Sept-Oct-12

In our last Newsletter we examined the issue on the nature of Christ and clearly understood, through the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, that Christ took upon Himself our fallen, sinful nature, and then in this nature was subject to every temptation to which humanity is subjected. We will now examine the issue of Christ's flesh. This issue is similar to what we studied regarding the nature of Christ, but it has more ramifications.

The main point at stake with this issue is whether Christ lived His human life on this earth in sinless or in sinful flesh. Many will admit that Christ took man's fallen nature upon Himself, but believe that He did not also take and live in the sinful flesh of man. They believe that He was somehow protected from accepting this sinful flesh at birth and lived only in sinless flesh, which we, as human beings since the fall of Adam, have never experienced. While others believe that Christ did indeed take upon Himself and live in the sinful flesh of fallen humanity.

So Christ was born from the seed of David according to the flesh. And what kind of flesh did David possess in which he would pass on to all of his offspring? David did not have sinless flesh to pass on to his children, but only sinful flesh. Thus what kind of flesh was Jesus born with and chose to live in? It could not have been sinless flesh, but sinful flesh.

It is important to understand that Jesus did not commit sin in order to obtain the sinful flesh of humanity, but He voluntarily took upon Himself the fallen nature and the sinful flesh at birth. Another way in which you could state this same fact is that since Jesus did not commit sin in order to obtain our sinful flesh, He took upon Himself the same likeness of sinful flesh which all the offspring since Adam's fall possessed, including Abraham, David, and Mary. So Christ took the “likeness of sinful flesh" (Romans 8:3) upon Himself, but it was still the very same sinful flesh that is common to humanity.

As a consequence of having a fallen nature and living in sinful flesh, all humanity “must war against temptations without and within” (Amazing Grace, p 321). And so in order to have heaven as our home, we must “stand every test and to resist every temptation, whether from without or from within” (Mind, Character and Personality, vol 1, p 67). It is especially through these “temptations from within” that “Satan and his angels urge and coax” us to give in to and commit sin (Testimonies, vol 9, p 222).

Now some believe that even though Christ took our fallen nature upon Himself, and even though He chose to live in sinful flesh, yet they teach that Christ did not feel or have to repress these inward temptations like all fallen human beings experience. Thus they believe that any temptations which Christ experienced were always from without, like Adam before the fall, and were never experienced from within, like all humanity since the fall experience.

"Of course, Jesus was born different. He had a sinless human nature, the same as Adam had before his fall...Therefore it was natural for Jesus to be good. I was born with a sinful nature, and it's natural for me to be bad...Jesus had the absolute, perfect, sinless nature of Adam before he fell....Jesus never had to go through the sinner's struggle [of overcoming temptation and sin]..." Salvation by Faith and Your Will, p 86, 93, 96.

"Although born in the flesh, He [Christ] was nevertheless God, and was exempt from the inherited passions and pollutions that corrupt the natural descendants of Adam. He was without sin, not only in His outward conduct, but in His very nature." Questions on Doctrines, p 383.

So the SDA church teaches that Christ’s humanity was different from you and me, and therefore He did not have to struggle with the inner urgings towards sin. If true, then Jesus did not receive a fallen nature or sinful flesh from Mary, which then leads all who believe this directly into the Catholic teaching that Mary was also born sinless, or the teaching of the immaculate conception.

"Adam was tempted by the enemy, and he fell. It was not indwelling sin that caused him to yield; for God made him pure and upright; in His own image. He was as faultless as the angels before the throne. There were in him no corrupt principles, no tendencies to evil. But when Christ came to meet the temptations of Satan, He bore ‘the likeness of sinful flesh.’" Signs of the Times, October 17, 1900 (vol 4, p 153).

So when temptation came to Adam before the fall, there was no inward urging or natural desire for him to sin, because the temptation was only from the outside, not within. But when Christ came to this earth, His nature was not unfallen like Adam’s, and His flesh was not sinless like Adam’s, because Christ had both the fallen nature and the sinful flesh of mankind. This meant that Christ could therefore be tempted from within, and this is exactly why the Devil believed he could overpower Christ.

