Preaching activities from May 16 to June 17, 2018

May 16 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

In our service, I led in our singing because brother Rody is with us here in Tuguegarao. He discussed to us “1 Peter 1:5-12”.

May 17 (Bible study)

We went to the house of brother Flor Constantino and his family to have a devotion with them. We read and studied “Romans 1” with them. We also prayed together for God’s blessing for their family.

May 18 (Thanksgiving)

Brother Jerome and I went to the thanksgiving at Lingu, Solana. Brother Timothy and sister Joy wanted us to be with them in giving thanks to God for blessing them with their first child Ellaine. I led in the prayers and brother Jerome preached about Giving thanks to God.

May 20 (Lord’s day service in Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study at Tuguegarao, brother Rody continued with our booklet that we are studying and in the sermon, he preached about “When Jesus began to preach”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the first part of my lesson about “Job 31: Blameless and upright man”. The lesson is about the life of Job where he began to speak about the things he did not do and how to become a faithful man. I am very happy that three of my wife’s student in their children class is already attending our worship. They are all 12 years old and I am praying that they will soon obey the gospel once they understand the importance.

May 23 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

During our bible study, the whole Tuguegarao is black-out, meaning, everywhere you go, it is very dark. Instead of having the study in the chapel, we just stayed in front of brother Rody’s house. We started with a little light coming from the sun but in the duration of the study, it is getting darker. I needed to use the flashlight of my phone to read my bible. I am the one who shared in our study and I just continued with what we left last week “1 Peter 1:13-25”.

May 26 (Thanksgiving)

We had a thanksgiving with our brethren here in Tuguegarao in a near hotel for brother Rody’s 60^th birthday. Many of the preachers who are closed to him came and we all prayed together to thank God for all the blessings He had given to brother Rody.

May 27 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Rody again continued with our lesson on our bible study and brother Jerome preached about “The ripple effect of generosity”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I continued to preached to them “Job 31: Blameless and upright man”. From the three of my wife’s student, another one came in to join in the worship. There are already four of them in attendance. I am speaking to them every after worship and giving them advices and lessons about salvation.

 

The four of them are the kids from my wife's class while sister Kenneth in the middle is a faithful member in Palca

May 28 (Funeral service at Saguday, Quirino)

We travelled for three hours to be with the family of our late brother Sammy Gamit. He is a very faithful brother who is preaching on Quirino area. He is also training many young man in their congregation to stand in front. I am sure that what he left them will help the congregation grow with all the young man that learned from him. We had a service in his wake with brother Rody as the one sharing a message from the bible. Together with other preachers, we led spiritual songs.

May 30 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay discussed to us “1 Peter 2”. Brother Rody led us in the singing and brother Jerome and I for the prayer.

May 31 (Home bible study)

We visited brother Lino Darauay and his family for another family devotion. There are two members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (1914) who is with us and because of that, it was decided that we will study the “Destiny of Man”. This day is supposedly their assembly but because of the invitation, they did not attend their own service just to listen to us.

June 3 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, I shared to them the lesson about “Our worship and the Lord’s supper”. I needed to remind them again the things we needed to be thinking every time we are having the Lord’s supper because sometimes, it is already just like an ordinary meal that some are chatting doing unnecessary things during the act. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached about “Why we preach the gospel?”.

After the worship, we needed to travel going to Manila by land because our flight for Davao is in the next day.

June 5 (Wedding)

We attended the wedding of brother Jun and sister Failyn in Davao. It is my first time to be in southern part of the Philippines that we call Mindanao. I met again the Notarte family who are faithfully preaching the gospel in that area. It is also my first time to meet brother Franklin Isla and his family. It is such a wonderful thing to meet the brethren in other areas. They tour us around Davao and with the financial help of brother Rody, we also got a chance to join them.

June 6 (Thanksgiving)

We are still in Davao, but because it is Wednesday, we are used to having our midweek bible study at Tuguegarao. And also because it was brother Jay’s daughter’s birthday, we had a thanksgiving. We sung spiritual songs together, read the bible and prayed as a family.

June 10 (Lord’s day service at Minagbag, Quezon)

My family and I travelled back to Tuguegarao at around 1 a.m. of June 10 but because it was heavily raining in Manila, it is hard to drive. And because it is Sunday, we need to be in a place of worship. On our way is Minagbag, Quezon where brother Jay is preaching. We attended their worship and with brother Jay preaching about “Ponder the path of thy feet”.

With god’s help, we arrived safely back home at around 4 in the afternoon.

June 13 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

It was again my turn to share in our bible study. I discussed to them “1 Peter 4”.

June 16 (Thanksgiving)

Brother Jerome and I went to Babalag, Rizal for the thanksgiving of our sister Michelle Tango who graduated in college with many awards including being the cum laude of their batch. They want us to be with them and to give thanks to God, we studied the bible together with all their visitors. Many of them are her classmates and teachers who are non-christians.

