Soup Run

Yesterday our Soup Run team was out again distributing a delicious thick chicken soup or broth to the needy in the Rua do Meio area of Patos distributing 70 meals together with gospel tracts. What was especially interesting was the way the people asked for prayer from the team. One lady was heartbroken as she had just had her 3 children taken away from her as she had been drunk and disorderly and unable to care from them. 

Our visitation team, led by deaconess Deborah Maria, visited 87-year-old Judite yesterday. Judite only has one eye but she is doing alright. Please pray for Judite. 

Sacha's mother-in-law continues in intensive care in the Patos Regional Hospital and is still gravely ill. Please pray for Eleni. 

Galatians 6 (résumé): Doing good to all

Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians discoursing about how life should be in the Spirit. "If someone is caught in a sin... restore him gently whilst watching yourself not to be tempted... and carry each other's burdens... remembering that a man reaps what he sows... and he who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life... so don't get weary in well doing... but do good to all people especially the family of believers... but never boast except in the cross of Christ... for neither circumcision or uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation!... and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit brothers, amen!"

Galatians 5 (résumé): Freedom in Christ

Paul starts Galatians 5 exalting Christian freedom from the yoke of the slavery of law and the freedom to live a Spirit-filled life. He says: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free... the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love". Paul then says that Christian liberty does not mean doing whatever we want. Instead, believers should serve one another in love. "Do not use your freedom to indulge sinful nature, but serve one another in love... live by the Spirit!... for if you are led by the Spirit you are not under law... and those who live practicing the acts of sinful nature will not inherit the kingdom of God... but against the fruit of the Spirit there is no law... and since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit". 

Galatians 4 (résumé): Paul's concern for the Galatians

Galatians 4 continues to show that salvation is through faith in Christ and not by Jewish law. Paul emphasizes that Christians are no longer slaves but God’s adopted children and heirs. He says: "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out Abba Father. So you are no longer a slave, but a son". Paul then points out that before the Galatians knew God they were slaves to paganism and they should be careful not to return to "those weak and miserable principles". Paul then goes on to express his concern regarding the Galatians and asks: "What has happened to all your joy?" They previously would do anything for him, but now they are distant so he asks: "Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?... I am perplexed about you". Paul finally in this chapter uses the story of Abraham's two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, as an illustration. Hagar represents the covenant associated with slavery and Sarah represents the covenant of freedom. Ishmael was born in the ordinary way, but Isaac was born according to God's promise. Paul therefore concludes that Christians are children of the promise, like Isaac, saying: "You, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise". 

Toad in the Hole!

We didn't have a toad in the hole last night but a large toad in the bedroom! We invited it to leave with the help of a broom before it ended up getting into bed with us! 👾Liz is OK with frogs and toads, but just loathes cockroaches! 

Liz went to visit 85-year-old Fleurisa who is the mother of our excellent deaconess Deborah Maria. She has been in hospital for quite a while now. Who is also in hospital in intensive care is Biba's 79-year-old mother Eleni. Biba is Sacha's husband. Please pray for Fleurisa and Eleni.

Yesterday I finished writing the summaries of Second Corinthians and I am now half way through Galatians. This means I have concluded 92% of the Bible. 

Galatians 3 (résumé): Faith or observance of the Law

Paul explodes at the beginning Galatians 3 saying: "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?" He was shocked by the Galatians' wanting to add the Jewish law to Christ! He asked them if they received the Spirit by observing the law or by faith in Christ? He points to Abraham who believed and it was credited to him as righteousness. And the Scripture foresaw the salvation of the Gentiles saying "All nations will be blessed through you". No-one is justified by the law... because the righteous shall live by faith... Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law... so that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus. "The law therefore was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith... and now faith has come we are no longer under the supervision of the law... for you are sons of God through faith in Christ... there is neither Jew, Greek, slave, free, male nor female. But we are all one in Christ".

