Emergency Tips

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”

(Mark 13:17).

Disaster and emergency comes in a very unexpected time. Therefore we must prepare to meet our God. Jesus is teaching us that PREPARATION is needed. Here are some tips to be prepared:

I – GET ON THE ROCK (Jesus Christ) - “And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer.” (2 Samuel 22:2). Rock is a frequent symbolic metaphor of God as a place of security and rest. Rock – firm, strong, and unchanging. We must not build our lives on perishable pursuits, but on the solid foundation of God. Then even if everything we have is taken away, we still have GOD, who is all we really need anyway.
Illustration:
A sailor in a shipwreck was thrown upon a rock where he clung in a great danger until the tide went down. Later a friend asked him, “Jim, didn’t you shake with fear when you were hanging on that rock?” “Yes, BUT THE ROCK DIDN’T MOVE!” Be sure your life is built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, foundation that will not changed.

II – STAY IN THE FLOCK (Church) - “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11).
“And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones.”( Numbers 32:16.). Note the word: “Sheepfolds.” An enclosure intended for the protection of sheep and also to keep them from wondering out and getting lost.

III – PUT KIDS ON DRY DOCK (Church School) - “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25 ). The average child will, by age 65, have spent 9 years sitting in front of a TV set. But if he goes to Sunday School every Sunday, he will have spent only 4 months studying the Bible. Out of 8,000 delinquent children, only 42 attended Sunday School regularly. A man proudly said: “I go to church only 2 times in my life.” The first time, they sprinkle water on me the second time they sprinkle rice. A hearer added: “And the third time they sprinkle dirt.”: Parents, don’t send your children to church – BRING THEM!

IV – BUILD A ROADBLOCK (Against the Devil) - “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1Peter 5:8-9). Satan has launched an all-out war against our families. Satan has been infiltrating our homes, attacking the minds of our children, sowing seeds of violence, rebellion and sexual permissiveness. Problems of divorce, suicides, runaways, teenage pregnancies – this crisis is not just affecting isolated groups of people. It is worldwide and reaches into every segment of our society. Refuse to give Satan a foothold in your family. There are many Christian homes where the parents have left an opening for Satan to work because they no longer have the hunger for the church. Church going is a seasonal affair, the parents have become too busy. They no longer set aside time to pray and worship God together and intercede for their families. It's high time for us to RE-EVALUATE our PRIORITIES.

V – KEEP AN EYE ON THE CLOCK (Watchfulness) - “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame”.(Revelation 16:15). Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is the only cash you have – spend it wisely. Each moment is the meeting place of two eternities.
Here is a poem:

If Christ Should Come Next Sunday

If Christ should come next Sunday, And it may be that He will,
Would the thing that I’ll be doing Set the Master’s heart a thrill?

If the Christ should come next Sunday, Would He find me loyal, true,
In my place with my influence Doing what He’d have me to do?

If the Christ should come next Sunday, Let’s suppose He came at ten,
Would He hear me answer “PRESENT”, In the class I should attend?

If Christ should come next Sunday, If He came just at eleven,
Would He find me in His service, Singing praises unto Heaven?

(Messages By: Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon)

Recipe For Child Raising

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. “

(Ephesians 6:4)

Here is God’s recipe in order to raise a good child:

1 cup of Proverbs 22:6
2 tablespoons of Proverbs 19:13
1 dash of Proverbs 23:13
1 teaspoon of Proverbs 3:5
½ cup of Titus 2:2-3

Mix all the ingredients, add a pound of persistence, one cup of love, and whip until right consistency. This recipe is recommended by the Creator of mankind. Please add a pinch of Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

I – 1 Cup of Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”- The home is the child’s first school. Don’t forget: One (1) percent of the child’s time is spent under the influence of the church. Seven (7) percent under the influence of the school. Ninety (92) percent under the influence of the home.

II - 2 Tablespoons of Proverbs 19:13 “A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.” – We parents should be a role model to our child. A child believes us if what we say is what we do. Integrity and sincerity must first be seen to us to have moral authority to direct our children. When we say to our children not to smoke, drink , gamble, gossip, we must see to it that we don’t smoke, drink, gamble, gossip also.

