The election is over, now what?  What’s next for us as followers of Jesus Christ, in relation to our elected government officials?  One thing we are NOT encouraged to do in the Scriptures: Bash and beat down with words those who we think do not deserve to be elected. Yes we can express our opinions and exercise our freedom of speech. But would it change the result? Would it really make a difference at this point? You got what I mean. This is what we are encouraged to do:

1. Everyone must submit himself to governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who REBELS against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves (Rom. 13:1-2Rom. 13:1-2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
13 ¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered ² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  

WP-Bible plugin).” It is God’s will that we respect the “position“ regardless of the personality behind it.

2. “Requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Tim. 2:1-21 Tim. 2:1-2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 ¹ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; exhort: or, desire ² For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. authority: or, eminent place  

WP-Bible plugin).” It’s easy to talk negative things about the politicians but we should be talking to God about them! We battle not on the streets but on our knees!

3. “Do everything without COMPLAINING OR ARGUING, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the WORD OF LIFE (Phil. 2:14-16Phil. 2:14-16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: ¹⁵ That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; harmless: or, sincere ye shine: or, shine ye ¹⁶ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  

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4. Keep in mind the great responsibility and privilege God has entrusted to us – “He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God was making an appeal through us (2 Cor. 5:192 Cor. 5:19
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. committed...: Gr. put in us  

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Beloved, if we really want a genuine change in our nation, it begins with us the church. Don’t blame the ills of our society only to the government. The question is, “Are we living a life worthy of our calling?” Are we living in a way that people around us are affected by our faith, our witness?

This verse is still timely for us to really consider and heed: “If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chr. 7:142 Chr. 7:14
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. which...: Heb. upon whom my name is called  

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Consider these things carefully and prayerfully.

Announcements:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO & PRAY FOR! 

THAILAND MISSION 2013

• Continue to pray for our upcoming Thailand Mission Trip on May 26-June 6, 2013ne 6, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin.
• To those who wish to support this year’s mission trip, we are now accepting orders for this year’s t-shirt printing as part of our fund raising.
• Pay as you order at Php 250/shirt.
• Orders will be accepted until today only.
• Please approach the table at the back for orders.
• To those who ordered last May 5 and 12, your t-shirts are now available at the back after the service.

CHE PYPONCO MISSION SUPPORT

• Together with this year’s Thailand Mission team will be Che Pyponco. She will be staying in Thailand as a full time missionary with the Johansens and Jead.
• To those who desire to support Che, you may approach any of the Missions Committee Members: Dr. Lucille Teves, Dr. Silay Rosario, Ariel Teves, Joan Generoso, Sara Gaga-a, Ami Piñero, Nida Ragay, Lolit Jo, Jing Guevara, Ptr. Noe Verzano, Ptr. Uly Curilan, Jun Lapatha or Che herself after the service.
• We also have prayer cards and support forms available at the back which you can fill up to indicate your commitment in supporting Che.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Youth Camp starts this afternoon! Please continue praying for our young people that they will come out of this camp knowing Jesus more and excited to serve Him.
• At 2pm, a vehicle will be available for those who don’t have transportation to go to the campsite.
• And for those who still have room in their vehicle, please come by the church to help transport our youth.
• We would like to remind the parents/guardians of our youth that you are not allowed to come or visit your child anytime for the whole duration of the camp. But you may pick up their laundry at 6pm (dinner time).
• However, we would like to encourage you parents to go to Camp Lily Gamo on Thursday, May 23, 2013 @ 7pm to watch their Talent Night Presentation.
• In case of emergency, Glen and Abba Tantio’s Cellphone Numbers are available at the Church Office.

OLIVET PRESCHOOL

• We would like to inform you that enrollment is now going on for Nursery & Kindergarten 1. For inquiries please call CCTC @ 422-7774 or look for Dyna Delamin or Cindy Perkins after the service.

FREAKS

• If you have been praying for a ministry wherein you can serve the Lord and use your gift or talent in performing arts,  sign-up sheet is available at the back for the FREAKs (For the Reason of Exalting our Almighty King).
• PLEASE TAKE NOTE: you must be born again, have been baptized in water and is attending Calvary Chapel Dumaguete for at least 6 months.

“MOMMA”, “INAY”, “NANAY”, to me, is one of the sweetest and most endearing words human language has invented. To think of Mother is to recall her unselfish devotion, her limitless, unfaltering love through good and evil report, never waivering, but growing stronger and stronger with the years; and to remember that she asks nothing in return for herself; she asks of us and for us that we be godly men and women.

If we fail, she does not love us less, but more. Wonderful, constant, miraculous mother’s love! This woman whom we have sometimes take for granted and forgotten in some ways is still the loving mother after all.

There was a mother who kept a candle burning in a window every night for ten years. One night, very late, a poor, wretched woman came in from the street. The aged mother said to her, “Sit down by the fire.” The stranger asked,” Why do you keep the light in the window?” The old mother replied,” That light is for my wayward daughter. She left home ten years ago. I am praying for her return. I have kept a light in the window for ten years!

Others often blame me for worrying about her, but, you see, I love her. I am her mother. Often in the night, I open the door, and look out into the darkness and cry,’ Annie, Annie!” The woman from the street began to weep. The aged mother looked closely at her and said,” Why, how cold and sick you seem! You must have trouble enough of your own!” Then suddenly the mother exclaimed, ” Can it be? Yes! You are my Annie! My own lost child! Thank God that you are home again!”

That is Mother. God’s gift to us. So, if you have a smile for Mother, give it now. If you have a kindly word, speak it now, she’ll not need it when the Lord and His angels greet her at the golden gate; give the smiles while she is living. If you wait, it’ll be too late. If you have flower for Mother, pluck it now. Place it gently on her bosom. Print a kiss upon her brow and tell her how much you appreciate and love her.

Praise God for mothers! “She is worth far more than rubies…Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate (Prov.31:10, 28-31). Happy Mother’s Day to you mothers, blessed by the Lord! Thank you for your lives.

Announcements:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO and PRAY FOR!

THAILAND MISSION 2013

• Continue to pray for our upcoming Thailand Mission Trip on May 26-June 6, 2013ne 6, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin.
• To those who wish to support this year’s mission trip, we are now accepting orders for this year’s t-shirt printing as part of our fund raising.
• Pay as you order at Php 250/shirt.
• Orders will be accepted until May 19, 2013 only.
• Please approach the table at the back for orders.

CHE PYPONCO MISSION SUPPORT

• Together with this year’s Thailand Mission team will be Che Pyponco. She will be staying in Thailand as a full time missionary with the Johansens and Jead.
• To those who desire to support Che, you may approach any of the Missions Committee Members: Dr. Lucille Teves, Dr. Silay Rosario, Ariel Teves, Joan Generoso, Sara Gaga-a, Ami Piñero, Nida Ragay, Lolit Jo, Jing Guevara, Ptr. Noe Verzano, Ptr. Uly Curilan, Jun Lapatha or Che herself after the service.
• We also have prayer cards and support forms available at the back which you can fill up to indicate your commitment in supporting Che.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for the youth camp on May 19-24, 2013 @ CAMP LILY GAMO, Sibulan with the theme, “CONSUMED” (For Our God is a Consuming Fire).
• This year’s youth camp will be an exciting camp for the youth! It’s really a camping experience! From the sleeping quarters to their bathroom & CR. This will be a preparation for them to be involved in Outreaches and Missions Trips.  We encourage the parents to support their youth in their involvement in any church activity. Registration is now going on for all CCD and CCD Outreaches Youth @ Php1750/person.
• Registration ends today.
• To those who wish to sponsor the youth from our outreaches, please approach Glen or Abba Tantio after the service.
• For the what to bring list, please get it from the registration table at the back.

OLIVET PRESCHOOL

• A survey was done months ago regarding the desire to open a Christian School for Preschoolers at CCTC. We would like to inform you that enrollment is now going on for Nursery & Kindergarten 1. For inquiries please call CCTC @ 422-7774 or look for Dyna Delamin or Cindy Perkins after the service.

FREAKS

• If you have been praying for a ministry wherein you can serve the Lord and use your gift or talent in performing arts, please approach Gladden Echin or Cole Geconcillo of FREAKs (For the Reason of Exalting our Almighty King).
• PLEASE TAKE NOTE: you must be born again, have been baptized in water and is attending Calvary Chapel Dumaguete for at least 6 months.

