Hello,

I would like to share with you a testimony of my life changing experience with the Lord while battling with the disease of breast cancer.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer August of 2008. I consider it as one of the most severe and difficult trials I have ever gone through in my life. I admit that during the most difficult moments, I experienced being weak and afraid . And I honestly even sometimes wavered in my faith. I remember asking God questions – questions that I know that are asked not only by me but also by other Christians who are undergoing similar trials: Why should it be me Lord ? Why Breast Cancer? What have I done God that you sent me this kind of affliction? Are you displeased with me God ? But what stood out for me was that during those times that I was in pain, confused, lost, discouraged and weary, the Lord would always fill me with His love and comfort. I experienced this through His powerful Word, through intimate worship, prayers and through people. The Book of Psalms deeply touched me, especially where the Psalmists sang out their praises to God. That even in the midst of severe sufferings and trials their hearts were overwhelmed by God’s goodness in their lives. The Psalmist’s story and wonderful appreciation for the Lord deeply touched and inspired me. These passages from the Holy Bible directed me to fight back the disease of breast cancer with our loving God.

He showed me a way, His way.

Fighting this terrible disease was not easy. Aside from struggling with emotional anxieties and confronting a spiritual battle with the enemy, I worried about financial matters. Cancer is a very expensive disease. After it was confirmed that I was positive for cancer, I immediately thought of applying for a loan at some government agency to finance my medical expenses. I knew I needed a huge amount to complete my treatment so the best recourse was to avail of loans. However, the Lord had other plans. He showed me a way, His way. Something so much better than my own plans. He needed for me to know that He alone is my Source and Resource. I was truly amazed and I was in constant awe of Him. God touched a lot of people in my church, Calvary Chapel Dumaguete, to share their financial resources with me. Not only material resources were given but also care, love and unceasing prayers. I am grateful to each and everyone. And to you church, your support inspired me and encouraged me to move on. I am also thankful to the leadership of this church for all the support given to me. I would like to especially mention two very caring people, my friend Janice and my boss Pastor Jo. By God’s grace, my three treatments were all financially covered without me having to borrow money. Indeed, God provides and is fully aware of our material needs. His provision is beyond that we can imagine.

I praise God for our medical doctors here in our church.

My surgeon in Cebu recommended neo adjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy refers to drug treatment given to people with cancer prior to surgery. The aim is to reduce the size of the cancer before surgery, thus making surgery easier and more likely to be successful.There were a lot of medical and laboratory examinations I had to undergo before I could go through with this kind of treatment. I praise God for our medical doctors here in our church namely: Dr. Moleta, Dr. Rosario, Dr. Limbaga and Dr. Lucille Teves who patiently looked after me and helped me out in all the preparations that I needed to speed up my chemo treatment in Cebu. All their professional fees they waived for my sake. I’m glad the Lord sent them here in this church so I may know them and consult their professional help with confidence. May God continue to bless your hearts and the work of your hands.

The Lord never left me nor did He forsake me.

In Cebu, though so many miles away from my comfort zone, the Lord has proven to me that His resources are not limited. His love and faithfulness carried me through regardless of where I was. At first, I was hesitant to go to Cebu for treatment because there were a lot of concerns in my heart. First, I don’t know a lot of people there unlike in Dumaguete, Next, accommodation would be very expensive because I would be staying in hotels or pension houses and thirdly, I only have one friend to run to in case I’ll run out of money. Lots of odds and disadvantages to consider but I clearly heard God’s voice to go with the assurance that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are not ours. God changed my perspective by instructing me to proceed to Cebu regardless of those uncertainties. He reminded me to just put my full trust in Him because He is a trustworthy God and His grace and power are sufficient for my need.

True to His promises, the Lord never left me nor did He forsake me. He used a Christian couple, the wife, my batch mate in high school to open their house for me to stay for free as long as I wanted to. So, every time, I go to Cebu for chemo treatment, I stayed at their place in Lapu-Lapu with the special privilege of using one of their vehicles to take me to the hospital and take me home with an assigned driver. They were so kind to me and saw to it that my needs are well taken cared of. Aside from my friend, God also used my nephew who is presently assigned in Cebu to assist me in every way that he can. He has been so very accommodating and willing to do some errands for me. These, I really am grateful and thankful to the Lord for sending and using wonderful people like them to take care of my needs.

