LGBT Pride Month: An Abomination to the Lord

LGBT Pride Month: An Abomination to the Lord Joe R. Price

An ancient king once said, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.” (Prov 17:15) King Solomon’s warning should be heeded today. A modern ruler has proclaimed June, 2009 “LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH”. In his proclamation, President Barack Obama extols the virtues of the LGBT rights movement in America and commits our citizenry to “achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans”. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-LGBT-Pride-Month/) This president has told us that LGBT issues are matters of civil rights. As such, we are told to view them as a discriminated minority entitled to equal rights, “regardless of sexual orientation”. These are word games. With rhetorical dexterity he shifts away from the true nature of the issue. We can no longer define homosexuality as an issue of immorality (sin), but as a “civil rights” issue. Opposition to homosexuality will increasingly be viewed as discrimination and “prejudice”. (If you are against homosexual behavior you are against “civil rights”!) June, 2009 is the month the U.S. Government recognizes this collection of sexual sins as something in which to take pride (instead of being moved to deep remorse and godly sorrow for this great sin against God and man). God overthrew the nation of Israel because she gloried in evil and rejected truth and godliness: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa 5:20) God will not exalt sin today, either (Prov 14:34). By framing the discussion of LGBT issues as “civil rights”, President Obama calls evil good. Opponents of LGBT conduct do not advocate or condone violence against the LGBT community by identifying their conduct as sinful and disgraceful (to themselves and to God, Rom 1:27). To conclude that one cannot object to homosexual behavior without being a “homophobe” who incites discrimination, hatred and violence against LGBTs is as wrong as concluding all who oppose abortion sanction the murder of Dr. Tiller, the pro-abortion doctor who was gunned down in Kansas on May 31! Proclaiming June 2009 as LGBT Pride Month justifies the wicked in their evil. Homosexuality and all its derivatives is not worthy of honor. The city of Corinth was filled with homosexuality, but the light of the gospel shined in that dark place, “And, many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 26:18; 18:8). Among the “unrighteous” there who “would not inherit the kingdom of heaven” if they remained in their sin were the “effeminate” (KJV) and the “sodomites” (1 Cor 6:9). The first word (malakos, lit., soft) is used “of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness”. The second word (arsenokoites, sodomite) is used of “one who lies with a male as with a female”. Only when these sinners heard, believed and obeyed the gospel were their sins “washed” away (1 Cor. 6:11). The same is no less true today. As our President likes to say; let me be clear: all such vile behavior (LGBT) is sin. Homosexuals dishonor their bodies among themselves (Rom 1:24). While the U.S. President exalts such immorality as worthy of honor, God’s word is clear; “such will not inherit the kingdom of heaven” (1 Cor 6:9). The day has arrived when standing against the sin of homosexuality will subject Christians to persecution; not only from our fellow citizens, but also from our government. Although many may mock us for our faith in God’s word, like the prophet Jeremiah we must not shut our mouths (Jer 20:7-9). We must obey God rather than men; we cannot sanction such moral corruption (Acts 5:29; 2 Jno 9-11). For example, one brother in Christ who works for the USDA shared a current memo from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in which all USDA Headquarter employees are encouraged “to attend the Department’s Gay and Lesbian Pride Month observance on June 4, and employees outside of the Washington D.C., area to hold and/or participate in appropriate Gay and Lesbian Pride Month Celebrations at their offices or worksites during the month of June.” Christians are indeed being affected! May God grant them (and us all) the courage of faith to withstand these pressures to compromise with evil. Even now, the President’s proclamation attempts to condition Americans to fully accept this perverse conduct as normal. He proclaims: “Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration.” While “LGBT Americans” are called out of the closet to places of honor by this administration, those who resist and speak out against these sins are being shoved into the closet! My fellow Christian, will we pledge loyalty to Caesar to protect our life and livelihood at the expense of faith? Or, will we “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” when persecution comes? (Rev 13:15-17; 14:12) That choice is being set before us even now. God sent His Son to this world to save sinners from perishing, not to champion sin as a “civil right” (Jno 3:16). Those who justify the wicked in their wickedness are an abomination before God (Prov 17:15). Presidential proclamations will not change this sobering truth. A nation that turns its back on God cannot long endure. America will not endure when righteousness collapses and sin is exalted by its leaders and its citizens (Prov 14:34).

