Monthly Archives: November 2023

The Pathway to True Greatness — Timothy MacKenzie

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Isaiah 52:13-15 (KJV)
[13] Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
[14] As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
[15] So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

I was speaking on the phone with a good friend of mine the other day, and he was telling me how he was imagining what the sufferings of the Lord Jesus were really like. He thought about especially the scourging, and the wounds on the back of his Saviour. My friend said he came to the conclusion that he wasn’t worthy for the Lord Jesus to suffer that much for him.

If we were honest, we would all have to come to that conclusion, in fact we are far less than worthy to have Him suffer so in our place. That day my mind went to this passage, in which we see the sufferings of our Lord Jesus, and His corresponding glory.

This is the first three verses of one of the greatest prophecies concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. It continues through the whole of the following chapter. This prophecy so vividly and accurately describes the life and sufferings of Jesus of Nazareth that the modern day Jew is strongly discouraged from reading this chapter (https://israelmyglory.org/article/the-forbidden-chapter/), in case he will be “led astray” and believe on Jesus as the Messiah.

Verse 13 gives an overview of the whole prophecy, using three different words and ideas to describe the ultimate exaltation of the greatest man in history, the servant of Jehovah. It also tells of how He will eventually prosper, and have the first place in all things.

Colossians 1:18 (KJV)
[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Verse 14 gives us an overview of the depth of His physical disfigurement and sufferings. His face was beaten and bruised, so that He hardly looked like a human being. Many were astonished to see Israel so ill-treated in this world (as many were astonied at Thee), so in the same way they were amazed to see such a spectacle, the Servant of Jehovah so mistreated.

But in verse 15, in the first word, so, we have the corresponding and the equally astounding fact of His exaltation and glory in the midst of the nations of the world.

As many were astonished at His suffering, so will He sprinkle many nations with blessings, and astonish many kings with His power and authority.

They will shut their mouths in the presence and the glorious majesty of the “King of kings,” and see and consider what they had not known before. The beautiful words of Centra Thompson’s hymn are very appropriate here:

Ev’ry mark of dark dishonor
Heaped upon Thy thorn-crowned brow,
All the depths of Thy heart’s sorrow
Told in answering glory now!

“Gazing on Thee, Lord, in Glory” Verse 2 – Centra Thompson

Our response to such a prophecy of the sufferings and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ should be heartfelt and genuine worship, and acknowledge Him as Lord of all.

Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)
[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Acts 10:36 (KJV)
[36] The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Luke Hierlihy

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I grew up always going to “church” and learning about the Bible. My parents were both Christians who believed that Jesus died on the cross for their sins, just like the Bible says. We were taught that the Bible was God’s word and I always did believe that, but I had no interest in it personally and I did my best to avoid it.

Looking back God was definitely watching over me, as there were many times that if things had changed slightly, I would not be here. Many of these times were vehicle related and once stands out and actually scared me at the time. I was on my motorcycle, riding with a friend, passing everything in sight. At one point I was passing on a blind hill at roughly 3 times the speed limit and i knew if I met something, I would be dead. Right after, I remember thanking God for keeping me safe, but an hour later I had forgotten all about God again.

To make a long story short, when I was 18 I became interested in the woman that is now my wife and she was a “Christian” which simply means a follower of Christ (Jesus), the same as my parents were. Any time I thought of her, it forced me to think about the things that I knew the Bible said.

On August 24, 2016 I was faced with a verse from the Bible that says:

Romans 3:23 (KJV)
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

And then in a few chapters:

Romans 6:23 (KJV)
[23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I knew that I had done some bad things but I never thought that they were against God. After reading those verses I realized that my “sins” were against God since he was the one who said not to do them, and I also realized that based on the Bible I deserved to be punished by God for what I had done. Then it hit me that when Jesus died on the Cross, he was punished for my sin. And if he was punished then I didn’t have to be.

John 3:16
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I’m a simple guy, I live a simple life but based on the Bible I know that when this life is done I’ll be in Heaven, that’s what eternal life means. My brains aren’t going to get me there, my money isn’t getting me there, the pope isn’t going to get me there and my parents can’t do anything for me either. Jesus died for my sins and that is all the Bible says that I need. I believe it. The Bible says “whoever believes” so that tells me that anyone can go to Heaven and that’s why I’m sharing this. I know where I’m going and you can know too.

“The wages for my sin is death, but Jesus died for me”
August 24, 2016

The Following Audio is taken from a Gospel Meeting on 2024-08-04

2024-08-04 – Gospel Meeting – Luke Hierlihy – Personal Testimony

Bring Your Loaves and Fishes and Trust in God’s Provision — by Marc MacArthur

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In the Gospel, we find this story of provision and faith, a story that resonates with the mission we share as believers. Starting with the feeding of the 5000, we uncover valuable insights that relate to our calling to spread the gospel to a hungry world, and to place our trust in God’s abundant provision.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:17‭-‬20a ‭KJV‬‬
[17] And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
[18] He said, Bring them hither to me. 
‭[19] And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 
[20] And they did all eat, and were filled: …

This story is not just about physical hunger but also a spiritual hunger for the Word of God. Just like the disciples, we are entrusted with a mission to feed the spiritual hunger of those around us. However, we often feel inadequate, even as the disciples with all their provisions.