Now why did Christ have to stoop so low as to take our fallen, sinful nature upon Himself? Why did He also have to live in sinful flesh? Why couldn't He have lived in sinless flesh and yet still have saved us? Why did He have to humiliate Himself so low to achieve our salvation?

So God, who possesses an unfallen and sinless nature, cannot be tempted with evil. Yet the Scriptures tell us many times that Christ was tempted to do evil (see Matthew 4:1; Hebrews 4:15). This means that when Christ lived on this earth, He did not live in the nature of His Godhood, or even as Adam before the fall, but instead chose to live on earth as a human being in fallen nature and sinful flesh. This meant that He was tempted like every fallen human being is tempted. And how is that?

The Greek word for lust used here is #1939 in Strong's Concordance, and it means "desire". So every man is tempted when they are drawn away by their own lust, or are drawn away by the naturally occurring inward desires and inclinations that originate from the fallen, sinful human nature and sinful flesh, and then they are enticed or urged to give in to these inward desires and to commit sin.

Therefore enticement to sin comes after we are drawn away by these inward, natural desires or inclinations. Now since Christ chose to be born a real human being, then did Christ really have to resist these natural occurring desires and inclinations that originate from the fallen nature and sinful flesh which He took upon Himself every time Satan tempted and enticed Him to sin?

Only by taking man's fallen nature and living in sinful flesh could Christ rescue you and me from sin. But Christ never once Himself committed sin; He Himself did not have any sinful desires of His own making like we do. He hated all forms of evil, and had nothing in common with the Devil. But because Christ voluntarily took our sinful flesh and fallen nature upon Himself, in consequence of this He did in fact experience all the strength of these naturally occurring inward inclinations and desires. Christ continually had to deny these tendencies of the fallen nature. And why? Because "the fallen nature of Adam always strives for the mastery." Adventist Home, p 205.

Hence the fallen nature which Christ took upon Himself, and the sinful flesh which He chose to live in, always strove for the mastery in His life. But Christ never once gave in to these downward pulls and inherited tendencies to sin. And praise God that He didn't. But how much suffering did Christ experience when He denied these inward tendencies toward sin and condemned sin in the flesh? It caused Him intense, internal suffering.

"For it became him (the Father), for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings....For in that he (Christ) himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." Hebrews 2:10, 18.

What did the unerring Scriptures declare caused Christ suffering? It was by being tempted. But why would temptation cause Christ suffering? Because He always resisted it and never committed sin. Now which would cause Christ suffering – temptations originating only from without His flesh, or temptations which originated from within His flesh? Obviously those temptations originating from within the flesh of Christ through the natural inclinations of the fallen nature and sinful flesh pulling towards sin, would indeed cause Him suffering when these natural inward feelings were resisted, and the stronger the inward temptation meant the greater suffering Christ felt.

“It was on this point that Satan thought to overthrow Christ. He thought that in His humanity He could be easily overcome. ‘The devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me’ (Matthew 4:8, 9). But Christ was unmoved. He felt the strength of this temptation; but He met it in our behalf, and conquered. And He used only the weapons justifiable for human beings to use--the word of Him who is mighty in counsel–‘It is written’ (Matthew 4:4, 10).” Selected Messages, book 1, p 255.

“The God of the universe has given our cases in the Judgment into the hands of his Son, one who is acquainted with our infirmities, and knows that we are but dust. He has taken our nature upon him, and has himself felt the force of our temptations.” Bible Echo, January 15, 1889 par 9.

