Understand The Times Radio Transcripts

THE GOSPEL WITH RICE

Millions of people live in squalor in the Philippines. Many who have the means to help don’t care. There are Bible-believing Christians in the Philippines who want to help. However, they don’t have the finances. Something must be done? Will you help?

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The conditions of poverty and squalor seem to be insurmountable. How could any single person do anything that would make a significant difference?

When I saw the “garbage people” near Antipolo City, my mind was full of questions and doubts. What could UTT do to help out? How could I see and not say something. What would Jesus say and do? It did not take long before the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart.

Following a prayer, I promised the people who were gathered there that as a Christian and someone who followed Jesus Christ, I would pledge to help. After we took a few more pictures and then said goodbye, we walked back to Pastor Rusidel’s house. On the way I shared a plan. Then I handed Pastor Rusidel and Pastor Richard two hundred US dollars.

My instructions were to buy all the rice they could with this money. Then they were to gather volunteers from their churches and divide the rice and other commodities they had purchased among 30 families. As soon as they had done this they were to invite the community to a Bible study and preach the gospel. Following the proclamation of the gospel they were to tell the people the provisions that were being given to them were from born-again Christians in USA and Canada who loved them.

From Antipolo City, I traveled to the city of Bageo where I spoke at another pastor’s conference. When I returned to Manila to fly back to the USA, Pastor Richard met with me. He brought the photos from the Antipolo outreach. He also brought me an itemized bill showing how the $200 had been spent.

As you can understand, I was thrilled. However, the most exciting thing that Richard told me was what occurred the day following the outreach. Twenty of the children who were part of the garbage dwelling community attended the Sunday School meeting at the Pastor Rusidel’s church. The gospel of Jesus Christ coupled with the handouts of rice had made a difference.

The first Antipolo outreach is now history. When I showed Kevin, one of my friends in California, what had happened in Antipolo, he provided a check for next month’s outreach. This, I pray is just the beginning. I pray that as children get saved and come to Jesus, their parents will follow. I pray that soon Bryce Lodges will be established throughout the Philippines, just like the ones in Myanmar.

Now, I need to bridge the gap from reality towards a spirituality that has a biblical basis. There is a place for proclaiming the gospel along with the provision of rice. This is the difference between being purpose driven or being Spirit led. Doing good of course is good - but when it comes to getting to heaven, it’s not good enough.

The social gospel must be accompanied by the gospel according to the scriptures. This is what sets people free. It is Jesus Christ alone that saves the lost from sin and a lost eternity. Will you help us to proclaim that message in the Philippines?

I am Roger Oakland. This has been a biblical perspective to help understand the times.

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