“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 KJV.
“Luther trembled as he looked upon himself,—one man opposed to the mightiest powers of earth. He sometimes doubted whether he had indeed been led of God to set himself against the authority of the church. ‘Who was I,’ he writes, ‘to oppose the majesty of the pope, before whom the kings of the earth and the whole world trembled?’ ‘No one can know what I suffered in those first two years, and into what dejection and even despair I was sunk.’ But he was not left to become utterly disheartened. When human support failed, he looked to God alone, and learned that he could lean in perfect safety upon that all-powerful arm.
To a friend of the Reformation Luther wrote: ‘We cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or strength of intellect. Therefore your first duty must be to begin with prayer. Entreat the Lord to deign to grant you, in his rich mercy, rightly to understand his word. There is no other interpreter of the word but the Author of that word himself. Even as he has said, “They shall be all taught of God.” Hope nothing from your study and strength of intellect; but simply put your trust in God, and in the guidance of his Spirit. Believe one who has made trial of this matter.’ Here is a lesson of vital importance to those who feel that God has called them to present to others the solemn truths for this time. These truths will stir the enmity of Satan, and of men who love the fables that he has devised. In the conflict with the powers of evil, there is need of something more than intellect and human wisdom.
When enemies appealed to custom and tradition, or to the assertions and authority of the pope, Luther met them with the Bible and the Bible alone. Here were arguments which they could not answer; therefore the slaves of formalism and superstition clamored for his blood, as the Jews had clamored for the blood of Christ. ‘He is a heretic,’ cried the Roman zealots; ‘it is a sin to allow him to live an hour longer! Away with him at once to the scaffold!’ But Luther did not fall a prey to their fury. God had a work for him to do, and angels of Heaven were sent to protect him. Many, however, who had received from Luther the precious light, were made the objects of Satan’s wrath, and for the truth’s sake fearlessly suffered torture and death.” EGW, SOP, Vol 4, 1884, pp. 108-109.
I accepted the invitation to be one of the four speakers for the Bible Camp Meeting in Indonesia on November 16-30, 2025. Perry Elwin & Japheth Elwin (Honduras), Nader Mansour (Australia) are the other presenters. It will be in held in Jakarta, Medan, Manado, & Timika covering major cities of Indonesia. Theme: One True God Message and the Relationship with Salvation.
Philippines Bible Camp Meeting & Church Planting December 2025 TBD.
I truly appreciate your support and prayers for this Ministry. Thank you so much.