touching bases & “GOODNESS OF THE GOSPEL”

MINISTRY PROGRESS REPORT

We have been in the process of renewing contacts, and helping encourage and strengthen the church fellowship groups and brethren in the Tarlac area.

Broadcasting

We have made contact several times with a major broadcasting network here in the PI that has a number of stations. and things are looking very promising. We are hoping to network with them in helping share the gospel in various regions of the PI and SE Asia. We are excited about this door that seems to be opening. Please be praying with us about it. Hallelujah!

Leadership Training

A few weeks ago we had an all-day leadership training module that went well and was well attended with some of our pastors/workers in the Tarlac area. This was one of 4 more modules that we plan to have over the next 4 months, Lord willing. We hope to continue the training of workers at our mission base in Polillio, as well. It is very important for us not only to pray for workers for the harvest, but to help prepare workers to be effective, fruitful, and steadfast workers in the harvest.

Jail Ministries

We rejoice that our provincial prison ministry in Tarlac is thriving and fruitful. Prisoners are packing out the chapel room there to hear more about Jesus in our services. We are in the process of investigating the possibility of starting a woman’s ministry there, as well. We are also hoping to revisit them with the 31-day “Light Brings Freedom” discipleship series and resources, which was very effective there in the prison a few years ago. Also, we hope to share with the prisoners some of the “Righteousness Exalts A Nation” series that we are developing. It is obviously a very timely, and prophetic emphasis.

The GOSPEL MUST BE PREACHED

Last Sunday morning I was at one of our house church gatherings in the Tarlac area. The fellowship group there has been struggling a lot this last year with many difficulties and disappointments. I shared a relevant message about the revelation of the goodness of God in the gospel message (See below for a  summary of the “GOODNESS OF THE GOSPEL” message). I was amazed when one of our pastoral team, not knowing that was our ministry theme said that the Lord had strongly impressed him earlier in the morning about the urgency of sharing the gospel in these last days, and that Jesus is coming very soon. It was very encouraging and remarkable to see such an amazing confirmation to the following message that I am posting (see message below).

Miraculous provision testimonies

A few weeks ago, at one of our weekly prayer meetings, one of our pastoral team gave a praise testimony as she reflected on several amazing answers to prayer that she personally experienced a number of years ago. One evening, she was In the process of going to one of our meetings . She did not have any money with her. She didn’t have money for transportation to go to the event. However, she still persistently pursued going. She stood there on the street corner waiting for a tricycle to pick her up, and prayed. She cried out to the Lord for help. When she looked down, there at her foot was a p20 bill – the exact amount that was needed for her to pay the tricycle driver for her transportation to the service! PTL!!

She also shared another story about how a number of years ago she was up in the mountains hiking on a difficult, strenuous missions trip to share the gospel. One of the sandal slippers on her foot broke, but she was still valiantly pursued onward in spite of her painful foot and broken sandal. She cried out to the Lord for help. What was she to do? They came to a river. She was amazed when in the river right in front of them a slipper came floating down the river.. As they retrieved it, she found that It was just the right size for her foot, and fitted for the right foot that had the broken slipper. She was able to replace the broken one, and continue on her way, rejoicing! It was an amazing unforgettable miracle, and awesome answer to pray! Hallelujah! God answers prayer!!

Another Amazing Provision (Continuation of journal post – in the evening).

A Safe Trip

Ferry Boat Ride to the Island

Praise the Lord for a safe trip, and good calm weather for the boat ride. It’s wonderful to be back here at our missions base. This is one of my favorite places in the world. Not because it is so comfortable, but because we have been called here. I love this place, as well as the people!  It is so beautiful here!

An Unexpected Visitor

Shortly after arrival, we were surprised when an unexpected, visitor came to the mission base, giving us money. He is one of the counselors in the nearby village. He brought over some funds to donate to our ministry from his christian Auntie who lives in another country (apparently in Greece). We have never seen her, or met her before. Apparently, our resident pastor assisted her many years ago (possibly 15 years ago or so, not sure?) when he was requested to pray at the burial of her father. Now, out of the clear blue she wanted to bless our ministry efforts here with a little over one hundred dollars! That’s big money here in this remote area! How timely! What a huge blessing! We were so surprised, and are deeply grateful! It seemed kind of like the miraculous provision of money for Peter out of the fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:27) –not from a fish that had been caught but one in another country whom we have never met, nor even been in contact with, or knew existed. It was such amazing timing! I was actually here on site to be able to witness it, and give testimony to it happening! What an amazing, miracle working God we serve!

Repairs and Improvements

One of the first things we need to do here with our work team is continue to repair storm damage (see picture below). Actually, part of the roof on our multi-purpose building was completely blown off during severe typhoon weather conditions. The roof on the church building and the internet system were also greatly damaged, etc. It kinda goes along with the territory around here. Obviously, this is certainly not the first time we have faced severe storm damage that has needed urgent repair time and attention…

Typhoon Damage – Roof of the Terrace

Several of Our Work Crew Repairing the Terrace

(Here are some notes and Scriptures from our message last Sunday morning about the good news Jesus came to bring.)