I wrestled with God…

I had my operation for modified radical mastectomy last November 26, 2008r 26, 2008
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin. Before that, I had three concerns I wrestled with God: First I needed two blood donors of my blood type because I needed to undergo blood transfusion before the said operation. Second, I wish one of the medical team of Dr. Coronel is a Born Again Christian, Thirdly, enough financial provision and fourthly, my fast recovery with no complications or infection whatsoever.

He worked in ways I could really never imagine.

Amazingly, the Lord favorably granted all the above requests beyond my expectation. He worked in ways I could really never imagine. As for blood donors, the Lord used ABS-CBN blood letting program two days before my blood transfusion to supply the blood type that I need. Through this program, I was able to save some amount because I only paid the hospital the screening fee of P6,970 for 2 bags of blood instead of the total amount of P16,000.

The day before my scheduled surgery, one of the medical team by the name of Dr. Lee came to my room and did some interview with me. She is the assistant of Dr. Mary Allene Rama, my Anesthesiologist. Later, I found out that she is a Christian and long been attending church at Bethany Church in Cebu City. Before she left my room, she prayed for me and I was so blessed and filled with joy because the Lord indeed heard my heart’s desire. We met again the next day at the Operating Room and her presence with the medical team built my trust and confidence that the Lord is surely with me all throughout the operation.

God sufficiently provided.

When I left Dumaguete, I only brought along P70,000 with me in cash to be used for my operation. I knew it was not enough to cover my hospital bills but I chose to trust the Lord for financial provision. I did not ask any financial help from my family because I just let the Lord work in His amazing ways. It was only me and my niece who went to Chong Hua hospital during my admission. The next day I was thankful to the Lord because my 2 sisters came to assist me during the duration of my operation. Our eldest sister handed me some money and I praise God because it covered some of my medical bills. The following day, I received a text message from my officemate that our midyear bonus was already released and I could check it out with my ATM. I was overwhelmed with joy because the Lord’s timing is really perfect. By God’s grace, I was able to fully pay my account with Chong Hua because the Lord sufficiently provided.

God is Sovereign!

I did not stay long at the hospital. I was only confined for five days because my surgeon saw no complications insofar as my operation is concerned. The Lord has faithfully sustained me especially at times when I was in pain and during those times I thought of giving up. He always touched me with His care and love through the medical staff at Chong Hua Hospital and the people around me. He always listens to my cries, prayers and struggles in life.

My beloved church mates, this is the God we know and we are worshipping now in this church. He is not confined by our finite imagination. If I can trust in God with my circumstances, then, you can trust in God with your circumstances as well.

Now I understand why God allowed me to be afflicted with breast cancer. That I may be able to testify of His goodness and faithfulness in my life to others. Psalm 118:18Psalm 118:18
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18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.  

WP-Bible plugin says: The Lord has chastened me severely but he has not given me over to death. God is still sovereign despite what happens in our lives and He alone deserves our praise and worship.

Finally, please do continue to back me up in prayer. My next chemo treatment is scheduled on January 5, 2009. I still have three more chemo treatments to go and honestly, it’s not easy for me. The side effects are sometimes hard for me to handle. But one good thing is, we have a God who remains steadfast and true in His promises. He who started a good work in our lives is committed to complete it. Let’s continue to hold on to Him and draw our strength from Him alone. Let His mighty name be exalted and praised by all His creation both now and forevermore. Amen.

Thank you very much.

To all the Dads out there who are in snoring denial:
a belated Happy Father’s Day Video.





Just something to make you smile…Have a blessed day with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

There are times and seasons that all of us will pass through. Just as there are different seasons in the earth, so life has its own seasons. If we are in a season of difficulty, the tendency is we pray intensely that our difficulties will go away but God does not remove them. Some difficulties cannot be prayed away. When we are in a difficult season in life, we should pray that God will give us the grace to go through the difficulties. We are not really the masters of time and seasons. We are all bound to live through various cycles in life, and this will never change whether we like it or not. We must respond to these cycles, not they to us. God balances our lives by giving us enough blessings to keep us happy and enough burdens to keep us humble. If all we had were blessings in our hands, we would fall right over, so the Lord balances the blessings in our hands with burdens on our backs. That helps to keep us steady, and as we yield to Him, He can even turn the burdens into blessings.



…God will give us the grace to go through the difficulties.