Galatians 2 (résumé): Paul accepted by the Apostles but opposes Peter

In Galatians 2 Paul relates how 14 years after his first visit as a Christian to Jerusalem we went there with Barnabas and Titus who was a Gentile and he presented the message he was preaching, but Titus was not called upon to be circumcised. "God does not judge by external appearance... and they saw that I had been given the task of preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles... and James, Peter and John gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship... so they went to the Jews and we went to the Gentiles... but they asked us not to forget the poor". Then Paul goes on to tell how he faced Peter for drawing back from the Gentiles because "he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group... for we have put our faith in Christ that we be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no-one will be justified... and I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me".

Galatians 1 (résumé): No other Gospel

 Paul wrote this letter to the churches in Galatia which today is Turkey to the north of Syria. The main theme of the book declares that salvation is through Christ alone and not from keeping the law. Paul defends the true Gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus and not the law. As sons of God we are free in Christ to live out Christianity in our day to day lives.

In the first chapter Paul stresses the divine origin of the Gospel and warns against imitations. He says: "If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than that which you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" Paul emphasizes that he received the gospel he preaches "by revelation from Jesus Christ". He recalls how he had persecuted the church and was a fanatical Jew, but God by his grace revealed Jesus to him so that he might preach him among the Gentiles, and he first went to Arabia and Damascus, and later met Peter in Jerusalem and James, the Lord's brother. "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy!"

2 Corinthians 13 (résumé): Final warnings & greetings

Paul now challenges the church in Corinth to correct their lives before God because when he gets there for the third visit he "will not spare those that sinned earlier... and Christ will not be weak in dealing with you... examine yourselves!... test yourselves!... for our prayer is for your perfection... and the Lord gave me the authority to build you up and not tear you down... so aim for perfection, be of one mind, live in peace... greet one another with a holy kiss... and may the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all".

2 Corinthians 12 (résumé): Paul's Thorn in the Flesh

In chapter 12 Paul continues to defend his apostolic ministry initially focusing on a supernatural experience he had transporting him to the third heaven and to Paradise. He then goes on to talk about his thorn in the flesh through which Satan tormented him. Paul says that 3 times he pleaded for God to deliver him from this, and God replied: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness... and when I am weak, then I am strong". He then returns to the topic of "super-apostles" and laments the lack of the church's support on this front, pointing to his ministry with signs following which was ample proof of his authenticity. Paul then says he will visit the church for the third time but he does not want their money nor had anyone else he had sent there like Titus. However when Paul gets to Corinth he fears he will encounter quarrelling, jealousy, anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder in the church. He also fears that some have not repented of impurity, sexual sin and debauchery.

2 Corinthians 11 (résumé): Paul and the false Apostles

Paul now combats "super-apostles" who preach a different Jesus with a different spirit and a different gospel. Paul warns the Corinthians to not be deceived as Eve was by the serpent. And in the ministry of the Gospel Paul says that he was always careful not to be a burden to the church. However Paul warns that they are facing "false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ... and their end will be what their actions deserve". Paul criticized the Corinthians' willingness to tolerate these people who exploited, mistreated, enslaved and humiliated them, and said that he would boast in his true commitment to Christ which had involved suffering, floggings, danger from bandits and at sea, suffering hunger, thirst and cold... "so if I must boast I boast I boast of the things that show my weakness".

2 Corinthians 10 (résumé): Paul's Defence of his Ministry

Paul now deals with the issue of the authority of his ministry which is being questioned by some, but he feels assured and commended by God for "we don't wage war as the world does or fight with the weapons of the world... and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ... for you only look at things superficially... for I boast about the authority the Lord gave us... but we don't boast beyond limits... for let him who boasts boast in the Lord... for it's not the man who commends himself who is approved, but the man whom the Lord commends".

2 Corinthians 9 (résumé): Sowing generously

In this chapter Paul continues encouraging the Corinthians regarding their awaited offering for the Christians in Jerusalem. He shows too that generosity is not just about money because it reveals the condition of the heart and is a way of giving thanks to God. Paul says that he is aware of the Corinthians' "eagerness to help... but he wants to this fulfilled... as to the contrary Paul would be ashamed of having been so confident... so he hopes for a generous gift as expected and not one grudgingly given... for each man should give as he decided in his heart... not reluctantly, because God loves a cheerful giver... and you will be made rich so that you can be generous on every occasion... which will result in thanksgiving to God... and people will praise God for your obedience and generosity... and people's prayers will be said for you... and give thanks to God for his indescribable gift".

