_What Can 21,000 Gospel Tracts Do?

In the span of 10 days, Christ’s Glory Church, in partnership with Hope Christian Church, 21,000 Gospel tracts has been spread abroad in Metro Manila, Philippines. What can 21,000 Gospel tracts do? In the hands of men and in the power of men, nothing. Absolutely nothing. A useless endeavor. Pointless. Pathetic. Irrational. Illogical. A waste of money, energy and time. But in the hand of God? An opportunity for 21,000 souls or more to hear the Gospel of the Lord Jesus that saves from sin, death and the wrath of God in the judgment of sinners in an eternity of Hell. An opportunity for 21,000 souls to be reconciled to God, from hostility against Him to peace with Him. An opportunity for 21,000 souls to see Him as He really is, supreme, worthy of all praise and glory. An opportunity for 21,000 souls to worship and glorify God in submission of their lives in repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.

“The printed page never flinches, it never shows cowardice; it is never tempted to compromise. The printed page never gets tired; it never gets disheartened. The printed page travels cheaply-you can be a missionary for the price of a stamp. It requires no building in which to operate. The printed page works while you sleep. It never loses its temper in discussion. And it works when you are gone from the scene. The printed page is a visitor that gets inside the home and stays there. It always catches a man in the right mood. It speaks to him only when he is reading it. It never answer’s back and it sticks to the point.”

—Author Unknown

Craig Ireland (Pastor of Hope Christian Church) and Luke Stewart arrived on Wednesday afternoon (February 2).

Here is my journal.

Thursday, February 3

Today marks the first day of a local missions endeavor in partnership with Hope Christian Church. We are indebted to God’s grace and the depths of His mercy lavished upon us through our brethren from Australia. What a good and kind God we serve.

I will do my best to journal our endeavors for the Gospel in each day.

•

God has been so good today. Despite a setback in a delay of the delivery of the Gospel tracts, still, by the sheer goodness of God, we were able to hand out around/over 3,000 tracts all over Cubao, QuezonCity.

We were much despondent when we realized that the delivery is 3 hours late. Our friends from Way of the Master Philippines have been waiting for us since 1pm. We were only able to meet with them with the tracts at after 4pm. Nevertheless we believed in the power of the Holy Ghost to work effectually despite our weakness and sin. He is mighty and able to glorify Himself even through the meanest of vessels.

The fire of the Lord was kindled in each one who took part in this work for God’s kingdom. The boldness of Christ was clearly seen, all because of the confidence we have in Christ. What an inexpressible joy to be gripped with the joy and love of Christ in His Gospel.

May God add His blessing for this work. May God kill every bit of pride in our hearts and exalt Himself alone in the preaching and heralding of His Gospel. We have our confidence in the Gospel, that it is His means to save even the most wretched of men.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Friday, February 4

It’s the morning of February 5. It’s Saturday today. I wasn’t able to write an entry last night (Feb 4) because of exhaustion. God was tremendously merciful to us.

In the morning, yesterday, the 4th of February, we were able to distribute 3,700 Gospel tracts. We have now distributed 9,400 Gospel tracts.

By God’s sheer mercy we were able to freely herald the gospel of the grace of God. Had fruitful conversations with people commanding people by the Spirit of God to repent from their sin and by faith and faith alone believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

God preserved us throughout a long day, even after perseveringly enduring an equally long day the previous night.

At 12noon Luke and I accompanied Craig to the airport for is flight to Leyte. Satan’s plans were thwarted as God protected us from a cab that sought to abuse us by taking a 3 times longer route.

We desperately pray that God is glorified in all things.

Saturday, February 5

We just got home from the missions field. Distributed 4,200 Gospel tracts between the areas of Ortigas, Quezon City Circle and St. Peter’s Chapel. Opportunities as well were opened to us to verbally proclaim the Gospel.

By God’s grace we were sustained in strength and confidence in hope for the Joy set before us. His Gospel is far too glorious to not be proclaimed to this sad and dying world. Multitudes of people totally oblivious of the reality that the wrath of God abides upon them, that it is the sheer mercy of a sovereign God alone in His common grace that they are not in Hell is moment.

But nevertheless God is so merciful and He is indeed love that He would bother to make known the way of salvation to such abominable creatures as we are.

We glory in our weakness. We glory in our worthlessness. We glory that in us, cracked clay pots, God’s mighty, powerful, sovereign grace is thoroughly magnified and glorified.

