10/22/08 FM Administrator's Blog

To: Pastors, Church Leaders, and other Friends around the world!
From: John Ruotsala, “Your Foreign Mission Administrator”

Hello Fellow Christians! God’s Peace!

This week, my studies have been in the Old Testament in the book of Genesis. I have been reading about Joseph. This man Joseph was such a Godly man. He was tested, tried, and proven over and over. He always held up to the tests! His faith was strong. What an example for all of us to follow. I would really encourage all to read the story of Joseph. It starts in Chapter 37 when he was 17 years old. Except for chapter 38 it continues for the rest of the book of Genesis. I would recommend starting at least by chapter 15 however, so that you could get a glimpse of what Joseph’s lineage was. You will here begin to see the lineage that Joseph and our Christian heritage came from.

This amazing story, goes from Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, and then to Joseph. Great miracles and happening were going on every step of the way. This is so very interesting! The Bible which our Lord has given us is totally true, and is the inspired word of God. And my how inspiring it is, and how inspiring so many of the people it tells about are!

As you read this story in the bible, watch very closely for the hand of the Lord guiding it all. The Lord is still guiding his children, of that we can be assured. Also, watch very closely for the fore shadow of our Lord Jesus Christ! He was there before the foundations of the world, and he surely is there in this story of Joseph. He is also here today. It is all by, through, and for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!

The story of Joseph climaxes as his brothers have come to him. He was now the highest in command in Egypt under on Pharaoh the king. Then his brothers came unto him for food. They had to come because of a famine in the home land. They are the ones that cast him into the pit so many years ago. They are the ones that sold him as a slave. They are the ones that he could have put to death. They are the ones that deserved nothing but punishment. But Joseph, he forgave them. They confessed that they were guilty. He did not hold there sin against him. He forgave them! He took them in, he nourished them. He protected him, he saved their life.

What a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus came down from heaven above. Jesus was hated by his brothers. He was not accepted by his own. He was crucified. Jesus was put also into the pit (the grave) Jesus arose from the grave. Jesus won the victory. Jesus was sent for the salvation of all men. All men have opportunity to be saved through was Jesus has done!

Jesus is again on the throne of the King in Heaven. He is watching over us. He is telling the father that our sins are forgiven by what he had done for us. Believe by Faith that all your sins are forgiven by what Jesus has done. Encourage others to believe that Jesus paid the price for them as well. If one is not a Christian, tell them to repent, confess their sins, and believe in forgiveness of all their sins through the name and shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. All can be new for the sinner that repents. Praise be to God for our Lord Jesus Christ!
What a day Glorious Day that will be when we see Jesus again! Face to Face like in the story of Joseph and his brothers! Please see the attached song:











What A Day That Will Be
There is coming a day when no heartaches shall comeNo more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye.All is peace forevermore on that happy golden shore,What a day, glorious day that will be.
ChorusWhat a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,And I look upon His face,The One who saved me by His grace;When He takes me by the handAnd leads me through the Promised Land,What a day, glorious day that will be.
There'll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there;And forever I will be with the One who died for me,What a day, glorious day that will be.
ChorusWhat a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,And I look upon His face,The One who saved me by His grace;When He takes me by the handAnd leads me through the Promised Land,What a day, glorious day that will be.What a day, glorious day that will be!


May God Truly Bless Your day and week! Be Always Found in Christ Jesus our Lord! Love, John Ruotsala (Please see below also)

Business Section:
In responding to last weeks email, some of you have said that you would like to be able to listen to sermons preached by pastors in the USA via skype. In order to start setting this up, please provide me with the following information. Remember, a cell phone works fine as well.
Do you have a working computer in your church or home (most do not, but a cell phone works) 2) what is your cell phone number? 3) Do you have a translator of English available for the service time? 4) What day and time is best for you to have these sermons? 5) What is your time zone? 6) How many people would be listening? 7) Do you have a microphone speaker system that you can put the cell phone near to people can hear well? If interested, please respond!