May 13 is another defining moment for the future of our country as we once again would go out to precincts to choose our next leaders. It’s not a trivial matter, it’s a very serious matter – a matter that needs genuine prayer, discernment and wisdom from the Lord. Saddened by the killings in some parts of the country that are election-related, I grieve. Lives were taken because of greed – the greed for power! I was reminded that indeed our nation’s problems are just symptoms of a greater problem – sin in the heart of man. And as I watched the news these past days, the different rallies that are taking place, I saw not the candidates that are running for political office – I saw something else….I saw the people as they gather ranting and raving, shouting and screaming showing support for their candidates…I saw them as sheep without a shepherd! My heart began to grieve for my fellow Filipinos, my “kababayan.” “If only they knew the grace and the love of Jesus Christ,” I said to myself.

Everybody longs for change. Every senatorial or mayoral candidate promised change. But can politics alone bring true and lasting change? The answer is NO! The gospel of Jesus Christ alone brings genuine change. Because if there must be change, it must begin in the heart. Can a believer of Christ contribute for change? Yes. Only if he/she remains to be salt of the earth and light of the world. Only if he/she uses His God-given position as a tool and means for the gospel of  Jesus Christ to be known. Only if he/she will remain true and faithful to God’s call upon his/her life. Only if the church of Jesus Christ would continue to be the church as Christ designed her to be and not be reduced to a mere political party nor a social club!

Precious people of God, with the unstable and shaky political and economic situation our country is facing today, rooted in religious bondage and spiritual blindness, let’s keep our eyes, let’s exert effort on man’s most important need – not a shelter to live in, food for the table, clothes to wear, money to spend (they are important, yes –but temporal) – but the salvation of the soul! Our country needs Jesus more than ever before.

As you go out to vote, I exhort everyone to pray even more fervently for our dear countrymen whom Jesus died for. More than a peaceful election, may many turn to Christ and be at peace with God and experience the peace of God in the midst of a troubled life. May they find the hope that only Jesus can give. As you drop that ballot on May 13, remember Prov. 14:34Prov. 14:34
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. to any...: Heb. to nations  

WP-Bible plugin  “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Exercise your God-given responsibility as a citizen of this country (Rom. 13). But as citizens of heaven, share with boldness the life-changing message of Jesus Christ!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO and PRAY FOR!

THAILAND MISSION 2013

• Continue to pray for our upcoming Thailand Mission Trip on May 26-June 6, 2013ne 6, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin.
• To those who wish to support this year’s mission trip, we are now accepting orders for this year’s t-shirt printing as part of our fund raising.
• Pay as you order at Php 250/shirt.
• Orders will be accepted until May 19, 2013 only.
• Please approach the table at the back for orders.

CHE PYPONCO MISSION SUPPORT

• Together with this year’s Thailand Mission team will be Che Pyponco. She will be staying in Thailand as a full time missionary with the Johansens and Jead.
• To those who desire to support Che, you may approach any of the Missions Committee Members: Dr. Lucille Teves, Dr. Silay Rosario, Ariel Teves, Joan Generoso, Sara Gaga-a, Ami Piñero, Nida Ragay, Lolit Jo, Jing Guevara, Ptr. Noe Verzano, Ptr. Uly Curilan, Jun Lapatha or Che herself after the service.
• We also have prayer cards and support forms available at the back which you can fill up to indicate your commitment in supporting Che.

HOPE FOR YOU BOHOL

• Please continue praying for our upcoming Hope for You in Bohol on August 2, 2013st 2, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for the youth camp on May 19-24, 2013 @ CAMP LILY GAMO, Sibulan with the theme, “CONSUMED” (For Our God is a Consuming Fire).
• This year’s youth camp will be an exciting camp for the youth! It’s really a camping experience! From the sleeping quarters to their bathroom & CR. This will be a preparation for them to be involved in Outreaches and Missions Trips.  We encourage the parents to support their youth in their involvement in any church activity. Registration is now going on for CCD and CCD Outreaches Youth @ Php1750/person.

OLIVET PRESCHOOL

• A survey was done months ago regarding the desire to open a Christian School for Preschoolers at CCTC. We would like to inform you that enrollment is now going on for Nursery & Kindergarten 1. For inquiries please call CCTC @ 422-7774 or look for Dyna Delamin or Cindy Perkins after the service.

I love sports. I love watching and playing sports. So nice to know that the just recently concluded Palarong Pambansa was held here in Dumaguete. It’s good for the city. It’s good for business. I have respect for athletes because of the time, energy, and discipline that they have to put in to get them prepared for the competition. Their aim is to win and they will do anything to achieve it.

I’m reminded of the Christian life. Paul wrote, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13Philippians 3:13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  

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“Straining toward what is ahead” – the Greek chariot is what in Paul’s mind here. The Greek chariot used in the olympic games and other events, was really only a small platform with a wheel on each side. The driver had very little to hold on to as he raced around the course. He had to lean forward and strain every muscle to maintain balance and control the horses! The word “strain” in the greek is “aganozo” – where we get the word “agonize”. The idea is stretching. And the picture is a runner with his body bent over, hand outstretched, eyes fastened on the goal, never giving a backward glance, every muscle and nerve is exerted, and he puts forth every particle of his strength in running.  It describes him with eyes for nothing but the goal. It describes the man who is going flat out for the finish. So Paul says that in the Christian life we must forget the past, learn from it and then focus only in the goal which lies ahead.

In our walk with Jesus we must always make a strong effort, through His power, to reach forward and not slip backwards. You see, a man does not become a winning athlete by just listening to lectures, reading books or cheering at the games. He becomes a winner by getting into the game and determining to win! The same zeal that Paul had when he was religious, persecuting the church, he displayed in serving Christ. Come to think of it: Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Christians put as much determination into their spiritual life as they do their hobbies or work?

I don’t want to just preserve my relationship with God that began many years ago, I want to progress in it. Because if I am not progressing I am not growing. Guess what? God is not finished with us yet. In order for Him to complete His work in us we have to “press on” towards the prize that is before us. We won’t make it to the prize if we are just preserving. We have to be moving forward!

ARE YOU MOVING FORWARD?

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO and PRAY FOR!

THAILAND MISSION 2013

• Continue to pray for our upcoming Thailand Mission Trip on May 26-June 6, 2013ne 6, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin.
• To those who wish to support this year’s mission trip, we are now accepting orders for this year’s t-shirt printing as part of our fund raising. You may approach Candice at the back after the service for details.

CHE PYPONCO MISSION SUPPORT

• Together with this year’s Thailand Mission team will be Che Pyponco. She will be staying in Thailand as a full time missionary with the Johansens and Jead.
• To those who desire to support Che, you may approach any of the Missions Committee Members: Dr. Lucille Teves, Dr. Silay Rosario, Ariel Teves, Joan Generoso, Sara Gaga-a, Ami Piñero, Nida Ragay, Lolit Jo, Jing Guevara, Ptr. Noe Verzano, Ptr. Uly Curilan, Jun Lapatha or Che herself after the service.
• We also have support forms available at the back which you can fill up to indicate your commitment in supporting Che.

KAIROS TRAINING

• To those who desire to know more about missions, there will be a Kairos Training on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 @ 8:30am here at the church.
• Registration is free. But the books to be used during the training will be at P375 per person.
• The training is limited to 10 people only. There is only 1 more slot available.
• Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

HOPE FOR YOU BOHOL

• Please continue praying for our upcoming Hope for You in Bohol on August 2, 2013st 2, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium.

SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

• To those who desire to serve in Sunday School Ministry, they are in need of volunteers for the second service.
• If you’re interested and want to be trained, please approach Debbie Florendo or Joan Generoso after the service.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for the youth camp on May 19-24, 2013 @ CAMP LILY GAMO, Sibulan with the theme, “CONSUMED” (For Our God is a Consuming Fire).
• It will be a good training for our youth in missions and outreaches.
• Registration is on going for all CCD youth @ Php1750/person.
• Registration will be open to all CCD outreaches youth starting May 1, 2013.

