On Turning Eighty!

"The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away...So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:10,12)

I thank GOD that for the last three years that my cousin Alfonso celebrated his birthdays; he, his wife, and children, invites and allows me to share GOD's Word before everyone partook at the banqueting table. Last August 2, 2007 (Thursday), Alfonso celebrated his eightieth birthday. Relatives, brethren, and friends from as far as Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., and from the different cities of the Philippines came to greet him on that special day. I visited him a couple of days before his birthday and he solemnly told me that he praised and thanked GOD most of all that even in the lowest points of his life he felt His Presence shielding, protecting, and preserving him from emotional and physical pain. Add to that the greatest blessing of knowing JESUS CHRIST as personal Savior and Lord and the gift of everlasting life; what more can anyone ask.

GOD opened His Word in the New Testament book of Matthew, Chapter Twenty-Two and Verses One to Fourteen (The Parable of the Marriage Feast). The parable addressed to the religious leaders on the last few days remaining of JESUS public ministry focused on three things: Firstly, GOD's constant call to fallen man to get saved (..."who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:4); Secondly, Man's tendency to reject and forsake GOD and His offer of salvation (..."they were not willing to come...they made light of it and went their ways,...the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them." Matthew 22:3,5,6); Thirdly, the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven (..."Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!..." Revelation 19:9); and the lake of fire (..."take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 22:13); ("And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15).

O most holy, gracious, and merciful GOD...You are the GOD who is slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. By the power of Your Word sharper than any two-edged sword and by the convicting power of the Holy Spirt please reach out and save every relative, friend, and acquaintance of Alfonso present in this special occasion of his life, the celebration of his eightieth birthday. Please grant O most holy GOD that every member of every family present here and all the Villegas clan and extended families would know JESUS CHRIST as personal Savior and Lord. In Your most holy Name I pray, Amen.

Beyond the Golden Wedding Anniversary!

"Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. As a loving hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; be exhilarated always with her love." (Proverbs 5:18,19)

I had the opportunity and privilege to travel and do ministry together with a co-worker, in the peaceful, quiet, town of Catigbian, Bohol, some thirty-four kilometers north of Tagbilaran City. We arrived in the late afternoon of July 21, 2007 (Saturday) and were given lodging in the lovely home of brethren Hermes and Ellen Lacea and experienced firsthand the hospitality, love, and care that the Boholanos are famous for. I had the privilege to witness GOD's work, ministry, and faithfulness in the lives of Pastor and Mrs. Dennis Abriol and family, and the open doors the LORD allowed them to do Bible studies in the homes of brethren and in the local government offices. The seminar/workshop schedules were from July 23-26, 2007, and from eight in the morning to about five o'clock in the afternoon.

The Christian Marriage and Family Life, and the Inductive Bible Study workshops were attended by some ninety or more pastors, leaders, ministry workers, and brethren representing some twenty or more Evangelical Churches. The highlight of the Marriage seminar/workshop were the renewal of the Wedding Vows of eighteen couples. We were so blessed and touched by the lives of couples Pedro and Bernardina Loon, and Pedro and Isidra Pongase, married for fifty-nine and fifty-eight years respectively. In the New Testament book of Mark, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, is reminding each one of us: "But from the beginning of the creation, GOD made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what GOD has joined together, let not man separate."

O most holy, sovereign, and ever loving and faithful GOD; have mercy and be gracious to me a husband and father. Be merciful and be gracious to my wife and children and allow us to grow as a family that we will love you above all else and will love each one and others as we love ourselves. If You tarry, please allow me and my wife to be able to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary and beyond together with our three children. By your mercies, graces, and sustaining love, please use our marriage and family and relationships to encourage and bring more souls into Your Kingdom. Our Heavenly Bridegroom, we long and hunger for Your coming for Your bride and may that excitement flow to other couples and families as well for Your greater honor and glory. This is my heart's desire and prayer in JESUS most Holy Name. Amen.