Uproot Worry (Part II)

" Love not the world, neither the things in the world." John 2:15-17

The sources of worry are:

4. Men pleasers- Whom are you trying to please? We worry too much in pleasing other people. Don't spend your time devising ways to please others in order to become accepted in the public eye. We don't have to please people at the expense of sacrificing relationship with God. We end up worrying because we will always run short of their expectations. It's beautiful if we please God and we also please people.

5. Excessive love for the world-Makes you worry. Why? Because you get too attached to things, to people, and to status and the fear of not having or losing them cause great worry! Yes, we love our dear ones: wife, children, but don't love anybody more than God.

6. Planting bad seeds- Drinking alcohol, practicing sexual immorality, and all evil-doings are bad seeds being planted in our lives. These are wrong which brings worry. If you have planted bad seeds your "conscience" will bother you! "What you sow, ye shall reap."

7. Playing God - Do not act like God. Do not assume the role of God. Do your best to protect yourself and your loved ones and leave the rest to God! Our needs are provided by God. We should not worry beyond what you can't do. We act like God by playing like healer, life-giver etc. Stop managing the planet and relax a little. We are not the Messiah. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thine own understanding." Do not worry even about Living or Dying. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord.

(From Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon's Messages @ Odiongan Baptist Church Inc.)

Uproot Worry (Part I)

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6-7

One of the things that make us miserable and rob us of happiness is worry. We should get rid of worry because the Lord does not want us to be worriers.

The sources of worries are:

1. Lies and the exposure of lies - Liars are big worriers. They worry because they fear their lies will be exposed. Telling and propagating lies brings worry. Those who have more than one husband are worriers. Those who have more than one wife are worriers. The Lord wants us to live in truth. Truth shall set us free.

2. Greed or covetousness - Greedy people worry because they might not get what they want. We must not permit these things to happen because this will stain our dignity besides wants and luxuries in our life will not last forever. In having and always having and once you have it, then you keep and keep it until you worry. "Travel light and be happier."

3. Pride -High social status makes you worry. You cannot live well by guarding your honor and status symbol. Do not pretend that you are well off if you are not. We must be real because life is like a weather which is not the same yesterday, sometimes good sometimes bad. Our fortunes change like "shifting shadow." We must be practical in living. If you have none show that you have nothing! If we have borrowed small amount of comfort and glory, Praise God! As the song says:

"The things on earth will dim and lose their value
If we recall it's borrowed for a while
And the things of earth that cause my heart to tremble
Remember they will only bring a smile."

"This weary world with all its toil and struggle
May take its toil of misery and strife
The soul of man is like a waiting falcon
When it's released, its destined for the skies."

"But until then my heart will go on singing
Until then with joy I'll carry on
Until the day my eyes behold that city
Until the day God calls me home."

(From Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon's Messages @ Odiongan Baptist Church Inc.)

How To Overcome Sin

"He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray." Proverbs 10:17

Here are some tips in order to overcome sin:

1. Know and depend completely on God's Word-Search the Bible daily. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. By knowing and depending completely on God's Word, we avoid the sin of ignorance and self-reliance. Sin is transgression of God's law-knowingly or unknowingly. It is sinful to pronounce independence from God-completely or partly.

2. Believe God's goodness and generosity- people who break God's Word do not believe enough in God's goodness. Many people "partially" obey God. They obey God only in areas they agree. There is no such thing as 1/2 Christianity. A 1/2 Christian is a "non-sense christian." A partial obedience is still disobedience.

3. Trust God's commands as expressions of utmost love- God's commandments and laws are beautiful. We avoid sin by trusting God's command.

4. Do not experiment with sin-Do not experiment sin because before you know the damage have been done. Do not jump from the tallest building to prove the law of gravity. Do not touch the fire to know if it's hot!

5. Focus your desires on what is Godly and acceptable-whatsoever things are true and honest, think of these things. Ask if it is Godly or Ungodly. Is it the truth or not the truth? You cannot stop the birds from flying over your head-but you can stop them from nesting your hair. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

6. Follow God's warning- The Bible is a book full of warning. We must not neglect God's warning in order to be free from danger of falling into sin.

(From Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon's Messages @ Odiongan Baptist Church Inc.)

When God Seems Late

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." John 11:21

The story of Martha, Mary and Lazarus in the book of John tells us that God is never late! Martha, Mary and Lazarus are brothers and sisters. Jesus is very close to them and they consider Him as their personal friend.

When Lazarus was sick, Martha and Mary informed Jesus. But Jesus was not able to come on time to heal Lazarus, instead Lazarus died. This made Martha blamed Jesus for being late.

