Posted on Feb 24, 2009 - 9:08am by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
In the last 3 to four months I have had more time to reflect and to pray. I am so grateful for the opportunity to especially pray and seek the Lord and what He wants from me during my brief time here on Earth. It seems to me that one area the Lord is showing me more and more how to empty of myself and to ask for more and more of Him. In our recent days of deep pain from such problems of our economy worsening, families squabbling more and more, people looking to a person rather than God for answers, etc…, It is wholly necessary for all to pray and seek God more and more.
During the recent presidential election there were many words used by both major candidates but I believe the word used more often than not by both, was; “change.” That word “change” can take on many meanings and often in Western societies, it in fact does have plural or multiple meanings. You may ask a host of persons throughout society what that word means to them and most will give a different answer to some degree. Change is not necessarily a bad word, it may have a meaning to some that brings about something in mind that is good. For us Bible Believing Christians, change might mean there has been a revealing by the Holy Spirit as to what God would want us to do in our lives to come closer to Him. There may be some areas in our life that may need to be removed such as sin or an attitude that is not reflective of Christ so that when that area of sin or negative attitude is removed we find God there ready to help us grow with Him.
Most Christians I know have recently experienced ”change” all around them. Here at Global Family Outreach Ministry, we just celebrated one year of existence last month and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve our Living God. Change however has been rapid and at times severe. A good change that I remember that was at first thought very negative was; last summer when we had just opened our first poor children’s feeding center in Guimaras, Philippines. We had been barely open for about one month and Monsoon “Frank” came through and nearly killed some of the GFOM feeding staff. Three to 4 feet of mud was everywhere. People were missing throughout the island and presumed dead. It was very sad. However God used this occasion to use GFOM and to take us to another level. Instead of feeding 50 children every week, we started feeding an entire elementary school of 160 children per week plus all the teachers-Alleluia. All for the same amount of money we spent to feed 50 children. God has allowed us to feed the 160 children and share Jesus Christ with those children every week ever since-Praise God.
Yes, change comes in many forms, I am continuously suffering persecution for my Christian faith. It seems at times there is an endless line of persons as of late who wish to take a turn at trying to hurt me or challenge my beliefs of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour or the Bible itself. Global Family Outreach Ministry has also been attacked by a group of witches and a local religious cult. What has become evil towards me, God is bringing change in me and using the evil to bring about good for His glory.
Yes, change isn’t always good but if we allow God to work in the midst of the problem, He will allow His goodness to shine and bring about glory to Himself.
Isn’t God good to bring about change in our lives ?
Posted on Feb 17, 2009 - 9:11pm by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
I would like to alert everyone here especially in Western New York I discovered a Filipino born and imported religious cult here in ROCHESTER NY named Igelsia Ni Cristo. It is a religious cult and many of their religious buildings are very distinctive. Their doctrine denies Christ’s deity and as well believe salvation comes through the church only. These are just a few of the few cultic beliefs that err in comparison the the Bible. Every believer in jesus Christ should be aware of such cults. If you have any Filipino friends who are involved in this cult I wish to encourage you to please find out about this cult. As I was a full time missionary in the Philippines in the past, I have seen much damage to my Pilipino counrtymen from this cult. Please, if you live or work near this cult please again educate yourself about what and who they are so if you meet one of their cult members, you will be able to discuss why they err according to the Bible.
Posted on Feb 09, 2009 - 3:04pm by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
On this day, I have so much joy as I have found out that we have just sponsored our second child through the Global Family Outreach Ministry Sponsor-A-Child Program. It is just such a blessing to see these poor children be sponsored. It has been much of a literal “blood, sweat and tears” for me personally to see Global Family Outreach Ministry come to existence. To be honest after returning from the mission field devastated and feeling so rejected and hurt by some, It could only be the power and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit which resurrected me, continues to restore this once broken man to see a vision of now a greater ministry grow like I never ever dreamed it could ever be. How Great God Is !
