Our Old Fishing Hole

Our Old Fishing Hole

- February 25, 2021

It's an old ploy for people here, (usually they have children with them,) to come up to you asking for money. Their reasons range from having dropped their wallet, needing fare to go home to the province, being lost in the city and having nowhere to go. I can't possibly tell if the person is in real need or just scamming me. But I use the open opportunity to ask them for a few minutes to talk before I give them help.

This lady was asking us for money. She says she needs 40 pesos to buy rice. I asked her if she knew who Christ was and she enthusiastically said yes. I glanced at her closed hand and saw the familiar purple color of a hundred peso bill and a few more. She had more money than I did. When she noticed my eyes she shyly hid her hand behind her. She claimed to be very religious, and believed herself to be a good person by virtue of religion.

A minute into the conversation, I bluntly asked her if she ever lied in asking people. Without thinking her quick answer was, "just now". I asked her again to make sure I heard right, "you're lying right now?" She obviously slipped because after she realized it she frantically told me she needed to go. I asked for just another minute, hoping I can explain sin more clearly. She stood up without saying goodbye and walked away. I didn't get to share the gospel, but may the LORD return her folly upon her head, and grant her mercy.

Our dear sister Moureen promptly joined us today for our public proclamation. I left our house with my beloved wife still now knowing where we were headed today, but I take Father's silence to mean anywhere is perfect: He will be there with us. This is our idea of a perfect date.

As expected I was graciously assisted with power and urgency in my pleading. People parked to listen across us for a great part of the proclamation. The long wait at the intersection gave ample time for a lot of people to hear what they needed to hear. The seed of the word fell on the right soil, everyone else was warned.

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Kletos Covenantal Ministries is a small house gathering of Christians inside Brgy. Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan standing solely on the absolute authority, sufficiency, and inerrancy of God's Holy Word by the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God, the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are Presbyterian in church polity. We adhere strongly to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Larger and Smaller), the Athanasian and Nicene Creeds, and the Heidelberg Catechism. Our emphasis is on prayer, experimental/experiential preaching, the active proclamation of God's word in public, catechism, and daily intentional Family Worship in the homes.

Who I Am

I am a husband, and a father.

I am a mere recipient of my Father's mercy by the gracious merit of my Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ of God.
An unprofitable servant.

Raised as a Roman Catholic, lived like a demon for 24 years in that religion, became a "Christian" and joined a rich church twice, while living as a hypocrite for 19 more years, 14 of those in adultery. Finally found by Christ out of his own good mercy, convicted of my severe offenses, I realized I was helplessly lost. Regenerated and renewed according to the will of God through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Granted the gift of repentance and faith. Was saved. Washed in the blood of the Lamb. Passed from death unto life. Justified. Dying daily in sanctification. Soon to be glorified.

I pray in God's mercy that I may endure to the end carrying His name, proclaiming His kingdom, and preaching the good news of Christ's salvation, the good work of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and the victorious power of the Resurrection unto sanctification which is in Christ Jesus, to all who will believe and behave the gospel.

I do not believe Christ saved me to merely hide inside a church building to be a good member, but He enlisted me to be a warring soldier for His kingdom to come; nor do I believe the Holy Spirit indwells in a believer and lets him live as the same old person prior to being saved. If, despite my service, the most Sovereign Lord assigns me to hell at the end, then I have no merit of my own to present to him for myself, other than that which is found in Christ. Though I deserve His justice, I can only plead His mercy. Regardless, God is still truly worthy of all service, worship, and praise.

I am in no way superior, more good, or better than the person I meet on the street. The only difference is I fully realize that I am a guilty criminal before God and that I rightly deserve to die under his justice, yet by His mercy and grace He forgave me - and so I am eternally grateful for this act of kindness that no good act in my entire life can ever truly repay. The common "churchian" knows this, yet has no evidence for it. I am of no such company.

Out of gratitude, I willingly set out to fulfill the Great Commission of proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ where all the fishes are - out on the street. Faithfully declaring the clear Gospel of repentance unto salvation, which is able to save to the uttermost, the newness of life in Christ, the persecution that comes with such profession, and the terrifying wrath & judgment of God to come upon the sons of disobedience.

If I lift Him up therefore, He will in turn draw His elect to Himself, thus glorifying the Father, who deserves the reverence He demands from all people and creation. May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward for his suffering.

Grace alone.
Faith Alone.
Christ alone.
Scripture alone.
For the glory of God alone.