We live in a high stress culture

photo credit: karindalziel
We live in a high stress culture. Many experts say that coping with stress is the #1 health priority of our day. We know that medical science has closely tied worry to heart trouble, blood pressure problems, ulcers, amongst others. For example…millions of people today have high blood pressure due to stress/anxiety; every week 112 million people take medication for stress related symptoms. So how do we deal with stress? Paul shows us how in his letter to the Philippians (Read Phil.4:6-7):



STEP ONE: BE ANXIOUS ABOUT NOTHING

The word “anxious” means to have a “divided mind”. A mind divided by between the worries of the world, and the peace of God. Another definition is “To be pulled in different directions.” Our hopes pull us in one direction; our fears pull us the opposite direction – and the result, we are pulled apart. Worry is a kill joy and source of stress. We tend to expect the worst in life. Worry is worthless. It cannot change the past or control the future. It only messes you up right now. It is an incredible waste of energy. It is a waste of creativity. When we worry about things, they get bigger and bigger. The Bible says, “Do not worry about anything.” Probably this is the hardest command to obey.



STEP TWO: PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING

Whenever God tells you to eliminate something He always has something superior. He always replaces a negative with a positive. Paul is saying, don’t panic — pray. If you stopped worrying, realize how much free time you’d have. It would create a great vacuum, a void in your life to stop worrying. Pray during that time. If those people who say “I don’t have time to pray” would spend their time praying instead of worrying, they’d have a whole lot less to worry about.



STEP THREE: THANK GOD FOR ALL THINGS

The attitude of gratitude. The healthiest human emotion is the attitude of gratitude, having a grateful heart, being thankful. It actually increases your immunities. It is a physical benefit to express the attitude of gratitude. If you’re depressed, make a list of fifty things you can be grateful for. When you’re grateful, it gets the focus off your problems and gets the focus on the benefits in your life. We have so much that we take for granted. Develop the attitude of gratitude and watch the stress level in your life go down.



THE RESULT

If you do this you will experience God’s Peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. People try pills, fads, drugs, therapy, rock crystals, stress reduction seminars and listen to tapes, books — anything to give just a little peace of mind. Paul says God’s peace is a gift to you. It is a gift that cannot be explained, duplicated, fabricated or understood. It is the sense of peace that comes over your life. THANK THE LORD FOR HIS PEACE TODAY!

Thank you CHURCH for your prayers and support for our COLLEGE CORE YOUTH OUTREACH in Manila.  It was a blessing to see how God can use the team in such a powerful way!

COVENANT KEEPERS will have a business meeting tonight at 6:30 pm here at CCD.

To expose the PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL KIDS to music ministry and for character building, the kids will be practicing for the Christmas presentation every Sunday, from 2 pm to 4:00 pm.  We encourage parents to bring your child to the church at this time.  Thank you.

PTA YARD SALE in Bantayan on Nov. 8 from 7 am—3 pm.  Proceeds will go to the Boulevard Children’s Ministry and Asian Underground Church. Donations needed. Pls drop off items at PTA Office Bantayan or call/text Jenjen at 09192678973.  Pick up dates 10/31 and 11/1 from 8am-12noon.

Please pray for our CHURCH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION in November as we gather together as one big family.

CCD Bible Studies at Skycable Channel 15 8-9 am & 7-8 pm:

Oct. 28  (Tues)      - Romans 8:12-28Romans 8:12-28
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. the…: or, every creature ²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? ²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. because: or, that ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  

WP-Bible plugin

Oct. 31     (Fri)      - Rev. 11:15-19Rev. 11:15-19
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. ¹⁶ And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, ¹⁷ Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. ¹⁸ And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. destroy the earth: or, corrupt the earth ¹⁹ And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.  

WP-Bible plugin

Global financial crisis…

The U.S. financial crisis has many people worried. And the troubles are worldwide. We’re facing a global financial crisis, just as the Bible predicted will happen in the last days. In the book of 2 Kings, Samaria was in a crisis that threatened their very lives. The Syrians had besieged the city, and there was a famine so terrible that people had resorted to eating horrifying things. Then Elisha prophesied to the king that by the next day “a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel” (2 Kings 7:12 Kings 7:1
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
7 ¹ Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.  

WP-Bible plugin). A seah is about seven quarts, and a shekel is worth about 25 cents, so this would be a huge turnaround in their fate.