THE GOODNESS OF THE GOSPEL

Song: Jesus You Are So Good!

Jesus You are so good! Jesus You are so good! There’s nothing to fear when I’m here in Your presence! Jesus You are so good! Jesus You are so, so good! I just want to praise You with every beat of my heart!

Song: O what a good God you are!

O what a good God you are – Lord God, Almighty; O what a good God you are Loving Father! O what a good God you are –Lord God, our Savior; O what a good God you are –Our Creator!

You made the mountains and trees, oceans and seas; Beautiful flowers, and newborn babies! We give you glory and honor, and all of the praise! Father, we love You!

THE GOOD NEWS

The GOSPEL means GOOD NEWS!  This message about Jesus is THE BEST NEWS IN ALL THE WORLD – in a world that is dark, and full of bad news! (Isaiah 60:1-2; John 10:10) He is the Savior of the world! (John 4:42)

Luke 2:10,14 – Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY which will be to all people… “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, GOODWILL toward men!”

Psalm 96:2 – Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the GOOD NEWS of His salvation from day to day.

John 10:10 – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have LIFE, and that they may have it MORE ABUNDANTLY.

Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings GOOD NEWS, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of GOOD THINGS, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 61:1 – “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach GOOD TIDINGS to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Mark 1:1 – The beginning of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Matthew 4:23 – And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the GOSPEL of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

Acts 10:38 – God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about DOING GOOD and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Everywhere Jesus went… He did GOOD –

• Healing the sick,
• Delivering people from demonic oppression,
• Raising he dead,
• Preaching and teaching the Word,
• Showing love, mercy, and forgiveness.

His Loving Sacrifice

John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

I John 3:16 – By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us…

His Resurrection

I Peter 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead… 

Revelation 1:18 – I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. (JESUS)

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is THE SAME yesterday, today, and forever.

THIS GOSPEL MUST BE PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD

Matthew 24:14 – …this GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes… 

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE (CONT)

Jesus life – His miraculous conception and birth, life, death, and resurrection.

John 1:14 – And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

I Peter 1:25 – But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the GOSPEL was preached to you.

Lazarus

John 11:14-44 – 14) “Lazarus is dead”… 25) Jesus said to her (Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live... 43) He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” ⁴⁴ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

John 12:1-2 – 1) Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2)There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 

THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL LIGHT

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 – if our GOSPEL is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, ⁴ whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the GOSPEL of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them… For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

A REMINDER – THE GOSPEL PROVIDES FOR ALL OUR NEEDS, AND KEEPS US FROM FALLING

2 Peter 1:3-12 – …His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ⁵ But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your FAITH VIRTUE, to VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE, ⁶ to KNOWLEDGE SELF-CONTROL, to SELF-CONTROL PERSEVERANCE, to PERSEVERANCE GODLINESS, ⁷ to GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS, and to BROTHERLY KINDNESS LOVE. ⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.¹⁰ Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ¹¹ for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ¹² For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.

DON’T FORGET ALL THE GOOD THINGS AND BLESSINGS JESUS PROVIDES

Psalm 103:1-5 – Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! ² Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not ALL HIS BENEFITS: ³ Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies… ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with GOOD THINGS, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for GOOD to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

• Special note: I will never forget walking into the hospital room where my dad was lying on the bed while experiencing heart difficulties. His victorious smile, and seeing him declare – “Romans 8:28 is still in the book!” was unforgettable! In other words, in spite of major difficulties and faith challenges that are seemingly impossible – God’s Word is still true, and His promises are unfailing!

GOD IS GOOD

Exodus 33:19 – Then He said, “I will make all My GOODNESS pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

Exodus 34:6 – And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in GOODNESS and truth…

Psalm 21:3-4 – For You meet him with the blessings of GOODNESS; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head. ⁴ He asked life from You, and You gave it to him— Length of days forever and ever.

Psalm 23:6 – Surely GOODNESS and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Psalm 27:13 – I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the GOODNESS of the Lord In the land of the living.

Psalm 31:19 Oh, how great is Your GOODNESS, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You… 

Psalm 33:5 – The GOODNESS of God endures continually.

Psalm 65:4,11 We shall be satisfied with the GOODNESS of Your house, Of Your holy temple… You crown the year with Your GOODNESS, And Your paths drip with abundance.

Psalm 68:10 – You, O God, provided from Your GOODNESS for the poor.

Psalm 107:8,9 – Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His GOODNESS, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!… For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 145:6-8 – They shall utter the memory of Your great GOODNESS, And shall sing of Your righteousness.

Psalm 25:8; 34:8 – GOOD and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way… Oh, taste and see that the Lord is GOOD; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34:10 – …those who seek the Lord shall not lack any GOOD thing.

Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, GOODNESS, faithfulness,

Luke 11:13 – If you then, being evil, know how to give GOOD GIFTS to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

SONG:

JESUS, WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU

Jesus, we just want to thank you, Jesus, we just want to thank you, Jesus, we just want to thank you, Thank you for being so good!