All glory to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

God was so kind and good upon us today that He sent a fellow laborer with us for the Gospel, Kenneth Calamay, a dear brother and friend. We were much encouraged with his presence and his eagerness to herald the Gospel of Christ. We also had some choice encounters with other believers in Christ who expressed their joy and support for the labors put forth for the Kingdom. We are filled with gladness for such a good God.

The Gospel was sent forth today in prayer and in the power of the Holy Ghost. May He be pleased to save a multitude for His glory.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Sunday, February 6

It’s the Lord’s day today, February 6th. Luke Stewart is joining us for Lord’s Day worship for the first time. Was really eager to introduce him to my dear brothers and sisters from my local church. Was able to invite my mom as well to join. It is my sincere prayer and desire that she would attend and sit regularly under the faithful preaching of God’s Word.

It was a very blessed and Christ exalting day. In Pastor Hubert’s sermon, each one was rebuked and encouraged to take one’s profession of faith in Christ seriously, and if found out that they are not in Christ them seek Christ earnestly for salvation.

The presence of Luke, I felt, was invaluable today. The message He preached on the life of Adonairam Judson added more to the conviction that Pastor Hubert desired to thrust into our hearts, that if the truth of God really is true, and if Christ’s life, death, burial and resurrection really is true for the redemption of lost sinners, then it is a must that the same truth must radically change our lives.

In Luke’s message the emphasis was given on how it is that a Christian must suffer. How it is an inevitable reality that a Christian will unavoidably suffer if indeed he is one. But suffering not in a mediocre, middle-line profession of faith. But a suffering because one has seen the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ the Lord that he would fling all things, life, honor and gain for love of Him!

Also, we have seen how it is really a privilege to suffer, to be counted worthy to suffer with Jesus Christ the Lord, filling up the afflictions of our Lord.

My heart was broken to hear of such a saint who would risk madness, who would risk ten thousand sights of pitch black hopelessness and utter agony of heart and still press on for the Cross of Christ.

I couldn’t keep a dry eye. My heart was pierced all throughout the day. It is my heart’s desire and prayer that the same was evident in the hearts of others present.

Praise the Lord for such a Lord’s Day! Oh the wonder of witnessing the grace of God pouring into our hearts like a sea of a million blades granting us faith to love Christ more.

Praise the Lord!

Monday, February 7

Yet again in a new day filled with mercies of a sovereign God, He has showered upon us, on each and every moment, grace upon grace, nay the fullness of grace that which is poured out from the heart of our dear Lord Jesus.

We were much physically weak and tired, but we glory in it because God’s grace was much magnified. Praise the Lord!

We were joined today by Pastor Hubert, Jenny his wife, and Roy a deacon of Christ’s Glory Church for evangelism. We engaged the people in the Marikina area. A lot of students were able to receive the Gospel through the tracts. We have our hope and confidence that the Lord surely can save each one for His glory! And we implore Him so, glorify Yourself in the salvation of souls O God!

By a miracle of grace we were able to hand out close to 3,900 Gospel tracts in the span of 3 hours. Surely our God and King was at work at each second of the day.

We believe in the Holy Ghost.
We believe in the Holy Ghost.
We believe in the Holy Ghost.

We ended quite early today and had a lot of spare time for fellowship with each other in Christ. Pastor Hubert and Jenny most generously and most kindly offered us all with lunch at their home. I should say that it is an evidence that God does care for us much, as He does so dearly for those who are His. The meal was very very good and healthy. We praise the Lord so much for Pastor Hubert and Jenny.

Afterwards since I was feeling a bit feverish, Pastor Hubert yet again was so kind as to drive me and Luke to my home. Jenny and their sweet daughter Chloe came along as well.

We had a great time at home. Mom prepared some snacks as well for us, she too was invited again by Pastor Hubert to join our Sunday Worship this coming week. I really pray that she would come along with my Dad.

6pm I left for our Bible Study at CCF, Ortigas. We heard declared how it is that we must be peacemakers if truly we are Christians, sons of God. How it is that we should desperately desire that others would enjoy the peace of God that we have through the Cross of Christ and make them see the futility of their hostility against a sovereign and wrathful God. We were sent back to examine our hearts yet again in light of the Gospel.

After the study, I and some of the members of the group went for dinner. Was concerned that Craig wasn’t home yet. Still, I trusted in the Lord that He really does faithfully keep all those who are His.