Why does God constitute our lives in this way? The answer is simple: to keep us from thinking we know it all and that we can manage our lives by ourselves. Just about the time we think we have an explanation for things, God changes the situation and we have to throw out our formula. This is where Job’s friends went wrong: they tried to use an old road map to guide Job on a brand new journey, and the map didn’t fit. No matter how much experience we have in the Christian life, or how many books we read, we must still walk by faith! To people without faith, time simply rolls onward, with no apparent rhyme or reason; accidents happen, and they are alone in the world. For believers, time is ordered by God’s providence. Events don’t “just happen” by chance; there is “a time for everything” (Eccl.3:1). God is with us, and is actively involved in our lives. Find comfort in the truth that “God has made everything beautiful in its time”. God is sovereign, He controls the “times”, yet in spite of this, we often fail to recognize God’s hand at work in the world and in our lives. But He causes all things to work together for good (Rom 8:28Rom 8:28
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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), and our times are in His hand. His timing is perfect. Those who see God’s hand in everything can best leave everything in God’s hand. There are no chance encounters in life, only divine appointments.



…and whatever season of life you are in now, know that God has a wonderful plan and a purpose.

Faith means trusting God, even when our timing disagrees with His. In times of hardship we draw comfort from knowing that God is in control. So, in every season of life, and whatever season of life you are in now, know that God has a wonderful plan and a purpose. He wastes nothing. He uses all things to accomplish His purposes and to make us the kind of people He designs us to be – for His glory! This is not fatalism, nor does it rob us of freedom or responsibility. It is the wise providence of a loving Father Who does all things well and promises to make everything work for good! So, instead of fighting it, EMBRACE THE SEASON, LEARN THE LESSONS, AND MORE THAN THIS – EMBRACE THE GOD OF THE SEASON…AND THE ONE WHO SEASONS YOU!

CHOIR practice will resume on July 1, this Wednesday, 6:00 pm here at CCD. This is in preparation for the Church Family Fellowship.

CHOIR practice will resume on July 1, this Wednesday, 6:00 pm here at CCD. This is in preparation for the Church Family Fellowship.

COVENANT KEEPERS tonight, June 28, at 6:30 pm. Inviting all couples to come out and join us for a time of instruction and fellowship!

PLEASE PRAY FOR: CHURCH FAMILY FELLOWSHIP—July 26. We will be meeting together (all 3 services) including our outreaches at the Macias Sports Complex from 3 pm—8 pm. Details will be announce later.

PLEASE PRAY FOR: THAILAND TRIP—July 9-15. We will be preparing Care Baskets for our missionaries in Thailand. Some of their wish list are: uyap, danggit na bulad, mr. chips, and graham crackers. If you wish to bless our missionaries with these treats, please submit it at the office.

When God scans the earth for potential leaders, He is not on a search for angels in the flesh. He is certainly not looking for perfect people, since there are none. He is searching for men (and women) like you and me, mere people made up of flesh. But He is also looking for people who share the same qualities He found in David. God is looking for men and women “after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:141 Samuel 13:14
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14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.  

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God is looking for men and women “after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:141 Samuel 13:14
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14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.  

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What does it mean to be a person after God’s own heart? It means your life is in harmony with the Lord. What is important to Him is important to you. What burdens Him burdens you. When He says, “Go to the right,” you go to the right. When He says, “Stop that in your life,” you stop it. When He says, “This is wrong and I want you to change,” you come to terms with it because you have a heart for God. That’s bottom-line, biblical Christianity.

When you are a man or woman after God’s heart, you are deeply sensitive to spiritual things. Second Chronicles 16:9es 16:9
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9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen. the shouting...: or, the alarm is fallen upon, etc  

WP-Bible plugin explains it this way: “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (emphasis added).

What is God looking for? He is looking for men and women whose hearts are His—completely. That means there are no locked closets. Nothing’s been swept under the rugs. That means that when you do wrong, you admit it and come to terms with it. You long to please Him in your actions. You care deeply about the motivations behind your actions. God is not looking for magnificent specimens of humanity. He’s looking for deeply spiritual, genuinely humble, honest-to-the-core servants who have integrity.



God is looking for deeply spiritual, genuinely humble, honest-to-the-core servants who have integrity.

Listen to some of the synonyms for this Hebrew word thamam, translated “integrity”: “complete, whole, innocent, having the simplicity of life, wholesome, sound, unimpaired.” It’s what you are when nobody’s looking. We live in a world that says, in many ways, “If you just make a good impression, that’s all that matters.” But you will never be a man or woman of God if that’s your philosophy. Never. You can’t fake it with the Almighty. He is not impressed with externals. He always focuses on the inward qualities, like the character of the heart . . . those things that take time and discipline to cultivate.

