He will continue to use the fellowship of OTS for "ripple-effect blessings" to the whole world! 'Rejoice' for this honorable responsibility!

(You can visit my blog at www.petertkentmissiodei.blogspot.com)

My dear OTS brothers and sisters, you know, I am being tested from all aspects and sad to say I have been knowingly submitting to these tests and trials that I face! I have not been able to carry the banner of Jesus Christ faithfull--the 'Cross' in my endeavour as a disciple. And more so I have been worst than Peter--who denied Jesus for three times, I have been worst than Paul who began his ministry for God by persecuting the followers of Jesus Christ, I have been worst than Thomas who looked for proves about the truth of Jesus Christ though he himself was a disciple. They were later restored to true discipleship--which cost their lives, a death which was not design by nature. They were killed/murdered/ martyred because of the cause which they stood for, without any compromise.

I do not know how I can commit myself for His cause—all I know and see myself is a rebellious sinner who still desires to live for His cause and glory alone—with all the limitations! I know I am weak and yet my soul and spirit does not want me to compromise and submit to the schemes of the enemy through "the principalities of this world!" The Lord's mercy, grace and peace surpass all the wealth of this universe! "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet."

I just do not know what will happen the next second...I am totally helpless! But all I know is that--my trust is in Him and in Him alone—the best Guide, Shield and Shepherd! I am learning more to hear His voice among the many voices!

You know what, there is none who can be trusted and relied on in this whole wide world except the One who gave His life for us by being despised, betrayed, rejected, humiliated, beaten, spat, nailed, pierced, hung...like an outlawed criminal—worst than a sinner like me by my very own ancestors! At His humiliated and costly death, I have life, acceptance, hope and love—which in fact is costly too! (Many have forgotten or overlooked its cost). I have the best gift ever—a forgiven sinner, saved and called to let His name be known, trusted, honored and glorified!

My greatest endeavor now is to make His priority my priority, His nature my nature, His compassion my compassion, His wisdom my wisdom, His forgiveness my forgiveness, His servanthood my servanthood, His closeness with the Father mine too, His grace my grace, His kingdom my kingdom, His royalty and nobility mine too, His inheritance my inheritance...I just can't keep on writing...it will not be sufficient and in fact it may not be able to express all! All I know is that the Spirit intercedes for me!

My inner eyes and ears have been opened to see and hear how the world is, even in ministries and ministers' lives! May the Lord continue to have mercy--first on me and then to the world!

You know, this is not a prefect world, this is not the world which God intends us to be--this is a fallen world! And in fact there is neither any perfect church nor any perfect 'churched.' Perfection will be when the Lord comes for the 'true churched,' and as for now we need to spiritually discern this fallen nature and serve each other—to restore each other so that the "Body of Christ" in our community, both near and far, is enlightened, strengthened, guided, discipled and mentored through us so that they are "Transformed to Transform!" God Blesses, the blessings to OTS is having a "ripple-effect blessings" to the whole world! Just "look" around and observed "how the whole world is going after Him."

But beware, my friends, of the Deceiver! The Devil won once in deceiving us but now He has been conquered once and for eternity! The Devil still tries to attack us; he knows where to attack and how to—at our weak spot, through our strength, at those which we are unaware and even through those which we are most careful! He knows how to—he is the best deceiver. He may still deceive us by whispering to us that we are the 'best,' or even the 'better'; that we are the superior and enlightened 'churched and ministers.' "Watch out" for this voice—that was the voice long time back which made the Jews dislike the Gentiles; and even made the Pharisees look down on the other Jews too! And hear, what God said through Paul on this "…but whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ…" (Philippians 3:1ff)!

Praise God, Jesus Christ our Lord and King has won for us; we just have to claim that victory and take the strong-hold of the enemy step by step! Intellectual wisdom of this world, achievements, self-exaltation, hoarded treasures and piety (where our society is very much into those) will lead us nowhere—except death, manifested through frustration, lost focus, un-satisfaction, being busy for worldly values, resentment, jealousy, un-ability to accept and acknowledge other's worth, self-centered attitude, 'my-kingdom building'… In all these, only the eternal and divine "Ancient Words" will guide us home! We have the revelation, direction, authority, prove, commission, assurance, forgiveness, acceptance, hope, peace, joy, love and life!

Be strong in the Lord though in the valley of the shadow of death for I know there is rejoicing, celebration and laughter of joy and victory! God Blesses! He will continue to use the fellowship of OTS for "ripple-effect blessings" to the whole world! 'Rejoice' for this honorable responsibility, but 'watch out' for we will also be accounted accordingly for this responsibility too!

I do not know about tomorrow! All I know is that He cares for you and OTS family, and that He loves us! He likes to see us (OTS family) making the best choice for those which God has designed in our life!

Yours truly,
Peter T. Kent