$10 Million WINNER! A WHAT IF...

Because of the $500-plus million lotto jackpot frenzy, Kathy Garzon and i got into a discussion:

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAD $10-MILLION?

My initial response was that i would donate towards the Second-Step Home ministry of taking in homeless men, women and children; of helping to provide a safe haven for them as they get back up on their own feet. i would give to a CHRIST-centered ministry where the loving ways of GOD are the rule, not the exception.

Kathy’s question stayed on my mind…even this thought – Being a follower of CHRIST, would i even buy a ticket for this megabucks lotto?

i entertained the thought – this temptation to gamble, of grasping at straws. i thought that i would buy just one, if it were a California lotto. Sin was knocking at the door!

But i did NOT buy even one.

But WHAT IF by GOD’s miraculous provision, i was granted $10 million? Here is my heart’s desire…

1) Tithe off the gross amount for CHRISTian Fellowship Church, then pay all necessary taxes.
2) Keep $100,000 for personal use.

3) Give $1 million to Second-Step Home, or a like ministry for the homeless.
4) Give to an organization which helps rebuild the lives of children who have been rescued from the sex slavery/ trade or who have been forced to become child-soldiers in war-torn countries.
5) Give to Gospel for Asia, K. P. Yohannan’s ministry in India.
6) Give to Voice of the Martyrs to help persecuted CHRISTians worldwide.

7) Give to CHRISTian church planters who build in Third-world countries.

8) Plant a nondenominational CHRISTian church in Matei (Taveuni, Fiji). 
9) Build wells to provide clean drinking water in impoverished communities.

10) Give sewing machines to women to earn legitimate income. 

Give 20% to Ocean View Church for overseas missions;

Assembly of GOD in Matei (Taveuni, Fiji), to build a proper kitchen for Radini Selina and to complete Pastor Pauliasi's church building; and Impacting Asia missions in the Philippines.

And IF ever i receive by GOD’s miraculous and gracious providence any lesser or greater amount, i hold firm and steadfast in this Way of sharing GOD’s material and spiritual riches, for i have purposed in my heart to serve CHRIST JESUS, Who is my precious Utmost ALL in all.

“No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted tone and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of GOD and of money.” (Matthew 6:24, HCSB)

SO THERE! This blog-note is the written witness to that WHAT IF!

Cyclone Tomas and THE WORD

In 2010, Cyclone Tomas did its best to destroy this Assembly of GOD church, shephered by Pastor Pauliasi Nuku -- located at New Town in Matei, Taveuni (Fiji). But GOD the Holy SPIRIT caused all things to work together for good for the pastor and his congregation -- for indeed they loved much the Son... CHRIST JESUS.

The structure was razed to the ground, but it was soon re-built -- this time with timber from Lagiloa (our bush farm area) -- even better and stronger than the previous building. The Bible verses i painted on the corrugated tin roofing survived the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Tomas. The Word of GOD -- Truth that He inspired -- cannot ever be destroyed, despite man's willful destruction of it... and not even Nature's seasonal birth pangs will ever lessen its almighty supernatural influence.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

If you confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS and believe in your heart that GOD has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

GOD is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

i can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

The fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

We know that GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD. (Romans 8:28)

This Assembly of GOD church, though humble in appearance and size, is where CHRIST is wonderfully magnified. Pastor Pauliasi's messages always point to JESUS as the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. Pastor always magnifies our Father in Heaven as the One True GOD -- always speaks with passionate devotion to the Person of CHRIST, as emboldened by the Holy SPIRIT's supernatural anointing.

GOD bless this church!

Assembly of GOD -- Matei, TAVEUNI

Assembly of GOD church, located in New Town (Matei area), Taveuni -- Fiji -- where i've found genuine fellowship with brothers and sisters IN CHRIST.

Pastor Pauliasi is a man of GOD who preaches the full Gospel -- the Good News of JESUS CHRIST. His impassioned sermons (partly in English so that the Indians and kavalagis like me can understand his message) touch our hearts, nourishing our souls with the True Bread -- the Word, which is JESUS Himself. Pastor Pauliasi magnifies JESUS in all his messages -- GOD's doctrines clearly preached, but always pointing to JESUS as the Author and Finisher of our faith.

The simple church building (to the right) built after Cyclone Tomas, and the pastor's house and kitchen to the left. This is indeed a very small church compared to the mega-churches in the United States, but the congregation's heart for worship is very real and very BIG. i believe JESUS of Nazareth would feel at home in this church, small and simple though it may be. The Holy SPIRIT, Him who raised JESUS from the grave, moves powerfully in us as we offer Him praise and worship in heartfelt songs and prayers.

Pastor Pauliasi's pineapples... The pastor planted, but GOD grows for the harvest.

Pastor's wife, Radini Selina, pickling homegrown chilis. Home-made vinegar to the left...

Radini Selina's floral arrangement from the flowers she plucked from her own garden.

Our simple lunch... even inside the church -- picnic style.

i feel so at home in this church because of our genuine fellowship, reminiscent of the fellowship i also enjoy at Ocean View Church in San Diego (California). The mixed congregation of Fijian and Indian descent is a blessing to me, reminding me again of OVC where all colors worship as one.

In this, GOD has answered my prayer for fellowship with brothers and sisters IN CHRIST in Fiji, as well as a church that truly magnifies and preaches JESUS as precious and above all names.

The Church is the Body of CHRIST, and each individual follower and lover of JESUS constitutes a member (part) of His Body, which He is the Head. (Ephesians 5)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in CHRIST JESUS. (Galatians 3:28)

There is one body and one SPIRIT, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one LORD, one faith, one baptism; one GOD and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)