Enjoyed the presence of other dear sisters in Christ through dinner, then travelled back home in a trip filled with Christ exalting conversation.

Finally, Craig is home.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Praise the Lord for His inexpressible gift!

• We found out that the reason why Craig was so late to come home was because he was robbed in a restaurant near the airport that he ate in. I personally was encouraged how Craig saw that which was lost as nothing of any value but still saw the glory of Christ as more precious. Satan may try to afflict and deceive and rob and destroy, but nevertheless Christ is still ruling on His throne. He will get glory out of everything. EVERYTHING.

All glory to the King!

Tuesday, February 8

We just got home from the conference in Dasmarinas, Cavite. It was a very blessed day for me personally and I pray a far more blessed day for all the local pastors and ministers that attended the conference. Luke and I accompanied Craig today.

We were late for the conference for 2-3 hours because we didn’t anticipate how far it really was and how bad the traffic is in the morning going there, but still we do praise the Lord for bringing us safely to the venue. God has been good in granting us His traveling mercies. For this and many, many other things we do give Him the glory.

Craig preached a series of stirring and convicting messages. He labored that all would learn and be reminded of what is of first importance, the Gospel. By the grace of God He pointed us to the radical nature that must be present in us if truly Christ is in us. And also we were challenged that it is an impossibility to be indifferent and apathetic towards the truth of God, caring little about it, no zeal and fervor, if we really have known the truth and if really God has graciously known us.

The question and answer forum was interesting. A lot of interesting questions were raised, although it was quite unfortunate that only a couple of questions were asked that actually had something to do with the topic of the conference, still I think it was fruitful because the minds of the hearers were opened and they were not at all shy and reserved to make known their thoughts and questions.

We simply do pray that the Lord would make all that is said effectual in the hearts and minds of all that is present, that He would guard us from error and reinforce us and plant us all in His truth.

After the conference we spent time in fellowship with the pastors and attendees. Very sincere people and needful of much grace like we are. Questions concerning predestination and worship were answered, but what we were more happy about is that we were able to impart Biblical wisdom and knowledge in regards to evangelism and the main issues concerning Christianity, though it was in a smaller forum and audience, we still do pray that God can use it to help a hundred or even a thousand more.

May the Lord enlighten their hearts and cause them to seek more. May He give us all a holy dissatisfaction that we may all never tire to seek to learn more of Him and labor with all our might by the help and power of God the Holy Spirit that we would be able to appropriate any knowledge and any faith that we would attain into a fervent life for His glory.

We do thank God for the organizers of the event Pastor Dennis Panganiban and his family and the elders of his church, who, by the kindness of the Lord was very patient with us and very loving towards us in extending such Christ-exalting hospitality.

All to praises to the name of the Savior who reigns!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Wednesday, February 9

The Lord has granted us a day to rest and recover from the labor of the past days where we constantly engaged ourselves, by the grace of God, in the labor of the Lord.

We slept very well the previous night. We took the morning slow and just thanked God for the gift of rest that we may reflect upon His perfections and enjoy one another’s company.

In the evening we invited Craig and Luke to join our church for a dinner of fellowship.

Though practically strangers nevertheless we found our hearts tightly knit together in Christ. Though from different cultures and from different countries, nevertheless we have one Savior, one baptism, one Lord over all, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Craig and Luke were family to us, and it didn’t take long at all for anyone to realize that fact. The love of the Lord was overflowing through our hearts for one another.

Everyone was deeply encouraged. We all enjoyed one another’s presence. Simple, ordinary people, centering around an extraordinary God and King.

Surely it is true, the land is even under the foot of the Cross.

Thursday, February 10

It’s Thursday today. We thank God for giving us the grace to live another day. We thank God so much for the privilege to live for the Gospel this day.

We left home early so we could bring Craig to the bus station to meet up with one of the pastors who are presiding the Conference that Craig will be speaking at later today at Bulacan.

7am we arrived at the bus terminal in Bulacan and met up with Pastor Edmund Delos Reyes. 7:30am, Craig and Pastor Edmund left for Bulacan. Luke and I went on our way to continue engaging in street evangelism.

God blessed us with volunteers today, dear friends from Church, Jim Fernandez and his sister Jill. Their presence was invaluable.

On our way to the location (Sta. Lucia mall), God providentially opened an opportunity for us to hand out tracts in a very efficient manner. Almost 2000 tracts were handed out in the train station, in an area where people are just exiting the escalator to ride the train. By God’s grace this was accomplished in an hour’s time until we were stopped by security.

