Revelation 1:9-20Revelation 1:9-20
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, ¹¹ Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. ¹² And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; ¹³ And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. ¹⁴ His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; ¹⁵ And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. ¹⁶ And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: ¹⁸ I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. ¹⁹ Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; ²⁰ The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.  

WP-Bible plugin (New International Version)

One like a Son of Man
9I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

12I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,”[a]dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.





17When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

19″Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[b] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.





Revelation 1:4-8Revelation 1:4-8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; ⁵ And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, ⁶ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. ⁷ Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. ⁸ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.  

WP-Bible plugin (New International Version)

Greetings and doxology
4John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

8″I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”



Revelation 1:1-3Revelation 1:1-3
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
The Revelation of St. John the Divine ^{1 1} The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: ² Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. ³ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.  

WP-Bible plugin (New International Version)

Prologue
1The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.





Instructions on how to change the slideshow on the CCD website

Open the dashboard using Lanni’s password or P Jo’s password:

Look for this on the left side:

Click on Add Gallery/Images

You will see this:

Type a name of a gallery you want to create: ie – Christmas 2010

Click on Add Gallery

This will come out…Take note of of the id number of the gallery:

Then click on Upload Images on the top row

This should open:

Just click on the browse and open the image files on your computer.

Then when you have finished choosing your pictures click on the Choose gallery:

Then Choose the gallery that you just created:

Upload all your images into that gallery:

*Note: Please crop your pictures to:

width: 600px

height: 280 px

Now look for this on the left side of the dashboard:

Click on Editor:

This window should come out:
Click on index.php on the right side:

This is how the index.php looks like:

Let’s look at the index.php in more detail…this is the last bit of the tutorial…almost finished…you have reached this far so my congratulations to you!

This is the particular section of the code we will be focusing on…
Remember the id of the gallery you just created? Let us say for example the id number is 50:

Look for:

div id=”carousel”

This should have a < at the beginning and a >….I am not writing it in full format otherwise it will appear on the tutorial as the actual image…

The present slideshow has an id number 28…In five places you will replace 28 with your slideshow id which in our example would be 50:

Just be guided by the 5 arrows in the image below…this is where you will change to your new slideshow id number:

And in case you want to delete some pictures or sort the arrangement…you can manage the pictures here:

You can add more pictures or delete here.

If you have any questions just post it on the FB group page.

God Bless!  Have fun and don’t be afraid. Try it out…

Automobile drivers know that the rear view mirror is an important part of a vehicle…but they don’t fix their eyes on it, always looking at what’s behind. It’s going to be disaster if they do! And do you notice that it’s so small compared to the windshield in front of you? What is it saying? That we’re to look ahead more than we look back! As we enter into the new year, I have a Word from the Lord for all of us: THE LORD SAYS, `Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I’m doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18Isaiah 43:18
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  

WP-Bible plugin) –



God is saying, …”don’t think about the past. It’s over. If you can learn from it, learn well, but the book’s closed on it.”



Listen to what God is saying in this verse. Forget about what’s happened before. He says don’t think about the past. It’s over. If you can learn from it, learn well, but the book’s closed on it. We need to understand that God is far more interested in our future than He is in our past. Some people think that God is stuck on their past. That all He wants to do is remind them of the things that they have done wrong. God is more interested in your future than He is with your past. That’s where you’re going to spend the rest of your life. He says, “Forget about your past. Forget about the former things. Don’t think about it. Look at the new thing I’m going to do.”

Israel was being punished for their sins and rebellion against God. God wanted to give hope and encouragement to His people. He wanted them to know that even though they were being punished they were not being forsaken. God wanted His people to understand that the punishment that they were experiencing would not be the end of them. The fact is that God want to give them a fresh start in life, a new Beginning in life. Israel no doubt was discouraged because they thought this was the end of them. They had gone too far, they had sinned and rebelled against God to the point that He would no longer be their God. Maybe they thought ‘God would not deliver us again, it’s over’. They could remember the former things, but they couldn’t see their future. That is why God said; “ I am going to do something new.



Every new day His mercies are fresh and every day is an invitation to receive afresh His mercy, His forgiveness.

