SWAT REPORT
DEC. 25, 2023
THE SECRET TO TRULY BEING MERRY ON DECEMBER 25
Act_20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
USING CHRISTMAS
We learned many years ago from our pastor (Hank Thompson) to use Christmas for evangelism. Bible says “Use it rather” 1Cor. 7:1. There is a lot of wisdom in this because folk are slightly more receptive to the gospel at this time of the year. So, we thank God for this tradition and use it to get out the Word of the God…Praise the Lord.
THE FOURTH WISE MAN
Many assume there were three wise men in the Christmas story in Matthew chapter 2 and that they all rode camels. Just look at a manger scene…there’s your proof. Bible believers know there could have been any number of wise men…they may not have been kings …and if they were truly wise, they didn’t ride camels. (I rode one without a saddle and felt very wise when I got off). In fact, I preach that wise men still seek Him and those who find Him are the wisest people. Well, there is one unnamed man in the Bible that could easily qualify as the fourth wise man…why? He went from being very rich and sorrowful to being naked and so happy that he ran. He sold all that he had and gave to the poor and followed Jesus. This story may be my personal, speculative twist but it preaches good. Just read Lk. 18:22-24 along with MK. 14:51,52 and see if you can come up with better.
If our opening text (Acts. 20:35) is true then stuff doesn’t make you happy. We all have too much stuff. Americans can’t park the car in the garage because they have too much stuff. Our attic is full, basement moldy, and storage shed so full we have to go down the road and rent a stuff place. We may have just received a Christmas gift this year that if we had cleared out our stuff we may have found we already had two of. Ha ha…oh go ahead and laugh…you will enjoy Dec. 25th all the more.
We have 14 college prep students living on the compound and going to school here who live in a mountain village named Kalanawan about 6 driving hours away. The six months they have been with us have been the very most enjoyable of their teen lives. At home they have no electricity, no flush toilet, and eat mostly from the garden. They are the most respectful and obedient of all the students we have ever had. This may be true because not one of them have a cell phone. DO NOT SEND THEM ONE PLEASE. There has been zero discipline problem since they arrived six months ago. This is the best class we have ever had. They have chore assignments, but we also pay them a little so as to learn about earning and money management. It isn’t much but they have zero expenses since all is free. If I teach on tithing it is a bit distant in understanding because they have never had anything. Well, they had planned to go home to visit Christmas week, so they chose to save their money to buy their family Christmas presents. They got paid last week so they would have time to buy the gifts……VERY EXCITING FOR THEM. Sunday was very interesting to watch them transition to “Cheerful givers” during the offering. The photo attached shows some of the presents they bought for their family. They left at 5:30 this morning and all lined up at my back door to wish us a Merry Christmas and thank us for everything. Pray they have a safe trip and are as bold a witness in their tiny village and to their families as they are on the public areas of our big city.
This year we passed the million mark for tract distribution. May the good Lord bless Chick publications and also the printing ministry of First Bible church of Staten Is. This coming year we would love to pass more whole Bibles. In case someone knows of a supply source for these please let us know or let them know about our desire.
Robin and I are in as good of health as can be expected for the years we have been privileged to use our body for the service of the Lord. Thank you, Creator.
We continue to have need of nothing but your prayer.Gerald and Robin Sutek
The SWAT TEAM for Christ
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