But remember our role is not to convert or save people. Our role is to bring the message of Christ to the world, to offer the loaves and fishes of His teachings. The outcome is in God’s hands, not ours.

In Corinthians the Apostle Paul tells us:

1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:6‭-‬7‬ ‭KJV‬‬
[6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
[7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 

We are merely planters and waterers of the seeds of faith. It is God who brings the increase, who feeds the spiritual hunger, and who changes hearts. We must trust in Him and His divine timing.

Our duty is to share the message of salvation, the love of Christ, and His teachings. Just as the disciples brought their small offering to Jesus, we must faithfully bring the gospel to those we encounter.

In Mark Jesus instructs us:

Mark‬ ‭16:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬
[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

As we heed this divine command, let us remember that our role is to bring the gospel, not to guarantee its acceptance. We might face rejection, indifference, or even hostility, but our faithfulness lies in our obedience to share the good news.

Be encouraged by the story of the feeding of the 5000. You just need to bring the loaves and fishes of the gospel; it’s up to God to feed the hearts and souls of people. Trust in His wisdom, His timing, and His grace.

May we be faithful stewards of the gospel message, leaving the results in the hands of our God. It is He who changes lives, and it is He who will bring the increase. Trust in God’s ability to perform the miraculous. 

Amen.

Timothy MacKenzie

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My story begins in Summerside, PEI, Canada, where I was born on April 10, 1990. My family home is in Milo, PEI, where I was raised well by Christian parents along with two brothers and one sister. My parents were a dedicated part of the assembly of Christians that met regularly in the Springfield Gospel Hall. As a child, we learned many verses by heart and they have stayed with us until now.

Romans 5:6 KJV
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 3:23 KJV
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

I was a hyper child and very sneaky at times, proving that I was naturally a sinner, but that I constantly committed sin as well. Many times I got in trouble at home and at school for my bad and disruptive behavior. Sometimes I felt disconnected from others in different areas of life, and this produced a resentment towards people at times. Because of the biblical teaching at home and at the Gospel Hall, I knew I could be saved from my sin, and wanted that for myself from time to time.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 KJV
[1] Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth …

At least twice during my childhood years I “tried to get saved.” The time I remember most was on April 1, 2003, when I thought I had believed and was saved. Following that time, I tried to live the Christian life, by reading the Bible(about 5 chapters a day for approximately a year) and praying to God.

I soon grew tired of that and eventually stopped.

Preserved in Jesus when
My feet made haste to hell;
And there should I have gone,
But thou dost all things well;
Thy love was great, thy mercy free,
Which from the pit delivered me.

“Indulgent God, how kind” Verse 3 – John Kent

The teenage years were filled with many changes in my belief and in my actions. I met a few friends and started getting around with them, and becoming like them. I decided that maybe there was no God, so there’s no need to worry about the Bible. I got into watching a lot of movies, staying up late at night to pursue that kind of entertainment. After I got my first car, I sped all over West Prince for three weeks until my driving habits caught up to me and I crashed into a power pole. God miraculously preserved me and I walked away from the crash with a sore thumb.

But since I still lived at home, I respectfully went to the meetings with my family, never once that I remember pushing back against it. After I graduated from high school, I started working with Trevor Burden in construction. There was one experience I will never forget, a morning in the late fall of 2009, when we were on our way to work in Victoria West. There was a voice spoke in my head, saying, “Timmy, you are a sinner and you deserve to be in Hell.”

Needless to say, that turned my little world upside down, and from that point on I knew I needed salvation more than anything else. In the following year, I faithfully attended three series of special meetings in Rosebank, Freetown, and Springfield.

One preacher that stands out is Peter Ramsay, who during the meetings in Rosebank brought me a coffee to work on a cold winter morning, and spoke kindly to me.

In November of 2010, I spent many evenings asking God to show me how to be saved. I was starting to lose hope, until one night, 8:30 pm on November 28 to be exact, as the believers sang a hymn, they came to the words, “Trust Him with all thine heart,” I did just that, and immediately had peace in my soul.

Gospel Hymn Book 141: Out of Christ

Out of Christ, without a Saviour,
O! can it, can it be
Like a ship without a rudder,
On a wild and stormy sea!

(Chorus)
O! to be without a Saviour;
With no hope or refuge nigh;
Can it be, O blessed Saviour
One without Thee dares to die!

Out of Christ, without a Saviour,
Lonely and dark the way;
With no light, no hope in Jesus,
Making bright the cheerless day.

Out of Christ, without a Saviour,
No help nor refuge nigh;
How can you, O careless sinner,
Dare to live, or dare to die?

Out of Christ, without a Saviour,
Dark will the voyage be;
Clouds will gather, storms surround you,
O! to Christ for refuge flee!

Out of Christ, without a Saviour,
Trust Him with all thine heart,
Ere the door of mercy closes,
And you hear His word, “Depart.”

At first I wasn’t sure if it was real, but I had a new joy in my heart that was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Over the next couple days, I was assured by God’s word that it was really what I had been longing for all along.

Romans 10:9 NASB
[9] that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

Since that time, I have obeyed the Lord Jesus in being baptized and joining the local assembly fellowship, and serving Him in my own weak and faltering way.

I have disappointed my Saviour many times, but He has never disappointed me.