Lord' Day at Metro Tuguegarao and Palca (May 27,2012)

Another Sunday was a wonderful day for us especially with my family. My wife walk up and is laboring with our baby, but we talk and agreed that we finished the worship first before going to the hospital. In our bible study, brother Jerome taught to us about "Where your treasure is...". Another good lesson talking about where we should lay up our treasures. In the sermon, brother Rody preached to us about "The original church of Christ". I know why he choose this lesson because many are asking him to preach it and in our attendance are many visitors. We extended the invitation and we are very happy that one soul went in front to confess his faith. He is Jun, attending our services for almost 5 months, if I am not mistaken, and finally decided to be baptized into Christ. I was the one who baptized him in water. He is also bringing her daughter in the church and is attending the children class with my wife as their teacher.

More images: Baptism at Tuguegarao.

In the afternoon, as we planned to go to the hospital, we decided again that it may still take long before her delivery so with my wife's permission, I decided to go to Palca to preach. I thank God for having her as my wife and knows very well my obligations as a preacher. 

Brother Melchizedek Yuson joined me in going to Palca. His father, Denis Yuson, called me a day after and asking me if I can take him with me in Palca. He wanted that his son will experience our work. Melchi was a student in the last preachers training together with his younger brother. I thank Denis that he trusted me that I can help his son be trained. He first preached in our bible study and shared a good lesson about "The Parable of the Sower". He improves since the last time I saw him preached. Hope and pray that he can grow like his father in the Lord's vineyard. I also preached to them about "Seeking the things which are above". I don't know why because we almost have the same lesson as brother Jerome. This lessons shows that we may have everything in this world but we need first to seek what God wants us to see and that is to set our minds on things above not on things on this world. 

When I arrived home, that was the time we went to the hospital. The baby was delivered 12:10AM, May 28. I am very happy to see our second baby especially that he was healthy and no complications or what so ever. I thank God for the very wonderful blessing and thank you all for your prayers. Images: Baby Clyde

Activities from May 16-24

May 16, in our midweek service here at Metro Tuguegarao, we studied on "Psalm 144" with brother Efren Respicio as the teacher. He showed the good works that God gave to David and same as what God is doing right now for us, giving His only begotten Son to die for our sins that we may have the remission of our sins.

May 17-19, I needed to work again on the videos for our TV program. I hope many are watching and that we can help them find the truth they are searching for and that is only through the words of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are sharing in these program.

May 20, in our Lord's day here at Metro Tuguegarao, we studied about "Who is a Christian?" in our bible study with brother Jerome, in the sermon he preached to us about "God satisfies our longing soul". In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about "Who is God to me?", I explained to them how many people now look at God and what really is God to all the Christians. Some think that God will compromise to our works because of the sins we committed and say that He still loves us, but the truth is, God is not with those who walk in iniquity and punishment is waiting for them in the judgment day.

May 22, in our preachers bible study, brother Jomel Marnag shared to us about "Walk by faith and not by sight". Many people today look at how chapels are built, where many people go to that they will also join and worship with them. Not only that, they are serving mammon rather than the One True God. We should not walk as what we see in this present word, but with the faith to our Savior Jesus Christ. In our schedule of preaching, I am scheduled on July 24, and I am still looking for a good lesson to share to them. If you have any idea what should I share, please share it to me. Thank you!

May 23, In our midweek service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jerome shared to us on "Psalm 145". One of the main point I really like is that, five verses in these psalm repeatedly says "all", that according to his explanation, God will remember us all in times of our troubles if we will fear and keep His commandments. Another part of the lesson is about the kingdom that will last forever and that is from the prophecy of Daniel and Isaiah and fulfilled in Acts 2, the Church, the Kingdom of God (Matthew 16:18-19).

May 24, I needed to finish again three videos for our TV program and hopefully, the lessons of the preachers in the videos will again help and encourage every longing soul.

Activities from May 8-15,2012

May 8, in our Preachers Bible Study, bro. Jun Antonio shared to us a lesson about "Discipline and Self-Control". The main point of the lesson is focusing on the life of a preacher. Parts of the lesson includes "Why is self-discipline necessary?", "What can we expect when we fail to practice self-control?" especially when we are undisciplined in our life that it indulge us to our fleshly and carnal desires and we often become offensive about our sinful lifestyle. That is a good eye opener to all of us because, as a preacher, this is the most important attitude that we need. And as a requirement to a disciplined life, we need to have a definite purpose, be consistent, practice self-control, be humble and have a prayerful life.

