Follow God or Baal

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by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” (1 Kings 18:21)

“Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” (2 Corinthians 6:17). This has always been the standard for God’s people, in every age; but in every age there have been those who yield to worldly pressures and rationalize compromise. The number of such compromises is great, but the most serious is that of trying to accommodate the worldview of pagan pantheism (represented in Elijah’s day by the Canaanite religion and in our day by “scientific” evolutionism) within the worldview of biblical monotheism. God’s view of such compromise has not changed since Elijah’s confrontation with the priests of Baal and the embarrassed Israelites.

The seven churches of Revelation represent all churches, and the letter to the last of the seven, Laodicea, is addressed to what might be called “neutralist” churches–outwardly orthodox and successful–but actually blind and naked spiritually because of their compromises. The Lord said concerning it: “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16). In addressing it, He identified Himself as “the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God” (v.14), thus indicating that an untrue witness concerning creation was the church’s most serious compromise.

This is surely no time for compromises by Christians on such vital issues as evolutionary humanism. It is time for such churches and other Christian organizations to return unreservedly to an undiluted creationism. “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8). HMM

May 17-Morning  {Daily Reading: #1Ch 17:1-20:8} {Quick Study: #1Ch 28:1-29:30}

“So to walk even as he walked.” {#1Jo 2:6}

   Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If they desire to be in a healthy state of soul—if they would escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model. For their own happiness’ sake, if they would drink wine on the lees, well refined; if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus; if they would be lifted up above the cares and troubles of this world, let them walk even as he walked. There is nothing which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed, as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions. When, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk with Jesus in his very footsteps, then you are most happy, and most known to be the sons of God. Peter afar off is both unsafe and uneasy. Next, for religion’s sake, strive to be like Jesus. Ah! poor religion, thou hast been sorely shot at by cruel foes, but thou hast not been wounded one half so dangerously by thy foes as by thy friends. Who made those wounds in the fair hand of Godliness? The professor who used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man who with pretences, enters the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep’s clothing, worries the flock more than the lion outside. There is no weapon half so deadly as a Judas kiss. Inconsistent professors injure the gospel more than the sneering critic or the infidel. But, especially for Christ’s own sake, imitate his example. Christian, lovest thou thy Saviour? Is his name precious to thee? Is his cause dear to thee? Wouldst thou see the kingdoms of the world become his? Is it thy desire that he should be glorified? Art thou longing that souls should be won to him? If so, imitate Jesus; be an “epistle of Christ, known and read of all men.”

May 16-Morning  {Daily Reading: #1Ch 14:1-16:43} {Quick Study: #1Ch 26:1-27:34}

“Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” {#1Ti 6:17}

   Our Lord Jesus is ever giving, and does not for a solitary instant withdraw his hand. As long as there is a vessel of grace not yet full to the brim, the oil shall not be stayed. He is a sun ever shining; he is manna always falling round the camp; he is a rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life from his smitten side; the rain of his grace is always dropping; the river of his bounty is ever flowing, and the well spring of his love is constantly overflowing. As the King can never die, so his grace can never fail. Daily we pluck his fruit, and daily his branches bend down to our hand with a fresh store of mercy. There are seven feast days in his weeks, and as many as are the days, so many are the banquets in his years. Who has ever returned from his door unblessed? Who has ever risen from his table unsatisfied, or from his bosom unemparadised? His mercies are new every morning and fresh every evening. Who can know the number of his benefits, or recount the list of his bounties? Every sand which drops from the glass of time is but the tardy follower of a myriad of mercies. The wings of our hours are covered with the silver of his kindness, and with the yellow gold of his affection. The river of time bears from the mountains of eternity the golden sands of his favour. The countless stars are but as the standard bearers of a more innumerable host of blessings. Who can count the dust of the benefits which he bestows on Jacob, or tell the number of the fourth part of his mercies towards Israel? How shall my soul extol him who daily loadeth us with benefits, and who crowneth us with lovingkindness? O that my praise could be as ceaseless as his bounty! O miserable tongue, how canst thou be silent? Wake up, I pray thee, lest I call thee no more my glory, but my shame. “Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake right early.”