“Windows in heaven”

At this point, one of the king’s officers said, “Look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” (7:2). His reaction is understandable, on a purely human level. They were starving, with enemies all around them. But God was about to provide for the people in a miraculous way. You can read this fascinating story in 2 Kings 6:25-7:202 Kings 6:25-7:20
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver. ²⁶ And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king. ²⁷ And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? If…: or, Let not the LORD save thee ²⁸ And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. ²⁹ So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son. next: Heb. other ³⁰ And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh. ³¹ Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day. ³² But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him? ³³ And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer? ^{7 1} Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. ² Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. a lord…: Heb. a lord which belonged to the king leaning upon his hand ³ And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? ⁴ If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. ⁵ And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there. ⁶ For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. ⁷ Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life. ⁸ And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. ⁹ Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household. some…: Heb. we shall find punishment ¹⁰ So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were. ¹¹ And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s house within. ¹² And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we be hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city. ¹³ And one of his servants answered and said, Let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, and let us send and see. in the city: Heb. in it ¹⁴ They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see. ¹⁵ And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king. ¹⁶ And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. ¹⁷ And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him. ¹⁸ And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria: ¹⁹ And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. ²⁰ And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.  

WP-Bible plugin. But look back at the expression the officer used: “windows in heaven.” I picture a building so filled with grain that when the windows are opened, it pours out like a flood. And this description was pretty much true. There were “windows in heaven.” God had a plan, and God provided.

I know who holds the future!

Are you
not
of more
value than they?
Now I want to draw you to the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on… Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26Matthew 6:25-26
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? ²⁶ Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  

WP-Bible plugin). Several times in this section (v. 25-34) He repeats that message: “Don’t worry.” I think it’s no accident that Jesus talks about worry right after the folly of trusting in wealth. Riches are insecure, just like everything else in this world. But the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills isn’t worried. His storehouse is full, and He cares for you.

I won’t try to predict what will happen in the financial world; I’m a preacher, not an economist. But I want to echo the words of Jesus: “Don’t worry.” As the old song says, “I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”

You may be searching for God and do not know where to find Him. You have come to the right place as we are here to help you find and meet God. You may be experiencing an emptiness in your life that only God can fill. God loves you and desires a personal relationship with you. Please take the time to learn more by reading on.

1. God Loves You!

The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”

The problem is that
 ________________________________________

2. All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.

The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”

The good news is that, about 2,000 years ago,
 ________________________________________

3. God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.

Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God
demonstrates
His own
love for us
in that
while we were
yet sinners Christ died
for us.”

Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life — of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.”

God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name.” You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.

________________________________________

4. If you want to accept Christ, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. Now, Lord guide me to Your ways. Help me grow in being a Christian.”

• If you prayed that prayer - please read: HOW TO GROW AS A CHRISTIAN

• If you have NOT prayed that prayer and you want to know more - we invite you to read: KNOW MORE

God has forgiven you of your sins

If you have prayed that prayer, God has forgiven you of your sins, His Spirit came to dwell in you and you have now the assurance of going to heaven, as the Bible declares –

John.1:12 – “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

John.3:16 – ““For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

1 John.5:13 – “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

As a new Christian you also need to grow

Now as a newborn baby needs milk to grow, so as a new “baby” in Christ, as a new Christian you also need to grow. And the following are what makes us grow in the Lord –

5 Steps to Growth

1. PRAY – Talk to God – Prayer is talking and listening to God. The Lord loves to hear from us. You can pray anytime, anywhere, whatever situation you are in. (1 Thess.5:17-18)

2. READ AND STUDY THE BIBLE – The Bible is like spiritual food! Just as you clothe and feed your physical body, you must clothe and feed your spiritual body (2 Tim.2:15, Psa. 1:2Psa. 1:2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  

WP-Bible plugin, Eph.6:17, etc…) (If you are reading the Bible for the first time, you might start with the Gospel of John)

3. FELLOWSHIP – The Bible tells us we need to fellowship one with another (Heb.10:24-25; Acts 2:42-47Acts 2:42-47
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common; ⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. ⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, from…: or, at home ⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.  

WP-Bible plugin) – You are welcome to attend our church (Calvary Chapel Dumagute in Motong), but if it’s too far from where you live, find a Christian church that Jesus Christ is Lord and God’s Word the Bible is taught.

4. WITNESS or Share Your Faith – Tell people, your loved ones, your friends of what the Lord ahs done in your life!

5. BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – The only effective way to live the Christian life and be a witness for Jesus Christ is through and by the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do it on our own strength. (Acts 1:8Acts 1:8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. power…: or, the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you  

WP-Bible plugin). It is God’s will that we be filled with the Holy Spirit each day (Eph.5:18).

Ask Jesus each day to fill you with the Holy Spirit and believe that you will receive His power by faith.

So, God bless you and may you grow in the grace and in the knowledge of Christ, the One who loves you and the One who will never leave you nor forsake you!

