Fishers of Men

Fishing is an activity that I only tried just a few times. I remember going home to my grandma's place where me and my cousins who are experts in fishing took me out to fish. It looks so easy for them to catch fish and so I ask them to let me. Well they did. But it took a lot of coaching and helping before I was able to catch one which made me so happy.

Fishing men is quite an experience as well. You get in contact with different kinds of people along the way. In the past quarter of months of fishing men, it is interesting to note several kinds of people.

The first group are those who are hard to bite the bait of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Most of these people have common responses. The responses are they already have a church, they do not believe in the Bible, they are busy with different activities, they are atheists, agnostics, were offended by wayward Christians, they have no time, they are not accepted by certain denominations because of their sexual orientations, they have their own book of religion, or they just want to engage you in a conversation but their minds are not open to what they will hear. No wonder the Lord stated in the Bible that "...as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark." Matthew 24:37-38 (Genesis 6-7). People are just engaged in the daily grind of life and are distracted by the things of this life in order not to think about the state and destiny of their soul in light of eternity.

The second group of people are those who are well-fed by the gospel of Christ. They have taken the bait and are caught in His family. They are awesome encouragers along the way and are also encouraged when they see Christians fishing men for Christ.

The third group of people are those who are caught by the Spirit of God. They are drawn to listen intently on God's word. The evidence of hunger for truth are remarkable and are taken by the bait of the gospel of Christ. Often, the fishers of men are the one surprised when catching these people. It is a miracle in time. The fishers are given such joy because of the guidance of the Spirit in enlightening these men to come to understanding and accepting the gospel. And surely, at that point, there is no audible rejoicing besides the new creature and the witness. Yet, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which needs no repentance."

Surely, it is a great privilege to let the Lord use broken vessels as His instruments to fish men to Him. Yet, the broken vessels testify of their imperfections that their Maker who made them whole will have ALL THE PREEMINENCE AND GLORY UNTO HIMSELF! PRAISE THE LORD!

June 12, 2010 Compassion

His stench appalled me though I didn't show it. Inside me I thought, Jesus gave Himself for this person just like any other...I prayed, Lord help me in caring for this patient! I wiped his face with a washcloth, I helped him gargle with oral rinse, changed his gown, tucked him with toasty warm blankets and talked to him with great nursing care and respect. I felt good going home as if God told me I served Him well. The following day, my coworker told me that the follow up call to that patient was made. His comment was "I have never been treated very well as a human being." That made my day and told the Lord, "Thanks for helping me serve that patient very well." I never thought it was an opportunity when my manager told me to help out in ASU. Indeed, it was a great privilege for me to do so! And, it taught me to take heart in each moment! This one surely takes more weight than the financial rewards! Praise the Lord!

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:42 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