Maybe that is where you are this morning! You feel that you have made so many mistakes, you have failed God so many times and you have sinned it all away. That God doesn’t want anything to do with you. You feel and believe that you have no future with God. The good news is, God is saying, “ It’s not over, I have plans for your life. I am about to do something new for you. ” And you don’t have to wait for a new year to do that. Every new day His mercies are fresh and every day is an invitation to receive afresh His mercy, His forgiveness. God wants to do a new thing in your life. Come to Him with humility and repentance today, with heart wide open to receive His healing grace and with your mouth ready to declare His goodness and faithfulness!

A SPIRIT-FILLED, CHRIST GLORIFYING NEW YEAR TO ALL!



The Bezalel Circle

In keeping with the Conviction, Mission, and Vision of Calvary Chapel Dumaguete which is anchored on the foundation of true faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a group of gifted artistic Christians called The Bezalel Circle is organized.

"Genesis"

The CALVARY CHAPEL DUMAGUETE MISSION STATEMENT

WE are a family of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, worshipping, discipling and mobilizing people towards Christ in love — equipping them for unity and maturity, encouraging and sending them out to serve.



Bezalel Circle Sunrise Fellowship/Photoshoot at the Rizal Boulevard

Photos by Michael Farrar

Photo by Gail

SYNOPSIS:

The name Bezalel (Hebrew בְּצַלְאֵל – “beZel El”, transcribed as Betzalel and most accurately as B’tzalel) is taken from the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, which means “in the shadow of God”. BEZALEL is the name of the chosen chief architect of the desert Tabernacle. In Exodus 31: 1- 6Exodus 31: 1- 6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin the Lord said to Moses,

“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you…”

Cartoon Art by Lanni

OUR CONVICTION

WE acknowledge that

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father
of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17James 1:17
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  

WP-Bible plugin)

WE acknowledge that

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1Peter 4:10r 4:10
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.  

WP-Bible plugin)

WE acknowledge that

In Jesus, “we are chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him
who works out everything in conformity
with the purpose of His will …” (Ephesians 1:11Ephesians 1:11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  

WP-Bible plugin)

ALL for the praise of His glory.

OUR MISSION:

In obedience to the Lord’s calling —

• WE offer ourselves as an extension of the Lord’s hand to do HIS will in assisting the church and its different ministries. We hope to be of help by providing the various ministries information, guidance, ideas and skills they may need to maximize the effectiveness of their creative and art projects;

• we would like to teach and to share to those who display an interest in gaining the knowledge and skills for creating art in its various forms;

• we will encourage one another to devote ourselves in reaching out – to help others discover and develop their gifts of the arts through the power of the Holy Spirit.

• WE commit ourselves to serve others as a privilege of the Lord’s calling, always dwelling “in the shadow of God” upon Whom all things are possible.

Photo by Mark Diamoaden

OUR VISION:

In prayer —

WE desire GRACE from the Lord that we may become a blessing to the church and its various ministries;

WE desire WISDOM from the Lord that our teaching others on the gifts HE has given will bear much fruit for the glory of HIS Kingdom;

WE desire HOPE from the Lord that others may see the fullness of their gifts through the power of the Holy Spirit and use them for HIS glory;

WE desire HUMILITY from the Lord that we may create works of art as an expression of the beauty of worship, proclaiming the glory of God;

WE desire ACCEPTANCE from the Lord that our service may be a fragrant offering sweet and pleasing to HIM;

ABOVE ALL, We desire MERCY from the Lord that we will remain faithful to our calling until HE returns.

VERSE:

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you…” (Exodus 31: 1- 6Exodus 31: 1- 6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin)

MARK MICHAEL ANTHONY DIAMOADEN – Ministry Leader

Members:

Ana
Gail
Lanni
Beth
Jaycee
Marlyn
Besheil
Jennie
Cheew
Kylie

This day the whole world focuses on one event — Christmas. Everything will become secondary for one 24-hour period while we celebrate Christmas. But what is so special about Christmas?  It is the centerpiece of our history. Even our calendar is dated from



God split history with the event of Christmas. Everything is either A.D. or B.C.

the reference point of Jesus Christ. God split history with the event of Christmas. Everything is either A.D. or B.C. What is so special about Christmas? Read Philippians 2 and you’ll know. There is the greatest explanation in the Bible of who Jesus Christ is and what He came to do. This is the bedrock, the foundation of all that we believe. I want to give you the 4 R’s of Christmas –

1.THE RELEVANCE OF CHRISTMAS: GOD CAME TO EARTH - When Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed at the Island of Leyte on Oct.20, 1944, fulfilling his promise to return, that was big news. That is nothing compared to the news when God invaded earth. It was big news when man landed on the moon and walked there. It’s bigger news when God landed on the earth. Jesus Christ is God Himself. It was God that came to earth!

