Originally posted at Working on the Page, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)

Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Galatians 5:13-18 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Vs. 1 – THE COMPUNCTION TO STAND FAST

      A. The POSITION of Liberty

• You HAVE it
• REST in it!
• Be SATISFIED with it!
• Don’t ABUSE IT!

      B. Vs. 7 - The EXERCISE of  Liberty:
The bulk of the chapter is dealing with the EXERCISE of Liberty.

I. Vs. 7 – Liberty to OBEY THE TRUTH

a. Liberty to go through the doors He opens

II. Vs. 13 + 14 – Liberty to LOVE & SERVE one another

I  Peter 2:15-16 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

III. Vs. 16, 25 – Liberty to LIVE + WALK in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

IV. Vs. 18 – Liberty to be LED of the Spirit

Choices – A 13 year old boy was sought out by talent scouts from USC and given a contract with his father’s approval “just in case he was called” . . . when he was 18.

Would you let your 13 year old sign up for missions “just in case” he was called when he was 18?

V. Vs. 21 – Liberty NOT to be a SLAVE to the Flesh

a. Liberty not to do things that are contrary to our inheritance

b. There are some things that saved people cannot, must not, WILL NOT DO!

VI. Vs. 26 – Liberty NOT to Desire Vain Glory (self-conceit)

Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Godliness with contentment?

Today many people suffer with not being content. I just came across this poem that was written by a fourteen-year-old boy.  This poem shows how restless and discontent the human heart can be.

What I Wanted

It was spring but it was summer I wanted; the warm days and the great outdoors.
It was summer but it was fall I wanted; the colorful leaves and the cool dry air.
It was fall but it was winter I wanted; the beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.
It was now winter but it was spring I wanted’ the warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child but it was adulthood I wanted; the freedom and the respect.
I was twenty but it was thirty I wanted; to be mature and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged but it was twenty I wanted; the youth and the free spirit.
I was retired but it was middle-age I wanted; the presence of mind without limitations. My life was over but I never got what I wanted.

Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.   St. Augustine

1 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Many troubles are brought sinners because they do no know where they came from; they do not know who made them and they think somehow that life is about THEM.

When I came to the following conclusion, the purpose of my life began to focus more clearly.

1. God Made Everything

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:21  And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

2. God OWNS Everything

Psalms 24:1  A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalms 24:1  A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

3. God Made Everything for HIMSELF!

Revelation 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

My prayer is that as you read these verses you will see yourself as God’s special creation; as one who is owned by God; and one who has a special purpose to fulfill in life for the glory of God.

Originally posted at Stand Fast!, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)

Tonight Church planter, Adam Riviera,from Westagate Baptist Church presented his burden for the Boston area. I will accompany him tomorrow to scout out some of the locations he is praying about. Please pray that the Lord will give him the wisdom to see the doors that the Lord will open in this ventutre.

Adam Riviera

Tomorrow evening BVBC will begin the NE Regional GIBF meeting here in RI. We are looking forward to seeing many of our old friends in the ministry.

Originally posted at Blackstone Valley Baptist Church, Cumberland, RI, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)

                          

                        If I had a thousand lives to live, I’d live them all for Jesus.

This was certainly the testimony of Rex Switzer who died from malaria that he contracted in South Sudan. He and his wife, Ginnie, served together with their son, Jonathan, his wife, Katie, and grandson, Jeremiah. The work in South Sudan was still in the pioneer stage. Rex had gotten legal status to work in the country and had been given property to establish a base there. Recently, the church in Maiwut built Rex and Jonathan two mud huts to live in until they were able to build a house. Because they did not have electricity and running water, Ginnie and Katie Switzer remained in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Rex & Jonathan spent nearly two months (December – January) in South Sudan, and then returned in March. They had been there for three weeks when Rex became ill, and they returned to Addis. Before they were able to evacuate him out of Ethiopia for proper medical treatment, he passed away. He had previously expressed his burden for the people of Ethiopia and South Sudan, and said that “he wanted them to open their hearts to Christ whatever it may take.” My prayer is that God will use His death in a two-fold manner: (1) to reach souls for Christ (2) to serve as a rallying cry for new workers for both Ethiopia and South Sudan.
We first met Rex and Ginnie on 2005. They contacted us concerning moving from South Africa where they had worked for about 17 years, to Ethiopia. We were thrilled as we desperately needed new workers there. In September 2005, they invited us to come down to Cape Town for a mission conference. It was my privilege to be the main speaker in that conference. It was a blessing to see the fruit of their ministry in that country. Eventually, they were able to turn that ministry over to a man that they had won to Christ and trained for the ministry.
In 2006 because of Glenda’s health, we had to return to the States, and the Switzers moved into our house in Addis Ababa. In our last years in Ethiopia, we had begun working with the refugees from South Sudan. This eventually led to making trips to the Refugee Camp near the Sudan border, and also to Gambella, Ethiopia where many of the Sudanese had settled. It was on those trips that I got to really know Rex. He was skilled as a carpenter, but also loved cooking. He was
a great organizer. He always knew exactly how much food to take on those trips, even to the containers of drinking water and extra fuel for the truck. Rex and Ginnie both endured hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (II Timothy 2: 3). They made a number of trips into South Sudan living weeks at a time in tents, without even the basic amenities, in temperatures well over 100 F. They have truly been pioneers in a very difficult place, and I can only imagine the welcome that Rex received as he finally made it home.
Ginnie’s amazing attitude is summed up in these words: “Rex & I firmly believed that nothing touches us that doesn’t pass through God’s hands first. I hold that truth close in my heart today.” They will return to the States for a memorial service, and Ginnie has said, “When our business is finished all of us will be returning to Ethiopia. Rex has finished his course….we have not!” Please remember this family in prayer and send any financial support to Rex Switzer P.O. Box 191 Springfield, MO 65801.