III - 1 Dash of Proverbs 23:13 “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.”- “The time to start correcting the children is before they start correcting you.”

IV - 1 Teaspoon of Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

V - ½ Cup of Titus 2:2-3 “That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.” Parental delinquency is the root cause of much of child delinquency. Reasons for Prisoners: a. Six out of ten had fathers who drank to excess. Many had mothers in the same condition. b. Seven out of ten had homes where no family activities were enjoyed – no church attendance.

VI - Add a pinch of Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”. - “Patrick Henry’s Will” - Patrick Henry, is best known in his heroic exclamation: “Give me liberty, or give me death”. In his death in 1799, the family opened his last will: “This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family, the religion of Christ will give one which will make them RICH indeed.”

(Messages by: Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon)

"The Model Prayer" (Part 3)

“Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

(Matthew 6:11-12)

I–It Speaks Of Food -“Give us this day our daily bread." A petition respecting our own daily needs. We are here taught to acknowledge our ENTIRE DEPENDENCE on God for the supply of our daily necessities. We are acknowledging that God is our Sustainer and Provider, as opposed to the misconception that we provide for our need ourselves. We are also showing that we trust God DAILY to provide what he knows we need. The source of bread is more important than the bread itself. But he answered and said, It is written, " Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4).

Bread is a staple food every day and is needed daily – Christ is necessary for life. Rich or poor, young and old, bread is for everyone – Jesus is available to all who want Him. Bread satisfies a hungry stomach – Christ satisfies a longing heart. As the manna is gathered daily – our soul requires spiritual attention each day too.

II – It Speaks Of Forgiveness - “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” A petition respecting our sins. We confess that we are sinners saved by grace and need daily grants of pardon and forgiveness. We are instructed to keep us a continual habit of confession at the throne of grace, and a continual habit of seeking mercy and remission. “ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8). In this life, no Christian will ever be beyond sinning, so no one should dare let down his guard. We are sinners by nature and by practice.

At CONVERSION, all our sins are forgiven – past – present – and future. Yet even after we become Christians, we still sin and must confess. It takes humility and honesty to recognize our weaknesses. Don’t pretend we are strong. We need not fear revealing our sins to God – He knows them already. He will not push as away – no matter what we’ve done. Instead He will push away the sins and draw us to Himself. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:9).

Confession is supposed to free us to enjoy fellowship with God. Confession ease our consciences and lighten our cares. True confession involves a commitment not to continue in sin. We are not genuinely confessing our sins before God if we plan to commit the sin again and just want temporary forgiveness.

(Messages by: Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon).

"The Model Prayer" (Part 2)

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

(Matthew 6:10 )

I-God Speaks of the Future - “Thy kingdom come”. By His Kingdom we mean: the Kingdom of grace which God sets up and maintains in the heart of all living members of Christ, by His Spirit and His Word.“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2).

Jesus’ kingdom is not centered in palaces and thrones, but in the hearts and lives of His followers. The Kingdom of God begins in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus. The Kingdom of God is personal, not national or ethnic, and its entrance requirements are REPENTANCE and SPIRITUAL REBIRTH. Jesus as King – not a military or political leaders as the disciples had originally hoped, but a SPIRITUAL KING who can overcome all evil and reign in the heart of every person. If we refuse to SERVE THE KING faithfully, we are DISLOYAL SUBJECTS, fit only to be banished from the Kingdom.

By His Kingdom we mean chiefly, the Kingdom of glory which shall one day be set up, when Jesus shall come the second time. When Jesus ascended into heaven, God’s Kingdom would remain in the hearts of all believers through the presence of the Holy Spirit. But the Kingdom of God will not be fully realized until Jesus comes again to judge all people and remove all evil from the world. Christ’s second coming will be swift and sudden. There will be no opportunity for afterthought, last-minute repentance, or bargaining. The choice we have already made will determine our eternal destiny. Our tomorrows are all safe with Him. Our father has planned better times for the future.

