Activities from August 21-26, 2012

August 21, in our preachers bible study, brother Denis Yuson shared to us a good lesson about “Right Attitudes to Become an Effective preacher”. It is a good lesson that teaches us to continue on preaching the gospel of God. We should not be ashamed to share it because it is the power of God unto salvation. We also need to have long-suffering, learn to endure hardships of life and learn to serve others. Finally, as a preacher I learned in this lesson that we should become a good example to our family, to our fellow preachers, to the Christians and also to the unbelievers.

August 22, in our midweek service, brother Jerome explained to us the lesson we could learn on Proverbs 4. He gave the title “Security in Wisdom” because that writer calls his pupils and tells him how he was educated and specifies the teachings he received. He also exhorts his pupil to persevere in well-doing and to avoid evil.

August 23, I answered a text questioning “Does Baptism Save You, or just accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?” The bible not only says that we must believe on Him and we will be save but it is plainly teaches that we also need baptism for us to be save (1 Peter 3:21). We must understand that the scripture is telling us that in order to be saved from sins by the blood of Jesus, we must be willing to obey His commandments to be baptized in water (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38).

August 25, I went to Palca to visit the family of sister Maria Andrada. She is a very faithful sister but her husband is no longer active in the church. They were baptized before I became their preacher. I didn’t saw her husband in the house because he is in the field planting crops. I shared to her together with her granddaughter, who is also active and always attending in the children class, about spiritual growth. It is a burden to her that her husband became unfaithful but we all joined together in prayer that someday, he will realize that it is better to be with the Lord than to focus on worldly things. I pray that I can continually do the visitation to the brethren at Palca every Saturday if the Lord's will and if I have the financial capacity to do so, so that I can give them encouragements coming from the bible. I already made the whole schedule from September to January.

August 26, in our Lord’s day here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Marriage and Divorce”. And in the sermon, he preached to us about “How many shall be saved?”

In the afternoon, at Palca, brother Abraham joined me and he taught in our bible study about “Things we must avoid?” We didn’t talk on the lessons that we will preached but it is just a coincidence that we almost have the same lesson. I preached to them about “How can we escape sin?” Hope and pray that the lessons we preached is a good way to remind them that God hated sin and we must have a change of heart through repentance when we are still doing it.

Activities from August 15-19, 2012

August 15, in our midweek service, we studied on “Proverbs 3” that brother Robert Rances shared. He showed the things that made our lives much closer to God and the things that might destroy our relationship with Him.

August 16, I preached in the radio program about a text question to me about “Capital Punishment” if it is allowed by God or not. In the Old Testament time, God allowed man to punish those who sinned same as in the New Testament time.  Civil government was ordained by God to protect the innocent and punish the criminals within the society. That is, the government has the right to execute God’s wrath upon the evil-doer (Rom. 13:5). The individual cannot take another’s life but the government does.

 

August 17, my family and I together with other fellow preachers traveled to Maddela, Quirino because my wife’s grandmother died on August 15. It is a long and tiring trip because it took us 3 and half hours. Upon arrival, we immediately have the service. Brother Sammy Graneta started the sermon at around 5PM and another sermon at night by brother Edgar Licodini at 8:30PM.

August 18, this is supposed to be the time to bury our grandmother but her siblings calls and told brother Rody(her son) that they will be coming and so they will do the burial on Sunday morning. But we continued on another study and brother Geronimo Ganela preached to us. After the service, we all have our lunch and traveled back to Tuguegarao.

August 19, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun shared to us a study on the ”RH Bill (Reproductive Health Bill)”. A law that was passed in our congress regarding controlling the growth in our population in our country without killing or aborting a child by giving free contraceptives to those who are on the right age. Catholics disagree it this bill because they are saying that we will be disobeying the command of God to go forth and multiply and they say that you will kill the baby inside the womb but in fact, how can you kill a baby if it is not yet produce and on Gen. 1:28, it is true that God said to multiply but that does not end there, He also said to subdue it, meaning to control. For us, it is not a sin to follow the resolution because we don’t have any law from God to disobey. Any thought on this, I would love to hear and study. This is the information about the bill: http://rhbill.org/about/

In the sermon, brother Jerome preached to us about “Submitting to God’s judgment”. We don’t control everything in our lives, so we must submit to God on every judgment he is doing. Our lives is in His control and so is our death.

At Palca, brother Abraham joined me in going there but when we are near the church building, the road was block by a large crane that is putting large equipments for the construction on a new road. They are also making a road widening that we are worried because it might hit the chapel and they needed to destroy the front part of the building. Hope and pray that it will not do so because we don’t have enough funds to reconstruct the building.

We walk for about 100 meters to arrive in the church. Brother Abraham taught in our bible study about “Creation”. I preached in the sermon about “Listening to God”. Some people are truly listening to God, some do not and some are listening but not doing. James said, we should not be hearers only but doers of the word.

Activities from August 11-14, 2012

August 11, I went to a Gospel Meeting at Aquib, Piat where brother Denis Yuson is preaching and his sons Abraham and Melchizedek (they are the one's joining me in going to Palca every Sunday, a way to help him grow both in their faith and improve their preaching).

