Keep Samuel in your prayers

There is some troubling violence and rioting going on in the area.  Samuel needs your prayers for his area.

Click here to read more http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20091227/814/tnl-ap-loses-property-worth-over-rs-250.html

Prices are shooting up and he may not be able to make it to the seminary to teach.  This is his source of income.  Please pray for his situation!

Are you dead? Do you have faith?

Merry Christmas!!!

I visited with Samuel in India.  They are doing well this Christmas.  The kids at Emma’s school are so wonderful!  These children love Christ and are happy to celebrate His birthday.  All is good here too.

Just a quick thought on the 4 Gospels.  Most read Luke Chapter 2 for the Christmas story.  With my Catholic background, I prefer the Gospel of Matthew.  It’s written with a more Jewish perspective and it fits well with the Catholic traditions.  I encourage people to read it more.

Merry Christmas to you all!  Thanks to God for sending His Son to die for our sins to redeem us.

-Ephesians 2:8-10

Some Prayer Requests 12/17/09

Pray for a friends father who's heart has failed.

Pray for a baby in our family who is very sick. (Doctors have no answers, pray for wisdom)

Pray for a baby in our family facing some troubles.

Pray for some needs in the church in India and for Pastor Samuel's family this Christmas

Pray for Edward in Ghana who desperately needs to get home to Liberia and get married.

Pray for Stanley in Liberia who is now trying to care for his brother and little sister with hardly any work available.

Anything else you can think of to add to this list, please let me know

What is Spinabifida?

Here's a good video that explains spinabifida. I have worked with Spinabifida of KS for several years and know a few people with it. Take a look at this video to see the different types explained.

What Happens When You Die?

I interview people at the Kansas State Fair. Then we turned off the camera and shared the Gospel.

John Piper Recites Romans 8 From Memory

What a powerful chapter of scripture! John Piper recites, with the passion of the Apostle Paul, his letter to the Romans. Repeat several times and takin in all that is said in this chapter of scripture! Just perfectly recited as I imagine it from Paul's lips.

Letters In Grace Episode 9 No More Dubble Bubble

6/22/09 Update from Pastor Kota in India

Precious Brother Jason in the Lord,
Thank God for the wonderful gift from you towards the
ministry and we did receive your help.. God sees your Heart of Giving
and We pray that the Lord would bless you more abundantly.. Your help
in this ministry will not be misused rather the purpose will be
served.. We do thank Bro Brad McGrain for being moved by the Spirit
of God to send Help to Purchase the Bibles in the Name of Scott
Vesper.. WE love them and we thank God for them. May the Lord of
Heaven and the Saviour of the whole World The Lord Jesus Christ will
repay them to their contribution. We are so thankful to you and to Bro
Brad McGrane.

Bro Jason's effort in this matter will be Rewarded..Halleluiah and Amen.

I am making plans and arrangements for the June
30th Prayer meeting..
we will surely take pictures and send to you.. Widows help and BIbles
Distribution will be taken pictures... Pray that the Lord would
continue to use us in His work.

Blessed regards to your family and hoping your Prayers,
With Gratitudes for your Help,
yours Brother in the Lord,
Pastor Kota Samuel
B.Th.,M.Th.

June 11th update from Pastor Kota

Here is some Prayer Request about June 30th..
Church Building Dedication 2nd Anniversary and 2nd memorial Service
of my mom is on June 30th..

There is a thought of Distributing 20 Telugu Bibles to some Needy
Distributing 25 sarees to 25 Poor Widows
Giving a Gift of 500 Rupees in the loving memory of my
mom to a Poor Pastor

Brother Jason , ofcourse, Iam trusting God to
provide and He sees my pocket is
empty...He can do all things and He is able to do.,..Amen
I wish God helps me to do these Good things for His Glory..
May the Lord Bless that day as a Glorious day and bless the church
to be a Self Governing , self Supportive and Self Propagating....
Hoping your Prayers for these Needs,
YOUrs Brother in HIs work,
Pastor Kota Samuel
B.Th.,M.Th.
# 7-6-1149/1, Sanjeevaiah Nagar Extension
Guntur-522002
Andhra Pradesh state
India
Cell Ph: +91 9866277183


CLICK HERE FOR THE WEB PAGE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK TOGETHER IN INDIA
http://yidco.com/site/cpage.asp?sec_id=140000572&cpage_id=140004980

June 2 2009 Update From Pastor Kota in India

Precious Brother Jason in the Lord,
HOw are you and how was your sunday service..? HOw is your
health.? We are praying for you and think of you. , we are doing the ministry as
usual and tonight, we have monthly whole night prayer.. We will be praying for you
(Everymonth 1st) .. I miss you alot.