Fellow Dads, may we be, by His grace, men after God’s own heart…for this truly is the best gift we can give to our children…and to their Mom.



HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

Jesus’ Birthplace
Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  The word means “house of bread.” The city over looks the main highway to Hebron and Egypt and is still a city today . Another significant thing about the birth place of Jesus is the very interesting fact that King David was also born in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:11 Samuel 16:1
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16 ¹ And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.  

WP-Bible plugin) and therefore Bethlehem is known as the “city of David.” Jesus’ earthly mother and her husband were also of the royal lineage of David and so it is to this city that they return to be counted and of course “when the time had fully come” (Galatians 4:4Galatians 4:4
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4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  

WP-Bible plugin), Jesus was born. Is it not proof of the wonderful sovereignty and the completeness of the plan and purpose of God that the One who was born to occupy the throne of David, the Lord Jesus Christ, was born of the line of David in the very same city as was David himself? Therefore, what we have in Micah’s prophecy about the birth place of Jesus, the Messiah, is a prophecy that can be applied to David who became the king of Israel and then also applied to the birth of Jesus Christ, “David’s Son” (Luke 20:41-44Luke 20:41-44
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41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? ⁴² And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ⁴³ Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. ⁴⁴ David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?  

WP-Bible plugin). (AllAboutJesusChrist.org)





Jesus hometown.
In Jesus’ time, Nazareth would have had a population of about 500. and indeed, in the New Testament, Nazareth is depicted as an obscure backwater. In the Gospel of John, people who hear of Jesus of Nazareth ask themselves, “What good could come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46John 1:46
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46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.  

WP-Bible plugin) Nevertheless, the New Testament reports that Nazareth was the home of Mary and Joseph (Luke 1:26Luke 1:26
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26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,  

WP-Bible plugin), the site of the Annunciation (announcement to Mary that she would give birth to the Savior) and the town in which Jesus grew up (Matthew 2:23, 13:54Matthew 2:23, 13:54
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23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. ¹³ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.  

WP-Bible plugin; Luke 2:4, 2:51, 4:16Luke 2:4, 2:51, 4:16
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4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; ²  

WP-Bible plugin). Nazareth is mentioned 17 times in the New Testament. Jesus eventually left the village for a wider ministry although he was always known to some as a “prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matt 21:11Matt 21:11
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11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.  

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Modern Nazareth is situated among the southern ridges of the Lebanon Mountains, on the steep slope of a hill, about 14 miles from the Sea of Galilee and about 6 west from Mount Tabor. The modern city lies lower down upon the hill than the ancient one. Nazareth has a population of 60,000. The majority of Nazarenes are Israeli Arabs, about 35-40% of which are Christians and the rest are Muslims. (SacredDestinations.com)



Galilee
Jesus came here and helped the poor, he became a very popular man in this area and gave joy to many people. Miracles of Jesus happened here. Jesus walked on the water, Jesus cast out demons, Jesus gathers his disciples.



Jesus’ first ministry
Jesus started his first ministry here when he was 33 years old. After leaving Nazareth, Jesus goes to Capernaum, a sizeable town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, located in the region that Jewish sources considered to be Naphtali, but near the region considered to be Zebulun.

Although the town is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, it does feature in all the Gospels, and is likely to have been a new town that arose at some point during Roman control of the region. Matthew is the only source that has Jesus actually living in the town, while the other Gospels only have him preaching and meeting disciples there.





Jesus’ reflection place
The Mt. of Olives was Jesus place of reflection. This was the place where he went to be with God, and reflect upon his surroundings.

The Mt. of Olives is located east of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley. It offers a magnificent view of the Old City and a striking panorama as far as the Dead Sea and the mountains of Moab in the East. The Mt. of Olives is associated with some of the most important events in Jesus’ life. Here, Jesus ascended to Heaven (Chapel of Ascension), foretold the destruction Jerusalem, taught his disciples the Lord’s prayer, and wept over Jerusalem on his way to the Holy City on Palm Sunday (Church of Dominus Flevit).





Jesus first miracle
The first miracle performed by Jesus in his earthly ministry according to the four New Testament Gospel of the Bible was the “Wedding Feast at Cana”. It is described as the first time Jesus showed his glory, turning water into wine. According to the account, Jesus, his mother and his disciples were there. At the feast in the town of Cana in Galilee, all the wine had been used and there were no spare provisions. Mary informed her son that there was no wine left. Jesus asked her what she wanted from him. Mary said to the servants at the celebration, “Do whatever he tells you.” This quote is significant for Christians, it is considered an instruction to carry out the will of God the Father and His Son, Jesus.