May 15-Morning  {Daily Reading: #1Ch 11:1-13:14} {Quick Study: #1Ch 24:1-25:31}

“All that believe are justified.” {#Ac 13:39}

   The believer in Christ receives a present justification. Faith does not produce this fruit by and by, but now. So far as justification is the result of faith, it is given to the soul in the moment when it closes with Christ, and accepts him as its all in all. Are they who stand before the throne of God justified now?—so are we, as truly and as clearly justified as they who walk in white and sing melodious praises to celestial harps. The thief upon the cross was justified the moment that he turned the eye of faith to Jesus; and Paul, the aged, after years of service, was not more justified than was the thief with no service at all. We are today accepted in the Beloved, today absolved from sin, today acquitted at the bar of God. O! soul transporting thought! There are some clusters of Eshcol’s vine which we shall not be able to gather till we enter heaven; but this is a bough which runneth over the wall. This is not as the corn of the land, which we can never eat till we cross the Jordan; but this is part of the manna in the wilderness, a portion of our daily nutriment with which God supplies us in our journeying to and fro. We are now—even now pardoned; even now are our sins put away; even now we stand in the sight of God accepted, as though we had never been guilty. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” There is not a sin in the Book of God, even now, against one of his people. Who dareth to lay anything to their charge? There is neither speck, nor spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing remaining upon anyone believer in the matter of justification in the sight of the Judge of all the earth. Let present privilege awaken us to present duty, and now, while life lasts, let us spend and be spent for our sweet Lord Jesus.

Ed Curran: Is that a poisoned chalice behind you, Peter?

Mr Robinson who  has recently replaed Dr Paisley as both Dup boss and First minister of the maladministration at Stormont is certainly challenged here!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Dear Peter, as you prepare to become First Minister of Northern Ireland, can I direct a couple of fairly important questions to you? Can you lead the Stormont Executive to survive another year? And even if you manage that, can you turn it into a decisive rather than a dithering government for Northern Ireland?

 

I pose these questions because there are now a number of extremely worrying and potentially destructive issues looming on the horizon. And they are emerging, just as Ian Paisley enjoys his farewells and leaves you with what might prove a very poisoned chalice.

What are these issues? First and foremost, Ms Caitriona Ruane and the future of this province’s secondary education system. Secondly, the budget which you set a few months ago and which remains an extraordinarily tall order to meet. Indeed, if I were Nigel Dodds, I might think twice about taking over the reins from you as Minister of Finance, given that he didn’t set the budget but will have the unpalatable task of ensuring that everybody sticks to it. Another poisoned chalice, Mr Dodds?

Thirdly, how and when are the powers for policing and justice to be transferred from London to Belfast, and possibly into the hands of an ex-IRA bomber as the new minister responsible?

Fourthly, not a life and death issue but still a big test of you and your Democratic Unionist Party. What are you going to do about our proposed new sports stadium? Is it to be the Maze? Or will you and your party cop out?

Fifthly, and maybe most important of all, can coalition government really work effectively and decisively at all? Or is it simply a recipe for procrastination? For parties so preoccupied with looking over their shoulders at hardliners behind them, that nothing gets done and no big matters are settled?

Now what would make Stormont politicians think like that? Simple. The spectre of a Westminster election in the next two years in which some might lose their seats. That’s what did for the unfortunate David Trimble and his Ulster Unionist Party at the last election and this time around, it might be the turn of the DUP and Sinn Fein.

We happen to have a coalition government at Stormont dominated by two of the most authoritarian and dogmatic parties in Europe. They were founded on extremism and intransigence. They have little or nothing in common other than the English language and a belated recognition that confrontation is no answer to our problems. Even on bread and butter politics, many on one side look right-wing and conservative, many on the other, old Labour lefties. The row over Ms Ruane encapsulates much in this division.

The public remains unconvinced, judging from the results of last week’s opinion poll published by this newspaper.

The outside world may jump up and down with appreciation of Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness sharing power.

But the locals aren’t.

Many people are strangely subdued about Stormont. They are in two minds as to whether it is worth having.

To use a well-worn clich£, to these people it may appear as all duck and no dinner. They can’t point to any great benefits so far, other than, perhaps, your decision to freeze household rates and postpone water charges. And, even that is questionable given that we need so much money to run the other services — most notably health and social services.

But first things first. Ms Ruane is centre-stage and very soon now she says she will reveal her plans to you and her other Executive colleagues. I’d love to be a fly on your Stormont wall for that meeting, as I’m sure would the 48% of Northern Ireland people who regard education as their number one priority, according to the Telegraph’s poll.

Maybe she will surprise us all with an incredible last minute adjustment or about-turn. That seems most unlikely.

Rather she looks as if she has dug a deep hole, aided and abetted by her Sinn Fein colleagues, a hole from which she cannot escape without losing personal and party credibility. We will soon know where she really stands.

Your big behind-closed-doors meeting with Ms Ruane is likely to lead to a public bust-up between your party and hers. And it could prove so serious as to threaten the very future of the Executive you are about to take over.

