The Perfect FATHER!!!

I had the privilege to share GOD's Word at the Dumaguete Christian Church last June 24, 2007, (Father's Day is celebrated during this month) and the title of that message "The Perfect FATHER" was borrowed from my wife Muffet's Sunday Devotional Message published at the Negros Chronicle (one of the local newspapers of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines). The New Testament book of Luke and Chapter Fifteen was used as the text for that message and without my knowing was the same text that DCC Deacon Peter Chuang used the previous Sunday as he shared GOD's Word. GOD in His mysterious and humorous ways used Peter and Andrew to expound on Him as the Perfect FATHER. Luke Chapter Fifteen emphasized firstly the Father's heart of GOD and His awesome love for the lost. Secondly, it emphasized man's lostness and ultimate need for GOD. The New Testament book of John, chapter three, and verse sixteen, says, "For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." In the New Testament book of Romans, chapter five, and verse eight, says, "But GOD demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Someone commented on Luke 15:11-32 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son) this way: "Of all the parables, this comes closest to giving us a glimpse of the hallowed face of God. It illustrates that God's love is beyond justice, beyond reason---that He ever hungers for the return of a sinner. The righteous are His already; they have His love. But they are not to be self-righteous, nor jealous of their position in His eyes. They are to love with His own love---to yearn as He does for the return of their wandering brothers. "The Perfect Father" might be a more descriptive title for this gem of a parable."

O Perfect Heavenly FATHER, You alone are worthy of all my worship, love, adoration, and thanksgiving. Thank you very much for sending Your only begotten Son, my LORD JESUS CHRIST, to die on the cross for my sins. Have mercy on me and make me grow and mature into the husband and father that you want me to be. Let me learn from You daily for You are gentle and humble in heart. Thank you very much for giving me the best wife and the best children; and by Your graces and mercies, teach me every moment to love them unconditionally. Thank you very much that June 29 was my 21st spiritual birthday and faithfully and patiently You have sustained me and blessed me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in CHRIST. Thank you very much for allowing us as a family to be refreshed and enjoy Your bountiful blessings last June 30 and July 1 at the Blue Moon Specials at Antulang Beach Resort. May You find us as a couple and family excited and abounding in Your work and looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great GOD and Savior, CHRIST JESUS. I offer this prayer in JESUS Most Holy Name. Amen.

For the Love of Teodolo and Matilde!

Escalante City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, lies north of Dumaguete City and you can get there via the coastal road in about five to six hours. Last June 4-7, 2007, I, together with another pastor had the privilege to conduct a four day seminar/workshop in Christian Marriage and Family Life and Inductive Bible Study Method.

Upon my arrival in the afternoon of June 2 (Saturday), GOD, in His mercies and graces, allowed me together with two brethren to share His Word and minister to a sick woman. Indeed GOD visited her with His spiritual and physical salvation. The New Testament book of James says: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

The highlight of the Christian Marriage and Family Life Seminar is the Renewal of the Wedding Vows between the Husbands and the Wives. One couple that warmed the hearts of the more than sixty brethren who joined the seminar/workshop was Teodolo and Matilde. They had been married for the last fifty-six years and GOD blessed them with long fruitful lives and radiant health and indeed their love and faithfulness toward each other was a great encouragement and inspiration for all of us. The ceremony was complete with the wedding march, bouquet of flowers for the wives/brides, and a special rendition of a wedding song. It was a solemn emotional moment for everyone of us and tears welled in our eyes. Matilde shed tears of joy the most and I recalled her husband Teodolo mentioning that he always made it a point that they eat their meals together. Psalm 128 in the Old Testament says: "Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!"

O most holy GOD hear the cries of my heart for myself, my wife, and children. Forgive us our sins as a family if we have not given you the worship, homage, and adoration that You alone deserve. Allow us to grow in our love for You and in our love toward each other. Heal and restore our family and home o merciful and gracious GOD. Teach us to read and meditate on Your Word daily and to be prayerful at all times. If You tarry o most Holy GOD, please grant us (Muffet and Andrew) together with our children (Magenta, Dan Paul, Joaquin) to be alive, healthy, and strong, and able to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary. Use our marital union and family, our love for You and Your Word, and our love toward each other, bring more souls into Your Kingdom. In Jesus most precious Name I pray. Amen.