Activities from January 19-27

This is our group going to Iguig tract distribution

January 19, we had a bible tracts distribution at three villages of Iguig (San Esteban, Minanga and San Vicente). Brother Ronald Valdez was the preacher there and he asked to make some bible tracts. We distributed everything in just a half day. We also had a bible study in one of the houses of his cousin (Manuel Gabriel). The only Christian in their family is his daughter. Brother Efren Respicio preached to them about “Things Above”.

brother Efren preaching at Manuel Gabriel's house

January 20, in our Lord’s day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun and brother Jerome both taught and preached about “John 13:1-17” about the “Washing of the Feet”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached about “Is Satan also doing some good things?” Part 2. This time I shared to them things that Satan do when it comes to prayer, he wanted us to be prideful in our prayers and even in our worship to the Lord he also wants us to have additions like instruments, choirs, dramatizations and many more. Satan is in our worships and that should be a good things but he is not there to listen and worship God but to destroy our focus on the service.

January 22, in our preachers bible study, brother Edgar Licodini preached to us on “Acts 16”.  He explained well about the topic about Timothy joining Paul and Silas, Paul’s vision in Macedonia, Lydia’s conversion and Paul and Silas in prison. I didn’t attend our morning session because I need to take my son and daughter to the doctor. They have been suffering from flu and cough for the past three days. The doctor said it was an asthma attack so we again bought many medicines that we again use a lot of our support for the month. Until today, January 28, they still have the asthma. We ask for your prayers.

 

January 23, in our midweek service, I preached to them about “Proverbs 22”. These are all good advices from the wisest King, Solomon to all of us. He mentioned that even if we are weak as the poor, God is our strength and he will never forsake us. It teaches us also on how to train our children in the fear of the Lord.

In our midweek service where I taught Proverbs 22

January 26, we went to Palca for another home bible study. This time in the house of brother Junior Quines. Brother Manny Pader, Robert Rances and July Aguinaldo are with me. The wife of brother Junior was in attendance and for long time, I am trying to invite her to come to the church but unluckily, she does not. Brother Manny preached about “Go..Preach the Gospel”. The reason why we need to preach to everyone and what might the hindrances be. Mrs. Lagring the wife of brother Junior is listening intently and sometimes tears are falling from her eyes. After the lesson, I invited her again to join us in our worship on the Lord’s day. I don’t know how many times I told that to her and she kept on answering “YES”. The next day (Sunday), sad to say that she is not in attendance. I asked brother Junior and he said, she was out of town. Hope and pray that someday, she will also join us in worship and Lord willing, obey the gospel also.

In our home bible study at Palca (brother Junior Quines house)

January 27, in our Lord’s Day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Forward and backward”. He gave some bible examples like Lot, Abraham and the Israelites. The lesson discusses about moving forward toward the goal not backward going back to the old man that we are. In the sermon, brother Rody preached to us about “How the gospel spreads?” He arrived with us Friday coming from a 2 weeks preaching at Manila where He also started a new work there. Lord willing this Friday night, me and brother Jun will travel to Manila and serve in the worship on Sunday. I will be teaching in our bible study and he will preach in the sermon. We again us for your prayers for our safe trip.

In the afternoon, I preached at Palca on “Proverbs 22”. I discuss this as a sermon type that suited their spiritual needs. The weather was cold that everyone is shaking but still they are happy to hear the words of God.

Activities from January 2-16, 2013

January 2, in our first midweek service for this year, one of our elders, brother Flor Constantino taught on the lesson about “Proverbs 19”.

January 6, in our Lord’s day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Rody preached to us about ‘Think on this things” in Philippians chapter 4. The congregation here in Tuguegarao already reached its 29^th year and we are very happy for that. Hope and pray that it will not end until the Lord returns.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them about “Consequences of our sins”. I know I gave good encouragement to the brethren because I also included things in the bible that we needed to do in order to be always right with God. I also thank God because I am already in my 7^th year as the local preacher in this congregation. Hope and pray that God will help me in the work and to gather more lost souls in that area. Many already have fallen away but I am trying my best to win them back to the Lord.

January 8, in our preachers bible study, brother Larry Guillermo preached to us about “Jesus Christ as personal Savior”. There are a lot of interpretations about this topic and more often use by denominations. I am still confused about this one and I wanted to hear from anyone who reads this about his idea.

January 9, in our midweek service, brother Robert Rances taught to us on “Proverbs 20”.

 

January 11, we went to Lubo, Sto. Nino for bible tracts distribution and bible study. We again cross the river using a small both in going to the other side but when we went back home, the larger boat's engine is already working.

