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A Lady of Good Courage

"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." (Deuteronomy 31:6 – KJV) The heroine of this story is Lady Margaret Douglas who was born in Scotland in 1610 and then at a young age married the man who became the love of her life, the First Marquis of Argyll, Archibald, Lord Lorn. During her first pregnancy Lady Margaret suffered from a serious illness. The doctors told her that to treat her illness the life of her child would need to be sacrificed in order to save hers. Rev. James Anderson, author of the book "Ladies of the Covenant" writes this about her: "But from this proposal the heart of the mother recoiled, and on no consideration would she give her consent. In the good providence of God, however, the life both of the mother and of the infant was saved..." Of Lady Margaret’s marriage to Lord Lorn, we are told that both she and her husba

A Heart Filled With Faith

“Christ hath too many occasional friends; but the ground of all is this, ‘I love Jesus Christ, but I have not the gift of burning quick for Christ.’ Oh, how securely should faith land us out of the gun-shot of the prevailing power of a black hour of darkness! Faith can make us able to be willing, for Christ, to go through a quarter of hell's pain.” (Taken from Samuel Rutherford’s dedication of “Trial and Triumph of Faith” to Lady Jane Campbell, the Viscountess of Kenmure) Lady Jane Campbell was born in Scotland in the 17th century. She was a contemporary of Lady Culross, and also shared a friendship with Samuel Rutherford who spoke of her in the highest terms. He immortalized her memory and name with dedicating his book “Trial and Triumph of Faith” to her. Lady Kenmure not only was a benefactor to the Presbyterian ministers, but she was one of their greatest advocates. Toward the end of her life when her fortune had diminished, she continued to give to the banished and persecute

'Look to the Lord'

The resource used for this story of Elizabeth Melvill (Lady Culross) is the book “Ladies of the Covenant” written by Rev. James Anderson. “Look to the Lord, thou art not left alone, Since He is thine, what pleasure canst thou take? He is at hand, and hears thy every groan: End out thy fight, and suffer for His sake.” (Excerpt from a sonnet written by Elizabeth Melvill in 1605 to John Welsh, a non-conformist minister of the Gospel, while he was imprisoned in the Castle of Blackness.) Elizabeth Melvill was born in Scotland in1578 and died in 1640. She was an extremely intelligent and highly educated woman who was well known for her knowledge of religion. She unashamedly supported and encouraged the non-conformist ministers who stood for freedom and liberty in the Church and the Worship of God. The story has been told that Lady Culross was a devoted hearer of the preaching of the Gospel, and would often travel to different parishes to hear the preachers and to participate in the Lord’s

Living only for Christ

“They lose nothing who gain Christ.” ~ Samuel Rutherford Lady Boyd was born in Scotland between 1588 and 1594; her maiden name was Christian Hamilton. She was the oldest daughter of Sir Thomas Hamilton and his wife Margaret. Alexander Whyte, the author of “Samuel Rutherford and his Correspondents” writes that “she inherited no small part of her father’s talents and strength of character.” He then goes on to say that “All her days Lady Boyd was on the most intimate terms with the most eminent ministers of the Church of Scotland. We find such men as Robert Bruce, Robert Blair, John Livingstone and Samuel Rutherford continually referring to her in the loftiest terms.” In the book “Ladies of the Covenant” by Rev. James Anderson, she is described as having “encouraged the preaching of the gospel, exercising a generous hospitality and liberality towards its ministers, receiving them into her house and supplying them with money.” She was known to stay up late into the night writing in her per

An Encourager of Faithful Ministers

This story of Lady Anne Cunningham is taken from the book “The Ladies of the Covenant” by Rev. James Anderson. Lady Anne was born in Scotland sometime before 1588 (her exact birth date is unknown); she married Lord James, the Marquis of Hamilton in 1603. Together they had five children. Lady Anne was then widowed in 1625. After her husband’s death, she continued to live a life of devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and of blessing others until her death in September of 1647. She lived during two periods of national covenanting that took place in Scotland in 1638 and 1643. Those known as “Covenanters” maintained that Christ was the Supreme King of the church and the nation, which conflicted with those who advocated “the divine rights of kings” over both realms. Even though her husband did not have share her zeal for freedom of religion and he reportedly was more concerned with personal ambition, Lady Anne persevered and left an impact upon future generations of Christians. She was known

Keeping an open door for the preaching of the Gospel

By Angela Wittman In my previous editorial I gave a brief introduction to the book “The Ladies of the Covenant: Memoirs of Distinguished Scottish Female Covenanters, Embracing the Period of the Covenant and the Persecution” written by Rev. James Anderson and published in 1850. My hope is to introduce you to the women who lived during the period of the Reformation (from the 1500’s through the 1600’s) in Scotland and also during the most intense time of persecution, known as “The Killing Times” (1680 – 1688). It is reported that approximately 18,000 men, women and children died for their Christian faith during this brief time. Christians can prosper from the testimony of those who have faced difficult times and held fast to their faith. The faithful witness of those who were persecuted and martyred for their testimony of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will strengthen and encourage us as we see our culture becoming less tolerant of Christianity. I pray we will use the examples set by the