Jordan River
This is the place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.After the baptism the heavens opened above him and he was claimed as God’s son.





Judean Desert
Jesus was was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness (the Judean Desert) where Satan tempted him with evil.

The province of Judea, as distinguished from Galilee and Samaria, included the territories of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Dan, Simeon, and part of Ephraim. Under the Romans it was a part of the province of Syria, and was governed by a procurator.

The wilderness of Judea is situated along the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to the east of Jerusalem. The word translated “wilderness” in the New Testament does not denote a place of boundless forests, entirely destitute of inhabitants; but a mountainous, rough, and thinly settled country, covered to some considerable extent with forests and rocks, and better suited for pasture than for tilling. John the Baptist also preached repentance in the Judean wilderness (Matthew 3).





Garden of Gethsemane
This is where Jesus prayed before he was crucified on Mt.Zion. The Garden of Gethsemane is at the foot of the Mount of Olives, within the walled grounds of the Church of all Nations (also known as the Church of the Agony). It’s a peaceful garden among a grove of ancient olive trees, looking back at the eastern wall of the City of Jerusalem.

The Garden of Gethsemane is where Jesus prayed the night of his betrayal and arrest (Mark 14:32-50Mark 14:32-50
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32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. ³³ And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; ³⁴ And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. ³⁵ And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. ³⁶ And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. ³⁷ And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? ³⁸ Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. ³⁹ And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. ⁴⁰ And when he returned, he found them asleep again, neither wist they what to answer him. ⁴¹ And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. ⁴³ And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. ⁴⁴ And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. ⁴⁵ And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. ⁴⁶ And they laid their hands on him, and took him. ⁴⁷ And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. ⁴⁸ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? ⁴⁹ I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. ⁵⁰ And they all forsook him, and fled.  

WP-Bible plugin). According to the record in Luke, Christ’s despair in Gethsemane was so deep that he sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:43-44Luke 22:43-44
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43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. ⁴⁴ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  

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Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” (Matthew 26:36Matthew 26:36
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36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  

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Jesus’ place of death.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, known as the Church of the Resurrection (Anastasis) to Eastern Orthodox Christians, is a Christian church in the Old City of Jerusalem.

It stands on a site that encompasses both Golgotha, or Calvary, where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb (sepulchre) where he was buried.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been an important pilgrimage destination since the 4th century, and it remains the holiest Christian site in the world. (SacredDestinations.com)



Approximate Timeline

The following represents an approximate timeline of Jesus’ life.

Launch the Flash Timeline

Timeline from: LifeofChristonline.com

SO WHO DO YOU THINK JESUS CHRIST IS?

We have all sinned and deserve God’s judgement.

Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and and because He loves us so much, He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, taking the punishment we deserve.

Jesus was buried and 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.



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.”


What is your response?

• Yes, today I am deciding to follow Jesus.

• Yes, I am already a follower of Jesus

• I still have questions










Don’t forget to thank God! And we really should…there are so many things that we should thank God for. But for a lot us we get caught up in the “Please God give me’s….”

Why don’t we start by thanking God for everyday things: breathing, walking, thinking, loving, existing…

How has God blessed your life?



“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord…” Psalm 92:1Psalm 92:1
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92 A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. ¹ It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:  

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“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:8-9Psalm 107:8-9
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8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! ⁹ For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.  

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“Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all His praise?” Psalm 106:1-2Psalm 106:1-2
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106 ¹ Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Praise...: Heb. Hallelujah ² Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?  

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“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:30Psalm 69:30
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30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.  

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“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-181 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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16 Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  

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Some ways to thank and praise God!

• Do it with your mouth, not just your mind – Psalm 51:15, 63:5, 66:8, 66:17, 71:8, 15, 24, 105:2, 109:30, 119:171-172, 145:21Psalm 51:15, 63:5, 66:8, 66:17, 71:8, 15, 24, 105:2, 109:30, 119:171-172, 145:21
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  15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.  
  
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• Seek God, thirst for Him – Psalm 22:26, 42:2, 63:8, 105:4Psalm 22:26, 42:2, 63:8, 105:4
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  26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.  
  
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• Thank God continuously – Psalm 71:6, 8, 14-15, 75:9, 79:13, 92:1-2, 115:18, 145:2Psalm 71:6, 8, 14-15, 75:9, 79:13, 92:1-2, 115:18, 145:2
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  6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. ⁸ Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. ¹⁴ But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. ¹⁵ My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.  
  
