Preaching activities from October 9 to November 3, 2019

October 9 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

As we continue to study the book of Genesis, things are getting better and better. I love studying the bible and this will help me learn more not just because I am one of the preachers to teach it but also when I listen to brother Jay as he share what he researched. I was again tasked by the brethren to teach and now we are on the 35^th chapter of the book of Genesis. I talked about the revival of Jacob’s life from being in a foreign ungodly country, they are now back to Bethel to start over again. We also talked about the death of Deborah, Rachel and Isaac.

October 10 (Bible study at Palca)

The brethren at Palca again contacted me to have a bible study in their house. This time, we are in the house of sister Paulina Ramos. She is a faithful sister for the fact that she was working in a drugstore a year ago and she cannot attend in our worship because her boss wanted her to work even on Sundays, she decided to quit the job. She knows her priorities and that is to put God first in her life. Her marriage is also broken. Her husband committed adultery and left her. Her two children are already married and are living in Nueva Vizcaya meaning she is alone in their house. In our bible study, she invited her neighbor. Two of them are Catholics and one is a born again Christian. Some of the brethren also joined us. I invited brother Jimmy Duque, Efren Respicio, Jerome Forelo and Robert Pader. I started the activity by some encouraging words from the bible then Jimmy and Efren led the singing. Jerome then led us in our prayer and Robert preached about “This is your life”. After his preaching. I gave some additional facts on the lesson he preached.

October 13 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study, Jerome preached to us “No excuses” and brother Rody preached in the sermon about “Qualification of Elders in the book of 1Timothy”. We are preparing the congregation to appoint our elders. There are already qualified brothers but we want to have the series of this study so that everyone will know what we are going to do.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the lesson “Who will really be saved?” and I gave to them the standard of man on how one can be saved and differentiate it with the standard of God. The standard of man cannot save anyone as we all know. God is the only one who can save us.

October 16 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

In our bible study, brother Jay shared to us Genesis 36, about Esaus’ descendants.

October 17 (Bible study at Palca)

I am again invited by the brethren in their house to have a bible study. This time, in the house of sister Linda Uton. She and her daughter Lorna Llanes are faithful Christians. They invited their family members, Loida Uton (Methodist), Girlie Domingo (Methodist), Mildred Domingo (Methodist) and Luvinia Uton (Iglesia ni Christ 1914). With me are Jerome Forelo, Efren Respicio, Edgar Corpuz, and Jerry Soliva. I started again the activity by giving some facts about the church and Edgar led us in singing. Jerry led our opening prayer and Efren preached about faith. After the preaching, questions were raised about “If I were baptized in the Methodist/Iglesia ni Cristo before, can I be baptized again?”. Brother Jerome answered all their questions and I am sure they understand it well. After the study, we continued with our conversations, all about spiritual matters.

October 18 (Bible Lectureship at Tuguegarao)

We have a visitor from Texas, USA; brother Jim Mcdonald and brother Jonathan Glaesemann. Brother Jim is one of the first preachers from the US to come here in the Philippines and have helped many preachers and congregations. Most of the congregations he helped have grown in numbers. One of those is the church here in Tuguegarao. When brother Rody started to preached the truth, brother Jim was the one who helped him to defend the truth. Now, the church here in Tuguegarao where I am a member have a good number of 120+ attendance every Sunday. If we look at the record, more than 500 have already been baptized in this congregation, but most of them are now living and working abroad. Some opened other congregations and started their own work. Brother Jim and brother Jonathan both shared two great lessons each for the whole day. Two souls are the fruits of the preaching. They were baptized in our baptistery.

October 19 (Burial service at Catarauan and Bible Lectures at Liwan Church)

We have two schedules on this day. We are first invited to have a service in the burial of our brother Kenneth Caleda. He have been battling Kidney disease for almost 3 years and many of the brethren have helped him in his dialysis, but God has already taken his life. It is sad at the same time happy for me. Sad because he is a very faithful brother. Giving more time in his service to God than those who are strong and healthy. He even wanted to become a preacher one day that’s why he always have his bible wherever he go. Happy because I know that he is now in Paradise and all of the pain he had when he was alive are now gone. He is with those faithful brethren who went before us and waiting for the day the Jesus will return. Brother Jun Antonio is the local preacher in their congregation and he have helped Kenneth for many things. His mother and his twin are also faithful in the service for the Lord.