I am continuing to come against evil and satan continuing to throw his darts at me but I see more over and over how God protects us especially when we are called and follow through with His will in our lives. When I pray for God’s will in y life, I also ask the Lord to give me the “heart of your servant David, a heart Lord hard after you.” I want earnestly that heart. The heart to serve Him, my Lord and my God, the God who saved me and brought and brings me to a place of being called a son.
Posted on Feb 03, 2009 - 11:04am by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
It seems everyday we receive news of another lay-off, jobs lost, plants closed or some sort of bad economic news from the secular media. People everywhere appear to be unsure of what to do during these economic difficult times. “Change” was spoken of much during the last American Presidential campaign however what will “change” really bring for those struggling financially ?
With one question, comes another; How does all this bad news impact on God’s people? Well, I look to the Bible for my answers and I have found principles based on God’s word that I believe helps Christians in their walk in relating to all this economic bad news- stuff;
1) Galations 6:7 “A man reaps what he sows.” What does that mean, well I know there are those who have abused this Bible verse and said something like God is somehow a bank. A bank meaning: “if you give God(they really mean them, the speaker, not God) $1,000., God will give you $10,000.” that is what I call blab and grab theology. That is not at all what I am speaking of and don’t believe in that sort of thing necessarily. I am speaking rather that as we sow into God’s kingdom with not only our finances but also our time and resources for His glory, He will bless us in whatever way He chooses. It is always for His glory and that’s the focus of our giving-always.
2) 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Who so ever sows sparingly, reaps sparingly.” Another Biblical principle. This verse of scripture says that when we do give to God, we should give all we can to see God exemplified. When the world is saying “Woe is me”, we will not suffer so because of our principles are Bible based and we sow to please God and He provides our every need (2Peter 1:3). Do you know the unsaved are always watching us ? They are watching to see what is different about you. To see if you follow what you preach. Sometimes they ask themselves: “What is different about her/his God?” Our actions and the Biblical principles we believe and follow can lead or discourage someone from following Christ if we are not prayerful first.
Watch what you say and do. If we say “woe is me” also, we are no different than them-We are just as hopeless as they. They (the world)see the God we say we know work in our lives if we speak forth what God has already promised us from His Word.
One last Bible verse I’d like to refer to is; Acts 2:45 where all the believers in Christ gave “to all those who had need.” Recognizing we will not be on this Earth forever and our time here on Earth is just for a short-time compared to eternity in Heaven(for those who have given their hearts to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour), we should prayerfully find ways to utilize our resources to see others come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. If our true brothers and sisters in Christ have need, we should help them. Again, the “World” is watching us. How we react (not in works alone of course) to those who have physical and even more important; spiritual needs will say much about who we are in Christ Jesus.
Children around the world are dyeing everyday from starvation. People are also dyeing everyday without Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. The Great Commision refers to a Bible verse we quote here at Global Family Outreach Ministry much around here. We are being led to see people give their hearts to Jesus and fill tiny tummy’s while doing it. Please see where God will lead and…
May I please leave you with a homework assignment? (pretty bold eh?) Look up John 13:35. Please let God or me know what you think.
Posted on Jan 30, 2009 - 10:20pm by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
As I was preparing to write in this blogging area, I “practiced” if you will at other blogging sites. One thing that concerened me was some of the other bloggers attitudes towards Christ and their negative attitudes toward children. Most bloggers for some reason cannot relate to a loving God. A condeming God was the most popular attitude among bloggers. When I first tried to share my personal thoughts and especially what the Bible says about children, I was many times asked for my oppinion “But leave God out of it.” I ask why this needs to be? Why is there such hostility towards God ? What has He ever done that we kick him out of our schools and not teach our children about Him ? Also, why have an opinion without God and His direction in our lives ? What a mess it seems we make of our lives without Him. I am 47 years old and have seen much in my life and spent the first 30 years of my life without Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. My attitude towards just about everything in life including children was sour at best without Christ in my life. Seeing children saved through Christ now is so exciting to me. Last week in my local church, 3 teens gave their hearts to Jesus Christ. I was so blessed. Yes, I belive God loves children and His opinion counts !