I feel myself to be a stranger I will remember I have a home in Belfast.” It is recorded that Frederick Douglass asked British Christians never to support American churches that permitted slavery, and he expressed his happiness to know that a group of ministers in Belfast had refused to admit slaveholders as members of the Church.

Here are my comments.

Frederick Douglass – 1817/18 — 1895

A former slave and a leading campaigner for the abolition of slavery but first of all a Christian!

There is no mention of the fact of him being a converted sinner in the BBC report, likely because Sinn Fein has had a leading part in the erection of the statue. Bible Christianity has no place in the ‘persona’ of that party which openly has supported terror and murder, that which is of the same evil ilk as slavery! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-01 a 4:51 pm

“‭This‭ ‭is‭ the covenant‭ that‭ I will make‭‭ with‭ them‭ after‭ those‭ days‭, saith‭‭ the Lord‭, I will put‭‭ my‭ laws‭ into‭ their‭ hearts‭, and‭ in‭ their‭ minds‭ will I write‭‭ them‭;‭ ‭and‭ their‭ sins‭ and‭ iniquities‭‭ will I remember‭‭ no‭ more‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Hebrews 10:16-17.

The Lord has a special relationship with the nation of Israel. So often hated by the nations of men, they are beloved of God! He has said of them: “‭For thou ‭art‭ an holy‭ people‭ unto the LORD‭ thy God‭: the LORD‭ thy God‭ hath chosen‭‭ thee to be a special‭ people‭ unto himself, above all people‭ that ‭are‭ upon the face‭ of the earth‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Deuteronomy 7:6. The word ‘special’ is elsewhere translated by the phrase ‘peculiar treasure, jewel’. We stand in awe of this nation’s relationship with the Lord, despite all their sin and rebellion!

The verses which form our text, are among the final references in the Bible to the Covenant that God has made with Israel and which yet awaits final fulfilment.

I must emphasise that the LORD HAS NOT ABANDONED ISRAEL AND UTTERLY GIVEN THEM UP! That is something that Paul the apostle made ABSOLUTELY plain.

“‭I say‭‭ then‭,‭ Hath‭‭ God‭ cast away‭‭ his‭ people‭? God forbid‭‭‭. For‭ I‭ also‭ am‭‭ an Israelite‭, of‭ the seed‭ of Abraham‭, ‭of‭ the tribe‭ of Benjamin‭.‭ ‭God‭ hath‭‭ not‭ cast away‭‭ his‭ people‭ which‭ he foreknew‭‭.‭ Wot (know) ye‭‭ not‭ what‭ the scripture‭ saith‭‭ of‭ Elias‭? how‭ he maketh intercession‭‭ to God‭ against‭ Israel‭, saying‭‭,‭ ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Lord‭, they have killed‭‭ thy‭ prophets‭, and‭ digged down‭‭ thine‭ altars‭; and I‭ am left‭‭ alone‭, and‭ they seek‭‭ my‭ life‭.‭ ‭But‭ what‭ saith‭‭ the answer of God‭ unto him‭? I have reserved‭‭ to myself‭ seven thousand‭ men‭, who‭ have‭‭ not‭ bowed‭‭ the knee‭ to ‭the image of‭ Baal‭.‭ ‭Even so‭ then‭ at‭ this present‭ time‭ also‭ there is‭‭ a remnant‭ according‭ to the election‭ of grace‭,‭”‭‭Romans 11:1-5.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Many times, even in the periods of Israel’s deepest apostasy and departure from God, He reiterated the terms of the Covenant and sought to encourage and comfort those who were under His judgment for their sins. Just on Friday past, I read these words in my daily reading. “‭Again the word‭ of the LORD‭ came unto me, saying‭‭,‭ ‭Thus saith‭‭ the LORD‭, the God‭ of Israel‭; Like these good‭ figs‭, so will I acknowledge‭‭ them that are carried away captive‭ of Judah‭, whom I have sent‭‭ out of this place‭ into the land‭ of the Chaldeans‭ for ‭their‭ good‭.‭ ‭For I will set‭‭ mine eyes‭ upon them for good‭, and I will bring them again‭‭ to this land‭: and I will build‭‭ them, and not pull ‭them‭ down‭‭; and I will plant‭‭ them, and not pluck ‭them‭ up‭‭.‭ ‭And I will give‭‭ them an heart‭ to know‭‭ me, that I ‭am‭ the LORD‭: and they shall be my people‭, and I will be their God‭: for they shall return‭‭ unto me with their whole heart‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Jeremiah 24:4-7.

The day before reading those words, I read these verses, and they are what suggested this study to me:

“‭Woe‭ be unto the pastors‭‭ that destroy‭‭ and scatter‭‭ the sheep‭ of my pasture‭! saith‭ the LORD‭.‭ ‭Therefore thus saith‭‭ the LORD‭ God‭ of Israel‭ against the pastors‭‭ that feed‭‭ my people‭; Ye have scattered‭‭ my flock‭, and driven them away‭‭, and have not visited‭‭ them: behold, I will visit‭‭ upon you the evil‭ of your doings‭, saith‭ the LORD‭.‭ ‭And I will gather‭‭ the remnant‭ of my flock‭ out of all countries‭ whither I have driven‭‭ them, and will bring them again‭‭ to their folds‭; and they shall be fruitful‭‭ and increase‭‭.‭ ‭And I will set up‭‭ shepherds‭‭ over them which shall feed‭‭ them: and they shall fear‭‭ no more, nor be dismayed‭‭, neither shall they be lacking‭‭, saith‭ the LORD‭.‭ ‭Behold, the days‭ come‭‭, saith‭ the LORD‭, that I will raise‭‭ unto David‭ a righteous‭ Branch‭, and a King‭ shall reign‭‭ and prosper‭‭, and shall execute‭‭ judgment‭ and justice‭ in the earth‭.‭ ‭In his days‭ Judah‭ shall be saved‭‭, and Israel‭ shall dwell‭‭ safely‭: and this ‭is‭ his name‭ whereby he shall be called‭‭, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS‭.‭ ‭Therefore, behold, the days‭ come‭‭, saith‭ the LORD‭, that they shall no more say‭‭, The LORD‭ liveth‭, which brought up‭‭ the children‭ of Israel‭ out of the land‭ of Egypt‭;‭ ‭But, The LORD‭ liveth‭, which brought up‭‭ and which led‭‭ the seed‭ of the house‭ of Israel‭ out of the north‭ country‭, and from all countries‭ whither I had driven‭‭ them; and they shall dwell‭‭ in their own land‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Jeremiah 23:1-8. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-08-01 a 6:00 am

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The following headline appears in the ‘Belfast Telegraph’. It highlights the blind folly that dominates politics here.

‘My husband is a Sinn Fein member, and I am absolutely not a republican’: Alliance’s newest MLA

From what little I can read of the article for I would not subscribe to that ‘ecumenical’ newspaper in order to avail myself of the full article, the marriage is representative of the folly that dominates Ulster’s political scene.

The following appears on the ‘Belfast Telegraph’ website. “Alliance’s newest MLA laughs at the suggestion that her party wants a beige and bland Northern Ireland that is politically and culturally homogenous.”

“A beige and bland” Northern Ireland is one that is colourless and insipid, in other words utterly without principle or purpose. This MLA may laugh at the suggestion but that is the ‘ecumenical’ thesis that is foundational to her party, the Alliance Party!

The Word of God says: “‭Can two‭ walk‭‭ together‭, except‭ they be agreed‭‭?‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Amos 3:3. The answer of course, is very clear. They cannot!

For a marriage between a Sinn Feiner and an Alliance Party member to work, either one must compromise on their political views. Their publicly stated views are somewhat opposed. Sinn Fein holds that murder and terror are legitimate means of obtaining political power while the Alliance Party would, on paper, differ with that and claim to be ‘anti-violence’!

How could any country exist and prosper, based upon such an ‘unholy’ union! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-31 a 3:48 pm

The following article has appeared in today’s Belfast Telegraph. It is by ‘perversion advocate’, Gareth Hanna.

It is to be noted that it is a rehash of what appeared this time last year in the Belfast Telegraph.

It is to the shame of that newspaper that it is prepared to promote such devilish drivel.

Dear Christian, please understand that God’s Word is being fulfilled before your eyes! I quote a portion of God’s Word that I have often quoted before.

“‭This‭ know‭‭ also‭, that‭ in‭ the last‭ days‭ perilous‭ (fierce – of the devil, Matthew 8:28) times‭ shall come‭‭.‭ ‭For‭ men‭ shall be‭‭ lovers of their own selves‭, covetous‭, boasters‭, proud‭, blasphemers‭, disobedient‭ to parents‭, unthankful‭, unholy‭,‭ ‭without natural affection‭, trucebreakers‭, false accusers‭, incontinent‭, fierce‭, despisers of those that are good‭,‭ ‭traitors‭, heady‭, highminded‭‭, lovers of pleasures‭ more‭ than‭ lovers of God‭;‭ ‭having‭‭ a form‭ of godliness‭, but‭ denying‭‭ the power‭ thereof‭: from‭ such‭ turn away‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Gareth Hanna and his ilk are described by many of the terms used, by divine inspiration, by Paul in this portion of his epistle. Hanna is one of those whose ways and views are bringing in the ‘perilous times’ here spoken of by Paul.

I answered the article on July 29th last year and I am repeating that answer here.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Why it’s time more NI Christians came out as LGBTQ+ affirming

My answer to the above as it was published back on 29th July 2022.

It would appear that the writer (Gareth Hanna) would have us believe that he has some form of connection with ‘Christianity’, but in truth his writings and arguments in the article indicate plainly that he is as ignorant of God’s Word as a ‘sow going to hoke’! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-27 a 5:41 pm

Just when will ordinary members of the ‘Roman Catholic Church’ realise that there is something very wrong at the heart of that institution to which they appear able to give unquestioning allegiance?