God invaded earth. That is the relevance of Christmas. Over and over the Bible repeats and Jesus proclaims that He is God. We must remind ourselves that Jesus did not begin His existence in the manger at Bethlehem. He was without beginning. Jesus even declared in John 8:58John 8:58
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.  

WP-Bible plugin – “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!”

II. THE REALITY OF CHRISTMAS: GOD BECAME A MAN – This is even more difficult to understand. If you were God and were going to come to earth, of all the ways you could choose to reveal yourself, would you come as a baby? As a human being? The reality of Christmas was that Jesus Christ was a real man, flesh and blood, bones, hair. He was a real person, not a myth, fable, a nice story. Our God has not remained remote and unapproachable. He has come to us in person. He did not just write us a letter. He did not just send us a representative. He did not just speak His laws from a mountain. He came to us as one of us. The Infinite became an infant. The Eternal One became a little one.



Jesus didn’t stay in a crib in a manger. He grew up went to a cross and… laid down His life for us.

III. THE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS: JESUS CAME TO DIE- Jesus didn’t stay in a crib in a manger. He grew up went to a cross and voluntarily laid down His life for us. The Bible says He did it for two reasons: 1) To demonstrate God’s love (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); and to 2) To die for our sins – (I Peter 2:24r 2:24
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.  

WP-Bible plugin). Somehow what He did 2000 years ago can make a difference in my life right now. I can be completely forgiven for everything I’ve ever done wrong or will ever do. That’s the reason for Christmas. The angels said, “For unto you this day is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

IV. THE RESULT OF CHRISTMAS: JESUS IS LORD – He did not remain dead. He rose again! And the Father has given Him the place of top honor in the universe. He’s honored above all else – the highest place. Is He your Lord today? Celebrate Christmas worshiping, adoring, loving the Lord of all!

A CHRIST-CENTERED AND SPIRIT-FILLED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!





December 16, 2009r 16, 2009
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.  

WP-Bible plugin

A bunch of crazy, creative people got together at Calvary Chapel Dumaguete, Philippines to remember and celebrate the night “when God left the throne on high, when the balance of the world hung upon a helpless babe, when the journey to the cross began with a shrill cry.”

The Bezalel Circle Ministry got together to “worship the child we now call Emmanuel, Redeemer, Savior, Friend…”

We got together because “this child changed everything…
provided the way to salvation…
offered His life for ours.”

We got together to have fun and fellowship because “Christmas means God loves us…The great gift of Jesus was given to all and for all…”

That’s why we celebrated! that’s why we sang!



Fellowship Song

(To the tune of Come Together by the Beatles with two extra stanzas)



We’ve got old P Jo, Mark and Madam Lanni
Gail and Marlyn, Jenny, JC over yonder
We got Beth and Besh-i-el
Don’t forget the Lola she is here just as well.

We’ve got the glue gun – that is very slow to heat up
That is, go and plug it, it will pop and soon a’blow up
Sparks a’flyin out, smokes a’comin through
Ika pila na ning sunog, ika usa? duha? tulo?
Come together, Right now Bezalel

We got production, we got m-eatings, deadlines
We got, our Lord and Awesome Savior! Makin styro creatures
Craftin a glass window from a fourth inch plyboard
Can’t hold us no more ‘coz we’re in one big accord
Come together, Right now Bezalel

Tikki’s a’very happy, no more year end slideshow
Lanni’s a’frettin, Monday, Pnotes still a no go
Mark is cool and funky too,
Psaltyscope he built up really lit up the show
Come together, Right now Bezalel!

