The Man Barnabas (Part II)

“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation, a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus.”

(Acts 4:36)

Barnabas was also called “THE SON OF ENCOURAGER.” He gives relief in affliction, comfort in times of disappointment and gives moral or emotional strength. The lessons we can get here are: Every group needs an encourager because everyone needs encouragement at one time or another. Our tendency is to always criticize. It may be important at times to point out someone’s shortcomings, but before we have the right to do this, we must build that person’s trust through encouragement. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Thessalonians 4:18). We must“comfort one another”and “encourage each other with God’s Word.”“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:25).

Our world is full of evil. God’s Word revives us with the promise of victory over evil. Our world is full of discouragement; God’s Word encourages us. Our world has no real, lasting answers; God’s Word gives satisfying, eternal answers. Read it, share it and be revived. Like an athlete, as we near the end of a foot race, our legs ache, out throat burns, our whole body cries out for us to stop. This is when supporters are most valuable. Their encouragement helps us push through the pain to finish. In the same way, Christians are to encourage one another. A word of encouragement offered at the right moment can be the difference between finishing well and collapsing along the way. Be sensitive to others need for encouragement and offer supportive words or actions.

Illustration: “Best Definition.” An English publication offered a prize for the best definition of a friend, and among the thousands of answers received were the following: “Friend” – one who multiplies joys, divides grief.“One who understands our silence” “A watch which beats true for all time and never runs down.” But here is the definition that won the prize: “A FRIEND – the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”

As the song goes: “Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge Take it to the Lord in Prayer.”Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He’ll take and shield Thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.

“The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” (Exodus 14:14-15). Note in verse 14 – “The Lord shall fight for you” and verse 15 – “speak unto the children of Israel, that they GO FORWARD.” No man had ever exhausted the power that lies in the words, “GO, GO ON”. Going ahead, steadily – and perseveringly, step by step, is the secret of material, moral and spiritual success.

Two examples of “Triumph over Handicaps.” Thomas Edison, deaf and perfecting the phonograph.Franklin D. Roosevelt, crippled by infantile paralysis and becoming President of the United States.Two of them were examples of victors over handicaps.“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”(Romans 8:37).

When Paul spoke of the victory which through Jesus Christ he had won over all the ills and adversaries and temptations and woes of life, that greatest of all words, “CONQUEROR”, was not sufficient to describe it, and therefore he said: “MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM that loved us.” “Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.”“Victory isn’t walking across the goal line. It’s struggling through opposition to goal.”

The Man Barnabas (Part I)

“For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul.”

(Acts 11:24-25)

“Barnabas”was the helper of Paul. He was just an ordinary but holy and good man in the Bible .We must not forget or belittle ordinary things because God uses ordinary people and lowly creatures to become great teachers of our lives.

I - God uses the “ordinary” things in life -God takes joy in using ordinary things for extraordinary purposes. What are the ordinary things in your life? It might be your voice, a pen, a hammer, a broom, a musical instrument. Little did Moses imagine the power his simple staff would yield when it became the rod of God.

II- God can work through ordinary people- Jesus selected 12 ordinary men to be His disciples, and they were a real mixture of backgrounds and personalities. They were ordinary people with a “HIGH CALLING”. God calls “ordinary” people together to build His church.

III - God uses ordinary objects for great acts - He uses a rod to work miracles before Pharaoh.- He uses trumpet to flatten the walls of Jericho. He uses a jawbone through Samson to kill 1,000 Philistines. He uses a small stone through David to slay Goliath. He uses five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a crowd of over 5,000 people. God often uses simple, ordinary objects to accomplish His task in the world. It is important only, that it be dedicated to Him for His use.

IV - God calls us to serve in SPECIAL ways - Christ calls us today. He doesn’t twist our arms and make us do something we don’t want to. We can choose to join Him or remain behind. Christ is calling you to follow Him. Are you responding? While the costs of following Christ may be high, the value of being Christ follower is an investment which last for eternity and yields incredible rewards.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2011

"Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

(Matthew 18:13)

Last may 3 to 7, 2011, Vacation Bible School (VBS) was conducted in Odiongan Baptist Church. The theme was "Home Planet, Caring For The Earth." There are around 85 Children and Young People attended the event. The topics discussed were Knowing the Creator (Gen. 1:2-3), Managing Wisely (Gen. 41), Helping Samaritan (Luke 10:25), Living in Harmony (Gen. 26), and Honoring the Savior (Luke 2:1).

The Bible Teachers were Arvin Zuela, Seminarians Nil Fosana and Abet Falcunitin of Cebu Bible School, Vivian Gaac, and Mrs. Olga Eledia (the Team Leader). The Bible learning activity ended fruitfully and joyfully because the children enjoyed so much.

The Miracle At Cana (Part II - The Disappointed Guests)

“And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.”