OLIVET PRESCHOOL

• A survey was done months ago regarding the desire to open a Christian School for Preschoolers at CCTC. We would like to inform you that enrollment is now open for Nursery & Kindergarten 1 kids. For inquiries please call CCTC @ 422-7774 or look for Dyna Delamin after the service.

The Boston marathon bombings that killed 3 or 4 people and injured more than a hundred is a clear reminder that indeed we’re living in terrible times. 2 Timothy 3:12 Timothy 3:1
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
3 ¹ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  

WP-Bible plugin tells us, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.”

The Apostle Paul, writing from a prison cell in Rome, knowing that his own death was at hand, warns his young protégé Timothy of difficult days to come. Although he never loses his faith in God, it is clear that the aged apostle was deeply concerned about the trends he saw all around him. Hard times were coming; days of stress were just around the corner. If a man was not ready, if he didn’t brace himself in advance, he might be washed away when things got really hot.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days”. Two questions come to mind. First, what does Paul mean by the expression, “last days?” That phrase has at least three meanings. It can apply to the entire period between the first and second comings of Christ. Since Christ could have come at any time, the entire church age can be called the “last days.” Also, it obviously applies to the last few weeks and months and years preceding our Lord’s return to the earth. I find it helpful to think in terms of labor pains. A pregnant woman knows when she is about to give birth by the frequency and severity of her labor pains. In the same way, the various things that Paul lists in the first few verses of 2 Timothy 3 will always be present in some form, but will increase dramatically near the end of the age.

Are we in the “last days?” No matter how you define it, the answer is yes. And we may indeed be living in the final days before the return of Christ to the earth. Second, what will the “last days” be like? The word translated “terrible” occurs only here and one other place in the New Testament. In its other occurrence, it refers to the two violent men who were possessed by demons in the region of Gadara (Matthew 8:28Matthew 8:28
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.  

WP-Bible plugin). They were wild, uncontrollable men who lived among the tombs. So the “last days” will be fierce, violent, dangerous and frightening. Here’s another word you could use: In the last days, savage times will come as men cast off all moral restraint and society begins to disintegrate. That certainly describes the times we are living in today!

How can we survive these days? 1) Thank God He promised that Jesus will keep us strong until the end (1 Cor.1:8) and the He will complete the good work that He has begun in us (Phil.1:6). Fix your eyes on Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith; 2) Be in the Word. Make the Bible the foundation of your life. Love it, believe it, obey it and then teach it to others. That will make you strong and give you confidence when trouble comes your way, as it must come sooner or later. Knowing the Bible now can save your life later. The Word of God will make you complete so that you are ready to do everything God wants you to do.

Beloved, the world will get worse — don’t be surprised. Tough times are coming — don’t be discouraged. Look up…for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believe!

Announcements:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO and PRAY FOR!

CHE PYPONCO

• Because Che will be staying in Thailand as a full time missionary, we would like to give the church an opportunity to support her in terms of finances and prayer.

MISSION’S DINNER

• We are inviting everyone to come and join us in our Mission’s Dinner on May 12, 2013. Please keep posted for the details of the said event.

KAIROS TRAINING

• To those who desire to know more about missions, there will be a Kairos Training on May 1, 2013 @ 8:30am here at the church.
• Registration is free. But the books and materials to be used during the training will be at P375 per person.
• The training is limited to 10 people only. 2 more slots are available.
• Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

HOPE FOR YOU BOHOL

• Please continue praying for our upcoming Hope for You in Bohol on August 2, 2013st 2, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin.

KIDS’ CAMP 2013

• Also continue praying for the Kids’ Camp on April 25-27, 2013 at CCTC.
• The camp is still open to all Sunday school kids from Grades 1-6.
• Registration fee is Php 800/child and last day of registration is today.
• To those who would like to sponsor some kids, please approach Debbie Florendo or Lolit Jo after the service.
• In line with the camp, they would like to ask for at least 20 used tires for their activities. If you have, please approach Lolit Jo after the service.
• We would also like to inform the parents and guardians of the campers that during the entire camp, we discourage you to visit your kids unless it is an emergency.

SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

• To those who desire to serve in Sunday School Ministry, they are in need of volunteers for the second service.
• If you’re interested and want to be trained, please approach Debbie Florendo or Joan Generoso after the service.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for the youth as they prepare for the upcoming youth camp on May 19-25, 2013 with the theme, “CONSUMED” (For Our God is a Consuming Fire).
• Registration fee is Php1750/person.
• Registration for the month of April is open to all CCD youth only. It will be open to all our outreaches’ youth in May.
• In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale after the service.

So blessed at the recently concluded Pastors and Wives conference last week. The fellowship was fun, the food was great and most of all the Word of God was soul stirring and life changing! We covered the Song of Ascents in the Book of Psalms (chapters 120-134).  These are psalms which were sung by travelers as they made their way to Jerusalem for the three annual feasts of Judaism — the feast of Pentecost, the feast of Tabernacles, and the feast of Passover. Three times a year, all observant Jews would leave their homes, their farms, their towns and villages, and would make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for these religious festivals.

We, as Christians, are pilgrims in this world. The Bible is full of reminders that “this world is not our home.” God never intended that we should be completely satisfied with this life; He never intended for us to feel completely comfortable here. On the contrary, we’re to regard this world as a temporary dwelling place, a region that we are journeying through on the way to our true home – heaven, the New Jerusalem. We are currently passing by and eventually we will ascend to where our home is!  We don’t belong here. We are foreigners, “aliens” and “strangers” in this world. We were made for life in another kind of place.

Our life here is the spiritual equivalent of being on the road and living out of suitcases. Never quite feeling “settled”; never quite being at ease in our surroundings. You know how it is when you go on vacation. No matter how beautiful the scenery, no matter how luxurious the accommodations, no matter how pleasant the weather, sooner or later you’re tired of it. You just want to go home. And for the Christian, “home” is heaven (Phil. 3:20Phil. 3:20
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: conversation...: or, we live or conduct ourselves as citizens of heaven, or, for obtaining heaven  

WP-Bible plugin).  Thus, we are exhorted in 1 Peter 2:111 Peter 2:11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  

WP-Bible plugin – “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.”  In other words, “Don’t behave like the citizens of this world. Don’t do the things they do, because you’re not one of them.”  The danger is that we forget our true identity and our citizenship and thus live like the world. And before you know it, we don’t look like citizens of God’s kingdom at all. We look just like the world. Our values, and attitudes, and lifestyles become virtually indistinguishable from those around us, even those who profess no allegiance to Christ.  When this happens we neglect our calling to be salt and light of the world. In the end we bring others down with us to destruction than helping others up to become citizens of heaven. Paul warns us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2Romans 12:2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  

WP-Bible plugin) In other words, don’t get too comfortable. Don’t start thinking you belong here. Keep moving.

What’s the difference between a fugitive, a vagabond, a stranger and a pilgrim? A fugitive is one who is running from home; a vagabond is one who has no home; a stranger is one away from home; and a pilgrim is on his way home! We are on our way home indeed…but while waiting for the trumpet sound, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; let’s have a light touch on the things of the world and let us be live our calling faithfully until He comes.

Announcements:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

HOPE FOR YOU BOHOL

• Please continue praying for our upcoming Hope for You Bohol on August 2, 2013st 2, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin.

KIDS’ CAMP 2013

• Inviting all Sunday School kids from Grades 1-6 for this year’s Summer Kids’ Camp! Join us in our Boot Camp to “be all God wants you to be” on April 25-27, 2013 at the Calvary Chapel Training Center.
• Registration fee is Php 800/child
• To those who would like to sponsor some kids, please approach Debbie Florendo/Lolit Jo after the service.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for our youth as they prepare for the upcoming youth camp on May 19-25, 2013 with the theme, “CONSUMED”

(For Our God is a Consuming Fire).

• Registration will start today at Php1750/person.
• In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale after the service.

BEREAN CLASS

• Berean Class will resume this coming Tuesday at 7pm.

There’s a story that illustrates the power of the cross in an unusual way. In 1967 a young man named Charles Murray was training at the University of Cincinnati for the Summer Olympics of 1968 as a high diver. A Christian friend spent hours sharing the gospel with him. Charles was not raised in a Christian home, so the story of Jesus fascinated him. He even began to ask questions about forgiveness of sin. One day his Christian friend asked if he was ready to trust Christ as his own Savior. His reply was a definite “No.”

