Archive for April 2010

Hospital Ministry

Apr 27th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Highlights, Hospital Ministry

The Hospital Ministry is comprised of a group of 20+ church members who are eager to share the Word of God. Every Sunday at 2:00 pm the team gather at the small pavilion located just outside the local government hospital for a moment of prayer. Immediately, the members pair up and distribute themselves into the different wards and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the patients and their “bantays” (friends or family members who help look after the patients during their confinement in the hospital).

Group prayer before going to the hospital wards...

Without any frills or fanfare they ask permission to share the Word. While one partner speaks…the other prays and intercedes. Prayer is an absolute need, for without it, from the team’s experience the sharing becomes hollow and ineffective.

The response from the patients and their “bantays” is warm and positive. Being confronted with illness, pain and uncertainty about their future, hearing the Word of God is an assurance that Someone cares for them, that there is hope and that there are also people who understand and empathize with them.



There are times when the team meet great resistance, but through continuous prayer, they are emboldened to stand their ground and continue with their gentle sharing. Patients and their families who find themselves in a strange environment and who have no control over their situation bring about behavior and emotions that are far from normal. With the leading of the Holy Spirit, the Hospital Ministry Team enters each ward with great sensitivity to the needs of the patients and their respective families who are under great stress and trauma.


The Hospital Ministry is led by Dory Moncal . They meet every Sunday at 2 pm to do visitation at the local government hospital.

If you have a heart for sharing and ministering to those who are experiencing injury or illness please contact the church office at these numbers:

Phone: (035) 225-0407 & (035) 422-9093

Or email:
ccdgte@gmail.com

Sharing and Testimonies by the Members:


Vision:

We are God’s Army planting the seed of His Word and bringing the message of hope and love into the hearts of people in their sick bed.

Mission:

the Hospital Ministry assists the church in reaching out to people burdened with physical and spiritual infirmities through the sharing of God’s Word and to help them bring their needs to God through prayers and intercessions.

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Thailand Mission 2010

Apr 25th, 2010 | By CCD-Mark D | Category: From Pastor Jo's Desk, Reaching Out

Come April 27 we depart to Bangkok for a mission trip. Including Uganda Mission last 2004, this is the 4th time we sent a mission team outside of the country. It’s the third time in Thailand. God uses people to accomplish His purpose. And you are that people, dear church. With your generous help and support, responding to God’s call, you have made yourselves partners with us. And with that, thank you!

Remember the story of Gideon? Gideon’s force was already hugely outnumbered...

Oh how great our God is! He is our sufficiency. He specializes in using the weak to shame the strong! He is expert in the impossibilities – for what is impossible with man, is possible with God! Remember the story of Gideon? Gideon’s force was already hugely outnumbered. The Midianite army was 135,000 strong, while Gideon’s force numbered a mere 32,000re 32,000
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja! Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z 1! Vrstica 0 ne obstaja!

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. Gideon must’ve been pondering his slim chance of survival. Yet God said, “That’s too many.” The downsizing resulted in a vulnerable 22,000e 22,000
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja! Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z 1! Vrstica 0 ne obstaja!

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man reduction-in-force. Gideon was left with a meager 300 troops. His only option was to trust God or perish. He was left virtually without an army. God’s reason for this downsizing is so that they would not glory in themselves, that they would not say it’s their own strength that gave them victory. You know the story – God gave the victory!

Now God frequently trims our resources to get us to depend entirely on Him. Sickness, financial reversal, family conflict, and other difficulties cause us to turn our lives over to God. Unlike popular psychologists, God does not propose that we should believe in ourselves. Our self-centered society celebrates self-reliance. But God strips us bare, forcing us to recognize our frailty and inadequacy. God shows us that human resources are insufficient for the battles we face. God then teaches us the lesson of dependence, which results in confidence. Here’s the truth of the matter: When the odds seem overwhelming, God overwhelms the odds!

When the odds seem overwhelming, God overwhelms the odds!

Missionary statesman Hudson Taylor had complete trust in God’s faithfulness. In his journal he wrote: Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning… He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all… Depend on it, God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.

And I say, “Amen” to that!



The Blessed Life

Apr 19th, 2010 | By CCD-Mark D | Category: From Pastor Jo's Desk, Godly Life

This is the theme of our recently concluded Pastors and Wives Conference. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:3-12Matthew 5:3-12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. falsely: Gr. lying 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.  

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Just about every time I pray for someone, for anyone, I pray that God may richly bless them... But what do I mean with that?

BLESSING. We like that word. Besides God is God of blessing. He does want to bless His people. Just about every time I pray for someone, for anyone, I pray that God may richly bless them. But what do I mean with that? Depending on what our understanding of blessing is, it can mean very different things. So in the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus gives us a whole other meaning to the word “blessing”. There are two basic measures of blessing. There are worldly measures, and there is a Godly measure. Jesus only has one measure. But the world has many. The Jews of Jesus’ time used worldly measures of their blessings. By the world’s measure, if you are rich, successful, happy and popular, that means you are blessed by God. By the same token, the world says that if you are poor, miserable, ugly and rejected, you have a disability, then you or someone in your family has done something to displease God.