In Defense of the Innocent

"The answer to ending legalized child-murder-by-abortion has been staring the pro-life movement in the face for over 34 years. The answer is right in the text of the Roe decision itself. Legal 'personhood' at fertilization, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS, is the "sword" which slices through the "Gordian knot" of the three decades long, and 50 MILLION deaths, of America's abortion holocaust.” (Steve Lefemine, pro-life missionary and lobbyist for the Right to Life Act of South Carolina, February 16, 2007) This editorial is written in defense of the innocent preborn children who have become the most persecuted human beings in America. It has been said that the most dangerous place to be in America today is a mother’s womb. It is estimated that 24% of all pregnancies end in abortion, including spontaneous miscarriages; and from 1973 through 2002 more than 42 million legal surgical abortions have occurred.(1) This year there have been 8 states to propose banning abo

Prayer

If you are a Christian, prayer is one of the most fruitful activities you can engage in; but it can also be one of the most daunting tasks for a person. After all, we are not sure if we are using the right words or if our motive for prayer is pure. I recently took some time to learn more about prayer by listening to a series of sermons at SermonAudio.com by Rev. Joe Morecraft, III of Chalcedon Presbyterian Church in Cumming, Georgia. Rev. Morecraft makes the point that we often have not because we ask not. We frequently ask for small things while forgetting we are in the presence of the King of the universe who is willing to do so much more than we pray for. How insulting it must be to Him for us to stifle our requests due to lack of belief that He hears and answers prayer! Scripture teaches us that we are commanded to pray to the Lord for all of our needs. How freeing it is to know that we are not dependent upon man for our physical or spiritual well-being; but it is God who takes car

Of Sheep and Goats

By Angela Wittman “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14). “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Proverbs 27:6) Dear Friends, Last year I bought the book "Day By Day with Jonathan Edwards (Selected Readings for Daily Reflection)" which is compiled and edited by Randall J. Pederson and published by Hendrickson Publishers. I was in need of a daily devotional and I wanted something spiritually substantial to read each morning, as a light breakfast of fluffy evangelicalism just isn’t enough to keep me going throughout the day. I also purchased a copy of the 1599 Geneva Bible published by Tolle Lege Press in 2006 for my evening devotions. I have found that the Word of God, the thoughts of the early Reformers and a hot cup of cocoa before a roaring fire is the most perfect way to end my day. If you are looking for a daily devotional that will strengthen your faith and solidify your thoughts of God, I recommend both of t

What about the babies?

By Angela Wittman “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”(Romans 12:10 KJV) Dear Friends, As we approach the 34th anniversary of the abortion holocaust commonly known as the Roe v. Wade supreme Court decision which opened the flood gates to blood-thirsty selfishness in America, let us reflect upon our contribution to its continuance. This editorial is not directed to the unbelievers who are dead in their sins and have not received the light of the Holy Spirit to enliven their depraved minds and dead hearts, but to the those who call themselves by the Lord’s Name, the followers of Jesus Christ, commonly known as Christians. I am seeing a most shameful thing take place at both national and local levels among Christian pro-lifers: the fighting for so-called rights to group names, positions on the sidewalks in front of the baby-killing camps, and the “right” of well-known pro-life personalities to lord themselves over lesser known pro-l

'All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD'

By Angela Wittman 1 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8 –KJV November 28, 2006 Dear Friends, I hope you have taken some time to reflect upon what you are

The Snake in the Garden

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11 (King James Version) ------------------------------------------------ Oh how subtle is the snake who deceived Eve in the Garden! Little nagging doubts were whispered in my ear: Is God really in control? Is He really sovereign? Does His word really say...? Is He really for you? Does He really care? This tempting has gone on for 22 months and the LORD has given me the victory today. Yes, God is really in control. Yes, He is really sovereign over the affairs of all men. Yes, His word is 100% true. Yes, He really is for me. And yes, He really does love me. Amen.

Satan's War against the Children

By Angela Wittman Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. (Matthew 2: 16-18, KJV) Dear Friends, One of the most heartwarming sights is that of a child. Their vulnerability and dependence upon others for sustenance and protection should move us all to compassion. Scripture tells us that “children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” (Psalm 127:3) Yes, they are precious in God’s sight; to be loved and cherished by all. But sadly, many people have come to believe Satan’s lies that childre

A Ministry of Healing

By Angela Wittman And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23 KJV) Dear Friends, This editorial is written to draw attention to the ministry of healing which our Lord Jesus Christ found so much worth in, that He, the Son of God, participated in it. As a Christian Medical Assistant, I can tell you from experience that ministering to others in the art of healing is not at all glamorous, nor is it an easy job. In fact, the work is physically and emotionally draining; and if you are expecting gratitude from others for your hard work, it may be long in coming. But if you are looking for a way to show compassion and mercy to others, then this may be the job for you. I recently received a health update from a friend who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was so impressed with her praise for her doctor that I asked if I may share it, an