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• Tell people about God’s wondrous works – Psalm 26:7, 96:3Psalm 26:7, 96:3
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  7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.  
  
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• Thank and praise God in front of your brothers and sisters in the congregation, among many people- Psalm 22:22, 25, 26:12, 35:18, 68:26, 111:1, 116:19Psalm 22:22, 25, 26:12, 35:18, 68:26, 111:1, 116:19
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  22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. ²⁵ My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. ²⁶ The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.  
  
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• Among the unsaved of all nations, thank and praise God – Psalm 18:49, 57:9, 96:10, 108:3Psalm 18:49, 57:9, 96:10, 108:3
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  49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. give...: or, confess  
  
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• Praise God to the next and all generations – 79:13, 102:18, 145:4

• Sing praises to God, sing with understanding, and make it glorious – Psalm 7:17, 47:7, 66:2, 66:4, 9:2, 27:6, 28:7, 57:9, 61:8, 63:7, 68:4, 32, 69:30, 71:22-23, 92:1, 96:2, 101:1, 104:33, 105:2, 135:3, 146:2Psalm 7:17, 47:7, 66:2, 66:4, 9:2, 27:6, 28:7, 57:9, 61:8, 63:7, 68:4, 32, 69:30, 71:22-23, 92:1, 96:2, 101:1, 104:33, 105:2, 135:3, 146:2
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  17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.  
  
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• Even sing for joy in your bed -  Psalm 149:5Psalm 149:5
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  5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.  
  
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• Do it with all your heart – Psalm 9:1, 86:12, 111:1, 138:1Psalm 9:1, 86:12, 111:1, 138:1
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  9 To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. ¹ I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.  
  
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• Be glad and rejoice in God – Psalm 9:2Psalm 9:2
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  2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.  
  
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• Fear God, honor Him, glorify Him, revere Him – Psalm 22:23Psalm 22:23
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  23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.  
  
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• Love and respect God’s house – Psalm 26:8, 138:2Psalm 26:8, 138:2
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  8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. where...: Heb. of the tabernacle of thy honour  
  
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• Don’t sin, seek righteousness – Psalm 33:1Psalm 33:1
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  33 ¹ Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.  
  
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• Play musical instruments to praise God, and do it skillfully – Psalm 33:2-3, 43:4, 71:22, 92:3, 149:3, 150:3-5Psalm 33:2-3, 43:4, 71:22, 92:3, 149:3, 150:3-5
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• Shout for joy, rejoice – Psalm 33:3Psalm 33:3
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  3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.  
  
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• Be creative in your praise (write or sing God a NEW song, not always the same old one) – Psalm 33:3Psalm 33:3
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  3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.  
  
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• Stand in awe of Him – Psalm 33:8Psalm 33:8
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  8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  
  
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• Remember and praise God’s names – Psalm 44:8, 45:17, 54:6Psalm 44:8, 45:17, 54:6
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  8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.  
  
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• Lift up your hands to Him – Psalm 63:4Psalm 63:4
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  4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.  
  
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• Think about God at night – Psalm 63:6Psalm 63:6
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  6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.  
  
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• Encourage other to praise and thank God – Psalm 67:3-5Psalm 67:3-5
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  3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. ⁴ O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. govern: Heb. lead ⁵ Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.  
  
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• Praise him with dancing – Psalm 150:3, 30:11, 149:3Psalm 150:3, 30:11, 149:3
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  3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. trumpet: or, cornet ⁶ Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.  
  
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(from:  ChristianAnswers.net)



Smile and have a blessed day with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!



• Cartoon from:  KevinFrank.net

Dear Reader,

If you have anything that we can use for “Things that Make You Smile and Think” and “Interesting Stuff”, please give us the link or email us your article at calvarychapel.dgt@gmail.com (this is the CCD email address exclusively for website matters), and we will post it here with the name of the contributor…We however, reserve the right to edit and choose which contributions will finally be published.

We would love to hear from you!

Thank you,

The CCD Bezalel Circle



Following the story of the airplane AIR FRANCE FLIGHT 447 that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, I’m reminded of a story of a young New Yorker who was also killed in another plane crash February 15, 1947. His name was Glenn Chambers, who had planned to begin a ministry with the “Voice of the Andes.” Before leaving the Miami airport earlier that day, Chambers had written a note to his mother on a piece of paper he picked up in the terminal. The paper was a piece of an advertisement with the single word WHY? sprawled across the center. In a hurry and preoccupied, he scribbled his note around that word, folded it, and stuffed it into an envelope addressed to his mother. The note arrived after the news of his death. When his mother received it, there, staring up at her, was that haunting question: WHY?