The 11-plus test may be a stress and a strain to many but it will be nothing compared to that facing you and the Executive in the next month over what replaces it. It seems to me there are a number of scenarios.

She could come to the Executive, stick to her unacceptable plans, say she cannot find any consensus, and resign on a point of principle. Not likely, I think, since Sinn Fein would be painted as a party that cannot carry through its promises.

Alternatively, everyone could recognise the need to preserve the power-sharing consensus ideal, go into conclave, and come up with a compromise.

Or, Ms Ruane could present such a complicated set of proposals (as is very likely) that confusion then reigns and no one, not even the grammar schools, understands the outcome.

Finally, there is always the option of political horse-trading. What can the Democratic Unionist Party offer Mr Adams and Sinn Fein to get them out of the hole dug by Ms Ruane’s spade?

Answer, possibly some early deal on transfering policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland in response to some climb-down by Ms Ruane.

That doesn’t seem to me to be all that principled but I wouldn’t rule it out, if the very future of your Stormont Executive is at stake. To date, that Executive has been more political window-dressing than any real substance. The big decisions, the difficult decisions, remain on too many back-burners but they cannot forever. Now is the moment. Now is the test. First up, Ms Caitriona Ruane. Can coalition government in Northern Ireland survive her?

Over to you, Mr Robinson and good luck.

Yours, Ed

 

 

“Joint heirs with Christ.” {#Ro 8:17}

   The boundless realms of his Father’s universe are Christ’s by prescriptive right. As “heir of all things,” he is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and he has admitted us to claim the whole as ours, by virtue of that deed of joint heirship which the Lord hath ratified with his chosen people. The golden streets of paradise, the pearly gates, the river of life, the transcendent bliss, and the unutterable glory, are, by our blessed Lord, made over to us for our everlasting possession. All that he has he shares with his people. The crown royal he has placed upon the head of his Church, appointing her a kingdom, and calling her sons a royal priesthood, a generation of priests and kings. He uncrowned himself that we might have a coronation of glory; he would not sit upon his own throne until he had procured a place upon it for all who overcome by his blood. Crown the head and the whole body shares the honour. Behold here the reward of every Christian conqueror! Christ’s throne, crown, sceptre, palace, treasure, robes, heritage, are yours. Far superior to the jealousy, selfishness, and greed, which admit of no participation of their advantages, Christ deems his happiness completed by his people sharing it. “The glory which thou gavest me have I given them.” “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” The smiles of his Father are all the sweeter to him, because his people share them. The honours of his kingdom are more pleasing, because his people appear with him in glory. More valuable to him are his conquests, since they have taught his people to overcome. He delights in his throne, because on it there is a place for them. He rejoices in his royal robes, since over them his skirts are spread. He delights the more in his joy, because he calls them to enter into it

 

12 Top Fuel Saving Tips

1. Check your tyre pressures
When the tyres on your car are under inflated the engine has to work harder in order to move, inevitable using more fuel. Incorrectly inflated tyres can also cause uneven wear on your tyres, running the tread down quicker.

2. Slow down!
Simple really the faster you drive the more furl the engine will use, did you know that by driving at 80mph rather than 70 you will use 10% more fuel. Of course this is no excuse for driving around everywhere at 30mph.

3. Drive consistently
Stop, start, stop start, accelerate, decelerate. Smooth accelerator sense and driving in the correct gear for the speed you are travelling is greatly rewarded with a MPG increase. A constant pace will greatly aid economy as it uses much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to maintain a constant speed, cruise control users can testify to this.

4. Avoid accelerating and braking harshly
Accelerating and braking sharply should be avoided as this puts much greater load on the engine than is required to pull away gently whilst shifting at a lower rpm.

5. Turn off the air con
Comfort may mean compromise in the summer months but using the air conditioning can reduce the fuel economy by up to 4MPG, at motorway speed however this is actually more efficient than having windows or a sunroof open due to the increase in drag.

6. Remove un-needed touring accessories
Quite a few of us have roof racks for our vehicles, but most of the time we don’t use them. Improve the fuel economy by only attaching it to the car when you need it and the 10 extra minutes to prepare to a roof rack required journey will be rewarded in money saved.

7. Only use the car when needed!
The most effective way to save on the amount of fuel you use is to leave the car at home! Town residents can cycle or walk rather than sit in that hot and sweaty traffic jam, not only will it be more enjoyable it will be saving you money.

