He is risen!!! What wonderful words to still proclaim.
Someone the other day said, “I think the symbol of Christianity should be the empty tomb” This coming week here in the Philippines men and women will be reenacting the story of the cross. Some will whip their backs until they are open bloody wounds. Others will carry crosses in long processions down the main streets of many towns and cities throughout the country. Some will even have themselves literally nailed to crosses. The words of the great hymn come to mind as I type. “Jehovah lifted up His rod, O Christ it fell on thee. Thou was’t sore stricken of thy God, there’s not one stroke for me. Thy blood beneath that rod has flowed. Thy bruising healeth me.” He has done it all. Oh how we praise Him. So sad to see many who have been deceived and who are deceiving themselves into believing that somehow they can atone for their own sins. So the message of the gospel of grace still goes out to a lost world.
The work here in the mountains of Central Luzon is going along well. We continue to thank the Lord for His faithfulness. It seems to me, that so often I begin letters this way. It is wonderful to continue to experience His hand at work and to see His blessing in His work here. This past Lord’s Day the worship time, as we remembered our Lord, went on for an hour and twenty minutes, and no one seemed to mind. One of the men of the assembly arose after the meeting and was so surprised that we had spent so much time…and he said; “That was a sweet time of worship.” It was such a blessing. Several men shared and the lifting up of Christ was so very evident. We praise the Lord that when many are abandoning the worship time or changing it into a more “organized” time that the saints here still simply enjoy allowing the Spirit to lead and that the men are standing and participating. It is a blessing. We also have a new hymn book we are using for that time which contains just hymns of worship. So every song given out is exalting our Lord and His finished work. The men’s fellowship is still working through the book “Worship” by A.P. Gibbs, it also has been a blessing.
We recently finished the second “semester” of classes of mini Bible school at the assembly at Navy Base. We call them “semesters” for lack of a better word. Each “semester” runs for five consecutive Sunday afternoon, each lasting between one and a half to two hours. In the first “semester” we covered the universal church, the local church, elders, deacons and the priesthood of all believers. In the second “semester” we covered spiritual gifts, and the role of men and women in the assembly of the Lord’s people. The third “semester” will be starting sometime in May, Lord willing. Next week we will begin teaching the same course down in Baguio Gold, so we would appreciate your prayers.
The weekly home Bible studies continue to do well and are producing fruit for His glory. There are studies in homes each night of the week with the exception of Sunday and Monday evenings. Different men are taking up the responsibility for these various studies. I am currently teaching the Friday study down in Fatima, a small village about 20 minutes east of Baguio. Last week we had 13 out at the study which was an encouragement.
The men’s fellowship, ladies fellowship, couple’s fellowship and youth fellowship are meeting on Sunday afternoons on various Sundays throughout the month. We are much encouraged at what the Lord is doing in the lives of His people. The saints here are such a blessing to us. They love the Lord and it is so evident in their lives.
Many have asked regarding my health. I am doing much better, for which we thank the Lord. However, I will need to get some issues with my kidneys taken care of before any further treatment can be sought for my heart. We appreciate all who have been praying for us, and for your kind emails and words of encouragement. Joyce continues to do well, and to date remains cancer free. Thanks to all of you who have prayed for her.
