May 21st, 2010
Matthew 16:15-17 & 18b He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven…and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it”.
Footnotes in my Bible: The expression (gates of Hades) means “the power of death” cannot prevent the advancement of the kingdom, nor claim victory over those who belong to God.
Dear Friends,
Hi. Emie & I pray the Lord blesses, strengthens, and encourages you today.
2 John 3a “Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ,…”
May you experience great breakthrough and see several major prayer requests fulfilled in the remaining months of 2010.
We can have confidence and assurance that the Lord will continue to help us in our individual lives: Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We can be certain that globally and locally, God will continue to build His church of which all of us who believe in Him are a part of. ( Math. 16:18b). And also when we look at the troubling conditions in this world---we can have rest in our souls as we remember---that God has helped us in the past, He is with us now as well as every day in the future. John 16:33b “…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ---Jesus.
On a personal basis if you are facing challenges the Lord says in His word: Isaiah 43:2-3a “When you pass though the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” & Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
{God is for you; He will never leave you nor forsake you
In mid-May we completed 18 years of ministry outreaches in the Philippines & U.S.A.--- as well as doing some ministry work as well in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Kenya, & D.R. Congo. If the Lord grants us good health and long life, Emie and I hope to continue to serve in ministering the gospel for 20-30 + more years---globally. (With God, all things are possible)
We are thankful to the Lord for the privilege of serving Him, and thankful for the many people who have been saved and strengthened in their faith during these years. We also once again---would like to convey our great appreciation and sincere thanks to each of you for partnering with us to reach people for Jesus. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial investments in God’s work through the ministry outreaches is producing good results. People are being saved, discipled, and the poor have been helped. We continue to pray for you and always and trust the Lord to bless and reward you for your partnership with us in sharing the gospel.
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown towards His name, in that you have ministered to His saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10
One of our ministry outreaches we have shared about before is our weekly DYVL Radio broadcasts airing on Sunday morning through-out Region 8 (Biliran, Leyte, & Samar Islands) and beyond. Every week people respond by texting and a couple of those responses Emie recently received after one of her broadcasts are as follows: “Thank-you Mam for sharing the word of God through Radio. The message is always uplifting to us and gives life to our spirit. I am your avid listener from the Island of Samar.”---Royo Family. And another person texted: “I just tuned in my radio and I heard you speaking about God. I really liked the way you prayed for people. I am a woman of 2 children, a widower, and worried; but the word you shared in the air is very uplifting & encouraging. Thank-you for praying for us.”
In the past 18 years, whether it has been in church services, seminars, Bible studies, open-air crusades, radio broadcasts, or one-on-one---people’s lives have continued to be saved, encouraged, and strengthened by sharing the good news about Jesus Christ and God’s good plan for each person’s life. As we enter this 19th year of ministry, may God grant increase & favor.
Last week there was a very good ( interdenominational) youth camp on Biliran island and 150 young people (teens to early twenties) attended. We have established 6 churches on that island and about half the youth delegates were from those churches. This week in Tacloban we had a training session for some of the church youth and adults in evangelism & discipleship application. They visited some of their unsaved relatives & friends. Last night in Tacloban at the (mini) astrodome meeting area there were over 70 youth & some adults attending a “Harvest Party” and it was a blessing to see that many attending were new Christians as a result of evangelism outreach this week.
Jesus said: “…The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”¬ ---Matthew 9:37-38
We will continue to do our best to share the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever the Lord opens to doors to do so and help teach and train others to do so also. Thank-you for your prayers, encouragement, and financial help to the missions outreaches here in the Philippines and other countries.
For “ whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? ---Romans 10:13-15a
Thank-you once again for helping send us to share the gospel and God bless you always.
In His love,
Gordon & Emie
Please continue to pray for us: that the Lord will continue to give us the wisdom, boldness, strength; and the prayer support & financial provision---to share the gospel to more people and in more nations. Please also continue to pray for God’s blessing on our health, for His protection in all areas, and for the Lord to touch the hearts of more people to actively partner with us in sharing the “life saving & life changing” gospel of Jesus.