Because he was training for the Olympic games, Charles had special privileges at the university pool facilities. Some time between 10:30 and 11:00 that evening he decided to go swim and practice a few dives. It was a clear night in October and the moon was big and bright. The university pool was housed under a ceiling of glass panes so the moon shone bright across the top of the wall in the pool area. Charles climbed to the highest platform to take his first dive. At that moment the Spirit of God began to convict him of his sin. All the Scripture he had read flooded his mind. He stood on the platform backwards to make his dive, spread his arms to gather his balance, looked up to the wall, and saw his own shadow caused by the light of the moon. It was the shape of a cross. He could bear the burden of his sin no longer. His heart broke and he sat down on the platform and asked God to forgive him and save him. He trusted Jesus Christ 20 feet in the air.

Suddenly, the lights came on. The janitor had come in to check the pool. As Charles looked down from his platform he saw an empty pool that had been drained for repairs! He had almost plummeted to his death, but the cross had stopped him from disaster!  No wonder Paul gloried in the cross. It is God’s plan to save us from disaster.

Let me ask you a personal question. What sin is keeping you from God today? Is it anger? Is it lust? Is it a hard heart of unbelief? Is it drunkenness? Is it an uncontrollable temper? Is it cheating? Is it stealing? Is it adultery? Is it abortion? Is it pride? Is it greed?

It doesn’t matter what “your” sin is. It doesn’t matter how many sins you’ve piled up in your life. It doesn’t matter how guilty you think you are. It doesn’t matter how bad you’ve been. The cross is God’s answer to your deepest needs. If you just repent and believe in the One who on the cross cried, ‘It is finished!” It’s not just a slogan, it’s a profound spiritual truth.  When Jesus cried out “It is finished” (John 19:30John 19:30
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.  

WP-Bible plugin), He meant that the penalty for sin had been paid in full. What Jesus accomplished in His death was so awesome, so total, so complete that it could never be repeated. Not even by Jesus Himself!

His work is “finished” in every sense of the word. There is nothing more God could do to save you. There is no Plan B. Plan A (the death of Christ) was good enough!

Announcements:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO & PRAY FOR! 

HOPE FOR YOU BOHOL

· Please continue praying for our upcoming Hope For You in Bohol in July, 2013.

KIDS’ CAMP 2013

· Atteeeennnnnn-tion! Calling all Sunday School Kids from Grades 1-6 for this year’s Summer Kids’ Camp! Join us in our Boot Camp to “be all God wants you to be” on April 25-27, 2013 at the Calvary Chapel Training Center.

· Registration fee is  Php 800/child

· To those who would like to sponsor some kids, please approach Isay Patris/Kim Go after the service.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

· Please continue praying for the youth as they prepare for the upcoming youth camp in May with the theme, “CONSUMED” (For Our God is a Consuming Fire).

· In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale every after church service.

CC Pastors and Wives Conference – April 9-11, 2013

2013 THAILAND MISSION TRIP – May 26-June 6, 2013ne 6, 2013
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
 

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He who was once humiliated in the midst of 2 thieves crucified, is now walking in majesty in the midst of the churches. His head was once crowned with thorns. Now His head is crowned with glory! His feet were once nailed to the cross, now His feet are as burning and polished brass. His voice was once hushed in death, now His voice is as the sound of many water. His hands were once pierced and nailed to the cross, now His hand is mighty and strong to help us. His face was once marred, now His face is as the sun shining in its strength.

Thank God it’s Sunday! Court guard you will never again slap His face! Pontius Pilate you will never again sit in His judgment! Roman Scourger you will never again plow His back! Roman Soldier you will never again impel His flesh! Jewish skeptic you will never again malign His character! Roman Caesar you will never again seal His grave!

Thank God it’s Sunday! Beloved, I wanted to tell you this morning that the suffering and anguish Jesus Christ experienced was on Friday — we live on the Sunday-side of the cross! He is no longer that poor, rejected, despised Jewish carpenter. Oh no, that was all finished on Friday. The first time He came to redeem, the next time He is coming to reign. The first time He came to die, the next time He will come to raise the dead! The first time He had an escort of angels, the next time He’ll “come with ten thousands of His saints. The first time He came in meekness, the next time He is coming in MAJESTY!

Yes, He is risen and is coming again! The war has been won, salvation has been paid, forgiveness is available, eternal life is for free, there is now hope in this life and the life to come and the meaning and purpose of life has been defined: “The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God!” (Rom.6:10)

That’s the way we are called to live…to live for Him! Put your faith and hope in Him today and God’s Word guarantees you this: You have not lost anything but gained everything! “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!” (Phil.1:21)

Congratulations! It’s the season for graduation ceremonies. Typically, commencement speakers address the graduates, offering them words of wisdom for life in the “real world.” If you’re part of this year’s graduating class, I’m sure you’re receiving lots of advice from counselors, friends, and family. They’re doing their best to help you make wise decisions about your future.

When it comes to spiritual matters, it’s vitally important that we are not deceived. The Apostle John offers this warning: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:11 John 4:1
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
4 ¹ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  

WP-Bible plugin). You see, there was a problem in the early church because people tended to be swayed by anyone who showed up in their church service claiming to speak truth. Unfortunately we do the same thing today; we trust people just because they’re on the radio, write books, or have incredible charisma. But Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15Matt. 7:15
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  

WP-Bible plugin).

The question is, how do you tell the difference between truth and something disguised as truth? The key is to test everything against Scripture. We can learn an important lesson from Paul’s missionary visit to Berea. The Jews there “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11Acts 17:11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  

WP-Bible plugin). In other words, they didn’t just accept what they heard at face value; they checked it out to make sure it was true.

So, some words of advice to graduates: The most important advice I can offer you is to stay in God’s Word so you don’t get deceived by the world. Your school exams may be over, but the real tests of life have just begun. As you prepare for the next phase of your life, whether you’re moving into the job market or furthering your education, remember to be like the Bereans; test everything you hear against Scripture. Always remember that God’s advice is the best advice you’ll ever receive!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

SUNRISE SERVICE

• We will have our annual joint Sunrise Service next Sunday, March 31, 2013, 5h 31, 2013, 5
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
  Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
  
  WP-Bible pluginAM at FREEDOM PARK.
• There will be NO English or Visayan Services that Sunday here at the church.

HOPE FOR YOU BOHOL

• Please continue praying for our upcoming Hope for You in Bohol, in July, 2013.
• Ptr. Jo will start meeting with the Pastors there on Monday, March 25, 2013h 25, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
  Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
  
  WP-Bible plugin.

KIDS’ CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for our upcoming BOOT CAMP themed Kids’ Camp on April 25-27, 2013 at CCTC.
• The camp will be open to all Sunday school kids from Grades 1-6.
• Registration starts today after the service at Php 800/child.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for our youth as they head on for their upcoming youth camp in May with the theme, “CONSUMED” (For Our God is a Consuming Fire).
• In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale after the service. Thank you!

Yes, there is a false church that is ruled by men. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God, King of kings and Lord of lords is the appointed true HEAD of the true church bought by His own blood, not any man elected by men.

Ephesians 1:22Ephesians 1:22
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  

WP-Bible plugin – “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

What does it mean Jesus is the Head of the church? Jesus is in charge of the church, not me nor the Elders. Yes, we’re given responsibilities to lead but we’re only effective and productive when we are submitted to the Lordship and Leadership of Christ!  Now, each of us in this congregation may have certain responsibilities, certain areas roles that we play here… But make no mistake WE DO NOT HAVE the final say in how this church is to run.  We are not here to run things.  We are here to take orders.  We are here to discover His will, what He wants for the church.  And thus we seek His wisdom, His guidance.  We make ourselves available to Him to be led by the Spirit, acknowledging that Jesus is the head of the church. He is the head of the body, the church, not the Pope! As long as this is a church that belongs to Christ, and listens to Christ, and obeys Christ, it will truly be a church of Christ! He is Captain and Commander-in-chief. He is the sovereign of the Church.

The head gives the body the ability to produce growth, and without it, the body would die. Many churches seem to forget this. If Jesus Christ is not supreme in a church, then there is no church. The Bible speaks of losing connection to Christ and as a result will experiment with all sorts of false doctrine and sinful behavior. Jesus is the head of CCD. Jesus Christ is supreme over this church and we bow before His authority. The church is only effective and impactful when we trust His ways rather than our own.