How many clerics of all ranks world-wide have to be exposed, arrested and found guilty of the most heinous immorality, and that primarily against children, before there is a realising that such is the predominant moral feature of their ‘church’ and that for centuries?

Such perverts cannot be considered for one moment to be followers of the Lord Jesus. Christians are commanded, in both the Old and the New Testaments to walk in purity and holiness.

“‭Sanctify‭‭ yourselves therefore, and be ye holy‭: for I ‭am‭ the LORD‭ your God‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Leviticus 20:7.

“‭But‭ as‭ he which hath called‭‭ you‭ is holy‭, so‭ be‭‭ ye‭ holy‭ in‭ all‭ manner of conversation‭;‭ ‭Because‭ it is written‭‭, Be ye‭‭ holy‭; for‭ I‭ am‭‭ holy‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 1 Peter 1:15-16.

The following report is from a newspaper, ‘The Irish News’ which chiefly serves a Roman Catholic readership.

May its report raise questions in many hearts! To that end we should earnestly prayer for the Roman Catholic people.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Co Tyrone priest and former school president charged with indecent assault

Irish News (27/7/23)

A Co Tyrone priest who requested a leave of absence earlier this year while a serious safeguarding investigation was carried out has been charged with indecent assault against two males.

Court papers show Canon Patrick McEntee (69) from Esker Road, Dromore is charged with indecently assaulting a complainant between 1980 and 1981. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-27 a 5:34 pm

“And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town,” Mark 8:22-26.

A feature of the gospel of Mark is the ‘immediacy’ of the Saviour’s responses to the requests for help and mercy that came to Him.

An example of this is seen in the previous chapter. “And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain,” Mark 7:33-35.

Please note the word ‘straightway’! It is a translation of the Greek word, ‘eutheos’. This word is also translated by the English words ‘immediately’ and ‘forthwith’. The words underline the urgent and immediate response of the Saviour to the needs of men and women. However, in the record of this miracle there is a two-stage working by which the man’s sight was restored.

Now all the actions and words of Christ are written down “for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope,” Romans 15:4. There is divine wisdom behind this change in methodology of the Lord Jesus in healing this man from his blindness.

I. PLEASE NOTE THE KIND HANDS WHICH LED THAT MAN TO THIS MERCIFUL BLESSING

“And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand,” Mark 8:22-23.

1. It was the kind hands of those who desired God’s blessing for this man that led him to the Saviour. Doubtless, it was the man’s family and friends that acted so. The Saviour had been in Bethsaida before and the people were aware of His mercy and power to heal and to bless. The disciples had been earlier directed by the Lord to sail over to Bethsaida. “And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people,” Mark 6:45. That followed the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, verses 37-44. The disciples did sail across, experiencing the mighty power of Christ to save them from the power of a storm, verses 47-51. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-27 a 8:00 am

We share with you the latest report on the gospel literature outreach of Pilgrims Covenant Church in Monroe, Wisconsin, USA.

I have in the past had the opportunity of ministering in this church and sharing the pulpit with a faithful preacher and contender for the faith, Pastor Ralph Ovadal.

He and his helpers set a wonderful example of what it is to be an earnest, stedfast‭ and abounding‭‭ in‭ the work‭ of the Lord.

I trust you are encouraged by this report and I would ask you to pray for this faithful gospel witness.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Pilgrims Covenant Church Public Ministries Update

July 22, 2023

Dear Friends,

With this summary on our gospel witness in the world, we pick up where we left off with our last quarterly report. I want to begin by thanking those who pray for us as we labor for the Master and, I trust, with a heart for His honor and glory and then for the perishing. We also wish to express our appreciation for those who help in a financial way our small church labor for the Lord by way of our gospel witness. For instance, we have just put in another order for 35,000 of our PCC gospel tracts, specifically our Christ Jesus Came into the World to Save Sinners tract. But of course above all, we thank the Lord for the means, the health, and the many opportunities He has provided to share the glorious gospel of Christ with multitudes of men, women, and young people spiritually and legally “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1).

Below is a very brief summary of our gospel labors at public gatherings these past three months. Generally speaking, during each gospel witness, we have many interactions with all sorts and kinds of individuals. It is not unusual to meet with a certain amount of animosity from surly men and women, old, young, and in-between, who would no doubt be in favor of making the sharing of the gospel – at least a faithful gospel – unlawful. But at the same time, we regularly, not always but regularly, meet individuals who surely seem to be born-again brethren who rejoice to see the gospel of Christ being shared with all and everyone present. Among those just mentioned are, here and there, on-duty police officers who, having been offered one of our gospel tracts, warmly respond to us and announce that they too are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The great, vast majority of persons with whom we interact are unbelievers – some with no religion, some in apostate churches, and some of religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam. Most individuals are polite, and many even thank us for the gospel tract they receive. No doubt, a good many are thankful that someone showed such concern for them.

But, to sum up, every ministry outing we undertake results in a full range of interactions and responses which, if we were to detail in a report such as this, it would turn from a summary to a small book. So we content ourselves with mostly sharing some essential facts concerning each outreach and comfort ourselves with the thought that in each case we are sure that the Lord did so much more than even we were aware of at the time. Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-26 a 5:55 pm

“‭So Gideon‭, and the hundred‭ men‭ that ‭were‭ with him, came‭‭ unto the outside‭ of the camp‭ in the beginning‭ of the middle‭ watch‭; and they had but‭ newly‭‭ set‭‭ the watch‭‭: and they blew‭‭ the trumpets‭, and brake‭‭ the pitchers‭ that ‭were‭ in their hands‭.‭ ‭And the three‭ companies‭ blew‭‭ the trumpets‭, and brake‭‭ the pitchers‭, and held‭‭ the lamps‭ in their left‭ hands‭, and the trumpets‭ in their right‭ hands‭ to blow‭‭ ‭withal‭: and they cried‭‭, The sword‭ of the LORD‭, and of Gideon‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Judges 7:19-20.

The reason why every man who lapped‭‭ water‭ with his tongue‭, as a dog‭ laps‭‭, verse 5, were chosen by the Lord as those by whom He would deliver Israel under Gideon’s leadership, is very simple to understand when we consider their posture and that of the others who were rejected. The majority of those who rallied to Gideon’s call drank in a manner described in verse 5. They boweth down‬‬‬‬‬ upon their knees‭ to drink‭‭.‬‬‬‬‬

The majority bowed right down with their mouth to the water. In that position, they displayed that their sole intent at that moment was to satisfy their thirst. On the other hand the three hundred scooped up water in their hand and “putting‭ their hand‭ to their mouth‬‬”, drank.

The latter group remained on watch, conscious of the nearness of the enemy while the larger group ignored the enemy and gave themselves to drinking. It was this distinction that decided the Lord’s choice. God wants those who are totally occupied with the purpose for which we have been called by Him. There is only a minority of the ‘Israelites’ who answered the call, who have this character and it is them the Lord uses in the battle!

What an honour was bestowed upon these three hundred! Doubtless, there would have been those who felt they demeaned themselves by adopting the posture of a dog, a creature deemed unclean in Israel. Likewise those who have the spirit of the three hundred are ‘looked down’ on today, indeed have alway been considered so! You cannot stand for Christ without “bearing His reproach”, Hebrews 13:13. Such has been the view taken by the world of the Saviour and His chiefest servants. As Paul said of himself and all of his spirit: “‭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 4:10-13.

Yes, others joined in when the final rout of the Midianites and their allies took place, but the three hundred had the eternal honour of being to the fore in the great victory. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-25 a 3:41 pm

The following article from today’s ‘Daily Mail’ about what is being taught in a ‘Church of England school’, should be compulsory reading for every Christian parent who shamefully sends their child to a state school where ‘Relationship and sexuality education (RSE)’ is taught.

Sadly, I fear that many will simply ‘hide their heads in the sand’ and pretend that it is not a threat to their offspring!

Such an evil classroom subject, is according the Government, compulsory. “The teaching of relationship and sexuality education (RSE) is mandatory for all pupils of compulsory school age.” (https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/relationship-and-sexuality-education-rse)

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland recently forced this vile teaching upon state schools here.

The article in the ‘Daily Mail’ contains offensive terminology as it deals with what is nothing short of what I consider, pornographic material set before primary school children, so be warned.

Christian father removes his nine-year-old daughter from school after being horrified by what she was being taught in compulsory sex education lessons

I can only say SHAME on any Christian parents who persists in exposing their offspring to the danger of such material and who defy the Lord’s command: “‭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,” Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster.

Posted on 2023-07-22 a 9:42 pm

“And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, and took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians,” Exodus 14:24-25.

When the wheels came off Pharaoh’s war chariots, I am sure that he and his generals began to utter loud imprecations against those in the ranks of the army whose duty it was to keep the chariots in good mechanical order!

They were blind to God, even though before their eyes there was a wonderful and glorious manifestation of God’s presence. “The LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud.”

In like manner, man today has an equally glorious and visible evidence of the existence of God.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof,” Psalm 19:1-6.

“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in (to) them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse,” Romans 1:19-20.

There is most certainly a series of utterances being expressed amongst the nations today, which I imagine are but an echo of the Egyptian complaints in the wake of the strange behaviour of their war chariots, as almost universally today the ‘chariot wheels’ of good government, international diplomacy, agricultural production and the expected social behaviour of the peoples of the nations.

Everywhere, there are scenes of the fabric of society, which before functioned with a large degree of routine normality, crumbling and collapsing. The wheels of an orderly functioning by the natural course of events that we have long taken for granted, have most certainly come off. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-22 a 8:00 am

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! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-21 a 3:55 pm

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.”