AUGUST 2, 2017 BIBLE DISTRIBUTION TO BALOK SAWA CHURCH OF CHRIST MAASIM, SARANGANI PROVINCE

Dear Brother Ron Halbrook, "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2) Grace, Mercy, and Peace be with you From God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank you so much, Brother Ron and also to the saints with you who made the purchase of Bibles possible through the loving providence of God. Attach are pictures of members in BALOK SAWA church of Christ Maasim, Sarangani Province. Our dear beloved Brother Gorio Pelon is a preacher in this local congregation of our Lord. I lectured first about "THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE: SALVATION IN CHRIST JESUS" an excellent lesson from you, Brother Ron Halbrook. Thank you so much for giving us these Scripture that is : given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim 3:1617) I also gave last week 5 Quantity of Bible to Brother Rudy Falate for the Tampat church of Christ in Maasim, Sarangani Province. Thank you and God bless. In Christian LOVE, Mike

FIELD REPORT : SEPTEMBER 4, 2017 PREACHERS MEETING AND THEN PREACHING CLASS

Dear Brother Earl Mitchell, "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2) Grace, Mercy, and Peace be with you From God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

I am thankful of the loving advice you have for us in which when we it heartily, the result is unity and mutual understanding here. Thank you for the brotherly love to us. Morning of September 2, 2017, I and the brethren gathered in the local building in Kyumad church of Christ, Amsipit, Maasim, Sarangani Province. Brethren who attended were: 1. Gorio Pelon 2. Cesar Monto 3. Julius Sukin 4. Rodel Nicessario 5. Rommel Dazon 6. Allan Moyak 7. Renie Moyak 8. Edward Diamana 9. Jun Balunto 10.Tong Alejo 11.Manolang Diamalo 12. I, Men Mark Tumandan By the loving providence of God, we had able to reconciled in each other. Brother Gorio Pelon heartily forgive Bro. Rommel and Bro. Manolang. Forgiveness is a sign of real love. Bro. Allan Moyak and Bro. Renie Moyak emphasized the need of Preachers Training and also Bro. Rommel Dazon encourage those willing to attend. So, after the lunch at the house of Bro. Ronie Isla (though he was not there but his dad and mom were present in his house) we then started for the continuation of the Preaching Class 2017. There are added students in the Preaching Class. Bro. Carlito Laura, Bro. Bembol Alejo are added in the student's list. Every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM is the schedule. I am the regular lecturer together with Bro. Edward Diama (as I requested him to handle the "The New Testament Church Study" from Bro. Roy E. Cogdill). Bro. Rommel Dazon and Bro. Allan Moyak will also lecture. Another schedule is every Lord's day, from 1:00-4:00 PM because Bro. Jolito Dela Corta (son-in-law of Bro. Tong Alejo) can not attend every Saturday. Thus, I decided to schedule another time for him and to ask Bro. Bembol Alejo to attend with him as well. My dear Brother Earl Mitchell, I am asking of your precious love in such way this Preaching Class 2017-2018 will be sustainable. This will end on January of 2018 as Bro. Rommel Dazon advice. Thank you so much and God bless. In Christian LOVE, Mike

(DECEMBER 14, 2017) BOX OF RELIGIOUS MATERIALS, CLOTHES AND FOOD.

Dear Brother Ron Halbrook, "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2) Grace, Mercy, and Peace be with you From God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thank you so much for the 1 box full of materials for religious study. All are significant for the growth in the Lord. Thank you for the clothes, food and medicines included.

Brother Gorio Pelon was at the house this afternoon so I shared to him the noddles for his family and also the books for his continuous learning as we all need to learn more and more in the word of God. There are really many things I have not known, and the reason I need to study day by day. Thank you so much for your precious love. I am sending this through my gmail account because I have a problem sending through my yahoomail. God bless. In Christian LOVE, Mike

Bible Study in FOXTROT COY, 72ND INFANTRY (GABAY) BATTALION, 10TH INFANTRY (AGILA) DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY.

