Walking With The Lord

“Testimony Of The Grace of God”

My life has been a spiritual journey with the Lord from the time my family departed from Champasack, Laos to the United States of America. For many, it has always been a dream to come to America, but for our family it was a dream comes true. An unknown God led us from the wilderness of a Communist Regime to a free and blessed country fill with milk and honey.

The sign of a gracious God was present the first time we stepped out of an airplane to meet our sponsor Dorothy. She was a devoted Christian who was kind, warm and caring. It was through her act of compassion and agape love that led us to Christ. We are ever grateful for her generosity and care for our family.

Since then God has revealed to us his redemptive love, death and resurrection and forever changed our lives. I remembered vividly many times when I was a teenage boy asking God, thanking, and praising him for what He had done for me. I also remembered the time when I dedicated my life to Him and willing to do whatever He has in store for my life. From that moment on, my life has been sanctified and I now continue to live and serve the Lord.

Regardless of the different cultures, Ethnicities, and backgrounds, we are all called to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to share it with the world. The God of the people of Israel is no longer just for the Jews but becomes the God to the Gentiles, to all nations, to all countries, and states around the World. Each person is vibrant and rich in his or her own culture and heritage and shares the commonality, needs, and problems. We come to learn that all of us are precious in God’s sight. And as a Psalmist wrote, “Red and yellow black and white, we are precious in his sight.” God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. The bible teaches us that even our righteous deeds are like clothes of filthy rags. But the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed our sins. We must put on the new clothes of the righteous of God so that we may have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the power to do God’s works.

The same power when Jesus bestowed to his disciples and apostles now lies with us for those to who believes. As a member of the body of Christ, we are now speaking the same language under the same Lord. We must decide either to choose to follow Christ or became an instrument for the devil. Since God would not allow a member of His own body to be cut of, He will however prune those who are spiritually dead so that they may grow and be fruitful for the coming of the Lord. It is God’s desire that as his children that we bear fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Becoming an American citizen from countries of different origin is a wonderful thing, but how great it would be if people of all walks of life become citizens of God. Saved by the Grace of God that revealed to them and they repented of their sins. Together they would share the same love, belief, and live their lives in fearing of the Lord. This is what Jesus has intended when he commissioned his disciples to “Go” to all the world and preach the Gospel and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As a Laotian Lay minister, it is a privilege and honor for me to be able to take the words of God and share it to my people. God’s love and compassion for the lost has become my love and compassion for the lost. I must carry His cross and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to my neighbors and to the world around me. As Paul once said it is no longer that I do these things but Christ that lives in me that inspired me to do His will on earth. My desire to do God’s wills is the influence of one person who chose to do what God has taught her to do. That is to love the Lord her God with all her heart, soul, and mind and to love her neighbor as herself. Our sponsor, Dorothy has made the difference in my life and also my family’s lives. By the Grace of God that drawn us into His arms and we came to know Him as our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Background of Writer:
Thanomsy Tom Xaymongkhonh, one of the twelve children, was born in Champasack, Laos on May 10, 1972. Immigrated to the United States on August 1981 and grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. Graduated from Emporia State University in Kansas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information System. Tom is currently working at J&M Industries as programmer / analyst for the past 12 years. Married Samreth Senethivisouk and have four wonderful boys (Jordan(13), Jake(11), Jaye(10), and James(5)). Tom has been commissioned to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Laotian community at Advent Lutheran Church in Olathe Kansas.

Scriptures References:
Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:34, Isaiah 64:6; Galatians 2:20; Matthew 28:19; Luke 10:27

Time is near for the return of our Lord

Matthew 24:6 (JKV)
And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Wars, famines, hard times, and global climate changes are the signs that serves as reminder to us that the time of our Lord is coming near. The bible tells us that these things must come to pass and its’ the beginning of sorrows. We must continue to pray for our love ones, for our country, and our leaders today. Especially for new elected president Barack Obama who has to make critical and tough decisions regarding our nation economy and toward the world.

Pray that the Lord will give him wisdom and guidance to make right decisions for our country and our nation.

As we look within our own families, we sees disobedience and violent from our children. Some of the reasons why this is happening to our home is because we allows other ungodly things such as TV, internet, and video games to enter our home. Families are no longer praying together and love each other as one great family.

When I was growing up, my father always reminded us that we are still in a boat in the middle of the ocean. We must continued to be united in love in order that we may reached our destination.

Please pray for the Fathers and the leaders of your home to lead their family in a good and Godly ways. Teaching them and guiding them in the way of the Lord. Amen.

Times Well Spent

Recently, my little sister Janet and her family had come to visit us all the way from Pennsylvania. I was filled with joy to see my sister whom I have not seen for a very long time. She has been close to me ever since when we were growing up. Togehter, we rarely missed church and Sunday morning worship. We have learned and grown to love the Lord ever since. Janet spiritual life has continue to be an inspiration to my spiritual life.