Posted on 2023-07-18 a 10:58 pm

“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. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-18 a 6:13 pm

“‭Let‭ the high‭ ‭praises‭ of God‭ ‭be‭ in their mouth‭, and a twoedged‭ sword‭ in their hand‭;‭ ‭to execute‭‭ vengeance‭ upon the heathen‭, ‭and‭ punishments‭ upon the people‭;‭ ‭to bind‭‭ their kings‭ with chains‭, and their nobles‭‭ with fetters‭ of iron‭;‭ ‭to execute‭‭ upon them the judgment‭ written‭‭: this honour‭ have all his saints‭. Praise‭‭ ye the LORD‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalm 149:6-9.

One old saintly soldier of Christ made this comment on these words of the Psalmist.

“Cromwell’s Ironsides were sneeringly called Psalm singers; but God’s Psalm singers are always Ironsides. He who has a ‘new song in his mouth’ is ever stronger, both to suffer and to labour, than the man who has a dumb spirit and a hymnless heart. When he sings at his work, he will both do more and do it better than he would without his song. Hence, we need not be surprised that all through its history the Church of God has travelled ‘along the line of music’.” —‭William Taylor.‬

Cromwell’s ‘Ironsides’ were providentially used to overthrow and punish the wickedness of Charles I and his evil regime.

Sadly the people of England preferred the degenerate ways of the Stuarts to the more devout ways of Oliver Cromwell. Consequently, after the death of the ‘Lord Protector’, at 59 years of age, in 1658, the people of the ‘ruling classes’ of England brought back the Stuart rule and Charles II, if anything a more wicked version of his father, was placed upon the throne!

So ended a very important era in the history of these Isles. The causes Oliver Cromwell espoused, dissenting preachers and their message, were virtually outlawed under Charles II. It was during his reign that the ‘Great Ejection’ took place!

The ‘Great Ejection’ followed the Act of Uniformity in 1662 in England. Several thousand Puritan ministers were forced out of their positions in the Church of England. It was largely a consequence of the ‘Savoy Conference’ of 1661.

That Conference was convened by Gilbert Sheldon, in his lodgings at the Savoy Hospital in London. The Conference sessions began on 15 April 1661, and continued for around four months. By June, a deadlock became apparent.

The conference was attended by commissioners: 12 Anglican bishops, and 12 representative ministers of the Puritan and Presbyterian groups. Each side also had nine deputies (called assistants or coadjutors). The nominal chairman was Accepted Frewen, the Archbishop of York.

The object was to revise the Book of Common Prayer. Richard Baxter for the Presbyterian side presented a new liturgy, but this was not accepted. As a result the Church of England retained internal tensions about governance and theology, while a significant number of dissenters left its structure and created non-conformist groups retaining Puritan theological commitments.

In 1662 the Act of Uniformity followed, mandating the usage of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and spurring the Great Ejection.

The Act of Uniformity prescribed that any minister who refused to conform to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer by St Bartholomew’s Day (24 August) 1662, should be ejected from the Church of England. This date became known as ‘Black Bartholomew’s Day’ among Dissenters, a reference to the fact that it occurred on the same day as the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre of 1572.

Oliver Heywood estimated the number of ministers ejected at 2,500. This group included Richard Baxter, Edmund Calamy the Elder, Simeon Ashe, Thomas Case, John Flavel, William Jenkyn, Joseph Caryl, Benjamin Needler, Thomas Brooks, Thomas Manton, William Sclater, Thomas Doolittle and Thomas Watson. Biographical details of ejected ministers and their fates were later collected by the historian Edmund Calamy, grandson of the elder Calamy.

Although there had already been ministers outside the established church, the Great Ejection created an abiding concept of non-conformity. Strict religious tests of the ‘Clarendon Code’ and other ‘Penal Laws’ left a substantial section of English society excluded from public affairs, and also university degrees, for a century and a half. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-15 a 7:46 pm

I am compelled to send out this article in response to what is reported in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ today!

I have two questions for Carla Lockhart, a Free Presbyterian, as a result of what she is here reported to have said.

“Wherein was she ‘honoured’ to escort the man guilty of forcing upon the children attending state schools here, the abominable, ungodly and perverted ‘Statutory guidance on relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education’ and did she, as a professed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, while she had ‘some very direct conversations with him in recent days about a perceived lack of understanding of Unionism and our culture’, take time to rebuke him for his defiance of God and his lack of understanding of His Holy Law by his action on RSE?”.

Praise for Twelfth and Thirteenth displays in Lurgan, Loughbrickland, Banbridge, Portadown and Scarva

DUP MP Carla Lockhart said she was honoured to bring the Secretary of State to Lurgan for the Twelfth and give him a “baptism of culture”.

By Graeme Cousins

Published 14th Jul 2023

The Belfast Newsletter

The Upper Bann representative believes that the region excelled over the past few days in terms of Orange Order and Royal Black Preceptory parades.

She said: “What a display of culture – Lurgan, Loughbrickland, Portadown, Scarva, Banbridge and every town and village in between excelled.

“It was an honour to host the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris at the Co Armagh parade in Lurgan. With over 50,000 spectators, 70 bands and hundreds of Orangemen he got a baptism of culture .

Carla Lockhart gave Chris Heaton-Harris a tour of Brownlow House during the Co Armagh Twelfth in Lurgan

“We have had some very direct conversations with him in recent days about a perceived lack of understanding of Unionism and our culture. Yesterday was a great opportunity for him to see first hand the rich fabric of pageantry, colour and faith that makes our Twelfth of July so special. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-14 a 9:13 pm

“The Irish Republic is not, and never has been, a friendly neighbour”

(Belfast Newsletter, 14th July 2023)

A letter from Tom Ferguson, Ballymoney

I read Tom Cooper’s letter on bonfire hatred with great interest, particularly his assertion that the Irish Republic is a ‘peaceful neighbouring state’ (‘Letter: Incitement to hatred has been allowed to become part of unionist culture,’ July 13, see link below).

Would this by any chance be the state that in 1925 signed up to a solemn international treaty to respect the current border between it and Northern Ireland? And then in 1937, in shocking bad faith, reneged on its solemn word and laid claim to Northern Ireland, thus providing a quasi legal justification for subsequent IRA terror campaigns? Hardly the actions of a friendly neighbour.

Would this be the state that had prominent government and establishment figures that gave assistance to the establishment of the Provisional IRA, and therefore the subsequent decades of bloodshed and mayhem? And allowed its territory to be used as a safe haven from which to organise atrocities like Kingsmills, Tullyvallen, Darkley, and other sectarian atrocities in Northern Ireland? Hardly the actions of a friendly neighbour.

Would this be the state that for decades refused to extradite murderers of policemen and soldiers, on the grounds that such murders were ‘political’? And when an extradition treaty of sorts was agreed, used nit-picking details like a comma in the wrong place, to ensure that it was as ineffective as possible? Hardly the actions of a friendly neighbour.

Would this be the state that, (admittedly partly due to the ineptitude of some unionist politicians), ganged up with their masters in the European Union, to ensure that there would be a hard border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK? Hardly the act of a friendly neighbour.

In short, in the eyes of the unionist community, the Irish Republic is not, and never has been, a friendly neighbour. At the present time it is actively working, with a treacherous, supine British establishment, to annex Northern Ireland, and is therefore our bitter enemy, and it is hardly surprising that its IRA inspired tricolour is consequently treated with such loathing and contempt.

Should the day ever dawn when the the Irish Republic publicly apologises to all the people that have been wronged and maimed, and the families of those who have been murdered due to their past policies. And also gives up their insistence on the current hard border in the Irish Sea, then, and only then, would any self – respecting unionist feel obliged to treat their flag with anything other than contempt.

Tom Ferguson, Ballymoney

Posted on 2023-07-14 a 9:08 pm

“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight,” Psalm 144:1.

David was a warrior. He was engaged in WAR all his days and that most successfully. In that he was a type of the Lord Jesus. This world has a very perverted view of Christ, mislead chiefly by the ‘pansied’ notions of liberal preachers. This world will one day see Him as He is.  “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,” Revelation 19:11.

Please note from our text, read on the Sabbath past as part of my daily Bible readings, that:

I. THERE IS A WAR THAT IS HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS.

1. The wars of men are rarely if ever born of anything other than fleshly desires.There have been wars that are termed ‘just’. Evil dictators and aggressors have been opposed by those whose liberties and wellbeing they threaten. But even such are attended by wickedness and cruelty. The battlefield has very been a place where fleshly lusts have reared their head. The worst of crimes have marred the most honourable attempts to curtail and bring to justice those whose whole desire is to afflict and harm their neighbours.

In living memory, Adolf Hitler is an example of the tyrant who it was right to go to war to overthrow. None can deny however, that wrong was wrought by soldiers in the allied armies during that honourable crusade.

2. In more recent times we have seen tyrants warring against their weaker neighbours. In Iraq, Syria, North Korea, and at the present time, the evil attack of Putin’s Russia upon Ukraine, are all examples of the actions of tyrants. Many have sought to aid Ukraine’s struggle against her tyrannical neighbour, believing her cause to be just. Yet, we would be foolish to think that every action of Ukraine’s armies was untainted by wrongdoing! Man’s ‘rules of war’ are rarely kept on the battlefield. Human rage and revenge are frequently yielded to!

3. However, there is an ongoing war which is virtuous in ever detail, though sadly, it must be confessed that those engaged in this holy war have often marred its testimony by breaching the rules laid down for its conduct.