1 John 5:11-121 John 5:11-12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  

WP-Bible plugin And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.

This passage tells us that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son, Jesus Christ. In other words, the way to possess eternal life is to possess God’s Son. The question is, how can a person have the Son of God?

Man’s Problem

Separation From God

Isaiah 59:2Isaiah 59:2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. have hid: or, have made him hide  

WP-Bible plugin But your sinful acts have alienated you from your God; your sins have caused him to reject you and not listen to your prayers.

Romans 5:8Romans 5:8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

WP-Bible plugin But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

According to Romans 5:8Romans 5:8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

WP-Bible plugin, God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His Son. Why did Christ have to die for us? Because Scripture declares all men to be sinful. To “sin” means to miss the mark. The Bible declares “all have sinned and fall short of the glory (the perfect holiness) of God” (Rom. 3:23Rom. 3:23
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  

WP-Bible plugin). In other words, our sin separates us from God who is perfect holiness (righteousness and justice) and God must therefore judge sinful man.

Habakkuk 1:13a You are too just to tolerate evil; you are unable to condone wrongdoing.

The Futility of Our Works

Scripture also teaches that no amount of human goodness, human works, human morality, or religious activity can gain acceptance with God or get anyone into heaven. The moral man, the religious man, and the immoral and non-religious are all in the same boat.

They all fall short of God’s perfect righteousness. After discussing the immoral man, the moral man, and the religious man in Romans 1:18-3Romans 1:18-3
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
 

WP-Bible plugin:8, the Apostle Paul declares that both Jews and Greeks are under sin, that “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:9-10Rom. 3:9-10
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; proved: Gr. charged ¹⁰ As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  

WP-Bible plugin). Added to this are the declarations of the following verses of Scripture:

Ephesians 2:8-9Ephesians 2:8-9
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.  

WP-Bible plugin For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not of works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:5-7Titus 3:5-7
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ⁶ Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; abundantly: Gr. richly ⁷ That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  

WP-Bible plugin he saved us, not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.

Romans 4:1-5Romans 4:1-5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
4 ¹ What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? ² For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. ³ For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. ⁴ Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. ⁵ But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  

WP-Bible plugin What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? 2 For if Abraham was declared righteous by the works of the law, he has something to boast about (but not before God). 3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.

No amount of human goodness is as good as God. God is perfect righteousness. Because of this, Habakkuk 1:13Habakkuk 1:13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? iniquity: or, grievance  

WP-Bible plugin tells us God cannot have fellowship with anyone who does not have perfect righteousness. In order to be accepted by God, we must be as good as God is. Before God, we all stand naked, helpless, and hopeless in ourselves. No amount of good living will get us to heaven or give us eternal life. What then is the solution?

God’s Solution

God is not only perfect holiness (whose holy character we can never attain to on our own or by our works of righteousness) but He is also perfect love and full of grace and mercy. Because of His love and grace, He has not left us without hope and a solution.

Romans 5:8Romans 5:8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

WP-Bible plugin But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This is the good news of the Bible, the message of the gospel. It’s the message of the gift of God’s own Son who became man (the God-man), lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, and was raised from the grave proving both the fact He is God’s Son and the value of His death for us as our substitute.

Romans 1:4Romans 1:4
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: declared: Gr. determined  

WP-Bible plugin who was appointed the Son-of-God-in-power according to the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 4:25Romans 4:25
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.  

WP-Bible plugin He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.

2 Corinthians 5:212 Corinthians 5:21
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  

WP-Bible plugin God made the one who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the right-eousness of God.

1 Peter 3:181 Peter 3:18
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:  

WP-Bible plugin Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made alive in the spirit.

How Do We Receive God’s Son?

Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross, the Bible states “He that has the Son has life.” We can receive the Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior by personal faith, by trusting in the person of Christ and His death for our sins.

John 1:12John 1:12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: power: or, the right, or, privilege  

WP-Bible plugin But to all who have received him — those who believe in his name — he has given the right to become God’s children

John 3:16-18John 3:16-18
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  

WP-Bible plugin For this is the way God loved the world: he gave his one and only Son that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 The one who believes in Him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

This means we must each come to God the same way: (1) as a sinner who recognizes his sinfulness, (2) realizes no human works can result in salvation, and (3) relies totally on Christ alone by faith alone for our salvation.

If you would like to receive and trust Christ as your personal Savior, you may want to express your faith in Christ by a simple prayer acknowledging your sinfulness, accepting His forgiveness and putting your faith in Christ for your salvation.