We are not over Kuba, P Jo’s riddle still rules
Di cya mag iya iya, Gail’s got a new Nokia
Jenny’s a pretty girl, and a’sweet as can be
P Jo’s quite good looking, but it’s so hard to see
But we’re praisin’ Jesus right now! Bezalel…




Photos

My kids are very excited, counting down the days…to our Manila trip.



They long to be with their cousins, uncles, aunts, grandpa and grandma! My dad and mom can’t wait either. They’ll be surprised to see the kids grown up and tall! Whew! Time flies so fast indeed. But in every second that ticks, every minute that passes and every hour that turns to shadow, the closer we get to see our Savior Jesus! That, I can’t wait!

I don’t claim to know the exact date when He will return. Nobody knows – only the Father. Yet God has given us signs to sense where we are now in the fulfillment of His plan and program. And indeed, it’s very near. But how many of the world’s people today expect it? How many really long for it? Or how many dismiss it as a fable or as nonsense borne out of a fictitious tale? How about you who profess to be a Christian? Do you “still” believe it? Or we have been seduced by the world and caught up in the web of deception that our vision of His coming has been blurred so that our life-style show it?



“…have we been seduced by the world and caught up in the web of deception that our vision of His coming has been blurred so that our life-style show it?”

Jesus warned, “Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap…Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man (Lk.21:34,36).”

A little girl had been listening while her mother’s friends were speaking about the imminent return of the Lord. After some time she was missed, so her mother went in search of her. She found her looking out a window at the top of the house. Asked what she was doing she said, “Oh, Mother, I heard you say Jesus might come today, and I wanted to be the first to see Him. See, I washed myself and put on a clean dress.” 1 Jn.3:3 says, “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure.”

Beloved, before you really get stressed out and started pulling your hair this Christmas season, remember what it’s all about: Jesus was BORN TO DIE for our sins, DIED TO LIVE AGAIN for our justification, ASCENDED back to the Father to intercede for us and one day soon will be COMING AGAIN to take us where He is! In the meantime, we’re to be the Salt and Light of the world as we abide in Him who is faithful and true!





Many people have asked me this question. For some suggest that there are several reasons why a Christian should have nothing to do with the modern celebration of Christmas.

First, some say that a Christian should have nothing to do with the modern celebration of Christmas, because of the name of the holiday, Christmas. The very name Christmas is offensive to some because the name is derived from the combination of two words, “Christ” and “mass”. The word means “the mass of Christ.¨ Some, therefore, are offended by what they think is an association with the Catholic Church. But the root meaning does not in reality have anything to do with Catholicism it means “Christ is sent.” It would seem that name accurately presents what the holiday is all about. In fact Galatians 4:4Galatians 4:4
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
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 says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.”

Second, some say that a Christian should have nothing to do with the modern celebration of Christmas, because of the use of Christmas trees. Some quote Jeremiah 10:2-4Jeremiah 10:2-4
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. ³ For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. customs...: Heb. statutes, or, ordinances are vanity ⁴ They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.  

WP-Bible plugin as forbidding the use of Christmas trees (Go and read it). If indeed this passage referred to decorated Christmas trees it would most certainly be wrong to have them. But when we read this verse in the context of the whole chapter we find that what is being described is the practice of felling trees and carving idols from them.

I, personally, do not put up Christmas tree in our house not because it’s idolatry, no, simply because it’s something that you can live without. In our family we like to always keep things simple. Now it is true that some Christians are offended or stumbled by Christmas trees so for them it’s wrong. I respect that. But I don’t find it a sin to put up one. Why? Because just as we are redeemed people, we’re called to redeem our society and point them back to the cross. What do I mean? I can use a Christmas tree to tell people that God also has a tree, it’s called the Cross and explain to them how Jesus was hanged on a tree(1 Peter 2:241 Peter 2:24
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. on: or, to  

WP-Bible plugin).



“I can use a Christmas tree to tell people that God also has a tree…”

And Thirdly, some say that a Christian should have nothing to do with the modern celebration of Christmas, because December 25th is the wrong date. Jesus was probably not born on December 25th. This date was chosen because it was a pagan holiday already being celebrated. It seems Christian leaders endeavored to keep Christians from being a part of this pagan celebration by giving them a Christian festival on the same day, celebrating the birth of Christ.