Church, we don’t look to anyone else as our sufficiency — we look to Jesus alone. I often meet people who are disillusioned with Christianity because of their focus on people! Don’t look to people they’ll let you down – JESUS NEVER WILL! He is our source. I’m not saying you shouldn’t go to others for counsel or help, but that should never take the place of going to God. No ministry is valid unless it points you to Jesus Christ! Christ is all in all to us, His people!

Look to Him today, adore Him, worship Him, love Him, thank Him…for He’s the One who saved us from sin and is committed to finish the good work He has begun in us!

Announcement:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO! 

SUNRISE SERVICE

· We will have our annual joint Sunrise Service on March 31, 2013, 5h 31, 2013, 5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible pluginAM at FREEDOM PARK.

· There will be NO English or Visayan Services that Sunday here at the church.

HOPE FOR YOU BOHOL

· Please continue praying for our upcoming Hope For You in Bohol, Lord willing, in July, 2013.

· Ptr. Jo will start meeting with the Pastors there on March 25, 2013h 25, 2013
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin.

KIDS’ CAMP 2013

· Atteeeennnnnn-tion! Calling all Sunday School Kids from Grades 1-6 for this year’s Summer Kids’ Camp! Join us in our Boot Camp to “be all God wants you to be” on April 25-27, 2013 at the Calvary Chapel Training Center.

· Registration will start on March 24 until April 14, 2013l 14, 2013
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
 

WP-Bible plugin at Php 800/child

YOUTH CAMP 2013

· Please continue praying for our youth as they head on for their upcoming youth camp 2013 with the theme, “CONSUMED” (For Our God is a Consuming Fire).

· In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale every after church service. Thank you!

Prov.27:12 – “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”

Do you consider yourself wise? Wise people are farsighted – they look ahead for potential trouble. They avoid a painful future by making right decisions today. Fools are near sighted – they confidently rush on with little regard to the risk of their actions. The warnings they ignored results into trouble that they have to pay!

Prudent people, those with discretion and wisdom see the danger ahead, so they avoid it. They do not want to be hurt, so they change their course.  The foolish on the other hand is hasty, moves forward without caution and get hurt. Caught up in the moment, they fail to protect their future.

Consider war. A wise general sees a battle and its consequences and determines to withdraw to fight another time under different circumstances. The enemy, his own men, and his heart may call him a coward. But he knows discretion is better than valor. He wants the odds in his favor before fighting. A foolish general marches on, with a grand display of bravery, to the annihilation of his army.

Consider marriage. Fools follow emotions with little regard for God’s will. They end up in a painful marriage for the rest of their lives by their impatient, impulsive, and ignorant choice. Wise men use many counselors and God-given criteria to end dangerous relationships and find God’s best.

Consider child training. Wise parents see the attitudes and actions of their children and alter their training to head off trouble down the road. Foolish parents, too lazy to either look or train, and suffer the painful consequences of rebellious children.

Consider the Day of Judgment. Wise men see the terror coming, repent and turn to Christ to save them. But fools love the pleasures of sin for a season, ignoring the eternal pain of their actions. The short-term “pleasure” brings long-term punishment.

So you see, wisdom soberly looks ahead before making decisions. So many times we find ourselves derailed, and typically it’s because we didn’t listen to the warnings – the things that could have protected us from the pitfall.  Sometimes we look at road-signs as hindrances, restrictive, obtrusive, limiting…we say, ‘it just slows us down.’ That’s the point! It’s impulsiveness that brings us to trouble! Slow down…for its hastiness that causes us to fall!

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. Look down the road before we make our choices, to consider the consequences of our actions before we act.  Think! Be wise! Look out for detours that take us away from God – to our own harm!

If we do not follow this we will suffer due to our wrong choices! Prov. 5:11-13Prov. 5:11-13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, ¹² And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; ¹³ And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!  

WP-Bible plugin says, “At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!”

I know…you don’t want that.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

SUNRISE SERVICE

• We will have our annual joint Sunrise Service on March 31, 2013, 5h 31, 2013, 5
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
  Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
  
  WP-Bible pluginAM at FREEDOM PARK.
• There will be NO English or Visayan Services that Sunday here at the church.

HOPE FOR YOU BOHOL

• Please continue praying for our upcoming Hope For You in Bohol this coming July, 2013.
• We will start meeting with the Pastors there on March 25, 2013h 25, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
  Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
  
  WP-Bible plugin.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for our youth as they head on for their upcoming youth camp 2013 with the theme, “CONSUMED”

(For Our God is a Consuming Fire).

• In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale every after church service.

Summer is coming. I love the summer season. When I was little I always looked forward to summer. For to me it meant fun, playground, ice cream, “halo-halo”, beaches, basketball under the heat of the sun until your skin burn! I didn’t want it to end. But as they say, ’all good things must come to an end.’ But when I became more mature I realized that seasons are part of life. It’s inevitable.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Eccl.3:1); “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Eccl.3:11)

There are times and seasons that all of us will pass through. Most of us may not be satisfied with the season where we are in life but we cannot pray away a season. All of us go through seasons of life. 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. The world has a divinely-regulated, built-in flow. No one can alter God’s design. For everything there is a suitable time and a particular season. Life is not a string of random events. We can perceive life as meaningless, endless cycles, or understand that the totality of life is regulated by God. 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. He has a plan that one day will be made clear.

I know that as we look at these seasons of life, we go from one to the next through a change. Sometimes the change is pleasant and it is a smooth transition. Other times the change is traumatic and it is a rocky road. But God doesn’t change. And His promises you can count on no matter what season of change you are in. And God comes at certain times during those seasons and speaks to you about certain issues. When God speaks to you, no matter what season you may be in, you need to not only listen. You need to respond.

Beloved, everything is beautiful in its time. 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!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO! 

WATER BAPTISM

• To those who desire to obey the Lord in water baptism, we will have a water baptism this coming Saturday, March 9, 2013, 10h 9, 2013, 10
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible pluginam at the Dulamal’s Beach House in Cangmating, Sibulan.
• If you do not know the place, we have maps available at the back.
• For those who will need a ride, you may go to Quezon Park, in front of Tops and Bottoms between 9-10am.
• And if you wish to help by providing vehicles, please tell the office.
• This will be a potluck fellowship.
• Please bring your own eating utensils and extra clothing.
• Sign-up sheet is available at the back.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for our youth as they head on for their upcoming youth camp 2013 with the theme, “CONSUMED”

(For Our God is a Consuming Fire).

• In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale every after church service.

One night in a church service a young woman felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit in her heart. She responded to God’s call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident.

As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry teaching young children. It not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and the heart of the pastor’s son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans.

This is when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor’s son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting got completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry, the pastor’s son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be.

He began to speak and his statement was this: “My fiancee’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?”

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. We list their faults and hide the list somewhere inside our heart. And when the time comes to attack we bring out the list and charge them with it. Who is the accuser of the brethren? Satan. Therefore we are more like Satan than Jesus when we do that.

Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely, then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble. Praise God that is not the case. Indeed in Christ there is total, complete, perfect forgiveness to those who repent and turn to Him for mercy.

So, what can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Announcements:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

PRAISE & WORSHIP AUDITION

• To those who attended the praise and worship seminar last February 9 and are interested to join our PW ministry, there will be an audition on March 2, 2013, 3:30h 2, 2013, 3:30
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible pluginPM here at the church.

WATER BAPTISM

• To those who desire to obey the Lord in water baptism, we will have a water baptism on March 9, 2013h 9, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin, Saturday 10am at the Dulamal’s Beach House in Cangmating, Sibulan.
• It will be a potluck fellowship.
• Sign-up sheet is available at the back.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please continue praying for our youth as they head on for their upcoming youth camp 2013 with the theme, “CONSUMED”

(For Our God is a Consuming Fire).

• In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale every after church service.

A third biblical picture of God’s love is the love of a father for his child. This picture of love is warmer and more personal than the love of an artist for his masterpiece or the love of master for his animal. But though fatherly love is personal and intimate, it is still love that has a goal.