In the service, brother Jun and brother Edgar Corpuz led the singing, brother Denis Yuson led us in prayer, brother Jerome Forelo preached about Death and I led our closing prayer. Kenneth’s aunt and cousin spoke in front for the last messages and many good things are said about Kenneth. He left a good name as what Solomon said in the book of Ecclesiastes.

After the service, we went immediately to Liwan Church to attend the bible lectures. Brothers Jim Mcdonald and Jonathan Glaesemann are again the speakers. One soul was baptized as a fruit of the preaching in the activity.

October 20 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Jonathan taught in our bible study about “Walls and Doors - Song of Solomon 8:8-10”. The focus of the lesson is for the young people, especially for those who are thinking of having a relationship/family. In the sermon, brother Jim preached about “A little leaven, leaveneth the whole lamp”. I have heard this from him before, but I still learned many things from the same lesson.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “What do I still lack?”. The question of the rich young men on how to obtain eternal life. This is the same question we must take seriously, and if God tells us to sell what we have (forsake the things that hinder us to give our 100% to Him), we must sell it.

October 21 (Thanksgiving at Palca)

Sister Jing Doran asked us to have a thanksgiving service for the birthday of their one year old daughter, Aeiouna Xyril Doran. I also invited my fellow preachers as the family asked me. Brother Jerome Forelo shared a lesson “With gratitude in our heart”. Many non-christians are in attendance and one of them is an American who is from Wisconsin and married a filipina who is from Palca. I invited him to the church on Sunday and thankfully, he and his wife attended the worship.

October 23 (Tracts distribution and bible study at Pagasa, Ilagan and Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

In the morning, we went to Pagasa, Ilagan as invited by brother Efren Respicio and Edgar Licodini. We distributed bible tracts in the whole village and also had a bible study to one of the parents of sister Aileens friend who is working abroad. 

In the evening at Tuguegarao, I shared to the brethren in our bible study Genesis 37 about the dreams of Joseph and him sold to slavery in Egypt.

October 27 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

Our regular preachers on Sundays at Tuguegarao are all away. Jerome is in Manila preparing for his trip to the USA and Rody is also in Manila with Jim and Jonthan. Brother Jay and I are the only preachers left in the congregation and so we divided the work. Jay taught in our bible study about “How shall we escape?” and I preached in the sermon the same lesson I preached the last Sunday at Palca which is “What do I still lack?”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them a lesson regarding the things we can learn from the 12 disciples in Acts 19:1-7. Mr. Richard, the American, attended our worship and so I am forced to preached in English. This is my first time to preached a sermon in English language just for him to understand. I needed also to translate it for our brethren at Palca because not all of them can understand straight English.

For this year, I translated a preaching by brother Keith Greer and Steve Lee word by word and that is my first time. This year, I also preached a sermon in English language for the first time. It is challenging for me but for the sake of preaching the word of God, I am always ready to do what I can.

October 30 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

It is again the last Wednesday of the month and as scheduled, we had our singing service. Brother Rody led us in our singing spiritual songs and finally gave some bible passages about singing.

November 3 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao)

I prepared a lesson for our bible study because brother Jerome is already in USA as of the moment but brother Rody asked me that he will do it for the time. He taught in our bible study the qualifications if elders according to the book of Titus. And in the sermon, he preached about “Where are the dead?”. After the worship, Particia came to us and told us she wanted to be baptized. And so I was tasked to explain to her the reason why we should be baptized and asked the question in confession. Brother Rody then immersed her in water. Please pray for our new sister. 

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “God’s guidelines for living” according to King Solomon on the book of Ecclesiastes. I prepared for this sermon because I know that Mr. Richard will attend again, but he didn’t because he is in vacation with his family. But still, I gave my full effort to edify the brethren on the lesson I prepared.

After the service, the brethren told me about our main concern on our church building. Our government is working nationwide in the widening of roads and according to brother Juriel who is working in DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), from the center of the road, there should be 7 meters on both sides, that means, our church building will be affected by the road widening. If that happens, the chapel cannot accommodate us all and so we need to extend at the back. But, we cannot do that, the lot is now owned by the church. We tried to talk to the owner of the land, and thankfully, they are selling it in a bargain price. I am praying that brethren will help us by locating funds to buy the lot. They are selling it $2000, way more cheaper than other lots near it. Please help us locate funds for this so that when the time comes that the government will start with the road widening, we will still have room to extend our chapel. We are also growing in number and if we have Gospel Meetings, the chapel cannot even accommodate all.

