12- 03- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Proverbs 27:2)
HE IS THE SERVANT OF THE LORD (II)
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
I never heard him preached about “himself” except for some funny things about his life and other funny stories. He sometimes would share his life changing testimony, his life’s personal experiences that he used for illustrations which are in a sense acceptable in the Christian community. He was a Bible centered, Christ centered and God glorifying preacher who never missed to extend an invitation, especially to the lost world. A preacher who was theologically sound, family loving and focused, as well as a man with a servant’s heart whose desire was to be faithful to God and the ministry that the Lord had entrusted to him. To love him, to be faithful to him, pray for him and to follow his leadership is just fair enough and a great reward for him here on earth, especially to someone like him who loves the Lord you love. The way I looked at it, I did just pray for any differences I have with him and just slept over it ‘til I got up the next day and start all over again…, at least feeling refreshed the next day with the vision of working with him again.
He did not hear me say all these, but I believe that he will be able to read this and I know that he knows, that as one of his students, I stood with him, I supported his ministries and we know that Heaven is a place of fulfillment whereas, if the Lord will permit; God can let him read this portion of MI DAILY DEVOTION dedicated only for him in the Name of Jesus and for His Glory. Yes, I know he can’t hear all the good things that I was talking about him, but he knows that I was with him and for him during those days… I stood beside him and touched his soft skin and tapped him softly on his back while talking to him when I was in the Philippines and my family sang for him by his bed side when we were in the Philippines last 2007. I remember my children sang “Ten Thousand Years” and I can see in his face, in his eyes and eyebrows that he was responding as I was told and informed by Pastor James Lee Tica his youngest son.
We can’t change the “yesterdays” and the “failures of yesterdays”, but we can always do something for today and the future. If we really appreciate him, if we are really grateful to him for what he has done for us, for the Lord and for the ministry, will it not be fair to say; “sorry” to him even in our prayer…? Will it not be fair to help his ministry in some ways, pray for the ministry and the legacy he left us and if we are able to support financially, even just once a year, twice a year or if you can afford, you can do more.
Here was a man who gave up the leisure and the pleasures, the wealth, the opportunities in America and everything this great Nation can offer, but for the sake of the call, for God’s kingdom, for the Nationals and the Filipino people. A Pastor, who has a PHD, a Psychologist and was married to a nurse here in the United States of America, could live a life like a millionaire. And he could drive a sports car, have a 6 bedrooms house with 3 car garage and acquire all the good things this world can offer, a big lawn, but he trade all those good and worldly stuff for Jesus and the ministry in the Philippines. He gave up everything for Jesus and for His Glory.
(Hebrews 11:23- ) 23- “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24- By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25- Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26- Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. 27- By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”