So Christ “has himself felt” the strength and “force of our temptations”! Temptation to do wrong is one thing, but feeling the strength and force of OUR temptations means that it had to occur from within! It also indicates that there had to be something within that allowed the temptation to become strong and forceful. This then can only mean that Christ did indeed have natural inclinations and desires toward sin which originated through the fallen, sinful flesh and nature He took upon Himself, and thus when He was tempted He did indeed experience all the strength and force of these natural inward feelings. But by Jesus always denying and resisting these natural inclinations in order to perform the Father’s will, then it caused Him internal suffering, just like the internal suffering humanity feels when they deny self under temptation.

For Christ to suffer under temptation “as the members of the human family suffer” meant that He felt these same natural inward inclinations towards sin which we do, otherwise He did not suffer like we do. But what did this internal suffering of Christ signify? It signified that instead of doing His own will, Christ chose to do the will of His Father, and this surrendering of His will to God denied self which caused the suffering.

"Jesus Christ is our example in all things. He began life, passed through its experiences, and ended its record, with a sanctified human will. He was tempted in all points like as we are, and yet because he kept his will surrendered and sanctified, he never bent in the slightest degree toward the doing of evil, or toward manifesting rebellion against God." Signs of the Times, October 29, 1894 par 7.

“Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But he could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. Jesus did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought could he be brought to the power of Satan's temptations.” General Conference Bulletin, February 25, 1895 par 6.

So it was by always denying these inward natural tendencies towards sin, by never allowing any of these natural inward desires to be cherished in His heart, by exercising strong self-control over and surrendering His will to do the will of His Father, and never allowing His will to bend in the slightest degree towards sin, that Jesus revealed that He had gained the victory over that temptation. And it was this victory which made and kept His character perfect and without the slightest spot of sin. Jesus did not allow a single thought to even consider the possibility of giving in to a temptation, and thus Satan never found any foothold to gain an advantage in the heart of Jesus.

So no matter how strong these inward temptations were; no matter how powerful these natural feelings and desires of the fallen nature and sinful flesh were, yet Christ resisted all this internal force to instead do God’s will at all times.

"The Christian is to realize that he is not his own, but that he has been bought with a price. His strongest temptations will come from within; for he must battle against the inclinations of the natural heart." Bible Echo, December 1, 1892 par 4.

So as our strongest temptations will come from within because of the inclinations of the natural heart, and Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, then He must have experienced and endured these same inward inclinations! But does inspiration plainly declare that Christ has experienced these same strong inward inclinations of the natural human heart?

"By faith and prayer all may meet the requirements of the gospel. No man can be forced to transgress. His own consent must be first gained; the soul must purpose the sinful act, before passion can dominate over reason, or iniquity triumph over conscience. Temptation, however strong, is never an excuse for sin. 'The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.' Cry unto the Lord, tempted soul. Cast yourself, helpless, unworthy, upon Jesus, and claim this very promise. The Lord will hear. He knows how strong are the inclinations of the natural heart, and He will help in every time of temptation." Signs of the Times, February 8, 1883 par 13 (Testimonies, vol 5, page 177).

Now since God has plainly stated this fact as inspired truth, will anyone dare continue to disbelieve it? Or will anyone – including those among us – proudly and stubbornly continue to teach something different? But how is this possible that Christ – the holy and sinless One – felt all the force and strength of these inward natural inclinations as they pulled His feelings downward towards sin when He was tempted, and yet He always resisted them by choosing not to do His own will, but God’s will in each and every time of temptation? I do not know, but what I do know is that this teaching is absolutely the truth! If not, and Jesus did not feel and resist these natural inward inclinations towards sin, then Christ’s battle against temptation was completely different from what you and I experience when being tempted, and thus it would accomplished nothing towards saving us from sin and destruction!

“It is impossible to take in the depth and the force of these temptations (to Christ) unless the Lord shall bring man where He can open these scenes before him by a revelation of the matter, and then it can only be but partially comprehended. Satan's assaults were prepared for the circumstances in accordance with the exalted character with which he had to deal. If he [could] gain the victory in the first temptation, he would secure Him on all the rest. Satan had never aimed his darts at so strong a mark....

