THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

    Volume 50   Number 9                                                         September 2008
Editor and Publisher - Thomas W. Woody

"Fully Re-Charged"
Roman "Roger" Wanasen


I praised and thanked God for allowing me to visit once again my family in the United States. Though it took a long tedious trip from my country, my heart leaped with joy and my faith “fully re-charged” with the warmth of your hugs, sweet smile and comfort of your homes as well as the sensible welcome of the brethren in various churches. For your love and care, truly my faith and hope regained having a family in foreign land.

Having shared and studied the word of our Lord through fellowship with you, I could not compel myself in comparing and associating the state of believers both in U.S. and Philippines and even to world. I felt that coping up with harsh times and changes evolving in our country affect our brethren’s faith and their service to God. Oftentimes we love to changes that suit or benefit us, but when these make us startled, challenged, personally and professionally affronted, then we are confused and horrified because much of what we gathered are highly unreliable. It’s based on popular opinion and “pop psychology” and will be discarded next year for a new approach or therapy. If we want a genuine change let us go back to the Bible. Only the Bible has proven itself for thousands of years as the only totally dependable source for the truth about the causes in changing our lives. “The Bible was given not only to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives!”

Only in this world……

  1. The house is consider as first home, school the second, malls the third and the church the last. But ONLY IN THE LORD…. “This world is not our home.”
  2. Where people love to flock to the streets/ attending sport competition/ more pleasures, spending their precious time and doing their own ways, as they are kept awake even at bed time and late nights. But ONLY IN THE LORD…. “Jesus is the ONLY way, search the scripture and pray without ceasing.”
  3. Where people (Philippine setting), keep on planting their field destroyed by typhoons and pest, and they go the longest line the whole day to buy few kilos of cheapest rice (only 3 kilos allowed) for their survival and the next day will join the line again and again. But ONLY IN THE LORD…. “Keep trusting God that He will provide and we will be home very soon.”
  4. Where people can get away stealing millions and murdering the innocent. But ONLY IN THE LORD…. “There will be a final judgment and Jesus saves.”
Finally, in these harsh times, I urge you brethren that we stay calm, at peace with God and remain faithful to Him. Let us brace ourselves with that common faith which we have in Christ Jesus, our Lord and savior.

Chaotic situations are hard and dangerous, but it is also in these times where true believers count it as the “finest moments” for them to become stronger and motivated to be the “moral compass” to help others stay focused in their faith and inspiring them to deliver authentic service to God.

If Lord is willing, I will be happy to see you again in flesh but if NOT, you know where we meet each other. God be with you all.



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



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