Activities from Juy 17-24, 2012

July 17, during our preachers bible study, brother Jun Gumpad shared to us a lesson about "What does the bible say about talking to the dead?" There are many who are doing these in our country and they believe it to be true. Before, when I was a Catholic, I also do believe on these things, especially when my mother shares some personal experiences she heard from her friends. We even go to "Healers" where they call on the name of the Lord and God will take over there body and speak a voice different from the normal. My mother is taking me to them. According to the bible, there are truly people doing these even in the Old Testament times but God rebukes them. In our time, Christian Dispensation, we should not believe on those things because it is not the work of the Lord but instead our adversary who is the devil. We cannot talk to the dead as they are already in Hades waiting for the judgment of Christ and cannot communicate or go back to us. What Necromancers nor Mediums do are no longer works to praise God but a sin that will bring them to hell.

In the afternoon, brother Rody shared to us on "Revelation 20". We finished studying it a week before but there are still many things that needed to be discuss.

July 18, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, brother Sherwin Miranda who is preaching at Luna, Quirino is with us. We gave him the opportunity to share the words of God. He taught about "Spiritual Growth" wherein we should be striving to do.

July 19, I preached in the radio program about "Those who bind the traditions of Man". I answered a question coming from a Catholic friend of mine.

July 21, we went to Bicuc, Tuao because brother Fred who was baptized on the last Sunday (July 15) invited us to where he was preaching before. When we arrived, we saw that many of those whom he is telling us to be preaching to are in the field, in short, a miscommunication in their part, so we just re-scheduled it in later time. But with the opportunity that we have, we went to brother Denis Yuson's house and had a study. Brother Fred have a friend with him who was a Pastor of Calvary Temple Church and we focus on sharing him the truth. Brother Rody shared a lesson about "Are you out of Christ or in Christ?". After the lesson, we sung an invitation song and we are very happy that Lando came forward and decided to be baptized into Christ. We baptized him here in Tuguegarao because there are no nearby river or anywhere that we can immerse him in water.

July 22, in our Lord's day here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study the same lesson about "What the bible say about talking to the dead?". In the sermon, brother Rody preached about "Dangers we face in the wilderness". Like the Israelite when they are traveling, we too have the same wilderness that we need to face in our lives.

In the afternoon, at Palca, brother Melchizedek taught in our bible study about "Things that are in Christ" and I preached in the sermon about "Why we need to fear God?" Part 1. We need to fear God because of what He can do to Satan and his works and we also need to fear God when we disobey Him because of the punishment He will be giving us. We are not yet done with the lesson and Lord willing, we will continue on Sunday.

July 24, in our preachers bible study, I shared to them a lesson about "The Sabbath". I got an article from the Seventh- Day Adventists about their belief on this doctrine of them. I gave an answer to everything that was written on the article like why we still need to keep the Sabbath, we need to do it because Jesus followed the law and many more. The short answer is, it is already nailed to the cross and even though Jesus kept the Sabbath, He didn't gave yet the New Covenant that will make the Law of Moses as the old one.

In the afternoon, brother Edgar Licodini explained to us the meaning of Revelation 21. Many are saying that the New heaven and the new earth is the church, but as we discuss it, we came to the conclusion that it is the eternal abode of the righteous, where God is.

Activities from June 11-15, 2012

July 11, in our midweek service, brother Rody shared to us a summary on the book of Psalms before we move on to the book of Proverbs. It’s been 3 years since we started to study the book of Psalms and I am happy to end it with a lot of things that I’ve learned. He taught particularly on the prophecy of Christ in the Psalms and fulfilled in the New Testament. This is the first time that I heard the list of Christ’s prophecy in this book, I only knew some before. That’s why I love to join activities and listen to every lesson.

July 12, I preached in the radio program about “Denominations”. A listener sent a text message asking about this question “Is the Church of Christ a denomination?” I tried to answer the question and I hope I gave the best answer coming from the bible.

