Update on the works of the Lord: Activities from October 28 to December 7

October 28, another wonderful Wednesday midweek service. Brother Rody taught on "Romans 12" where he discussed much about giving our all to the Lord as a living sacrifice.

November 2, God had given us another day to serve Him through worship in this Lord's day. Brother Jay taught in our bible study about "Kasanu ti panagbasa dagiti dadduma a tattao ti biblia?" which is translated in English "How do others read the bible?" It was a good lesson because it reminds us that we should not only read the bible but study and understand every meaning of it and most especially to obey what the will of the Lord is. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached to us about "Thoroughly equipped for every good work?" As a christian, we should always be ready to go and preach the gospel and be light and salt of the world.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them "What will others say about us in our grave?" I choose to preach this lesson because November 1 and 2 here in the Philippines, many people are going to the cemetery to visit the grave of their love ones. And as the title of the lesson I presented, what about us when we die, what will they remember over our grave. I hope someday, all will remember me as a faithful Christian and that's it, nothing more and nothing less.

November 4, another gathering for us preachers to study the word of God. Brother Edgar Licodini has given the opportunity again to share to us. For the whole day, we studied "2 Thessalonians 3".

November 5, in our midweek service, we studied "Luke 14" that brother Jerome presented. He discuss to us the parable of the wedding feast and the cost of being a disciple of Christ.

November 9, it was a happy day again for worshipping the Lord. In our bible study, brother Jun taught "Christ second coming" and in the sermon brother Jerome preached "The parable of the wedding feast". Both the lessons presented where a reminder for us to be always ready because we do not know when the Lord will come again and judge the whole world.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about "Social Gospel". A kind of gospel many people wanted us it is teaching them to do whatever they want. That is the kind of teaching Jesus hates because it is against His will. Examples are dancing, instrumental music, divorce, smoking and many more.

November 11, in our preachers' bible study, brother Robert Rances first taught to us in the morning on "2 Corinthians 13:5" and in the afternoon, brother Flor Respicio taught "Parable of the Prodigal Son".

November 12, in our midweek service, brother Jay taught to us "Luke 15". The parable of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son.

November 14, because I haven't got any chance to visit the brethren at Palca for two straight weeks, I decided that I will do it this day and visit most of them. I invited brother Robert Rances and Manny Pader to help me but when we arrived at Dagupan, brother Manny received a call from his brother-in-law saying that his son is having a fever and they don't know what they should do, so he decided to go back home. Together with brother Robert, we first visit brother Enzo and his family, unluckily, nobody's home so we went to the next desitination at sister Tersing Poselero because she was not in attendance of our worship for a month. She then told us that she was hospitalized for several days and needed to stay home and rest. We didn't know that had happen because she admitted that she didn't inform anybody about it except her family. Her daughter is there who just arrived from Manila and is attending at the congregation at Pasay where brother Rody is teaching.

In the next house we visit, we went to sister Fermina's house and upon arrival, we were met by sister Pacita and sister Diday. We all went inside, had a short words of encouragement from the bible and prayer.

We went to the house of sister Valentina Mabborang as our next place of visit. My intention on going there is to visit her grandson and granddaughter. Without any idea, they have a small celebration on her grandson's (Arnold) birthday. So instead of just talking to them and pray, we decided to preach to the everyone because this is another good opportunity to share the message of the Lord. Brother Robert preached to them about obeying God and also on thanksgiving. After that, I lead the prayer.

Our final destination is at sister Teresita Andrada's house because I was informed she was sick. We went to there house but we only saw her husdand. Sister Teresita went to school to get her granddaughter. She already feel better as she can go out.

We are preparing to go home when we saw brother Agpoon(I can't remember his first name anymore because of the many years we didn't see him; he is the brother of brother Rolando Agpoon) sitting outside of his house. He is worshipping with us for long time but since having an illness, he is no longer attending. Brother Edwin Soriano decided that time that they will have a service every Sunday at their house. But with our conversation, it was long gone. We invited him to come again to the church at Palca and he said yes.

November 16, in our Sunday worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught "Offering God substitutes" and in the sermon, brother Rody preached "2 Timothy 2". After the lesson, we extended the invitation and one precious soul went in front to confess his faith. He is brother Emil Pagunuran, a young men who is attending our services for a month.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them about "Mindset of Abel". A lesson pointing out true obedience the God.

November 18, in our preachers' bible study, brother Edgar Licodini taught to us "1 Timothy 1".

November 19, in our midweek service, brother Jun taught "Luke 16". He discussed to us about the shrewd manager and Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

November 21, I went to Dagupan to re-visit brother Enzo. Just in time of my arrival, they also arrived from work. In our conversation, I saw worries from his eyes. I asked him why, and he then told me that, for a month already since their last time to attend the service at Palca, they are looking for his son and his wife. They went out of the village without anyone knowing where they have gone. Brother Enzo then told me a possible reason why they did this. As a father, and knowing that they are still young at the age of 26, he is trying to help them with their decisions but the wife of his son do not always agree with him. She is not yet a christian but is coming with his husband in the church. The wife first leave and after 2 days, his son also leave. They are trying to contact them but they failed. Brother Enzo is really worried because he doesn't know where they are and what their situation is now. We just then gathered his whole family and asked God through prayer.

November 23, in our Lord's day service, brother Jun taught in our bible study about "Cornelius and Salvation" then followed by brother Rody who preached "Have you counted the cost?"

In the afternoon, I preached at Palca about "Lord, what do you want me to do?" I gave the example of Apostle Paul when he was stop by the Lord on his way to Damascus. He then asked what he needed to do and after that, he followed with all humbleness that command of the Lord.

November 25, in our preachers' bible study, brother July taught " 1Timothy 2" and because we have a brother coming from Dingras, Ilocos Norte, brother Jun Macusi, he also share a lesson to us and he taught about "Best of the best". We had the good which is the wealth that is given by the Lord, better which is health and best which is salvation.

November 26, in our midweek service, I taught "Luke 17". The "Sin, faith and duty", "ten lepers" and "kingdom of God".

November 30, in our Lord's day service, brother Jun taught "Why are people lost or saved?" and brother Jerome preached "James 4".

In the afternoon, at Palca, I also preached to them "Luke 16".

December 3, we went to Amulung where we attended the burial of our late sister Alma Zulueta. She is a faithful sister who is attending worship in Edsa-Pasay congregation but is a member at Amulung. She is always helping in the church work at Pasay, but the last two months, she was in the hospital because of unknown sickness. After a month, she was diagnosed of cancer that took her life. She left a good memory and example to all of us because of how faithful she is in the Lord.

In the evening, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, brother July taught "Luke 18"

December 6, in our Lord's day service here at Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study about "Running out of time", there are things we often do that make us realize in the end that we shouldn't do it because of the bad consequences and now we still have a chance to make it better. We do not know when the Lord will come, in order not to be totally lost, we should make use of our time wisely by being righteous and take away every sinful acts. In the sermon, brother Jun preached "Could the apostles forgive sins?" All of us can forgive our fellowmen of the sins they have done to us, but we cannot forgive, same with the apostles the sins that only God can take away.