Would the Lord be opposed to the celebration of a non-biblical holiday? We might find some guidance in what transpired in John 10. Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem at the beginning of an observance of a non- biblical holiday (non-biblical in the sense that it was not commanded in the word of God) called the Feast of Dedication or Feast of Lights (Channuka). How did Jesus respond? Did He stay at home and refuse to participate? Did He condemn those that did participate? NO!! He was right there in the temple in the middle of the celebrants using it as a teaching opportunity.

That’s what we’re to do. What is not an obvious sin we can use as a teaching tool about Jesus Christ. We should be right there among them looking for every opportunity to tell them about the reason for the season, the child who was born to save them from their sins. Let us approach this Christmas echoing the glory expressed by the angel in Luke 2:10-11Luke 2:10-11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  

WP-Bible plugin, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord!”

This Bible trivia is pretty amazing.

What is the shortest chapter
in the Bible?
Answer – Psalms 117

What is the longest chapter
in the Bible?
Answer – Psalms 119

Which chapter is in the center
of the Bible?
Answer – Psalms 118



Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118

Add these numbers up and you get 1188

What is the center verse in the Bible?
Answer – Psalms 118:8Psalms 118:8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  

WP-Bible plugin


Does this verse say something significant about God’s perfect will for our lives?

The next time someone says they would like to find God’s perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word!

Psalms 118:8Psalms 118:8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  

WP-Bible plugin (NIV)
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man..”

Now isn’t that odd how this worked out (or was God in the center of it)?





The streets will be quiet, some stores may even be close, and the crime rate go way down and the Filipino people will be united again. Is that possible? Yes. Every time Manny Pacquaio steps on the ring! I’m very sure most Filipinos will be glued again to their television or radio today – just to watch and hear the fight of Pacman against Cotto. He’s fight is always a must-see because of the excitement, the skill and the pride that he brings into the boxing ring for the Filipino people. Both said in an interview that they had never trained like how they trained for this fight. And all the months of training, the hours of preparation, and the amount of discipline and determination to win will be decided today.

…to be strong in the Lord is to surrender and fully submit our heart, mind and will to Him…

But do we ever spend the same energy, having the same enthusiasm, the same discipline and determination to our spiritual life? As you know, we are also in a “ring.” It’s a different kind of a “ring” – it’s the “ring of life” wherein we do battle, we do struggle – not with flesh and blood, but with the spiritual forces in heavenly realms. And this ring we are in isn’t once or twice a year fight– but it is everyday! Here is the real picture of life. Many believers seem to live as if there were no spiritual battles at all. They see Christianity not as an entrance into warfare but as an exit from it. But we are called, in the Christian life, to a battle, not to a life of ease; to a battle, to a warfare, to a wrestle, to a struggle.

Beloved, life is not a playground, but a battleground. When one becomes a Christian it doesn’t mean that the battle is over, no, we just change sides! Oh we wish we would have vacation from that, that we would have a very long break from life’s battles, that we could declare a ceasefire – but no, not in this life. Every time I go out of town for a short break, yes, it’s a break from my duties and responsibilities here, but it’s no break from the temptations and seductions of the world, the flesh and the Devil. I cannot put my guard down. I need to be in constant look out in prayer of the fiery darts that the enemy throws at me and to my family.

So what is the Bible’s command? “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Eph.6:1).” The good news is it is not our strength that equips us to stand, it is God’s strength invested in us when we submit to God. To be strong in the Lord is to surrender and fully submit our heart, mind and will to Him. We stand in the power of His might! Our strength is not in ourselves. Our strength is in Him. Paul said, when I am weak, then I am strong. For His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

So be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!” This phrase could be very loosely translated, “In the grip of His hand.” We don’t have a hold on God. He has a hold on us. In John 10:29John 10:29
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  

WP-Bible plugin, Jesus said, “ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” Beloved, as we fight the battles of life, yield to Him by faith, and as we surrender our will to Him and submit our heart to Him, this is the assurance, whatever happens, HE WILL NEVER LET YOU GO! We have a love that never lets us go…and a love that fights for you!

In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith began his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Only twenty-five people attended. What began as a small chapel has now grown into a church that seats over 2000 and is filled almost nightly. From the beginning, Pastor Chuck welcomed all, young and old, without judgment, placing his emphasis on the teaching of the Word of God. His simple, yet sound, biblical approach draws 25,000 people weekly.