I am referring to that war the Lord started and has maintained against sin and the devil. The beginning of that war is recorded in Genesis. “And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel,” Genesis 3:14-15. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-13 a 5:27 pm

“‭All the kings‭ of the earth‭ shall praise‭‭ thee, O LORD‭, when they hear‭‭ the words‭ of thy mouth‭.‭ ‭Yea, they shall sing‭‭ in the ways‭ of the LORD‭: for great‭ ‭is‭ the glory‭ of the LORD‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalm 138:4-5.

We sang the metrical version of this psalm in the morning prayer meeting last Lord’s Day. The above appears in this form in the metrical version.

All kings upon the earth that are
shall give thee praise, O Lord,
When as they from thy mouth shall hear
thy true and faithful word.

Yea, in the righteous ways of God
with gladness they shall sing:
For great’s the glory of the Lord;
who doth for ever reign.

As I joined in the singing, I was thrilled to note yet again in God’s Word, a reference to a wonderful future time when the present attitude of men, royal or otherwise, will be very different indeed.

I acknowledge that my eye seems to ‘home in’ on such references in the Bible whenever I am reading it. Often times it is to see the significance of the reference for the first time but at other times it is to peruse again with joy a familiar portion.

That there is a coming ‘golden age’ has ever been in the minds of men. It originated with the Greeks. The term ‘golden age’ comes from ancient Greek mythology and refers to a mythical time when all people lived in peace, prosperity, and happiness without having to work. Men have long looked for a re-birth of such a time.

THE BIBLE

Though Greek philosophers are credited with such a notion, in truth it is from the Bible that the hope of such an age is born! The prophet Isaiah spoke of a time on the earth when men “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭shall beat‭‭ their swords‭ into plowshares‭, and their spears‭ into pruninghooks‭: nation‭ shall not lift up‭‭ sword‭ against nation‭, neither shall they learn‭‭ war‭ any more,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Isaiah 2:4.

He speaks again of this wonderful time in chapter 11:6-9.

“‭The wolf‭ also shall dwell‭‭ with the lamb‭, and the leopard‭ shall lie down‭‭ with the kid‭; and the calf‭ and the young lion‭ and the fatling‭ together‭; and a little‭ child‭ shall lead‭‭ them.‭ ‭And the cow‭ and the bear‭ shall feed‭‭; their young ones‭ shall lie down‭‭ together‭: and the lion‭ shall eat‭‭ straw‭ like the ox‭.‭ ‭And the sucking child‭‭ shall play‭‭ on the hole‭ of the asp‭, and the weaned child‭‭ shall put‭‭ his hand‭ on the cockatrice‭’ den‭.‭ ‭They shall not hurt‭‭ nor destroy‭‭ in all my holy‭ mountain‭: for the earth‭ shall be full‭‭ of the knowledge‭ of the LORD‭, as the waters‭ cover‭‭ the sea‭.‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Though mankind has lost its contact with the Word of God, as once the nations knew it in ages past, it has retained something of this longed for dream of an age utterly in contrast with the present turbulence, misery and death! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-11 a 5:28 pm

Here is how one newspaper headlined a report of a recent display of downright ignorance, irreverence and blasphemy by the ‘Archbishop of York’. This was no spokesman for the ‘anti-Bible league’ but the second most senior cleric in the Church of England.

Archbishop of York Rev Stephen Cottrell says that starting the Lord’s Prayer with ‘Our Father’ is problematic

What he says beggars belief for its illogical and unjustifiable ‘reasoning’.

He says that ‘victims of abusive parents’ would find this a problem. Surely the whole desire of the victim of an abusive father would be that he had had a loving father, just like our heavenly Father, rather than the cruel parent he suffered under.

It is impossible to fathom the depths of this man’s folly! If this is what it is like at the top of Episcopalianism, one can only imagine what its core is like!

Our Heavenly Father is one to Whom we ought to delight in coming to Him and having the privilege of calling Him ‘Father’. Of course, many who recite the prayer the Archbishop refers to, have no right to call God their Father. Millions upon millions, myself included for a time before my conversion, go through the process of repeating these sacred words and yet have no actual knowledge of or living relationship with God!

The Lord Jesus said: “If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me,” John 8:42.

God is not the ‘Father’ of those who do not believe in and who do not love Christ as their Saviour. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-10 a 5:09 pm

A tribute to Miss Edna Weir, 1937 – 2003.

Given by Rev. Ivan Foster at her funeral service in Bethel Free Presbyterian Church, 12th May 2003.

“I truly count it a privilege to pay this tribute to Edna and to exalt the grace of God in her life. Edna was a dear Christian, beloved of many, especially in this area of our land. I must state that anything I say about Edna will, in truth, fall far short of an adequate tribute to her labours in the cause of Christ, the main reason for that being that few know the full extent of her labours for Christ, and the degree of dedication and love that reigned in her heart.

Edna was converted when she was 17 under the ministry of Rev. Tom Butler in Darling Street Methodist Church, Enniskillen. She was immediately involved

in Sunday School work both in Lisbellaw Methodist Church and in Gola Methodist Hall. She felt the call of God to prepare herself for the work of God and attended Emmaus Bible College in Hollywood in the mid-sixties.

Upon returning home to Lisbellaw, she joined Lisbellaw Free Presbyterian Church. It was typical of Edna that once she saw an issue that required her to take a stand for the Saviour, then she, irrespective of the price that had to be paid or the reproach borne, would obey her Saviour. She felt that there was a departure from the old ways of the gospel taking place and that she should stand with those who were resisting such trends and seeking to preach the old gospel message.

It was about 1971 that she took charge of the children’s work in our Lisbellaw church. She, along with her faithful helper, her sister Barbara, diligently rounded up the children of the area and brought them to the meetings. Many of you here today were among those she reached. It was in the mid-70s apparently on the way to the opening of Coragarry Free Presbyterian Church, when a bus party travelled up from Bethel, that I asked Edna if she would consider taking on the work of a full-time evangelist in the congregation. As a result of her readiness to take on the work, at very little remuneration it should be said, Bethel Children’s Crusade was born. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-07 a 11:17 pm

(This message was given at the first meeting of 2000 of the Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony in London.)

“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44).

When it comes to the study of prophecy, this subject is a very elementary one, yet it is a subject to which many give little thought. Many Christians have a general view of the return of Christ, that it is going to happen, but they are not well versed on what the Bible has to say about that glorious event. That ought not to be. It is a subject with which God’s people should be well acquainted.

It is clear from the Word of God that the Christians in the days of the apostles were very well taught about the return of Christ. Indeed, when Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he said he needed hardly to write on this subject as they knew about it perfectly (1 Thessalonians 5:2). It could be thought that those early believers would have had to learn so many subjects; that they were to be taught in doctrine of which they never had the slightest knowledge before the gospel came to them. Paul would have had to deal with the doctrine of God, His Person, His power, the mystery of the Trinity, and the inspiration of God’s Word. Although there was so much to teach, the apostle found time to tell those early believers about the second coming of the Lord and of the end times. Many ministers today would speak as if Paul had so much else to proclaim, that teaching about the return of Christ and the doctrine of eschatology could be left to a later generation.

If Paul felt it necessary to explain prophetic facts 2000 years ago, it seems logical that there is an even greater necessity upon God’s servants at the present time to deal with this important subject. There never has been a generation nearer to the Lord’s return than the present one. We are closer to the end times than anyone has been, and you do not have to be a genius to work out that if there is one generation that has ever walked the face of this earth that ought to know about the return of Christ, what it means, and what circumstances will be prevailing when He comes, it is this generation. But I would venture to suggest that there might never have been a generation of God’s people so ignorant of these matters as the present one. Satan is the author of ignorance. He hath blinded minds, and the ignorance that prevails so widely today is of the devil.

God’s people should know that if the devil does not want them to see a thing, it certainly is something they should understand. And if the devil would seek to keep us from giving thought to what the Bible says about the return of Christ, you can be sure that it is an important subject to study. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-06 a 8:06 am

(Part 2 of a 2 part study which seeks to refute the notion that the glories spoken of in this chapter refer to the ‘church’ and not to those clearly identified by the Lord in the chapter as the nation of Israel)

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee,” Isaiah 60:1.

I recently read with joy Isaiah chapter 60 as part of my daily Bible reading, though I confess that the notes at the beginning of the chapter in my Bible added by men, I found disconcerting and vexing to say the least. These notes are very common in most copies of the Authorised Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

The notes summarise the contents of Isaiah chapter 60 in the following fashion:

1. The glorious access of the Gentiles into the church. 15 The blessings of the church after affliction.

I wish to show in this study that this summary is very wrong. I continue with more reasons why it is wrong to see the ‘church’ rather than ‘Israel’ as the recipient of the glories spoken of in this chapter.

1. Furthermore, There Are References To Past Troubles And Tribulations In This Chapter Which Can Refer Only To Israel

“And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee,” Isaiah 60:10.

“The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations,” Isaiah 60:14-15.

“Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise,” Isaiah 60:18.

The authors of the notes at the beginning of the chapter would have us believe that from verse 15 to the end of the chapter  the Lord is speaking of “The blessings of the church after affliction”.

Now the Lord does chasten His church, of that we have no doubt. Paul says in his epistle to the Hebrews, 12:5-11. “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-04 a 7:33 pm

A very happy ‘Independence Day’ to our USA readers. May they mediate with wise discernment on the blessings the Lord visited their forefathers with some 247 years ago and on many occasions since.

I am also adding an old poem, published in 1911, which marks the part the immigrants from Ulster played in that deliverance. It was written by William Forbes Marshall, a Presbyterian minister from Sixmilecross, County Tyrone. It asks of Americans that they remember the input and support of immigrants from Ulster on the United States throughout the American Revolution.

Hi Uncle Sam!
When freedom was denied you,
And imperial might defied you,
Who was it stood beside you
At Quebec and Brandywine?