A father may say, “I love my son, so I don’t care how lazy or worthless or rotten he turns out to be, as long as he’s happy”! That would be a sick, twisted kind of love–if you could call it love at all. A truly loving father wants his children to grow up into good people who amount to something. The more he loves them, the more he cares what kind of people they become. He uses his fatherly authority to shape his children’s character, and he expects them to obey.

A good dad is kind and affectionate, but he is also in charge. He wants to be obeyed, not just for the sake of his own ego, but for the good of his children. He applies discipline not because he enjoys causing pain but to shape his children’s character. We might wish God were a grandpa whose only agenda was to make us happy. But God is our Father, not our grandfather. He won’t spoil us rotten.

Hebrews 12:-11Hebrews 12:-11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin – “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?… God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Clearly, our heavenly Father has a goal for us, just as human fathers have goals for their children. That is almost too much for us to bear. Why should the infinite, eternal God, the almighty Creator of the entire universe, take such a personal interest in creatures who are so small and so sinful? Why should He love us so much or value us so highly? Why should He want to make of us something so much better and greater than we presently are? It’s a love we can’t explain, a love we don’t deserve, a love we don’t even desire, apart from His grace. True love has a goal. To be holy, to be like Jesus. His goal is never to make us happy, but to be holy, to be like Christ, to walk in His ways – and by being that – then and only then we experience true happiness!

So more than anything else, I pray that we would become more and more to be a loving church. For every good and noble thing that will count for eternity will simply flow out of this – the love of God for us and our love for each other.  So today, receive afresh His love and rest in that love. Be secured in His love – fear nothing, for whatever happens – nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Announcements:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO! 

SETTING UP SAFEGUARDS: AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART ‘13

• Inviting all college students, young adults, newlyweds/young couples for an affair of the heart workshop/seminar on setting up safeguards on Feb 23, 2013, Saturday 6pm at the Spanish Heritage.
• Registration fee is Php 250
• The event is limited to 100 people only.
• Last day of registration is TODAY.
• Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

WATER BAPTISM

• To those who desire to obey the Lord in water baptism, we will have a water baptism on March 9, 2013h 9, 2013
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
   
  
  WP-Bible plugin, Saturday 10am at the Dulamal’s Beach House in Cangmating, Sibulan.
• It will be a potluck fellowship.
• Sign-up sheet is available at the back.

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please start praying for our youth as they head on for their upcoming youth camp 2013 with the theme, “CONSUMED”

(For Our God is a Consuming Fire).

• In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale every after church service.

The Master’s Love – A second picture of God’s love is the love of a master for an animal. The Bible often speaks of the Lord as the good shepherd and His people as sheep. Jesus loves His sheep, He defends His sheep against enemies, and He even lays down His life and dies to save His sheep. But in His love for the sheep, the good shepherd insists on leading them and guiding them in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psa.23:3).

He’s not content to let the sheep do whatever they want or wander in whatever direction they please. They must learn to do what the shepherd wants. Now there’s a practice, a disciplinary action shepherds do for those who developed a habit of straying. Every once in a while one of the lambs will develop a habit of straying. He will be missing many times. Sometimes he was in search of greener pastures while at other times he would chase butterflies. He never realized the danger he is in.

Shepherds have developed a technique guaranteed to prevent straying. It is used only as a last resort (take note: it’s a last resort) when a sheep refuses to stay with the flock. Many think that it’s cruel, but it saves the life of the sheep. So when habitual stray lambs would go out of the flock on their own way, the shepherd would pick him up, put him on his shoulders and carried him back to the sheepfold. The shepherd sits him down and quickly placed his right front leg across the staff. With one swift motion the shepherd pulls down of the long bone of his leg and breaks it.  The sheep struggles to get away. He immediately falls to the ground in pain. He couldn’t understand — the one who provided for him and rescued him, the one who he trusted was inflicting the most excruciating suffering he’d ever endured. And shepherds will tell us that they didn’t want to do that, but they had to do it to save the sheep’s life. Over the next few days, the sheep could barely get up.

As the flocks moved from pasture to pasture the shepherd carries him every step of the way. He holds him close in those days. He was suffering with that broken leg, but all the while the shepherd carried him close to his heart.  Gradually he was able to walk again, but the smallest hill looked like a mountain to him and the shallowest stream like a mile-wide river. Whenever he encountered an obstacle, all he could do was stop and look to his shepherd. Then the shepherd would pick him up and help him over. The broken sheep learned to trust and to follow. And the shepherd had to break him to save his life. It worked. And those sheep become the most loyal sheep of the shepherd!

Are you going through God’s discipline? God’s breaking? I know it hurts…but it’s all for our good in the long run. He does it because He loves us. It is to protect us from further harming ourselves. Love has a goal – it’s not to make us happy but to make us holy. And as we are being made holy that’s the only time we can truly be happy. So if you are “limping” right now, know that He is closer to you than you can imagine, carrying you to His bosom, close to His heart!

Announcements:

ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO! 

· WORSHIP SEMINAR

· For those who are interested in joining the praise and worship ministry, you are required to attend the worship seminar on Feb. 9, 2013 here at CCD from 9:00rom 9:00
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible pluginam-12:00pm, (break time 12:00-1:00e 12:00-1:00
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja! Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible pluginpm) come back at 1:00-4:30pm.

· Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

· BEREAN CLASS

· Our next Berean class will resume on Feb. 12, 2013, Tuesday, at 7:00pm here at CCD.

· Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

· SETTING UP SAFEGUARDS:AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART ‘13

· Inviting all college students, young adults, newlyweds/young couples for an affair of the heart workshop/seminar on setting up safeguards on Feb 23, 2013, Saturday 6pm at the Spanish Heritage.

· Registration fee is Php 250

· The event is limited to 100 people only.

· Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

· GROWPOINT ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

· Inviting everyone to come and join Revolution: The Call for Vibrant Transformation Evangelistic Concert on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, 6pm at the Negros Oriental Convention Center.

· Admission is free!

YOUTH CAMP 2013

• Please start praying for our youth as they head on for their upcoming youth camp 2013 with the theme, “CONSUMED”

(For Our God is a Consuming Fire).

• In line with this, the youth would like to ask for our support through their bake sale every after church service.

Because its February and they say it’s the “Love Month”, beginning today and for the following Sundays I’ll be sharing about four word pictures of God’s love for us: first, the love of an artist or craftsman for his handiwork. Second, the love of a master for a cherished animal. Third, the love of a father for a child; and fourth, the love of a husband for a wife. Each of these word pictures is found in the Bible, and each helps us understand what true love is and love’s goal.

The Artist’s Love – Let’s begin with the love of an artist for what he is making. The Bible often pictures God’s relationship to His people as a potter molding clay. God sent the prophet Jeremiah to a potter’s house to watch the artist at work. The potter was shaping the clay as it spun on the wheel, but the clay somehow became marred and misshapen. And what did the potter do? He simply squeezed the clay back into a lump “and formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.” Then God spoke to Jeremiah and said, “Can I not do with you as this potter does? Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel” (Jeremiah 18:1-6Jeremiah 18:1-6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
18 ¹ The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, ² Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. ³ Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. wheels: or, frames, or, seats ⁴ And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. of clay...: or, was marred, as clay in the hand of the potter made it...: Heb. returned and made, etc ⁵ Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ⁶ O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.  

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God isn’t content to leave His beloved people as a useless, marred lump of mud. If God loves you, He intends to make of you something that is useful, even beautiful. He is constantly shaping and molding you to have a certain character. And in this process, God has the absolute right and power to do whatever it takes to make of you whatever He wants. God is the potter; we are ornery, stubborn clay. We tend to think we should be shaping the Potter instead of the Potter shaping us. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me’? Can the pot say of the potter, ‘He knows nothing’” (Isaiah 29:16Isaiah 29:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?  

WP-Bible plugin). Sometimes the shaping process hurts terribly, but let’s not forget that God has the right and the power to shape us in whatever way seems best to Him, and let’s also not forget the love and concern that an artist has for what he is making. The more the artist cares about a certain work of art, the more time and trouble he takes with it. The more he prizes it, the less he puts up with any defect. The greater the masterpiece he’s working on, the more careful and intense he will be. If he wanted only a worthless lump of mud, he won’t bother the clay at all. If he wanted only a crude bowl, the shaping process would be quick and easy. But since he wants a splendid vase, he keeps prodding and shaping until its exactly the way he wants it and then puts the clay through intense heat and fire.

