Monthly News February 2015

Above: Nurse Sonja gives shots.  India: Preaching the Gospel and Medical Clinics  As the anti conversion laws increase around the world, medical clinics give a great opportunity to reach communities. During these clinics each person is helped with medical care and given medication or shots as needed. In addition, and most importantly, each person is prayed for and given the opportunity to hear the Gospel. In the same village large services are held to spread The Word. Loud speakers are used to reach the entire village. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name.. Mark 9:41  Thank you to all the team who recently served with the Foreign Mission in India!The medical clinic supplies were as always, personally funded by the team members. Believe and Be Baptized:  Mark 16:16 says: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.    In so many places in scripture we can see the importance of believing and of baptism.  Baptism is a sacrament given by God and has wondrous, marvelous, and mysterious (to us humans) God given power!     However...  click here to read the rest of this story... South Africa 2015:  This year in South Africa the focus was to spend time with the members of the church to uplift, edify and encourage them in their walk as a christian. Bob was able to serve with the Bishop in Leaders Seminars. While Autumn, Julie and Matthew spent time with the youth of the church.  The article below is by Julie Matson: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,  Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future,  And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!"  When we arrived in South Africa we met with the Bishop to talk about the youth and their needs. The truth is no matter where we are, struggles among the youth are just the same. One of the first days arriving in South Africa we sang Because He Lives. Upon reading the words, the youth requested it again and again. We sang in the car, at bible study, church or any opportunity we had. God used this to open up a wonderful opportunity for conversations and searching the Word for wisdom and understanding.  "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 Reports from the field:  The following is a report from Pastor Frank Famiyah on the seminars he conducted for the Togo pastors last week: The seminars started on the 3rd February with all the nine pastors and two church leaders. This time, the first day was given to all the pastors to report on how they had taught and preached the Gospel in their congregations since the last seminars in November 2014.  The idea was to find out not only the extent of their understanding of the Gospel but more importantly, how they have personally taken it in for themselves.  I was quite satisfied with how their reports went. Subjects addressed at the seminar:  Law and Gospel PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST i.e. "Increasing in the  Knowledge of God - Growing in Grace" Good News of forgiveness of sin. Pastor Philippe of the church in Aklotsi, speaking on behalf of his colleagues expressed gratitude for new insights gained at the seminars and the kindness of the F.M.B. in sponsoring the seminars.  He prayed that God would continue to empower His servant to travel to their country to teach and share the Gospel with them as often as possible.  What could I say to that - the Love of Christ constraineth us!  In His service,  Pastor Frank  The following is a report from South Africa regarding the team that recently visited:  This year the Lord worked wondrously using His servants both from America and South Africa by uniting us in one body and working together with one purpose, to reach the lost souls with the saving gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Much time was spent with the young men, helping them to be the future leaders of the Church. They have continued to hold bible studies. This is an important step, as this was what the church needs desperately. I told them that they will be the ones to minister to my grand children this same saving Gospel. Yours in His service,  Bishop L.Mphahlele The following is a report from India regarding the team that recently visited:  Thank you so much for conducting the Pastors Seminars. All the Pastors were very much deeply Fed by the Spirit of God ,The Living Bread and the Living waters. Many thanks from the Big Services, thank you for the Pastor for visiting Churches, encouraging each and every believer. Thanks to the young people for teaching the kids and woman about the word of God. All the woman and Children enjoyed and are blessed.   Thank you for conducting free Medical camps in the villages. Thank you for providing the Medicine. Thanks to the team for coming and serving God in Free Medical camps. The team is wonderful and awesome with great potential and energy to serve God. The way they assisted and treated the patients was good and with lot of care with Love. Thank you for coming to Tribal area to preach Good News of Jesus and to treat the patients. All the village has seen your great Love like the Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37  We all thank you and we all Love you for your Grace and Kind Love of Jesus. May God bless you Pastor. Dr.Kumar and Jean Mary. This is a report by Pastor K.  We are privileged to have the mission-team from FMB-ALCA. The PASTORS' SEMINAR has been a blessing. The Word was taught in its simple and accurate way and ignited the attendants to continue with zeal in His Work wherever the Lord placed them and sends them.  The MEDICAL CAMPS as one of the social wings of the mission work contributed to move the people and show them HIS treatments with the Love of Christ. CONTINUED in next column.... Support options  Email or click on the Donate link above for regular support options. Special projects Only funded with earmarked funds Church rebuilding:The Christians in Liberia are still struggling to get churches built after the 15 year civil war which destroyed the infrastructure of the entire country.  Also in India several places of worship need to be rebuilt due to Cyclone damage.  Many other countries need churches also. The team that visited India saw the damage 1st hand. Later photos will be shared on the progress.  Top five list:  Please be aware that the FM administrator keeps a list of the most needed humanitarian projects around the world where the FM works!  These are not funded by general FM funds, but many people often come forward asking to support special needs.   You can receive this list by email for you or your group to check over and decide what you would like to work toward funding!   Click here to email!  A young widow receiving a bible with tears in her eyes ********************* Please note: The Foreign Mission does not report the number of repentances that have occurred around the world while on mission trips.  Why? Because we have no power over who repents, believes the Gospel, or even comes to the services.  It is all the work of a Mighty and Sovereign God who is worthy of all honor and praise!  We cannot see into the hearts of men anyway, but we know God can.  We also have this promise from His Word: Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing where to I sent it. Do you know of anyone that might like to receive these monthly emails but is not currently getting them? Please forward this to them so they can sign up by clickinghere.   continuation.... The YOUTH GROUP very much involved with children and youth. Teaching wonderful choruses, taught the Biblical stories with thought-provoking demonstration to help plant a strong faith in the youth and children. The Youth Group has specially left strong ties and fellowship with ALC Home, the children always remember them and  their movements with at STUDY  HOURS, DEVOTIONS, PLAY-TIME, and Physical Exercise time and in the Dining Hall. We pray for you all. Please pray for us and the on-going mission work in India.   Thank you. Your servant in His service,  Pastor K. Upcoming events > Trip to West Africa March and April 2015 > Trip to Guatamala Late April > Church visits and communications state side will be continued and enhanced as desired by you!  Prayer and praise >  Pray for the upcoming trip to west Africa beginning March 4th.  > Pray for the families of the 21 Christians killed in the Middle East, and pray for all those being persecuted around the world.  > Pray that God through His spirit will bless all that was said and done on the recent trips. May the Lord continue to bless our brothers and sisters around the world, that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.