What must I do to be saved?

I led the service in Patos last night and my sermon was entitled "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30) The sermon traced the origins of the church at Philippi in Macedonia, on Paul's second missionary journey, now going into Europe accompanied by Silas, Timothy and Luke. The move of God in the town saw the conversion of a business woman called Lydia together with her household, a spirit possessed slave girl, and a jailer and his family. God saves and changes all sorts of people for his glory! There was one decision for Christ at the end of the service.

2 Corinthians 8 (résumé): Generosity encouraged

Here Paul exalts the Macedonian churches for their generosity having given beyond what they really could afford. Paul goes on to challenge the Corinth church to "see that you also excel in the grace of giving". Paul stresses that he isn't commanding them to give, but is testing the sincerity of their love in comparison with others, and in the light of Christ's supreme example of sacrifice. Paul advocates equality between churches giving and taking as the needs and supplies arise. Paul then says that Titus "welcomed our appeal" and is going to Corinth "with much enthusiasm". "He was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering... for we want to avoid criticism as we administer this liberal gift... Titus is my partner and fellow-worker among you... so show what you're made of church of Corinth!"

Teixeira Preaching

Last night we travelled up the mountain to Teixeira where I preached on 'Gratitude' as requested by the local pastor Maesio. The service and sermon went very well with about 80 present. Teixeira is 30 km south of Patos which takes about 45 minutes. The dangerous part is the 8 km of a very steep climb of 500 metres altitude climb with 24 sharp bends on the edge of sheer precipices where there are frequent accidents. Thankfully all went well.

Parallel to this Missionary Sacha preached at Imaculada and the Patos church band sang, Pastor Murilo took the service at Green Pastures, and Pastor Rafael took the service at the school. We are a busy team! Later I preach in Patos. 

Jimny Jeep

Our 4-wheel drive Suzuki Jimny Jeep is in Campina Grande for repairs as it needed a new emissions sensor plus one or two other things. We should get it back next week. 

I went to the ear doctor's to have my ears checked yet again and all is well. Ear ear! 👂

Liz went to Green Pastures yesterday to sort out a few things. Later today I go back up the mountain to preach at the 61st anniversary service of our Teixeira church which was a church started by Albert Mundy and Frank Dyer back in 1965. There will also be anniversary services tonight at Ibiara, Imaculada and Arruda. Tomorrow I will be preaching again in Patos.

EAB AGM

As the EAB annual AGM approaches in a month's time, on October 24th, at the Lighthouse Community Church, Hardley, Southampton, so I have my annual report to write which I sent yesterday to the Board of Trustees. I have also sent receipts and bank paper trails to the EAB treasurer covering the latest financial year. So we are all ready for the AGM and we will take part in it virtually and hope to see you there. Please do put this date in your diary. 

The Bible study last night was taken by Pastor Rafael and started the Book of Haggai covering the first 4 verses.

Feeding the Birds

At Green Pastures Francisco feeds the birds daily putting maize on two bird tables we made. The tables especially attract Caatinga Cacholotes, Red-Cowled Cardinals, Campo Troupials and Chalk-browed Mockingbirds. I have just fed the birds with clay pots of food and water which attract House Sparrows and Ruddy Doves. It's great fun watching them squabble over the food!

Liz has been counselling a person on a delicate subject. Liz is a very good counsellor. No names no pack drill. Liz also went to Green Pastures to sort things out after the pastors' conference

Mountain Trip

Last night we travelled up the mountain south of Patos to Imaculada which is about an hour and a half trip. Our church there has been going through difficulties this year and now has a new pastor, Pastor Renato, who is doing a good job with a great love for the Lord and for the church. We chaired a church business meeting yesterday and received 3 people into fellowship, renewed the mandates of 3 deacons, resolved a series of financial issues and defined the next steps in the church's radio ministry. It was a good meeting from which we got home about 10 pm.

2 years ago today I started reading the whole Bible and writing a summary chapter by chapter as I go. So far I have concluded 91% of the Bible having done 1,085 chapters leaving me 104 chapters to go to complete the whole Bible.