Blessings, by worldly standards, are understood as circumstances. There are possessions, independence, fame, power. All those things are located in the realm of this world. Now don’t misunderstand, of course, God blesses us materially or financially too but that’s only a part of a greater blessing that cannot be measured by what we see nor touch. It’s within. It’s an attitude. This we see from the Beatitudes. Notice it’s a BE-attitude not a DO-attitude. It’s not a means to salvation but rather characteristics of those who have received salvation; those who are subjects of God’s kingdom, those who have submitted their lives to the King, Jesus!

The word “blessed” means “How satisfied, how fulfilled, how truly happy you are.” However, we must be careful not to reduce blessedness to merely being happy. To be “blessed” means to be approved or to find approval. In this case approved of God. And there can be no higher “blessing” than to have God’s approval, God’s favour, undeserved favour! The fundamental question is, who’s approval will you seek? Will you seek man’s approval, or God’s approval? And in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus describes the characteristics of one who has God’s approval. How? By trusting in Christ as one’s saviour and totally submitting to His lordship over our lives. That produces in us the characteristics of blessedness. Are you blessed?



Revelation 3:7-13 Sermon Podcast by Pastor Jo

Apr 15th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Revelation Bible Study Series

Artwork from peterolsenart.com

 
 Revelation 3:7-13Revelation 3:7-13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

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Revelation 3:7-13Revelation 3:7-13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

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(New International Version)

To the Church in Philadelphia
7″To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.




State of Emergency

Apr 11th, 2010 | By CCD-Mark D | Category: Anxiety, From Pastor Jo's Desk

Few days ago the Thai government put the nation under state of emergency due to the protesters briefly forcing their way into the parliament compound wherein Lawmakers fled and several senior government figures were airlifted by military helicopter to safety. You see, in a spiritual sense, being Christians in a hostile world we are always in a “state of emergency.” We cannot put our guard down for our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Pet.5:8). Eph.5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

"Be very careful"...

“Be very careful” – These are words which are very familiar to all of us. In fact, we use these words to exhort one another quite often. When our children leave the house, we often say, “Be careful.” If one is driving the car, we might say, “Be careful, drive safely.” What we are saying is “Watch out! Don’t do something foolish! Look out for the other guy! Watch your step!” You see the words “Be careful” comes from two Latin words which mean “Looking around” which literally means, “exactly, uprightly.” It’s to keep our eyes wide open, looking around, and discerning the times. The Christian’s walk is to be one that is given careful consideration. It is one that is to be the outgrowth of thought, of purpose, of deliberate and disciplined action. The opposite would be walking carelessly and without proper guidance and forethought.

I read of a news about the senseless injuries and deaths of men and women soldiers after the Persian Gulf War ended. It happened because these soldiers were lulled into a false sense of safety and security. Sometimes in the course of duty, and other times in the pursuit of souvenirs, soldiers carelessly went about in places where mines and booby traps had been placed by the enemy. And this carelessness led to injury and death for some. Now how would you walk when you know that there are booby traps and mines buried somewhere in the ground? You would walk very carefully not carelessly. Christians live in a fallen world, in a hostile and dangerous world. We dare not live our lives in a haphazard fashion. We must give careful thought to our attitudes and actions and decisions. This is what God’s Spirit calls for, nothing less.

Think! Be wise! Look out for detours that take us away from God - and keep your guard up!

With these words Paul is telling us to look down the road before we make our choices, to consider the consequences of our actions before we act. We all know how easy it is to become distracted. We also know what can happen when we are distracted. Think of driving a car. It’s dangerous when you’re driving and you allow yourself to be distracted by anything. Our walk with God should be one that is given great care. We need to watch what we are doing. We need to watch our steps, giving attention to circumstances and consequences, by guarding against everything improper and unbecoming for a Christian. Look first, consider the situation before you take a step! So Paul says, “Don’t be unthinking when you make those choices. Think! Be wise! Look out for detours that take us away from God – and keep your guard up!



YOUTH CAMP 2010 is on May 16-22! Open to High School students only. · Theme: “…and what I have heard from Him, I WILL TELL THE WORLD” – John 8:26 · Venue: Calinawagan Beach Resort in Dauin. · Registration Fee: P1500 (including t-shirt)

Apr 11th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Upcoming Events & Activities

YOUTH CAMP 2010 is on May 16-22! Open to High School students only.
· Theme: “…and what I have heard from Him, I WILL TELL THE WORLD” – John 8:26John 8:26
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.  