“Christ took our nature, fallen but not corrupted, and would not be corrupted unless He received the words of Satan in the place of the words of God. To suppose He was not capable of yielding to temptation places Him where He cannot be a perfect example for man, and the force and the power of this part of Christ's humiliation, which is the most eventful, is no instruction or help to human beings.

“But the facts of this history are not fable, but a living, acting, experience. [To deny this] would rob Jesus of His greatest glory--allegiance to God--which enshrouded Him as a garment in this world on the field of battle with the relentless foe, and He is not reckoned with the transgressor. He descended in His humiliation to be tempted as man would be tempted, and His nature was that of man, capable of yielding to temptation.” Manuscript Releases, vol 16, p 181-183.

So this idea that Christ felt the force and strength of these inward natural tendencies and inclinations towards sin that originated from the fallen nature and sinful flesh He took upon Himself, is not a fable, or error, or heresy as some among us boldly declare. “But Jesus knows all about the strength of temptation” (Manuscript Releases, vol 8, p 66), and thus it is an absolute truth founded upon the inspired word of God Himself. Woe be unto those who continue to deny this truth, because in doing so they are robbing Jesus of His greatest glory – allegiance to God while living in the fallen nature and sinful flesh of humanity!

Praise our Almighty God that Jesus was willing to become one of His fallen and sinful creations in order to show us that it is indeed possible to deny our inward feelings and strong downward urges towards sin, and to then be able to do the will of our Father at all times! Praise our Heavenly Father that Jesus always denied the clamors of fallen sinful flesh even though it caused Him suffering, but this suffering indicated that He had gained the victory over these natural desires of the fallen nature, and thus showed that He was perfect in character!

So Jesus, the spotless lamb of God, was willing to be treated as you and I should have been treated. He was willing to unite Himself and eternal interests with fallen, sinful humanity – to become fully human. Brothers and sisters, understand that Jesus became one of His own creation in its fallen condition, and thus was treated as a sinner even though He never sinned! What humiliation is this! And what immense and unfathomable love does this show to unworthy you and me!

"He humbled himself to pass through man's experiences, and he would not turn aside from the plan by which salvation could come to man. Knowing all the steps in the path of his humiliation, he refused not to descend step by step to the depths of man's woe, that he might make expiation for the sins of the condemned, perishing world. What humility was this! It amazed the angels. Tongue can never describe it. Pen can never portray it. The imagination cannot take it in. Sinless and exalted by nature, the Son of God consented to take the habiliments of humanity, to become one with the fallen race. The eternal Word consented to be made flesh. God became man." Signs of the Times, February 20, 1893 (vol 3, p 24).

Tongue can never proclaim this kind of love in it's fullness; pen can never describe it in it's entirety. Christ's love for fallen and sinful you and me amazed the angels; it amazed all the unfallen universe; and it should amaze every human being. Christ consented to go downward step by step to reach us where we were at the bottom in order that He might bring us up to the top and connect us with the Father! The Lord God Michael became man. Jesus Christ became one of His own creation so that He could “fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.” The Desire of Ages, p 49.

Now for those who are having trouble understanding this amazing act perhaps the following example will help. What if you had the power to create worms? And one day while watching your creation you saw that they were all heading straight for a cliff, and would soon go over it and be destroyed. Now would you, out of sympathy and love for all the worms that you had created, consent to be made a worm yourself in order to speak their language, feel what they feel and are going through, so that you could then reach them on their same low level and show them by example how to turn around and be saved from certain destruction?

Dear ones, our Lord God Jesus Christ was indeed willing to be made “a worm” in order to speak our language, feel what we feel and are going through, and reach us on our low level in order to show us by example how to turn around and be saved from destruction (see Psalms 22:6)! He was willing to go however far it was necessary to provide us with salvation. What infinite love! And so amazing a love it is that it can never be sounded to it's depths! And on top of this, it was God the Father’s love that allowed Jesus Christ to come to save us in the first place! All Their amazing love is freely bestowed upon unworthy you and me! Oh, let us praise God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ with every ounce of our being for all that They have done for us sinners!

