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.