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· Venue: Calinawagan Beach Resort in Dauin.
· Registration Fee: P1500 (including t-shirt)



KIDS CAMP 2010 is scheduled on May 13-15 at CCTC. Registration fee is P700. For more information and registration, please approach Chona Duran

Apr 11th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Upcoming Events & Activities

KIDS CAMP 2010 is scheduled on May 13-15 at CCTC. Registration fee is P700. For more information and registration, please approach Chona Duran



ACOUSTIC NIGHT THAILAND 2010 Sunday, April 18! Missions Dinner fundraising night of acoustic music and prayer. Tickets are now available at P200 each. Please approach Sara.

Apr 11th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Upcoming Events & Activities

ACOUSTIC NIGHT THAILAND 2010 Sunday, April 18! Missions Dinner fundraising night of acoustic music and prayer. Tickets are now available at P200 each. Please approach Sara.



Please pray for the 17th Annual CALVARY CHAPEL PASTORS AND WIVES CONFERENCE this week, from April 13-16.

Apr 11th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Upcoming Events & Activities

Please pray for the 17th Annual CALVARY CHAPEL PASTORS AND WIVES CONFERENCE this week, from April 13-16.



For those who donated in any kind and supported our Thailand Mission Rummage Sale, a big THANK YOU!

Apr 11th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Upcoming Events & Activities

For those who donated in any kind and supported our Thailand Mission Rummage Sale, a big THANK YOU!



Why People Don’t Come to Church

Apr 10th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Interesting Stuff













The CCD Sunday School Ministry

Apr 8th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Highlights, Sunday School Ministry

We believe that LOVE is the virtue of Christianity. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we, at Sunday School, desire to imitate Jesus Christ as we equip kids, in love. These children are tomorrow’s leaders – in the church, in the society. We desire that we could prepare them, in cooperation with their parents, to be adults who do not only know God’s word, but also apply them in their daily lives.

Our Goals:

1. To teach God’s word each Sunday in a creative method that is age-appropriate.
2. To help each child discover his gifts, for the edification of the church, by exposing them to ministry and church activities
3. To equip teachers and parents by conducting seminars/workshops and information dissemination.
4. To hold children outreach for kids in the neighborhood or other areas.
5. To build relationships among the Sunday School kids by conducting Kids Camp.
6. To build relationships among Sunday School volunteers and strengthen relationship with Jesus collectively by holding an annual retreat.
7. To build relationships with parents of Sunday School kids as partners.


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Revelation 3:1-6 Sermon Podcast by Pastor Jo

Apr 7th, 2010 | By ccdgte | Category: Revelation Bible Study Series


Artwork from peterolsenart.com

 
 Revelation 3:1-6Revelation 3:1-6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

3 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

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Revelation 3:1-6Revelation 3:1-6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

3 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

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(New International Version)

“Sardis: The Dying Church”
1″To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b]of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.



A Joyful Resurrection Day to All!

Apr 5th, 2010 | By CCD-Mark D | Category: From Pastor Jo's Desk, Thankfulness

It’s such a blessing to come together as a church family to celebrate the most important event in the history of man. In this very day the whole nation and millions all over the world celebrate the best news man has ever heard – that Jesus Christ rose from the dead! This is the single greatest event that changed the world permanently. The world has never been the same again. Indeed He is Lord of all!

And because it’s the first Sunday of the month we will break bread together. Today we also remember the cross for before the resurrection is the cross. What does the cross of Jesus mean?

In the days of Jesus, the Roman Empire had a strict and ruthless justice system. They glorified courage and viewed mercy as a sign of weakness. A popular philosopher called mercy “the disease of the soul.” Jesus came into this heartless society teaching the benefits of mercy. In the Sermon on the Mount He said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7Matt. 5:7
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.  

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). Mercy is a characteristic of God, an essential part of His nature. The psalmist declares: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (Ps. 103:8Ps. 103:8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  

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). Mercy can be defined as providing for people in need, ministering to the miserable, helping the hurting… in essence , offering people what they don’t deserve.

"God is a just judge..."

God is also completely just. The psalmist reveals: “God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day” (Ps. 7:11Ps. 7:11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. judgeth...: or, is a righteous judge  

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). Another word for justice is righteousness. It means to render everyone their due. Therefore, you might logically say, “I don’t understand! How can God be both just and merciful at the same time? If God is completely just, shouldn’t He punish sin? If He’s completely merciful, doesn’t that negate His justice?” Good questions! But God had the answer: Jesus Christ.

At the cross, both justice and mercy were accomplished. Justice was served when Jesus died, paying the price for our sins. Mercy was extended through Christ’s atoning death. We did not receive the punishment we deserved, but were offered eternal life instead. God is truly the Supreme Judge! Beloved, as we partake of the bread and drink of the cup, remembering the Lord this morning, thank God for being both a merciful and just judge. For if He’s not, we won’t even be here today!