II - A PETITION CONCERNING GOD’S WILL - “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”. We here pray that God’s laws may be obeyed by men as perfectly, readily, and unceasingly as they are obeyed by angels in heaven. When we communicate with God, we don’t demand what we want, rather we discuss with Him what He wants for us. If we align our petition to His will He will listen, and we can be certain that if He listens, He will give us a definite answer. Obedience to God’s will cannot be negotiated. When it comes to obeying God’s will – HALF-WAY obedience won’t do.

(Messages by: Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon)

Winning More Souls

"Soul winning is God's fruit for every Christian."

(John 15:1-2)

"The greatest and most eternal fruit you could ever have in the Christian life is fruit of other souls brought to the Lord."

(Taken from Dr. Armie F. Jesalva's article in The Baptist Herald: "How God Trains Global Gospel Team")

Here in Odiongan Baptist Church, Odiongan, Romblon, just recently, six (6) more souls were won and were baptized, a proof that God never fails His promises for His people. The Church sincerely believes that through the intercession of the Holy Spirit which moves through every member, God will send more servants and workers in order to labor to His vineyard.

With the dynamic leadership of Pastor Teofilito Rufon, strong faith and determination of Baptist Men, Women and Young People alike joining forces together, the Church will conquer and crush the heads of the serpent which are trying to destroy God's Church and ultimately bring more souls to Christ. Constant prayer, visitation, love, unity, patience and concern to fellow members are the weapons of the Church to grow and live in harmony with every Christian believer.

Tracts Distribution

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9)

As part of intensive Soul Winning activity, every month, all members of the Odiongan Baptist Church do a Tract Distribution to every street of Odiongan, Romblon. Thousands of pamphlets which contains God's gift of salvation is being distributed and eventually circulated by enthusiastic Men and Women of the Church to different people of different walks of life at any place in every Barangay of this Municipality.


With the help of God and Bible Baptist Church in Katipunan, Cebu through Pastor Dr. Armie Jesalva, thousands of copies were sent to Odiongan Baptist Church from Cebu in order to realize this Ministry. Thanks be to God.

"The Model Prayer" (Part 1)

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

(Matthew 6:9-13)

I – TO WHOM WE ARE TO PRAY? - We are not to pray to saints and angels but only to the everlasting Father, the Lord of Heaven and earth. “Our FATHER which art in Heaven.” After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9).

We are not to pray to idols. “Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I [am] the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:4). “Cursed [be] the man that maketh [any] graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth [it] in [a] secret [place]. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.” (Deuteronomy 27:15).

We are not to pray to animals. The world’s greatest worshippers of gods are the Hindus. They have 330 million gods and goddesses, or 8 to every Hindu family.Hindu religion teaches the sanctity of animal life. India's 450 million Hindus have roughly 75 million cows to worship. They allow monkeys, rats and other pests to eat and damage their crops.

We must only pray to “Our Father” who:
a. Loves Us –“.For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
b. The Father Who Cares –“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”(1 Peter 5:6-7).
c.The Father Who Take Away Our Fears - “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.”( Matthew 6:34).
We must also note that not all can pray “Our Father” .But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name. (John 1:12).

A Christian is anyone who sincerely trusted Christ for salvation and acknowledge Him as Lord. A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in Him. Those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord, became full heir to His new Father’s estate.When a person becomes a Christian, he gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family.


II – A PETITION RESPECTING GOD’S NAME – “Hallowed by Thy Name.” And Moses said unto God, Behold, [when] I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What [is] his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this [is] my name for ever, and this [is] my memorial unto all generations.” (Exodus 3:13-15).

Our Lord is the Lord of “I AM.” By the “name of God” we mean all those attributes under which He is revealed to us.

a. “I am the Bread of Life”.-“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” ( John 6:35).
b. “I am the Light of the World”.- “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
c. “I am the Door”.- “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7).
d. “I am the Good Shepherd”.- “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11).
e. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. -“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”(John 14:6).
f. “I am the vine”. -“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” (John 15:1).
g. “I am the Alpha and Omega”. -“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8).

By asking that they may be “Hallowed”, we mean that they may be known and glorified. God called Himself “I AM”, an appellation describing His eternal power and unchangeable character.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”(Hebrews 13:8).
In a world where values, morals, and laws change constantly, we can find stability and security in our unchanging God.

(Message By: Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon, Odiongan Baptist Church Inc.)