Attending church can be hazardous…

What is the most dangerous place in the world? A war zone certainly qualifies. The jungles of Africa can seem very dangerous, especially at night, when wild animals run right through the safari camp. You can hear animal sounds like you have never heard before in your life. That’s a scary place to be. But did you ever think that one of the most dangerous places you can be is right in church? Attending church can be hazardous to your spiritual health if you are coming for the wrong reason.



Why is it hazardous?

Why is it hazardous? Because you are exposed to truth. If you have no intention of putting that truth into practice into your life, your church can actually be one of the worst places to be. It’s a dangerous thing to hear the gospel without any intention of applying it in your life. You may be fooling yourself. Are you in church because other people are? Are you going because it’s popular? Or are you going to church because you have made the decision to follow Christ? Jesus said, ” ‘If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor’ ” (John 12:26John 12:26
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.  

WP-Bible plugin). When I signed up to follow Jesus, I didn’t sign up to do what other people were doing. I signed up to be His follower no matter what. He will stand by you as you follow Him, and God will honor you.



Doing it His way and not mine

During His earthly ministry Jesus faced the problem of people who would follow Him for the wrong reasons. He was constantly challenging them to count the cost and to make sure that their motives were right. He wants us all to follow Him, but He wants us to do it for the right reasons. To truly come to know God I must come on His terms and not my own. I must do it His way and not mine. It is not for me to pick and choose the commandments in the Bible that personally appeal to me or the attributes that I personally find interesting or appealing. It is for me to live life God’s way or not to follow Him at all.



Choose Christ, choose life abundantly!

If you are primarily interested in what is cool or what is hip or what is socially acceptable, I need to tell you right now that following Jesus Christ probably won’t work into your plans. But if you are interested in what is right and what is the best way to spend your life, and if you are interested in the hope of heaven and a life with meaning, then there are no other options to choose from. Choose Christ, choose life abundantly!

PASTOR JO AND THE ELDERS are in Dipolog this weekend. Please pray continually for the Lord’s leading and guidance as they survey and meet the pastors of the city. Ptr. Jo is also preaching at the Sola Scriptura church, the group that expressed their desire to be affiliated with Calvary Chapel Dumaguete.

PLEASE PRAY FOR UPCOMING EVENTS:

1. The 2ND CALVARY CHAPEL REGIONAL PASTORS AND WORKERS CONFERENCE will be on Oct. 13-15 (Monday PM to Wednesday AM) at Eco-Tech, Lahug, Cebu.

Theme: “WELL DONE, MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT”.

Registration fee: P1,350.00 (on campus)

P 850.00 (outside campus).

2. The COLLEGE CORE MANILA OUTREACH on Oct. 14-20.

3. Our CHURCH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION in November.

Bible Prophecy

The current financial meltdown that is taking place in the US that affects many countries like a domino effect may very soon lead to a global economic solution that will set up a one world system. These are the things that Bible prophecy scholars were warning about 20 years ago. The pieces of the puzzle are falling in place at the present time. Yes, Jesus’ coming is very, very near!

How Do We Respond?

But how do we, as Christians, respond to this? First of all, we need not fear for the Lord will rapture us in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. And while waiting for that day, He will make sure that He will provide for His people’s needs for God’s economy is not affected by the world’s economy. We live by a different principle, we breathe under the reign of the King of the universe, who loves us and gave His life for us! “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Rom.8:31-32).

Do Not Worry About Tomorrow

Secondly, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34Matthew 6:33-34
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ³⁴ Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  

WP-Bible plugin). It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the world’s troubles. There are not enough hours in the day to pray for all the problems out there! It’s easier to focus on the things in our own lives, our own family members and our own finances and troubles. It’s harder to care deeply and daily about people whose faces we’ve never seen. Yet, even as we pour out our hearts to God for the things important in our own lives, we need to remember something vital Jesus said and that is to seek first His Kingdom. God knows we need to pay our bills. He knows we want Him to protect and guide our children. He knows we need His direction. And, we should definitely keep praying for these things and trusting Him for them daily. Even so, we should also take some time every day to simply seek God’s Kingdom.

Seek Ye First His Kingdom…

How can we partner with God in accomplishing His will in the darkest places on earth? It could be that God is ready to do something wonderful in a life, or a town, or a country, if only His people are willing to ask Him for it. Seek first His Kingdom. Jesus says if we do, all those other things we need taken care of will be taken care of. Keep praying. The gates of Hell will not prevail if we do!

You may be searching for God and do not know where to find Him. You have come to the right place as we are here to help you find and meet God. You may be experiencing an emptiness in your life that only God can fill. God loves you and desires a personal relationship with you. Please take the time to learn more by reading on.

• HOW TO KNOW GOD

• HOW TO GROW AS A CHRISTIAN

• KNOW MORE