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Romans 5:6-11.

But exactly how much was Christ’s humanity like you and me? Did Christ really have hereditary tendencies, inherent infirmities, weaknesses, natural passions and desires that are common to all fallen human beings? And also, since we discovered that inspiration declares that Christ has himself “felt the strength” and “has himself felt the force of our temptations”, then just how much of this inward natural force did Christ feel when He was being tempted? Was Jesus really and truly our human Elder Brother in every way? This is what we will explore in our next Newsletter.

TRUE CHURCH WEBSITE: The Lord is continuing to bless our TrueChurchofGod.info website. In the month of July we had 14,151 hits, which were generated by 2,676 visitors. In these Visitor Sessions, 5,394 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 641 million bytes of information were downloaded.

LTBL MINISTRIES WEBSITE: The Lord is also abundantly blessing our LightMinistries.com website! In the month of July we had 136,903 hits, which were generated by 22,963 visitors. In these Visitor Sessions, 38,152 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 21.02 billion bytes of information were downloaded.

SPANISH BIBLE STUDIES: We have our Bible Study Lessons translated into Spanish and available on-line for any Spanish speaking people who are interested in learning more of what the Bible teaches. The actual link to these important studies is: http://www.lightministries.com/id1875.htm

NEW BOOKLET: Our newest booklet is titled “Hell, Death, and the Afterlife”. It is already available in print, as well as being on-line for free reading and download at this link: http://www.lightministries.com/id816.htm. This booklet brings before the reader the subject of what Hell is like, what is it like after dying, and also that life after death is indeed possible. This booklet is written strictly from the Bible, and thus would be an excellent evangelistic tool in reaching out to the world with this important truth about the state of the dead and how life after death can only be obtained through our Lord Jesus Christ. If you would like to have a free complementary printed copy of this booklet, please write us.

TO OUR SUPPORTERS: Please know that "Let There Be Light" Ministries is not using your support to build itself up into a kingdom, nor are we trying to acquire expensive video, TV or shortwave facilities. But we are trying to spread the truth as quickly and economically as possible. Please also know that you have played an important part in helping spread the Present Truth into various parts of this world, including through the printed page, through the living full-time workers and ministers we sponsor, and also through our Web Sites on the internet. This is how the Loud Cry of the third angel will be spread, and is now being spread! If the Lord impresses you to help in these endeavors, your donations and prayers will be greatly appreciated, and not just by this Ministry. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU!

"Let There Be Light" Ministries is committed to the spreading of the full present truth gospel message worldwide, and has been doing so since 1986. This Ministry has operating expenses covering the areas of: printing, publishing, and writing of present truth books, booklets, tracts, and other literature; DVD, video and audio taping, production, and distribution; supporting several ministers and workers in foreign Countries; mail order – both domestic and foreign; traveling to hold meetings – both locally, nationally, and internationally; answering correspondence and questions regarding the message of truth; offering National and International Bible studies; sending free present truth literature to contacts in many poor Countries; etc.

May our God and Saviour continue to lead and guide all those who have helped us reach souls who sit in darkness with the precious light of gospel truth. May our supporters remember that they share in each and every soul who has been reached by this Ministry and converted to the Lord and His present truth!

We are currently supporting several workers in many different Countries on a monthly basis. We check into the economy of each area and supply a base support which is adequate depending on their situation, but not extravagant. This base support is to ensure that the monthly needs of each worker and family is met for that month so that the worker may devote full time to the ministry work. In addition to this, we are sending extra materials for evangelism, and money for printing, publishing, holding meetings, traveling, and other necessary areas in spreading the Present Truth in their Country. And as the work extends, especially will the expenses for evangelism expand. Whatever you can send to help in this necessary and vital area is greatly appreciated.