(John 2:3)

This Part II tells us that like the wine that ran out in the wedding at Cana, all things on earth will also ran out and will not last forever. Note the verse: “They have no wine.” “The wine supply ran out.” During Bible times, to run out of wine was disappointing to guests and embarrassing and breaks the strong unwritten laws of hospitality. But, when God turned water into wine, God shows us that His love through miracle was endless and everlasting. God will never embarrass and disappoint us.

I - The World’s Pleasures Do Not Last - It’s pride, treasure, popularity, power and pleasure soon vanishes and leaves an aching void that nothing of earth can fill. This world’s pleasures first thrill and then chill. “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was]vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”(Ecclesiastes 2:11). “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:” (1 Peter 1:24).

Not in position, fame and in military glory – Alexander the great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so he wept in his tent, because he said: “There are no more world’s to conquer.”

II - The Source Of True And Lasting Joy Is Found ONLY IN CHRIST - Everything in this life – possessions, accomplishments, people – will eventually fade away and disappear. Those who are tied to the world’s system will lose everything when it is taken away. The pride of power, the pomp of wealth, the beauty of art – ALL will go! “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13).Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. We think we will be happy or content when we get riches, only to discover that they bring nothing but transient pleasure.If you are chasing after happiness, you will never find it, if you are seeking after God, you will find endless joy.

Where is Happiness? Not in unbelief – Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: “I wish I had never been born.” Not is pleasure and money – Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: “I suppose, I am the most miserable man on earth.”

The Miracle At Cana (Part I-The Invitation)

"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage."

(John 2:1-2)

This Part I of Miracle at Cana tells us about God's INVITATION to seek His kingdom. Weddings in Jesus day were week-long festivals. Banquets were prepared for many guests. Often the whole town was invited – and it was considered an insult to refuse an invitation to a wedding. The mother of Jesus was a guest at a wedding. Jesus and His disciples were invited.

I -Have you invited Jesus unto your HEART? - Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts to have fellowship with us. He allows us to decide whether or not to open our lives to Him.The pleasures of this world – money, security, material, possessions – can be dangerous because their temporary satisfaction makes us indifferent to God’s offer of lasting satisfaction.Letting Jesus in is your only hope of lasting fulfilment.“God wanted to possess me, not merely my possessions.” "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20).

II -Have you invited Jesus into your HOME? - Here is a Poem: “BEAUTY OF A HOUSE” The beauty of a house is HARMONY. The security of a house is LOYALTY.The joy of a house is LOVE.The plenty of a house is in CHILDREN.The rule of a house is SERVICE.The comfort of a house is GOD HIMSELF.

Most homes nowadays seem to be on three shifts:Father is on the night shift. Mother is on the day shift. Children shift for themselves. Illustration:

When Queen Victoria reigned in England, she occasionally would visit some of the humble cottages of her subjects. One time she entered the home of a widow and stayed to enjoy a brief period of Christian fellowship.Later on the poor woman was taunted by her worldly neighbours. “Grandma, who’s the most honored guest you’ve ever entertained in your home?” They expected her to say it was Jesus, but to their surprise she answered, “The most honored guest I’ve entertained is Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Did you say the queen? Ah, we caught you this time! How about this Jesus you’re always talking about? Isn’t He your most honoured guest?”Her answer was definite and scriptural, “NO,indeed, He’s not a guest. HE LIVES HERE!”Her hecklers were put to silence. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. (Luke 24:28-30).

III - Have you invited Jesus into your SOCIAL LIFE? - When Jesus is the honored guest, and given His rightful place of pre-eminence, social life will be as God intends it should. Illustration: “Light the Night” Campaign. The mayor of Toronto Canada launched a “Light the Night” campaign.The idea was for residents to leave their lights burning overnight in order to discourage crime. Reports show that crime was greatly reduced – in fact, reduced fantastically.“I’d rather light a candle that curse the darkness”“People may doubt what you say, but they will always believe what you do.” A good reputation grows up, a bad reputation shoots up.

IV-Have you invited Jesus into your BUSINESS LIFE? - Is Christ the Senior Partner in all our business enterprises? If not, we may as well file our papers for spiritual bankruptcy. "And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him." (Mark 2:14-15). Levi is known also as Matthew, the tax collector (publican). "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). Our business is to do the will of God. He will take care of the business.

(From: Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon's Messages)

Survival Summer Camp 2011

"....He shall gently lead those that are with young..."

(Isaiah 40:11)

Last May 9 to 11, 2011, the Young People held their first ever "Survival" summer camping. at Brgy. Budiong, Odiongan, Romblon. Target: To train them to survive amidst challenges of being a faithful christian. They did by their own. From going to market to cooking to washing to cleaning to budgeting to being a responsible leader, all survival tips were trained to them. Though physically tired and mentally drained, they did their best in order to follow activities being conducted by Pastor Rufon and Pastor Gardose. The activity gave more meaning to their lives. They ended as better evangelizers and soul winners ready to survive the hardships of following Christ's commands.

The Church prays that more and more Young people will follow
Christ's greatest commission: To evangelize the world.