Husband Hold Her Hand (4H for Husbands)!

...your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him for he is your lord...The bride, a princess looks glorious in her golden gown. In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king,...(Psalm 45:11,13,14)

As I was walking the streets today, I happen to pass by a very poor couple, perhaps in their seventies, and begging for alms. What inspired me as I was observing them, was their closeness and togetherness and constant conversations with each other. I was able to share some food with them and encouraged them to give thanks to the Lord. I thanked them also for inspiring me to grow more in love with my spouse, maintain the closeness and conversations as we get older too.

I continued my walk and I passed by a bookstore owned by a well to do couple in their late seventies or early eighties. I was amazed by the gesture of the husband in his gentle placing of food in the mouth of his wife as they were eating together fish crackers. I could not help myself but to comment in the hearing of the other onlookers and customers how they have encouraged me by that manifestation of genuine love and devotion.

As I continued my walk, tears welled in my eyes as GOD spoke to my heart reminding me that He is so generous and complete in His giving of all spiritual and material blessings to me, my wife and children; and that I too should pray for opportunities to be able to give and share to others more generously and completely.

That evening while doing a home Bible study, a couple in their early 80's attended. I was so blessed with their love for GOD and toward each other. That rare visitation encouraged everyone who attended and in my heart I prayed that GOD would allow my wife and myself to grow old together and be more in love with GOD, His word, and each other.

O most Holy and gracious GOD, by what You have allowed me to experience today; remind me to be a generous and complete giver of my time, talent, and treasure to others; and specially to my wife and children. In this month for fathers please give me a loving heart like yours. As a husband, allow me to learn from you o humble King of kings, Lord of lords, and Heavenly Bridegroom. Remind me o greatest Lover of the 4-H for husbands: Husband Hold Her Hand.

CHRISTmas, 2009 Messages

GOD be praised for the privilege to share His Word during this month of December, 2009. What a great blessing that on the 24th of December, 2009 about four o'clock in the afternoon the message on the book of Matthew chapter two and verses one to twelve was shared at the March of Faith Church in the city of Tanjay. The fellowship of the wonderful families, brethren and friends that afternoon was indeed a great blessing to everyone. The church's pastor, Robin Erigil and wife Girlie had been a great encouragement and blessing to everyone. Their ten year old son is walking in the fear of the LORD and loves His Word too.

The message focused on the utmost priority of worship in the lives of every CHRISTian and that GOD alone is worthy of all worship and reverence. The exemplary lives of worship of the wise men should inspire each and everyone of us. Their real worship of the GOD-man JESUS CHRIST as a child who months before was born in a manger is worth emulating every moment of our lives. Their whole being (knowledge of the stars, time preparation, wealth involved and the sacrifices entailed) dedicated in locating the child should stir up our hearts to do likewise. Contrary to the wise men's real worship were the fake worship of Herod the Great and the teachers of religious law at that time. The hunger for political power, the head knowledge of the Old Testament of Herod and the religious leaders respectively didn't allow them the utmost joy of worshiping JESUS the Savior of the world and the real King of the Jews.

The gifts shared by the brethren and friends of the church, the sumptuous fellowship & banquet meal that followed the worship service, touched the hearts of everyone especially myself being able to bring back to my wife and children GOD's overflowing goodness and bounty reminding His servant's household that indeed He alone is the source of all spiritual and material blessings. All honor, glory, praises and thanksgiving and utmost worship alone be to our King of kings and LORD of lords, JESUS CHRIST. Indeed JESUS is the only reason for the season. A blessed CHRISTmas and New Year to everyone. Keep looking up for JESUS could come back any second to usher in His Ultimate Reign. Come LORD JESUS come!

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.

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.

A Short Travel With A Man of GOD and A Humble Teacher!