So it is with God. Often those who suffer most, who go through the most painful shaping and pass through the most fiery trials, are most precious to God and end up among his most splendid and valued masterpieces. Are you being broken right now? Trust and submit to the hand of the Master Potter, the Great Artist who loves you and whose only desire is for your best – for His glory!

Announcements:

I. Our entire studies of the book of Revelation, Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes are now available to listen to and/or download from our website, CCDUMAGUETE.COM.

II. ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO! 

• WORSHIP SEMINAR

-       For those who are interested in joining the praise and worship ministry, you are required to attend the worship seminar on Feb. 9, 2013 here at CCD from 9:00rom 9:00
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible pluginam-12:00pm, (break time 12:00-1:00e 12:00-1:00
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja! Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible pluginpm) come back at 1:00-4:30pm.

-       Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

• BEREAN CLASS

-       Our next Berean class will resume on Feb. 12, 2013, Tuesday, at 7:00pm here at CCD.

-       Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service

• SETTING UP SAFEGUARDS:AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART 2013

-       Inviting all college students, young adults, newlyweds/young couples for an affair of the heart workshop/seminar on setting up safeguards on Feb 23, 2013, Saturday 6pm.

-       Please keep posted for more details.

-       The event is limited to 100 people only.

-       Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (Acts 20:22-24Acts 20:22-24
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: ²³ Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. abide me: or, wait for me ²⁴ But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.  

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What a statement! What commitment! What dedication! What passion! Prison? Hardships? Many Christians don’t include that in their vocabulary in their service to the Lord. They don’t think they mix. Of course I’m not referring to being imprisoned because we commit a crime. But in serving Jesus? Who wants to be in prison? We don’t want that. We want our comfort – a comfortable ministry. But is there such a thing as comfortable ministry? Many are more concerned about their reputation or the church’s reputation than obedience to the call. I’m not saying that the true mark of following the Lord is imprisonment, though sometimes, and in many places, you find fellow believers imprisoned for their faith. One thing is sure, when we follow Jesus wholeheartedly there’s a degree of suffering we go through prison or no prison.

I thank God for Paul’s example. Ministry or following Jesus is a lifelong commitment! It’s an unswerving dedication and an un-quenching passion to Jesus Christ. All that Paul cared about was to be faithful to his calling. This is his life’s mission – to finish the race and to complete the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace! And completing it is not easy, but he was not deterred. Note how costly his ministry is. He knows that he is facing danger, trial, hardship, afflictions. But note also the commitment of his heart. He says that it does not matter. He’s going forward anyway.

Now why was Paul able to say these words? This is not “normal” as far as the world’s philosophy is concern. The answer is death. Paul has died to himself! Paul says that his life was not his own. Ever since the day on the Damascus Road when he encountered Christ, Paul’s mission in life had been to “testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” He had a course to run, a witness to share, and a gospel to preach. He had died to his own selfish ambition, and his one ambition is to know Christ and to make Him known.

Paul says, “I do not count my life of any value nor as precious to myself — I am not my own, but I am bought with a price. And that purchase means that I am available to Another to work through me. My aim, my goal, my joy, my desire in life is not that I should have anything for myself, but for my Lord.”

What a wonderful statement of just how available he was as an instrument of God’s working. For to him, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” ‘I don’t count my life dear to myself.’  Living in this body is not something that Paul said, that I’m really trying to hang on to.  So to Paul, life on earth was no longer a real concern except as it related to the completion of his mission.

How about us? What do really matter to us? Is it of eternal value, or just for this lifetime? If it’s the latter you’re up for your biggest disappoint when you stand before Jesus Christ one day. Make up your mind. Who are you really following?

Announcements:

I. FRIDAY FELLOWSHIPS!

· For all the young adults, you may join the Living Vessels Fellowship or LVF.

· For all college students, we also have the College CORE.

· And we have the Livingstone’s Ministry for the youth.

· These three fellowships happen simultaneously every Friday at 7:00pm here at the church.

II. Our entire studies of the book of Revelation, Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes are now available to listen to and/or download from our website, CCDUMAGUETE.COM.

III. ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO! 

· LADIES’ RETREAT

- Inviting all the ladies to come and join the 2013 Ladies’ Retreat at CCTC on Feb. 2, 2013 from 8:00rom 8:00
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible pluginam until 4:30l 4:30
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,  

WP-Bible pluginpm.

- Registration fee is Php70, inclusive of 1 lunch and 2 snacks.

- To those who would want to sponsor the ladies from our outreaches, please feel free to do so.

- Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

· WORSHIP SEMINAR

- For those who are interested in joining the praise and worship ministry, you are required to attend the worship seminar on Feb. 9, 2013 here at CCD from 9:00rom 9:00
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible pluginam-12:00pm, (break time 12:00-1:00e 12:00-1:00
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja! Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible pluginpm) come back at 1:00-4:30pm.

- Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

· BEREAN CLASS

- Our next Berean class will resume on Feb. 12, 2013, Tuesday, at 7:00pm here at CCD.

- Sign-up sheet is available at the back after the service.

· PRAYER MEETING

- The prayer and meeting will also resume on Feb. 12, 2013, Tuesday, here at CCD @ 5:30pm.

· COVENANT KEEPERS

- Inviting all couples to join the covenant keepers’ fellowship tonight here at the church @ 6:30pm with guest speaker, Ptr. Jim Davis.

Psalms 23:2-3Psalms 23:2-3
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. green...: Heb. pastures of tender grass still...: Heb. waters of quietness ³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  

WP-Bible plugin – “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,³ he refreshes my soul.”

Here, is a picture of a sheep so completely satisfied, that there isn’t the least bit of desire for anything more. He’s so content he lies down in green pastures.  But did you notice the wording?   David said, “He makes me lie down.” Sheep sometimes have to be forced to lie down. According to a real-life shepherd, in order for sheep to lie down, 4 things are required:

First of all, they have to be full. Hungry sheep stay on their feet searching for another mouthful of food. Secondly, they must be unafraid. They will not lie down if they’re fearful. The least suspicion of wolves or bears and they stand ready to flee.  Thirdly, they must be content. If flies or fleas are bothering them they’ll not lie down. They must be comfortable before they’ll lie down.  Finally, sheep will not lie down unless there is harmony in the flock. If there is friction among them, then they simply cannot relax and lie down. It is the shepherd who must see to it that his flock is free from any disturbances.

Sheep are very easily frightened. A stray jackrabbit jumping out from behind a bush can stampede a whole flock.  When one sheep runs in fright, all of the others will follow behind it in blind fear, not waiting to see what frightened them. But nothing quiets a flock of sheep like seeing their shepherd in the field with them.

Like sheep, we also are easily frightened. We live in an uncertain time. Any hour can bring disaster. And generally, it is the unknown, the unexpected, that frightens us most. But nothing quiets our souls like knowing that our Shepherd is near. Suddenly things are not half as black nor nearly as terrifying. Our Lord is with us. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (I Timothy 1:7).

There’s another application about “Making us lie down” – God makes us lie down once in a while, doesn’t He? What do I mean?  We rush about trying to meet this engagement and fulfill that obligation. And in our hurry and scurry we tend to miss the things that are most important.  So once in a while God has to say, “You need to lie down,” by allowing an illness, or heartbreak, to make us stop and reevaluate our priorities. But it’s all for our good.

God does not just direct our steps – but our stops too. God ordains some stops in our lives to restore us. And then later we find how truly restored we are, and thankful we are that the Lord let that “stop” happened to us, that how we needed it!

So if you’re on a “stop” right now, embrace it, don’t fight it, the Lord is making you lie down…hear Him speak, listen with your heart on what He is saying during this season of “stop.” He’s restoring you, renewing you and healing you – that you might become a sheep beneficial to the Shepherd. Remember, sheep is used for sacrifice and the life of a sheep is only meaningful and significant when it’s offered. Be a sweet smelling sacrifice unto Him as you offer your life to Him today.