And sad news is that one of our church widow by name Saramma lost
her only son , Babu (37 years old).. he has a wife and 4 children.,.
he is a chain smoker and died as an unbeliever. We have shared with
him the Gospel somany times , invited him to attend the church
services , but never turned up.. he died on Friday and burial was
done on saturday..

Please Pray that the LOrd would reveal His will to this bereaved
family and comfort his mom, wife and 4 children.

Jason Brother, Emma home children are enjoying our teaching of the
Bible and children are so nice there..But our need is to go for a
Bigger room..Where we are gathering right now, the walls are so broken
and any moment walls may collapse...Rains are started..
But thank God again for AC and its our unbelievable gift from you all..

Regards to your family and hoping your reply,

With much Prayers and wishes,
Hoping your kind reply,
YOurs brother in the Lord's Work,
PASTOR SAMUEL KOTA
# 7-6-1149/1, SANJEEVAIAH NAGAR EXTENSION
GUNTUR-522002
ANDHRA PRADESH STATE
INDIA

Update from Pastor Kota in India

Dear Brother  Jason  in the Lord,
HOw are  you and the family..? HOw is your job situation..? HOw is
your health..?  AC at Home really so useful and we are thankful to God
for you ..Deepa and the children are so happy and filled with
gratitudes towards you and bro Jeff.
            Thanks alot  for praying for the Gospel meetings here..
I have finished Preaching in Lakshammakka palle(Villege) for three
days and at the end of the meetings,  4 women and 2 men came forward
for baptisms.. Halleluiah that I have given  Water baptism  for 6
people..
        It is summer and there is no  water lakes or rivers in the
villege, so, villegers made a Temporary big water Tub with Black
tarpaulin carpet and when I get  those pictures, I will scan and send
you..
Jason  Brother,  I am going to Jaggayya pet this evening for 4 days
and day time meetings are cancelled due to the severe heat and only
evening meetings are conducted. Pray for me continually that the Lord
would use me in Preaching HIs Word..

            We are  also praying for you and all and seeking always
for your fellowship.
Emma's home children are so good and learning nicely the word of
God..Keep praying for them.
We love you and we are thankful to you. Regards to  your family and all..
With much  Prayers and wishes,
Hoping your kind reply,
YOurs brother in the Lord's Work,
PASTOR  SAMUEL KOTA
# 7-6-1149/1, SANJEEVAIAH NAGAR EXTENSION
GUNTUR-522002
ANDHRA PRADESH STATE
INDIA

Letters In Grace Episode 5

Fundamentals of the Faith Episode 4

Fundamentals of the Faith Episode 3

Interview with God

3 things God has taught me lately

The importance of adhering to scripture

First thing I have learned the last few weeks and I keep seeing over and over again is the supreme importance of adhering to scripture.

We say we want to know God, yet we are tempted to try to draw near to him in our thoughts of who He is and what He is like, rather than how HE has revealed Himself to us in the scriptures. How dangerous it is for us once we begin to assume and presume things about God apart from the scriptures! We will listen to and believe anything about God that people say as long as it pleases us. What about the Truth of scripture? Will we believe what God has revealed about Himself and hold it ABOVE mans opinions of God? To know God, you must read the Bible. To trust experience or the wisdom of this age or even your own heart is dangerous because all are imperfect and will fail you.


The body of Christ
Next, something I have known but it have never understood properly. The relationship between Christ and His church. Two passages come to mind.

First:

Matt 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Matt 25:35 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me {something} to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me {something} to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
Matt 25:36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'
Matt 25:37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You {something} to drink?
Matt 25:38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
Matt 25:39 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
Matt 25:40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, {even} the least {of them,} you did it to Me.'

The second passage is in regard to Saul's persecution of the new Christian church. He was out to kill and imprison believers.