Sincerely in Christ,

Eugene & Glenda Worley

Originally posted at Letter from Eugene Worley about Rex Switzer, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)

Sandy Grimm, Pastor Darrell Grimm, Bud Everett, Karen Everett,  Judy Lewis, Robert Lewis

Originally posted at On the Road April 1, 20012, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)

Mid Week Service – Shelton, Washington

Contact Bryan Sprenger:  Email: sheltonseven@gmail.com  Website: www.shelton7.org

 Our next engagement was with Russ Tryree at the Valley Baptist Church in Auburn, Washington. We arrived on Wednesday, March 21, and finished the Missions Conference on Sunday morning March 25th. The total of the faith promise was several thousand dollars over the amount given in the the previous year. Pastor Tyree, his wife, Pastor David Wilder, and his wife were all very accomodating to us, making this another great experience for my wife and me. The Church family responded to the preaching in humility and optimism. We hope this will prove to be a long term missions revival for the church.

Pastor David Wilder, Pastor Robert Lewis, Pastor Russ Tyree

Pastor and Mrs. Russ Tyree

John and NeilaYell, Missionaries to Brazil 

On Sunday afternoon, March 25, we traveled to Vancouver, Washington, to participate in the services at Majesty Baptist Church. We stayed in the home of Pastor and Mrs. Virl Stalnaker. The church is a new one with several mature Chrisitans helping to evangelize the community. Pastor and Mrs. Stalnaker accompanied us down the Columbia River Gorge as far as Multinomah Falls where we ate fresh Salmon.

 Columbia River Gorge

Pastor Virl and Mrs. (Sandi) Stalnaker

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the next week  (March 26-28), I preached at Yakima Bible Baptist Church, where David Brown is the Pastor. It was a great meeting with several missionaries presenting their works to the church for consideration. For me, the highlight of the meeting was to be able to visist with Seth and Megan Mau, whose son, Brandon,  has recenly lost an eye to cancer. They are weathering this storm gracefully but are concerned about the unfinished work that is awaiting their returrn. Brandon, is required to stay close to the hospital for the time being for ongoing treatments.

Seth Mau, Owen Mau

Megan, Maddison, Owen Mau

Pastor David Brown

 Pastor and Mrs. (Kay) Brown

Originally posted at More From the NW, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)

                                                                                                  March 10, 2012

We left Texas on February 14^th to attend the GIBF meeting in Temecula, California. It was truly a great meeting. The preaching was outstanding, as usual, and should be revisited on the website of Global Independent Baptist Fellowship. One new missionary was endorsed and added to the roster of GIBM missionaries. The full house and great food provided a tremendous opportunity for fellowship.

Missionary Scott Bolticoff,  Robert Lewis,   Pastor Kenneth Walters, Missionary Joshua Prince

We have taken the occasion of this trip to revisit some of the great independent Baptist churches in the Pacific Northwest. The Lord has given us health, safety, and good meetings in every church. We still have seven mission conferences in front of us, and we will not be back home in Texas until late May. I am writing this letter from Albany, Oregon. Your support is so vital to us because most of the meetings we have are in small churches. You can read about the particulars of our meetings at http://robert-lewis.org.

 My wife is writing on her blog (http://giventohospitality.com) daily and has been a blessing to many pastors’ wives and other women in ministry. She has been invited to speak in numerous ladies meetings along the way.

Please continue to pray for our safety on the road and good service from our vehicle as we attempt to travel, preach, teach and witness for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Originally posted at Lewis Report 2012-03-07, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)

Robert Lewis, Charles Bonner

Darryl Mccay, Robert Lewis

Larry Clayton

Robert Lewis, Dennis fountain

Tuesday, March 13, we traveled to Bothell, Washington to begin a missions conference at Woodin Valley Baptist Church, where Rich Farinella is the pastor.  There are two other missionaries being introduced to the church at this meeting. My wife and I are staying in the home of pastor and Mrs. Farinella, enjoying great comaraderie and good food in between the meetings.

Bruno Bousgeois (Quebec), Alex James (Chile), Pastor Farinella, Robert Lewis

Originally posted at March 11 – Preaching in Washington, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)

Pastor Merve Goodrick put us in contact with his son, Darrin, who is the pastor of Yaquina Valley Baptist Church, Newport, Oregon. We spent a few days with them and I preached on Wednesday, March 7^th at their church services. This church is in a beautiful coastal community that reminded us of our 27 years in New England. We had a wonderful experience staying in a beautiful cottage by the sea . We will be heading for the state of Washington this week end (time change Sunday-spring forward) to be with several of our supporting pastors and to participate in the Missions Conference at Yakima Bible Baptist Church where David Brown is the pastor.

Pastor and Mrs. Gil Derosas - Robert and Judy Lewis

Pastor and Mrs. Jorge Lemus

Pastor Darrin Goodrick - Robert Lewis

Pastor Darrin Goodrick and Family

Originally posted at On the Road in California and Oregon, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)

Pastor and Mrs. carlos Serrano and Family

Pastor Carlos Serrano, Robert Lewis

Mike Kappold, Yanet Flores, Jennifer Ingram, Rueban Marquis

Future home of Bible Baptist Church?

Originally posted at Bible Baptist Church, Delano, California, found at The Lewis Page - The Lewis Page - News and Thoughts from Missionary / Evangelist Robert Lewis - Photo: Grand Harbor in Malta (Miletus in the Bible)