KILMARTIN SERIES: 3In this series, we are looking at how unclean and perverse spirits can easily take hold in a place and turn it away from The Lord. We are taking Kilmartin village in Argyll as an example; largely because we live there, but also because it is a focal point where faith in God, once dominant, is being seriously challenged by unbelief, Humanism and New Age philosophy. “It shall be in that day,” says the LORD of hosts, “that I will cut off the names [the nature] of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land. [Zechariah 13:2 NKJV) Before Kilmartin and the Glen was a Christian settlement, it was an area of great importance, where our ancestors lived — it is currently thought — from around 11000BC. Our knowledge of any belief system they may have had is sketchy at best; but like all of us today, there would have been a spiritual component to their lives. That spiritual connection features especially in a number of places as has been mentioned already. Kilmartin is one such place. Why is it that peoples — Christian and non-Christian — are drawn to these focal points. Most likely because they sense something unique about the site. Our forbears from long ago recognised it (it would seem) long before anyone had heard of the Christ. But then, so did the Hebrews. The Old Testament is, in part, the story of their search for understanding, which eventually unfolded in the New Testament. In that searching, men frequently ran down rabbit-holes, following false trails until the Truth finally dawned; but remnants of the old beliefs sank themselves deep into the rocks and permeated the land awaiting their time of re-emergence. Then since the Victorian age particularly, people began scraping at the rocks and the ground to see what lay under the surface, and Pandora’s Box was opened. The ancient idols were awakened from their hibernation; although in truth, they never went away. In the time since then, there have been waves of revival in various parts of the world — Asuza Street in California; the Welsh Revival; the Hebridean Revival and others. Significantly, they all arose from a few individuals setting themselves to earnest prayer. In every case a corner was turned — The Lord was resurrected in their hearts. The idols fled from Him. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God. [Ezekiel 37:23 NKJV] It happened before in Kilmartin, and it will happen again. Praise The Lord. Never say that God has done what He has not done because it sounds better to say it; never pretend to have an answer when you have not. Jesus said, "Everyone who asks receives"; we say -- "I have asked but I have not received." It is because we ask in spiritual confusion. Jesus said to James and John: "You do not know what you ask"; they were brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ's cup and baptism, but not in the way they expected. Listen to this Meditation
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MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS…Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Archives
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