When I look at her family, I can see God has being working in their lives. Her daughters (Claudia and Areana) been a great blessing to us. Seeing their little smiles and their little curly hair was something I could not get enough of. My boys (Jordan, Jake, Jaye, and James) had great time playing with them.

We have since missed them so much, when they left to go back home to Pennyslvania on December 31, 2008. I can see why my mother and father back in St. Petersburg Florida misses their grand children so much.

The feeling of missing them seems to linger and can only be filled by God’s peace. And one day, we will all be togehter seeing and enjoying each other company as brother and sister and a family serving God.

Sometimes, I wonder if either one of us made right decisions by going our separate way from our parent. We both know that Mom and Dad misses us so much. Janet being in Pennyslvani and I’m in Kansas City. We cannot go back and change the decisions that were made but only to look forward for the return of our Lord.

And to be togther again serving and praising God.

Lord, help us to have inner peace and assurance love between my little sister in PA and my parent in FLorida. May the path and decisions that we will make be according to your will. In the name of you son Jesus Christ, Amen.

New Year Resolutions

It’s that time of year again when you look back at those resolutions that you made last year and wondered if it makes any different in your life. Your answer is probably, it makes littler or no different in your life. If your answer is yes and that resolutions had changed your life, I give you a great hand of applauds.

Regardless of any type of resolutions you made, I can honestly tell you that its very difficult to follow through. Most who kept their resolutions probably on last a day or so. Then quickly faded away.

My last year resolutions was to be drawn closer to God and and faithful to his Word. Often times I felt like Paul when he said …(Romans 7:19
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.)

But the Good News is that our Lord is always faithful to us even when we were unfaithful to Him and His Word. I have learned that to always give God the praise regardless of any circumstances that surrounded my life. This not only made me more humble but to know that God is in control of my life and with me every steps of the way.

So, this year (2009) resolutions will continue to be the same as last year and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those never heard of the Gospel and lead them to Christ.

The future uncertain and alway changing but we are greatfull to know the God who is all knowing, all powerfull, and never changing.

It’s not what we have done, but what Christ had done for us. We can never be or do good enough. I pray that the Lord will bless your resolution and continue to drawn you closer to him. Amen.

Abundent Life

As a father of 4 children I sometimes rewarded them even though they are bad.  It’s the love that I have for them that made me forget what they done wrong.  You know the bible is right:  Luke 11:13(KJV)
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

The Holy Spirit help us to think clearly and make wise decisions in all area of our lives.  So we must learn to love the Lord and hate sins.  Because the Spirit of God cannot live in a place that is not Holy. (Unconfess sins in our lives).

Tom

Scriptures Reading for June 29, 2008

Sunday Scritures Reading

Danelion Animation

Most of us have probably seen these animations when we listen to our favorites music on Microsoft media player. Have you ever wonder how (Danelionaid Animation) is created. Is it just animations or mathimatical calculation of numbers and probability synchronize to music? If we carefully exam the animations, we will see different random shapes and forms exploding. Together the random shapes combined to form picture of a Dandelion flower. This animation is generated in real time using mathematical equation and probability.

Stephen Hawking is probably one of the greatest “Mind” of our generation like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and Pluto. Stephen proves his theory about the randomness of universe and on atoms and subatomic particles. He concluded that the smaller the subatomic particles the chaotic, violent, and disorganize they behaved. However, these subatomic particles look uniform and perfect when it’s combined together. This animation of Danelionaid Animation is similar to Stephen Hawking theory.

When we look at ourselves and the world around us, we realized how small and tiny we really are. Also, looking at the chaotic and evil things that are happening around the world today, do we see God as the Master and Lord of this equation? As hopeless and as chaotic our lives may seem, God is in control. He allows things to happen for His own purposes.

(The life of Joseph Gen: 50:20,..you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good)
(The life of Job Job Loses His Property and Children)
(The life of King David)

Ph: 4:4 (KJV) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Stand firm in the Lord and He will direct your path.

Tom Xaymongkhonh

Master and Servant (Luke 17:7-10) (NRSV)

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

As a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can never claim that God owes us anything no matter how hard we serve Him. We can never out do God. It’s because of His love that compelled us to be his good and faithful servant. When we have done our best, we have simply done our duty.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Ph 1:21)

Being Christian is about living your life that is pleasing to the Lord. Forgives, exalts, and praising one another. God wants us to enjoy the lives he had given us and be a blessing to others. We must continually learn to forgive those who sinned against us. In addition, we must help them in their times of needs.

For we are children of the King and the Lord of the Lord. The Lord will not deny us when we asked for good things. (Matt. 7:11)

Tom Xaymongkhonh

Walking with the Lord blog

Please share your stories with us. Its can be long or short; Or you may share how the Lord has changed your life; How your life encourages others to live for the Lord.