Greetings Brethren.
We hope all of you are well, as we patiently wait for the “soon” return of our Lord and Savior. Let us remember that Peter tells us that our Lord is “Not slack concerning His promise; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
First Peter deals with problems from the outside; but second Peter deals with problems from the inside, problems within the church today, during these end times in which we are now living. Peter writes to warn us. Yes, to warn “Believers” about false teachers, who are preaching “smooth things”, even preaching damnable heresies. (2 Peter 2:1-2).
One of the biggest false doctrines that is being taught in God’s church today, pertains to the “leaven” that the wave loaves (which represent the church) are baked with. Many (if not most) pulpits believe and teach that the leaven in the wave loaves represents sin. Brethren, nothing could be further from the truth. (Leviticus 23:17). leaven doesn’t always represent sin in the Scriptures. There is a good leaven spoken of in the Holy Scriptures, a good leaven that represents God’s Holy Spirit. That good leaven is spoken of in (Matthew 13:33).
God’s Holy Spirit is the only thing powerful enough to change our sinful nature. We all come into this world with sinful nature, but our Lord is in the process of changing our nature from sinful, to our Heavenly Father’s Holy Righteous Character. Many pulpits teach that it is impossible for a flesh and blood human being to totally overcome, and walk this earth upright, while still in the flesh. Brethren, don’t believe those who say that we cannot “overcome” while still in the flesh, because “overcoming” is what our High Calling is all about. Oh, of and by ourselves, we cannot achieve it. BUT we are not by ourselves IF we have the Powerful Holy Spirit of our Heavenly Father dwelling in us. With His Powerful Spirit living in us, overcoming IS within our reach.
Peter goes on to say in (2 Peter 3:14) that we need to be “diligent that we may be found in Him in peace, and without spot, and blameless.” Peter is talking about us being without spot, and blameless now, while still in the flesh, not after our change from flesh to spirit.
Our Lord is “soon” to return, and He is going to present to Himself a glorious church; one without spot, and blameless, not even a wrinkle. (Ephesians 5:27).
The Apostle John also taught the same thing, that we need to be without spot now, while still n the flesh. In (1 John 3:3) we are told that “Every man that hath this hope in Him purifeth himself (How Pure?) as pure as He (our Lord) is pure.”
Even James speaks of the importance of us walking this earth upright now, totally separate from the ways of this world. James tells us that “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is to visit the fatherless and the widows in their afflictions, AND to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
Yes, achieving holiness and perfection is a big part of our calling. (Matthew 5:48) (1 Peter 1:15-16). And brethren, don’t be scared of that word “perfect”, it doesn’t mean that one can never make a mistake. That word “perfect” is Strong’s # G5046 meaning: complete, full grown in mental and moral character. We all make mistakes, and if we do, we have a advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1). It is our sinful nature that our Lord is in the process of changing. Changing from sinful nature to the Father’s Holy Righteous Character. (There is a short study on that, that was just posted, titled “Baked With Leaven” the link is below.)
Now let us shift our focus to the orphans, widows, and our impoverished brethren. Satan continues to attach God’s people. I’ve been informed that two of the orphans at the Getionko congregation have been bitten by poisonous snakes, and one orphan bitten by a rabies dog. I’m waiting to hear the details from Douglas.
We want to thank you brethren for continuing to support our orphans and widows in their many afflictions. And we want to especially thank you for your prayers. I am happy to inform you that we have reached another milestone in the work we are involved in, in assisting these orphans and widows.
We are still caring for 42 orphans, and 19 widows. But we have managed to move a few of the orphans back to live with a Grandparent. We have been in this process for some time now. As some of you might remember, when we first took these orphans in, many of them did have a Grandparent at home, but the Grandparent was too poor and unable to care for them. But now that some of these orphans are older, they are able to assist the Grandparent, instead of the Grandparent needing to assist them. We have been moving in this direction for a while. And now that the number of orphans living at Sengera House is less, the Government has agreed to reclassify us as a “family” and will no longer inspect us, or demand us to comply with any and all of the Government imposed rules and regulations.
This is an answer to prayer, and a huge step in the right direction. This will allow us to be more efficient in caring for both orphan and widow.
I just received the following from Douglas: “Dear Pastor Bill,
I greet you in the name of our Lord. I pray that you are well.
I am writing with a heavy heart, but also with faith and hope. The situation here has become difficult again. Our orphans and widows are truly suffering as our food supply has once again dwindled. We are going once again without proper food, and the little ones have even been collecting dirty, stagnant water to drink because we have no clean water left. It is heartbreaking to witness.
We are also facing serious dangers. One of our orphans was recently bitten by a sick infected dog, two others have been bitten by snakes while collecting firewood in the bush. Life has become very difficult here, and these troubles are affecting us deeply.
The hospital has also been calling me. They are requesting for the bill to be settled, and the amount will increase if the patient continues to stay without payment. At the same time, the widows and orphans are pleading for additional supplies, and I am torn because the needs are many.
But even in all this suffering, I know that God has not abandoned us. I truly believe that Satan is attacking us because we are doing the right thing caring for orphans, widows, and the vulnerable. Yet he cannot win, because God’s Spirit dwells in us, and we remain faithful to the mission He has given us.
Pastor, I also want to express our deep gratitude to you and to all our donors. Your continued support has kept many lives standing. You have given hope where there was none, and your generosity has sustained these vulnerable souls during the hardest seasons. Please do not lose hope every little seed you plant here is saving lives, strengthening faith, and serving the Lord’s work in a powerful way.
Pastor, we are in great need once again. Any support you can send at this moment, will bring immediate relief, restore hope, and remind these precious souls that God sees them and cares for them.
Thank you for always standing with us. May God bless you, strengthen you, and multiply every seed you sow for His kingdom.
With gratitude and respect,
Douglas Henry.”
I also believe that Satan is busy attacking us, and I also know, like Douglas, that Satan cannot win, because He that is in us is greater that he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4).
But again we ask you, please, do not become weary in well doing. (Galatians 6:9-10). Your donations are still very much needed, and making a big impact on easing their suffering. But there are many orphans, and some are still sleeping hungry all too often. And once again our funds are depleted. Today we sent our last funds to pay for transport for those in boarding school to travel home, as schools have now closed for summer break. We also had to settle some debts owed to the schools. Brethren, we often mention that no offering is too small. But some one told me that we should also mention that no offering is to large. I don’t mean to be forward, but if you have plenty, please share it with these suffering orphans and widows. The need continues to be so great there. In (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). We are guaranteed that our offerings will bring a return according to our investment.
Pictured below is Rebecca, She has now graduate from High School, and is headed home to her Grandmother’s with all of her belongings.
Cooking for the Getionko Orphans.
13 of the 21 Getionko Congregation Orphans.
They are telling you (in sign language) that they are praying for you.
Thank You.
Bill Goff
Baked With Leaven: https://khofh.com/baked-with-leaven/
E-mail: goffb50@aol.com
Phone: +1- 843-447-0140
Donate: https://khofh.com/support-us/