THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

    Volume 42      Number 1                                                                                  September 1999
Editor and Publisher - Thomas W. Woody

Second Journey In The U.S.
Roger M. Wanasen


Four years before God allow me to visit your country again. It is a joy in my heart to see you all my brethren. I enjoyed visiting many places in your country and the beauty of creation of our Almighty God. Christian enjoyment of life is not dependent on material comfort or the lack of it. The true Christian’s joy is in the Lord. Our lifestyle is entirely different and the only common thing that I observed is our relationship to God and I learned to love you and MUST love you!


I was edified by your faith and love. The care that you showed to me is the manifestation that you love our Holy Father, without your relationship to Him you wouldn’t have time to share with me. May His name be glorify!


Here are some observations during my stay. Perhaps it will be helpful in our work. After reading and some of it might have been unpleasant to some please help me improve my understanding. Convince me where I’ve misunderstood you and please forgive me. I believe that refusing to seek the help of fellow believers is spiritual pride. No Christian can stand alone, we all need one another, Christian are like burning charcoal. They burn more brightly when put together but die slowly and grow cold when separated from one another.


Entertainment is being exalted and Christ is being ignored or forgotten in many modern churches. We don’t need to be conformed in this world. Let His name be exalted forever and ever. We need to learn the discipline of having a regular time to meditate on God’s Word. Continue helping the needy and be faithful in serving Him. Christ is more interested in the amount we have left for our own use than the amount we give away. Our personal lives may be very spiritual but without sustaining the right relationship as children of God, we cannot please Him. We may have the right relationship and not practice the right character traits. Inversely, one may have the right character traits and not have the right relationship. It takes both the right relationship and the right spiritual character traits to please Him and the Bible would say so. We are in danger of equating individual success on the basis of the size of our cars, wardrobes, houses and bank accounts and our being able to be a world traveler, eat in the finest restaurant. Would Jesus engage in this activity? We are simply stewards, not owners of whatever we have.


I thank God when He place us on His anvil. It means He think you’re still worth reshaping. May the Lord draw us from His fire and form us on the anvil and shape us with His hands and let us His tool. We can’t quit shouting. Many may ignore us but some will hear and if only one hears, isn’t it worth it?


Again, Thank you for your help and love. May the Lord bless you more in your service to Him. See you again, if the Lord wills.




~ P.O. Box 2271-1162, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines 1100
Roger Wanasen




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