The place is well known to all Filipinos because it is where the catholic so-called "Our Lady of Piat" is located and many devoted catholics go there every first sunday of the month. I know it is hard to be preaching the truth there but they are doing their job well and the church is growing.

Brother Efren Respicio was the first speaker and he preached about "Repented but its too late" from the text located at Luke 16 where the rich man tried to repent on his sins but its too late becayse he is already in the place of torment.

I was the second speaker and I preached about "Whom among them?" from Luke 17:11-19, about the ten lepers who were cleansed and only one went back to Jesus to glorify and thank Him. As christians, who are we among the ten?

The third speaker in the morning was brother Rody and he preached the lesson concerning "The True Church of Christ".

We extended the invitation before taking a break and we are happy that two young man went infront to confess their faith (We baptized them after the afternoon session in a near river).

The first speaker in the afternoon was brother Geronimo Ganela and he preached about "Righteousness practice, application and service". And the last speaker was again brother Rody and he preached about "Taught of God".

More Images on the Gospel Meeting: Aquib, Piat

August 12, in our Lord's day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun explained to us about "Euthansia" in our bible study. The question about mercy killing if it is a sin to do it or not. This is happening everywhere especially when there is no chance that a man will live, they will just cut his life to end his suffering, but in the bible, we don't have the right to do that. We don't have the right to take someone's life. Let God be the one to do it. So it is a sin.

In the sermon, brother Rody preached to us about "Expediency". In 1 Corithians 6:12 "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any".  There are things that seems right for us but it is not for God.

In the afternoon at Palca, brother Abraham joined me in going there and he taught in our bible study about "Angels". He talked about their works and their nature that they cannot save us and should not be serve by us.

In the sermon, I preached again about "Whom among them?". I like to share them this lesson because everyone of us should be thankful for the kindness, goodness and all blessings that God is giving everyday if our lives especially the salvation we gained when we obey Him.

August 13, I attended a wedding of our brother Paul John here at Metro Tuguegarao. He was married to a catholic and hopefully and I pray that someday she can also be a christian.

August 14, in our preachers bible study, brother Andy Dappas shared to us a lesson about "Answering Pharaoh's Question" about "who is God that I will follow Him?" He explained well about who is God that we should serve, fear and obey. It then followed another lesson shared by brother Denis on "Acts 2". It should be done in the afternoon but the news says typhoon is coming so we finished it all in the morning.  Brother Denis explained well the lesson and it is very encouraging as what Peter did to preach the gospel to whomever you face whether he is rich, poor, mayor, attorney, and etc. The gospel is power of God and we should not be ashamed to preach it.

Calendar of Activities for the month July 2012

Activities from August 4-9, 2012

August 4, I attended the Gospel Meeting at Malalinta, San Manuel where brother Danny Danggalan is preaching. It was my first time to go to that congregation. They have four speakers and all are in the morning.

The first speaker was brother Edgar Licodini and he preached about “How to become a Christian”. He is from Bliss, Ilagan and also preaching there. The lesson was to introduce the church and how to become a member of the church of Christ.

The Second speaker was brother Gerald Ganela and he shared “The New Creature”. He is from Rizal, Kalinga but preaching at San Pedro, Rizal. A good encouraging lesson that we needed to accomplice as being a child of God.

The Third Speaker was brother Jerome Forelo and he preached about “Acts 8:26-39, He went his way rejoicing”. He is from here Tuguegarao and both preaching here and Alibago, Enrile. The lesson shows that we need to be rejoicing when our sins are forgiven by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is the greatest blessing that we received in this life.

The Last Speaker was brother Rody Gumpad and he shared to us about “The true Church of Christ”. He is also a preacher here at Tuguegarao. He showed the three dispensations of time and the different churches of Christ that man built. But we all know that there is only one church of Christ and that is what Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18.

 

After the lessons, we sung an invitation song and we are happy that 8 precious souls went in front to confess their faith. We baptized them in a near river and hopefully they will remain faithful until the end.

More images on the Gospel Meeting: Malalinta Gospel Meeting 

August 5, in our Lord’s Day here at Tuguegarao, we studied about “Destiny” in our bible study led by brother Jun Gumpad. And in the sermon, brother Rody preached about “The Brazen Serpent and Jesus Christ”; the similarity of what happened to the Israelites with us today.

Some pictures take at Tuguegarao: Tuguegarao

At Palca, I preached to them about the continuation of our lesson on “Why we need to fear God: Part 2”. I also shared to them the lesson we studied in Tuguegarao about “Destiny” so that they will also have an idea about it.

August 7, in our preachers bible study, we studied about "Mid-life Crisis" shared by brother Gerald Ganela. A very interesting lesson about  what to expect and what to put away when we reach the age of 30 to 50. We needed to focus on serving the Lord but we need to remember that we also have a family to take care of. Another thing that we Filipinos often forget is that, we always keep on working hard but we often times forgot our obligations in our families. We will again study this lesson on December so that everyone of us will bring our wives, friends and other brethren so that they will have a good understanding on how we should handle our lives from loving God and obeying Him to doing our obligations for our families.