Believe and Be Baptized

Mark 16:16 says: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.   In so many places in scripture we can see the importance of believing and of baptism.  Baptism is a sacrament of God and given by God, which has wondrous, marvelous, and mysterious (to us humans) God given power! However in non-Christian countries baptism is not always possible, although needed.  What happened on this trip in India is something no one in our group will ever forget.    

We went for a walk through the village to speak to and pray for and with those in need.  We came into a home where our faithful local pastor and guide on this walk, Pastor K had visited often.   Now this family had an eighteen year old daughter who was dying of cancer.  What a sad sight to behold.  Here was this young lady, who professed to be a Christian, so young, yet so fragile. 

As she lay in her bed watching us come in, her dark eyes followed us.  To me they seem to be pleading eyes, yet not eyes of fear or panic.  As I began to pray while we were laying hands on her, the connection between her and our entire team quickly blossomed into something very special.

After some time her mother came into the room.  This particular India family was very different from the norm, because the father and daughter had become Christians, but the mother and her parents remained very strict Hindus.  Never the less, Julie Matson and our other female team members went up to her and comforted her.  The woman wailed in sorrow as the ladies held her, cried with her, and prayed for her.

The men on our team did the same with the father.  O what a bond was formed with this family.

Upon leaving that home we continued on to a few more homes before returning home.  When we arrived home, I asked the pastor if that girl was baptized.  He said no.  The reason is, since she was so young and living at home, the mother and grandparents (Hindus) had absolutely forbidden her to be baptized.  I asked the Pastor to call over there and ask once again!  He did so, but the answer came, no, the mother and grandparents will not allow such a thing.

While many on our team wanted to continue to visit this girl, (it was obvious to see she was close to the end) we had to leave her village to go far away to our next location for services.  I told Pastor K to please allow us to go to visit her when we come back on Sunday night if she is still alive.  He said fine.  

However, the faithful pastor he is, he continued to visit her for the following days.  Finally he called me and told me that the girl appears to be hours from death.  I asked him again about the baptism.  He said that now the mother has given approval.  I believe that God could have worked through our ladies weeping and praying with her, to soften her heart.  

However, the mother’s parents were still downright refusing baptism for her.  Remember, we are dealing with a culture that is thousands of years old, with cast systems, and many other customs that we as westerners cannot know or understand.  