I am happy to share to you the consecutive Saturday Bible Study in FOXTROT COY, 72ND INFANTRY (GABAY) BATTALION, 10TH INFANTRY (AGILA) DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY located in SITIO TAMPOAN, BRGY. KAMANGA, MAASIM, SARANGANI PROVINCE. I with Brother Allan Kimnon lectured a lesson about “Why We Don’t Use Drugs?” by Bro. John Isaac Edwards last Saturday, March 11, 2017. On March 4, 2017, the lesson was "Understanding Authority" a lesson by Bro. Joe Price.

March 18, 2017, the lesson was "Arm Forces of the Philippines: Minister of God for Good" a lesson I made last year. Members in the local church where I preach and also in the local church where Brother Allan Kimnon is working attended the Bible Study together with the soldiers in the Military Camp. It is a joy in learning what the Bible says about illegal drugs with the Philippine Army. Thank you so much for your precious love. God bless. In Christian LOVE, Mike

Preaching The 1st Century Gospel to 21st Century In the Island of Mindanao

MOUNTAIN TOP LIBAS CHURCH OF CHRIST 2016 SERMONS

FIELD REPORT: MAY 31, 2018 GOSPEL WORK AT MOLO A LIBI CHURCH OF CHRIST.

Dear Brother Ron Halbrook, "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2) Grace, Mercy, and Peace be with you From God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Talking to the disciples, Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true:‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors." John 4:34-38 It was true then and it is still today and still true tomorrow that if only gospel preacher lift up his eyes and look at the fields, then are ready white for harvest. There are lost souls who are hungry of the spiritual food, there are souls who are broken and needed to healed by the gospel of Christ. Thank you so much Brother Ron Halbrook for your love in coming to the Philippines to preach the gospel of Christ. We are in debt gratitude of your sacrificial love. Thank you for the US saints who always made possible for your coming. Thank you that there are US saints there who always pray and send financial help to the Filipino preachers. May 31, 2018 – Molo A Libi church of Christ, Malapatan, Sarangani Province Around 8:30 O’clock in the morning, the gospel meeting started with a prayer lead by dad, Siamen D. Tumandan. Brother Wilfred Madeo first preached about “The Faith” in Romans 10:17. He emphasized the need to hear “So then faith coment by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. I, Men Mark A. Tumandan then followed the lesson about “General Information About the Bible”, emphasizing that the Bible has 66 Books, written by 40 men, there are 3 dispensations (Patriarchal, Mosaical and Christian Age). The need to submit to the instruction of Jesus Christ is also emphasized. Example when taking examination in school, the instruction is: I. Write the letter of the correct answer. __TRUE__ 1. 2+3=5 A. TRUE __FALSE 1. 2+3=6 B. FALSE __TRUE__ 1. 3+3=6 C. TRUE No matter how it seems correct, when not following the instruction then it leads to failure. When Christ said “believe and be baptized” one should obey it especially when connect the salvation after obeying it. Even there is no word "be saved" if it is from the command of Jesus, then one should do "believe and be baptized". Brother Ron, dad then lectured about "The Assembly" which emphasized that God hath His own which is the church. My last topic was then "The Origin of the Lord's Church", lecturing when, where and who started the different religions of the world today. The saints were edified and the two lost souls have found their salvation through water baptism. 4:00 PM - We, (Bro. Wilfred Madeo with his two sons, Rochie and Wil John) and dad, Siamen D. Tumandan were there in Glan, Sarangani Province. Bro. Rochie drove a motorcycle and at the back were I and Bro. Wilfred. Bro. Wil John back ride in his motorcycle was dad. We went to Glan from Malapatan, Sarangani Province. It is an opportunity to deliberately meet certain man named Alfredo Oray, preacher in a church of Christ that practice "one cup" in Lord's supper. Considering that there is a blackboard in his house, I then lectured that what is importance is the contents rather than the container. Taking in consideration that Jesus in I Cor. 11:23-26 used a metonymy, a figure of speech "the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant". Brother Ron, the field is ready for harvest. Sarangani Province have thousands of lost souls, thus the work of a gospel preacher is indeed needed. I am praying that may I have enough financial assistance to sustain for the opportunities in preaching the gospel. I together with Bro. Wilfred Madeo are planning to train more faithful men in Malapatan and Glan areas. Thank you so much and God bless. In Christian Love, Men Mark A. Tumandan