May 9, in our midweek service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Robert Rances shared to us on "Psalm 142". He discussed about how David endure the trials that came into his life especially when King Saul in pursuing him and wanted to kill him.

May 10, I attended a Gospel Meeting at Lapogan, Gattaran where brother Celso Jacobo and Daniel Pasaraba is preaching. They have a newly built church building, and it is very nice to see the growth of the church there. The attendance is more or less 110 including the children. Brother Joeben the son of brother Celso is the one who stand as emcee in the activity. He is preaching at Tupang, Alcala, which is about 20 minutes drive from Lapogan. 

The first speaker was brother Florendo Respicio. The original schedule to preach first was brother Greg delos Reyes, but unfortunately he cannot come because of health problem and he needs our prayers. So, brother Respicio preached about "The True Religion". Second speaker was brother Jun Macusi who came from Dingras, Ilocos Norte, about 6-7 hours travel. He preached about "The True Church". After preaching, they went back home because he is not also feeling well. The third speaker was brother Jun Gumpad and he preached about "Satan's Plan". Again, he is also a replacement because brother Rody cannot come, also due to health problems. In the afternoon, brother Edgar Licodini shared to us about "Christian Living", and the lesson was a great encouragement to everyone. I lead a song after his preaching. And finally, brother Larry Guillermo as the last speaker, preach about "The truthfulness of the word". He is again a replacement for brother Geronimo Ganela who is at another preaching trip. We extended the invitation and one precious soul went in front to confess his faith. He is from Lal-lo, Cagayan where brother Mario Ramiscal is preaching. He is studying with him for a long time. He came to the Gospel meeting and finally decided to be with Christ in His church.

More images: Gospel Meeting at Lapogan, Gattaran

May 13, in our Lord's day here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study about "Commitment to serve" like Joshua who said, he and his household will serve the Lord. In the sermon, brother Rody preached to us about "The Virtuous woman" in Proverbs  31. As a good lesson for the mother's day celebration, that we need to show our love to our mother who is always there taking good care of us especially when we are still young. 

At Palca, I preached to them about "God Keeps Us From Falling" where I showed to them an introduction the last Sunday. God is always there as it is written in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave nor forsake us.

May 15, in our preachers bible study, brother Rodolfo Tabisaura who is from Allacapan, Cagayan shared to us a lesson about "The Need of Love". Another good choice of lesson because we all discuss, how we can show our love to those brethren who are in need. Sometimes, we cannot help financially to those in need because we ourselves cannot help our family, but as the saying states, it is better to give than to receive.

Activities from May 1-6, 2012

May 1, we studied about the "Works of the Church" in our preachers bible study. Bro. Larry Guillermo was the one who shared the lesson. The works include evangelism, edification and benevolence. One question we tried to answer is, can we received any help from any government officials? Two answers were shared: some think we can because they give freely and some think we cannot because of some possible feedback that may be received when it comes to elections. But for me, I will strictly follow how a local congregation work that everything that the church needed will be taken from the church treasury and not on other sources like officials or non-christian/sinners.

May 2, I taught in our midweek service on "Psalm 141". Here I entitled the lesson about "Man who will not compromise". We have a great example from David asking God for help, wisdom, good friends, judgment and protection. We can also see those things through our Lord Jesus Christ, who in the form of a man ask the Father same things as David did.

May 4, I preached in the radio program about "Mark 8:36-37". What shall we profit even if we gain the whole world and lost our own soul? or what shall we give in exchange for our life? We can have everything in this life; money, mansion, car, etc. but how about the things needed by our soul? Our fellow Filipinos right now are more likely focusing on material things, only few are seeking the kingdom of God and on that few, not all are faithful. That is the lesson from the topic I shared. Hope that helps everyone.

In the afternoon, we were invited to have a bible study at the house of sister Celia Lim. She also invited her friends and all of them are devoted Catholics. Bro. Robert Rances, Robert Pader, Edgar Corpuz, Jun Gumpad and I lead two songs each before starting the study. We did this because they wanted to learn the songs we sing in the church. Bro. Jimmy Battung who is also with us led the opening prayer and shared an encouraging short message about "2 Kinds of Salvation". We have salvation from our physical health and also spiritually. After him, bro. Rody taught about "Jesus said: Learn of Me". He shared about the things why we need to learn from our Savior. After the lesson, it became more interesting because they are asking questions regarding "Who is the true God? is it the Father, Son or Holy Spirit? Of course, in the bible there is only one true God and is composed on the Godhead. Another question raised is: if we pray, to whom do we address our prayer? To the Father and through the Name of Jesus Christ because He is our mediator to the Father.