July 14, a brethren from Palca was here in Tuguegarao on this day. They stayed in the apartment of a one of the student who is also from Palca. I went to them for a visit and also shared some encouraging words from the bible. They where brother Junix and sister Melissa who was recently bore a child but unluckily their child died. They are also the ones who on August 2011 had a miscarriage on their first babies (should be twins). And just last month, their expected child (boy) also died before the delivery. When I received their text message informing me about the situation, for few minutes, I have been looking to an open space and was blank. I respect this couple because of the great faith they have. After that, they still continued on going to church because they know, God might have a greater plan for them. I went to visit them because they are already moving to Imus, Cavite this week, about 13 hours travel from here. I am trying to contact preachers from Manila if they know about any congregation in that area, but none responded yet. I gave Junix tracts that he might use to share also the Church Jesus’ built and the gospel of salvation. I ask for your prayers for them.

July 15, in our Lord’s day here in Tuguegarao, brother Jun answered a question in our bible study about the verses in John 14:2-4, Rev. 21:10-12, Rev. 3:11-12, 2 Pet. 3:10-14 and Isa. 65:17 if they are all the same place. The answer was concluded by brother Rody as they are not same, it is heaven, church, church, heaven where God is and church respectively. In the sermon, brother Rody preached about “Smoking: Is it bad or a sin?” In our country right now, an actor who was known as the Comedy King just died. He was a good example to all Filipinos because of his humility, but he died because of frequent smoking that leads to major complications in his organs. Brother Rody shared this lesson to examine whether it is bad or a sin. Of course it is bad to our health and also leads to a sin of uncleanness. In our service, we have a visitor who was a Pentecostal Pastor with his whole family in attendance. They also went with brother Rody in Maguirig and in the afternoon, they decided to be baptized into Christ There were four of them and Lord wiling, they will be joining us again on worship next Sunday before trying to start a new congregation in their town.

In the afternoon, at Palca, brother Abraham Yuson taught in our bible study about “Death” particularly on the physical sense. In the sermon, I added about spiritual death to conclude the first study and also preached about “Way of Cain”. The things he did from vain worship to taking his brother’s life until leaving the presence of the Lord. The way he did was told in Jude 11 that we should not follow. When we sin, we should repent and not let the sin grow.

Activities from June 26 to July 10

June 26, in our preachers bible study, brother Ronald Valdez shared to us about "The Tongue". He came to our apartment 4 days before sharing the lesson and asked me to make a powerpoint presentation for the lesson. I am happy that he trusted me with the work, so I did my best to help him. He taught the lesson very well and were glad to hear it. 

June 27, midweek service, brother Rody shared to us a lesson that we could learn on "Psalm 150", that everyone who have breath must praise the Lord.

June 28, I preached in the radio program about "What life will we choose?". Either we live a life serving the Lord or work and work to gain wealth and popularity in the world.

June 30, I attended a Gospel Meeting at Catarauan, Piat. Brother Jun Antonio was their preacher and is doing a great job. Brother Larry Guillermo was the first speaker and he taught about "Neglecting the so great Salvation" and brother Jerome concluded the study with the lesson "Salvation is realized when danger is realized". No conversion but the activity is prosperous because of the good lessons heard.

July 1, in our Lord's day here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome answered the question of a brother about "What is the meaning of Feed my sheep in John 21?" We all know that Jesus is our good shepherd and we as christians are His flock. Jesus is telling to Peter to feed the words of God to the flock. In the sermon, brother Rody preached about "4 Things that hurt unity".

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them about the continuation of my lesson "Eternal Life:Part 2". How can we obtain it and why should we strive to have it.

July 3, in our preachers bible study, brother July Aguinaldo shared to us the lesson about "What is Love?". How can we show our love to our parents, brethren, friends, neighbors and enemies. That is the main focus of the lesson.

July 4, in our midweek service, brother Robert shared to us on "Matthew 7:21-23: What is the will of the Father?". 

July 5, I preached in the radio program about "Freedom of Choice". We have this freedom, but does that include we can choose whatever religion we want to gain eternal salvation? Of course not, because there is only one church and on name that we can all be save.

July 8, in our Lord's day here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught about "What will your answer be?", on the day of judgment and on the consequences of judgment, and so we need to be prepared. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached "Are we prepared?" like the Parable of the ten virgins. Are we prepared for judgment, for our worship and for leadership?

In Palca, brother Melchizedek taught in our bible study about "The children of God", while I preached about "Preventing problems with the tongue".

July 10, in our preachers bible study, brother David Malupeng taught about "What we need is less love for...", ourselves, pleasures of the world, material wealth and praise of men.

Activities for the month of June