Upon getting off the phone and hearing this sad news, I called our entire team together, and we prayed to the Lord about this situation.  We felt so helpless, but at the same time knowing that our God is one of miracles.

About 2 hours later, the pastor called me back and said that the grandparents finally have given in, and allowed her to be baptized. The Pastor promptly had baptized her!  What joy we all experienced when we heard this wonderful news! See, not only did this precious soul get to experience for her own heart and soul the benefits and wonderments of Holy Baptism. The fact was that now that she was baptized, this caused her entire funeral service to be conducted in a Christian manner with a proper burial, which also was a testimony to the community as they witnessed the entire happening. Due to the culture without Baptism she would have had to have the Hindu ceremonies, cremation and then her ashes would have been dumped into the “holy” river.

Shortly (within hours) after her baptism, sweet little Mina, went to be with her Lord!  What a New Day for her! What an experience for our entire team.  Such pain, sadness, yet so much joy for her.  All who are believing, when they pass for this life, enter into His Rest and Glory!  No more pain or suffering! 

I am so thankful for faithful pastors abroad, and may the Lord continue to allow us to be in fellowship one with another, encouraging each other to walk in the Victory of the Lord!  

May God Bless you all!  John Ruotsala

FM Monthly News January 2015

In the Year or Our Lord,  2015 As we begin this new year, Your Foreign Mission is very humbled  and thankful for your support for the work that the Lord is allowing us to participate in around the world. We ask that God would very much bless the days that He grants you during this New Year! Looking ahead:    We know that we may plan, but God decides!  That being said, the following trips are planned so far for this year.    South Africa:  (currently ongoing)   India: January 19-Feb. 10th.   West Africa: March and April  Guatemala: Late April  Russia: May  Philippines: TBD  Myanmar: TBD  Other trips:TBD If you are interested in joining with us on a trip, click here to email. Priorities for 2015 for your Foreign Mission: To be willing servants ready to be used as the Lord sees fit.  If we are used we desire to be obedient to the WORD:  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47 Current Events:  Pastor Bob Maki, Matthew Niemela, Julie Matson, and Autumn Roberts are serving in South Africa.  One   severe problem we have noticed in almost every country the FM serves in, is that young men stop attending church.  We pray that God can use our young people to help with this problem.  The below pic of Matthew and two friends goes with the article below. The article below is by Julie Matson: The incredible part of traveling to foreign countries as Christians, is how quickly strangers can become friends.  First of all, sometimes leaving the US, the airport may be the first time you meet a fellow traveller, but how quickly you can become a team. With a common bond of love in the Lord Jesus Christ, and with that common purpose to know Him and to make Him known. (continued below 2nd picture in the next column) This picture is taken at a home for children with cerebral palsy in South Africa. See an article about this visit in the next Where He Leads!  Staff Change for 2015 For the last five years, Kris Matson has been dependably serving as Editor for Where He Leads. (The Foreign Missions quarterly paper edition newsletter) Kris has announced her intention to hand this responsibility to Liisa Seppanen, starting with this first issue of the year. The team will certainly miss working with Kris, as her diligence, attention to detail and reliability have made working with her a pleasure. We ask the Lord to continue to bless Kris and her family. Liisa Seppanenjoins the team after working in the communications department of an aerospace company. Her former responsibilities included writing for and helping to edit an internal company newsletter. She is looking forward to the change from aerospace news to the ‘Good News.’ Welcome to the team, Liisa!   We are also very thankful that Julie Matson will be a full time volunteer for the Foreign Mission for the year of 2015! Welcome Julie! May God Bless and Protect you!  Pic isJulie in India in past yrs. (from left column) After arriving in other countries, fellow believers quickly become friends. They welcome us into their homes, churches, and communities. In South Africa, Autumn, Matthew, and I have had some most wonderful opportunities to spend a lot of time with the youth. All of us encouraging one another, having Bible studies, outreach to local communities and praying together.  We even had a bbq in the park today and through it all each of us is growing in the knowledge of the Lord, as we walk side by side on this journey of life.    Please pray for this team as they faithfully serve, as well as the larger group that leaves for India on Monday, January 19th.  Support options  Email or click on the Donate link above for regular support options. Special projects Only funded with earmarked funds Church rebuilding:The Christians in Liberia are still struggling to get churches built after the 15 year civil war which destroyed the infrastructure of the entire country.  Also in India several places of worship need to be rebuilt due to Cyclone damage.  Many other countries need churches also. Top five list:  Please be aware that the FM administrator keeps a list of the most needed humanitarian projects around the world where the FM works!  These are not funded by general FM funds, but many people often come forward asking to support special needs.   You can receive this list by email for you or your group to check over and decide what you would like to work toward funding!   Click here to email!  Precious orphan child in Kenya ********************* Please note: The Foreign Mission is backing away from communicating statistics of people or numbers of churches we work with around the world.  Why? Many places we preach at are NOT ALC churches, but rather places we are called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Foreign Mission is not into building a huge empire of churches, but rather about prayerfully preaching the Word of God around the world. Do you know of anyone that might like to receive these monthly emails but is not currently getting them? Please forward this to them so they can sign up by clickinghere. Pic: Woman in church in Kingisepp, Russia 2013 Upcoming events > Trips as outlines above. > Church visits and communications state side will be continued and enhanced as desired by you!  Prayer and praise  >  Pray for our current missionaries in the field, that God would use them to share very clear and complete messages. > The little boy with the hurt leg in Kenya finally may have turned the corner we pray.  He had to have yet another surgery, and now is doing much better!  > Many donations have been made in the past month for the preaching of the Gospel, but also for such things as: wells, bicycles, orphan children support, dental supplies, medical supplies, micro loans, etc.  God is good!   *the needs are still very great and we invite you to join in even with the financial side!  www.themissionsite.com | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend   Mailing address for DONATIONS: The Foreign Mission of the ALC 1601 NW 4th Avenue Battle Ground, WA 98604 Mailing address for CORRESPONDENCE: The Foreign Mission of the ALC 63 Poor Farm Road New Ipswich, NH 03071