Of all questions, this is the most searching, the most tormenting. It accompanies every tragedy. It falls from the lips of the mother who delivers a stillborn . . . the wife who learns of her husband’s tragic death . . . the child who is told, “Daddy won’t be coming home any more” . . . the struggling father of five who loses his job . . . the close friend of one who commits suicide. Why? Why me? Why now? Why this? Nothing can fully prepare us for such moments. Few thoughts can steady us afterward . . . perhaps only one.



Why? Why me? Why now? Why this?

Consider Job . . . imagine his feelings! “You’ve lost your livestock, they’ve been stolen. Your sheep and camels were also destroyed. Your employees were murdered, Job. Oh, one more thing—your children were crushed in a freak windstorm . . . they are dead, my friend, all ten of them.” That actually happened. Job got all this news in one brief period of panic. Shortly thereafter he broke out in boils—from head to toe. Grief-stricken. Stunned. Bankrupt. In excruciating pain, both in body and spirit. At a total loss to explain even one tragedy, to say nothing of five! It was naked, raw agony, and the heavens were mute. No explanation thundered across the celestial chasm. Not one reason . . . not a single one. And then his wife advised: “Curse God and die!” Boldly Job snapped, “You sound like a fool, woman!” Wisely he stated, “Shall we accept only good from God and never adversity?”

Notice very carefully what Job claimed that day. Don’t miss the thing that carried him through. Unlike the stance of the stoic—“Grin and bear it . . . or at least grit your teeth and endure it”—Job grabbed one great principle and held on. It formed the knot at the end of his rope . . . it steadied his step . . . it kept him from cursing. No other single truth removes the need to ask “Why?” like this one: GOD IS TOO KIND TO DO ANYTHING CRUEL . . . TOO WISE TO MAKE A MISTAKE . . . TOO DEEP TO EXPLAIN HIMSELF.

That’s it! Job rested his case there. It’s remarkable how believing that one profound statement erases the “Why?” from earth’s inequities. It was the same knot a brokenhearted mother in New York tied in the winter of 1947. Mrs. Chambers stopped asking Why? when she saw the Who? behind the scene. All other sounds are muffled when we claim His absolute sovereignty. Even the deafening sound of a crashing plane.

Waiting can be a bore and being patient certainly seems to be a very passive thing to do…But in the midst of nothing happening, there is always something happening. Subtle change is something we often do not catch on to right away…But always in the stillness, underneath the surface, there is something happening.

In these times when answers don’t seem to be forthcoming from God, the Holy Spirit is actively working…maybe we need inner spiritual growth or it is something else that we just need to be patiently waiting for. It will happen and God will give us His answers…for some things we may have to wait a short time, for other things the wait is much longer… sometimes God’s answer may even be a no… whatever it is we are waiting for we should not be in too much of a hurry. Most often than not we need to wait patiently.    Do you need patience right now?

The Bible says that we are to wait upon the Lord, but the prayer we usually mutter goes more like, “Lord, give me patience—right now!”

How do you wait? When nothing seems to be happening, make your waiting time active… Pray and talk to God.

“Lord, please grant me the patience I lack…and can you give it to me now, please?” (Just kidding…)


Psalm 130:5Psalm 130:5
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5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.  

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• I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.



So while you are waiting and being patient…take a look at this music video about waiting. This video is from the movie Fireproof.





Smile and have a blessed day!



Source of picture:  ReverendFun.com





Dear Reader,

If you have anything that we can use for “Things that Make You Smile and Think” and “Interesting Stuff”, please give us the link or email us your article at calvarychapel.dgt@gmail.com (this is the CCD email address exclusively for website matters), and we will post it here with the name of the contributor…We however, reserve the right to edit and choose which contributions will finally be published.

We would love to hear from you!