And dared retreats and dangers,
Red-coats and Hessian strangers,
In the lean, long-rifled Rangers,
And the Pennsylvania Line!

Hi! Uncle Sam!
Wherever there was fighting,
Or wrong that needed writing,
An Ulsterman was sighting
His Kentucky gun with care:

All the road to Yorktown,
From Lexington to Yorktown,
From Valley Forge to Yorktown,
That Ulsterman was there!

Hi! Uncle Sam!
Virginia sent her brave men,
The North paraded grave men,
That they might not be slavemen,
But ponder this with calm:

The first to face the Tory,
And the first to lift Old Glory,
Made your war an Ulster story:
Think it over, Uncle Sam!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Posted on 2023-07-04 a 7:28 pm

The following was a title given to a reader’s letter published in the “Belfast Newsletter”

Christians cannot be silent over new sex education guidelines in Northern Ireland schools, we must live out our faith.

Now I would agree 100% with that sentiment.

However, if Christians are going to say something, let it be in complete agreement with the Word of God!

The writer of the letter, who I am not naming for the simple reason that I have no wish to embarrass him, goes on to say, amongst other things, the following:

“And if the parents are Christian, then some of these topics are totally unacceptable because they are against the teachings that are in the Bible, and it will be up to them to explain this.

We are not to let anyone capture us with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. (Colossians 2:7-8).

Now it occurs to me as rather strange that anyone who sees a most serious threat to the moral wellbeing of a child, for the writer obviously does see developments within the state school system as indeed posing such a threat, is content with the action that the writer says he has taken to protect his offspring. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-03 a 9:08 pm

(Part 1 of a 2 part study which seeks to refute the notion that the glories spoken of in this chapter refer to the ‘church’ and not to those clearly identified by the Lord in the chapter as the nation of Israel)

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee,” Isaiah 60:1.

I recently read with joy Isaiah chapter 60 as part of my daily Bible reading, though I confess that the notes at the beginning of the chapter in my Bible added by men, I found disconcerting and vexing to say the least. These notes are very common in most copies of the Authorised Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

The notes summarise the contents of Isaiah chapter 60 in the following fashion:

1. The glorious access of the Gentiles into the church. 15 The blessings of the church after affliction.

These notes are very misleading. They are just plain wrong! That is because they are written by men who held to an understanding of prophecy which is called ‘A-Millennialism’ or another view, ‘Post-Millennialism’.

Such are erroneous interpretations of Bible prophecy and the headings these spurious opinions have spawned and which appear at the beginning of Old Testament chapters dealing with end-time prophecy, are very wrong and are the cause of much error being believed by the readers of God’s Word.

Here is an example from the comments of a great Bible commentator, Dr John Gill.

“INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 60

As, in the two preceding chapters, the hypocrisy and formality, the profaneness and immorality, that should abound in the latter day, and even among professors of religion, are prophesied of; so, in this, a very ample account is given of latter daylight and glory; of both the spiritual and personal reign of Christ, with the latter of which it concludes. The light and glory of the church, in the spiritual reign, are described, #Isa 60:1-3 the numerous conversions of persons to it from all quarters, east and west particularly, are prophesied of, #Isa 60:4-8, the great usefulness those should be of unto it, in enriching it, and building it up, and in glorifying it, is declared, #Isa 60:9-13, as also the subjection of enemies to it; the favours it should receive from kings, and the fame and renown of it through all nations and ages, #Isa 60:14-16, its riches, prosperity, peace, and safety, #Isa 60:17,18 and the chapter is concluded with an account of the more perfect state of the church in the personal reign of Christ, when there will be a perfection of light and righteousness; and the number of God’s elect will be complete, and they will be all together, #Isa 60:19-22.”

Note that he speaks of the ‘church’ when the prophet is referring to Israel, as I hope to show you.

I value greatly his general Bible comments but must reject His views on eschatology for they sadly are very wrong. His views are but what was altogether common for many centuries amongst the best of men. However, I believe that God in His sovereign mercy drew many back to a true understanding of the Bible’s teaching about the return of Christ and its aftermath in the middle of the 19th century, though there was always a remnant who clung to a right understanding of the Bible’s teaching on eschatology, that is a post-tribulation, pre-millennial return of the Lord Jesus. It is the teaching set forth by the Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony, whose website (www.sgat.org) provides many articles and sermon recordings and publications on this wonderful subject.

Rev Brian McClung’s sermon on the views of the early ‘church fathers’ demonstrates that A-Millennialism and Post-Millennialism were later inventions of men. (Read it here). Also his article on the views of the men who drew up the Westminster Confession of Faith is very helpful and informative. (Read it here)

NOT ALL HEADINGS ARE ERRONEOUS

Now, not all the headings at the beginning of Bible chapters are erroneous. The headings at the beginning of the Bible, in Genesis chapter 1 for instance, are very helpful for anyone coming to the Bible for the first time. But those headings that are tied to prophecies  of Israel in the latter-days are sadly anything but helpful, rather they plant the seeds of a false view of what the Lord says about the future times at the end of this age.

I wish to have a look at this chapter and I hope to be able to show that it does not deal with ‘the church’, but rather it deals with God’s ancient people, the nation of ISRAEL and the Lord’s future purpose regarding their conversion and the restoration of them to their position of being the premier nation on the earth. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-07-01 a 8:22 pm

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“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 is the final part of a three-part study in which we are seeking to discover the parallels between what it was the Saviour encountered during His ministry on earth and how those events mirrored what it is the child of God may expect to face in this age that has followed His ascension.

IN THE MIDST OF THE EVIL AND TREACHEROUS ATMOSPHERE THERE WAS A FAITHFUL REMNANT

1. The Lord warned His servants many times of what was going to happen. I have already quoted Matthew 16:21. In Mark 8:31 we read: “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” That warning brought forth the outrageously arrogant response of Peter. “And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him,”verse 32. What Peter said was of the devil for the Lord referred to him as Satan in those infamous words: “Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.”

 Despite this most foolish reluctance to believe the warnings of Christ about how things would end for Him, He repeated the warning again in chapter 17, verses 22-23 and again in chapter 20, verses 18-19. On the eve of His betrayal He still warned of the coming treachery. “And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified,” Matthew 26:1-2.

UNBELIEF

So almost from the beginning of His ministry until almost the last days of it, the Saviour clearly foretold of the danger ahead but a dreadful spirit of ignorance and blindness and unbelief stopped the disciples from benefitting from His warnings.

Is that not mirrored in the very same spirit found amongst God’s people today? Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-30 a 9:34 pm

THE LARGELY EMPTY RESPONSE BY ALL TOO MANY CHRISTIANS TO THE GOVERNMENT’S LATEST ATTACK UPON OUR CHILDREN!

The following news article has been mounted on the BBC news site.

Welsh Tory quits UK government over sex education law

The man in question is Robin Millar is the Conservative MP for Aberconwy. It is refreshing to see such a conscience amongst a parliament which appears to have little or no conscience!

Would that there was more of such amongst Christians here in Ulster!

He was one of 20 Conservative MPs who voted against the issue on Wednesday.

The rules brought in by the Tory government will make it compulsory for all post-primary schools in Northern Ireland to teach pupils about access to abortion and prevention of early pregnancy.

There have been many comments on this issue here in Ulster from parents with calls for actions of all kinds in response to this evil plan of the government.

All kinds except the ONE action that the Lord would approve of, namely the removing of children from under such instruction and placing them in a school governed by the Bible ALONE!

However, for me the reactions display a mixture of ignorance, apathy and continued carelessness. One Baptist pastor, in a letter to a local newspaper, tells us how he has instructed his children to withdraw from under such instruction. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-29 a 10:55 pm

“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 is the second part of a three-part study in which we are seeking to discover the parallels between what it was the Saviour encountered during His ministry on earth and how those events mirrored what it is the child of God may expect to face in this age that has followed His ascension.

THE EARLY TIMES OF SUCCESS SEEN IN THE SAVIOUR’S MINISTRY

We see further evidence of the parallel between the experiences of the Saviour and those of His people in the ages subsequent to His ascension.

1. At the first, multitudes gathered to hear Him. “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. . . . . And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about,” Luke 4:14-15; 33-37.

That was how it was at the first but that attitude did not last! “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? . . . . From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him,” John 6:60, 66. Soon enthusiastic hearing of Christ was ended and a very different frame of mind had developed. “ After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him,” John 7:1.

In like manner, the earlier welcome given to the gospel preached by the apostles waned. Great success marked the beginning of the apostles’ witness. This was the case following the preaching on the day of Pentecost. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need,” Acts 2:41-45. This continued for a time. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved,” Acts 2:47. “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one,” Acts 5:14-16.

However, this success stirred the opposition of wicked men just as it was with the Saviour. Of Him we read: “The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him,” John 12:17-19. This His enemies could not tolerate. The Saviour was aware of this. “For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day,”Mark 9:31.

2. Despite the growing of opposition of wicked men, there was wonderful good wrought amongst the people. John wrote those wonderful statements which summarised the fruitfulness of Christ’s ministry. “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. . . . And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen,” John 20:30-31; 21:25. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-27 a 5:30 pm

A ‘watchman’, in the Biblical sense, is one who watches for significant events and who reports these to the citizens whose interests he is seeking to guard.

There are significant events taking place in the world in these times which need the attention of the people of God directed to them.

That is the duty of the occupant of the pulpit. While I do not have a pulpit, I do have a pen and I am pressed in my heart to issue a comment on these events, while I can.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

WARS AND RUMOURS OF WAR

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet,” Matthew 24:6.

There are reports of many tragic events filling the news bulletins of late. We cannot avoid ‘hearing’ of such things. Hearts have been broken, families bereaved and that often times as a result of human folly, pride and outright depravity.

