Activities from April 23-May 12

April 23, in our preachers bible study, we studied "The Peace of a Christian Life in the Presence of God" that brother Geronimo Ganela shared to us. We can have peace with others, peace within ourselves and peace with every circumstances that comes to our lives if God is with us. He uses the text in Philippians 4:1-23 as point of discussion.

April 24, in our midweek service, we started to study the book of Matthew because we are already finished with the book of Proverbs. The elders decided that we will start the New Testament with every preacher in Tuguegarao to have his own share to discuss. Brother Rody started the book with Matthew 1 with all the necessary introductions on the book.

April 27, I am scheduled to go to Palca for a home bible study at the house again of sister Merly Lamigo but at midnight of the same day, I brought my wife to the hospital due to stomach pain. We were there until noontime and she was diagnosed to have Urinary Tract Infection. We went home in the afternoon, so my schedule in going to Palca is cancelled.

April 28, early five in the morning, my wife felt again the pain and it is much painful than before, so I bring her again in the hospital. There they started to give her several medical test, from x-ray, ultrasound, blood test, urine test and other necessary things so that they can see what is the problem. The result, one kidney stone was found and needs treatment. the next day, she was asked again to have different x-ray. They found out that there is another kidney stone. We stayed in the hospital for two days but still she is under medication right now. While it is the Lord's day when we went to the hospital, one of our elders (brother Robert Rances) here at Tuguegarao visited us and shared God's word to us for encouragement and we all prayed together.

May 1,in our midweek service, we studied "Matthew 2" that brother Robert Rances shared. He talks about the birth of Jesus Christ.

May 4, the home bible study at Palca resumes and I invited brother Jay Gumpad and Denis Yuson with me. Together with brother Denis, we bought lead spiritual songs while brother Jay preached to us about "How to Battle Worldliness?". We were at sister Merly Lamigo's house together with other brethren from Palca.

May 5,in our Lord's day service here at Tuguegarao, we studied in our bible study about "Does God exist?" that brother Jun taught and in the sermon, brother Jerome preached about "Are all religious people headed for the same place?"

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about "Will all religion be saved?" almost similar to what brother Jerome preached that's why I added some part of his lesson to what I preached to them.

May 7, in our preachers bible study, we studied "Romans 2" that brother Celso Jacobo shared. He is not the one scheduled  but he took the place just for us to study the lesson.

May 8, I preached in our midweek service about "Matthew 3" wherein it talks about the "Messiah's Messenger" who is John the Baptist. I discussed to them what is the purpose of why John baptized people and why he told to them that the one who is coming will baptized them with Holy Spirit and fire and why he is greater than John.

May 9, we went to the Gospel Meeting at Lapogan, Gattaran where brother Joeben, Celso and Daniel preaches. Brother Jerome was first to speak and he preached about "One Church". The scheduled song leader after the lesson was not around so they asked me to take his place and have the opportunity to lead a song. The second speaker was brother Gerald wherein he preached about "Holy Bible", he discuss what is the importance of this book into our lives. The third speaker in the morning was brother Warner Macusi and he preached "Tabernacle, Temple and Church". The point of the lesson is the comparison between the three and how it connects one over the other.

In the afternoon, brother Larry preached about "Importance of Baptism" and finally the last speaker was brother Edgar where he shared "Importance of Steadfastness" and "The Grace of God".

After the lesson, invitation was extended and 6 precious souls confessed their faith in front. We baptized them in the near river. In the picture, you can see a small boy, you might think that he is very young, but we asked him first why he wanted to be baptized and he answered with all confidence that he sinned and wanted to be cleanse and want to go to heaven. He is 11 years old and we cannot stop him from doing what he wanted. He understands so we baptized him.

6 precious souls confessed their faith

This is me leading a song

Gospel Meeting

During the Baptism

May 11, I went alone to Palca for a home bible study at sister Adelaida Fernandez house. I shared to them "Why we needed to attend all church services?". I decided to share this lesson to them because they often attend our worship and that they always needed to work due to lack of finance in the family. I know they trust God that's why, I gave them the words of the Hebrew writer that God said "He will never leave nor forsake us" if we trust in Him. They asked me if I can go back to them next week because her daughter will arrived coming from her summer class. And so, I will return and hope I can bring with me other preachers so that they can also help me encourage them.

May 12, in our Lord's day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about "Paths to Salvation" as false teacher would tell that there are many paths along that way but still, it will all lead to salvation. We know that, that is not true because the bible says, Jesus is the only way and entering to His church and remaining faithful is the true path to salvation. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached to us about "A man after God's own heart" who is David.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about "The Things that are morally right but religiously wrong" like using hamburger and coke in the Lord's supper, Annointing with self as a religious practice, giving tights, etc. These may seem morally right but when we read the bible, it's all wrong. I gave them three bible examples like Nadab and Abihu, Moses when he strikes the rock and Uzziah when he holds the Ark of the Covenant.