FIELD REPORT : MAY 29-30, 2018 BANGA, SOUTH COTABATO

Dear Brother Ron Halbrook, "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2) Grace, Mercy, and Peace be with you From God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He said to His disciples “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. Thus because of this authority He commissioned them to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching all things whatsoever I commanded you” Then the assurance is that “and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt. 28:18-20 May 29-30, 2018 – Brother Jolly Julom let me ride with him in his multicab going to a local church located in Banga, South Cotabato. Banga, South Cotabato is 1 h 35 min (80.5 km) via S Cotabato - Sarangani Rd/Marbel - Makar Rd/Pan-Philippine Hwy/AH26. What a blessedness to meet with fellow gospel preachers, some are those whom I had joined in Gospel Meetings before and some are new gospel preachers from Region 12 of Mindanao (South Cotabato, Sarangani Province and General Santos City). As a young gospel preacher, it is encouraging on my part to meet with those older preachers – considering their wisdom and strenght in serving the Lord. I am also sure that those who are old are also encourage seeing young people in preaching the pure gospel of Christ. Preachers such as Bro. Parbo, Bro. Rudy Falate, Bro. Joy Julom then preachers from Maasim, Sarangani Province The lecturer is Bro. Jonathan Carino, a gospel preacher from Cebu. The distance between Cebu City and General Santos City is 493.03 km. The distance is equal to 306.36 miles and 266.04 nautical miles. I am thankful to brethren for inviting me to attend the said Gospel Meeting – especially that Bro. Carino a sound gospel preacher, knowing how to divide the word of truth and no one can not understand what he is teaching. There is also a Vacation Bible School held for the young people in connection with the meeting but it is held in the distance area from the local church in Banga. Those young people who are not yet baptized when convicted of the lesson teach by Bro. Jonathan then submit to Christ in baptism for the remissions of their sins. Tonight, going back home Bro. Jolly asked Bro. Nestor Francisco to let me, Bro. Edward Diamana and his son to ride with him in his car going to General Santos City. I need to be here in GenSan because I am going to preach tomorrow in Gospel Meeting at Molo Libi church of Christ, Malapatan, Sarangani Province where Bro. Wilfred Madeo is preaching. Brother Wilfred keep on sending text messages to Bro. Jolly Julom to attend for the Gospel Meeting. Bro. Jolly responded that he will send me just like Apostle Paul to Timothy “And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: (1 Thes. 3:2) Thank you so much for your love always Brother Ron. God bless. In Christian Love, Men Mark A. Tumandan ---------------------- Dear brother Mark, Greetings in the name of Christ. I thank God for this good report about your work and activities in cooperation with our brethren preachers to spread the gospel and to edify the saints. I am traveling and preaching 11 days in Alaska to help a very small church which has no evangelist to help them. By God’s grace one precious soul was already baptized. May God bless you, your family, and your labors in His kingdom. In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

May 18, 2011 FIELD REPORT (LATE PUBLISHED)

Gospel Meeting in Lamkenesong church of Christ, Talufo Tiboli, South Cotabato Province - 12 Were Glady Baptized. I and Brother Rommil Dazon returned back home from Gospel Meeting in Tboli, South Cotabato which is more than 40 miles from here around 5:00 o'clock in the evening of May 18, 2011. We left last afternoon of Tuesday, May 17, 2011 in spite of heavy rain we encountered on our way, the rain last more than 30 minutes. We immediately started our preaching when we arrived, I first preached about "What Must I Do To Be Saved?" in evening. Brother Rommil preached a good sermon about the Lord's church. And while two gospel preachers named Dominador Antang and Danny Caliz also preached good sermons, it was my first time to meet two of them. When morning came, May 18...there were 12 folks who accepted Christ through water baptism. What a great joy!

LITTLE CHILDREN BIBLE TEACHING

I and Brother Ronie Isla had the opportunity yesterday, June 16, 2018 at Purok Cabu, Bawing, General Santos Cityto teach little children about the Kingdom of God. Teaching them how to write and the correct spelling of "Parable, Lost, Sinner" and their meaning gives us strength. Oh, how joyful to interact with the children. God bless.