Preaching activities from August 25 to October 6, 2019

August 25 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I’ve been given again chance to speak to the brethren here in Tuguegarao and I taught in our bible study “Expecting the impossible”. There are lot of things we think it is impossible, but with God, nothing cannot be done with His power. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Three spiritual goals”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I made the lesson “Expecting the impossible” into a sermon format for the brethren. We had two visitors, Mrs. Ema and Mrs. Loida.

August 28 (Midweek service -Singing)

It is again the last week of the month and as scheduled, we are on our singing class. Efren Respicio and Rody Gumpad led us in our singing. I do not have a good voice to lead songs but I am trying my best that my singing is acceptable to God.

September 1 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Rody shared the summary of the book of Romans and in the sermon he preached “In a Far Country (Luke 15:13)”.

At Palca, in the afternoon, I invited brother Dennis Yuson to help me in the work. I am not feeling well and because of sore throat, it affects my voice. He preach about “What walking in the ways of God looks like?”. I led our prayers while he also led our singing.

September 2-3 (Work in the church at Palca)

I am thankful that, on this day, I am already well. We worked in the chapel at Palca by fixing the electrical wirings and our ceiling. Brother Jayson Tanguilan helped me with the wirings because he graduated on this vacation. On September 2, on my way back home, I stop by in the house of sister Valentina Mabborang. I’ve been visiting him most of the time because she can no longer attend our services. She is already 92 years old and very weak. During my visit, she can no longer remember who I am and hardly see me. With his family in the house, we prayed together for her health. The next day (September 3), after our work in the chapel, I also visited brother Enzo Simangan. The brethren are telling me that he and his wife are gambling in their neighbor’s house. But sad to say, that they do not want to admit what they did. I read scriptures about sin and Ecc. 12:13-14. Prayed together with them, and telling them to go back to church, fix their broken relationship to God. Unfortunately, they continued on their wicked ways. I am still praying that someday they will repent of their sins. The church is affected by what other people are seeing from them. Our reputation as Christians are going down because of them.

September 4 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay shared Genesis 32 about Jacob preparing to meet Esau.

September 5 (Preacher’s Meeting)

We had a preacher’s meeting here at Tuguegarao. A meeting, meaning, we are gathered to study God’s word. Studying our obligations as preachers and what should be our attitude.

September 6 (Continuation of the work at Palca)

I went again to Palca to work on the chapel. After the work, I went to visit, sister Marites Bauit. She is sickly and have heart problems. Together with her husband, we prayed for her health.

September 8 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught “Destiny of man” and brother Rody preached “Impending judgment”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the lesson “I’m just one”. Biblical examples of people who are alone or a few who succeeded in all their missions because God is with them.

September 11 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

It is a great day to share a lesson about God’s word because it is also the day where God gave me the gift of life. I am celebrating my 34^th birthday. I shared the lesson on “Genesis 33” about the reunion of Jacob and Esau and talking more on reconciliation.

September 12 (Visit at the hospital)

I went to CVMC Hospital  and visit my uncle Miat Tuazon. He is not a Christian and have a high blood pressure with diabetes. I talked to him about faith in God and prayed with my aunt. They are both Catholics and are living in Calantac, Alcala. 30 minutes’ drive from here. I’ve been telling them to schedule bible studies in their house because I do not want to lost them in judgment day, but never hearing from them. Hope and pray that my visit will give them the realization that they needed God in their lives.

September 15 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught “Principles that never change” and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “Ordaining elders from every church”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them a lesson similar to what I taught in Tuguegarao on Genesis 33. I made a sermon about Reconciliation and how should we forgive.

September 18 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

In our midweek service, brother Jay shared “Genesis 34”, the only chapter in the book of Genesis that we cannot read about God. And that is our life if we do not have Him, we will experience troubles/problems and even sin.

