| Prayer Partners: Thank you for your steadfast support! It Takes Guts to Serve the Lord: Recently while preparing messages, it became apparent that the Lord was trying to reveal something to me. Sunday after Sunday, He kept leading to call the congregation to “expose the truth.” I did not know what I was asking them to reveal. But I reluctantly followed the Lord’s orders. Click here for Sermon Video – “The Transfiguration” => https://youtu.be/X2ckQvtvAfk?si=CwTuMTOZcgOokh2T “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11 People began to open up. The Lord revealed offenses against Him, against our church and against me, dating back several years. For example, a woman in the village burned a Bible we had given her grandson. Satan has used this same home as a channel for accusations against Castaway Baptist, such as, “Christians are crazy.” In Cambodian culture, to say that someone is crazy is a brutal accusation. It made people reluctant to come to church. When Rebekah left two years ago, she told the neighborhood and nearby church that I abused her (not true) in order to divert attention from her own sin, adultery. Note below that adultery is a biblical justification for divorce: “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.” Matthew 5:32 The village has now been corrected. Praise the Lord. God’s Word identifies our accuser as Satan (Rev 12:10), the father of lies (John 8:44). He shoots the messenger in order to discredit / disprove the message. Since high school, I have been reluctant to confront accusers. I would rather crawl under something and hope that “God will work it out.” But all of that has changed in recent years. The Lord has made clear that He will not continue to enable my cowardice (Heb 10:38). He has taught me to stand up for myself and for Him like a man. This week, the Lord led to several houses and a church. We confronted our accusers, fought lies with truth. We all grew through it. The Lord led to stand and fight like a man for the cause of Christ. PRAISE THE LORD! “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1 Some have sought to provoke benevolent giving through a variety of schemes. For example, a church member suddenly becomes disinterested in attending… until someone gives them a sack of rice. Later, another scheme… “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23 Satan’s goal in this case is to derail the Lord’s leadership and church resources toward pleasing people. The Lord has led to let them go, rather than play their game. We now have a points system that rewards those willing to faithfully serve and stand for the Lord. It encourages obedience to God and discourages manipulation. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 Bunrong: Few are willing to work hard like Bunrong. Usually the same Scripture that I will expound upon in by preaching at 10:00, I give him to teach the children’s simple version at 8:30 for the youth. He checks understanding by asking questions or playing a game. He also leads worship. I meet with him during the week to disciple and prepare him for success. Bunrong has shown tremendous spiritual growth. Praise the Lord!   “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” Proverbs 11:3 The Lord Sent Them Out 2-by-2: After Bible study and cleaning the church on Saturday morning, typically our youth go into the village to share the gospel.   “… I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 Evangelism: How Do We Do It? Our approach is simple. Typically we approach a house and small talk. Then we proceed with the simple gospel message, being sure to make clear the requirement for repentance and coming judgment for the unbeliever: ‘God created all things. The first man and first woman sinned against Him. All have sinned. Jesus came to die on the cross, paid the penalty for the sins of the world 100% in full with His blood, and rose again. We must repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ in order to receive everlasting life in heaven. He will return to judge; we must be ready.‘ In addition to the gospel message, within a Cambodian context, most important to clarify is that “do good & get good” (karma) cannot save a person (from everlasting hell). A human being does not have power to cleanse his own sin / save himself through good works. If they ask questions, we answer them. If the Lord leads to do so, we pray with them. “… I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 Growth through Persecution: This season, we have seen tremendous fruit (ex. boldness to stand for Christ) through persecution. Praise the Lord! “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:14 Life Is (Should Be) Evangelism: Anyone can stand for Christ in a church building surrounded by fellow believers. But few are willing to stand alone for Christ in the market, at the restaurant and auto mechanic. My Dad taught me to be willing to do the latter. He prays for opportunities to share the gospel daily and follows the Lord into them. It is not uncommon to find my Dad standing in an aisle at Walmart contending for the faith… defeating Satan’s lies with Bible truth. Even in the midst of tremendous trials and persecution, the Lord provides fulfillment and abundant blessing. THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH!   “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12 Christmas Prep: Speaking of Dad (and Mom and Aunt Bob), the family will be here on the ground in Cambodia in mid-December, Lord willing. I am looking forward to sharing the gospel in Cambodia with my Dad. Youth set up the Christmas tree, and we have already begun singing Christmas hymns.  Any of us could die at any moment. Click Here to find out how you can know enduring peace, God’s purpose for your life and be sure you will go to heaven when your brief time on earth is up. Ways to Partner: 1. Pray for: – Conviction, eyes to see and ears to hear for the LGBTQ. – That seeds would bear fruit, that the Lord would raise up Cambodian evangelists. – Revival for the U.S. church – that we would stand for difficult truth in these days no matter what the cost. – Financial support to keep me in the field doing what I am called to do. 2. Click to Donate via PayPal (tax deductible)! 3. PayPal charges a small processing fee. If you would like to avoid the fee, please send a check to: Castaway Ministries 99 Indian Mill Lane Clearfield, PA 16830 Praise the Lord Jesus Christ! And Thank You for your support! |
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