May 6, in the Lord's day here at Tuguegarao, bro. Jerome taught in our Bible Study and preached in our sermon on the lesson about "Comparing Christians with the Israelites: Part 2". 

At Palca, I preached to them about "Do not compromise:Part 2", it was the lesson I preached the other Sunday but because we used to much time, we all decided that we will continue on this day. After sharing the lesson, I gave to them an introduction regarding the lesson I will be preaching the next Sunday, it is all about "God keeps us away from falling". Hope I can help them again strengthen their faith with the thought of having God as our protector and as He loves us, He will never ever forsake us.

Activities for April 2012

Activities from April 17-29

April 17, we continued on the study of the book of Revelation but instead of starting chapter fifteen, we went back and review from the start of the book so that we will always remember everything and maybe add some information from the previous chapters that we didn't tackle before.

April 18, in our midweek service, bro. Jun Gumpad taught to us on Psalm 140, wherein it is a prayer that David is asking for the judgment of his enemies.

April 19, I preached in the radio program about the topic "What will happen after death?", that we must know that there is hell waiting to those disobedient and that death is permanent, that means there is no second chance if we die. As long as we are still living, we need to fear God and keep His commandments.

April 20, we are invited by brother Macky Miguel for a thanksgiving at Dagupan, Tuao. Brother John and sister Ellaine wants to have a thanksgiving to the Lord for the baby He gave them named "Jhee-van". We studied about what thanksgiving means and brother Rody specified the works of the denominations regarding babies being baptized and being offered that we are not allowed to do that. Babies do not have any sin and no need for baptism, and babies being offered right now is not the same as what they are doing in the Old Testament time. They should leave the child in the temple, but what denominations are doing right now, they are offering the baby just to receive money from the parents. 

April 22, in our Lord's day here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study about "When Christians begin to sink". He uses the example of Peter when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and Peter asked Him to come near to Jesus. He also walked in the water but when he doubt and saw the mighty wind, he began to sink, just like the christians, when we begin to doubt or if we have little faith, we will also begin to sink even in the slightest problem we have. In the sermon, brother Rody preached to us about "What is the one?". He uses Ephesians chapter 4 wherein we can see the seven one's.  One by one he explains teaching us to stick only into one and nothing more nothing less. At Palca, I preached to them about "Calm After the Storm". Like Jesus when He was tempted by the devil three times in Matthew chapter Four, there was a calm because the storm(tempter) flee away from Him. We need just to remain faithful to God no matter what happens so that the Devil will also go away from us.

April 24, in our preachers bible study, we again reviewed Revelation chapter 12 and 13. But after the lesson, we all decided that on the next week, we will have different lesson in the morning and continue on the book of Revelation in the afternoon. We are more than 60 who are attending so we scheduled ourselves on when we will also preached. I am scheduled on July 19 and hopefully find a good lesson to share to them.

April 25, in our midweek service, I should be the one teaching that day but because brother Flor Respicio attended, he was the one who taught, we jump to Psalm 143 instead of Psalm 141. We gave him the chance because most of the time he is not with us due to health problems. On the next wednesday, if the Lord's will, I will be teaching Psalm 141.

April 29, in our Lord's day here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study about "Comparing Christians with the Israelites, Part 1", from 1 Corinthians 10:1-11. In the sermon, brother Rody preached to us about "Who are the people of God?". I admired him on what he did because instead of going to the hospital due to extreme back pain, that he can't stand well and needed help to walk, he still preached to us. After the service, we took him to the hospital. He have several tests to take to find out the problem. 

In the afternoon, I preached at Palca about "Do not Compromise, Part 1". I didn't finished the lesson because of the lack of time and hopefully continue it next week. It is all about not compromising with the world and the works of the devil. If we are living without compromise, we will always run to the Lord if we need guidance.

Activities from April 2 to 16

April 2, the start of the long awaited Preachers Training Program here at Tuguegarao finally started and we help the 25 students to get their long sleeves, pants and shoes that they can use for the whole duration of the training. We need to work as early as 5:30 in the morning for the preparation of daily activities. 6AM is their breakfast and as we done before, they need to give any verse in the bible before they can take their meal, that is, for the 3 times meal every day(breakfast, lunch and dinner), just a way to teach them to memorize verses that they can use when they preach. 7AM will be the singing and at 7:30, they need to kneel in prayer for 30 minutes, this is to teach them that we cannot be successful as a preacher when prayer in not in our lives.