September 19 (Bible study at Palca)

I invited brother Jerome Forelo, Jun Antonio and Jimmy Duque to help me in the work at Palca. I asked brother Jun and Jimmy to teach new songs in our songbook. We always used the Ilocano songs, and I asked them to lead English songs. Brother Jerome preached “Colossians 3” about our treasures in heaven. We only have a few attendance because it was raining very hard during that time.

September 20 (Gospel Meeting at Cabuluan Church)

I was invited to preached in the Gospel Meeting at Cabuluan, Ballesteros where brother Fidelfin Miranda is preaching. I am on of the speakers and this are all the lessons preached.

1. Jay Gumpad preached “Why stop the Chariot?”

2. I am the second speaker and I preached about “Are you truly a Christian?”

3. Jerome Forelo preached “Putting God’s will above self”

4. Rody Gumpad preached “Romans 8”

We extended the invitation and four precious souls confessed their faith. Two of them are very young, but have knowledge on what they are doing and so we baptized them.

September 22 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught in our bible study here in Tuguegarao about “Joseph as God’s successful servant”. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Worship principle the same in every age”.

In the afternoon, I was invited to preached in Alibago Church. I also preached to them the lesson on “Joseph”.

September 25 (Midweek service – singing)

We had again singing on the last Wednesday of the month. We invited brother Manny Pader, Jun Antonio and Edgar Corpuz to lead us in the singing. Next month, Lord willing, we will again invite other preachers to help us in singing spiritual songs.

September 26 (Bible study in San Luis and Palca)

In the morning, we went to San Luis for home bible study. It is the house of sister Maria (I forgot the last name). Brother Efren Respicio  preached on Colossians 3:2. It is again raining very hard and I am not feeling well again. But because I promised to join them, I still went.

In the afternoon, we also went to Palca for another home bible study. It is in the house of sister Maria Andrada (same name as the sister in San Luis). I am really not feeling well and my fellow preachers who are with me noticed that I am already hot. I already have fever and cannot work well. I just asked brother Dennis Yuson to speak for me and brother Jerome to preach.  I hope my presence in the bible study strengthen the brethren at Palca. I know they understand me. I am very thin and most of the time have health problems.

September 29 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao brother Rody taught “Ordaining elders from every church” as a preparation for the congregation to appoint elders and deacons. There are qualified brothers who can lead us in the church and we are praying for them. In the sermon, he also preached “Hindrances of appointing elders”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Rejecting temptations”. I also include in my lesson about Joseph.

October 1 (Travel to Nueva Era)

We traveled early 3:00 a.m. to go to Baguio and look for brother Bayado. It is a 7 hours travel and so we arrived in Baguio at around 10:00 a.m. We didn’t see him but his sister is there. Brother Ron Halbrook asked us to go and look for him because there is a church supporting him in Arkansas, but there are news that he is joining one cup group. Everything is clarified, and thank the Lord that he is also a faithful brother who teach the truth.

 After talking to his sister, we needed to travel immediately and should arrive at Nueva Era, Ilocos Sur to have a funeral service at the wake of sister Mila Ramos, the wife of a faithful brother and preacher, Efren Ramos. They are working in three big congregations in their area and that only shows how hard they are working for the Lord. Sister Mila is a great help to brother Efren but now, he is alone. We arrived in the area at around 8 in the evening. We had the service and they asked me to lead the prayer. Brother Rolly Salvador and brother Rody preached a sermon about death.

October 2 (Burial Service)

The final day of service in the wake of sister Mila. This may have been the burial that there are a lot of people. The church building cannot accommodate the people and so it was extended until the end of the road. The street was closed because of so many people in the burial.

 After the burial, we traveled back go Tuguegarao because of more obligations in our area. We arrived safely at around 9 in the evening, thanks to God.

October 5 (Thanksgiving at Minagbag)

Brother Jay invited me to preached in a thanksgiving at Minagbag. It is for Princess the daughter of brother Romar and for the birthday of his son, Junior. I preached about “Giving thanks to God in all things”.

October 6 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study, brother Jerome taught “5 truths that many do not want to think about” and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “Qualifications of elders.”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Our great physician”. We had a visitor, Girlie Llanes, the daughter of sister Lorna. I am happy that she came and hopefully, this will already be a start that she will study the truth and later on obey it. They also asked me to schedule a bible study in their house which we will do on October 17 because that is the only vacant time I have.