2015

Dear Readers!  God's Peace be with you!

May The Lord Bless each of you with a Blessed 2015

The Foreign Mission is thankful that the Lord used us in 2014 and we pray that He will continue to use us as His servants in 2015.

We know that we can bring nothing of worth to the people of the world, but by the Spirit of God. 

Please pray with and for us during this upcoming year, and if you desire to become involved, just email foreignmission@comcast.net to get started! 

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FM Monthly News December 2014

Endeavoring to obey the Word of our Lord...Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.

Spotlight on Kenya The Foreign Mission trip this November was our fifth one to lovely Kenya.  Each year a new and different team has joined in serving there.  For reasons outlined at the end of this column, we will look at three first timers to Kenya. Ryan: (pic above) We were thankful to have Ryan Ruotsala along this year.  He has been stationed as an FM missionary for the past eight years in Guatemala.  Many of you have worked under his leadership there.  The people of Kenya really appreciated Ryan, just as they do in Guatemala.   Ryan's teaching and preaching gift was very well received (they are already begging for him to return), as well as his gift of working with children and youth.  God is good all the time!  All the time God is good!  (that is a very popular phrase in Kenya!) David:   David Niska heard a presentation by the FM administrator in Sweden and was moved to come with us on a mission trip.  He is 25 years old, and surely was a pleasure to be with in Kenya. David worked well with all he came in contact with. Below he is teaching the children.   David has already signed up for India 2016! We thank God for willing workers! Marilyn:  Since our very first trip to Kenya in 2010, they have been asking for a woman to come to teach their women.  In Africa, one must be married to be considered a woman.  We have had 33 year old women along before, but they could not teach on family and children issues because they were not married.  God saw fit this year to allow us to have a mature, solid, and loving Christian woman along.  The Kenya women fell in love with her, so while the conditions in Kenya are sometimes very harsh, it would be very hard to go without Marilyn Hilman in the future! (the white one in the middle is Marilyn!)  The other two people on this trip, you have seen plenty of in the past, and Lord willing will in the future as well.   The purpose of highlighting the above three individuals, is not to give glory to man, but rather to show that the Lord can use people of various ages, backgrounds, and talents.  This includes you if you are a Christian!  Jesus said, "so send I you!"   You are sent!  Where will you go?  Most of you are needed right where you are!  Your mission field could very well be right in your own family and town!  Some are also needed abroad!  If that is you, or you want to learn more, email foreignmission@comcast.net   May God Bless your Month!   Always the best clothes for church!   Notes from the field:  Dear pastor, God's peace. First i thank God for His great protection that you arrived home safely. Glory to Jesus. I would like recommend that you dearly did good work this year. Send the information to the directors that the Lord led you well right from Nairobi in the sermons delivered and teachings. Pastors training was so good that we need days for that to be added next round. Let me thank whoever donated for the success of the trip and for preaching equipments. I have supplied the bibles to four churches and soon will be going to Joseph's church and one here at Samuel's. Thank you and wish to hear from you. Pastor Fredrick.   (pictured above with Bibles to give out)  Pictured is the St. John's Children's home which is currently under construction in Kenya. This was made possible by Christian ladies in Canada who were given the top five list (referenced on right) and chose this project!   This home will greatly improve the health and welfare of the 32 children that call this compound home.   Who are the children? Most have no parents and some have Aids themselves.   Why does the pastor take the children in when he has very little means to support them?  He asked me, what am I as a Christian pastor supposed to do when they have no one else in the world to care for them?   This year I was able to have three different sessions with groups of pastors about the possible pitfalls and hardships that come with opening a children's home.  When poverty is so prevalent, people are often tempted to begin a home in order to better their own financial situation.  