8. Shop around
The many fuel stations in your home town may have similar prices are they are in direct competition with each other however prices can differ from town - town significantly. There are many internet services available that track prices of petrol stations so you can find the cheapest fuel from the comfort of your own home. You should only consider distant stations on your normal commute travels as driving 20 miles to fill up cheaper will not save you money.

9. Remove un-necessary weight
Extra weight in your vehicle means extra work from the engine to move it, remove any junk and heavy objects from the vehicle that aren’t required for that journey.

10. Use regular fuel
Ignore the performance hype the fuel companies spout regarding their superior fuels. Unless your vehicle is a performance focussed one the only one that will benefit from premium fuel is the fuel company in revenue.

11. Fill up at night
This is really only a very marginal saving but by filling up at night when the air is cooler and the extra density will get a tiny bit more fuel for your money.

12. Ensure the vehicle is serviced regularly
Common sense really, as if you want to maintain the value of the vehicle for future owners scheduled servicing is a must, but this also replaces the engine fuel and ensures the plugs, filters and the bits you don’t really want to mess around with are in optimum condition.

And here is another one for good measure. Always drive on a” full tank”, instead of a gallon or two now and the same in a couple of days time. By filling up you will notice an appreciable saving.

May 13-Morning  {Daily Reading: #1Ch 6:1-7:40} {Quick Study: #1Ch 17:1-20:8}

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” {#Ps 30:5}

   Christian! If thou art in a night of trial, think of the morrow; cheer up thy heart with the thought of the coming of thy Lord. Be patient, for

Lo! He comes with clouds descending.

Be patient! The Husbandman waits until he reaps his harvest. Be patient; for you know who has said, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be.” If you are never so wretched now, remember

A few more rolling suns, at most,
Will land thee on fair Canaan’s coast.

Thy head may be crowned with thorny troubles now, but it shall wear a starry crown ere long; thy hand may be filled with cares—it shall sweep the strings of the harp of heaven soon. Thy garments may be soiled with dust now; they shall be white by and by. Wait a little longer. Ah! how despicable our troubles and trials will seem when we look back upon them! Looking at them here in the prospect, they seem immense; but when we get to heaven we shall then

With transporting joys recount,
The labours of our feet.

Our trials will then seem light and momentary afflictions. Let us go on boldly; if the night be never so dark, the morning cometh, which is more than they can say who are shut up in the darkness of hell. Do you know what it is thus to live on the future—to live on expectation—to antedate heaven? Happy believer, to have so sure, so comforting a hope. It may be all dark now, but it will soon be light; it may be all trial now, but it will soon be all happiness. What matters it though “weeping may endure for a night,” when “joy cometh in the morning?”

May 12-Morning  {Daily Reading: #1Ch 3:1-5:26} {Quick Study: #1Ch 13:1-16:43}

“And will manifest myself to him.” {#Joh 14:21}

   The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of himself to his people. Even if Scripture did not declare this, there are many of the children of God who could testify the truth of it from their own experience. They have had manifestations of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in a peculiar manner, such as no mere reading or hearing could afford. In the biographies of eminent saints, you will find many instances recorded in which Jesus has been pleased, in a very special manner to speak to their souls, and to unfold the wonders of his person; yea, so have their souls been steeped in happiness that they have thought themselves to be in heaven, whereas they were not there, though they were well nigh on the threshold of it—for when Jesus manifests himself to his people, it is heaven on earth; it is paradise in embryo; it is bliss begun. Especial manifestations of Christ exercise a holy influence on the believer’s heart. One effect will be humility. If a man says, “I have had such and such spiritual communications, I am a great man,” he has never had any communion with Jesus at all; for “God hath respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.” He does not need to come near them to know them, and will never give them any visits of love. Another effect will be happiness; for in God’s presence there are pleasures for evermore. Holiness will be sure to follow. A man who has no holiness has never had this manifestation. Some men profess a great deal; but we must not believe anyone unless we see that his deeds answer to what he says. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked.” He will not bestow his favours upon the wicked: for while he will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he respect an evil doer. Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus—humility, happiness, and holiness. May God give them to thee, Christian!

May 11-Morning  {Daily Reading: #1Ch 1:1-2:55} {Quick Study: #1Ch 11:1-12:40}

“I am with you alway.” {#Mt 28:20}

   It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us. It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life. O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon him who abides for ever faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure. My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on his person, all thy hope in his merit, all thy trust in his efficacious blood, all thy joy in his presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction. Remember that all the flowers in the world’s garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth. Death’s black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. O! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death’s stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with him in heavenly places for ever. Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns with him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave him, even “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” “Lo, I am with you alway,” is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me.