• Community Outreach — Several people from our church visited a nearby community. There were at least 40+ people from the area that came together (mostly children from Grade 1 to Grade 6). As a church, we wanted to be a blessing for them. We gave away some snacks and food. A non-Christian friend of mine gave us two huge bags of limes to use for this purpose as well! We also made sure to tell them who we are, where we are located, Who we worship and why we do what we do. One of the kids who joined said that this is the first time she heard the words “church and Christian.” Please pray as we continue to be the light in our community.
• Visiting and Encouraging a Pastor — It was a joy to visit a pastor who attended my last preaching conference and see where he serves. They live about 30 minutes away from us. He shared with me all the joys and struggles he goes through as he tries to serve the Lord faithfully. We had planned to visit briefly for an hour or so, but our visit lasted over three hours. I was also able to meet his wife and son. It was encouraging to hear from him about how his wife and some other family members left the Muslim faith and came to Christ. Additionally, I met a lady who serves in the children’s and women’s ministry there, and she expressed her gratitude for my books and the teaching videos available online.
• One-Stop-Website — Something I thought would be helpful is to gather all information related to our ministry into one website. The reason is that all the content is currently spread across various platforms, and we have to direct people to different sites. We are considering creating a single website that contains all the information/content related to our ministry. For example, there will be a page about the church, the books, the videos, the article and so on. This way, people will visit the site and it’s all there. Right now, we are in the process of gathering all the information and finding the right person to handle it. Please pray as we are planning all of this.
• Three Unique Meetings/Encounters — The Lord arranged three important meetings for me this month and each of them is unique in its own way:
– A Conversation with Latter Day Saint — As I waited to pick up Titus from his soccer lesson, I had the opportunity to visit with a father who was waiting for his son as well. Soon enough, we get into the conversation about what we do. After I told him what I do, he immediately told me that he’s a “Christian” also. I was so excited and asked him which church he attends. That’s when he told me he’s a Mormon. I respectfully (yet without apology) said that being a Mormon is not the same as being a Christian, but it’s a cult. Then I proceeded to explain briefly why this was the case. He was much more open than I had anticipated. Surprisingly, he told me that he has been reading the Bible, and he’s not a big fan of the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. Hearing that, I humorously but firmly told him that it sounds like he’s going to the wrong place. He laughed at that and said he was more than happy to talk some more. We exchanged contacts and hope to have more conversations. Please pray for this gentleman. His name is “Danny.”
– Mr. Nat — As a pastor, I occasionally sit down to have difficult conversations with various individuals. It is not enjoyable, but it’s necessary. Additionally, the outcome and how people will receive and respond to it are always unpredictable. In this case, I spoke with a non-Christian man who began a relationship with a woman from our church. I already talked to the girl and just wanted to have a one-on-one conversation with him. The purpose of this first meeting was to let him know that I love both of them, but I can’t support their relationship, nor am I able to give them a blessing (if they are pursuing marriage), because the Bible is clear on the matter of marrying in Christ. He acknowledged the issue. The good thing is that he’s been coming to church. I gave him a couple of gospel tracks and plan to meet with him again. Please pray for Mr. Nat.
– A Fellow Alumni — I stopped at a small restaurant to eat lunch. On the wall, I saw a graduation picture from the university I went to here in Bangkok. The owner told me that it was his and that he graduated from there in 1982! Just to set the timeline, I was born in 1986 and graduated in 2010. He was so happy to learn that I attended the same university, even though it was nearly 30 years apart. Interestingly, he’s from the last province in the south of Thailand, and I’m from the last province in the north. And neither of us has ever been to the other’s region. He sat and talked to me the whole time. He is a devout Buddhist. I went and ate there one more time and talked to him. Please pray that the Lord will open doors to talk about God.
• Guest Preacher — Our church rarely has a guest preacher, but it’s a blessing each time we have one. My pastor friend came and preached for us. He’s an American who’s been living here since he was three (he is a missionary kid), so he speaks Thai very well. I preached at his church a couple of times before. He preached from Matthew 5 about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Interestingly, by the providence of God, he taught the message just days before we went out to the community. It was a joy to have him here at our church and fellowship with him and his family.
• Finished Ephesians 5! — Many of you know that I’ve been preaching through the book of Ephesians for some time now. Today, I just preached my last sermon on Ephesians 5! That means there is only one more chapter left before finishing the book! So far, each verse in the book has never ceased to amaze me. I look forward to studying and teaching Ephesians 6. Please pray that the Lord will continue to convict and conform us through His living Word.
• A Devotional Thought: What the World Teaches vs What the Bible Teaches — The life of Christians today is a battle between “what the world teaches” and “what the Bible teaches.” This world teaches that God does not exist, but the Bible confirms His existence. This world teaches that no one created the universe or the world, but the Bible confirms that God is the Creator. This world teaches that humans evolved from apes, but the Bible teaches that God created them.
This world teaches that humans can determine and choose their own gender, but the Bible teaches that God created only men and women. This world teaches that one can marry anyone (genders), but the Bible teaches that marriage is only between a man and a woman (and in Christ). This world teaches that the events in the Bible are fiction, but the Bible teaches that they are the Word of God.
This world teaches that Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection are not real, but the Bible teaches that they are real. This world teaches that Hell and Heaven are superstitions, but the Bible teaches that they exist. This world teaches that humans are reincarnated, but the Bible teaches that humans are born and die only once, followed by judgment. This world teaches that death is the end of all things. But the Bible teaches that death is only the beginning of eternal life (either in Hell or Heaven).
This world teaches that the path to salvation is through our goodness or merit, but the Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This world teaches that there are many paths to Heaven, but the Bible insists that there is only one — through Jesus Christ. This world teaches us to trust in ourselves, but the Bible teaches us to trust in God. This world teaches us to follow our own heart, but the Bible teaches that our hearts are not to be trusted. This world teaches that we own our lives and can do whatever we want. But the Bible teaches that God owns our lives (and lives in us if we are believers), so we must live our lives and use our bodies in such a way that glorifies Him.
The most important question to ask yourself is: “Today, what influences your life, your church, your family and your children? The World or the Word?”
• Romans 12:2 (NASB): “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
• John 17:15-17: “I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
Thank you for taking the time to read our updates. We are thankful for you. God bless you!