They were told this is NOT a reason to start a home.  Children are so precious in the sight of God, and must be cared for with great love, never to be used as an income source.  This question is often asked: If God created us in His image, why are you white and I am black?  Red or Yellow, Black, Brown or White, Jesus loves all the children of the world!  Support options  Email or click on the Donate link above for regular support options. Special projects Only funded with earmarked funds    December is another time for caring:  Here is an alternative way to gift.  The Foreign Mission gift catalogue: Click here to open.    Top five list:  Please be aware that the FM administrator keeps a list of the most needed humanitarian projects around the world where the FM works!  These are not funded by general FM funds, but many people often come forward asking to support special needs.   You can receive this list by email for you or your group to check over and decide what you would like to work toward funding!   Click here to email!  Other news items:   God is our protection!   Many of you have heard of the mob that attacked the missionaries in Kenya this year.  The mob was on their way to perform an ancient circumcision ritual down at the river.  They surrounded the car and threatened with machetes, canes, and shear numbers of people,(between 50 & 100)!  They wanted money!  Thankfully, the Lord heard all the prayers for safety, and watched over us. The mob only managed to get away with few shillings! Some of you helped this poor child when he was about to lose his leg.  The father brought his five boys for a special visit to say thank you! The leg has a long ways to go, and therapy is needed, but the poverty of this family is just so great, every last thing is so difficult for them.  After I met with them, these boys who lost their mother this year, have now lost their aunt who was their main helper and caretaker after their mother died.  Please pray for Simeon and Jackson (the boy with the bad leg) and his other brothers.  There is so much pain in this world.  Jesus wept.  This church was officially dedicated on November 5, 2014.  It was built with funds donated by the Ashburnham ALC, who provided matching funds for a "sister church" when they did some renovations on their church!  Thank you kindly!  Cost? $1700 USD.  Just a few more of pastor Timothy's 84 children.  See more with Ryan above left.   Upcoming events As always, we know that we may plan, but God decides! So if it be His will we plan on:    > The South Africa mission leaves on January 6th.  Please pray for Bob Maki and the team as they go forth in obedience! > We are thankful and excited that Julie Matson begins here tenure with the Foreign Mission as Youth Leader on January 1st!  Please pray  that God would guide her as she embarks on this new chapter in her life of faith.  >The trip to India begins January 19th. The team is quite large, but due to some cancelations, if you really want to come it may still be possible! Otherwise, start signing up for January 2016, should God give days!    Prayer and praise > We are thankful for your prayers for the Kenyan mission trip, and that God answered those prayers in dramatic fashion! > Pray for the people of India that are still devastated by the Cyclone of two months ago.  >  Pray for our country, politicians, and the preachers of God's Word everywhere. > Pray for the unreached, and the people we worth with abroad that desire to reach the unreached in their own counties. > Pray for additional pastors willing to serve in Foreign countries!

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Preaching the Gospel

FOCUS ON 

THE BLESSING OF PREACHING THE WHOLE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST 

Repentance and the forgiveness of sins

With what instruction did Jesus begin his ministry on earth? "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" 

What is the very last instruction Jesus himself left with His disciples (that includes us) as He opened the whole point of His Word to them  in Luke 24:45-49? To preach" repentance and remission (forgiveness) of sins in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (that is in our home towns and congregations)".

And what instruction did Peter give to the crowd of people who were "pricked" in their hearts by the powerful manifestation of the Spirit in his sermon on the day of Pentecost? "Repent and be baptized every one of you for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!" Acts 2:38   3000 souls heard, repented, believed and were added to the Kingdom of God that day.