The murder of little ones, often by their own mothers and fathers, is distressingly common. It is impossible to comprehend such wickedness and cruelty to helpless little ones. Such crimes are inexplicable except when seen as but clear examples of the Biblical truth, that mankind, having chosen not “to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them,” Romans 1:28-32.

Two headlines this morning illustrate yet again the relevance of God’s Word and the omniscience of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-24 a 7:04 pm

This report appeared in yesterday’s (23/6/23) ‘Belfast Newsletter’ and I know it will be of interest to many and the family will be remembered in prayer as they embark on their journey.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Northern Ireland minister and his family on a mission to Uganda to spread God’s word

A Northern Ireland minister has answered God’s call and is on his way to Uganda with his family to lead a local mission there.

Rev Ray Carscadden, who has been the minister of Coragarry Free Presbyterian Church in Co Monaghan since October 2017, is to begin a new life at the Emmanuel Mission Station, approximately 80 miles south of the Ugandan capital Kampala.

The mission station consists of the Emmanuel Church, of which Rev Carscadden will become minister, and the Emmanuel Christian School, whose principal is Noreen McAfee from Ballymoney Free Presbyterian Church, a missionary in Africa for more than 20 years.

Before travelling to Uganda, Rev Carscadden, his wife Rhonda and their children John, Isla-Grace and George were the subject of a Sending Forth Service in Dungannon Free Presbyterian Church which was attended by nearly 300 people.

Rev Carscadden, a former Science and Technology teacher at Clogher Valley Independent Christian School, was a member of Kesh Free Presbyterian Church before being called into the ministry.

Having completed four years of study at the Whitefield College of the Bible, he became minister at Coragarry Free Presbyterian Church in 2017. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-24 a 6:18 pm

As a means of setting the many outlandish events of today in context, I often ask myself: ‘Just what would my father and mother have thought of this?’

I cannot conceive of what they would make of the unspeakably ludicrous happenings in some schools today!

Children are allowed, aye, encouraged, by ‘half-witted’ teachers, to identify themselves as various animals.

Of course, sin makes ‘beasts’ of all who surrender to its lusts. Jude makes this point. “‭But‭ these‭ speak evil‭‭ of those things which‭‭ they know‭‭ not‭: but‭ what‭ they know‭‭ naturally‭, as‭ brute‭ beasts‭, in‭ those things‭ they corrupt themselves‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Jude verse 10.

But this evil, deviant and bizarre phenomenon was never heard of before.

A teacher in Belfast recently called on parents to resist the proposed educational cut-backs.

School budgets: Belfast headteacher urges parents to fight cuts

But surely there is a greater threat facing children. This utterly freakish and alien craze that has broken forth amongst the young, parents should rise up and fight it!

In truth, this depraved folly has its origins in the lawlessness that a departure from God and His Word brings upon any people guilty of such a thing. The fruit of apostasy is seen in its fulness amongst the offspring of those guilty of rebellion from God. Rebellion against God in parents brings forth rebellion by their children against them. Paul stated that one of the marks of the final apostasy was this very thing. “Disobedient‭ to parents‬” (2 Timothy 3:2) is one of the many ills that spring from a defiance of God.

It is very obvious to a candid observer of today’s society that parenting has lost its way because it has cast away the final authority on the subject — the Word of God. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-23 a 4:06 pm

“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 is the first part of a three-part study in which we are seeking to discover the parallels between what it was the Saviour encountered during His ministry on earth and how those events mirrored what it is the child of God may expect to face in this age that has followed His ascension.

The details of the life of the Saviour, as it is recorded for us in the New Testament, is thus given to us as a ‘pattern’ of that which we may expect to face individually and collectively as those who follow in His steps.

His words to His disciples as recorded in John 15:18-19, surely make that clear. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

Generation after generation sees a repeat, in principle and spirit, of that which has gone before. This has been so since the fall of Adam. Thus we may see, in the events of history, pictures and types of what this world has yet to face.

Truly, there is no new thing under the sun!

The simple reason for this is, the three main characters in the proceedings and occurrences of this world are unchangeable by nature.

First of all, God is unchanging. “For I am the LORD, I change not,” Malachi 3:6.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever,” Hebrews 13:8.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning,” James 1:17.

The Westminster Confession of Faith, in chapter 2 says this of God: I. “There is but one only living and true God, Who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.” Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-22 a 4:22 pm

I have just sent this letter to the ‘Belfast Newsletter’.It is a swift reply to the latest article by John Coulter, headed by this title: ‘Women ministers are dedicated and professional – so what’s the problem lads?’

It is written in his usual casual, trivialising style which, along with the garbage in the article, further belittles God and His truth.

It is to the shame of the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ that it publishes this offensive drivel. Doubtless there will be those who welcome it, especially amongst the ranks of apostate ‘Irish Presbyterians’!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Dear Editor,

Poor John Coulter! He really does make a career of displaying his ignorance of God’s mind and will and revealed purpose.He heads up his latest nonsensical article, for which the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ doubtless pays him and aids him in his propagation of error, with the question: “Women ministers are dedicated and professional – so what’s the problem lads?”

Those who oppose woman ordained as ministers are simply following the apostolic instructions laid down for the early church in its formative years.

“‭This ‭is‭ a true‭ saying‭, If a man‭ desire‭‭ the office of a bishop‭, (interchangeable with the terms ‘elder’ or ‘presbyter’) he desireth‭‭ a good‭ work‭.‭ ‭A bishop‭ then‭ must‭‭ be‭‭ blameless‭, the husband‭ of one‭ wife‭, vigilant‭, sober‭, of good behaviour‭, given to hospitality‭, apt to teach‭;‭ ‭not‭ given to wine‭, no‭ striker‭, not‭ greedy of filthy lucre‭; but‭ patient‭, not a brawler‭, not covetous‭;‭ ‭one that ruleth‭‭ well‭ his own‭ house‭, having‭‭ his children‭ in‭ subjection‭ with‭ all‭ gravity‭;‭ ‭(For‭ if a man‭ know‭‭ not‭ how‭‭ to rule‭‭ his own‭ house‭, how‭ shall he take care of‭‭ the church‭ of God‭?)‭ ‭Not‭ a novice‭, lest‭ being lifted up with pride‭‭ he fall‭‭ into‭ the condemnation‭ of the devil‭.‭ ‭Moreover‭‭ he‭ must‭‭ have‭‭ a good‭ report‭ of‭ them which are without‭; lest‭ he fall‭‭ into‭ reproach‭ and‭ the snare‭ of the devil‭,” 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

Now it would appear that Mr Coulter has no problem casting aside the divinely inspired words of Paul and accepting and arguing for that which is utterly opposed to the will of God.

Mr Coulter, continue on in this frame of mind and one day the Lord will tell you plainly what the problem is!

Sincerely,

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)

Kilskeery

19th June 2023

Posted on 2023-06-19 a 11:56 pm

Yesterday I was greatly refreshed in my mind and soul as I read Revelation chapter 18.
It is a chapter which carries us into the future, to the time of the Saviour’s return in great power and of His judgment of that embodiment of rebellion and anti-God idolatry – Babylonianism!

Babylon, religious, mercantile and political is brought down most unexpectedly, decisively and conclusively.

“‭And‭ a‭ mighty‭ angel‭ took up‭‭ a stone‭ like‭ a great‭ millstone‭, and‭ cast‭‭ ‭it‭ into‭ the sea‭, saying‭‭, Thus‭ with violence‭ shall‭‭ that great‭ city‭ Babylon‭ be thrown down‭‭, and‭ shall be found‭‭ no more‭ at all‭,” Revelation 18:21.

Amidst the growing manifestation of Babylonianism all around us, in churches, parliament and commerce, it is so good to read God’s ‘epitaph’ for this evil system which He will most surely bring to an end!

I trust you benefit from the comments we made some 27 years ago on this chapter.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

“For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities,” Revelation 18:5.

(The following is an extract from the book ‘Shadow of The Antichrist’ by Rev Ivan Foster, first published in 1996)

A PDF file of the whole book is available for reading or downloading HERE!

GRIEF AND GLADNESS – Exposition of Revelation Chapter 18.

There is a distinction between the Babylon of chapter 17 and the Babylon of chapter 18. In chapter 17 we have the system of Babylon which had been at work amongst the nations of men, virtually since the beginning of time.

That system of wickedness will be centred in the city of Babylon, first in the incorporated union of false religions that is symbolised by the Great Whore and then, when she is destroyed by the Antichrist, residing in him.

The Babylon of chapter 18 is the great city of Babylon, which rebellious man left off to build (Genesis 11:8), but which will be built to become the capital of Antichrist and antichristianity. It is here that the spirit of iniquity, or lawlessness and wickedness, will be given a base. “This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base,” Zechariah 5:8-11.

In this chapter we have the judgment of God falling on and destroying the base upon which this wickedness has been established. Again, let it be noted that there is an emphasis upon the destruction of this evil city which will appear so glorious in the eyes of wicked men. This same emphasis was seen in the vision of the great Harlot in chapter 17. God would have His people ever to bear in mind the end of these things. He who can see the evil maggot in the core of the apple will not be persuaded to bite the fruit, no matter how red and luscious its skin may appear. So it is with the magnificence that will pervade the world, particularly the Roman or prophetic earth, in the final days of this age. In its heart is an evil that will bring down God’s wrath upon it. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-17 a 6:00 am

UNRESTRAINED MAN WILL DARINGLY PUT FORTH HIS HAND TO THAT WHICH IS TRULY BEYOND HIS DOMAIN

“And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city,” Genesis 11:6-8.

