February 20, 2011
The Philippines
God has richly blessed me with an opportunity to travel to the Phillipines. To be quite honest I did not expect a lot from this trip, however, God has blessed beyond imagination. We have seen some souls profess Christ, and hope to see many more if the Lord see fit to draw them. I think I have learned more on this trip than any prior trip that I have taken. One item I would like to mention is, poverty. I never before had seen real poverty first hand. I saw people living on bamboo platforms constructed under a bridge who literally had less to call their own than I throw away. I nearly cried to see the children running around in the litter thrown from the bridge. It has made an impression on me that will never be lost. Those people were precious souls that our savior died to redeem. I thank God so much for the Palotes family, who did not pass these lost sheep by, and do not leave them to wander in the paths of iniquity, but, invite them to church faithfully, and seek to win them to the the loving arms of our wonderful Saviour. May God bless them richly for this humble service. There are many more things I would love to share with you, but time constrains me. Upon my return to the states, I will, Lord willing, share a more complete report with you. Meanwhile, please pray for us! Pray that God would see fit to work in spite of us, and that he would draw some of these precious souls to himself.
January 24, 2011
Contentment
I Timothy 6:6-12
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
We see here a warning not to labour for that which is temporal, but, for that which is eternal. He never says, be not rich. He does however say, they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare. "They that will be rich" merely refers to those that desire, or seek to be rich. He goes on to say in verses 17-19 Charge them that are rich that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
This brings to mind the verse, For where your treasure is, there shall your heart be also. We are reminded that while we must eat of the earth by the sweat of our brows, we cannot afford to lose sight of the eternal. It would surely be a vain life to labour for the extent of one's days on this earth, and never once think to lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven. Let not the greed of our society creep into our hearts and turn our faces from the glory of the Almighty. He is enough. Be content in his service.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
We see here a warning not to labour for that which is temporal, but, for that which is eternal. He never says, be not rich. He does however say, they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare. "They that will be rich" merely refers to those that desire, or seek to be rich. He goes on to say in verses 17-19 Charge them that are rich that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
This brings to mind the verse, For where your treasure is, there shall your heart be also. We are reminded that while we must eat of the earth by the sweat of our brows, we cannot afford to lose sight of the eternal. It would surely be a vain life to labour for the extent of one's days on this earth, and never once think to lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven. Let not the greed of our society creep into our hearts and turn our faces from the glory of the Almighty. He is enough. Be content in his service.
January 7, 2011
An Observation
I find it interesting that the book of Job doesn't end with an advertisement for Job's new book, 7 Easy Steps to Know God. What do you think?
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