We are all 16 who went there and we divided ourselves in the morning. The others went to tracts distribution, and 5 of us remained in the house of brother Claro because there are already contacts who arrived. Brother Jun Gumpad preached to them about “The last Day” while I help in leading spiritual songs.

In the afternoon, brother Jerome preached about “Parable of the Sower”. And finally brother Gerald concluded the lesson by answering questions from the audience. We extended the invitation and we are happy that there were 4 souls who confessed their faith in front of the brethren and most especially to the sight of God. We baptized them in the near river.

 January 13, in our Lord’s day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Gospel Call to Obey” and in the sermon, brother Jerome preached about “Apply your heart to instruction”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I invited brother Alex Genilba to come with me. He taught in our bible study about “What should I give back to the Lord this year?” and I preached in the sermon on the first part of my lesson about “Is Satan also doing some good things?” Of course the answer is no, but I showed them some like, Satan is also attending our services but he is there to disrupt our minds not to focus on serving the Lord but instead to do some other things.

January 15, in our preachers bible study, brother Ronel Octoman taught the lesson on “Acts 15”.

January 16, in our midweek service, brother Jun taught the lesson about “Proverbs 21”. Lord willing, next week, I will be teaching on Proverbs 22.

I just finished tonight working on the bible tracts that we will use on Saturday at Minanga, Iguig. Brother Ronald came to our house this afternoon and asked me to make some tracts. I only borrowed a printer because mine is already not working.

Activities from December 22 - January 1

December 22, we went to Lubo, Sto. Nino, Piat for a bible study with a retired Lieutenant of the Philippine Army. We needed to cross a river to reach their place. The boat we used was just enough for four motorcycles and 10 people. The boat went back and forth to get us all.

In the house of Claro Catolos (retired Lieutenant), the walls are full of pictures of him during his time in the army. You can see in the pictures uploaded some of it.

 When we started the study, it also started to rain very hard. Together with about 10 preachers, we all lead spiritual songs to start and so that the listeners will be familiarized with what we are doing. There are 14 of them who are from Lubo and all are invited by Claro, many of them are his relatives.

Brother Rody preached about “The Last Days” but he also included the dispensation of time and how the church started. After the lesson, we extended the invitation and 11 souls went in front to confess their faith.

 We went to the near river to baptize them but only 10 came with us from the 11 and another 1 from them who is an old woman said that he cannot take the cold water so decided to be baptized the latter time. We explained to her what will be the effect of not obeying the gospel but she insist on doing what she want. We heard from brother Denis and David that she was baptized the next day.

 December 23, in our Lord’s Day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study. I was a little bit late in arriving because of the traffics in our place. I didn’t get the title of his topic but he showed us the real meaning of being a Christian. In the sermon, brother Rody preached about “Bible”. We again extended the invitation and one young man came infront “Warlito Ocampo”. I was the one who baptized him in water and again we are happy that he decided to do it. He is attending the services for months together with his classmates who were Christians.

 In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them a lesson I read in the website of brother Joe Price about “Hiding your faith”. I thought of preaching this because of some brethren who are afraid to show their faith to other people. They are also afraid to share the gospel because of the insults they may get. I make it sure that what I preached to them will make them not afraid to matter what happen as God is always with us.

December 26, in our midweek service, brother Rody taught on the lesson on “Proverbs 18”.

December 27, I preached in the radio program for the last time about “Purpose of our Lives”. This is the last time I preached in the radio because this year 2013, we no longer have any contract of preaching in the radio.

December 30, in our Lord ’s Day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study about “High Cost of a free gift” and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “Why Rejoice?” from Philippians chapter 4.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “The Manner of Christ”. There are a lot of things we think of doing every New Year, especially the so-called “new years resolution”, but what is the best things to think of every time? That is to be like Christ, and that is all about the lesson I shared to them.

December 31, every year we are having a thanksgiving in our family before reaching the 12 in the midnight. Brother Rody is the one who is initiating this and that is the reason why we are here now, still in the Lord’s church. He is giving us all encouragement to continue steadfastly in the faith. We are singing spiritual songs and also teaching the children to read the bible. We also have bible games on our own. But after everything we’ve done, we all bow down our heads in prayer, thanking God again for the one year that He is protecting, blessing, loving and caring for all of us. We also include brethren wherever they are in our prayers.

January 1, we had our first preachers’ bible study this year. Brother Rody taught to us about “The Parable of the Talents”. He made this a lesson exclusively for us preachers, that God gave us the talent to preach the gospel, so we must not keep it to ourselves but to push our minds and body for the growth of the Lord’s church.