Planting Seeds and Harvesting Souls

It was a chilly Saturday morning. As usual, my son has to go out with his Youth Pastor and the rest of the teens for soul winning. He is very constant and faithful to this work. As a mom, I drive him to church regularly to attend this great activity. June 2 of 1985, God opened my eyes about His plan of salvation to me which I gladly received. And, during my teenage years, this exact activity which my son was into is what brought me face to face with God's powerful Words in converting sinners to Himself. A task that truly puts into action the urgency of the need in harvesting souls ready to have the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord of their lives. Of truth, I have retreated myself to purely giving out gospel tracts since coming to America. I have seen tracts sent back to my home church in the Philippines and for me it was a good way to fulfill my soulwarning responsibilities (Ezekiel 3:18-19 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.) Yet, at times, I find myself using gospel tracts distribution as a crutch to avoid personal confrontation of people about the question of where they will spend eternity? Although I see gospel tracts distribution as a means of scattering seeds wherever Christians are, I find my excuses pertaining to confrontational evangelism ridiculous. These includes embarassment, failure to speak up, time factor, lack of care, necessities and cares of this life among others. But then, I have to turn the table around to recall the many times that Christians around me heeded to the call for evangelism efforts. As young as 6 years of age, I remember going with Lani Peralta who is our neighbor, to a Baptist Church in Aurora Hill, Baguio City, Philippines. My only recollection of that time was that it was my first time to go to a Sunday School. If am not mistaken, that was the first time the gospel seed was planted in my heart. In high school, our school director, Sir Emmett Asuncion, was a Christian. He fondly spoke of the sacrifice that the Lord Jesus gave to save us. Some of my teachers will talk about Christ in class. And a missionary from Youth with A Mission started a bible class among me and my friends. I was confused during this age. I was born a Roman Catholic and loved the mysticism and traditions that surrounds it. Besides that, I was involved during my younger years in mystic religious organizations like faith healers, moonies and other enchanting activities that high schoolers are drawn into. Also, high school made me realize the many religions all around me as spoken and embodied by my classmates. During which, me and my classmates will argue about the many facets of our different religions. Religions of the mormons, Jehovah's witnesses, methodists, Iglesia ni Kristo, Seventh Day Adventists, Lutherans, Roman Catholics etc. made me comment back then during our arguments that the best religion is dependent on the person. That is, doing what he thinks is right will eventually be rewarded. After receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour because of my sins that deserve the eternal punishment in hell, He showed me it was not so. What I think that were right were actually declared foolishness and is evil in the bible. Well, I am sure glad somebody warned me about my sinful state and the eternal punishment I deserve because of it. Much more because of the fact that the Lord Jesus never left me alone in such state but offered Himself to die as payment of my sinful state. Yes, He took my eternal punishment the moment He offered Himself to die, was buried and rose again from the dead! Such victory from death! Thus, as I see my son go to his teen soulwarning/winning activities, I thought to myself, I need to go out once again as well. Me and my daughters knocked on doors in apartment complexes and condominiums. What a realization for me that my middle daughter was actually coaching me into what my usual activities back in the Philippines. Yet, I gladly accepted her coaching. Oh! We were so glad when I had the opportunity to talk to Edgar Badillo. He listened intently when I went through the Romans Road in the Bible. Declaring the same truth that was revealed to me when I got saved. He consented to praying to the Lord and accepted his sinful state and Jesus to save him. Wow! Was that so quick I thought! I never thought that Edgar was a fruit ready to be picked. God had let me and my daughters to knock on his door! How awesome God is! I never felt so good all this years but sure is when you pick a ripe fruit, it is surely a joyous one! After two weeks, me and my last daughter went back to the same door for follow up. We had the chance to talk to Alex, Edgar's brother. Oh my! After showing him the plan of salvation, he just went on to pray and did the same! How awesome God is! It was our privilege to pick the fruits ready for harvest.

Of course, I would like to say as well that there were soils out there that has no seed in themselves. Some of such soils never let us till their hearts to plant God's Word in their hearts. Others did allow us as well but needs more tilling. Nonetheless, with or without the harvest of souls, God will surely bring forth harvest of fruits. Not for us at times, but for other Christians to do so as well. Yet, we will continue to spread the Word in the soils and let God bless the increase. Of truth, the yield of our labors we will only see when we are in Heaven. Till then, our anticipation here even grows of what the eventual harvest will be. The seed anyway is God's, the fruits as well is His! For His own glory! Thanks Lord for the privilege in spreading Thy Seed and Picking Thy Fruits!

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."—Prov. 11:30.

Declaration: April 25, 2010

To declare before people that you are taking a stand for God's call is quite a scary thought in a sense. To own it before witnesses who will hold you accountable for every word you said is something that would let you be in line. It was scary then to say so before a person. Even more in the presence of God and His angels. Yet, it liberates you to the reality of it all. Joshua's challenge to the Israelites and his declaration was courageous when he said, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 Honestly, this soul is not a courageous Joshua. Thoughts of what ifs fill my calculating mind. When these thoughts come, I cry out to my Saviour and Lord to show me who He is. For I am undone, and His holiness is far beyond me! My sinful nature is far from the qualifications set forth. I throw myself in the arms of my Saviour. That my life be hid in His righteousness. Who am I but a fool and a weakling? Lord, have mercy upon me and that your grace be upon me. All my prayer is that He will go forth before my husband and me. If He bids us to go, then let Him lead. And if perchance, our movings are destitute of CHARITY OUT OF A PURE HEART, of GOOD CONSCIENCE and of FAITH UNFEIGNED (I TIMOTHY 1:5), LORD, PUT ALL THE HINDRANCES BEFORE US...yet, we longed for You to change us till you find in us a willing and obedient heart to Your pleasure and glory alone!