In the afternoon, we started to study the book of Acts. In chapter 1, brother Larry Guillermo shared his thoughts on it. We discuss about the Ascension of Jesus to choosing Matthias in exchange for Judas. I will be teaching Acts 20, but maybe it will already be next year. I have many time to prepare and hope it will be a fruitful lesson with the help of the Lord.

August 8, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, brother Rody shared to us "Proverbs 2". I will be teaching chapter 7 in a couple of months and hope I can share the moral thoughts of the chapter.

August 9, I answered in the radio program three questions from different texters. The first "If somewhat ask for forgiveness but continued on his sin, is he forgiven?" We all know that God never ceased on forgiving us but on our part, if we repent we need to have a godly sorrow and a changed way of life. Repentance is more than being sorry for one's sin. In Acts 26:20, the works worthy of repentance are those which stop sinning.

Second question is "Does Everything Happens God's will?" God has purpose in everything (Ecc. 3:1-8, 12:13) but it is not God's will that we sin (Rom. 3:23). Everything that happens is not God's will but He allows everything to occur, including our own choices.

Last question "Is God man or a woman?" The bible speaks of God as not a human being like on Num. 23:19, Job 9:32 and Ps. 50:21. The male gender is used to speak of God and never a female; this is what we call as anthropomorphic (giving human traits to non-human things). Jesus is God in the flesh, that is, God took upon Himself humanity (Jn. 1:1-18).

Activities from July 26- August 2,2012

July 26. it's my opportunity again to share the words of God in the radio. I preached the last Tuesday about "The Sabbath" in our preachers bible study and so I got some additional information from the fellow preachers. I shared this lesson again but now on the radio. I shared the "Error in Sabbath Observance" in our time. I got many comments after the lesson coming from different listeners, both christians and non-christians. Some appreciate it but some said not good things because they are saying it is an attack against their belief. But as apostle Paul said, "Am I your enemy if I tell you the truth?". Hope and pray that someday they will understand and surrender their belief to the One True God and His words.

July 28, I got a chance again to visit the brethren at Palca. I went to the family of Fernandez. Sister Adelaida and her daughter Queenie was only there so I asked brother Lino to come with me. I shared to them a encouraging lesson about Job that even though he lost everything even his health, his faith and trust to God is still there. I shared to them this lesson because Quennie was told by the doctor that their is a small hole in her heart. I know God is taking care of her because that was a year ago and until now, she is feeling better and better everyday. No more symptoms of her sickness. They are very faithful that even though it is raining, they make it a point that they will be in the church even though they are only walking about 30meters in a muddy ground. 

July 29, in our Lord's day here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun opened up our discussion about the "Ages in the Bible". A question that would answer "Why is the years of man longer before than today?". In Genesis, the longest year a man ever lived was 969 which is Methuselah, but now the average age of man in the Philippines is 60-65 only. How did that happen? Many factors were shown like because of what they are eating before, all are fresh and the meats are red but now, like in the fields, they used many fertilizers, sprays and many more in their crops and by that, we are also digesting it in our body. Another answer was it is stated in the book of Psalms that the year of man is from 70-80. For me, no matter what the answer is, we must always think that this is our last day so we must show the Lord that we are worthy of the blessing that He will give us when we pass this world. In short, we must always be prepared.

 In the sermon, brother Rody shared a kinda like bible study lesson about "Why woman are not to be given leadership roles in the church?" He gave us the verses that shows that woman need to be silent in the church and must give all the authority to man.

At Palca, brother Abraham Yuson joined me again and he taught in our bible study about "Punishment of what they have said". A good and interesting lesson because of what people say, that will also be his judgment. He gave some example in the bible like Jepthah when he said that whosoever will be the first to come out and approach him, that he will gonna offer to God and so her daughter was the one. Another was Moses when he didn't think before he said that he and Aaron will give them water and by that, he is taking the authority of God.

In the sermon, I preached to them about "Our Special Day". To us christians, when told about this, the first thing that come to our mind is "the first day of the week". Yes that is true but we need also to think that it is everyday that is special because God is always their by our side guiding, protecting and blessing us.

July 31, in our preachers bible study, brother Edgar Corpuz shared to us a lesson about "Are you happy?" He gave different definitions regarding happiness coming from worldly stand point and from the definition in the bible.

In the afternoon, we finally concluded our study in the book of Revelation. Brother Rody gave the summary of the whole book. Next week, if the Lord's will, we will start in the book of Acts. We scheduled ourselves and I will be sharing on the 20th chapter, Lord willing, it will already be next year.

August 1, in our midweek service, we started to study the book of Proverbs. Brother Rody was the first one to share and he discuss on chapter 1.

August 2, I preached in the radio program about “Those who do not trust and obey God”. Jesus is dangerous to those who do not fear Him. We read of Jesus as a Lamb, but on the other side, Jesus is also the Lion of Judah. God is loving and merciful but behind that He hates those who do evil.