With a sincere concern for the lost, Pastor Chuck made room in his heart and his home for a generation of hippies and surfers; generating a movement of the Holy Spirit that spread from the West Coast to the East Coast, bringing thousands of young people to Jesus Christ. Included among this generation of new believers were Greg Laurie, Mike MacIntosh, Raul Ries, and Skip Heitzig, as well as hundreds of others who now have ministries of their own.

Source: http://www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com





The Bible is Historically Accurate

Archaeology again proves that the Bible is historically accurate. Biblical archaeology brings us into touch with the world of Bible peoples and provides us with a background of knowledge against which we can begin to understand the biblical narratives better. Archaeology reveals to us the conditions of life in past centuries, and in some cases recovers for us material objects that people used–from pieces of pottery to elegant gold vessels and jewelry, from clay tablets dealing with the business accounts of a long-dead Babylonian family to papyrus scrolls recording the diseases of ancient Egyptians and the medicines that they took.

Archaeology Not Meant to “Prove” the Truth of the Scriptures

Archaeology is not meant to “prove” the TRUTH of the Scriptures, because this revelation is from God, being basically spiritual and based on faith, has to be experienced personally and evaluated spiritually (I Cor. 2:14r. 2:14
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  

WP-Bible plugin). Yet our understanding of that revelation as something from God that is and was experienced by real people helps us see that our faith is not the result of myth, magic, or folklore, but instead is rooted deeply in history.

Great Cities Mentioned in Scripture

When we learn through archaeology about some of the great cities mentioned in Scripture, and the splendid place they occupied in past centuries, we begin to see how time passed as people lived and died, governments rose and fell until the time came when Christ was revealed as the Savior of mankind. We learn also that what the Bible has to say about some of these famous places was in fact the sober truth. While Jerusalem came to be known in history as the “holy city” because God’s temple was there, other places were notorious for their wickedness. The Jews regarded proud Babylon as the home of all wickedness, and it was left in ruins by divine judgment, as prophesied by Isaiah. Archaeology has also shown how Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, struck terror in the minds of people because of the brutality of the Assyrian armies, but even that fell to a stronger power, as prophesied by Nahum. Proud Athens, the intellectual center of ancient Greece, was dedicated to the service of the pagan goddess Athena, and ruins of her temples may still be seen there today. Corinth, a Greek city that had an evil reputation in Paul’s day, contains the earliest known Christian cemetery showing that the gospel light was able to shine through the pagan darkness of that corrupt place. Archaeologists have even uncovered the site where Paul stood in judgment before Gallio (Acts 18:12-17Acts 18:12-17
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, ¹³ Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. ¹⁴ And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: ¹⁵ But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. ¹⁶ And he drave them from the judgment seat. ¹⁷ Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.  

WP-Bible plugin).

Witnesses to God’s Revelation

While archaeology helps us to understand ancient life and times, many of the ruins carry a stern reminder of God’s direct judgment upon human wickedness and disobedience. In this sense, therefore, the stones still cry out as witnesses to God’s revelation through the Law, the Prophets, and His Beloved Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.



Source: Family Homes Network



*Trivia about the video narrator Grant Goodeve:


Grant Goodeve is an actor, television personality and teen idol of the 1970s. He is best known for playing the role of David, the oldest son, on Eight is Enough for five seasons. He dated Laurie Walters, the actress who played his television sister. Goodeve married Debbie Ketchum in 1978. He has lived in the Northwestern United States since 1989 with his wife and three children Katie, Emily and Mac.

Goodeve also appeared for two seasons in the recurring role of Rick Pedersen, the ill-fated bush pilot in the TV drama Northern Exposure, which was produced in the northwestern U.S. Goodeve’s work also includes numerous episodic television appearances, the role of Woody on the daytime soap opera One Life to Live, as well as roles in several made-for-television movies and feature films. Goodeve is also an excellent singer, and has made appearances as lead vocalist in several parody songs by Bob Rivers.

He currently hosts If Walls Could Talk on Home and Garden Television, along with a series of historical home specials titled, Homes of our Heritage for HGTV. Grant has been the host of KING TV’s Northwest Backroads since the show premiered in April 1998. Grant has been a contributor to Evening Magazine since 1990.