Announcements:

1. FRIDAY FELLOWSHIPS!

• For all the young adults, you may join the Living Vessels Fellowship or LVF.
• For all college students, we also have the College CORE.
• And we have the Livingstone’s Ministry for the youth.
• These three fellowships happen simultaneously every Friday at 7:00pm here at the church.

II. Our entire studies of the book of Revelation, Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes are now available to listen to and/or download from our website, CCDUMAGUETE.COM.

III. ACTIVITIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

• Inviting all the ladies to come and join the 2013 Ladies’ Retreat at CCTC on Feb. 2, 2013 from 8:00rom 8:00
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
  Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!
  
  WP-Bible pluginam until 4:30l 4:30
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
  30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,  
  
  WP-Bible pluginpm. Registration fee is Php100, inclusive of 1 lunch and 2 snacks.
• For those who are interested in joining the praise and worship ministry, you are required to attend the worship seminar on Feb. 9, 2013 here at CCD from 9:00rom 9:00
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
  Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!
  
  WP-Bible pluginam-12:00pm, (break time 12:00-1:00e 12:00-1:00
  English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
  Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja! Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!
  
  WP-Bible pluginpm) come back at 1:00-4:30pm.
• Our next Berean class will resume on Feb. 12, 2013, Tuesday, at 7:00pm here at CCD.
• The prayer and meeting will also resume on Feb. 12, 2013, Tuesday, here at CCD @ 5:30pm.
• Sign-up sheets for the ladies’ retreat, worship seminar and berean class are available at the back after the service.

People make new promises for the new year. Sad that, as they say, ‘promises are made to be broken.’ It’s true to many things like new year’s resolutions but it should not be true to marriage or other life commitments. And that can only be possible through the grace God provides. One thing we can hold on though throughout this new year is a promise made to us by our Shepherd, Jesus Christ: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life (Psa.23:6).”

What does David mean by that? Obviously David had disappointments in life. Not everything good happened to him. He’s not saying, ‘Surely, only good things are going to happen to me.’ That’s not true. Bad things happen to the righteous too. He’s not saying only good things are going to happen. He’s saying only goodness will follow. Good things will always come out of whatever happens even the bad, the evil, the difficult.

God will ensure that good will come out — it will follow whatever happens to David. The great promise that God has given to believers: Romans 8:28Romans 8:28
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
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 we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

That’s what it means “goodness and love will follow me”. There is no difficulty, dilemma, defeat, disaster in the life of a Christian that ultimately God won’t bring good out of. Eventually, He’ll bring good out of it. You’ and I are going to experience many different kinds of days in life. Happy, sad, sick, depressing, lonely, difficult — that’s why we fear the future — we don’t know what’s going to happen. But you will never face a day without God’s goodness and mercy with you if you’ve given your life to Jesus Christ. He will be with you all the time. Some days you won’t feel it, some days you won’t see God’s mercy and grace and it may be hard to determine. But surely, without a doubt God’s goodness and mercy are going to be there even in the tough times in the future.

If you know the shepherd, you don’t have to fear anything. You don’t need to fear poverty because the Lord is your shepherd, you have everything you need. you don’t need to fear loneliness, for He is with you. You don’t need to fear mistakes, for He guides you on the right path. You don’t need to fear failure, for He restores your soul. You don’t need to fear the future, because goodness and mercy are going to follow you all the days of your life.

God is beneath us in green pastures. He is beside us in still waters. He is with us in the valley. He is around us in the presence of our enemies. He’s upon us anointing our head with oil. He is before us leading us in the right paths.

As we follow our shepherd, His goodness and love follows us. We need not chase after goodness and love and run desperately after it. We can never get away from them. We need only to follow the Lord as our Shepherd and He will make goodness and mercy to follow us like a shadow all the days of our life. Our souls are at rest in God. We are in the arms of the Great Shepherd. We are cared for now and forever.

Announcements:

I. We are inviting all young adults to come and join the Living Vessels Fellowship (LVF) every Friday at 7:00pm here at the church.

II. Our entire studies of the book of Revelation, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are now available to listen to and/or download from our website, CCDUMAGUETE.COM.

III. ELDERS/WIVES & MINISTRY LEADERS PRAYER FASTING & YEARLONG PLANNING!

· Again, we would like to remind all the elders & wives and ministry leaders to continue praying for our annual Elders/Wives & Ministry Leaders Prayer/Fasting & Yearlong Planning on January 18-19, 2013 at CCTC. The prayer/fasting will start at 6pm on Jan. 18 and will end at 10am on Jan. 19.

IV. PLEASE CONSIDER OTHERS :

We place the highest priority on teaching God’s Word in an environment where people can focus and understand it.  Therefore:

1. Please allow your children to participate in the Sunday School so they may learn on their level (1st Service only)

2. Please be on-time, and once the service has begun, avoid getting up and leaving before the service is over, unless it is an emergency.

3.  If you need to use the CR during the message time, you can but you may no longer go back to your seat.  Ushers will provide a seat for you at the back.

4. Please turn off the sound of Cellular Phones when you enter the Sanctuary.  THANK YOU!

No. Not the Feng Sui experts, not the crystal ball readers and definitely not the psychics nor the palm readers! Only the Lord Jesus!

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want (Psa.23:1).” What a peaceful picture! David, the shepherd of sheep, said that the LORD was his shepherd. Jesus identified Himself to be our Shepherd. We couldn’t ask for a better shepherd – who takes a personal interest in us!

Now, when someone says, “I shall not be in want,” we need to listen up & take notice because we live in an age of discontent. I read somewhere about somebody who once said, “I was a child. But it was adulthood I wanted – the freedom, & the respect. I was 20. But it was 30 I wanted to be mature, & sophisticated. I was middle-aged. But it was 20 I wanted – the youth, & the free spirit. I was retired. But it was middle-age I wanted – the presence of mind, without limitations. Then my life was over, & I never got what I wanted.”

Many people never seem satisfied and almost everybody wants more. We live in a generation of the half-empty cup, and the content that fills the half cup is fear: Fear that we don’t have enough, fear that we are not valuable, fear of today and fear of tomorrow.  We see a tremendous contrast in what David expressed and what our own hearts contain. How could someone write with such contentment and security? And this contentment he found is in his relationship with his God, his shepherd – not in what he had materially.

How much would we pay to have what he had? What would we be willing to do to know David’s contentment and security? I would suggest that to have contentment and security in the present and for the future, we simply have to trust God as our personal Shepherd, as David did.

This passage of scripture tells us that there are really only two options in life: If the Lord is my shepherd, then I shall not be in want; but if I am in want, then it is obvious that the Lord is not my shepherd. It is that simple.

If there is emptiness and loneliness and despair and frustration in our lives, then the Lord is not our shepherd. Or, if anyone or anything else is shepherding us, we are never satisfied. If our vocation shepherds us, then there is restlessness and unsatisfying activity and frustration. If education is our shepherd, then we are constantly being disillusioned. If another person is our shepherd, we are always disappointed and ultimately we are left empty. But if the Lord is our shepherd, David says, we shall not be in want!

Beloved, this new year, when you are restless, troubled and cannot sleep, don’t count sheep – TRUST THE SHEPHERD! And He’s just so willing to tend, care, lead, provide and watch over you all the days of your life. All you have to do is to let Him lead you. Why look to the stars to guide you when you have the Maker of the stars to lead you! Give the control of your life over to Him…and then and only then that you can say like David, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want!”

Announcement:

I. ELDERS/WIVES & MINISTRY LEADERS PRAYER FASTING & YEARLONG PLANNING!

• Again, we would like to remind all the elders & wives and ministry leaders to continue praying for our annual Elders/Wives & Ministry Leaders Prayer/Fasting & Yearlong Planning on January 18-19, 2013 at CCTC. The prayer/fasting will start at 6pm on Jan. 18 and will end at 10am on Jan. 19.

II. PLEASE CONSIDER OTHERS:

We place the highest priority on teaching God’s Word in an environment where people can focus and understand it.  Therefore:

1. Please allow your children to participate in the Sunday School so they may learn on their level (1st Service only)

2. Please be on-time, and once the service has begun, avoid getting up and leaving before the service is over, unless it is an emergency.

3.  If you need to use the CR during the message time, you can but you may no longer go back to your seat.  Ushers will provide a seat for you at the back.

4. Please turn off the sound of Cellular Phones when you enter the Sanctuary.  THANK YOU!