The news today has been filled with the details of the report into the behaviour of Boris Johnson during the Covid 19 crisis. Unsurprisingly, it indicated that he lied repeatedly to the nation and to Parliament. While it appears that it is acceptable for politicians to lie, and that repeatedly, to their constituents, it is a ‘no, no’ to be caught lying to Parliament.

Consequently, Boris was called a ‘liar’, and he, understanding what was in the pipeline, jumped before he was pushed.

And true to form, he has issued a smoke-cloud of deceits, fabrications and fairy tales!

However, something even more serious was in the news today which highlights another mark of man’s depravity, a much more serious facet of fallen man.

Man was never prepared to remain within the territory assigned him by the Lord. But like a recalcitrant animal, he has stalked up and down the boundary line looking for a means to escape the limitations that the Lord has placed upon him — for his own good and safety — and enter upon territories forbidden of God.

In the text at the head of this article we are reminded of the occasion, just after the flood, when sinful man manifests his failure to learn anything from the display of judgment against sin which wiped out all of humanity, save the eight members of Noah’s family.

The will of God for the family of Noah and their descendants is set forth in God’s command to Noah after the flood waters had completely dissipated from the earth. “And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him,” Genesis 8:15-18.

The earth was to be replenished with a new race of humans and animals, springing from those borne to safety in the Ark. But, as our text shows, postdiluvian man was as stubbornly opposed to doing God’s will as was antediluvian man! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-16 a 4:22 pm

The following letter was published in today’s ‘Belfast Newsletter’. It states more clearly and that beyond dispute, the direction the DUP is taking! The writer of the letter is a self-confessed supporter of the amalgam of perverts that goes under the acronym LGBT, an initialism that stands for ‘lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.’

Now the alleged ‘engagement’ that Gavin Robinson had with the ‘the LGBT community’ while Lord Mayor of Belfast, he can deny, though I feel that as a lawyer he would know that there is too much by way of circumstantial evidence to make a denial ineffective.

The direction of the DUP regarding sodomy and its correlated companions in wickedness, has been very plain for some time now and became undeniable in the repeated endorsement of a candidate in local council elections who openly acknowledges her perversion.

This being the case, the obvious question that must be asked is — ‘How can any Christian be a member of this party which has utterly abandoned its once professed position of support for Bible morality and how can any Christian support the party financially or at the polls?’

Various attempts at an answer may be contrived from mangled ‘political’ reasoning, but none will be produced based upon the Word of God!

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Letter: The new deputy leader of the DUP is a good choice for unionism

A letter from Michael Palmer:

Published 14th Jun 2023, 08:11 BST

I congratulate Gavin Robinson on being elected as the new deputy leader of the DUP (June 9, see link below).This is brilliant news for the DUP and unionism.

I remember attending Belfast Pride’s Pride Talks Back in 2012 when Gavin Robinson was Lord Mayor of Belfast and was on the panel. I was impressed with his engagement with the LGBT community back then. Gavin is moderate in views and tone and is effective in communicating the DUP message.

I wish him the best of luck. I also note Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s statement upon re-election as DUP leader that “the way forward for unionism must mean less hunting for heretics and more encouragement for converts”. I agree with this statement and I hope to see the DUP broaden unionism’s support.

Michael Palmer,

Newtownards, LGBT unionist

Posted on 2023-06-14 a 4:22 pm

“‭How are the mighty‭ fallen‭‭, and the weapons‭ of war‭ perished‭‭!‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬  2 Samuel 1:27.

A headline in one of the national ‘dailies’, commenting on the ‘fall from grace’ by Nicola Sturgeon, former leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party, expresses the startling and sobering character of recent events in Scotland’s politics.

“The humiliating eight-year fall from grace of the woman who could not imagine being wrong… Nicola Sturgeon was once the most popular leader in the Western world. Now she stands amid the ruins of her career. How DID it come to this?”

How indeed?

The most important element of the many-sided answer to this question is the solemn Biblical truth: “‭Be‭‭ not‭ deceived‭‭; God‭ is‭‭ not‭ mocked‭‭: for‭ whatsoever‭‭ a man‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ ‭‭‭‭‭(or woman)‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭ soweth‭‭, that‭ shall he‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ (or she)‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭ also‭ reap‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ (Galatians 6:7) and that God “‭‭will render‭‭ to every man‭ (or woman) according‭ to his‬‬‬‬‬‬ (or her)‭‭‭‭‭‭‭ deeds‭,‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬”‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭ ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬(Romans 2:6).

Nicola Sturgeon, a woman it would be easy to consider as atheistic in her outlook, since her political policies have largely been marked by an anti-Bible characteristic, has felt at least something of the fate that awaits those who believe that they are greater than the Lord and can victoriously defy His truth and triumph over Him.

From being, as the columnist claims, ‘once the most popular leader in the Western world’ she has descended to a police cell and questioned regarding the financial scandal surrounding SNP funds.

I believe that few will fail to see the connection between her support for sodomite/transexualism, manifested in the case of male rapist, Adam Graham, who demanded that he be called female and be housed in a woman’s prison. She finally said of Graham in February of this year that he was ‘almost certainly’ faking that he was ‘transexual’!

That was a stating of the obvious since every such claim is a FAKE! Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-13 a 8:55 pm

A BBC ARTICLE THAT INDICATES THAT WICKED REPROBATES IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY WITHIN THE STATE EDUCATION SYSTEM ARE DETERMINED TO DEFY GOD AND DEFILE THE MINDS AND THE HEARTS OF THE RISING GENERATION AND THUS BRING GOD’S JUDGMENT UPON OUR CHILDREN!

This BBC article show this to be so!

Sex education: Some schools tell pupils homosexuality is wrong, says report

How can a Christian parent, with children attending a state school, allow this situation to continue and not take steps to remove their offspring from under this abominable ‘Pharaoh-like’ scheme to destroy the sons and daughters of the people of God?

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Posted on 2023-06-12 a 5:07 pm

“‭Ye that love‭‭ the LORD‭, hate‭‭ evil‭,‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Psalm 97:10.

Much has been said and written about these two emotions of the heart and mind and which produce corresponding fruit in the life and govern the actions of mankind. And much of what has been said and written is totally erroneous.

That there is a close relationship between these very dissimilar passions is very evident from the verse at the head of this article. A person is either allied to the LORD or to EVIL

1. A LOVE FOR THE LORD IS UTTERLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH ANY SIN

It is entirely wrong to say that the Bible does not teach ‘hatred’. What it most definitely teaches is that we are not to ‘hate our neighbour’. The Saviour’s response to a question by a lawyer is central to the teaching of God’s Word.

“‭Master‭, which‭ ‭is‭ the great‭ commandment‭ in‭ the law‭?‭ ‭ Jesus‭ said‭‭ unto him‭, Thou shalt love‭‭ the Lord‭ thy‭ God‭ with‭ all‭ thy‭ heart‭, and‭ with‭ all‭ thy‭ soul‭, and‭ with‭ all‭ thy‭ mind‭.‭ ‭This‭ is‭‭ the first‭ and‭ great‭ commandment‭.‭ ‭And‭ the second‭ ‭is‭ like‭ unto it‭, Thou shalt love‭‭ thy‭ neighbour‭ as‭ thyself‭.‭ ‭On‭ these‭ two‭ commandments‭ hang‭‭ all‭ the law‭ and‭ the prophets‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Matthew 22:36-40.

Love for the Lord prompts and instigates obedience to all that the Lord has revealed to us regarding His mind and will for our behaviour. “‭If‭ ye love‭‭ me‭, keep‭‭ my‭ commandments‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ John 14:15. We cannot claim to love the Lord and live in disobedience to ANY of His commandments.

There are many today who would claim to be Christians and yet make the contradictory claim that there are things the Saviour commands which they don’t feel they have to obey! They explain away what is revealed to us in the Word, about which the Saviour said: “‭Heaven‭ and‭ earth‭ shall pass away‭‭, but‭ my‭ words‭ shall‭‭ not‭ pass away‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Matthew 24:35, by asserting that such things as they reject were born out of ‘customs and fashions of yesteryear!

However, it is entirely contrary to the teaching of the Bible to look on any of its direct charges as something that belongs only to a certain time or era. It is true that the Levitical Laws have, to a large degree been superseded by New Testament commands, but we have the direct instructions from the Lord and His apostles for such changes. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-10 a 6:57 pm

I must respond to the latest news about the DUP.

DUP: Gavin Robinson elected as DUP deputy leader

This is but further evidence of the DUP’s liberalising trend. Gavin Robinson is far away from the views and beliefs that formed the basis of the DUP at its beginning!

He most certainly would not agree with the old slogan of the party: “Save Ulster from Sodomy”.

As it is the DUP needs saving from that perversion. It has become more and more tolerant of the abominable practice until it can be honestly said that the majority of its members would be, at best, indifferent to the direction the party is going in.

This is seen in that the majority involved in the vote for a Deputy Leader, cast their vote for the liberal candidate, Gavin Robinson.

Here are some articles I have written on the matter in the past.

Mrs Lindsey Robinson’s Blasphemy – May 1, 2021

God is still speaking – June 21, 2021

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Posted on 2023-06-09 a 10:08 pm

The following brief devotional study was sent to me by one of our readers and I thought it good to share it with you all.

Today is a day of ‘half truths’, which of course is not the truth for any deviation or deletion from the truth and it is no longer TRUE!

Preachers are required to proclaim, as did Paul, “all the counsel of God,” Acts 20:27. There is a strong temptation today to leave out that which might offend some. Sadly, it is a temptation all too many yield to!

Read and heed this exhortation and timely warning, please.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Beware: Half lies

(B. McCausland)

This world, being mastered by the prince of lies, has always functioned on the verge of truth, either economically, educationally, socially or politically at its best.