An Adventure of Faith

I wrote this more than 2 years ago. And until now, this is what my heart speaks of...
More than 4 years ago, the journey to the United States of America just seemed to be a dream. It was then a move that was never wished for. Life in the Philippines was great because the Lord had made Himself faithful in every need. It was comfortable in the sense that it is the only life known. At a certain point in life, God has paved a way to journey to the USA. It was in itself uncertain. There were what “ifs” and “buts” in one’s thoughts. With all known human resources, it seemed impossible to finally fulfill such. However, God, Himself being the Creator of the Entire Universe, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent made it all possible. Through all the series of prayers, one step at a time, just obeying constantly every instruction came to the fruition of it all. There were lots of questions at the back of one’s mind. Yet, with the thought that the God who takes care of His own in one’s locality will be the same God who will do so in this new world. It is a step of faith made possible by God’s graces and mercies. Then, what did God prove after more than 4 years in this foreign country? That He was able to take care of every need was preeminent. He brought forth all blessings in every way physical and spiritual. The son who was with this journey, remarked once, “It is more than enough!” And the more, drawing one’s passions to the better of the two - the spiritual. God made a great contrast of what is real (spiritual) and what is not (physical). That there is mirth and dissatisfaction in the satiation of the physical while the spiritual satiation brings forth joy and contentment. Drawn to the thought that truly God takes care of the sparrow and He does more to this lowly one. It is true indeed that the race of the physical is tiresome but the race of the spiritual is joyful. May God continually impressed upon this soul the surety of His graces and mercies and may such be made known to the reader as well. Praises alone to the Owner of the Universe, who is the owner of this heart!

“Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart, and lean not upon your own understanding. In ALL thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5-7

God's Gift of Marriage

The evening was awesome and everything was made perfect in timing and circumstance that this soul and her hubby were able to get away alone. 18 years seemed to be just yesterday when both souls stepped out in faith to join together in holy matrimony. Blessed with three kids who had been used by the Lord to teach them more than they have taught them. It is amazing how God intertwines people together to learn from each other the wonderful working of God's goodness and perfect will in their lives. Both souls are kept solely through the power of God's love whose absence will in no wise make any marriage survive. Yes! It was wonderful to be in each other's arms but more than that it was blissful to know that they have been kept by God's awesome, gracious and merciful love!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Lord...Abide with us...

Awesome missions conference! God moved His Spirit amongst us. Truly, it burned in our hearts. This soul's plea is to "constrain(ed) him...to Abide with us..." Make the eyes of this soul who is a "fool(s)and slow of heart to believe" be open and know You. Lord, move this soul directly to Your will and nothing is held back once again.

"But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass,as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way and while he opened to us the scripture?" Luke 24:29-32

Amazing love indeed Lord...is your love to me!

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world , that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

This verse was made fresh in this soul's heart at High Street Baptist Church 41st Missions Conference. It seems to be a very common verse that lacks meaning to an ordinary hearer or reader. Yet, the profoundness of the words when closely scrutinized put this soul in awe of God's heart. The words appear to be an exaggeration to the infinite degree. Why God? the Almighty who is creator of all things...Why so loved? an unimaginable intensity considering that it was from the Almighty..Why the world? who has turned its back to his maker, his owner, his own God...that allowed sins directly opposing God's nature...yet, why did He gave? a direct irony to man's reasoning when he is done evil to..why His only begotten Son? the dearest possession was given up...why whosoever? it was offered to everyone...why believeth? the simplicity of all actions...why in Him? the sufficiency of the object of one's belief...why should not perish? the greatest damnation for all eternity...why but? the greatest irony...why have everlasting life? the greatest promise! It is all about God's love! Let that love constrain this soul to the working of His perfect will! This day this soul pleaded that love be the motivating force in moving towards the direction of His perfect will!

"Caught Hold on the Horns of the Altar" I Kings 1:50

This soul "caught hold on the horns of the altar" tonight. The call was clear and definite. It was a call that has been heard so many times. A call acknowledged since the early years of walk with Christ. That call was real. So real that it has haunted this soul. The call was heeded to in daily life yet more and more, the Almighty Caller wanted this soul to go through experiences to expose this soul's heart. It was needed that the dross comes out. Dross that needs to be cleansed so purity of purpose be the only thing left in the heart.