Thank you,

The CCD Bezalel Circle

On a recent trip to Dipolog City I bought lechon (roasted) pig to bring home to my kids. The lechon, in reality, was baked bread shaped to look like a roasted pig.  My two daughters squealed with delight when I unwrapped their pasalubong (souvenir gift). This, I guess, will be on display for as long as it can hold off attacks against molds or the ants.  Or I may just have to clear out my freezer so that I can put it in cold storage for awhile. Frozen pig bread anyone? I am seriously thinking of hosting a party in order to show it off



Another novel item I bought was on my trip to Cebu. It was from a street vendor hawking his wares. I, the hawker’s captured customer, trapped inside a taxi and stuck in traffic, could not avoid his sales pitch.  I succumbed and bought from him an intricately made tree which from a distance looked like a delicate glass sculpture. Upon closer inspection, however, one pleasantly discovers that it is actually a work of art made from a discarded plastic Sprite bottle! When I asked the vendor if he made it.  He replied, ‘No ma’am, a prisoner made it.’



Later, while waiting for our bus back home to Dumaguete, I could not help but just stare and be mesmerized by the object I was holding.  I was in awe at the skill of the prisoner who crafted the finely detailed tree. The fact that there were 4 or 5 other vendors plying the street selling the same item did not diminish my wonderment.

My thoughts then turned to God. How much more majestic and awesome our Father is whose hands created the world and us! The tree I was holding of course does not merit comparison, but the plastic tree brought to mind the tree of life which is mentioned in Revelation 22:2-3Revelation 22:2-3
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2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:  

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• Down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.

If I can be excited over a plastic sculpture… picture that which God created… plus the thought of finally being with Him…seeing Him face to face in His Kingdom!!! WOW!!! One can only imagine…



I had to hire a porter to carry the few pieces of luggage we had so that I could take care of my seemingly fragile tree.

The other porters were amused by my precious treasure and one of them jokingly said, ‘Ma’am, ibilin na lang na!’ (Ma’am, just leave that behind!) I smiled back at him and said, ‘Of course not!’ And I went along my merry way lovingly carrying my recyled plastic Sprite bottle back home…



• This article was submitted by Ana Patrice
  

Dear Reader,

If you have anything that we can use for “Things that Make You Smile and Think” and “Interesting Stuff”, please give us the link or email us your article at calvarychapel.dgt@gmail.com (this is the CCD email address exclusively for website matters), and we will post it here with the name of the contributor…We however, reserve the right to edit and choose which contributions will finally be published.

We would love to hear from you!

Thank you,

The CCD Bezalel Circle

ATTN: ELDERS and MINISTRY LEADERS’ meeting on June 15, Monday, at 7:30 pm, CCD.

Berean “Getting Deeper” class resumes this Tuesday, June 9, at 7:15 pm here at CCD.

Berean “Getting Deeper” class resumes this Tuesday, June 16, at 7:15 pm here at CCD.

ATTN: ELDERS and MINISTRY LEADERS’ meeting on June 15, Monday, at 7:30 pm, CCD.



As school opens, there’s once again a great opportunity for ministry. Often in the New Testament, when it speaks of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, you’ll find the image of an open door. The apostle Paul was especially fond of that image: “…meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word” (Colossians 4:3Colossians 4:3
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3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:  

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9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.  

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12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,  

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When a door appears, you have only to go through it.



That’s the kind of open door of opportunity that’s around each of us. The mature, observant Christian will walk through it. Some of you are artists, writers, musicians, mechanics, engineers, teachers, businessmen, housewives. All of us have open doors that God has placed just for us; we just have to look for them. God opens doors of service for us that no one can shut. The problem is we don’t always look for them. When we pray, “God, open a door,” we should expect to find one right where we are. All around us are open doors to share Christ with unbelievers–in our neighborhood, in our work, in our community, even in our own families.



Share Christ in our neighborhood… even in our own families…

The key is to have a vital, growing relationship with Jesus Christ. When you are on fire for Him you will attract others to Him, because that kind of faith is contagious. So number one, get close to Jesus Christ, and get enthusiastic about what He is doing in your life. Then, look for those opportunities, those open doors. And don’t be surprised when you find that God has already provided them for you!





When you are on fire for Him you will attract others to Him…



45 mph………………….God Will Take Care of You
55 mph………………….Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
65 mph………………….Nearer My God to Thee
75 mph………………….Nearer Still Nearer
85 mph………………….This World Is Not My Home
95 mph………………….Lord, I’m Coming Home
Over 100 mph…………….Precious Memories



But please, please…never overspeed on the highway.  This is not only for your own safety but also for the safety of your fellow commuters…

*Drive safely that you may arrive at your destination in one piece so that you can sing more hymns praising and worshiping our Lord and Savior!

To close this article, Beloved, let us sing the hymn:

• Safe, Safe Home

Smile and have a blessed safe day!