"Well, I have much more to say to you, but I don't want to say it in a letter. For I hope to visit you soon and to talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete (2 John 12)." It was a great blessing, honor, and privilege for me to be the traveling companion of Pastor Dan Finfrock, the founder and Director of Intensive Care Ministries, U.S.A. and who is known as the father of the Inductive Bible Study Method here in the Philippines and in Dumaguete City particularly. He has not visited Dumaguete City for the last five years and I, my wife, children, and for sure a lot of brethren, friends, and acquaintances miss him very much. I consider him as my spiritual older brother, mentor, teacher, and one of my closest friends. It was on March 19, 1991, that he officiated our (Andrew & Muffet) renewal of marriage vows in a Christian Marriage and dedicated our whole family (Andrew, Muffet, Joaquin, Mary Antonette Magenta, Dan Paul) to the LORD. It was pastor Dan's wife, Debbie, who was used by the LORD to minister to my wife wife during her pregnancy of our youngest son (complete bed rest from the fourth to the ninth month), using the Old Testament book of Daniel for her teachings and Bible study. Out of gratitude for pastor Dan and Debbie, we named our youngest son, Dan Paul.


Pastor Dan arrived Dumaguete City on the 07:45 morning flight from Manila on May 18, 2007 (Friday), and he was housed at the Calvary Chapel Training Center. He tendered a dinner at Sta. Monica beach resort, on the evening of Saturday for his former Filipino staff and close associates at ICMA. That fellowship dinner was indeed a blessed experience for everyone present (Jing, Joy, Ayanna, Clarita, Nene, Eva, Rere, Alice, Randy, Manju, Tianing, Calix, Bobby, Noemi, Andrew, Muffet, Joaquin, Magenta). Pastor Dan had a short film documentation on the life of his adopted Filipino son, Aaron, who passed away early this year on the day before his twenty-first birthday which was shown before the dinner. On the morning of Sunday, Pastor Dan taught and preached GOD's word at NOAH Fellowship in Bacong town (the home church that I have been pastoring) using the New Testament book of 2 Peter 1:1-11. All glory and thanksgiving be to GOD for the feasting on His Word that day.


On the early morning of May 21 (Monday), on board the Ceres Bus, Pastor Dan and myself proceeded to Bacolod City wherein he wanted to accomplish at least three things before taking the five o'clock p.m. fastcraft for Iloilo City. GOD in His graciousness, honored the desires of Pastor Dan and provided three beloved brethren ('angels' in the flesh) in the persons of Pastor Chaz Yandall and wife Terry, and Pastor Mike Ramsey, who lovingly and patiently brought us around Bacolod City and helped in a tremendous way accomplish what was in the heart of Pastor Dan. Pastor Mike Ramsey traveled with us to Iloilo City and we parted ways with him at the pier after mutual introductions and greetings with those brethren who met us and him (Pastor Remo Jaco and wife Janet, and Pastor Mark Cadagat, respectively).


In Iloilo City, we stayed in the lovely home of Pastor Remo, Janet, and two darling daughters, JL and JM. It was a time of renewing friendships, rest, delighting on Ma'am Acul's delicious home cooked dishes, and indulging on Iloilo's sweet mangoes. On the evening of Tuesday, Pastor Dan Finfrock tendered a dinner for the RAYMAR Ministries Philippines Board in the persons of Pastor Remo Jaco, Janet Jaco, Pastor Godofredo Burgos, Atty. Lorna Gellada, and Mrs. Delma Logarto. Pastor Villafuerte (had Bible School graduation) and Mr. Lequillo (presently out of the country) were not present during the dinner and the ensuing meeting.


Pastor Dan Finfrock left Iloilo about 10:50 Wednesday morning for Manila and will get a connecting flight to the U.S.A. on Wednesday evening. Today, (May 28), I was inspired when I heard this poem read by Pastor Jeff Martin, present field director of Pastoral Training of Asia, during our daily morning devotions. The lines of this poem aptly describes the lifestyle of my dear brother in the LORD, teacher, and friend, Pastor Dan Finfrock.

Lord let me live from day to day in such a self- forgetful way;
That even when I kneel to pray my prayer would be for others.
Others Lord, yes others let this my motto be;
That when I've lived for others I will have lived like Thee.