He was a serious alcoholic until a car crash finally convinced him to turn his life around. In 2001 Goodeve was born again. Grant enjoys spending time with his family, tennis, snow skiing, reading, and basking in the beauty of the Northwest.

(http://listing-index.ebay.com/actors/Grant_Goodeve.html)

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1Timothy 4:12







This is the welcome letter the campers received from Glen and Abba Tantio, a young couple who are youth ministry leaders in Calvary Chapel Dumaguete.



LIVINGSTONES YOUTH MINISTRY OF CALVARY CHAPEL DUMAGUETE

WELCOMES YOU TO YOUTH CAMP 2009!

Dear Camper,



I want you to know from the start that we are so excited you are here! You may be here for the first time and not too sure what to expect. You may have come unwillingly, or you may have come before and are expecting more of  the same. Whatever it may be, God has brought you here for a purpose. He wants to speak to you. I encourage you to lay all your expectations aside and be open to whatever the Lord may want to do in and through you this week.

God desires that you would know Him not just as some spiritual force or creator but as a loving, caring Father who loves you so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for your sins. This intimacy is only possible through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

My prayer is that through this Camp God would develop in you an unquenchable hunger and thirst for more of Him. I pray you will surrender your life to Him and allow Him to transform you by His awesome power.

We have an exciting week ahead of learning, worship, fun activities and building new friendships so don’t miss out by holding back. Let go and let God have His way! I promise…you will never be the same again!


In His Grip,



Glen and Abba Tantio

Congrats to Glen and Abba on the new addition to
their family! Zar is now a ‘Kuya’ to baby Selah…




Snapshots








Evening Lecture Sessions with Pastor Jo:

1. “In Speech”
2. “In Life”
3. “In Faith”
4. “In Love”
5. “Jesus the Ultimate Example”



*For more photos of the Youth Camp visit the Livingstones Youth Ministry at their multiply website: www.livingstonesministry.multiply.com





What exactly is grace? And is it limited to Jesus’ life and ministry? You may be surprised to know that Jesus never used the word itself. He just taught it and, equally important, He lived it. Furthermore, the Bible never gives us a one-statement definition, though grace appears throughout its pages . . . not only the word itself but numerous demonstrations of it. Understanding what grace means requires our going back to an old Hebrew term that meant “to bend, to stoop.” By and by, it came to include the idea of “condescending favor.” If you have travelled to London or perhaps heard or read about it, you know royalty – the most famous was the late Princess Diana. If so, you may have noticed sophistication, aloofness, distance.



Every time the thought of grace appears, there is the idea of its being undeserved.

On occasion, royalty in England will make the news because someone in the ranks of nobility will stop, kneel down, and touch or bless a common person. That is grace. There is nothing in the person that deserves being noticed or touched or blessed by the royal family. But because of grace in the heart of the queen or the princess, there is the desire at that moment to pause, to stoop, to touch, even to bless. Someone said it best: “Love that goes upward is worship; love that goes outward is affection; love that stoops is grace.” To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and can never earn it. Receiving God’s acceptance by grace always stands in sharp contrast to earning it on the basis of works. Every time the thought of grace appears, there is the idea of its being undeserved. In no way is the recipient getting what he or she deserves. Favor is being extended simply out of the goodness of the heart of the giver.

And the greatest demonstration of grace is the cross of Calvary. There the King of kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, stoop down to save us from our sins. Undeserving as we are we receive His love. What kind of love is that? It is a love that is more concerned about making the object of love feel loved, than it is in making the lover feel loved. The lover is willing to sacrifice, to make any sacrifice necessary just to make the object of love feel loved. That is what God did. It is the kind of love that does not regard itself, but unselfishly goes to the cross & sheds its blood, & gives its life so that there might be hope for those of us who are hopeless without it. That is “agape” love.



And the greatest demonstration of grace is the cross of Calvary…



So when the Bible says that “God is agape love” it means that God doesn’t love us with just a surface type of love, but He loves us with an all-sacrificing love. He gives Himself completely to express His love. And this we never deserve…it’s grace from beginning to end! As we come to the Lord’s table today, thank Him for His grace and love undeserved!