Acts 9:3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
Acts 9:4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
Acts 9:5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He {said,} "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
The work of God in mans life

Saul was not persecuting Jesus, he was persecuting Christians. But as we see from the Matthew passage, whatever we do to Christians, we do to Christ. I knew it, but it had never hit my heart with the impact it did today. That part is a huge understanding that has changed the way I will understand and apply it forever.

God's work in our lives

Finally I continue to learn the amazing work of a God so huge I can not comprehend the depth of how He works in our lives.

From the beginning of time God created and knew everything. Everything that has happened in all of our lives is exactly according to His plan. I used to say God "allows" this and that to happen to us. That is not entirely accurate. He not only "allows" but He "causes" all things to happen (Romans 8). Every event is layed out by Him working according to His perfect plan for His ultimate glory. The reason people don't like to talk about this is because there are some terrible things that happen in this world that we would have to spend a long time talking about. (I still have a lot to learn about it too).

My point is this... I put a great burden on myself to do the right thing. I understand though that as sinners, we have no power to do what is right. Scripture teaches that there is none who seeks for God and that nothing good dwells in me (Romans 3 and 7). We trust in ourselves when we should be trusting in God. He knew me before I was born. He caused me to be born and grow up not knowing my biological father. He caused me to grow up where I did with the parents I had in the school I went to and every experience good and bad in my life all worked together to lead up to the point of my conversion. I have done nothing, He has done it all. SO will I not fully trust in His plan that will ultimately bring me to glory? Every wrong I have ever done and every wrong that has ever been done toward me is to His ultimate glory.

Now I see the two extremes and I honestly think I have bumped the edges of both in my young faith. On one hand in the beginning with pure faith I bumped up against anti-nomianism that says "Let go and let God" On the other hand I have bumped up against perfectionism that pushed me to work hard to perfect myself. Truth is somewhere in the middle. I must let go and let God because it is the Holy Spirit that changes me and does the work. On the other hand I am accountable for my actions and must resist temptation and daily put one foot in front of the other and walk in the Way. How it all works together, I don't know. I just know the Bible teaches it. So I have a lot less stress and pressure knowing He is doing the work and He is faithful and I must pray more that He will change my rebellious heart that loves me more than I love Him. Oops, did I say that out loud? Why else do we seek our own way?

Love you all! May we seek Him and know Him more in the Bible.
-Your fellow rebellious one

My Friday Reflection 1/9/09

Each Friday I try to stop to review the week. I look at how I lived my life and evaluate. I am looking for patterns in my life. Do I see any bad patterns that I need to address. After all the Bible says in Philippians 2:12b “work out your salvation with fear and trembling;”

I want to recognize my hidden sins. My favorite sins are the hardest to see because I don't want to recognize them. So yesterday I was thinking, “You know if someone were to follow me around and write down every thing I said each day this week I am sure I would see a theme develop. THEN my problem areas would be evident. Why is that? Because from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. See what Jesus says in Luke 6:45 "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil {man} out of the evil {treasure} brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” Our hearts are like at pitcher and our tongue is the spout that pours out what is in our hearts. Do you talk about others? Gossip? Curse and fight? Say nasty things you shouldn't say. Whatever you talked about over the week reveals what is REALLY in your heart.

Now the problem is, many of us say “So what...who cares?” Well God cares! James 1:26 “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his {own} heart, this man's religion is worthless.”

James continues talking about the tongue that pours out the contents of our hearts...

James 3:4-8 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and {yet} it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the {very} world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of {our} life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; {it is} a restless evil {and} full of deadly poison.

Is this a big deal that we watch what we say? Well.... yes, but the bigger issue is the condition of the heart that CAUSES improper words. James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one {point,} he has become guilty of all.” Guilty of ALL it says! Murder, adultry, stealing, idolitry....An impure heart, is an impure heart. God requires perfection. Perfection is something no man can achieve. “There is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3). So heed the warning of the Word of God in Revelation 21:8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part {will be} in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

THAT is why I have to cling to Christ who died for my sin! I have no hope apart from Jesus' death and resurrection and the faith that God gives me to trust in Him. Holy Spirit, purify my heart! I am ashamed of the words that rolled off my tongue so easily this week! It's not my speech I need you to change... it's my heart!