We left the train station to meet with Jim and Jill at the mall. We handed out tracts on the way there.

Jill arrived with some sandwiches for us, a great blessing. She also brought us cold water, a great help throughout the day.

After a short snack we went ahead to Marikina, over at the market area. 2,000 tracts left to distribute. We gave tracts to the stall owners and store sales people. Along with Jill, I was able to verbally proclaim the Gospel to a handful of store owners. Though there was one difficult person to discuss with, I just pray the Gospel was clearly proclaimed to those present.

After regrouping we had lunch at a small Resto. Luke didn’t eat though because he had a bad case of sore throat. We went to Chowking and had “halo-halo”, a Filipino dessert Delicacy. It was great to sooth Luke’s sore throat.

Jim joined us coming from work so he has no sleep yet. He left after we ate.

After having lunch, Jill, Luke and I went back to the Marikina City Hall area. We handed out a number of tracts then Luke challenged me to preach open-air.

I was in great fear and in great trembling. Was for a moment afflicted with thoughts of defaulting to distributing tracts instead of preaching. For a moment I was ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. But He still is far too precious and far too glorious to be neglected. If Christ is beside us in each moment I would think we would spend our lives doing nothing but preach the glory of His Name in the Gospel.

I trembled as I approached to climb the marble stump where the flagpole was attached. I asked Luke to pray for me. Seconds after saying amen, I hopped onto the marble and began to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

My voice strained as I shouted to all those who would hear the Gospel. I labored to present the holiness and majesty of God, the sinfulness of sin, the Cross of Christ and the wonder and hope of His sovereign grace.

A few people stopped to listen. Just 8 at most. Mostly students. Many passers-by. But though not everyone could hear, just the idea that they saw someone preaching something, risking ridicule and scorn, I pray the Lord would so work upon their hearts and they would seriously inquire the contents of the Gospel tract they have in their hands.

After 15 or so minutes, I stepped down and approached Luke and Jill, still was trembling. They both gave tracts to anyone who would take the time to stop and listen, even for a moment.

I simply resign myself to so great a hope, that God indeed saves through the message preached. Oh, may He indeed do so, for His own name’s sake may He indeed do so!

We were much physically tired afterwards. We ended the day in hope. May the Lord bring a harvest to Himself today!

All praises to the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Friday, February 11

It’s the last day. Craig and Luke will leave at 4:30 tomorrow morning.

Luke and I were pretty tired from yesterday. I feel as if we were closing our limit in engaging the streets health-wise. Though we know that there is no limit to what our sovereign Lord can do, we felt that it would be best to take care of our bodies and take it easy today especially since it is the last day.

Craig arrived from Bulacan quite early, almost 6pm I think it was. Was really glad and thankful to the Lord for keeping him safe in his journey back. We also heard wonderful news from the conference that Craig keynoted in! Pastors and ministers for the first time embracing the Gospel! It is very sad however when I ask myself “What then is the ‘Gospel’ that they previously believed? What then is the ‘Gospel’ that they previously preached?” But nevertheless, God’s purposes is being made plain. We glory in the mighty, powerful, and effectual grace of God that does soften hard hearts, open blind eyes and unstop deaf ears!

Our country needs much prayer. We are in utter desperate need for God’s grace. I have my confidence that He will complete that which He has begun, not by virtue of our own abilities, but by the might of His power. May He be pleased to use whatever means possible to glorify Himself in our land!

8:30pm arrived and friends from church came over for a send off party for Luke and Craig. Mom cooked up some good food. Roy brought some as well. It was a very blessed night, especially since we just found out that morning that Pastor Hubert’s wife, Jenny, was for a month and a half, pregnant already. Praise the Lord!

We had great fellowship all throughout the night. But like all things, the fellowship had to end as well. Though we felt like we were shortchanged with the time we spent together, we still look forward in hope that there’s always a next time when God would bring us all together again in fellowship and in worship before our God and King. And most of all we look forward to a time of endless joys together in eternity.

A few more photos taken. Gifts given to Luke and Craig. Then we closed the night as Pastor Hubert led us in prayer.

Praise the Lord for brothers and sisters in Christ that remind us of Christ and how precious He is to believers.

Saturday, February 12

My Dad and Mom drove Craig and Luke to the airport. I wasn’t able to accompany them because of sore eyes and a slight fever.