The work of spreading God's present truth is not to be limited, but must extend world-wide to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people before our Saviour can come (Matthew 24:14). What better way of spreading the Present Truth Gospel than by having workers who speak the native language, who reside in that particular Country, who can live and preach the truth, visit the interests in their homes, and spread the printed truth translated into their native language!

"Our publications should be printed in other languages, that foreign nations may be reached. Much can be done through the medium of the press, but still more can be accomplished if the influence of the living preacher goes with our publications....The Lord has moved upon men of other tongues and has brought them under the influence of the truth, that they might be qualified to labor in His cause." Testimonies, vol 3, p 204-205.

"Every opportunity should be improved to extend the truth to other nations. This will be attended with considerable expense, but expense should in no case hinder the performance of this work. Means are of value only as they are used to advance the interest of the kingdom of God. The Lord has lent men means for this very purpose, to use in sending the truth to their fellow men." Testimonies, vol 3, p 208.

Please be sure to mark all donated monies for any of the above Ministry or Foreign Mission needs. 100% of all donated monies will go where specified. Unspecified donations will go where needed. Thank you very much for making this evangelistic work possible, and may God's richest blessings attend you and yours.

I am drawn to your messages...I enjoy them immensely. In fact I have unloaded heaps of dvd and cds; as for the most part, the other messages just do not fulfill the spiritual need that I have in my heart. I may have already told you this, I have completely disconnected from the General Conference Church, and also The Seventh Day Reform Movement that I was a member of for some time. The next big one for me is, maybe having to disconnect and remove myself from my family, if their hearts are not converted. They are in the world, although one son did get baptized into the SDA Church a few years ago. Never thought it would be a so difficult thing to even consider, let alone doing. I can understand to some degree what it was like for Adam. I do not want to give up on my faith, but like others in my place, long for my family to give their hearts to the Lord. Presently I don't believe the time has yet come for me to separate from them. I will keep on praying for them. If and when that time comes I pray that I will go forward with no hesitation in faith, keeping my eyes heavenward, and not looking back!! We know what happened to Lot's wife. Even this may not have happened if Lot had not hesitated!

As I was reading from The Abomination of Desolation this morning, I noted that you have a booklet on Tithe in the Conference Church. I would be most interested in purchasing it. I have read some articles regarding this and how they are putting the Lord's money on the Stock Market.

Very soon I will be sending out sermons that you have put on your website, I have finally got them on one CD. There will be just over 30 hours of listening for the recipients. I am just waiting to burn off other material to send with them. Praise God!!...

Thank you for the Newsletter for June and August. It was so plain that it really open my eyes and understanding about our lovely Saviour. I was sadden in a way that when we put man first, regardless [whether a] teacher, father, mother, pastor, sister, or priest, we [are] robbing God. I was very moved!!!

I honestly don't go on my email but, I saw the Newsletter and my girls and a sister that I met at school read [it] together. It was a blessing to her and for us as well. This is really the time for all of us to look to God and give him the glory that he deserves.

Salutations to you and your family in this morning in the precious name of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is wonderful to read your email again in this morning and to pray to you and your ministry. It is wonderful to know you and connect with you to build God's Kingdom....

We are happy for your resources from your website. It has been a blessing to us as well to the churches in Kenya. We pray that God to protect you and open His doors and windows of heaven for His blessings, and grant you an opportunity to visit us if He wills one time.

This is the end times that every ministry’s "purpose" should be accomplished before the Lord Jesus Christ comes again. This is a great assignment more especially to us to bring together the sheep and perfect them through His word and to make them ready for the coming of their King, Jesus Christ. We are happy for you and for the work of the Ministry you are doing over there.

Its true it has been quite a time since I last wrote. I have also not been to the internet these several months now because I am not on line all the time. There are no problems as such to warrant this kind of silence only the usual uprisings here and there....

I'm sorry I never had to see the article Ministry Under Attack before today. It is unfortunate things have to happen, but that is our lot brother. Happy are they that are reproached and done despite now, for their shame shall soon be turned unto joy everlasting. Isa. 61:7....