Do our teachings and messages regularly bring forth this central theme of the Gospel?

Faith

"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast!" Eph. 2:8

Here we see that the most critical component of faith is God's GRACE - HIS GIFT TO US - not anything we have done or can point to of ourselves - it is only by His grace that we can believe  - lest we could boast or point to anything WE have done. This text is very clear.

Abraham's faith:  "And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness!" Genesis 15:6

"He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he believes not shall be damned." Mark 16:16

This brings us to the bearing question - BELIEVES IN WHAT? 

"That whosoever believes in Him (God's son Jesus Christ, who He gave to atone for the sins of the world!) should not perish but have eternal life!" John 3:16

"But as many as received Him (that is who received this gospel of atonement in the name of Jesus and through the wondrous power of His blood), to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

There are millions of people on this earth who "believe" there is or was a Jesus but who have not received Him as Lord and King and Saviour who died for their sins and purchased for them the gift of eternal life.

"Do you believe that there is one God? You do well: the devils also believe and tremble!" James 2:19

SO WHO IS THIS JESUS WE BELIEVE IN?

Is he some great historical super hero?  A mega star in the religious world?  Like the earthly king the Jews tried to force Him to become?  A hyper Miracle Man? 

Where is the Man of Galilee, rejected, scorned, spit upon, humiliated and crucified for our sake?!  Who shed His own blood, died and was victoriously resurrected to release us from the power of sin, death, hell and the devil and to bring us EVERLASTING PEACE and open those glorious portals of heaven to eternal life. 

 WOW!!!!  THIS IS WHO THE REAL JESUS IS!!  Not a crutch, not an emblem or a medal, not an attractive ADD-ON to our lives!

The only condition I find in God's word for  "receiving" such a priceless gift into our lives is a true change of heart, "a broken and a contrite heart" as David puts it in the 51st Psalm.  Or like it says in John 3:3, "You must be born again"! And this is nothing but a gift of God's grace and His grace alone. This is not a repair job, a patching of something new into the old.  This is a complete transformation whereby a sinner becomes righteous in the sight of God and receives a spotless robe to cover him TOTALLY by faith.  As we also heard Peter say on the day of Pentecost he receives the gift of the Holy Spirit right then when he so believes!  So he is NOT transformed in his flesh - for that we will always carry with us on this earth, or by something he has been able to accomplish, any self improvement he is able to brag about and show off for others, but simply transformed in his heart  by that very gift!

The fascinating part of this is that even after we have believed and received this blessed Gospel of why Jesus came to earth we are STILL SINNERS.  Sinners saved by grace! So that means that there are just two kinds of sinners here on earth,  the saved and the unsaved.  Like Apostle Paul brings out so clearly in Romans 7 and 8 we are still sinners even though we who are born again but with a new heart and in the power of the Holy Spirit we strive daily to follow His word.  But often we fail. Therefore Paul puts everything in the right perspective when he says how he can only thank God that the answer to this DILEMMA is in Jesus Christ and Him alone is !  We all need Jesus - to hear His Word for us personally and to be reminded of His blessed Gospel as often as possible - to feed us, encourage us, lift us, strengthen us and give us Life and Hope daily. Especially those of us who profess his name and are leaders or members of believing congregations. THIS SAVING GOSPEL IS FOR "BOTH THEM WHO ARE AFAR OFF (outside the church) AND THOSE WHO ARE NEAR (inside the church)!"

"Hear, you who are afar off, what I have done and you that are near, acknowledge my might.  The sinners in Zion are afraid......!" Isaiah 33:13-14

To the human mind and to probably most people in this world and even to many nominal Christians the preaching of this Gospel is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21), old fashioned and even very complicated.  But in Matthew 11:25 Jesus says, "I thank you, oh Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and the prudent and revealed them unto babes!" It is amazingly simple.

All the thief on the cross had to offer  was a repentant heart and faith - and he was instantaneously forgiven, clothed by the words of the Gospel from Jesus' own mouth with a perfect robe of righteousness and a home in the Kingdom of God in Paradise eternally!

MAY GOD OPEN FOR US MORE AND MORE EACH DAY THE WONDROUS TRUTHS AND RICHES OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST SO THAT IN HIS SPIRIT WE COULD TRULY FEED HIS SHEEP  AND BUILD HIS CHURCH HERE ON EARTH.

AND MAY HE TRULY BLESS OUR TIME TOGETHER HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

IN GOD'S PEACE,

Pastor Dennis