June 17 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study at Tuguegarao, brother Rody again shared our booklet about “The book” and in the sermon, he preached about “Understanding what the Lord’s will”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about the “Courage of Ananais”. I am again very happy that the four young ladies who are attending invited two more. They are also my wife’s student before, but when they have reach 12 years old, they stop coming in their class. But now, they came back not on the children’s class because they are both 14, but on our worship. The first four ladies are the once who invited them. Hope and pray they will all decide to obey the gospel soon. I am not telling them to be baptized immediately but I want them to decide on their own and my sole obligation is to preach them the truth that needed to be obeyed.

We are now busy preparing for our Gospel Meeting here in Tuguegarao and with our three speakers: brother Rolly Salvador, Jeremy Toreja and Jaime/Jimmy Bopis.

Preaching activities from April 9 to May 15, 2018

April 9 (Service at Sampaguita, Solana)

Brother Denis Yuson invited us to have a service at the wake of our brother Romeo Fernando. He is a member of the Lord’s church at Aquib, Piat. He is a deaf brother but is always in attendance in their worship services and even joining us in Gospel Meetings from various parts of Cagayan. He died because he was hit by a car.

I led the opening prayer while brother Macky Miguel led our singing. Brother Jerome preached about “Things we can learn from the house of mourning”. The service was held at around 7 in the evening.

April 10 (Burial Service at Sampaguita, Solana)

I attended the burial service of brother Romeo. Brother Rody preached about death.

April 11 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

I taught in our bible study the introduction of the book of James and also discussed to the brethren the first chapter.

April 13 (Gospel Meeting at Catarauan, Amulung)

We were invited to attend and help in the Gospel Meeting at Catarauan where brother Jun Antonio is preaching. The meeting was held in the afternoon. The weather was very hot that we don’t just need electric fans, but we also need our own personal fans using cardboards. Brother Joeben Jacobo was the first speaker and he preached about “Giving all diligence”. The final speaker is brother Rody who preached about “Are you ready?”. After the preaching, the invitation was extended, and two precious souls confess their faith and was baptized into Christ.

April 15 (Sunday services at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study here in Tuguegarao, brother Rody started on a booklet that we will use for several months. The title is “Your Bible” and the lessons are all about the fundamentals of the bible.  We started with the first lesson “What is the book?” In the sermon, he preached about “Story of Zacchaeus”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Do you see yourself in God’s mirror?” I shared two biblical characters in which whom we should follow as they follow Christ, Paul and Felix.

April 18 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

In our service, I led our opening songs and prayer. Brother Jay discussed to us the second chapter of the book of James. After the service, I went directly to the bus station to travel with my brother going to Manila because he will get his car there. He promised to give me some amount as his driver.

April 22 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study, I shared to them about “Tell me where your great strength lies”. The lesson is from the story of Sampson and also includes where Moses got the power to perform miracle, with the question if it is the rod or from God. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached about “I am a Christian”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the same lesson “Tell me where your great strength lies”.

April 24 (Visitation at Palca)

I visit our brother Enzo and sister Gina Simangan because they have been out of our services for two months already. There reason is, brother Enzo is running for a position in their village as counselor, that’s why he has been very busy campaigning. I advised them to continue going to church even though they are doing other things because serving God is still more important than serving for a village of even a city. Sad to say that, the next Sunday, they still didn’t attend our service, and even up to this day. The election is over (May 14) and whatever the result, I will know it on Sunday. I am praying that he loses so that they will go back to church.

April 25 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

I shared to them the third chapter of the book of James about the responsibilities of a teacher, the danger of the tongue and the types of wisdom.

April 29 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I again teach in our bible study with the continuation of my lesson “Tell me where your great strength lies” and now I included, Naaman, on how he was healed, is it the water in Jordan or because of God, and finally our salvation, is it the water from baptism of from God? In the sermon, brother Jerome preached about “Why we must not gossip?”

In the afternoon, I also preached the second part of the same lesson in Palca.

May 2 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

In our bible study, brother Jay shared to us the fourth chapter of the book of James.

May 4 (Visitation)

I visited again brother Leonardo Uton because he is again sick. He always feels dizzy because it is very hot right now here in Cagayan. Our temperature is above 40 degrees Celsius.

May 6 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Rody continued with the booklet with our studying. We are still in the first part. In the sermon, he preached about “When Jesus was baptized”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Sinking Simon”. We studied Matthew 14:22-33 verse by verse and applied it to every Christian life.

May 7-9 (Hospital)

From this days, my wife has been hospitalized because of gastritis. After the worship at Palca the last Sunday, she got stomach pains and keeps on vomiting what she eats. We decided to bring her to the hospital because she is already weak and har hands are cramping. We thank God that for the three days we stayed there, she got better and with the baby in her womb. We are also thankful that we got out of the hospital just in time to attend our midweek service here at Tuguegarao. Brother Rody continued with our lesson on the book of James. We are already the last chapter (5).

May 10 (Gospel Meeting at Lapogan, Gattaran)

Brother Joeben Jacobo invited us to attend their gospel meeting. It is for the entire day, but I only attended the afternoon session because I have some matters to attend to in the morning.