Did God really abandoned Lazarus? Did he fail to come in Martha's hour of need? Or He was simply late? Sometimes in our lives, we asked God why we were abused, astray, etc. Did God let us down? Did He fail to come in our hour of need? Or His delay has a specific purpose?

One of the reasons for this is that we all live on schedules. We govern our lives by the clock...and we expect God to synchronize His watch with ours! God is not bound by time!

Then Jesus said to Martha- "Thy brother shall rise again." In this case, Martha's blaming was temporary or temporal comfort. When Jesus resurrected Lazarus, Jesus was thinking of eternal comfort. We are interested in benefits which are temporary. God may have forgotten our pain but it isn't so! Jesus told us "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." God is never late.

(From Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon's Messages @ Odiongan Baptist Church Inc.)

Fitted Into The Creator's Original Design

"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Genesis 1:26

Only human beings were created according to the image and likeness of God. We are reflections of God's glory. Reflectors of His character in our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness and faithfulness. Man was created for a distinct purpose. Like a bulb fitted into its lamp receptacle, we are the source of light. If the bulb is not fitted into its lamp receptacle or placed on table or desk, it is useless and meaningless. Apart from God, you and I are useless, meaningless. We need to "fit into the Creator's design".

Our life is also shaped by God. Our physical body is only formed from the dust of the ground. Adam and Eve were created without soul. Our bodies became meaningful and priceless when God breath His life into our (Adam and Eve's) nostril. We became the "living soul". Therefore we define Death-as "the departing of soul from the body". So we must learn to value our life because it is a "Mysterious Gift" that God gave us. God is our vine and we are the branches. Without Him we can do nothing.

Our life is also sacred because it came directly from God. Body and soul are inseparable. If our body commit sin, soul also sins. Therefore our doings should be committed to serve God. We should satisfy Him. What task has God assigned you? Establish a home? Strengthen a marriage? Lead a family? Support a ministry? Serve a church? Check your attitude toward your assignment. Do you complain? Ignore? Reject or do you enjoy? The more difficult the task, the greater the joy because it enables us to see the power of God. Thanks to God!! He gave us joy...a lasting joy...in spite of troubles...not just temporary happiness...if only we fit ourselves and follow His original design.

(From Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon's Messages @ Odiongan Baptist Church Inc. )

The Visitation Team

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:19

Truly, God is "Jehovah Jireh." He provides all our needs. Everything we need. Even in our Church, God's provision is overflowing. Thanks to God, He gave us a "Visitation Team." Every Saturday, our deacons, brothers Crispulo Fontamillas , Restler Fetalvero, Nilo Fosana with wife Janilyn, sister Cel Selosa, Arthur Cabatu, and Harry Fetalsana and others, visit almost all houses and places in the entire community of Odiongan for one brave purpose-TO WIN SOULS!

Lost souls, sick souls, convicted souls, and many kinds of unsaved souls are the main target of the team to bring them back to Jesus' wonderful love and care. Carrying with them as their weapon, is the Bible. Rain or shine, far or near, mountain or hill, like wounded soldiers, the team never surrendered, nor fainted. There were times they were discouraged, but with the intercession of the Holy Spirit, they were able to overcome difficulty. Until now they are visiting and are more aggresive than before. I myself was inspired by the team because they simply live what they preach.

I sincerely pray to God to give them good health in order to continue their mission and I know God will always make miracle for them. Always a miracle! For me the visiting team are the Soldiers of Christ who have put on the Mighty Armor of God carrying with them their weapon-The Double-edged Sword. They are truly "Soul-Winners in the Lord's Vineyard". They gave light to the world..they gave hope to every man and salvation to all souls. Amen.

How To Thrive-Not Just Survive

This message was delivered by Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon during the Thanksgiving Service and Joint Fellowship of Baptist Men and Women held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Warly Fran for the abundant blessings God has provided to their family.

1. Rise Thankfully - "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord."( Psalm 92:1). Thanks should be on our lips daily. Start each day by giving thanks. The roof in our house, the food, clothing and shelter, all of these should be thanked of to God.

2. Pray Expectantly - "Be careful for nothing. But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6). We all have worries in our home, jobs and relationships. But Paul's advice is to turn your worries into prayers. If you want to worry less, then, pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray!

3. Think Positively - "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; if there be any virtue, praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8). What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions.

4. Forgive Quickly - "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:13).

5. Work Worshipfully - "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord." (Colossians 3:17). As a Christian we represent Christ all the time. Do everything in the name of the Lord.