Here we have too had our share of turmoil. A brother from Nairobi started teaching Calvin's predestination theory last year. I personally made a study and research on the same. My findings were on the contrary [to his]. I wrote a paper on the same which I presented while at camp last December. This brother discounted the whole [research study] as error, and has since left us. He has gone with some. Brother ____ also recently started contra-teaching on the Eighth Church, though his argument does not hold.

In all these things I am learning that it is no longer safe to trust anyone on mere profession. Fruits never lie. He is a brother who will go the whole length of truth, though vines will not blossom (Hab. 3:17). So things are the same all over; our redemption must now be surely nearer than when we began. Our Lord told us to look up as things get tougher.

Papua New Guinea is a land of [the] unexpected. 2012 National election will come to completion at the end of this week. Evil spirit’s work clothed with its own human instrument in bringing destruction, allegations, fighting and killings. Destroying homes and bridges; chasing people away from one land to the other. Roadblock kidnaps and rape. These are politic related issues; we are expecting more troubles to happen.

At 7:30 pm, 18th July an electricity shocked me when attempt to unplugged the universal adaptor with my teeth while electrical power still alive. Unfortunately this occurrence affected my left eye. At night tears filled my eye when working on the computer within 15 minutes, or when seen a brighter objects. My sight turns pale at day time. Also have seen an Eye Specialist Doctor, and am under his custody and treatment.

Yesterday evening I collapse off [onto] the ground 6 metres high from my house roof top. Am still in the bed and can’t walk. Will take time to heal the wound I received on my back and right side ribs. Please I need your prayers for recover....

In the beginning it was very tough for them in socialised [with villagers] and to share the love of Christ with folks. Because cult practices are dominated there and so ignorance was in large. Both missionaries believes in prayer despite of being in an unfriendly atmosphere. They keep on prayer & both believed & trust that the Lord God Almighty will touch their hearts to accept the light of the truth. After few months later doors were opened gradually for the boys through the market preaching twice a week.

And on the other side, a young mother was courage enough to lead some people out from the strong barrier of the cult faith. She started with a little group having prayer session in home three evenings a week. God leads the two missionaries into the village one evening purposely to meet those prayer groups. Finally they met for first time and arranged the Sabbath meetings. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9. ____, a pioneer lady stood firm in truth spending all her times in visiting and encouraging the new interest to the Lord.

Early [on the] February trip to ____ was purposely to establish the work done by two missionaries. They established some of the home churches during their three years ministry and wished that somebody would help them to help organised the work. After arriving in ____ we started our work with street program and we spent whole week there. Our street witnessing programs help folks from Anglican faith and they join our Sabbath keeping believers.

Thank you bro bob for the information....I am also praying that God will continue to give you strength and courage to go forward serving the Lord amidst trials in your way and also praying to those brothers and sisters in the faith who may be affected by this that they may look and remain faithful to the Lord. I pray that we will continue to remain faithful to the Lord. For the long years that we'd been together in the faith, it is a great blessing to have you as my brother and I am praying that it will remain so, even up to heaven. Be strong bro bob, God still holds the reigns in His hands. We are still your brothers and sisters in the faith here in the Philippines and we will remain to be as long we will both continue to be faithful unto Him.

About our work here, we are still doing God's work. As of now, we have established already our churches here especially our local church here in ____. Since our membership are becoming larger because of added new members, we realized that we need to have a larger place where we will spend our Sabbath fellowships together. So we find a place and rented it as our church here and every Sabbath [and now] we [all can] spend Sabbath together and worship the Lord.

After that meeting, we started our work here in our area. We do house to house, giving out tracts, establishing churches through Gospel Order, visiting brethren and churches in other place, visiting new interest, but most especially doing medical missionary in which through this many become interested. Though sometimes our funds got exhausted but God always provided us in our needs as we continue doing the work that He has entrusted to us. So please continue to pray for our work here.

