Pastor Hansel Orzame

  The first two sermons on September's theme, Christlikeness, was given by Pastor Joannie on the topics "Loving God" and "Loving My Family" in the two previous Sundays.  Yesterday's sermon was delivered by Pastor Hansel on "Serving Humanity."  He entitled his message "Your House is Designed to Serve."

Pastor Hansel prominently mentioned the story of Achan in the book of Joshua who did the nation of Israel a great disservice by exercising selfishness.  It was a classic example of how not to serve. But becoming like Christ is to live like Him, he said, because Jesus came to earth "not to be served but to serve others..." (Mark 10:45).

He further explained that "serving requires obedience," that it "should be focused on other people" and that it "means using your spiritual gifts" as well. He concluded with the thought that "serving is not an option for a Christian," meaning it isn't something one can choose or not choose to do.  Rather it is a natural outcome of becoming a Christian.  Our attitude must not be one of "Look what I did" but instead, one of thankfulness for being able to serve Him. 

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It was a solemn ending for the Men's Retreat, held Friday and Saturday.

The movie "Courageous" was shown on Friday evening, and dramatic as it was, it tugged at the hearts of the men who were there.

The men shared breakfast together on Saturday, before starting a two-part bible study based on the movie.  Breakout groups were formed and lively discussion of the items in the lesson guide was carried out in each group.

Yesterday, at the close of the Good News Hour, Pastor Tony Luciano, who moderated much of what went on at the retreat, showed clips from the movie before challenging the men in the congregation to sign the Resolution previously prepared for the occasion. The Resolution reads: 

     I do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility

          for myself, my wife and my children.

     I will love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God

          as the spiritual leader of my home.

     I will be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her

          and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

     I will bless my children and teach them to love God

          with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.

     I will train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

     I will confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

     I will pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect and compassion.

     I will work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

     I will forgive those who have wronged me

          and reconcile with those I have wronged.

     I will learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins and

          walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

     I will seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word,

          and do His will.

     I will courageously work with the strength Godf provides to fulfill this resolution

          for the rest of my life and for His glory.

After the signatures of the person making the resolution and of two witnesses, the bottom line reads

     "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15

 
More than a score of Gospel Life's congregation gathered around Pastor Joannie at the Fellowship Hall yesterday after lunch, to bless her and to send her off to a safe trip to the Philippines as she joins our senior and founding pastors John and Jessie at the homeland.

Not only did they pray for her, but they also commissioned her to take the people's prayers for healing and for miracles to Jessie herself. At last report, she continues on an upward trend and everyone rejoices when these good pieces of news are heard.

Pastor Joannie left last night aboard a trans-Pacific Aseana flight with a single fueling stop along the way.

Have you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause that wasn't popular? God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn't work in the desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came a point in which the people forgot what God had said. Their discomfort changed their belief about God.

 

Whenever God is slow to answer our prayers, what we believe about God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different direction when pressure mounts? Or do we continue on the path God has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them.

 

Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites (Numbers 14:5-10).

 

Notice Joshua and Caleb's response to the situation. They had spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise.

 

Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the land. "...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). 
 

(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.)

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