On the first week, brother Ferdie Ong, from Kapitbahayan Church of Christ is with us to teach the students on how to read the musical notes in our hymnbook and how to lead songs during worships with the exact beating that all brethren can follow. This is the first time that we have a music class in training and hopefully they can use it when the students go home. The teachers of the training includes bro. Rody Gumpad, Jerome Forelo, Lordy Salonga and brother Ron Halbrook. They all teach from the four books bro. Ron gave the students about "Basic Bible Doctrine" and also Bible Hermenuetics, How to make an outline and preacher's work. While me, Jay and Jun help the students with some other things especially at night when all the classes are done. We are going to there rooms and helping them the things they didn't understand in their study. We are also helping them make their outlines because every night before their break, 2 of them are preaching to the whole class and a way to help them is to give comments and suggestions on the things they needed to improve. At first, some of them are afraid and shaky to stand in front, but after a couple of days, a lot show improvements from leading songs, prayer leading and preaching. During the night before they take their rest, we are checking everything they are doing, making sure they are studying  and praying after going to bed. The time for them to finally take a rest is 10:30PM, but we are staying their until 11:00 or upward to make sure they are resting. It might sound difficult for us but we feel happy when seeing them understand how we, as preachers do our job just to share God's word to the world.

The training ended last Saturday (April 14, 2012) wherein the graduation was held. We gave their certificates as to show they attended the training and not for other reasons. Hopefully they will continue to preach as they go in their places. On November, another PTP will be help here at Tuguegarao but it will be longer and is for three weeks. By the way, just to remind everyone, the training is not a work of the church and we cannot read that we need to have a preachers training, that's why all the funds that was used came from individuals who willingly shared some amounts to help those who wanted to preach. Paul said to Timothy that he needed to teach also those who are willing to preach.

More Images: Preachers training Program

April 8, brother Ron both teach in our Bible Study and Sermon in the Lord's day here at Metro Tuguegarao. He preached about "The great commission" and it is a lesson that everyone needs to know that God is asking everyone to share the gospel to all the world and baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. In the afternoon, four students from the training came with me in Palca (Elpidio Lumboy, Randy Tiene, Ronuel Apalla and Marvin Fabros). They all came from different places and are happy to see also the brethren at Palca. Ronuel lead all the songs while Marvin on prayer. Randy taught about "Remaining in Christ" and Elpidio, the oldest from the students(71 years old), preached about "What prayer does God hears?". There are some words uttered in their preaching that needed to be corrected so I stand before closing to summarized all the lessons they shared.

More Images: Tuguegarao and Palca

April 15, in our Lord's day here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study about "To whom do we bow down" and brother Jun preached about "The safest place". We have no safe place here in the world so we need to desire to go to heaven because that is the only place that we are safe. In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them about "What we need to learn before death?". We need to know that there is a hell waiting for those unfaithful christians and sinners, that death is permanent and we cannot come back to life again in this world when we die and we also need to know that the bible is sufficient to save the lost souls. After the service, we went to the funeral of our sister Mauricia "Maring" Fernandez. She is a very faithful sister who is always in the services, but on the last two weeks, she was absent. Her brother told us that she feels dizzy all the time and throwing up that's why she is only in their house. We tried to visit her a couple of times but a news came to me Thursday morning (April 12) saying sister Maring died because of high blood pressure. It is a sad news because another faithful brethren passed away but I know, she is with Abraham right now, in his bosom with all the faithful christians who once lived here in on earth. Her husband is not a christian, but every time I go to their house, I kept on inviting him on the church, he is always saying yes. I am always waiting every Sunday of his appearance but only sister Maring is attending. Her grandchildren are all christians and are faithfully attending the services also.


April 16, together with brother Denis Yuson and his two sons who attended the PTP(Abraham and Malchisedek) and Jayson Tanguilan help me in the burial service at Palca. I first lead songs together with Abraham and Melchi while Jayson led us in our opening prayer. Brother Denis preached to us about "Where are the dead?". There is one of the audience who is drunk with wine and is a relative of sister Maring and not a christians who kept on talking while the study is going on. But the destruction didn't stop us to serve the Lord. We offer a prayer for the family after the preaching that they will continue with their life and to follow sister Maring on how she lives faithfully. After the burial, I am very happy to hear that her husband approached me and said, he wanted to study with us and will set a date for us to visit him again in their house. Hope and pray that we can help him spiritually and someday join his wife in heaven. I gave them a small amount from my pocket which is all I have to help them pay the funeral services because they are only living poorly, the church at Palca also help them. Hope and pray they can find a way to pay everything.

More images: Burial of sister Mauricia "Maring" Fernandez