OUR FIRST BAPTISM!

Madison is a new believer and wanted to be baptized. On Thursday we went to a small river on the outskirts of the city to perform this blessed ordinance. Praise the Lord!

The Real John Wesley Part 1

I picked up this book a while ago and greatly recommend it. It's a biography about one of the greatest evangelists that has ever lived, George Whitefield. His life and achievements in the Lord, however, are little known, and  are seemingly overshadowed by the reputation and accomplishments of John Wesley. But, as the author if this book clearly demonstrates, historians and biographers can be very selective and biased at times, favoring and focusing upon one individual of their liking, while completely ignoring another--and sometimes even  going so far as to slander the reputation of the other with false information (whether this is intentional or not is for the Lord to judge). Such has been the case with the man of God, George Whitefield. Throughout the past two centuries or so, there have been myriads of John Wesley books published, mainly written by Arminian biographers. Some of these books extol Wesley to a very unhealthy degree (I even remember one that stated on the back cover that "God needed a man like Wesley"!!!). Their bias and favoritism is evident, especially with the secondary role they give to Whitefield in the 18th Century awakenings in England and America. Not so with this book, however. It reveals the documented truth about this forgotten hero of the faith, and in so doing unavoidably lifts the proverbial rug, exposing the many inconsistencies of his much revered friend, John Wesley--faults and failings often overlooked by many a biographer.

Hence, I have decided to post some excerpts of the book here to 1) bring a little balance to the spotless, golden image of Wesley that we're often presented with, and  2) to make known the true humility and servanthood of the man, George Whitefield, who by the grace of God alone "labored even more than all of them". May the Lord Jesus Christ receive glory through this.

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Chapter 6: Doctrinal Differences and Sad Divisions(from George Whitefield: God's Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century)

It has long been recognized that there were doctrinal differences between John Wesley and George Whitefield, and the point we have now reached in our narrative is that at which a separation came about between the two men. Since this affair played a highly important part in their lives, we have no choice but to look into it. It has, however, generally been reported in a manner strongly biased in Wesley’s favor, and therefore we must attempt to rectify matters to some extent.

La Serpiente en el Desierto ("The Serpent in the Wilderness")

Preaching the Gospel in Centro (SPANISH ONLY).

HIMSELF!

Himself, by A.B. Simpson. This is one of my favorite hymns. Oh how we desperately need more of Christ!

Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted,
Now, the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.

Refrain

All in all forever,
Jesus will I sing;
Everything in Jesus,
And Jesus everything.

Once ’twas painful trying,
Now ’tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation,
Now the uttermost;
Once ’twas ceaseless holding,
Now He holds me fast;
Once ’twas constant drifting,
Now my anchor’s cast.

Refrain

Once ’twas busy planning,
Now ’tis trustful prayer;
Once ’twas anxious caring,
Now He has the care;
Once ’twas what I wanted,
Now what Jesus says;
Once ’twas constant asking,
Now ’tis ceaseless praise.

Refrain

Once it was my working,
His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him,
Now He uses me;
Once the pow’r I wanted,
Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored,
Now for Him alone.

Refrain

Once I hoped in Jesus,
Now I know He’s mine;
Once my lamps were dying,
Now they brightly shine;
Once for death I waited,
Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored
Safe within the veil.

Refrain

http://nethymnal.org/htm/h/i/m/himself.htm

A MUST HEAR for Street Preachers!

This is a great sermon by Pat Necerato from the "Go Stand Speak" Conference. It's about open air preaching idolatry. To listen, click on the link below and listen to Session 7 of the first day.

http://gostandspeak.com/blog/?page_id=560

Wednesday and Saturday at Centro

Pastor Luis Bermea is getting more and more excited about sharing the Gospel. He asked us if we would join him on Wednesday for evangelism in downtown Guadalajara. Several brothers and sisters from the fellowship came to support and encourage him. He open air preached for the first time...Whitefield style (without a mike)!

Sarturday: Josef open air preaching in our usual fishing spot, Plaza Tapatía.

Lina Urban announces free tracts and Gospels of John. We usually hand out many of these after we preach.

Brother Giancarlo reasoning with two ladies.

This guy on the left was listening intently for a long time.

Sister Lorena had a chance to talk to him afterwards.

Although many people normally come up to talk to us during or after we preach, we've also been experiencing much demonic resistance lately from furious Catholics. Last week, an old man who was adamant that Peter was the "rock" and the first pope even hit sister Lina in the stomach! This Saturday while witnessing to several young men she was heckled by a Catholic who was outraged because she talked against idolatry and Marian worship. He claimed that the Virgin Mary is his only god. We had several other experiences like this this month. The devil doesn't want these poor sinners to be freed from the bondage of their false religion of works. Please pray for us, and for these people!

TIME TO WAKE UP!