Such a trend regularly manifests itself in Christian thinking through half-lies we base our judgement upon, making us miss sanctifying grace in our Christian walk.

For instance, we take in the half-lie that the government’s duty is to ‘protect’ and even ‘care’ for the people at all cost, providing all sort of benefits, housing, education, and tailored support. With that we welcome massive protocols, amoral taxation, and unnecessary regulations that not only dictate personal choice but often impair freedoms. In reality, governments are set only to punish evil and with that, ‘protect’, not everybody, but honest citizens.

Then we have the half-lie about public education. We maintain that the state schools are ok because they might have ‘Christian teachers’, ignoring how helpless the teachers are when the state’s measures, curriculum and agendas are imposed with no chance to be opposed. The same applies when we underestimate the peer pressure our children face from the ungodly or from other children belonging to unseparated Christian homes. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-08 a 11:28 pm

I am sharing this Belfast Newsletter article because it contains researched details about the ongoing evil campaign mounted by Westminster which is designed to undermine and destroy in Ulster our historic Bible Christianity and the moral standards that arise from such. This is done in order to promote the wickedness that springs from the ‘New Morality’, adopted by Ecumenical churches long ago and fanatically supported by various women’s groups and shamefully by the NSPCC NI and of course, by Sinn Fein.

It is a sad comment on today’s ‘Christianity’ that this wickedness by the Secretary of State is aided by Mr Steve Baker, MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland. Mr Baker would claim to be a Christian and a member of a Baptist Church in England. See his profile here.

Such betrayal of God’s truth and attacks upon His witness and testimony here in Ulster will not go unnoticed by Heaven!

The State School system has become the chief means of destroying the next generation by directing them away from God and His Word.

Christian, is your child under such satanic instruction?

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

7th June 2023

Unionists voice dismay as Tory Northern Ireland Secretary says he will impose new ‘sex and relationships’ education on the Province from London – including teaching pupils they have a right to abortion Unionists have voiced dismay at the Northern Ireland Secretary’s plan to impose a new “sex and relationships” curriculum on the Province, including teaching pupils about their right to abortion.

By Adam Kula

Belfast Newsletter

Chris Heaton-Harris’ Northern Ireland Office announced the move on Tuesday afternoon, prompting the DUP to wonder why he was prioritising changes to the curriculum over shoring up the funding for schools.

Meanwhile the TUV accused him of imposing “left-wing ideology” onto pupils, and advised parents to opt-out of having their children sit through such classes.

It comes against a backdrop of DUP displeasure with Mr Heaton-Harris over his ongoing calls for the party to drop its boycott of Stormont over the Irish Sea border. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-07 a 10:22 pm

I have just obtained a copy from a friend of a news briefing sent out by one ‘Niamh Burns’ of the ‘Communications Team’ which is a statement issued on behalf of the The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Chris Heaton-Harris today, June 6th..

The statement is headed:

New — requirements for Relationship and Sexuality Education curriculum in Northern Ireland

I quote some of the words of the statement with my emphasis added.

“The UK Government is updating the requirements for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum in Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris has announced today (Tuesday 6 June).

The Regulations will amend the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, and the Education (Curriculum Minimum Content) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 in relation to Key Stage 3 and 4.

They will make age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion, a compulsory component of curriculum for adolescents.

They will also place a duty on the Department of Education to issue guidance on the content and delivery of the education to be provided by 1 January 2024. 

The Department will also be under a statutory duty to make Regulations about the circumstances in which at the request of a parent, a pupil may be excused from receiving that education, or specified elements of that education. 

Consultation with parents on Relationship and Sexuality Education is already common practice in Northern Ireland and we expect the Department of Education to ensure schools afford parents the opportunity to review relevant materials.

The Regulations, in practice, will result in educating adolescents on issues such as how to prevent a pregnancy, the legal right to an abortion in Northern Ireland, and how relevant services may be accessed. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-06 a 6:07 pm

“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us,” Isaiah 33:22.

I first read this verse on 5th January 1965. It was my first day as a student for the gospel ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church. Dr Paisley was conducting class. He had however an appointment elsewhere and so he flicked through a Bible and chose this verse and said: “Give me an introduction, three points and a conclusion. I will be back shortly and I will see what you produced.”

There were three other students there that day. James McClelland was in his third and final year. James Beggs and William Beattie had been attending evening classes. All were therefore somewhat acquainted with the requirements of sermon preparation and immediately got down to examining the verse.

I looked at the verse in utter consternation for in truth, being only nine months a Christian, I had no idea what the verse was referring to. I had little or no understanding of the ministry of Isaiah or the character of the days he preached in or the message he was charged with delivering to Judah.

I really cannot recall what I put down on paper by way of ‘an introduction, three points and a conclusion’. I do know that it was not worth remembering. Dr Paisley returned in about an hour and as ‘fate’ would have it, he first asked me for my ‘production’. I will not tell you what his response was but I will say that I felt as never before my ignorance of God’s Word.

James McClelland, being James, jumped in to my defence and none too gently reminded Dr Paisley that it was my first day etc, and that he was being too hard on me. I will not give you a ‘word for word’ account of James’ intervention, though it is engraved in my memory, but it did have an impact on Dr Paisley. There was revealed to me for the first time that his bark was worse than his bite. He took up my scribbles again and said: ‘That’s not too bad at all. You could develop that alright!’

I am not ashamed to say that my lip was trembling most ominously but Dr Paisley’s latter response cheered me up somewhat!

So began a lifetime of learning God’s Word. Today, I am returning to this verse for the first time since that day long ago. I never did feel inclined to preach this verse, but today (Thursday, 1st June) in my daily I read it yet again, accompanied by the memories of that ‘dramatic’ start to my studies. I immediately felt that I would like to set down something of what I now understand the verse to mean. As I do so, I am very aware of the journey the Lord has led me on and the ‘tutors’ who helped on that journey and under God’s merciful blessing, were to me as Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-26), not least of which was my wife, Ann, in my early days, aye, and still so today.

Let me examine now that old verse which sits like a milestone in my memory. Click to read more…

Posted on 2023-06-02 a 7:59 pm

Mary Ann Chaplin (1844-1922) a Strict Baptist lady, a member of ‘Ebenezer Chapel’, in Chelmsford, where I have preached in the past, was a strong Protestant. She was of Huguenot descent, one of eleven children.

The Lord began His work of grace in her heart early in life, and she was baptized at the age of fourteen. She wrote her first published piece of poetry when only eleven. She continued to write all her life, and herein is a sample of her gracious, wise and timely words, copied from one of her publications: “CHIMES FOR THE TIMES”, published in 1891.

M J Tryon, a Strict Baptist pastor in Stamford, in his preface to the second edition of “CHIMES FOR THE TIMES”, sent forth in 1907, said this: “Mrs Chaplin writes out of the abundance of her heart; believing deeply ‘Chimes’ ring forth no uncertain sound; thus they delight and cheer the heart of her fellow-pilgrims, who, though not possessing her gift of expression, can and do appreciate her grace and her gifts.”

Her reference, in the third verse, to the  ‘Throne’ and its ‘kowtowing’ to popery in Queen Victoria’s day, is even more relevant today!

Surely, “the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.”

It came upon the Spanish fleet
Three hundred years ago,
As tangible a blessing as
A despot could bestow;
It took the form of cannonade,
Of thumbscrew, whip, and priest,
By which the Bible reading ones
Identified the Beast;
But this was England’s safety then,
And this was England’s hope, —
God’s curse has ever rested on
The blessing of the Pope.

Thumbscrew, and cannonade, and whip,
With all the flower of Spain,
Came cursing on to England, and
Went cursing back again;
They “raised the wind” by fraud or force,
Her liberties to smother,
But God — in answer to her cries—
In justice raised another.
Billow and fire and sturdy aim,
And English tact had scope,
When Heaven’s thunder laughed to scorn
The blessing of the Pope.

To-day the curse is in his heart,
The while with lips he blesses;
Infidel, Godless England, sees
No harm in his caresses;
The maudlin men of' “modern thought”
Can grip no standard truth;
And Jesuits in the English Church
Have Romanised our youth;
The very Throne has bent itself
To Leo’s trampling feet;
Can God do otherwise than let
Such sin with sorrow meet ?

We beckon on this blessing Pope!!
Who holds Victoria vile;
And fain would give her “moonlight” fare
As in the Sister Isle;
“No faith with Heretics” is still
The Papal undertone,
And Englishmen are fools who think
That Rome is kinder grown ;
“Kill, kill,” she says; let Manning’s words
Our sad attention win,
For life and liberty go out
When Leo’s power comes in.

He has learned wisdom (of a sort)
From signalised defeat;
So those who shrived the “moonlight” hordes
Are ordered to repeat —
How the “good Father” has a wish,
For English law to reign,
Lest boycotting and murder spoil
The plan of their campaign!
And though all history pours its light
On the deceptive wile,
Our fascinated Senators
Bow gratefully and smile.

Ah, here is England's danger now,
In spite of every hope, —
God’s curse has ever rested on
The blessing of the Pope;
The old Armada fought with Him,
But crumbled at His touch;
And England, if she bends to Rome,
Deserves His wrath as much.
Oh, for a prayer of th’ olden time,
One strong, low, gushing cry;
For error's crescent sweeps our sea,
And who can pass it by?

The battle is the Lord’s, my friends,
The battle is the Lord’s;
We are with Him whatever meed
The earthly state accords;
His grace, His truth, His promise, stand
As in the olden days,
He can afford to wait, though we
With indignation blaze;
But for our children, for ourselves,
For England’s common sense,
God drive conviction’s fire-ships through
This squadron of pretence!

Posted on 2023-06-01 a 12:01 am