One more time greetings from the once dark continent. This time round the printing machine has done wondrous work without any disturbance. We printed out lots of different messages awaiting to be given out. Thanks a lot for your prayers. The Father of all flesh and spirit has heard our cries, and protecting care is upon our printer.

Once again dangers of the last days are happening. On June 25th 2012, in Bududa District, [a] land slide again claimed over 18 souls, and around 28 home were covered in the mud and over 450 are left homeless. And terror attack [in countries like] Kenya and Nigeria to the Churches are becoming a common place....

Thanks a lot for good morning pictures and words of wisdom. It only found me down once again with relentless typhoid fever which after lab test was over reactive and seriously stressed my liver and spleen to enlarge. When this test and scanning was done it was realized that my kidney had bettered. Thanks a lot for your earnest prayers on my behalf. I’m on the way to normality, even with these two enlarged [organs] I have this confidence that our Lord does all things well for us.

It is sad that some of the so-called mineral waters, I mean bottled water, which are advertised as safe are [really] contaminated. The trouble with Typhoid Fever [is that it] has more-[or]-less the [same] symptom’s as Malaria Fever, and since we have lots [of] mosquitoes hovering around the moment you feel un-well and feverish you rush to treat malaria. You feel there is no reason to think otherwise, other [since this is] the common foe around us. Hence at most [the damage caused in treating for Malaria and not Typhoid] since the parasites are not there, the [malarial] medicine [really] burdens the liver. By Monday, God willing, I will be going back for review.

I ordered for sixty Bibles [with the special donation that was sent and] the moment I get well I will go and get them. The great work our silent messengers [are doing] never ceases, and also the opportunity to share on person-to-person [is] the [means which] brings people who are interested in [contact with] eternal realities. We share what we know, the rest is left for our heavenly Father to woo the hearts of those dear soul to Jesus. And some friends we see that they can read are given SOP books. Thus in His timing. [In all] things we do what we are given power to do.

Once again thanks alot for your earnest prayers, the support and greater thanks for the hands that have given for the gospel proclaiming through His Word. Even the Bibles there are many hungry and thirst souls for the word of God. There [is] no work done for the Master that is not registered in heaven above - Malachi 3:16. A book of remembrance is opened on their behalf.

My brother,...I received yours [e-mail] requiring me to send you corrections on translations. But my brother in the mean time, I am not in the best possible condition to do so since due to financial constraints. I moved from the house I used to lodge which had electricity. I am not using the computer now for several months because of that reason. However, I am praying that the Lord will pave the way for me to do that work soon.

I am incompacitated right now to doing the full time work, though I have by the providence of God managed to leave my family for a month now in a certain city doing missionary work. I am staying with a professed br in the faith, but [who] has not fully come on board in this movement.

I wrote my phone number on each and every booklet and tracts which I have distributed in this city, especially to the SDAs. One Friday night I went to where they were holding an effort and gave literature to some, and the following Sabbath I did just the same. Previously I had to share with a sister the DVDs on the Wheat and Tares and other DVDs and had a tense study with her as she is currently experiencing another delusion which says that it is the separation of the wicked in the church which must first take place before the gospel in the loud cry message should be given. I spent about three days at this sister's house and managed to encounter several SDA members and used the opportunity given to the maximum.

At this place I heard of an incident at a certain SDA church where some University students were beaten by the leadership for rebuking it of their neglectful conduct of the Spirit of Prophecy. I resolved to visit the University campus to search for these students to furnish them with literature so as to take an advantage of the situation. This I did my second week stay in ____. I traveled to the ____, though I experienced difficulties I only managed to find one [of these students] and did my work.

As for now I am receiving many calls from individuals who came across our literature and who need help. I have since distributed the little literature to 4 SDA churches that I had and now is exhausted. While I was busy doing this noble work I received a call from a brother in the capital that he had arranged a promising study with lawyers who are also Adventist and needed my help. I went and conducted that study with them, but was not very fruitful as they used much of this earthily education to reason out much of the plain statements of Scripture and justified themselves.