AMAZING GRACE ISSUE NO. 172
MARCH 22nd, 2007
EPHESIANS 1:7 & 8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance
with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished upon us with all wisdom and understanding.
PSALM 94:17-19 ”Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, ‘My foot is slipping.’ Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
TITUS 3:7 “So that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings to you once again, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We continue to pray for each of you---that God will help you, strengthen you, and encourage you in all areas of your life and ministry. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you…” ---Jeremiah 1:5a &b
God created the all the universe, and it is amazing. He also----in His wisdom, grace, and love----created you and me. Some of us may be like the Psalmist who makes a statement and then understandably asks a question: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him?” ---Psalm 9:3&4
One of the most well know Christian songs is “Amazing Grace”. The common definition of grace is “unmerited favor and undeserved blessing”. God grants us grace because of His immense love for us. It is said that light travels at a speed of 186,000. miles per second or about 5.88 trillion miles per year. In the know Universe we have gotten (via the Hubble telescope in outer space) pictures of galaxies which are more than 30 million light years away (30 million times 5.88 trillion miles away.) Yet the Scriptures state: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” ---Psalm 103:11&12
God’s love is beyond our ability to fully understand; and to say His grace is truly amazing, it is the truth,--but it is still an understatement. Based upon the foundation of God’s love and grace---He created us and chose us and appointed us. Jesus said:
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” ---John 15:16
It is hard to know how to adequately put into words the response we should have to God for His love and grace---but a very big “thank-You” is a good start, as well as is the recognition what an honor and blessing it is to serve Him. He is the only light and hope of the world.
Emie and I have mentioned this to you before, but before starting to share a few of the results of the ministry outreaches this past month----we would simply like to once again convey our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your partnership in helping us share the gospel of Jesus Christ with many people. Several thousand people have come to know Jesus as Savior & Lord.
In the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 2, it is written: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a great light has shined.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just one of several answers to the problems of mankind----Jesus is The Answer.
(We continue to pray that God richly blesses & rewards you for your teamwork with us in sharing the gospel.)
A few weeks ago a small group of us traveled to visit a small, native Bajao Muslim tribe located a 2+-hour drive from Tacloban. They live on the seacoast, in bamboo houses, which are built on stilts. We had come to give them gifts of cloths and toys for their children; and to share
with them about Jesus. Access to their homes on the narrow bamboo walkway is usually blocked to outsiders but because our friends Pastor Mario and his wife Nelly have established a good relationship with the Bajao, we were welcome to visit. The Bajao tribal groups fled their island of Mindanao during violent conflict years ago and are scattered in different parts of the Philippines. They have their own native language but the group we visited does speak the Filipino language of Cebuano, which was what was used to communicate with them.
Peter Girdlestone, (our missionary friend from Australia) shared the gospel with them and Emie interpreted. They listened attentively and several of them prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. While Peter had been sharing with them, his wife Hope had been ministering fruitfully to the residents who were in the regular Filipino village nearby.
When we distributed cloths and toys (shipped by our friends in California, Timothy II Ministries) the Bajao children and mothers, and the few men who were there----they all were very happy and thankful. These people are very poor, and just that one sizable box of gifts, given to them that day in the name of Jesus---may have been more that they had ever received in their lives. Our hearts were really touched by the Lord during that visit. It was a great blessing to be able to give to them----both of the spiritual and the physical. Pastora Nerry is following up with ministry visitation. She is from our Church in Baybay, which is located about 8 miles from the village.
The following weekend, Peter and I traveled to Biliran Island and made short visits to the Palarao, Looc, and Cabucgayan churches, and ministered Saturday night at the Caibiran church and Sunday morning to the church in Culaba. The results were positive from these visits and people were strengthened and encouraged in their Christian lives. On the way home I stopped at the Naval hospital and donated many surgical instruments to them and the staff there were surprised and very pleased.
The above are a few of the ministry outreaches. Most every week, there are new people coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. The Children’s feeding ministry continues weekly, the Sunday radio broadcast is having a positive impact on people all over the major islands of Leyte, Biliran, and Samar---as well as smaller islands. The churches we have helped pioneer and establish in Region 8 are continuing to try and reach their communities for Jesus.
Your sincere & effective prayers, words of encouragement, financial investments to help God’s work through the ministry outreaches; all combined are a tremendous help to the mission outreaches. God bless you always for your friendship and faithful partnership in helping us reach people for Jesus. People are being saved.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
“…the earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results.” James 5:16b L.B.
PLEASE PRAY: for God’s blessings on all our health, for His clear guidance and fresh anointing, for His powerful protection in all areas and circumstances, and for His abundant provision for all needs of the ministry outreaches, and for all areas the Lord puts on your heart. Thanks