In the afternoon, brother Materno Sibayan Jr. preached to us about the “Rich Fool”. The final speaker was brother Rody who preached about “Pre-millennialism”. No converts in the meeting but I am sure the everyone is edified because of the reactions after the studies.

May 13 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Rody continued with our lesson on the booklet and we finished this time “The place God has for this book” and “What’s this book about?”. In the sermon, he preached about “When Jesus was tempted”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “The rich fool”. I was edified much in the lesson brother Materno Sibayan Jr. preached in the gospel meeting, and so I made my own outline about the same lesson.

May 14 (Visitation)

It was an election day here in the Philippines for village officials, but I prefer to visit the son of brother Jing Duran, who is a member of the Lord’s church at Palca, that was hospitalized here in Tuguegarao. Her son has a very high fever Saturday night and they brought him in the hospital. He is already in good health and is ready to go home today (May 15).

Preaching activities from March 21 to April 8, 2018

March 21 (Midweek Service at Metro Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay taught us “Hebrews 11”. He shared to us the stories of each individual that is presented in the chapter and how faithful they are to God. We need to have the faith of this individuals to gain also the reward coming from our God.

March 24 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study, brother Rody continued with his previous lesson on “Helpful steps in making evangelism successful”. And he also preached in the sermon with the topic “Abiding in the church of Christ”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them about “Following Jesus in a distance”. When Jesus was caught by the soldiers, Peter followed Him from a distance and by doing that, Peter sinned when he denied Jesus three times. We should not follow Jesus from a distance for us not sin, but we should be closer to Him and participate in all the works of the church. We should not be also go ahead of Him by adding to His words because by adding or subtracting the words of God, we will sin.

March 25 (Bible study at Amulung)

We went to Amulung to preach in an old congregation that started way back 1990’s. According to brother Rody, it was already 20 years back when they last came to this congregation. The congregation did not die, they continued serving God but because of some personal problems with brethren, communications stop. But we are happy that everything was solve now and we are again in unity with them to serve God. Brother Virgilio Bocarile first preached to us with the topic “Love God” then followed by brother Rody who preached “Abiding in the church of Christ”. Invitation was extended, and one young lady came in front to confess her faith. She was baptized in a near river.

March 26 (Hospital visit)

I went to the hospital to visit brother Leonardo Uton who have a high blood pressure and stomach pains. Together with his wife, I always pick them up first before going to Palca because it is hard for them to get any ride going to church every Sunday. March 24, when we arrived at their house, sister Linda, his wife told us that they needed to bring brother Leonardo to the hospital. The ambulance is already there and ready to bring him to a hospital here in Tuguegarao. The closest hospital from them is in Piat which is 20 minutes ride, but they prefer to bring him here in Tuguegarao which is an hour ride, because in Piat, they do not have the equipments. And so, I visited him and happy that I saw he is already ok. We prayed together with his wife and his daughter.

March 27 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

I taught in our bible study “Hebrews 12”. It talks about the right way of living as a Christian. We need to follow the example Jesus showed to us, and the chapter also shows how God disciplines his children, that we also need to remain faithful and the final judgment.

March 28 (Funeral service at Minagbag, Quezon)

Brother Jay invited me and brother Manny to be with him in preaching at a funeral in his congregation. Our brother Ernesto Dominguez, who was one of the first converts in that congregation passed away from the sickness of pneumonia. He is already old and so his body cannot respond to any medications. Brother Jay led us in singing, and brother July led the opening prayer. Brother Manny preached to us about “Where are the dead?” and finally, I led the closing prayer.

April 1 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Rody continued to teach to us the third part of his lesson on “Helpful steps in making evangelism successful”. In the sermon, he preached to us “The Lord’s Supper”. We have some visitors with us who are from Enrile, Gattaran and also someone from the country of Alaska. He was married to a Filipina and they are both living here in Tuguegarao.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “The thief’s cross”. It is a prophetic fulfilment as told by Isaiah and we can see the humility of Jesus on the cross. We can also learn about the kingdom of Christ in the cross during his conversation with one of the thief and finally, the reward hereafter.

April 3 (Hospital visit)

I went to visit two of our brethren from Palca who were hospitalized. Sister Pacita, having a high fever and brother Jun because of his diabetes. Jun is sister Pacita’s grandson. They are in one hospital but are in different rooms because of medication needs. Again, I am happy to see them both improving from their previous conditions. We prayed together to ask God more blessings from Him.

April 4 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay preached to us the last chapter of Hebrews (13). He talked about how love should remain in us always and several edifications for us to remain worthy of God’s blessings.

April 8 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Rody taught to us the final part of his lesson “Helpful steps in making evangelism successful”. In the sermon, he preached about “The use and misuse of tongue”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “The resurrection of Christ”. We answered the questions who raised Christ from the dead? When did Christ rise from the dead? Where did Christ Rise? How is it known Christ rose? And why did Christ rise from the dead? After the service, we took picture as a group but unluckily, some of the brethren were not with us because it was again raining very hard. It is hard for them to walk going to church. Next time, I will take pictures of them and also attached the pictures here.